cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
INDUCTION FROM MULTI-LABEL EXAMPLES IN INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS: A CASE STUDY

Information retrieval systems often use machine-learning techniques to induce classifiers capable of categorizing documents. Unfortunately, the circumstance that the same document may simultaneously belong to two or more categories has so far received inadequate attention, and induction techniques currently in use often suffer from prohibitive computational costs. In the case study reported in this article, we managed to reduce these costs by running a “baseline induction algorithm” on the training examples described by diverse feature subsets, thus obtaining several subclassifiers. When asked about a document's classes, a “master classifier” combines the outputs of the subclassifiers. This combination can be accomplished in several different ways, but we achieved the best results with our own mechanism inspired by the Dempster-Shafer Theory (DST). We describe the technique, compare its performance (experimentally) with that of more traditional voting approaches, and show that its substantial computational savings were achieved in exchange for acceptable loss in classification performance.
The Role of the Drunk in a Oaxacan Village

Drunks are accorded great social license in Oaxacan villages. They may shout insults, intrude uninvited into social gatherings, and behave in other normally unacceptable ways. This paper analyzes the drunk's role in terms suggested by Goffman's "dramaturgical analogy," as a highly functional and sometimes entertaining part in the ongoing drama of community life. Village conceptions of drunken behavior are seen to create that behavior, apart from the alcohol intake which is its ostensible cause. Invest me in my motley; give me leave To speak my mind, and I will through and through Cleanse the foul body of the infected world, If they will patiently receive my medicine. Shakespeare [As You Like It, II, vii]
1H-n.m.r. studies of squash seed trypsin inhibitor.

1H-n.m.r. studies at 500 MHz have been performed on a trypsin inhibitor (CMTI-III) found in squash seed (Cucurbita maxima). The sequential resonance assignments have been made using two-dimensional techniques. The chemical shifts for the assigned protons are reported at 30 degrees, pH 2.8 and form a basis for the determination of the solution structure of CMTI-III. Analysis of the NOE data, NH-alpha CH vicinal coupling constants and pattern of slowly exchanging amide protons indicates that the predominant feature of the solution conformation is a triple stranded beta sheet consisting of residues 8-10, 21-23, and 26-29. Residues 12-15 appear to form a beta turn.
Detection and Classification of Cervical Neoplasia in the Era of HPV

During the last 20 years, we have greatly expanded our under- standing of cervical cancer pathogenesis. Epidemiological and laboratory- based studies have definitively demonstrated that infection with "high risk" (HR) or oncogenic types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is central to, and necessary for, development of squamous and endocervical cancers of the cervix (Bosch et al, J Natl Cancer Inst. 1995;87:796-802; Bosch, de Sanjose, J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 2003;31:3-13; Wallboomers et al, J Pathol. 1999;189:12-19). Our new understanding of cervical carcinogen- esis has already led to many changes in our approach to cervical cancer screening, as well as to the classification and management of cervical pathology. HPV testing has been integrated into cervical cancer screening, and lesions such as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1, previously believed to be at HR of progression and therefore aggressively treated, are now recognized as being the morphologic manifestation of what is almost always self-limited HPV infection. This also now appears to be true of many cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 lesions in younger women. Even more dramatic changes are likely to be made to screening, lesion classification, and clinical management in the future. As an increasing proportion of the population is vaccinated against those HR types of HPV responsible for development of the majority of cervical cancers, the positive predictive value of cytology and HPV testing for identification of lesions at risk for progress- ing to cancer will decrease and new biomarkers for identification of women with HR cervical lesions will need to be developed. Furthermore, as we gain insight into the specific molecular changes that are acquired by those women with persistent HR-HPV who progress to carcinoma in situ or invasive malignancy, biomarkers for accurate classification of a lesion's risk of progression will be developed to serve as an adjunct to morphology for lesion classification and patient management.
SU‐E‐T‐533: The Validity of Using Average Intensity Projected Target Volumes for CBCT Localization of SBRT Lung Tumors

Purpose: The accurate localization of lungtumors when performing stereotactic body radiotherapy(SBRT) is challenging because the breathing motion can cause imaging artifacts. To address this motion, an internal target volume (ITV) is created based on maximum intensity projections (MIP) reconstructed from all phases of the respiratory cycle by finding the maximum electron density at every voxel within the 4DCT. To assess whether a target volume created from the average intensity projections (AIP) of electron densities can also aid localization, the visualized tumor in cone‐beam CT(CBCT) is compared to the ITV as delineated on the 4DCT using the MIP and the AIP datasets. Methods: The tumor was delineated on sixty‐ five kilovoltage CBCT datasets (CBCT ITV). The distances in each dimension were measured and the mean differences between the CBCT and both the AIP and MIP ITV were analyzed. Results: The mean differences between the CBCT ITV and AIP ITV are 0.06 ± 0.20 cm, −0.10 ± 0.27 cm, and 0.14 ± 0.26 cm in the axial, sagittal, and coronal dimensions respectively. The mean differences between CBCT ITV and the MIP ITV are −0.13 ± 0.19 cm, −0.24 ± 0.31 cm, and −0.06 ± 0.25 cm. In corresponding dimensions, the mean difference between CBCT ITV and AIP ITV is statistically greater than the mean difference between CBCT ITV and MIP ITV (p‐value < 0.02) Conclusions: Accurately aligning the target in the lung is difficult without a method to visualize the intended area of treatment. The CBCT ITV is larger than the AIP ITV in the axial and coronal dimensions and is smaller than the MIP ITV in all dimensions. This indicates that CBCT ITV can be better evaluated using AIP ITV and MIP ITV as lower and higher limits for localization, respectively.
Explosive evaporation in solar flares

This paper develops a simple analytical model for the phenomenon of 'explosive evaporation' driven by nonthermal electron heating in solar flares. The model relates the electron energy flux and spectrum, plus details of the preflare atmosphere, to the time scale for explosive evaporation to occur, the maximum pressure and temperature to be reached, rough estimates for the UV pulse emission flux and duration, and the evolution of the blueshifted component of the soft X-ray lines. An expression is given for the time scale for buildup to maximum pressures and the onset of rapid motion of the explosively evaporating plasma. This evaporation can excite a rapid response of UV line and continuum emission. The emission lines formed in the plasma approach a given emissivity-weighted blueshift speed.
Postprandial thermophily, transit rate, and digestive efficiency of juvenile cornsnakes, Pantherophis guttatus

Abstract We measured substrate temperature preference of juvenile cornsnakes in a linear thermal gradient during a fast and after feeding. After feeding the snakes selected temperatures approximately 6 °C warmer than those chosen by fasting snakes. We measured transit rates, the time from feeding to defecation, in snakes maintained at 22 or 32 °C or during ecdysis. Snakes at 32 °C had a significantly faster transit rate than those at 22 °C and during ecdysis snakes retained feces. The digestive efficiency ranged from 87% to 95% for individual snakes.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice: a national workforce perspective-a response.

If I understand it correctly, the purpose of the article was to share the authors’ objections to raising the standards for advanced practice certification from a master’s to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Although theirs’ is not a position I endorse, it is both intelligible and excusable given the history of such arguments in our profession, eg, opposition to the bachelor’s degree as the entry into nursing practice or the master’s degree for advanced practice certification, or the debate onwhether the PhD is even appropriate for nursing.
SELECTIVE DENERVATION SUPERSENSITIVITY IN A HIRSCHSPRUNG MODEL

In the mouse the Ls trait is an autosomal recessive allele, that when present in the homozygous Ls/Ls condition, causes a segment of distal colonic aganglionosis and obstruction similar to Hirschsprung's disease. Muscle rings were removed from the aganglionic colon (AGC) and ganglionic colon (GC) of Ls/Ls mice and from corresponding segments of control mice. Muscle rings tested in vitro exhibit spontaneous tone. Electrical field stimulation with parameters known to stimulate nerve fibers causes relaxation followed by contraction in GC of both Ls/Ls and control mice while the AGC did not respond. This neurally mediated relaxation is not affected by cholinergic or adrenergic block, while excitation is blocked by cholinergic antagonism. The AGC however is affected by agents that act directly on the muscle and in some instances responds at doses that have no effect on GC. In comparison to GC, the AGC is supersensitive to: 1) VIP, a putative neurotransmitter which causes relaxation 2) bethanechol, a cholinergic agonist which causes contraction 3) phenylephrine, an alpha adrenergic agonist which causes contraction. However, the AGC segment is not supersensitive to all direct acting muscle agonists; isoproterenol, a beta adrenergic agonist, causes relaxation without showing supersensitivity. We conclude that AGC may show denervation supersensitivity to VIPergic, cholinergic, and alpha adrenergic agonists, but not beta adrenergic agonists.
Vessel wall arachidonate metabolism after angioplasty: possible mediators of postangioplasty vasospasm.

The mechanism of postangioplasty vasospasm is uncertain. It was postulated that a reduction in vasodilator prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or an increase in vasoconstrictor hydroperoxy acids might contribute to spasm of a dilated artery. Twelve mongrel dogs were anesthetized, intubated, and mechanically ventilated. Heart rate and aortic pressures were continuously monitored and arterial blood gases maintained within physiologic limits. A single carotid artery was dilated in each animal (4 atm × 1 minute × 3) using nonex-pandable polyethylene balloon catheters with inflated balloon diameters 50 to 100% larger than the internal arterial lumen. The opposite carotid artery served as a control. In 4 animals, aspirin (10 mg/kg, intravenously) was injected 30 minutes before dilation. Sixty minutes after dilation, animals were heparinized and the carotid arteries carefully removed. The in vitro conversion of carbon-14(14C) -arachidonic acid (AA) to 6-keto PGF1α (PGI2), PGE2, and 12L-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) was determined using thin-layer radiochromatography. Angioplasty caused a 70% decrease in vessel wall PGI2 production and a 44% decrease in PGE2 production (n = 4, p < 0.05). Reductions in in vitro conversion of 14C-AA to PGI2 and PGE2 induced by angioplasty were comparable to that produced by cyclooxygenase inhibition with aspirin. Angioplasty, in addition, caused a 104% increase in vessel wall HETE production (n = 4, p < 0.05). Therefore, angioplasty results in a local derangement of AA metabolism characterized by decreases in vasodilator prostaglandins and increases in vasoconstrictor hydroperoxy acids. These local changes may contribute, in part, to sudden arterial occlusion after angioplasty.
A computationally simple heteroskedasticity and serial correlation robust standard error for the linear regression model

Abstract A simple method for computing a heteroskedasticity and serial correlation robust standard error for an OLS coefficient is proposed. The computations can be carried out using any regression package that supports basic data manipulation.
Improved method for isolation of plasma membrane on cationic beads. Membranes from Dictyostelium discoideum

Abstract The plasma membrane from Dictyostelium discoideum was routinely purified 35-fold by an improved technique using beads coated with positively charged polymers. Cells were attached to the beads and bare regions between the cells were neutralized with a polyanion. The neutralization decreased contamination of the bare regions by intracellular proteins released when cells were disrupted to leave behind beads coated by plasma membrane. The neutralization increased the purification as measured by membrane-bound 125 I-labeled concanavalin A. Contamination by markers for various intracellular components was markedly decreased. Various bare-site neutralization reagents were evaluated and gave different results depending upon their charge density and molecular weight. The pH of the neutralization was critical. The optimum pH for cell attachment to beads, 5.0, had little effect as regards bare-site neutralization. A new procedure is given that optimizes the essential features for the plasma membrane isolation on beads.
Thermomechanical Characteristics of Silicon Wafer in Response to Ultrafast Laser Heating

Material processing using ultra-short pulse duration lasers of low fluence produces no plasma and inflicts no damage to the material being treated. The benefit provided by the brief heating time on the order of femtoseconds also enables precision control over the spread of the heat affected zone. In this paper, the interaction between femtosecond lasers and silicon wafer is investigated. A multiscale two dimensional axisymmetric model that governs the transport dynamics in silicon is presented based on the relaxation-time approximation of the Boltzmann equation. Temperature-dependent multi-phonons, free-carrier absorptions, and the recombination and impact ionization processes are considered using a set of balance equations through which the spatial and temporal evolutions of the electron and lattice temperatures along with the electron-hole carrier density are obtained. The mechanical response of the lattice, on the other hand, is described by momentum equations. To solve the model of 17 coupled time-dependent partial differential equations without having to be concerned with non-physical oscillations in the solution, an implicit finite difference scheme on a staggered grid is developed. Unlike the conventional finite difference method in which primary variables are evaluated at grid points, the staggered finite difference scheme allows velocities and first order spatial derivative terms to be calculated at locations midway between two consecutive grid points, and shear stresses to be evaluated at the center of each element. A multi-time-scale approach involving the use of varying time steps ranging from 2.5fsec to 5psec is implemented to successfully obtain time integration results up to 10nsec. The temporal evolution and two dimensional spatial distributions of electron and lattice temperatures are presented in the first few hundreds of picoseconds when thermal equilibrium is reached. It is shown that the calculated material damage threshold based on the carrier density criterion agrees well with the published experimental data, thus validating the feasibility of the model in describing the various thermomechanical responses subject to femtosecond heating of low fluence input. The displacement and velocity distributions explain how the particles initially located at the grid nodes move as time increases and how the mechanical waves are generated by the laser heating. The thermal stress waves induced in a short time scale are proved to be highly dispersive and characteristically of broadband, low amplitude, and extremely high frequency.© 2008 ASME
Trans-Molt Retention of Sperm in the Female Stone Crab, Menippe Mercenaria (Say) 1)

Des observations de laboratoire ont montre que le crabe Menippe mercenaria (Say) peut avoir plus de dix emissions d'oeufs viables pendant une seule epoque, entre les phases periodiques durant lesquelles le crabe rejette sa carapace. Ceci indique donc que les spermatozoides demeurent vivants a l'interieur de la spermatheque pendant un temps tres long. L'examen histologique a revele que des spermatozoides vivants se trouvaient dans la spermatheque d'une femelle isolee qui avait rejette sa carapace sans copulation ulterieure.
Paleoceanography of the Deep Western Boundary Undercurrent on the North American continental margin for the past 25 000 yr

Temporal fluctuations of silt mean particle size and foraminiferal indices were used to examine fluctuations in velocity and position of the axis of the Deep Western Boundary Undercurrent (DWBUC) on the North American continental margin. From 25 to 17 ka the DWBUC axis was 500 m shallower and farther inshore than its present position on the lower rise; current speed was high from 25 to 20 ka and then waned until 17 ka. Between 17 and 7 ka the major axis of the DWBUC shallowed to 4000 m; current speed increased from 17 to 11 ka but slowed from H to 7 ka. Since 7 ka the DWBUC axis has deepened to its modern position at 4900 m. The zone of maximum carbonate dissolution remained below the DWBUC; the most intense dissolution was from 22 to 9 ka and 5 to 2 ka. Highest abundance of Uvigerina and highest percent benthic foraminifera were immediately above the DWBUC from 22 to 7 ka, after which values of both parameters fell to near zero.
Spring Phenology: Nature's Experiment to Detect the Effect of ``Green-Up'' on Surface Maximum Temperatures

Abstract In spring many plants break dormancy and begin foliage production. The appearance of leaves (the “green-up” period) triggers a rapid increase in transpiration at the surface as well as changes in albedo. Subsequently, these processes alter the thermodynamic properties of the surface layer. Normally, seasonal variations in tropospheric thickness, and year-to-year variability in the green-up date, mask the impact of these effects on surface maximum temperatures. In this study we used first leaf phenological data (from the clone lilac Syringa chinensis in the central and eastern United States) as the indicator of transpiration onset, in order to reveal the effects of this change from a dormant vegetative surface, perhaps comparable to the worst summertime droughts, to an active foliage-producing and transpiring vegetative surface. Simple plots using average hypsometric layer-mean temperature (derived from geopotential thickness) and average surface daily maximum temperature were examined for variati...
Hybrid Techniques For Postal Address Location

Many real-world pattern recognition problems entail location of an image within a very cluttered environment. Hybrid processing can be valuable in such a situation by using the high-speed parallelism inherent in optical processing for the feature extraction step, since feature extraction is often the most time-consuming operation to perform digitally. The work reported here takes such an approach for finding addresses on cluttered mail. Two optical systems, a coherent spatial filtering system and an incoherent correlation system, are each discussed for use in combination with digital image processing techniques. Examples of mail processed and statistical results are presented.
Thyroid hormone can increase estrogen-mediated transcription from a consensus estrogen response element in neuroblastoma cells

Thyroid hormones (T) and estrogens (E) are nuclear receptor ligands with at least two molecular mechanisms of action: (i) relatively slow genomic effects, such as the regulation of transcription by cognate T receptors (TR) and E receptors (ER); and (ii) relatively rapid nongenomic effects, such as kinase activation and calcium release initiated at the membrane by putative membrane receptors. Genomic and nongenomic effects were thought to be disparate and independent. However, in a previous study using a two-pulse paradigm in neuroblastoma cells, we showed that E acting at the membrane could potentiate transcription from an E-driven reporter gene in the nucleus. Because both T and E can have important effects on mood and cognition, it is possible that the two hormones can act synergistically. In this study, we demonstrate that early actions of T via TRalpha1 and TRbeta1 can potentiate E-mediated transcription (genomic effects) from a consensus E response element (ERE)-driven reporter gene in transiently transfected neuroblastoma cells. Such potentiation was reduced by inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase. Using phosphomutants of ERalpha, we also show that probable mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation sites on the ERalpha, the serines at position 167 and 118, are important in TRbeta1-mediated potentiation of ERalpha-induced transactivation. We suggest that crosstalk between T and E includes potential interactions through both nuclear and membrane-initiated molecular mechanisms of hormone signaling.
Anomalous subgraph detection in publication networks: Leveraging truth

Analysis of social networks has the potential to provide insight into a wide range of applications. As datasets grow, a key challenge is the lack of existing truth models. Unlike traditional signal processing, where models of truth and background data exist and are often well defined, these models are commonly lacking for social networks. This paper presents a transdisciplinary approach of mitigating this challenge by leveraging research on scientific innovation together with a novel Signal Processing for Graphs (SPG) algorithmic framework. The results suggest new ways for the study of innovation patterns in publication networks.
Monkeys into Men and Men into Monkeys: Chance and Contingency in the Evolution of Man, Mind and Morals in Charles Kingsley’s Water Babies

The nineteenth century theologian, author and poet Charles Kingsley was a notable populariser of Darwinian evolution. He championed Darwin’s cause and that of honesty in science for more than a decade from 1859 to 1871. Kingsley’s interpretation of evolution shaped his theology, his politics and his views on race. The relationship between men and apes set the context for Kingsley’s consideration of these issues. Having defended Darwin for a decade in 1871 Kingsley was dismayed to read Darwin’s account of the evolution of morals in Descent of Man. He subsequently distanced himself from Darwin’s conclusions even though he remained an ardent evolutionist until his death in 1875.
Spectroscopic luminescent tomographic imaging for quantitative assessment of hemoglobin oxygenation

Healthy tissues and tumors exhibit different optical characteristics in blood volume and oxygen sufficiency. Tumor physiology is effectively monitored by non-invasively observing the changes in oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin concentration in tissue. In this paper, we present a practical method for quantitative assessment of hemoglobin concentration and blood oxygenation based on the diffusion theory and finite element analysis. The method incorporates prior knowledge on permissible target region, and reduced the reconstruction of chromosphere concentration to an optimization procedure with simple constrain. A numerical simulation study has been conducted by using a heterogeneous phantom. The numerical results show that the reconstruction method has been successfully applied for the reconstruction of the variation of HbO 2 and HbR concentration in numerical simulation experiments.
Calcium Handling Properties in a Hibernating Animal: Insights into Antiarrhythmic Mechanisms

A hibernating animal is more resistant to cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in winter than in summer. The mechanism(s) may involve reduced oxidative stress level and CaMKII oxidation/activation, which confer the resistance against ROS-induced early afterdepolarization. However, the potential role(s) of intracellular calcium (Cai2+) handling adaptation remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we compared Cai2+ handling properties in ventricular myocytes isolated from woodchucks in winter to those in summer. Cai2+ transients were imaged with a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera in fluo-4-AM loaded ventricular myocytes under field stimulation. The average amplitude (F/F0) of Cai2+ transient was higher in myocytes isolated from winter woodchucks (3.5 ± 0.4, n=9) than those from summer ones (2.3 ± 0.1, n=11). In addition, the myocytes from woodchucks in winter showed faster Cai2+ cycling dynamics, with a significantly shorter half-time (196.5 ± 16.4 ms, n=9) of Cai2+ transients, compared to the myocytes from summer woodchuck (237.3 ± 7.9.4 ms, n=11) (p 8 beats (0.5 Hz) before the incidence and frequency of Cai2+ spark were measured. The myocytes isolated from woodchucks in winter showed lower Cai2+ spark frequency than those in summer. These results suggest that the higher resistance to arrhythmia in winter woodchucks may be (at least partially) associated with the adaptation of Cai2+ handling.
Maleimideinactivation of lactate dehydrogenase isozymes.

Abstract The homologous beef lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) isozymes H 4 and M 4 were observed to be effectively inactivated by a homologous series of N- alkylmaleimides . With each isozyme, the second-order rate constants of inactivation increased with increasing chain length of the alkyl group of the maleimide derivative. The rate of inactivation of lactate dehydrogenase (H 4 ) by N- heptylmaleimide was decreased in the presence of NADH while no protective effect by NADH was noted in the inactivation of lactate dehydrogenase (M 4 ) by this maleimide. Adenosine, AMP, ADP and adenosine diphosphoribose were shown to be coenzyme-competitive inhibitors of both lactate dehydrogenase (H 4 ) and lactate dehydrogenase (M 4 ). Binding patterns of these compounds were very similar with the two isozymes studied.
Factorial Validation of a Measure of Attitude Toward Public Health Nursing Courses

The Adjective Rating Scale was administered as a pre- and postcourse measure of attitudes toward Public Health Nursing courses as part of a program evaluation. The sample included 352 precourse cases and 447 postcourse cases. A principal- components factor analysis with varimax rotation was used on both the pre- and postcourse samples to determine if the reported factor structure of the instrument would replicate over an all-female, professional sample. The factor structure reduced from the reported five factors to four factors in the precourse sample and to three factors in the postcourse sample. The significance of using the Adjective Rating Scale with an all-female professional sample is discussed.
Release and diffusion of sulfamethoxazole through acrylamide‐based hydrogel

Two polymeric hydrogels (xerogels) containing poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP)-crosslinked polyacrylamide and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-crosslinked polyacrylamide were loaded with the sulfamethoxazole drug and their swelling and drug-release dynamics were investigated at a fixed pH and at room temperature (27°C). The effects of various factors such as the composition of the xerogel, crosslinking density, and drug loading were studied on the swelling and drug-release pattern of the xerogels. The kinetic parameters such as the diffusion exponent (n), diffusion constant (k), and diffusion coefficient (D) were also evaluated and analyzed. The percent drug released by these xerogels was also compared to that by the crosslinked gelatin gels.
Some aspects of the photosensitivity of poly(vinyl cinnamate)

A theoretical investigation of the relationships between the photosensitivity of poly-(vinyl cinnamate) and various factors—the degree of esterfication, the average molecular weight, and the concentration of sensitizers—was made under the assumption that the main response of the polymer to light is the production of crosslinking by the dimerization of cinnamoyl groups. The obtained equations are S = k16C2 for the degree of esterification, S = k22M for the average molecular weight, and S = k33 (1 − e) + k34 for the concentration of sensitizers, where S is the photosensitivity of the polymer, C is the degree of esterification, M is the average molecular weight, c is the concentration of sensitizers, and kij is a constant. It was shown that these equations agree well with the experimental data obtained by other authors.
Region-specific distribution of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeats containing specific configurations of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein site II in brains derived from demented and nondemented patients.

Previous studies have shown that two CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) binding sites (sites I and II) within the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) long terminal repeat (LTR) are critically important for efficient virus replication within cells of the monocyte lineage, a primary cell type infected by HIV-1. Sequence variation at C/EBP sites I and II has been shown to alter the affinity of C/EBP factors to these sites. Specifically, sequence variation within C/EBP binding site II has been shown to alter binding of purified C/EBP β protein and basal activity of the HIV-1 LTR. We have previously demonstrated that the C/EBP site II consensus cladeB (ConB) variant was highly conserved in brain- and peripheral blood-derived LTRs of individuals with advanced HIV-1 disease. Given these important observations, the regional distribution of LTRs containing the C/EBP site II ConB variant derived from brain tissues of patients with and without HIV-1-associated dementia (HIVD) was examined. A statistically significant difference was found in the distribution of LTRs containing the C/EBP site II ConB variant in brain regions derived from patients with and without HIVD. In addition, we have previously shown that LTRs containing C/EBP site II 4C and 6G variants (designated according to the position at which nucleotide change occurred relative to ConB, followed by the actual nucleotide found at the variant position) were only found in brain tissue of patients with HIVD. As an extension of these observations, the regional distribution of LTRs containing C/EBP site II 4C or 6G variants derived from the brains of patients with HIVD was examined and a statistically significant difference was observed. We have shown that LTRs containing a low-affinity C/EBP site II4C variant accumulated in the cerebellum. LTRs containing the 4C site variant in conjunction with the consensus cladeB (ConB) site I exhibited the lowest basal LTR activity of any of the LTRs examined. These results suggest that LTRs containing the C/EBP site II 4C configuration may promote the establishment of a latent provirus in the cerebellum, a region of the HIVD brain that exhibits little viral gene expression. Furthermore, LTRs containing a high affinity C/EBP site II 6G variant accumulated in the mid-frontal gyrus, a site of highly productive replication. In addition, LTRs containing the C/EBP site II 6G variant with the ConB at site I exhibited the highest basal LTR activity. In conclusion, distinct LTR populations with specific C/EBP site II configurations were found in different neuroanatomical regions of the brain, potentially due to differences in the molecular architecture of the LTR, viral entry pathways, and/or brain microenvironments.
Creep Deformation of Alloys 617 and 276 at 750-950 °C

Abstract Alloys 617 and 276 were subjected to time-dependent deformation at elevated temperatures under sustained loading of different magnitudes. The results indicate that Alloy 617 did not exhibit strains exceeding 1 percent (%) in 1000 h at 750, 850 and 950 °C when loaded to 10% of its yield strength (YS) values at these temperatures. However, this alloy was not capable of sustaining higher stresses (0.25YS and 0.35YS) for 1000 h at 850 and 950 °C without excessive deformation. Interestingly, Alloy 617 showed insignificant steady-state creep rate at 750 °C irrespective of the applied stress levels. Alloy 276 almost met the maximum creep deformation criterion when tested at 51 MPa–750 °C. Severe creep deformation of both alloys at 950 °C could be attributed to the dissolution of carbides and intermetallic phases remaining after solution annealing or precipitated during quenching.
Numerical simulation of relativistic electrons confined in an axisymmetric mirror field

Abstract A time-dependent numerical model of the astron, with which injection and trapping can be studied in detail, has been developed. The effects due to the resistors and neutralization have been included. The model is axially symmetric. The E-layer electrons are simulated by many thousands of finite-size superparticles, which move in the r−z domain and have velocity components νr, νθ, and νz. The model is relativistic and the electromagnetic fields are obtained by solving four wave equations — three for the vector potential and one for the scalar potential. The E-layer current and the current induced in the resistor wires are included in the above field equations. The computed self-fields are added to the external field to give the field configuration as a function of time. Results of multiple pulse injection are presented.
Putative “MDR enhancer” is located on human chromosome 20 and not linked to the MDRI gene on chromosome 7

The physiologic expression of the human multidrug resistance MDRI gene product P-glycoprotein is controlled in a tissue- and cell-specific manner, but the regulatory mechanisms have not been characterized in great detail. Studies by Kohno et al. [(1990) J Biol Chem 265:19690–19696] suggested that a tissue-specific enhancer element located approximately 10 kb upstream from the major MDRI transcription start site may act to increase the levels of transcription in cultured adrenal and kidney cells. Using this putative “MDR enhancer” as a probe, we isolated a 14 kb DNA fragment from a genomic DNA library prepared from human fetal liver. The restriction map and partial nucleotide sequence of this DNA fragment were consistent with the previously described data obtained for a similar piece of genomic DNA derived from human placenta by Kohno et al. (ibid.). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of large genomic DNA fragments, however, showed that the DNA sequences, including the putative “MDR enhancer,” were not linked to the MDRI gene. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis revealed that this enhancer-like element is located on chromosome 20 at band q13.1 and is, therefore, distinct from the MDR locus on chromosome 7, band q21.1. Thus, this putative regulatory element does not modulate the tissue specificity of expression of the MDRI gene in vivo, but may play a role in the regulation of expression of another, so far unknown gene. Genes Chromosom Cancer 10:267–274 (1994). © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reorganization of actin microfilaments and microtubules in regenerating retinal pigment epithelium

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) regenerating after experimental damage in rabbits exhibits major changes in cell shape, polarity and junctions—features that depend on the cytoskeleton. This report correlates these changes with the redistribution of actin microfilaments and microtubules, using electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. We compare immature cells with the more mature cells that form the new epithelial monolayer. Two populations of immature RPE cells are interspersed at the edge of the regenerating RPE sheet. One population of immature cells makes few junctions with their neighbors or the basement membrane. They form pseudopodia and exhibit a prominent network of actin microfilaments beneath the plasma membrane. These cells are probably motile and advance the epithelial sheet. Another population of immature cells contains numerous stress fibers that insert into large basement membrane attachments. The cells make focal adhesions with their neighbors, rather than the junctional complexes characteristic of mature RPE cells. These cells are probably not motile and mature into the cells forming the new monolayer—cuboidal cells with numerous basal folds and apical villi and a complete belt of intercellular junctions. Stress fibers are lost as the circumferential bundle associated with the zonula adherens re-forms. Microtubules, which form prominent longitudinal bundles running through the processes of immature cells, take on the meshwork organization characteristic of mature RPE as the immature cells differentiate.
The vulnerability of the elderly to hurricane hazards in Sarasota, Florida

Although the elderly are commonly thought to be disproportionately vulnerable to natural hazards, the elderly populations of coastal communities are continuing to grow. Because there is little to no empirical hazards work specifically addressing the vulnerable elderly in coastal communities, this paper uses Sarasota County, Florida, as a case study to analyze how vulnerable the elderly are to hurricane hazards and whether all elderly people are equally vulnerable. To explore the spatial variations in degree and composition of vulnerability among this population, the analysis maps physical exposure to hurricane storm-surge inundation and precipitation-induced flooding and creates social vulnerability indices by applying principal components analysis to census block group data in a geographic information system. The results show that elderly inhabitants of barrier islands face a considerable physical threat from hurricane-induced storm surge and flooding but are less socially vulnerable because of their wealth; the elderly living inland are far less physically vulnerable but are poorer and consequently demonstrate high socioeconomic sensitivity and limited adaptive capacity to these hurricane hazards. The paper concludes that the elderly are not equally vulnerable: there are many different types of elderly living in many different locations, and their vulnerability varies by type and over space. Effective vulnerability reduction measures should account for these differences between the elderly populations.
Inflammatory bowel disease aggregation in Utah kindreds.

Background: The observed heritability of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is incompletely explained by known genetic risk factors. Kindred-specific genetic variants that cause IBD may be a source of “missing heritability.” Given that they have been previously difficult to identify, we sought to identify high-risk IBD kindreds. Methods: We used a large population-based database—the Utah Population Database (UPDB)—which contains genealogical and healthcare data to characterize the risk of Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and IBD in kindreds. We identified CD and UC cases using ICD-9 codes. We calculated the adjusted relative risk to relatives of affected individuals. We calculated the familial standardized incidence ratio (FSIR) to quantify the kindred-specific disease risk. Results: In all, 3601 CD cases and 3976 UC cases met inclusion criteria. A total of 655 CD kindreds and 615 UC kindreds had a statistical excess of disease. Risk of disease varied among kindreds, with some kindreds demonstrating ≈20-fold elevated risk. For CD, UC, and IBD, relative risks were significantly elevated for first- and second-degree relatives and first cousins. The adjusted population attributable risks for familial CD, UC, and IBD were 0.20 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17–0.23); 0.17 (0.14–0.21); and 0.19 (0.17–0.22), respectively. Conclusions: We identified multiple kindreds with a statistical excess of CD, UC, and IBD, and validated the UPDB as a resource for family studies in IBD. Given the need for novel genetic mapping strategies to explain the apparent missing heritability in IBD, further studies of these high-risk kindreds is justified. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011)
Update on Posaconazole Pharmacokinetics: Comparison of Old and New Formulations

Posaconazole is an extended-spectrum triazole antifungal that until recently was only available as an oral suspension. The absorption of this suspension is limited and is greatly affected by food, gastric pH, and intestinal motility. The systemic availability can be enhanced by administration with a high-fat meal, nutritional supplement, or acidic beverage, and by dividing into multiple daily doses. A new delayed-released tablet dosed once-daily has been developed and was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This provides an attractive option for healthcare providers and patients because it has more predictable systemic availability and higher serum concentrations. However, the inability to crush or chew this tablet still leaves the need for another form of posaconazole, especially for critically ill patients. Such an option may soon become available, as a new drug application has been submitted to the FDA for a once-daily intravenous formulation of posaconazole.
A wetting and drying scheme for ROMS

The processes of wetting and drying have many important physical and biological impacts on shallow water systems. Inundation and dewatering effects on coastal mud flats and beaches occur on various time scales ranging from storm surge, periodic rise and fall of the tide, to infragravity wave motions. To correctly simulate these physical processes with a numerical model requires the capability of the computational cells to become inundated and dewatered. In this paper, we describe a method for wetting and drying based on an approach consistent with a cell-face blocking algorithm. The method allows water to always flow into any cell, but prevents outflow from a cell when the total depth in that cell is less than a user defined critical value. We describe the method, the implementation into the three-dimensional Regional Oceanographic Modeling System (ROMS), and exhibit the new capability under three scenarios: an analytical expression for shallow water flows, a dam break test case, and a realistic application to part of a wetland area along the Georgia Coast, USA.
Studies of stallion sperm survival: Preservation of progressive motility of stallion spermatozoa by low ionic strength media

Preservation of stallion sperm forward motility was studied using a video recording system in semen diluted with media of different ionic strength and sodium content. After 8 hr of incubation at room temperature, semen diluted in a low ionic strength media containing sucrose displayed 65 +/- 9% motility with 68 +/- 3% of the motile sperm showing forward motility (diameter of head trajectory greater than or equal to 80 microns). In contrast, sperm populations diluted and incubated with a normal ionic strength media containing sodium had 56 +/- 7% motile sperm of which only 36 +/- 7% displayed forward progression. Replacement of the sodium ion in the normal ionic strength media by a different cation (choline) produced results similar to those of the media containing high sodium concentration. These results indicate that the preservation of stallion sperm progressive motility is highly dependent on the ionic strength of the media. Membrane depolarization caused by the replacement of ions by noncharged particles in the sperm's external medium might be responsible for the sustained coordination of the flagellar movements.
Low-temperature fast-neutron and gamma irradiation of alumina

Abstract Structural stability of the plasma sprayed alumina has been studied after its exposure to 4 K fast-neutron and gamma irradiation. The fast-neutron fluence (E>0.1 MeV) was 1.8×1022 n m−2. As shown by X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), the microstructure of alumina consisted of crystalline regions and regions which underwent considerable disordering (i.e. amorphization) during plasma spray deposition. This microstructure has been basically preserved during irradiation. Consequently, the irradiation-induced amorphization has not intervened at this neutron fluence. The light-brown appearance of the irradiated alumina indicated the formation of isolated point defects (colour centres). The accompanying near-isotropic swelling resulted in a small increase in lattice spacing, as measured by X-ray diffraction. The HRTEM provided no evidence for void formation in alumina during 4 K irradiation.
An Instructional Decision-Making Model for Individual Differences in Reading:

While reading educators repeatedly call for individualized instruction, little thought seems to have been directed at questions of how one determines which instructional treatment is best for whom. The author argues that the Trait by Treatment Interaction model, now primarily used as a research design, offers an effective scheme through which instructional decision makers can collect and evaluate data on the relative effectiveness of alternative forms of reading instruction for individuals of differing predispositions. Further, an example of the types of questions that might be asked is provided.
View: Visual Information Extraction Widget for improving chart images accessibility

Chart images visually represent quantitative information. Most of these visual information are represented by graphical symbols and textual descriptions; without access to the Object Model of a graphic it is difficult for viewers to acquire the accurate underlying data. In response we propose the VIEW (Visual Information Extraction Widget), a system that automatically extracts information from raster-format charts to improve accessibility. Taking a chart image as input, the system first segments the image into connected-components and distinguishes them as graphical and textual components. By analyzing the graphical components, the system then identifies the graphic type and further conducts category-specific methods to infer the underlying data. Using the images drawn from the web, we conduct experiments to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system. Based on the extracted information, VIEW generates a general-purpose descriptive data table, leading the production of multi-modal representations under the task-oriented design principle.
Crystallization and preliminary X‐ray diffraction analysis of salutaridine reductase from the opium poppy Papaver somniferum

The opium poppy Papaver somniferum is the source of the narcotic analgesics morphine and codeine. Salutaridine reductase (SalR; EC 1.1.1.248) reduces the C-7 keto group of salutaridine to the C-7 (S)-hydroxyl group of salutaridinol in the biosynthetic pathway that leads to morphine in the opium poppy plant. P. somniferum SalR was overproduced in Escherichia coli and purified using cobalt-affinity and size-exclusion chromatography. Hexagonal crystals belonging to space group P6(4)22 or P6(2)22 were obtained using ammonium sulfate as precipitant and diffracted to a resolution of 1.9 A.
Introduction of system level architecture exploration using the SpecC methodology

To implement chip design on satisfactory target architectures, architecture exploration should be done at higher levels of abstraction, in the earliest design stages. Using the SpecC language, an executable system level design language, system level architecture exploration can proceed easily and smoothly as the system specification is being created. A SpecC methodology of system level architecture exploration is introduced within this paper to illustrate this process. The design of a JPEG encoder is used as an example to illustrate the system level architecture exploration methodology.