cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of axonal transport of cytoplasmic- and particulate-associated tubulin in rat optic system.

: Adult rats were injected intraocularly with [35S]methionine and killed from 1 to 10 weeks later. Optic nerves, optic tracts, and superior colliculi were dissected and then homogenized and separated into soluble and particulate fractions by centrifugation. Radioactivity coelectrophoresing with tubulin in buffers containing sodium dodecyl sulfate was determined (in cytoplasmic fractions, preliminary enrichment was achieved by vinblastine precipitation). Accumulation of radioactive tubulin along the optic pathway occurred in parallel (and in approximately equal amounts) in cytoplasmic and particulate fractions. Transported tubulin peaked at approximately 2 and 4 weeks in the optic nerve and tract, respectively, corresponding to a transport rate of ∼ 0.4 mm/ day. There was little diminution in the amount of transported tubulin between optic nerve and tract, suggesting tubulin was not degraded in the axon. Accumulation in the superior colliculus reached a plateau by 4 weeks at less than 20% of the peak in the optic nerve, indicating turnover of tubulin at the nerve endings. The α/β subunit labeling ratio (radioactivity distribution between the tubulin subunits) was 0.57 for both cytoplasmic- and particulate-transported tubulin. In contrast, this ratio was 0.69 for whole brain tubulin prepared by vinblastine precipitation of soluble material. Isoelectric focusing and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed that the subunit compositions (microheterogeneity of the α and β bands) of transported tubulins in the cytoplasmic and particulate fractions were very similar. However, some differences relative to whole brain tubulin were noted; a tubulin subunit not identifiable in whole brain tubulin preparations but present in both soluble- and particulate-transported tubulin was observed. Because of the compositional and metabolic similarities of transported tubulin in the soluble and particulate fractions, we conclude that they form a common metabolic pool. This suggests either that, at least for some membranes, the well-characterized tight association between particulate tubulin and membranes may be artifactual or else that an equilibrium exists between soluble and particulate tubulin.
Fibronectin fragments mediate matrix metalloproteinase upregulation and cartilage damage through proline rich tyrosine kinase 2, c-src, NF-κB and protein kinase Cδ

Summary Objective Since fibronectin fragments (Fn-fs) enhance cartilage damage through integrins, the objective was to investigate the role of integrin linked kinases, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and a soluble form of FAK, proline rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) and cellular src kinase (c-src) and the transcription factor, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in cartilage damage. Methods Bovine chondrocytes were cultured with various concentrations of three different Fn-fs, an amino-terminal 29 kDa, a gelatin binding 50 kDa and a central 140-kDa Fn-fs, each with progressively weaker cartilage damaging activity, or with native fibronectin (Fn), and lysates probed for activation of the selected kinases. Confocal microscopy was used to visualize intracellular location of activated kinases and NF-κB. Various kinase inhibitors were tested for their effects on Fn-f mediated upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and -13 and cartilage proteoglycan (PG) depletion. Results The Fn-fs kinetically enhanced phosphorylation of FAK but did not show a clear dose–response effect. The 29-kDa and 50-kDa Fn-fs enhanced phosphorylation of Pyk2, c-src and NF-κB to a much greater extent than the 140-kDa Fn-f and native Fn and did so as a function of dose. The 29-kDa Fn-f enhanced the phosphorylation of nuclear Pyk2 as compared with no treatment or native Fn. Inhibitors of Pyk2, c-src, NF-κB and protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) decreased MMP upregulation and decreased Fn-f mediated damage to cartilage. Conclusions These studies enhance our knowledge of crucial factors in Fn-f mediated signaling in MMP upregulation and cartilage damage and because of the potential physiologic relevance of Fn-fs, provide a better knowledge of cartilage degeneration in general.
Discrete profile comparison using information bottleneck

Sequence homologs are an important source of information about proteins. Amino acid profiles, representing the position-specific mutation probabilities found in profiles, are a richer encoding of biological sequences than the individual sequences themselves. However, profile comparisons are an order of magnitude slower than sequence comparisons, making profiles impractical for large datasets. Also, because they are such a rich representation, profiles are difficult to visualize. To address these problems, we describe a method to map probabilistic profiles to a discrete alphabet while preserving most of the information in the profiles. We find an informationally optimal discretization using the Information Bottleneck approach (IB). We observe that an 80-character IB alphabet captures nearly 90% of the amino acid occurrence information found in profiles, compared to the consensus sequence's 78%. Distant homolog search with IB sequences is 88% as sensitive as with profiles compared to 61% with consensus sequences (AUC scores 0.73, 0.83, and 0.51, respectively), but like simple sequence comparison, is 30 times faster. Discrete IB encoding can therefore expand the range of sequence problems to which profile information can be applied to include batch queries over large databases like SwissProt, which were previously computationally infeasible.
Can η Carinae be a triple system

We examine the possibility that e Carinae is a triple system. We show that a stable hierarchical system is possible, although perhaps only marginally. We outline a speculative scenario for the history of the system, in which the giant outburst of the last century is associated with an interchange of components in a dynamically unstable triple system. We point out that the currently observed spectroscopic ‘event’ could be used to distinguish among the different possible configurations of the system.
The Role of Race in Police Interdictions: Evidence from the New York Police Department's Use of Stop, Question & Frisk Policing

This paper investigates the impact taste-based racial preferences have on police officers' selection of suspects for interdiction. Using data provided by the New York Police Department I estimate that African-American suspects are less likely than their white counter parts to be found in possession of contraband when searched by police, a finding that is consistent with racially biased policing within the model of police-suspect interaction this paper puts forth.I report two novel results. First, this paper identifies suspect responses to interrogation as a previously unresearched channel through which race can disproportionally affect the probability police will correctly select guilty suspects for searches. It also shows that the relative (to Caucasians) probability that police recover contraband from an African-American suspect diminishes with spatial proximity to areas where African-Americans are stopped most intensively. My paper shows this finding to be consistent with racially-differentiated suspect responses to intensive policing, making it the first to positively associate racial disparities in policing intensity with differential suspect behavior.
Photolytic Derivatization for Improved LCEC Determinations of Pharmaceuticals in Biological Fluids

Although electrochemical (EC) methods have been demonstrated to be sensitive and selective, wide use of EC detection in high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assays in forensic and clinical toxicology laboratories has not been forthcoming. This fact is due to the general difficulty involved with the use of reductive EC detection methods, as well as to the lack of EC response in either the oxidative or reductive mode, for a number of classes of drugs having substantial clinical and forensic importance. The use of an on-line, post-column, continuous photolytic derivatization step, followed by conventional oxidative amperometric detection, alleviates many of these problems. In this report, the use of HPLC-photolysis-EC (HPLC-h nu-EC) for the trace determination of a number of controlled substances in biological fluids is presented. Following system optimization, the determination of phenobarbital, cocaine, methylphenidate, and several 1,4-benzodiazepines (and metabolites) is linear over three orders of magnitude. In addition, HPLC-h nu-EC offers a sensitive approach for these compounds, in that limits of detection (LODs) are all below 1 microgram/ml, ranging from 1 ng/ml to 750 ng/ml. The validity of this newer method is demonstrated in collaborative studies involving the trace determinations of phenobarbital in human serum, and chlordiazepoxide and its major metabolite, norchlordiazepoxide, in human urine. Finally, the authors' view of the role of HPLC-h nu-EC in the clinical and forensic toxicology laboratory is presented.
Contribution of sapwood traits to uncertainty in conifer sap flow as estimated with the heat-ratio method

Abstract Inferring whole-tree sap flow rates (Q) with thermometric sap flow sensors requires specification of physiological and structural attributes of trees. Using sap temperature measurements to estimate Q with the heat-ratio method (HRM) requires quantification of the water content (mc), basic density (ρb), and depth (Rs) of sapwood. Values of mc and ρb serve to estimate sapwood thermal diffusivity (k), a necessary variable in the calculation of heat-pulse velocity (Vh) that is often set to a nominal value (k_nom); mc and ρb are also used to convert Vh to sap velocity (Vs). The sapwood area across which Vs is integrated is often estimated on the basis of Rs. Because mc and ρb are correlated and influence Q through estimation of k and the conversion of Vh to Vs, we sought to quantify the potential error introduced when Q is calculated with k_nom rather than with k as estimated from measurements of mc and ρb in five coniferous species. We also examined how variation in mc, ρb, and Rs across sampling scales may contribute to uncertainty in estimated Q. Across the observed range of mc and ρb, the two traits contributed to a net decline in the process of estimating Vs from Vh (with k_nom). This suggests that the use of k_nom rather than a calculated k may result in overestimation of Q when mc and ρb co-vary as they did in our study. Variability in mc and ρb across sampling scales could induce errors greater than 10% in Vs (and hence Q), while within- and among-tree variability in Rs could impart even greater errors (up to 130%). We propose that this uncertainty be represented in the expression of error in whole-tree sap flow estimates and in statistical analyses involving those estimates.
About the Macro-viruses against Microsoft Word and Preventing Methods

Based on the analyses of the spreading mechanisms of maro-viruses against Word,this paper puts porward some diagnosing and eliminating methods.
The Common Cold: Progress and Perspectives

As tissue culture studies lengthen the list of viruses associated with respiratory illness, gaps in the epidemiology of the common cold are being filled and the outlook improved for prevention and/or therapy. A unitary attack is unlikely, but if the common cold is given a sufficiently high priority among national health objectives, effective measures to combat it may not be too far away.
Enhancing Aerobic Exercise with a Novel Virtual Exercise Buddy Based on the Köhler Effect.

Abstract Objective: Research on active videogames (AVGs) has demonstrated the motivation-boosting power of the Kohler effect (a motivating force for “weak links” in groups based on group principles of upward social comparison and indispensability) with software-generated partners (SGPs), but the effect has yet to be examined over time. We tested the viability of the Kohler effect in an AVG with an SGP over 12 exercise sessions using a cycle ergometer and whether a fatiguing partner (FP) could further boost the effect. Materials and Methods: A repeated-measures design was used to assess mean changes in exercise persistence over time. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three game conditions: AVG alone (individual-control [IC]), AVG with a consistently superior partner (CSP), or AVG with a superior partner who showed signs of fatigue (FP). Assessments were conducted on 82 participants (42 college students and 40 adults from the community) in a laboratory over 12 experimental sessions. The main out...
cAMP mediates the increase in apical membrane Na+ conductance produced in rat CCD by vasopressin.

Experiments were conducted to determine if adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) mediates the stimulation of Na+ absorption by arginine vasopressin (AVP) in isolated perfused cortical collecting ducts (CCD) from rats treated with deoxycorticosterone pivalate (5 mg im) 5-9 days before study. AVP (220 pM) in the bathing solution hyperpolarized the transepithelial voltage (PDT) from -4.0 +/- 0.8 (SE) to -15.1 +/- 1.4 mV (n = 9, P less than 0.001) and decreased the transepithelial resistance (RT) from 40 +/- 8 to 33 +/- 6 omega.cm2 (n = 5, P less than 0.025). Bath addition of 0.2 mM dibutyryl cAMP (DBcAMP), 0.1 mM isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX), 0.1 mM DBcAMP plus 0.1 mM IBMX, and 10 or 50 microM forskolin produced the same effects, reversibly hyperpolarizing PDT by 7.0-11.5 mV and decreasing RT by 6-12 omega.cm2. Addition of 10 microM amiloride to the luminal perfusate reduced PDT from -0.9 to +2.0 mV and increased RT in the presence or absence of any of the test agents. Addition of DBcAMP + IBMX or 50 microM forskolin to the bathing solution also reversibly depolarized the basolateral membrane voltage of principal cells by 1-2 mV and decreased the apical membrane fractional resistance from 0.82-0.84 to 0.72-0.77. Both effects were reversed by addition of amiloride to the luminal perfusate. These results demonstrate that cAMP is the intracellular mediator of the increase in apical membrane Na+ conductance produced by AVP in the rat CCD.
Arabic OCR Error Correction Using Character Segment Correction, Language Modeling, and Shallow Morphology

This paper explores the use of a character segment based character correction model, language modeling, and shallow morphology for Arabic OCR error correction. Experimentation shows that character segment based correction is superior to single character correction and that language modeling boosts correction, by improving the ranking of candidate corrections, while shallow morphology had a small adverse effect. Further, given sufficiently large corpus to extract a dictionary and to train a language model, word based correction works well for a morphologically rich language such as Arabic.
Book Review: Rosie Thomas, Bombay before Bollywood: Film City Fantasies:

Rosie Thomas, Bombay before Bollywood: Film City Fantasies. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2015, 346 pp., US$29.95, ISBN 978-1-4384-5676-8
Computational Modeling of Cognition–Emotion Interactions: Theoretical and Practical Relevance for Behavioral Healthcare

Recent years have witnessed an increasing interest in developing computational models of emotion and emotion–cognition interaction, within the emerging area of computational affective science. At the same time, emotion theorists and clinical psychologists have begun to recognize the importance of moving beyond descriptive characterizations of psychopathology, and identifying the underlying mechanisms that mediate both the etiology of affective disorders, and their treatment: the transdiagnostic approach to psychopathology. Computational models of cognition–emotion interactions have the potential to facilitate more accurate assessment and diagnosis of affective disorders, and to provide a basis for more efficient and targeted approaches to their treatment, through an improved understanding of the underlying mechanisms. This chapter discusses the state-of-the-art in modeling emotion–cognition interaction and the relevance of these models for understanding the mechanisms mediating psychopathology and therapeutic action. The discussion is limited to symbolic models and theories defined at the psychological, versus neural, level. The chapter also outlines how these models can support the development of serious therapeutic games, to enhance assessment and treatment methods in behavioral healthcare.
The Impact of IRS Tax Policy on Hospital Community Benefit Activities

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently introduced tax code revisions requiring stricter oversight of community benefit activities (CBAs) conducted by tax-exempt, not-for-profit hospitals. We examine the impact of this tax requirement on CBAs among these hospitals relative to for-profit and government hospitals that were not subject to the new policy. We employed a quasi-experimental, difference-in-difference study design using a longitudinal observational approach and used secondary data collected by the American Hospital Association (years 2006-2010 including 20,538 hospital year observations). Findings show a significant increase in the reporting of 7 of the 13 CBAs among tax-exempt, not-for-profit hospitals compared with other hospitals after the policy change. Examples include partnering to conduct community health assessments ( b = 0.035, p = .002) and using capacity assessments to identify unmet community health needs ( b = 0.041, p = .001). Recent tax revisions are associated with increases in reported CBAs among tax-exempt, not-for-profit hospitals. As the debate continues regarding tax exemption status for not-for-profit hospitals, policy makers should expand efforts for enhanced accountability.
What’s in a name?: The confluence of confederate symbolism and the disparate experiences of African American students in a Central Virginia high school

In 2015-2016, news stories from Charleston, South Carolina, and the University of Missouri, among others, motivated and inspired many people to organize against assaults on the Black community gene...
Stress Concentration of the Composite Material Used by the X-29A Forward-Swept Wing Aircraft under Various Temperature Levels

The theory of anisotropic elasticity was used to evaluate the anisotropic stress concentration factors of a composite laminated plate containing a small circular hole. The results predicted by the constant strain approach matched the testing data very well at room temperature (70°F) and were about 10–15% more conservative than the experimental data at elevated temperature (200°F). At low temperature (−60°F) the results predicted by the mixture rule approach provided good correlation with the experimental data. Furthermore, the experimental data showed the stress concentration decreased as the temperature increased. A simple random statistical study indicated that a fairly isotropic laminated plate is reached if the number of lamina with arbitrary orientation is >40.
Cooperative RNA Folding under Cellular Conditions Arises From Both Tertiary Structure Stabilization and Secondary Structure Destabilization

RNA folding has been studied extensively in vitro, typically under dilute solution conditions and abiologically high salt concentrations of 1 M Na+ or 10 mM Mg2+. The cellular environment is very different, with 20–40% crowding and only 10–40 mM Na+, 140 mM K+, and 0.5–2.0 mM Mg2+. As such, RNA structures and functions can be radically altered under cellular conditions. We previously reported that tRNAphe secondary and tertiary structures unfold together in a cooperative two-state fashion under crowded in vivo-like ionic conditions, but in a noncooperative multistate fashion under dilute in vitro ionic conditions unless in nonphysiologically high concentrations of Mg2+. The mechanistic basis behind these effects remains unclear, however. To address the mechanism that drives RNA folding cooperativity, we probe effects of cellular conditions on structures and stabilities of individual secondary structure fragments comprising the full-length RNA. We elucidate effects of a diverse set of crowders on tRNA seco...
Distributed Optical Fiber Sensors with Ultrafast Laser Enhanced Rayleigh Backscattering Profiles for Real-Time Monitoring of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Operations

This paper reports a technique to enhance the magnitude and high-temperature stability of Rayleigh back-scattering signals in silica fibers for distributed sensing applications. With femtosecond laser radiation, more than 40-dB enhancement of Rayleigh backscattering signal was generated in silica fibers using 300-nJ laser pulses at 250 kHz repetition rate. The laser-induced Rayleigh scattering defects were found to be stable from the room temperature to 800 °C in hydrogen gas. The Rayleigh scatter at high temperatures was correlated to the formation and modification of nanogratings in the fiber core. Using optical fibers with enhanced Rayleigh backscattering profiles as distributed temperature sensors, we demonstrated real-time monitoring of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) operations with 5-mm spatial resolution at 800 °C. Information gathered by these fiber sensor tools can be used to verify simulation results or operated in a process-control system to improve the operational efficiency and longevity of SOFC-based energy generation systems.
Thermoeconomic Evaluation of CO2 Compression Strategies for Post-Combustion CO2 Capture Applications

CO2 compression significantly contributes to the overall efficiency penalty and capital cost increase resulting from CO2 capture. Performance improvement measures for this process step hence have the potential of considerably improving the overall economic picture for CO2 -lean power generation from fossil fuels. The present paper gives an insight into the thermodynamics of CO2 compression in a natural gas combined cycle power plant with post-combustion CO2 capture. The work aims at gaining a better understanding of the boundary conditions, thermodynamic limitations, and performance entitlement governing the CO2 compression process. With the help of process simulation, different technically feasible strategies for compressing CO2 are evaluated, quantified, and compared against their thermodynamic entitlement; the compression power reduction and the maximum cost allowable for the performance improvement measures suggested are estimated.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Abstracting First-Order Theories

An abstraction is taken as a mapping from one theory, the concrete level theory, to another, the abstract level theory. The intent is that this abstraction provide a reduction in search, so that concrete level problems can be solved by first mapping the problems to the abstract level, performing search within the abstract space, and using the abstract solution to guide the concrete level search. Formalizing this mapping requires a precise specification of the relationship between the levels. This paper describes such a specification. The novelty of this approach is that a class of mappings on theories in first-order predicate languages is specified not only syntactically and proof-theoretically, but semantically as well, the semantics being a generalization of inheritance (ISA) hierarchies. In addition, the syntactic constraints guarantee that for each problem having an abstract solution, there exists an isomorphic concrete level solution.
Tests Of Capital Market Theory And Implications Of The Evidence

This paper will review the empirical evidence on the market model and discuss its implications for security analysis. To begin this discussion, let me point out that the Market Model, or what Sharpe (1963) originally called the diagonal model, and the Capital Asset Pricing Model are very distinct models. Neither one depends in any way on the other. Many people confuse these two models but they refer to quite different concepts and it is well to keep the distinction clearly in mind. This paper will consider the major characteristics of the Market Model, provide some illustrative examples and briefly summarize the evidence. A Technical Paper prepared in connection with this paper considers the major characteristics of the Asset Pricing Model and a discussion of the theoretical and empirical content of the Two Factor Model.
Système LISS (Less Invasive Stabilization System) appliqué aux fractures proximales du tibia. Indications, technique chirurgicale et résultats préliminaires de l’essai clinique UMC(1)

Le traitement chirurgical des fractures proximales du tibia, avec ou sans atteinte articulaire, est encore greve d’un taux significatif d’echec et de complications. La fracture du tiers proximal du tibia montre une propension specifique pour les deformations en valgus et flexion (apex anterieur). Cela est du aux forces musculaires transmises par le quadriceps et le tractus ilio-tibial (fig. 1 a, b). On note aussi une frequence previsible de douleurs anterieures du genou apres enclouage centro-medullaire des fractures diaphysaires du tibia (1-3). Les frac-
Orbital and chorioretinal manifestations of Erdheim-Chester disease treated with vemurafenib

Abstract Purpose We report a patient with severe multi-organ dysfunction of unknown origin who presented with bilateral orbital and chorioretinal manifestations that led to the diagnosis of Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD). Observations ECD is a rare, histiocytic, proliferative disorder characterized by multi-systemic organ involvement that has historically lacked effective therapy. Our patient underwent genetic testing that was positive for the BRAF V600E mutation; therefore, the patient was treated with vemurafenib. Conclusions and importance This case demonstrates the rare orbital and intraocular manifestations of ECD and the unfortunate impact of a delayed diagnosis, the importance of early gene therapy testing for management decisions, and the utilization of targeted directed therapy to improve visual outcomes and quality of life.
Is There a Role for Cancer-Directed Surgery in Early-Stage Sarcomatoid or Biphasic Mesothelioma?

Background Benefits of surgical resection for early-stage nonepithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) have not been clearly elucidated. This study investigated whether cancer-directed surgery affects overall survival compared with nonsurgical therapies for T1-T2 N0 M0 sarcomatoid or biphasic MPM patients. Methods Adult patients with clinical stage I or II MPM were identified in the National Cancer Database from 2004 to 2103. Patients who underwent cancer-directed surgery were matched by propensity score with patients who had received chemotherapy/radiotherapy or no treatments. Overall survival was compared using a Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results From National Cancer Database queries, 878 patients with clinical stage I or II MPM with sarcomatoid (n = 524) or biphasic (n = 354) histology were identified. Overall median survival was 5.5 months for patients with sarcomatoid mesothelioma. The cancer-directed surgery improved overall survival compared with no operation (median survival, 7.56 months vs 4.21 months, respectively; p Conclusions The cancer-directed surgery is associated with improved survival in early-stage MPM patients with nonepithelioid histology compared with those who did not undergo resection or chose medical therapy. Given the high perioperative mortality, a careful patient selection and multidisciplinary evaluation is recommended.
Kidney organoids—a new tool for kidney therapeutic development

Kidney organoids, derived from human pluripotent stem cells, have the potential to greatly facilitate drug development. Borestrom et al. have used CRISPR/Cas9 to create kidney fluorescent lineage markers for SIX2 and NPHS1 to monitor the differentiation process to tubular and glomerular structures and optimize maturity. The convergence of "personalized" kidney organoids with genome editing and single-cell sequencing technology hold great promise to result in better insight to disease, better human cell disease models, more predictive toxicology, and potentially "clinical trials in a dish."
Demand Response Potential Estimation for Commercial Buildings

Commercial buildings are effective resources to provide load shedding and shifting on timescales of seconds to minutes. In order to get them to participate in power balance, it is important to estimate their aggregated demand response potential. For this purpose, this paper proposed an estimation method under the control strategy of change HVAC system temperature setpoint by using EneryPlus. Furthermore, regression models are fit to reduce the complexity of computation. The simulation of medium offices in Beijing shows that commercial buildings have huge potential and linear regression fitting is valid to describe the relationship between response potential and outside air temperature.
Measuring Reed’s Reach: Content Discrimination in the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals After Reed v. Town of Gilbert

Commentators and justices on the Supreme Court of the United States speculated when the Court delivered its opinion in Reed v. Town of Gilbert in 2015 that the case would dramatically reshape First...
A Growth Mind-Set Intervention Improves Interest but Not Academic Performance in the Field of Computer Science:

We investigated whether a growth mindset intervention could be leveraged to promote performance and interest in computer science, through what mechanisms it might do so, and whether effects were st...
Microwave Materials: Dielectric Compositions for Use in High-Frequency LTCC, Filter, Resonator, and Antenna Applications

Dielectric compositions for use in high frequency applications having ranges of k-values (4 - 40) have been developed. LTCC dielectric materials were designed with high Q-values, enhanced mechanical properties, and co-fired with Ag internal electrodes. Additionally, ultra-high Q compositions have been specifically designed to have low τf values. Unique additive chemistries were used to promote low temperature sintering, ultra-high Q, and low τf in the dielectrics. Dielectric properties, mechanical properties, and microstructure development are studied as a function of sintering temperature. The electrical and physical characteristics of these compositions make them attractive candidates for a number of high-frequency applications.
Reconstruction of Continuous Image Using Maximum Likelihood Estimates from Grouped Data for Measuring Light Intensity and Interpolation by Atomic Functions According to Aperture of Photosensitive Element of Sensor

This paper considers the optical signal acquired by a digital camera as a continuous function varying in the spatial domain that uses the light intensity distribution to carry information. Two consistently applied techniques for representing a digital image as a continuous approximation to the original signal values are presented. The quantized light intensity is considered as grouped data. The maximum likelihood method on the grouped data can get the best estimate of the original analog value of the light intensity for each photosensitive element of the sensor. The intensity of light, measured by each photosensitive element, is considered as the double integral of the original optical signal over the region defined by the aperture of the element. Interpolation by atomic functions can use the integrated data to produce an approximation of the original continuous function, which is an optical signal.
Managing highly sensitized renal transplant candidates in the era of kidney paired donation and the new kidney allocation system: Is there still a role for desensitization?

Kidney paired donation (KPD) and the new kidney allocation system (KAS) in the United States have led to improved transplantation rates for highly sensitized candidates. We aimed to assess the potential need for other approaches to improve the transplantation rate of highly sensitized candidates such as desensitization. Using the UNOS STAR file, we analyzed transplant rates in a prevalent active waiting-list cohort as of June 1, 2016, followed for 1 year. The overall transplantation rate was 18.9% (11 129/58769). However, only 9.7% (213/2204) of candidates with a calculated panel reactive antibody ≥99.9% received a transplant, and highly sensitized candidates were less likely to receive a living donor transplant. Among candidates with a CPRA ≥ 99.5% (ie. 100%), only 2.5% of transplants were from living donors (13 total, 7 from KPD). Nearly 4 years after KAS (6/30/2018), 1791 actively wait-listed candidates had a CPRA of ≥99.9% and 34.6% (620/1791) of these had ≥5 years of waiting time. Thus, despite KPD and KAS, many sensitized candidates have not been transplanted even with prolonged waiting time. We conclude that candidates with a CPRA ≥ 99.9% and sensitized candidates with an incompatible living donor and prolonged waiting time may benefit from desensitization to improve their ability to receive a transplant.
Research on Leading Power Factor Depth Limit of Non-salient Synchronous Generator with Constraint in Leading Power Factor Test

Based on the leading power factor test guidelines of synchronous generator, the calculation method of leading power factor depth limit constrained by generator power angle is presented, and the impact of system reactance on system static stability with power angle limited is studied. Meanwhile, the values of terminal voltage and stator current are checked and the modification of leading power factor depth limit is given if these values are over-limit. Taking #1 generator unit of Ruijin thermal power plant for example, the PQ curves of leading power factor depth limit changing with active power are showed under different system voltage conditions. The results considering constraints of leading power factor test can provide references for experimenters to control leading power factor depth so as to ensure the safety and stability of generator in the tests.
A window size selection network for stereo dense image matching

Stereo dense image matching normally refers to per-pixel correspondence search between stereo pairs. However, their matching results actually depend on matching window sizes. Large windows usually ...
Chinese Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions of Learning: : The Role of Language and Culture in Short-term Public Health Study Abroad Program

In the past few years, the number of Chinese undergraduate students in short term study abroad programs have substantially increased, especially in the field of public health. However, little is known about the experiences of Chinese undergraduate students' in short-term study abroad programs in the field of healthcare. In this qualitative study, by using Transformative Learning Theory lens we tried to understand the meaning making process of Chinese undergraduate students who participated in a short-term study abroad program in the field of Public Health at an American university. The students considered their participation in short-term study abroad program as an opportunity to develop their careers and global professional identity by learning English and cultural aspects of health profession in the USA.
The Loud Silence of Racism: It is Killing Us All.

Audre Lorde wrote in her essay The Transformation of Silence into Language to Action, “I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and s...
Seeking consistency with paired comparisons: a systems approach

It is well known that decision methods based on pairwise rankings can suffer from a wide range of difficulties. These problems are addressed here by treating the methods as systems, where each pair is looked upon as a subsystem with an assigned task. In this manner, the source of several difficulties (including Arrow’s Theorem) is equated with the standard concern that the “whole need not be the sum of its parts.” These problems arise because the objectives assigned to subsystems need not be compatible with that of the system. Knowing what causes the difficulties leads to resolutions.
Abstract SY26-01: Targeting natural ligands for TCR engineering

Neoantigens (NeoAg) offer the potential to directtherapeutic T cell responses to immunogenic mutations exclusively expressed bytumors. Most strategies for their identification select potentialligands for CD8+ T cells rather than for CD4+ T cells,despite the extensive literature showing functional cooperation between thesesubsets. To better understand CD4-CD8synergy in anti-tumor immunity, we have applied a novel functional approach toidentify the subset of expressed mutations targeted as NeoAg by natural CD4+and CD8+ T cell responses to a poorly-immunogenic spontaneoussquamous cell tumor, SCC VII. We demonstrate that a single mutation (Cltc H129>Q) that is recognized byboth subsets is capable of eradicating large established SCCVII tumors in thesetting of therapeutic vaccination provided the relevant epitopes whenphysically linked. Single-cell TCR analysis revealed that the endogenous CD4+T cell response against this epitope comprises both low-affinity CD4+-dependentand high-affinity CD4+-independent receptors, with the latterdisplaying superior capacity in promoting prophylactic and therapeutic CD8+T cell-mediated immunity against the MHC class I+ class II−tumors in the setting of adoptive cellular therapy. These findings demonstratethat linked CD4+ T cell help enables potent therapeuticNeoAg-specific vaccination and provides instructive insights into the qualityof TCRs mediating this effect. Citation Format: Stephen P. Schoenberger. Targeting natural ligands for TCR engineering [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr SY26-01.
Quality of life and long-term results in patients operated on for Esophageal Atresia.

BACKGROUND Esophageal atresia (EA) with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) represents the most severe entity among the foregut malformations, with patients at risk of chronic morbidity. This study aims to investigate on health-related quality of life (QoL) and long-term results in patients with EA. METHODS 50 patients (30M, 20F, mean age: 14-year-old), among 82 patients operated from January 1995 to December 2005, answered the questionnaire. Two groups where compared: 8-12 years (A), 12-18 years (B). The survey investigated on 5 itmes: dysphagia; GERD; pulmonary affections (asthma, bronchitis, episodes of chronic cough during a year); growth and nutritional status (BMI); QoL scores. A control group of 50 healthy children was used. RESULTS 42 type III AE (3 long-gap and 1 VACTER association). Median BMI was 18,72 (SD 3,38) (range: 30,52-12,80). In 22 pts BMI = 3). A correlation was found between dysphagia and low BMI (Pearson 0,37). Dysphagia and low BMI were more diffuse in the younger population, while decreased in group B. 15 pts treated in their life for GERD (8 with medical therapy; 7 fundoplication). GerdQ test data showed only 4 pts with score > 6. GERD and dysphagia: 11 pts with GERD presented EAT-10 test > 3 (Pearson value confirmed this correlation: 0,59). Respiratory pathologies: 26 pts with positive anamnesis for chronic pulmonary affections (recurrent bronchitis in 21 pts; chronic cough in 15; the association of both in 12; 11 pts with asthma). PedsQL 4.0 median value was 15,4 (SD 10,1), control group value was 15,6 (SD 7,6); difference between the 2 groups was not statistically significant (p-value: 0,11). Correlation test for comparing high value of PedsQL and long-term complication in AE: the strongest association was with the dysphagia (Pearson: 0,55). CONCLUSIONS Dysphagia resulted the most disabling symptom in group A but swallowing function slightly improved with the growth. Generally, AE seems not heavily influence patients' QoL.
The Model in Action—Providence and Milwaukee

The two original target cities in our project were Baltimore, Maryland, and Providence, Rhode Island, where we expected to work through existing community organizations. Planning commenced several years before the formal submission of a grant application to NIMH in 1974. In 1972 and 1973, community groups had been contacted to assess potential interest.
Evaluation of defects in seal region of food packages using the backscattered amplitude integral (BAI) technique

The focus of this study is to evaluate the image contrast, denoted /spl Delta/BAI, for various packaging materials, and defect types and their sizes. This study applied the pulse-echo Backscattered Amplitude Integral (BAI) method to visualize and evaluate defects in the seal area of flexible food packages which might cause both economic loss and health hazards. This method yields an image, the BAI-mode image. It has been shown that there is a direct relation between the defect size and /spl Delta/BAI value, and that different defect types and packaging materials have a significant impact on the /spl Delta/BAI value.
Adaptive Task-Space Control of Flexible-Joint Manipulators

This paper considers the motion control and compliance control problems for uncertain rigid-link, flexible-joint manipulators, and presents new adaptive task-space controllers as solutions to these problems. The motion control strategy is simple and computationally efficient, requires little information concerning either the manipulator or actuator/transmission models, and ensures uniform boundedness of all signals and arbitrarily accurate task-space trajectory tracking. The proposed compliant motion controllers include an adaptive impedance control scheme, which is appropriate for tasks in which the dynamic character of the end-effector/environment interaction must be controlled, and an adaptive position/force controller, which is useful for those applications that require independent control of end-effector position and contact force. The compliance control strategies retain the simplicity and model independence of the trajectory tracking scheme upon which they are based, and are shown to ensure uniform boundedness of all signals and arbitrarily accurate realization of the given compliance control objectives. The capabilities of the proposed control strategies are illustrated through computer simulations with a robot manipulator possessing very flexible joints.
Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor upregulation in human lung adenocarcinoma

4405 Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is a mitogen for lung epithelial cells and initiates signaling through a G protein-coupled receptor, gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR). Previous work from our laboratory has shown that GRP induces Akt activation through a c-Src-mediated transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells. In this study, we investigated the level of GRPR protein expression in human lung tissue microarrays (TMA) consisting of 26 cases of NSCLC (19 adenocarcinomas, 3 squamous cell carcinomas, 4 designated as “other”) as well as matched normal lung tissue from 25 cases and positive and negative lymph nodes from 7 and 9 cases, respectively. Immunostaining was carried out using a GRPR antibody recognizing the 2 nd extracellular domain of the human form (MBL Intl., Woburn, MA), which in an immunoblot gives a single band migrating at 50kD. GRPR immunostaining was scored by ranking the intensity of staining from 0-3 and the percentage of positive cells from 0-5, with the sum of the two rankings accounting for the total staining score. For all cases combined, the median total GRPR staining score was 3.50 in normal lung compared to 5.38 in tumor tissue (P = 0.0002, Mann-Whitney test). The difference in GRPR staining between adenocarcinoma tissue (median 5.6) and matched normal tissue (median 3.38) was significant (P = 0.0001, Mann-Whitney test), while the difference in GRPR staining score between squamous cell and other tumor types combined was not significantly different from their matched normal lung. Lymph nodes that scored positive for tumor infiltration by H & E staining had a significantly higher median GRPR staining score (5.65) compared to nodes scored negative for tumor infiltration (score 1.25, P = 0.005, Mann-Whitney test). For adenocarcinoma cases alone, the median GRPR score in positive nodes was 5.8, compared to 0 in negative nodes. These results suggest that GRPR protein expression is increased in human lung adenocarcinomas compared to its surrounding normal lung tissue. Furthermore, we have shown that GRP can rescue NSCLC cells exposed to gefitinib through release of amphiregulin and activation of Akt. Amphiregulin release is blocked by expression of a dominant negative Src. Pretreatment of NSCLC cells with 100 nM GRP resulted in a 5-fold increase in the IC 50 of gefitinib. This protective effect was mimicked by pre-treatment of cells with amphiregulin and reversed by inhibition of AKT using the PI-3kinase inhibitor LY294002. These results suggest that GRPR and/or EGFR autocrine pathways may modulate therapeutic responses to EGFR inhibitors, and that GRPR may be a novel target for therapy in NSCLC either alone or in combination with EGFR inhibitors. This work was supported by the National Cancer Institute Lung SPORE grant P50 CA090440 to J.M.S.
Autoimmunity‐mediated antitumor immunity: Tumor as an immunoprivileged self

The association of autoimmunity with antitumor immunity challenges a paradigm of selective surveillance against tumors. Aided with well-characterized models of robust autoimmunity, we show that self-antigen-specific effector T (Teff) cell clones could eradicate tumor cells. However, a tumor microenvironment reinforced by Treg cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) presented a barrier to the autoimmune effectors, more so in tumors than in healthy tissues. This barrier required optimal CTLA4 expression in Teff cells. In a spontaneous model of breast cancer, subtle reductions in CTLA4 expression impeded tumor onset and progression, providing the first direct evidence that CTLA4 inhibits spontaneous tumor development. In an adoptive therapy model of lymphoma, self-antigen-specific Teff cells were potentiated by even a modest reduction of CTLA4. A subtle reduction of CTLA4 did not curtail Treg-cell suppression. Thus, Teff cells had an exquisite sensitivity to physiological levels of CTLA4 variations. However, both Treg and Teff cells were impacted by anti-CTLA4 antibody blockade. Therefore, whether CTLA4 impacts through Treg cells or Teff cells depends on its expression level. Overall, the results suggest that the tumor microenvironment represents an "immunoprivileged self" that could be overcome practically and at least partially by RNAi silencing of CTLA4 in Teff cells.
Multi-expert Seal Imprint Verification System for Bankcheck Processing

A difficult problem encountered in automatic seal imprint verification is that the system is required an extremely low error rate despite of the variety of seal imprint quality. To conquer this problem, we propose a multi-expert seal imprint verification system, which combines two different verification algorithms. The first verification algorithm is based on a method using local and global features of seal imprint. The second one uses a special correlation method based on a global approach. The two algorithms are combined by a voting strategy. Experimental results showed that the combination of the two algorithms improves significantly the verification performance both on "false-acceptance error rate" and "false-rejection error rate".