cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
B10 cell regulation of health and disease

While B cells are traditionally regarded as promoters of the immune response via antibody secretion and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, recent studies have also confirmed an important role for B-cell-mediated negative regulation of immunity. Tremendous advances in the characterization of the mechanisms by which regulatory B cells function has led to the identification of a novel subset of regulatory B cells known as B10 cells, which regulate immune responses through the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). B10 cells are best defined by their functional ability to produce IL-10, as they are not confined to any particular phenotypic subset. B10 cells function in an antigen-specific manner that requires cognate interactions with T cells in vivo to regulate immune responses and have been demonstrated to be potent regulators of allergic and autoimmune disease, cancer, infection, and transplant rejection. Importantly, the recent discovery of human B10 cells has accelerated this field to the forefront of clinical research where the possibility of harnessing the regulatory potential of B10 cells for treatment of aberrant immune responses and diseases may become feasible.
Synthesis and crystal and molecular structure of the conformationally restricted methionine analogue (±)-2-exo-amino-6-endo-(methylthio)bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-endo-carboxylic acid and neighboring group participation in its anodic oxidation

Title compound (I) was synthesized by amination of the lithium enolate of methyl 6-endo-(methylthio)bicyclo[2.2.1] heptane-2-endo-carboxylate with O-(mesitylenesulfonyl)hydroxylamine followed by hydrolysis. Its crystal and molecular structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The structure is compared both with 6-exo-(methylthio)bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-endo-carboxylic acid and the HBr salt of 2-exo-aminobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-endo-carboxylic acid. Electrochemical oxidation of I in acetonitrile, using the technique of cyclic voltammetry, revealed two oxidation waves with peak potentials of 0.90 and 1.35 V. Controlled potential electrolysis of I provided the corresponding sulfoxides as a mixture of diastereomers (in 60 and 25-30% yield, respectively), which were also prepared by chemical oxidation, derivatized, separated, and characterized. The remarkable cathodic shift of 450 mV for 1c is ascribed to neighboring carboxylate participation in oxidation of the thioether moiety
Diagnosis of pediatric infections using bacterial antigen detection systems

ments of human cytomegalovirus strain ADI69. J. Virol. 43:83-91. 36. Nelson, J. A. et al. 1984. Structure of the transforming region of human cytomegalovirus AD169. J. Virol. 49:109115. 37. Petrie, B. L. et al. 1987. Nucleic acid sequences of cytomegalovirus in cells cultured from human arterial tissue. J. Infect. Dis. 155:158-159. 38. Quinnan, G. V. et al. 1982. Cytotoxic T cells in cytomegalovirus infection. HLA-restricted T-lymphocyte and non-T-lymphocyte cytotoxic responses correlate with recovery from cytomegalovirus infection in bone-marrow-transplant recipients. N. Engl. J. Med. 307:713. 39. Rando, R. F. et al. 1987. Transactivation of human immunodeficiency virus by herpes viruses. Oncogene 1:13-18. 40. Rapp, F. et al. 1975. Long-term persistency of cytomegalovirus genome in cultured human cells of prostatic origin. J. Virol. 16:982-990. 41. Rice, G. P. A., and R. D. Schrier, and M. A. Oldstone. 1984. Cytomegalovirus infects human lymphocytes and monocytes: virus expression is restricted to immediate-early gene products. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 81:6134-6138. 42. Roche, J. K. et al. 1981. Cytomegalovirus: detection in human colonic and circulating mononuclear cells in association with gastrointestinal disease. Int. J. Cancer 27: 659-667. 43. Ruger, R. et al. 1987. Primary structure and transcription of the genes coding for the two virion phosphoproteins pp65 and pp71 of human cytomegalovirus. J. Virol, 61:446-453. 44. Seto, E., and T. S. B. Yen. 1987. Detection of cytomegalovirus infection by means of DNA isolated from paraffinembedded tissues and dot hybridization. Am. J. Pathol. 127:409-413. 45. Smith, J. D. 1986. Human cytomegalovirus: demonstration of permissive epithelial cells and nonpermissive fibroblastic cells in a survey of human cell lines. J. Virol. 60:583-588. 46. Spector, D. H., and S. A. Spector. 1984. The oncogenic potential of human cytomegalovirus. Prog. Med. Virol. 29:45-89. 47. Spector, S. A. et al. 1984. Detection of human cytomegalovirus in clinical specimens by DNA-DNA hybridization. J. Infect. Dis. 150:121-126.
Can the yale-brown obsessive compulsive scale be used to assess trichotillomania? A preliminary report

Given recent conceptualizations of trichotillomania (TM) as a variant of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), clinician-rated measures of obsessive compulsive symptoms have been adapted for use in the assessment of TM. Although the reliability and validity of these instruments have been well-documented in patients with OCD, psychometric properties have not been examined systematically in patients with TM. Here, we evaluate the reliability and validity of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) in a sample of 11 patients with a primary diagnosis of TM. Data addressed the utility of the Y-BOCS for evaluating symptoms of TM, and provided information regarding the proposed overlap between OCD and TM. Initial analyses suggested that interrater reliability, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability for the total score were adequate. However, the range of scores was somewhat restricted, and suggested in particular that interference in daily functioning from TM symptoms is quite low. Both internal consistency and test-retest reliability for the Target Behaviors subscale were inadequate, suggesting that this combined score is inappropriate for use with TM patients. Concurrent validity data using the total score were mixed, although the Y-BOCS did appear to be sensitive to change in TM symptoms over treatment. Implications for the use of the Y-BOCS with TM patients and hypothesized phenomenological differences between TM and OCD are discussed.
Experimental and numerical comparison of extractive and in situ laser measurements of non-equilibrium carbon monoxide in lean-premixed natural gas combustion

Abstract Measurements of carbon monoxide (CO) in the high-temperature combustion product stream of an atmospheric pressure, lean-premixed combustion, natural gas reactor were obtained using line-of-sight tunable diode laser absorption and extractive probe sampling in conjuction with nondispersive infrared analyzers over various equivalence ratios and flow residence times. The measurements are compared with (1) a numerical model using comprehensive chemical kinetics for methane combustion in conjunction with perfectly stirred reactor (PSR) and plug-flow reactor (PFR) modeling approaches, and (2) chemical equilibrium at the measured temperatures. Temperatures ranging from 1500 to 2000 K were measured using a radiation corrected thermocouple and also by a diode laser thermometry technique. The laser based in situ measurements of CO concentration ranged from 50 to 5000 ppm depending on the equivalence ratio and flow residence time. Results of the numerical model were consistent with the laser-based measurements. The extractive probe measurements were found to be as much as 10 times less than the laser-based measurements. However, laser and probe measurements for fuel-rich equivalence ratios agreed. In an effort to improve the performance of extractive sampling probes, we tested several aerodynamic quench probe designs. We were unable to achieve an aerodynamic quench of the CO in a high-temperature combustion product stream. A model of the sampling probe as a PFR indicates that extractive sampling of [CO] is increasingly inaccurate at gas temperatures above 1000 K.
Coexistence of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and chronic lymphocytic leukemia

A man with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and a lymphoproliferative disorder is described. The latter condition evolved into a typical picture of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The significance of this association is obscure, but treatment of one or the other disease was clearly not an etiologic factor in this concurrence.
Beta Testing a Web-Based Writing Coach

“The Coach” is a web-based tool developed to guide students through the technical writing process. It provides instruction about form as well as critique of different aspects of the students’ writing. It goes beyond the Microsoft word spell check and grammar check. It gives feedback about writing complexity and appropriateness for different word choices in a technical document. It also gives background about the appropriate contents for technical writing in addition to example documents. The latter is extremely important for the novice writer who may not have much experience in working with technical reports.The initial document type in “The Coach” is a lab report. If the lab report can be developed into the web-based tool, other forms will be more easily implemented. In addition to developing the website, the development team is preparing a document and a video for a professor to use to instruct students on the use of “The Coach.”The instructional materials and “The Coach” were beta tested with a freshman engineering class. A baseline writing sample was collected before the introduction of “The Coach.” Students in some sections were instructed in use of “The Coach,” and other sections were controls. Additional beta testing is ongoing.© 2012 ASME
Integratively Assessing Risk and Protective Factors for Adolescent Suicide

This article briefly reviews key issues in adolescent suicide risk assessment and proposes that assessing risk and protective factors in combination has the best probability of informing the field's understanding of this complex problem. Several newer measures are described along with summaries of their psychometric properties. A recommended protocol utilizing 4 developmentally appropriate, valid, and reliable self-report measures is suggested as a parsimonious way of gathering information on the range of risk and protective factors. Finally, a novel approach of employing short-term longitudinal studies to test models of adolescent suicide attempts is described along with a rationale for not focusing research efforts on completed suicide. Implications of this approach for prevention efforts conclude the article.
Composite mirror surface deformation due to lay-up sequences within quasi-isotropic laminates

We address surface accuracy issues associated with the thermal stability of continuous-fiber-reinforced quasi-isotropic composite mirrors. Thermally induced surface deformations in /n quasi-isotropic laminates, where n=3, 4, and 6, are numerically and experimentally investigated for the effects of stacking sequence and surface resin layers. Symmetric laminates and asymmetric laminates caused by the presence of surface resin layers for fiber print-through (FPT) mitigation are considered in numerical models to evaluate the surface characteristics due to thermal variance of T=16.6 °C (30 °F). Numerical results from finite element analyses reveal that the presence of an out-of-plane sinusoidal surface deformation pattern is inevitable in quasi-isotropic laminates, and the surface patterns are associated with stacking sequences within the laminates. Analyses assuming the thermal variance reveal that none of the /n laminates meet the diffraction-limited surface deformation requirement (</20) for precision composite optics, with the mean average magnitude of surface deformation in /n symmetric laminates due to the thermal variance being 250 nm. Projections of this data further reveal that temperature variations must be maintained within ±2 °C to expect diffraction-limited performance. Similarly, tight control over moisture content will be required. Adding surface resin layers in quasi-isotropic laminates for FPT alleviation produces larger out-of-plane deformations than high-frequency surface variations due to FPT.
Differential Expression of IL-17RC Isoforms in Androgen-Dependent and Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancers

IL-17RC (interleukin-17 receptor-like) gene codes for a transmembrane protein, the full length of which inhibits apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. IL-17RC gene transcribes over a dozen different splice variants of mRNA. However, it is not known whether there are relevant protein isoforms. Here we report that different IL-17RC protein isoforms were detected by two different antibodies. The isoform as detected byanti-IL-17RC intracellular domain antibodies (anti-ICD) was expressed at higher levels in androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines (PC3 and DU145) than in androgen-dependent prostatic cell lines (RWPE-1, pRNS-1-1, MLC-SV40, and LNCaP). In contrast, several isoforms as detected by anti-IL-17RC extracellular domain antibodies (anti-ECD) were expressed at significantly higher levels in androgen-dependent prostatic cell lines than in androgen-independent ones. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining of prostate tissue microarrays showed that IL-17RC protein expression was significantly higher in androgen-independent prostate cancers than in androgen-dependent ones when anti-ICD was used, whereas the trend was reversed using anti-ECD. These observations provide evidence that IL-17RC protein isoforms are differentially expressed in prostatic cells and cancer tissues and may play a negative or positive role in the initiation and progression of prostate cancer.
Experimental studies of bistatic scattering from two-dimensional conducting random rough surfaces

Despite the recent development of analytical and numerical techniques for problems of scattering from two-dimensional rough surfaces, very few experimental studies were available for verification. The authors present the results of millimeter-wave experiments on scattering from two-dimensional conducting random rough surfaces with Gaussian surface roughness statistics. Machine-fabricated rough surfaces with controlled roughness statistics were examined. Special attention was paid to surfaces with large rms slopes (ranging from 0.35 to 1.00) for which enhanced backscattering is expected to take place. Experimentally, such enhancement was indeed observed in both the copolarized and cross-polarized returns. In addition, it was noticed that at moderate angles of incidence, the scattering profile as a function of observation angle is fairly independent of the incident polarization and operating frequency. This independence justifies the use of the geometric optics approximation embodied in the Kirchhoff formulation for surfaces with large surface radius of curvature. When compared with the experimental data, this analytical technique demonstrates good agreement with the experimental data.
Brain biochemical and behavioral effects of 1, 2, 4 or 8 weeks' electroshock treatment.

Abstract In experiment 1, littermate male Wistar rats were given minimal, maximal, or sham seizures 3 or 5 times per week for 4 or 8 weeks, beginning at 30 days of age. The treatment resulted in increased cortical brain weight; body weight was reduced in the maximally convulsed S s but not in the minimally convulsed S s. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was increased slightly in the ventral cortex. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity was increased throughout the cortex. In Experiment 2, S s were treated 5 or 10 times per week for 1, 2, or 4 weeks. Body weight was reduced after only one week, whereas were four weeks required for the increase in brain weight to be detected. AChE activity was slightly increased in the cortex after two weeks. MAO activity was significantly increased in some parts of the cortex after only one week and throughout most of the cortex after two or four weeks. Performance in a two-trial spatial discrimination in an underwater T-maze tended to be poorer in maximally convulsed groups, but the differences were not significant at these short treatment durations.
The insulin-induced down-regulation of IRS-1 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes is mediated by a calcium-dependent thiol protease

Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) is a protein expressed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes that is involved in most, if not all of the biological responses to insulin. Chronic exposure of these cells to insulin down-regulates IRS-1 by stimulating its degradation (Rice, K.M., Turnbow, M.A. and Garner, C.W. (1993) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 190, 961-967). This insulin-induced down-regulation of IRS-1 was totally abolished by BAPTA-AM (cell-permeable calcium chelator), E-64d (cell-permeable thiol protease inhibitor), Cbz-Leu-Nleu-H and Cbz-Leu-Leu-Tyr-CHN2 (selective cell-permeable calpain inhibitor peptides). Calpastatin (specific calpain inhibitor protein) also inhibited the insulin-induced down-regulation of IRS-1 in transiently permeabilized cells. In addition, 3T3-L1 adipocytes express endogenous calpain which can degrade IRS-1 in cell-free extracts. These results suggest that the insulin-induced down-regulation of IRS-1 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes is mediated by a calcium-dependent thiol protease which is sensitive to inhibition by calpain inhibitors.
SeqNLS: Nuclear Localization Signal Prediction Based on Frequent Pattern Mining and Linear Motif Scoring

Nuclear localization signals (NLSs) are stretches of residues in proteins mediating their importing into the nucleus. NLSs are known to have diverse patterns, of which only a limited number are covered by currently known NLS motifs. Here we propose a sequential pattern mining algorithm SeqNLS to effectively identify potential NLS patterns without being constrained by the limitation of current knowledge of NLSs. The extracted frequent sequential patterns are used to predict NLS candidates which are then filtered by a linear motif-scoring scheme based on predicted sequence disorder and by the relatively local conservation (IRLC) based masking. The experiment results on the newly curated Yeast and Hybrid datasets show that SeqNLS is effective in detecting potential NLSs. The performance comparison between SeqNLS with and without the linear motif scoring shows that linear motif features are highly complementary to sequence features in discerning NLSs. For the two independent datasets, our SeqNLS not only can consistently find over 50% of NLSs with prediction precision of at least 0.7, but also outperforms other state-of-the-art NLS prediction methods in terms of F1 score or prediction precision with similar or higher recall rates. The web server of the SeqNLS algorithm is available at http://mleg.cse.sc.edu/seqNLS.
A computer-aided flow diagram teaching system

This paper describes a system intended to aid beginning computer science students develop a systematic approach towards problem solution using structured flow diagrams. The student is carefully monitored during the specification of an initial flow diagram and through successive stages of refinement. As each new flow diagram symbol is entered, the system checks to see that the student is being consistent with earlier work and has not introduced potential errors.The flow diagram is an intermediate level representation of an algorithm which is independent of the particular programming language chosen for implementation. When the structured flow diagram has been completely refined, the final translation to a programming language is relatively automatic. To test the program logic, the resultant source code should be executed. The student can modify the flow diagram, generate new code, and re-execute until the program runs correctly.
A Performance-based Conceptualization of Social Competence of Handicapped Preschool Children Implications for Assessment

Few educators would dispute the importance of social competence for young handicapped children, yet there is much disagreement over an appropriate definition. Attempts to define social competence have included specifying all competent skills or behaviors of children or relating social competence to adaptive behavior. Most recent approaches have examined the skills or knowledge required for interpersonal social interactions as a basis for defining social competence; these approaches have encompassed both cognitive and behavioral orientations. In this paper, we advocate a performance-based approach to the assessment of social competence. In this approach, multiple social agents in the child's social environment (e.g., teachers, parents, peers, independent observers)
FTIR spectra of base -- HF complexes in noble gas matrices

Abstract FTIR matrix isolation studies can provide a wealth of new information on base--HF complexes. In particular, complexes that are difficult to prepare, such as NH 2 F--HF, NH 2 CN--HF and O 3 --HF can be observed in solid matrices. Very weak complexes like H 2 --HF and O 2 --HF require solid neon to minimize matrix effects. Finally, less stable structural arrangements such as CO--HF can be identified in the same matrix with the more stable OC--HF complex.
Newcastle disease virus complementary RNA: its relationship to the viral genome and its accumulation in the presence or absence of actinomycin D.

Abstract Tritium-labeled RNA isolated from Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was annealed with RNA extracted from chick embryo cells incubated with or without 10 μg/ml actinomycin D for 7 hours after infection by NDV. By measurement of acid-precipitable radioactivity after ribonuclease treatment of annealed materials, it was found that at least 80% of the NDV genome is represented by complementary counterparts in infected cells whether or not the cells are incubated with actinomycin D. Specific dilution assays showed that actinomycin D enhanced accumulation of both NDV parental-type (+) RNA and NDV complementary (−) RNA in cells, but the drug did not lower the ratio of (+) to (−) RNA.
Determining Optimal Test Lengths with a Fixed Total Testing Time

The problem of determining optimal test lengths with fixed total testing time has proven to be a difficult one for criterion-referenced test developers. A solution is offered in this paper in which test lengths are determined by considering the importance, reliability, and validity of scores measuring objectives in a criterion-referenced test with a constraint set on the total desired test length.
Infrared Hall angle in the d-density-wave state: A comparison of theory and experiment

Infrared Hall measurements in the pseudogap phase of the high-T-c cuprates are addressed within the framework of the ordered d-density-wave state. The zero-temperature Hall frequency omega(H) is computed as a function of the hole-doping x. Our results are consistent with recent experiments in absolute units. We also discuss the signature of the quantum critical point in the Hall frequency at a critical doping inside the superconducting dome, which can be tested in future experiments.
Validation of the Health ABC Heart Failure Model for Incident Heart Failure Risk Prediction The Cardiovascular Health Study

Background—The recently developed and internally validated Health ABC HF model uses 9 routinely available clinical variables to determine incident heart failure risk. In this study, we sought to externally validate the Health ABC HF model. Methods and Results—Observed 5-year incidence of heart failure, defined as first hospitalization for new-onset heart failure, was compared with 5-year risk estimates derived from the Health ABC HF model among participants without heart failure at baseline in the Cardiovascular Health Study. During follow-up, 400 of 5335 (7.5%) participants developed heart failure over 5 years versus 364 (6.8%) predicted by the Health ABC HF model (predicted-to-observed ratio, 0.90). Observed versus predicted 5-year heart failure probabilities were 3.2% versus 2.8%, 9.0% versus 7.0%, 15.9% versus 13.7%, and 24.6% versus 30.8% for the 20% 5-year risk categories, respectively. The Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2 was 14.72 (degrees of freedom, 10; P=0.14), and the C inde...
Systemic Bank and Corporate Distress From Asia to Argentina: What Have We Learned?

After Mexico’s meltdown in 1994–95, the markets and the policy establishment braced for the next big crisis – widely expected to feature external sovereign bonds. However, the next crisis turned out to be altogether different. A year after the fall of the Thai baht in August 1997, 65% of Thailand’s companies were illiquid, and nearly a quarter were insolvent; non-performing bank loans approached 30% of GDP. The figures were comparable for Korea and even worse for Indonesia, where nearly 80% of all firms were illiquid and 65% were technically insolvent. Yet Asian governments had been running budget surpluses and managed relatively light debt loads. Asia’s was a crisis unlike its Latin American predecessors. With no concern for government debt default, this new kind of crisis manifested itself in widespread runs and defaults on direct cross-border debts of Asian banks and companies. Systemic bank and corporate distress can take different forms and come about in different ways. Bank and corporate crises need not even coincide. For example, in an economy where banks mostly finance the government and companies rely on non-bank funding sources (securities markets, retained earnings or private capital), pervasive corporate failure need
Ultrafilter conditions for high-level waste sludge processing

Abstract Optimal filtration conditions were evaluated for the ultrafiltration process planned for pretreating high‐level waste (HLW) sludge in the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant. This sludge must be filtered in the pretreatment process to remove sodium and, consequently, reduce the number of canisters for storage. The evaluation, which was based on Hanford HLW slurry test data, was performed to identify the optimal pressure drop and crossflow velocity for filtration at both high and low solids loading. Results from this analysis indicate that the actual filtration rate achieved is relatively insensitive to these conditions under anticipated operating conditions. The maximum filter flux was obtained by adjusting the system control valve pressure to between 400 kPa and 650 kPa while the filter feed concentration increased from 5 wt% to 20 wt%. However, operating the system with a constant control‐valve pressure drop of 500 kPa resulted in a reduction of less than 1% in the average filter flux. Also, allowing...
What Is Responsible For The Response Lag Of A Significant Change In Discretionary Time Use: The Built Environment, Family And Social Obligations, Temporal Constraints, Or A Psychological Delay Factor?

In this paper, we used the 10-wave Puget Sound Panel Dataset to investigate the response lag of a significant change in discretionary time use. In particular, we want to quantify the relative magnitude of the following factors: the built environment, family and social obligations, temporal constraints, or a psychological delay factor (people delay a behavioral change until the next life shock). To answer this question, we developed a survival model to treat (1) left-censoring, (2) partial observation, and (3) multi-type exits. The results suggest that family and social obligations, as well as temporal constraints, appear to play a more important role than the built environment. Support for the psychological delay factor is not evident. We also found that the probability of having a significant change in discretionary time use is negatively related to time progression, supporting the human adaptivity hypothesis.
A Roadmap for Evaluating Online Teaching: A review of 'Evaluating Online Teaching: Implementing Best Practices'

Evaluating Online Teaching is not so much a "how-to" guide as it as a roadmap, guiding the reader through the complexities of creating or overhauling a faculty evaluation process. The book places heavy emphasis on contextual factors and is filled with real-world examples. Evaluating Online Teaching is a must-read for distance learning administrators tasked with faculty evaluations.
El Acuerdo de Libre Comercio entre Estados Unidos y Canadá : algunas lecciones

El Acuerdo de Libre Comercio (FTA) entre Canada y Estados Unidos establecio las bases para la posterior creacion del Area de Libre Comercio de Norteamerica (NAFTA). De ahi que Chile, a pesar de las diferencias economicas y geograficas, puede aprender de la experiencia canadiense, debido a que existen similitudes en sus posiciones para la negociacion de un acuerdo de libre comercio con Estados Unidos. Asi, se analiza el trasfondo de la decision canadiense en buscar un acuerdo de este tipo, los puntos y objetivos esenciales de sus negociadores y los resultados, ademas de los efectos del primer tiempo de operacion. Finalmente, se mencionan las principales lecciones para Chile: la obtencion de un mecanismo aceptable para la solucion de disputas comerciales; aprovechar la clausula de advenimiento de NAFTA, en lugar de intentar bilateralmente un nuevo acuerdo; la busqueda de diversos apoyos dentro de Estados Unidos, estableciendo fechas limites y negociando habilmente.
Adaptive modulation in ad hoc DS/CDMA packet radio networks

This paper investigates the benefit of adaptive modulation based on channel state information (CSI) in DS/CDMA multihop packet radio networks. By exploiting varying channel conditions on different links, adaptive modulation can be used in ad hoc networks to provide upper layers with higher capacity links over which to route traffic. Performance is evaluated in terms of the information efficiency, a new progress-related measure for multihop networks. Three types of adaptivity are analyzed, differing in the level of CSI available: (i) full knowledge of the SIR at the receiver, (ii) knowledge of only the signal attenuation due to fading, and (iii) knowledge of only the slow fading component of the signal attenuation. The effect on performance of imperfect channel information is also investigated. Sample results are given for interference-limited networks experiencing fourth-power path loss with distance, Rayleigh fading, and lognormal shadowing.
Using the bootstrap to select models

The problem of model selection is addressed by the Bayesian methodology and the bootstrap technique. As a rule for choosing the best model from a set of proposed models, the maximum a posteriori principle is used. The evaluation of the maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) of each model amounts to computation of integrals whose integrands may be very peaked functions. We carry out the integration by importance sampling, where the importance function is a multivariate Gaussian whose samples are obtained by the bootstrap technique. The performance of the MAP rule is examined by computer simulations, and comparisons with the widely used AIC (Akaike information criterion) and MDL (minimum description length) rules are made.
Effects of C-to-N ratio on vermicomposting of biosolids

The role of organic carbon and inorganic nitrogen for cell synthesis, growth, and metabolism is important in all living organisms. To provide proper nutrition for earthworms during vermicomposting, carbon and nitrogen must be present in the substrates at the correct ratio. The usual practice is to arbitrarily add either a rich nitrogenous material, or a rich carbonaceous material to the feed substrate, depending on the situation, to correct for C-to-N imbalance. In addition, the conventional determination of C-to-N ratio is not always based on the proportion of each nutrient that is available for these processes, but on their absolute content in the substrate. More so, diAerent earthworm species are impacted diAerently by C-to-N ratio and feed mixture type. Therefore, pilot studies are necessary to establish optimal C-to-N ratio for a specific earthworm species and a specific feed mixture. Specifically, the focus of this study was to investigate and establish a suitable C-to-N ratio for vermicomposting of fresh biosolids (activated sewage sludge) amended with paper mulch, using Eisenia fetida. An optimal stocking density of 1.60 kg-worms/m 2 and an optimal feeding rate of 0.75 kg-feed/kg-worm/day (Ndegwa, P.M., Thompson, S.A., Das, K.C., 1999. Biores. Technol. 71 (1), 5‐12), were used in this study. A C-to-N ratio of 25 resulted in the highest stability of the product, the best fertilizer-value of the product, and also a product with the lowest potential for environmental pollution. ” 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
An LP-based methodology for improved timing-driven placement

A method for timing driven placement is presented. The core of the approach is optimal timing-driven relaxed placement based on a linear programming (LP) formulation. The formulation captures all topological paths in a linear sized LP and thus, heuristic net weights or net budgets are not necessary. Additionally, explicit enumeration of a large number of paths is avoided. The flow begins with a given placement and iteratively extracts timing-critical sub-circuits, optimally places the sub-circuit by LP and applies a timing-driven legalizer. The approach is applied to the FPGA domain and yields an average of 19.6% reduction in clock period of routed MCNC designs versus I.6J (with reductions up to 39.5%).
Character-Based Automated Human Perception Quality Assessment in Document Images

Large degradations in document images impede their readability and deteriorate the performance of automated document processing systems. Document image quality (IQ) metrics have been defined through optical character recognition (OCR) accuracy. Such metrics, however, do not always correlate with human perception of IQ. When enhancing document images with the goal of improving readability, e.g., in historical documents where OCR performance is low and/or where it is necessary to preserve the original context, it is important to understand human perception of quality. The goal of this paper is to design a system that enables the learning and estimation of human perception of document IQ. Such a metric can be used to compare existing document enhancement methods and guide automated document enhancement. Moreover, the proposed methodology is designed as a general framework that can be applied in a wide range of applications.
Use of PCR to identify Leptospira in kidneys of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) in Kansas and Nebraska, USA

Bats have been implicated as potential carriers of Leptospira as a result of surveys, mostly in Australia and South America. We measured the prevalence of pathogenic leptospires in kidneys of bats from Kansas and Nebraska. From 7 August 2012 to 21 August 2012, we extracted DNA from kidneys of 98 big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) submitted and found negative for rabies. The DNA was processed in a two-step, seminested PCR assay with a dual-labeled Taqman probe specific for pathogenic leptospires. As a negative control, we used a saprophytic leptospire (Leptospira biflexa Patoc) and, as a pathogenic control, Leptospira interrogans Canicola. All bat kidneys were negative for pathogenic leptospires, suggesting that it is unlikely that the big brown bat, one of the most prevalent bat species in North America, is a reservoir for transmission of leptospires to dogs or humans.
Tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency and dopamine loss in a genetic mouse model of Lesch-Nyhan disease.

Summary: Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) is an enzyme that catalyses the conversion of hypoxanthine and guanine into their respective nucleotides. Inherited deficiency of the enzyme is associated with a loss of striatal dopamine in both mouse and man. Although HPRT is not directly involved in the metabolism of dopamine, it contributes to the supply of GTP, which is used in the first and rate-limiting step in the synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4). Since BH4 is required as a cofactor for tyrosine hydroxylase in the synthesis of dopamine, any limitation in the supply of GTP could interfere with the synthesis of dopamine. The current studies were designed to address the hypothesis that the reduced striatal dopamine in mice with HPRT deficiency results from reduced availability of BH4. The mutant mice had small reductions in striatal BH4, with normal BH4 levels in other brain regions. Liver BH4 was normal in HPRT-deficient mutant mice, and a phenylalanine challenge test failed to reveal any evidence for impaired hepatic phenylalanine hydroxylase, another BH4-dependent enzyme. Although striatal BH4 content is not normal, supplementation with BH4 or L-dopa failed to correct the striatal dopamine deficiency of the mutant mice, suggesting that BH4 limitation is not responsible for the dopamine loss.
Design and characterization of nanostructured biomaterials via the self-assembly of lipids

We are interested in designing nanostructured biomaterials using nanoscopic building blocks such as functionalized nanotubes and lipid molecules. In our earlier work, we summarized the multiple control parameters which direct the equilibrium morphology of a specific class of nanostructured biomaterials. Individual lipid molecules were composed of a hydrophilic head group and two hydrophobic tails. A bare nanotube encompassed an ABA architecture, with a hydrophobic shaft (B) and two hydrophilic ends (A). We introduced hydrophilic hairs at one end of the tube to enable selective transport through the channel. The dimensions of the nanotube were set to minimize its hydrophobic mismatch with the lipid bilayer. We used a Molecular Dynamics-based mesoscopic simulation technique called Dissipative Particle Dynamics which simultaneously resolves the structure and dynamics of the nanoscopic building blocks and the hybrid aggregate. The amphiphilic lipids and functionalized nanotubes self-assembled into a stable hybrid vesicle or a bicelle in the presence of a hydrophilic solvent. We showed that the morphology of the hybrid structures was directed by factors such as the temperature, the rigidity of the lipid molecules, and the concentration of the nanotubes. Another type of hybrid nanostructured biomaterial could be multi-component lipid bilayers. In this paper, we present approaches to design hybrid nanostructured materials using multiple lipid species with different chemistries and molecular chain stiffness.
Multiple thresholds and many-atom dynamics in the cavity QED microlaser

Summary form only given. The cavity QED microlaser is a laser based on the ideal model of atoms undergoing well-defined interaction with a single mode of an optical cavity. It is the optical analogue of the micromaser. Due to the coherent nature of the atom-cavity interaction, the microlaser exhibits behavior foreign to conventional lasers.
Toward a Classification of Antagonistic Manifestations of Knowledge

As an accepted part of life, inconsistency is ubiquitous in knowledge, information and data. Inconsistency is a very important phenomenon and can be utilized as an effective tool to help accomplish the objectives in our endeavors. In this paper, we focus our attention on the logical forms in which antagonistic propositions (or inconsistent knowledge) manifest themselves in knowledge systems and how we quantify different antagonistic manifestations of knowledge. We describe algorithms that quantify twelve types of inconsistency that include: complementary, mutually exclusive, incompatible, anti-subsumption, anti-supertype, asymmetric, anti-inverse, mismatching, disagreeing, contradictory, precedence, and probabilistic value inconsistency. The take-home message is that there are circumstances in knowledge systems where inconsistencies arise in logical forms other than just a pair of complementary literals.
Surgical treatment of capillary hemangiomas causing amblyopia

Background Capillary hemangiomas of the eyelids and orbit can cause refractive and occlusive amblyopia. Although oral and intralesional steroid injections are the most common treatment modalities, sometimes they are not successful. There is a paucity of information in the literature on the success of eliminating amblyogenic factors by treating these lesions with surgical resection. Methods Retrospective chart review of 10 patients in two pediatric ophthalmology practices who underwent surgical excision of a capillary hemangioma that was causing amblyopia and that had failed to regress with other treatment. Results Two patients had surgery secondary to pupillary occlusion, which was successful in relieving occlusion. Eight patients had surgery secondary to significant astigmatism. The average preoperative astigmatic difference between the affected and unaffected eye in five of these patients undergoing surgery before the age of 21 months was 2.15 D. The average postoperative astigmatic difference was 0.1 D. The average preoperative astigmatic difference between the affected and unaffected eye in three patients undergoing surgery after 21 months of age was 1.6 D. Surgery completely failed to reduce the astigmatism in two of these patients. The third patient had a decrease of 0.75 D of cylinder but still had a difference of 1.75 D between the two eyes postoperatively. Postoperative complications in this study included wound infection in one patient. Conclusions Surgical excision of capillary hemangiomas that were resistant to other modes of treatment was useful in relieving pupillary occlusion and in decreasing the amount of astigmatism if performed before the age of 21 months in our series of patients. Our cases as well as the literature suggest that surgery should be performed at 13 months or earlier to reduce the amount of astigmatism.
Pilot study of an objective structured clinical examination (“the Six Pack”) for evaluating clinical competencies

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) designed to examine all six competencies and provide meaningful results to improve resident performance. Study Design A prospective, observational study. Methods The OSCE consists of 1 hour for examination of a simulated patient, documentation, and feedback, with 30 minutes for an evidence-based medicine (EBM) test. Eight otolaryngology residents participated. Digital recordings and written documentation were evaluated on all competencies except practice-based learning. An EBM test was scored to assess practice-based learning. Results Overall, senior residents scored better. Seniors scored better on performing a focused history, whereas juniors scored better for thoroughness. Seniors coded better than juniors, although seniors tended to undercode and juniors tended to overcode. Two cases of “insurance fraud” were also discovered. Conclusions The “Six Pack” successfully evaluated all competencies while providing valuable information. A clinical practicum was added to improve history and physical examination skills. The discussion of coding and a billing seminar also resulted. Residents believed the OSCE was valuable. Faculty members were impressed with the useful information obtained.
Omitting types of prenex formulas

In the literature, a type Γ is a set of formulas ϕ ( ν 0 ) in the one free variable ν 0 . A model M realizes Γ if there is an element a of M such that M ╞ ϕ [ a ] for all ϕ ∈ Γ. A model M omits Γ if no element of M realizes Γ. Evidently, the two statements: (*) M realizes Γ and (**) M omits Γ
Bacterial Diversity and Distribution in the Holocene Sediments of a Northern Temperate Lake

Sediments contain an abundance of microorganisms. However, the diversity and distribution of microorganisms associated with sediments are poorly understood, particularly in lacustrine environments. We used banding patterns from denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S rDNA sequences to assess the structure of bacterial communities in the Holocene sediments of a meromictic lake in Minnesota. Cluster analysis of the DGGE banding patterns indicates that the early- and middle-Holocene samples group separately from the late-Holocene samples. About 79% of the recovered bacterial sequences cluster with the α-, β-, δ-, ɛ-, and γ- Proteobacteriaceae and Firmicutes. The remaining ∼21% lack cultured representatives. The taxonomic lineages of bacteria differ statistically among the early-, middle-, and late-Holocene samples, although the difference is smallest between early- and middle-Holocene samples. Early- and middle-Holocene samples are dominated by ɛ-Proteobacteriaceae, and late-Holocene samples are dominated by sequences from uncultured subphyla. We only recovered δ-Proteobacteriaceae in late-Holocene sediments and α- and γ- Proteobacteriaceae in late- and middle-Holocene sediments. Diversity estimates derived from early-, middle-, and late-Holocene clone libraries indicate that the youngest (late-Holocene) samples had significantly greater bacterial diversity than the oldest (early-Holocene) samples, and the middle-Holocene samples contained intermediate levels of diversity. The observed patterns of diversity may be caused by increased bacterial niche-partitioning in younger sediments that contain a greater abundance of labile organic matter than older sediments.
Johnny 2: a user test of key continuity management with S/MIME and Outlook Express

Secure email has struggled with signifcant obstacles to adoption, among them the low usability of encryption software and the cost and overhead of obtaining public key certificates. Key continuity management (KCM) has been proposed as a way to lower these barriers to adoption, by making key generation, key management, and message signing essentially automatic. We present the first user study of KCM-secured email, conducted on naive users who had no previous experience with secure email. Our secure email prototype, CoPilot, color-codes messages depending on whether they were signed and whether the signer was previously known or unknown. This interface makes users signicantly less susceptible to social engineering attacks overall, but new-identity attacks (from email addresses never seen before) are still effective. Also, naive users do use the Sign and Encrypt button on the Outlook Express toolbar when the situation seems to warrant it, even without explicit instruction, although some falsely hoped that Encrypt would protect a secret message even when sent directly to an attacker. We conclude that KCM is a workable model for improving email security today, but work is needed to alert users to "phishing" attacks.
Solastalgia: Environmentally Induced Distress and Migration Among Africa’s Poor Due to Climate Change

Primarily due to a high dependence on agro-ecosystems and their vulnerability to environmental changes, Africa is one of the most vulnerable continents to climate change and variability (IPCC, 2007). Poor rural societies that are dependent on climate-sensitive resources will be the most affected, with potential negative impacts including loss of income, displacement, and internal migration.
Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of RasN17 inhibits specific CCK actions on pancreatic acinar cells

CCK stimulates pleiotrophic responses in pancreatic acinar cells; however, the intracellular signaling pathways involved are not well understood. To evaluate the role of the ras gene product in CCK actions, a strategy involving in vitro adenoviral-mediated gene delivery of a dominant-negative mutant Ras (RasN17) was utilized. Isolated acini were infected with various titers of either a control adenovirus or an adenoviral construct expressing RasN17 for 24 h before being treated with CCK. Titer-dependent expression of RasN17 in the acini was confirmed by Western blotting. Infection with control adenovirus [10(6)-10(9) plaque-forming units/mg acinar protein (multiplicity of infection of approximately 1-1,000)] had no effect on CCK stimulation of acinar cell amylase release, extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) or c-Jun kinase (JNK) kinases, or DNA synthesis. In contrast, infection with adenovirus bearing rasN17 increased basal amylase release, inhibited CCK-mediated JNK activation, had no effect on CCK activation of ERK, and inhibited DNA synthesis. These data demonstrate important roles for Ras in specific actions of CCK on pancreatic acinar function.