cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of α-Helical Coiled-coil Interactions in Receptor Dimerization, Signaling, and Adaptation during Bacterial Chemotaxis

The aspartate receptor, Tar, is a member of a large family of signal transducing membrane receptors that interact with CheA and CheW proteins to mediate the chemotactic responses of bacteria. A highly conserved cytoplasmic region, the signaling domain, is flanked by two sequences, methylated helices 1 and 2 (MH1 and MH2), that are predicted to form α-helical coiled-coils. MH1 and MH2 contain glutamine and glutamate residues that are subject to deamidation, methylation, and demethylation. We show that the signaling domain is an independently folding unit that binds CheW. When expressed in vivo the signaling domain inhibits CheA kinase activity, but if MH1 or an unrelated leucine zipper coiled-coil sequence is attached to the signaling domain, CheA is activated. A construct that contains a leucine zipper fused to MH1-signaling domain-MH2 also activates the kinase, both in vivo and in vitro, and this activation is regulated by the level of glutamate modification. These findings support a model for receptor signaling where aspartate binding controls the relative orientation of receptor monomers to favor the formation of coiled-coils between MH1 and/or MH2 between subunits. Glutamate modification may stabilize these coiled-coils by reducing electrostatic repulsion between helices.
Reliability of a treatment-based classification system for subgrouping people with low back pain.

Study Design Observational, cross-sectional reliability study. Objectives To examine the interrater reliability of novice raters in their use of the treatment-based classification (TBC) system for low back pain and to explore the patterns of disagreement in classification errors. Background Although the interrater reliability of individual test items in the TBC system is moderate to good, some error persists in classification decision making. Understanding which classification errors are common could direct further refinement of the TBC system. Methods Using previously recorded patient data (n = 24), 12 novice raters classified patients according to the TBC schema. These classification results were combined with those of 7 other raters, allowing examination of the overall agreement using the kappa statistic, as well as agreement/disagreement among pairwise comparisons in classification assignments. A chi-square test examined differences in percent agreement between the novice and more experienced raters a...
Automated description generation for indoor floor maps

People with visual impairment generally suffer from diminished freedom in navigating an environment. A practical need is to navigate through unfamiliar indoor environments such as school buildings, hotels, etc., for which commonly-used existing tools like canes, seeing-eye dogs and GPS devices cannot provide adequate support. We demonstrate a prototype system that aims at addressing this practical need. The input to the system is the name of the building/establishment supplied by a user, which is used by a web crawler to determine the availability of a floor map on the corresponding website. If available, the map is downloaded and used by the proposed system to generate a verbal description giving an overview of the locations of key landmarks inside the map with respect to one another. Our preliminary survey and experiments indicate that this is a promising direction to pursue in supporting indoor navigation for the visually impaired.
Zygomatic osteoma with atypical heterogeneity in a dog.

Summary An osteoma of the zygomatic bone in a young dog is described. It had large, centralized radiolucent regions consisting of fatty bone marrow and sparse trabeculae. A discrete, proliferative nodule within the osteoma consisted of closely-packed woven bone trabeculae and pleomorphic osteoblasts associated with haphazard osteoid deposits, resembling osteosarcoma-like change. These heterogeneous structural features were at variance with more classic reports of osteoma, which usually describe a uniform cancellous or cortical bone architecture.
Remembrance of things parsed: Story structure and recall☆

Abstract An analysis of the underlying structure of simple stories is presented. It is claimed that this type of representation of stories is used to form schemata which guide encoding and retrieval. A type of tree structure containing basic units and their connections was found to be adequate to describe the structure of both single and multi-episode stories. The representation is outlined in the form of a grammar, consisting of rewrite rules defining the units and their relationships. Some transformational rules mapping underlying and surface structures are discussed. The adequacy of the analysis is first tested against Bartlett's protocols of “The War of the Ghosts.” Then a developmental study of recall is presented. It is concluded that both children and adults are sensitive to the structure of stories, although some differences were found. Finally, it is suggested that the schemata used to guide encoding and recall are related but not identical and that retrieval is dependent on the schemata operative at the time of recall.
Chromosome variation in the plethodontid salamander, Aneides ferreus

Karyotype variation in the plethodontid salamander, Aneides ferreus, has been analysed. 358 individuals from 14 populations, representing the major portion of the range of this salamander, have been karyologically examined. In A. ferreus, n=14. When the chromosomes are arranged in a decreasing relative length series, the karyotype is heteromorphic with respect to chromosome number 13, which may be either telocentric (T) or subtelocentric (ST). Variation in the heteromorphism over the range of the species is sex related, and probably also reflects relative population sizes. The heteromorphism in the isolated populations of A. ferreus on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, resembles a WZfemale/ZZmale sex chromosome dimorphism, suggesting the possibility that chromosome number 13 may be involved in sex determination in this population. The possibility that chromosome number 13 is involved in sex determination in all populations of A. ferreus is discussed. Our data suggest that the ancestral A. ferreus karyotype was homomorphic for T (T/T), and that the ST was derived from the T by a pericentric inversion. In peripheral populations, only the “W homologue” has been affected, whereas in central populations both the “W” and the “Z” chromosomes have been rearranged. Comparisons are made with other species of Aneides for which karyological information is available, and it is concluded that chromosome rearrangements have played an important role in the evolution of the genus. In C-banded chromosomes of A. ferreus, staining is most intense at the centromere regions of the larger chromosomes and is absent only in some of the smaller chromosomes. Implications of this C-banding pattern are discussed.
Effect of measurement error in testing separate linear models

Measurement error models (or errors-in variables models) have been explored since the latter part of the 19th century. Much activity and results in estimation and statistical inference have been forthcoming in linear and non-linear measurement error models, particularly in the past 10 to 15 years. Likewise, tests of separate families of hypotheses have received much attention sice Cox (1961, 1962) introduced a method of testing separate families of hypotheses. The aim of this paper is to provide results for testing separate linear models using Cox's methodology under the assumption of the functional measurement error model for which the error structure has a normal distribution. Simulations are used to compare the results of the Cox test when using estimates adjusted for measurement error, naive estimats, and estimates derived from true values. The overall conclusions derived from the simulation results are mixed. However, if the measurement error is small and collinearity between explanatory variables fr...
Ultrasonic characterisation in determining elastic modulus of trabecular bone material

The pulse transmission ultrasonic technique is used to characterise the actual pathway and the wavelength dependence in relation to the bone specimen and microstructural dimensions. The average velocity through individual trabecular bone is 2901 m s−1 (SD 161), and the mean velocity through cylindrical cancellous bone specimens is 2717 m s−1 (SD 171). Thus, the velocity through the cylindrical cancellous bone specimens is underestimated by as much as 6.4% of that through individual trabeculae. There is statistically significant difference in the ultrasonic velocity between individual trabeculae and cylindrical cancellous bone specimens (p=0.0012).
Variability of Barley Radiation-Use Efficiency

Radiation-use efficiency (e) is a crop-dependent coefficient widely used in crop simulation models and in the physiological interpretation of crop response to the environment and management practices. Our objectives were to: (i) determine the e of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), (ii) analyze the impact of weather variables and fraction of solar irradiance intercepted (f i ) on e, and (iii) compare reported estimates of e for barley and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with our measurements for barley. Field experiments were conducted in 2000 and 2001 at Pullman, WA. Treatments consisted of factorial combinations of two cultivars of spring barley (Baronesse and Steptoe), two seeding densities (250 and 100 plants m -2 ), and two seeding dates (normal and late). Intercepted radiation was measured with tube solarimeters installed below the canopy during the crops life cycle and aboveground biomass obtained from weekly to biweekly samples. The extinction coefficient for solar radiation of both cultivars was 0.43, with no effect of seeding date and density. Cultivar, plant density, and f did not affect e; however, e at the normal seeding date was greater than at the late seeding date in both years (1.15 and 1.19 g MJ -1 , first seeding date, and 0.90 and 0.95 g MJ -1 , second seeding date, Years 2000 and 2001, respectively, P < 0.01). These variations were correlated with daytime vapor pressure deficit (D). The e of barley and wheat reported in the literature and those obtained in this study were linearly related to D (kPa): e = 1.88 - 0.53D (r 2 = 0.70, n = 22). Maximum values of e reported for barley and wheat are near 1.6 g MJ -1 , but our analysis suggests that these high values can only be achieved in low D environments. The effect of the evaporative demand of the atmosphere should be considered in the interpretation of measured e or in the use of e in crop simulation models.
Complex system reliability estimation methodology in the absence of failure data

This paper presents a comprehensive system reliability estimation methodology for cases when failure data are unavailable, at least initially. In this methodology, the laws of physics and thermal fundamentals are used to establish a mathematical model that relates the influential input operating characteristics, such as material properties and geometry, to system performance measures. Probability distributions for each influential operating characteristic, identified from the available manufacturing data, information found in instruction manuals and related technical journals, and expert knowledge, are used to simulate the system behavior with Monte Carlo simulation. An initial reliability estimate is obtained by comparing the simulated system performance with the permissible system performance. Fuzzy logic is used to incorporate the impact of environmental factors on the performance of the simulated system performance and hence the system reliability. Finally, with the use of Bayesian analysis, initial system reliability is updated to take into account the effect of environmental factors. The proposed methodology is applied to estimate the reliability of the hazardous gas detection system used in aerospace shuttles for the timely detection of explosive gases. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scientometrics of big science: a case study of research in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

Large-scale scientific projects have become a major impetus of scientific advances. But few studies have specifically analyzed how those projects bolster scientific research. We address this question from a scientometrics perspective. By analyzing the bibliographic records of papers relevant to the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), we found that the SDSS helped scientists from many countries further develop their own research; investigators initially formed large research groups to tackle key problems, while later papers involved fewer authors; and the number of research topics increased but the diversity of topics remains stable. Furthermore, the entropy analysis method has proven valuable in terms of analyzing patterns of research topics at a macroscopic level.
Direct relation between Fresnel’s interface reflection coefficients for the parallel and perpendicular polarizations

We have found a significant relation, rp = rs(rs − cos2ϕ)/(1 − rs cos2ϕ), between Fresnel’s interface complex-amplitude reflection coefficients rp and rs for the parallel (p) and perpendicular (s) polarizations at the same angle of incidence ϕ. This relation is universal in that it applies to reflection at all interfaces between homogeneous isotropic media collectively and, of course, throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. We investigate the properties of this function, rp = f(rs), and its inverse, rs = g(rp) conformal mappings between the complex planes of rs and rp. A related function, ρ = (rs − cos2ϕ)/(1 − rs cos2ϕ), which is a bilinear transformation, is also studied, where ρ = rp/rs is the (ellipsometric) ratio of reflection coefficients. Several previously described reflection characteristics come out readily as specific results of this work. Simple explicit analytical and graphical solutions are provided to determine reflection phase shifts and the dielectric function from measured p and s reflectances at the same angle of incidence. We also show that when rp is real, negative, and in the range −1 ≤ rp ≤ −tan2(ϕ − 45°), rs is complex and its locus in the complex plane is an arc of a circle with center on the real axis at sec2ϕ and radius of | tan2ϕ |. Under these conditions, we also find the interesting result that |rs| = |rp|1/2.
Subchronic phencyclidine exposure potentiates the behavioral and c-Fos response to stressful stimuli in rats

Prior exposure to subchronic phencyclidine (PCP) produces behaviors argued to model schizophrenia in rats, including alterations in the behavioral responses to stress-inducing stimuli. Prior exposure to a single injection of PCP also produces a number of schizophrenia-like behaviors in rats, suggesting that a single injection of PCP is able to model schizophrenia-like behaviors as well. We examined the effects of prior exposure to either a single injection or subchronic PCP on stress-induced behavior and c-Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI). Twenty-four hours after a single injection of PCP (15 mg/kg) or subchronic PCP (10 mg/kg for 14 days) or saline, male rats were exposed to either novel environment, forced swim, or left in their home cages. A single injection of PCP produced only small effects on stress-induced behavior and FLI: a drug × time interaction on the number of cage crossings in the novel environment and a drug × condition interaction on FLI in the shell of the nucleus accumbens. However, subchronic PCP decreased cage crosses and rears in the novel environment and increased immobility in the forced swim test. The increased immobility in the forced swim test was accompanied by increased striatal FLI. These data suggest that while a single injection of PCP produces only minimal alterations in the response to stressful stimuli, subchronic PCP produces a quantitatively greater effect. In addition, the observation that PCP pretreatment increased striatal FLI induced by forced swim but not novelty suggest that PCP alters the behavioral responses to these stressors via different neurochemical mechanisms.
Population differentiation decreases with depth in deep-sea gastropods

Abstract The evolutionary processes that have generated the rich and highly endemic deep-sea benthic invertebrate fauna remain largely unstudied. Patterns of geographic variation constitute the most basic and essential information for understanding speciation and adaptive radiation. Here we present a multivariate analysis of phenotypic distance to quantify geographic variation in shell form among populations of eight deep-sea gastropod species distributed along a depth gradient in the western North Atlantic. Our primary aim is to identify regions within the deep sea that may promote population differentiation. The degree of interpopulation divergence is highest at the shelf-slope transition (200 m), and then decreases dramatically with increasing depth across the bathyal region (200–4000 m) to the abyssal plain (>4000 m). Phenotypic change parallels faunal change along the depth gradient, suggesting that the selective regime becomes more uniform with increasing depth. Results indicate that the potential for gastropod radiation within the deep-sea environment (>200 m) varies geographically and is highest in the narrow upper bathyal region.
A radiation source for both the visible and the infrared

Abstract A radiation source with high output in both the visible and infrared spectral ranges has been developed, and its operating parameters are described. The hot element, a carbon composite board, is simple to fabricate as well as to operate. The source has been compared to both a tungsten strip lamp and a Nernst glower. For applications where both the visible and infrared ranges are of interest, this source allows for simplified experimental design.
Providing independent housing for the homeless mentally ill: A novel approach to evaluating long‐term longitudinal housing patterns

The provision of adequate housing for the severely mentally ill homeless has been considered a prerequisite for successful treatment. Whether or not providing access to independent housing environments without on-site support is an effective means for stabilizing this population in the community is far less studied. Preference studies indicate a strong desire for access to independent housing, but little is known about the ability of mentally ill homeless persons to remain in independent housing when such access is provided. The McKinney Homeless Research Demonstration Project in San Diego, CA evaluated the effectiveness of using Section 8 certificates as a means of providing independent housing to the severely mentally ill homeless. Three hundred sixty-two clients took part in a long-term experimental study employing a randomized factorial design. Clients were assigned to one of two types of supportive case management (comprehensive vs. traditional) and to one of two levels of access to independent housing (using Section 8 certificates). Innovative longitudinal summaries of housing outcomes were developed based on clients' patterns of living over time. Nine different patterns of living arrangements were identified, ranging from continuous occupation of independent housing to consistently unstable housing. Access to Section 8 housing markedly increased the probability of achieving stable independent living arrangements and of continued contact with case management services. A subset of clients in all experimental conditions followed less successful housing patterns, indicating the need to develop different service programs for individuals with different needs. Overall, however, access to independent housing had very positive effects on residential stability. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Cloning of milk-derived bioactive peptides in Streptococcus thermophilus

The enzymatic breakdown of milk proteins releases bioactive peptides. Two such peptides are the 11-residue antimicrobial peptide from bovine lactoferrin (BL-11) and the 12-residue hypotensive peptide from alpha(s1)-casein (C-12). These two peptides have now been cloned in Streptococcus thermophilus to develop strains that enhance the functionality and nutritional value of dairy food products. Nucleic acid sequences encoding the peptides were generated by overlapping PCR and were subsequently cloned into a new expression vector under control of the ST(2201) promoter. S. thermophilus transformants were successfully identified using GFP as a selectable marker. The presence of the synthetic gene constructs in S. thermophilus was confirmed by PCR.
Regulation by isoproterenol of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor numbers and sensitivity in rat submandibular, but not lacrimal, glands.

Abstract Chronic administration of DL -isoproterenol, a β-adrenergic agonist, to male Sprague-Dawley rats increased submandibular gland weights by 3 to 4-fold. This increase resulted from a combination of hyperplasia and hypertrophy of secretory cells. Possible effects of this drug regimen on submandibular gland muscarinic acetylcholine receptors were examined by analysis of the binding of the cholinergic antagonist, L -quinuclidinyl [ 3 H]benzilate, to receptors in gland homogenates. Parallel investigations of receptors in exorbital lacrimal glands, an organ that is not grossly affected by chronic isoproterenol treatment, were also carried out. [ 3 H]QNB bound to submandibular receptors with a K d of 37.8±6.3 pM in control rats and 41.0±4.0 pM in isoproterenol-treated animals, a non-significant difference ( P > 0.05). In contrast, the maximal binding level ( B max ) is isoproterenol-treated rats, 1.52±0.10 fmol/ μ g DNA, was depressed by approx. 30% ( P μ g DNA in control animals. In lacrimal glands, both K d (61.3±5.3 vs. 53.2±4.0 pM) and B max (1.74±0.24 vs. 1.78±0.17 fmol/ μ g DNA) were unchanged by isoproterenol treatment. The affinity of glandular muscarinic receptors for cholinergic agonists was also examined by competition experiments using carbachol. This agonist inhibited [ 3 H]QNB binding to receptors in homogenates from both glands in a dose-dependent fashion. Inhibition constant ( K i ) for this interaction were similar in control and isoproterenol-treated lacrimal glands; 53.6±5.4 μ M and 66.6±7.9 μ M, respectively ( P >0.05). In submandibular glands, isoproterenol treatment elicited a highly significant ( P ) shift in K i from 17.3±1.4 μ M to 68.3±5.2 μ M. These results demonstrate that chronic administration of isoproterenol to rats results in a reduction in receptor numbers and a decrease in their sensitivity to cholinergic agonists in submandibular, but not lacrimal, glands.
NiAl Bond Coats Made by a Directed Vapor Deposition Approach

Abstract Intermetallic, nickel aluminide alloys are widely used as bond coat materials in thermal barrier coating systems applied to nickel base super alloy components. They are usually synthesized by a solid-state reaction–diffusion heat treatment following the chemical vapor deposition of aluminum on the nickel rich substrate. Here, an electron beam directed vapor deposition (EB-DVD) technique is used to simultaneously evaporate nickel and aluminum and then reactively deposit NiAl bond coats that are structurally and chemically homogeneous and well bonded to the superalloy substrate. The approach utilizes individual nickel and aluminum sources placed within a rarefied helium gas jet with flow conditions that promote vapor phase intermixing. By adjusting the electron beam current applied to each elemental source, we show that the coating layer composition can be precisely controlled. Fully dense, homogeneous, β-phase NiAl coating layers with a relatively sharp compositional interface with the substrate have been deposited. The extent of the substrate interdiffusion zone is controlled by the deposition conditions.
The isotridecanyl side chain of plusbacin-A3 is essential for the transglycosylase inhibition of peptidoglycan biosynthesis.

Plusbacin-A3 (pb-A3) is a cyclic lipodepsipeptide that exhibits antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens. Plusbacin-A3 is thought not to enter the cell cytoplasm, and its lipophilic isotridecanyl side chain is presumed to insert into the membrane bilayer, thereby facilitating either lipid II binding or some form of membrane disruption. Analogues of pb-A3, [2H]pb-A3 and deslipo-pb-A3, were synthesized to test membrane insertion as a key to the mode of action. [2H]pb-A3 has an isotopically 2H-labeled isopropyl subunit of the lipid side chain, and deslipo-pb-A3 is missing the isotridecanyl side chain. Both analogues have the pb-A3 core structure. The loss of antimicrobial activity in deslipo-pb-A3 showed that the isotridecanyl side chain is crucial for the mode of action of the drug. However, rotational-echo double-resonance nuclear magnetic resonance characterization of [2H]pb-A3 bound to [1-13C]glycine-labeled whole cells of Staphylococcus aureus showed that the isotrideca...
The Formation of DNA Sugar Radicals from Photoexcitation of Guanine Cation Radicals

Abstract Shukla, L. I., Pazdro, R., Huang, J., DeVreugd, C., Becker, D. and Sevilla, M. D. The Formation of DNA Sugar Radicals from Photoexcitation of Guanine Cation Radicals. Radiat. Res. 161, 582–590 (2004). In this investigation of radical formation and reaction in γ- irradiated DNA and model compounds, we report the conversion of the guanine cation radical (one-electron oxidized guanine, G·+) to the C1′ sugar radical and another sugar radical at the C3′ or C4′ position (designated C3′·/C4′·) by visible and UV photolysis. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopic investigations were performed on salmon testes DNA as well as 5′-dGMP, 3′-dGMP, 2′-deoxyguanosine and other nucleosides/nucleotides as model systems. DNA samples (25– 150 mg/ml D2O) were prepared with Tl3+ or Fe(CN)3−6 as electron scavengers. Upon γ irradiation of such samples at 77 K, the electron-gain path in the DNA is strongly suppressed and predominantly G·+ is found; after UV or visible photolysis, the fraction of the C1′ sugar radical...
Might the Rorschach Be a Projective Test After All? Social Projection of an Undesired Trait Alters Rorschach Oral Dependency Scores

The degree to which projection plays a role in Rorschach (Rorschach, 1921/1942) responding remains controversial, in part because extant data have yielded inconclusive results. In this investigation, I examined the impact of social projection on Rorschach Oral Dependency (ROD) scores using methods adapted from social cognition research. In Study 1, I prescreened 85 college students (40 women and 45 men) with the ROD scale and a widely used self-report measure of dependency, the Interpersonal Dependency Inventory (IDI; Hirschfeld et al., 1977). Results show that informing participants who scored low on the IDI that they were in fact highly dependent led to significant increases in ROD scores; I did not obtain parallel ROD increases for participants who scored high on the IDI or for participants who received low-dependent feedback. In Study 2, I examined a separate sample of 80 prescreened college students (40 women and 40 men) and showed that providing low self-report participants an opportunity to attribute dependency to a fictional target person prior to Rorschach responding attenuated the impact of high-dependent feedback on ROD scores. These results suggest that projection played a role in at least one domain of Rorschach responding. I discuss theoretical, clinical, and empirical implications of these results.
A New Look at Stratospheric Sudden Warmings. Part I: Climatology and Modeling Benchmarks

Stratospheric sudden warmings are the clearest and strongest manifestation of dynamical coupling in the stratosphere–troposphere system. While many sudden warmings have been individually documented in the literature, this study aims at constructing a comprehensive climatology: all major midwinter warming events are identified and classified, in both the NCEP–NCAR and 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) datasets. To accomplish this a new, objective identification algorithm is developed. This algorithm identifies sudden warmings based on the zonal mean zonal wind at 60°N and 10 hPa, and classifies them into events that do and do not split the stratospheric polar vortex. Major midwinter stratospheric sudden warmings are found to occur with a frequency of approximately six events per decade, and 46% of warming events lead to a splitting of the stratospheric polar vortex. The dynamics of vortex splitting events is contrasted to that of events where the vortex is merely displaced off the pole. In the stratosphere, the two types of events are found to be dynamically distinct: vortex splitting events occur after a clear preconditioning of the polar vortex, and their influence on middle-stratospheric temperatures lasts for up to 20 days longer than vortex displacement events. In contrast, the influence of sudden warmings on the tropospheric state is found to be largely insensitive to the event type. Finally, a table of dynamical benchmarks for major stratospheric sudden warming events is compiled. These benchmarks are used in a companion study to evaluate current numerical model simulations of the stratosphere.
Pilot study of urinary biomarkers of phytoestrogens, phthalates, and phenols in girls.

BackgroundHormonally active environmental agents have been measured among U.S. children using exposure biomarkers in urine. However, little is known about their variation by race, age, sex, and geo...
Demonstration and Research Programs for Learning Problems at Fernald, UCLA

In this Programs, Materials, and Techniques column we will examine university-based child development centers and child study clinics. Many times these centers serve as training centers for prospective professionals (teachers, school psychologists, and other support personnel), demonstration centers for comprehensive multidisciplinary diagnostic centers, community resources for schools, parents, and teachers, and applied research settings between the theories of books to the real work of the school.The Fernald Center, housed in the psychology department of UCLA, places a heavy emphasis on applied research, whereas the Center for Reading and Learning at DePaul University is a multifunctional clinic that provides comprehensive, diagnostic, and treatment plans for children with learning behavioral problems. In addition, this center has a major component of serving as a training site for future learning disabilities and reading teachers. James Madison University's Child Development Clinic, which uses an inter...
Limitations of Administrative Databases in Spine Research: A Study in Obesity

Abstract Background context The use of national inpatient databases for spine surgery research has been increasing. Unfortunately, without firsthand knowledge of each specific database, it can be difficult to judge the validity of such studies. Large databases that rely on administrative data, such as International Classification of Diseases , Ninth Revision ( ICD-9 ) codes, may misrepresent patient information and could thus affect the results of studies that use these data. Purpose The present study uses obesity, an easily quantified and objective variable, as an example comorbidity to assess the accuracy of ICD-9 codes in the setting of their continued use in spine database studies. Study design/setting A cross-sectional study at a large academic medical center. Patient sample All patients spending at least one night in the hospital as an inpatient between April 1, 2013 and April 16, 2013. Obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and pediatric patients were excluded. Outcome measures Proportion of patients for whom ICD-9 obesity diagnosis codes assigned at hospital discharge match chart-documented body mass index (BMI). Methods The medical record was reviewed for each patient, and obesity ICD-9 codes were directly compared with documented BMI. Results The study included 2,075 patients. Of 573 “obese” patients (calculated BMI 30–39.9), only 109 received the correct code (278.00), giving this ICD-9 code a sensitivity of 0.19. Of 174 “morbidly obese” patients (calculated BMI >40), only 84 received the correct code (278.01), giving this ICD-9 code a sensitivity of 0.48. Conclusions Using obesity as an example, this study highlights the potential errors inherent to using ICD-9 –coded databases for spine surgery research. Should a study based on such data use “obesity” as a variable in any analyses, the reader should interpret these results with caution. We further suggest that obesity is likely not the only comorbidity to which these results apply. As database research continues to represent an increasing proportion of publications in the field of spine surgery, it is important to realize that study outcomes can be skewed by data accuracy, and, thus, should not be blindly accepted simply by virtue of large sample sizes.
Nonsense upon stilts: Bentham, Burke and Marx on the Rights of Man

Acknowledgements Introduction 1. Natural rights in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries 2. The 'Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen' 1789 3. Jeremy Bentham's 'Anarchical Fallacies' 4. Edmund Burke's 'Reflections on the Revolution in France' 5. Karl Marx's 'On the Jewish Question 6. Nonsense upon stilts?- a reply Notes Bibliographical Essay Name Index Study Index
Lightning and Severe Weather: A Comparison between Total and Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Trends

Many studies over the past several decades have attempted to correlate trends in lightning (e.g., rates, polarity) to severe weather occurrence. These studies mainly used cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning information due to the ease of data availability, high detection efficiency, and broad coverage across the United States, with somewhat inconclusiveresults.Conversely, it has been demonstrated that trendsin total lightning aremorerobustlycorrelatedtosevereweatheroccurrence,withrapidincreasesintotallightningobserved10s of minutes prior to the onset of severe weather. Unfortunately, total lightning observations are not as numerous, or available over the same areal coverage domain, as provided by CG networks. Relatively few studieshaveexamined concurrent trendsin bothtotalandCG lightningwithinthesameseverethunderstorm, or even large sets of thunderstorms using an objective lightning jump algorithm. Multiple studies have shown thatthetotalflashraterapidlyincreasespriortotheonsetofsevereweather.Whatisuntestedwithinthesame framework is the use of CG information to perform the same task. Herein, total and CG lightning trends for 711 thunderstorms occurring in four regions of the country were examined to demonstrate the increased utilitythattotallightningprovides overCGlightning,specifically withintheframeworkofdevelopingauseful lightning-based severe weather warning decision support tool. Results indicate that while both lightning datasets demonstrate the presence of increased lightning activity prior to the onset of severe weather, the use oftotal lightningtrendswasmore effectivethanCG trends[probability ofdetection(POD),79% versus66%; false alarm rate (FAR), 36% versus 53%; critical success index (CSI), 55% versus 38%; Heidke skill score (HSS), 0.71 versus 0.55]. Moreover, 40% of false alarms associated with total lightning, and 16% of false alarms with CG lightning trends, occurred when a lightning jump associated with a severe weather ‘‘warning’’ was already in effect. If these false alarms are removed, the FAR drops from 36% to 22% for total lightning and from 53% to 44% for CG lightning. Importantly, average lead times prior to severe weather occurrence werehigherusingtotallightningascomparedwithCGlightning(20.65versus13.54 min).Theultimategoalof this study was to demonstrate the increased utility of total lightning information that the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) will provide to operational meteorology in anticipation of severe convective weather on a hemispheric scale once Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R (GOES-R) is deployed in the next decade.
Local and Global Ligand-Induced Changes in the Structure of the GABAA Receptor†

Ligand-gated channels mediate synaptic transmission through conformational transitions triggered by the binding of neurotransmitters. These transitions are well-defined in terms of ion conductance, but their structural basis is poorly understood. To probe these changes in structure, GABA(A) receptors were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and labeled at selected sites with environment-sensitive fluorophores. With labels at two different residues in the alpha1 subunit in loop E of the GABA-binding pocket, GABA elicited fluorescence changes opposite in sign. This pattern of fluorescence changes is consistent with a closure of the GABA-binding cavity at the subunit interface. The competitive antagonist SR-95531 inverted this pattern of fluorescence change, but the noncompetitive antagonist picrotoxin failed to elicit optical signals. In response to GABA (but not SR-95531), labels at the homologous residues in the beta2 subunit showed the same pattern of fluorescence change as the alpha1-subunit labels, indicating a global transition with comparable movements in homologous regions of different subunits. Incorporation of the gamma2 subunit altered the fluorescence changes of alpha1-subunit labels and eliminated them in beta2-subunit labels. Thus, the ligand-induced structural changes in the GABA(A) receptor can extend over considerable distances or remain highly localized, depending upon subunit composition and ligand.
Therapeutic Approaches for Women Predisposed to Breast Cancer

The medical management of women at an increased risk of breast cancer has substantially changed over the past few years, with improvements in screening, cancer prevention, and treatment, and is best defined for women with mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. Screening techniques, such as breast magnetic resonance imaging, enable early detection of cancers in high-risk women. Prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy has been demonstrated to decrease the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, as well as mortality in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Most recently, there have been considerable strides in the treatment of cancers in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Breast cancer patients with BRCA1/2 mutations treated with systemic therapy do not appear to have excess toxicity, and have similar relapse-free and overall survival compared to noncarriers. Preclinical and early clinical research suggests that specific classes of chemotherapy may be more effective in mutation carriers. PARP inhibitors represent a novel therapeutic strategy that exploits the weaknesses of BRCA1/2-associated malignancies.
Control considerations for scalable event processing

The growth in the scale of systems and networks has created many challenges for their management, especially for event processing. Our premise is that scaling event processing requires parallelism. To this end, we observe that event processing can be divided into intra-event processing such as filtering and inter-event processing such as root cause analysis. Since intra-event processing is easily parallelized, we propose an architecture in which intra-event processing elements (IAPs) are replicated to scale to larger event input rates. We address two challenges in this architecture. First, the IAPs are subject to overloads that require effective flow control, a capability that was not present in the components we used to build IAPs. Second, we need to balance the loads on IAPs to avoid creating resource bottlenecks. These challenges are further complicated by the presence of disturbances such as CPU intensive administrative tasks that reduce event processing rates. We address these challenges using designs based on control theory, a technique for analyzing stability, accuracy, and settling times. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approaches with testbed experiments that include a disturbance in the form of a CPU intensive application.
Breast Implant–Associated ALCL: A Unique Entity in the Spectrum of CD30+ Lymphoproliferative Disorders

CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders represent a spectrum of diseases with distinct clinical phenotypes ranging from reactive conditions to aggressive systemic anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)− anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). In January 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a possible association between breast implants and ALCL, which was likened to systemic ALCL and treated accordingly. We analyzed existing data to see if implant-associated ALCL (iALCL) may represent a distinct entity, different from aggressive ALCL. We conducted a systematic review of publications regarding ALCL and breast implantation for 1990–2012 and contacted corresponding authors to obtain long-term follow-up where available. We identified 44 unique cases of iALCL, the majority of which were associated with seroma, had an ALK− phenotype (97%), and had a good prognosis, different from the expected 40% 5-year survival rate of patients with ALK− nodal ALCL (one case remitted spontaneously following implant removal; only two deaths have been reported to the FDA or in the scientific literature since 1990). The majority of these patients received cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone with or without radiation, but radiation alone also resulted in complete clinical responses. It appears that iALCL demonstrates a strong association with breast implants, a waxing and waning course, and an overall good prognosis, with morphology, cytokine profile, and biological behavior similar to those of primary cutaneous ALCL. Taken together, these data are suggestive that iALCL may start as a reactive process with the potential to progress and acquire an aggressive phenotype typical of its systemic counterpart. A larger analysis and prospective evaluation and follow-up of iALCL patients are necessary to definitively resolve the issue of the natural course of the disease and best therapeutic approaches for these patients.
Model checking an entire Linux distribution for security violations

Software model checking has become a popular tool for verifying programs' behavior. Recent results suggest that it is viable for finding and eradicating security bugs quickly. However, even state-of-the-art model checkers are limited in use when they report an overwhelming number of false positives, or when their lengthy running time dwarfs other software development processes. In this paper we report our experiences with software model checking for security properties on an extremely large scale - an entire Linux distribution consisting of 839 packages and 60 million lines of code. To date, we have discovered 108 exploitable bugs. Our results indicate that model checking can be both a feasible and integral part of the software development process
Parametric amplification and processing in optical fibers

We review recent progress made in parametric amplification and signal processing using high confinement fibers. In contrast to crystalline and semiconductor devices, fiber parametric amplifiers offer interaction lengths that can vary from 10 m to 1 km and are not limited by waveguide losses. The operation, design and impairment physics of general fiber parametric devices are reviewed. The technology prospects for advanced signal processing are discussed.
Target detection and position likelihood using an aerial image sensor

Sensor-based control is an emerging challenge in UAV applications. It is essential in a sensing task to account for sensor measurement errors when computing a target position estimate. Source of measurement error includes those in vehicle position and orientation measurements as well as algorithm failures such as missed detections or false detections. Incorporating such errors in aerial sensors is non-trival because of the camera's perspective geometry. This paper is about a method to incorporate such errors into target position estimates and a calibration methodology to measure the error distributions. A preliminary experiment with real flight data is presented.
High Performance Non-Binary Quasi-Cyclic LDPC Codes on Euclidean Geometries LDPC Codes on Euclidean Geometries

This paper presents algebraic methods for constructing high performance and efficiently encodable non-binary quasi-cyclic LDPC codes based on flats of finite Euclidean geometries and array masking. Codes constructed based on these methods perform very well over the AWGN channel. With iterative decoding using a fast Fourier transform based sum-product algorithm, they achieve significantly large coding gains over Reed-Solomon codes of the same lengths and rates decoded with either algebraic hard-decision Berlekamp-Massey algorithm or algebraic soft-decision Kotter-Vardy algorithm. Due to their quasi-cyclic structure, these non-binary LDPC codes on Euclidean geometries can be encoded using simple shift-registers with linear complexity. Structured non-binary LDPC codes have a great potential to replace Reed-Solomon codes for some applications in either communication or storage systems for combating mixed types of noise and interferences.
Proactive attacker localization in wireless LAN

This paper addresses the open problem of locating an attacker that intentionally hides or falsies its position using advanced radio technologies. A novel attacker localization mechanism, called Access Point Coordinated Localization (APCL), is proposed for IEEE 802.11 networks. APCL actively forces the attacker to reveal its position information by combining access point (AP) coordination with the traditional range-free localization. The optimal AP coordination process is calculated by modeling it as a finite horizon discrete Markov decision process, which is efficiently solved by an approximation algorithm. The performance advantages are veried through extensive simulations.
Micro-pages: increasing DRAM efficiency with locality-aware data placement

Power consumption and DRAM latencies are serious concerns in modern chip-multiprocessor (CMP or multi-core) based compute systems. The management of the DRAM row buffer can significantly impact both power consumption and latency. Modern DRAM systems read data from cell arrays and populate a row buffer as large as 8 KB on a memory request. But only a small fraction of these bits are ever returned back to the CPU. This ends up wasting energy and time to read (and subsequently write back) bits which are used rarely. Traditionally, an open-page policy has been used for uni-processor systems and it has worked well because of spatial and temporal locality in the access stream. In future multi-core processors, the possibly independent access streams of each core are interleaved, thus destroying the available locality and significantly under-utilizing the contents of the row buffer. In this work, we attempt to improve row-buffer utilization for future multi-core systems. The schemes presented here are motivated by our observations that a large number of accesses within heavily accessed OS pages are to small, contiguous "chunks" of cache blocks. Thus, the co-location of chunks (from different OS pages) in a row-buffer will improve the overall utilization of the row buffer contents, and consequently reduce memory energy consumption and access time. Such co-location can be achieved in many ways, notably involving a reduction in OS page size and software or hardware assisted migration of data within DRAM. We explore these mechanisms and discuss the trade-offs involved along with energy and performance improvements from each scheme. On average, for applications with room for improvement, our best performing scheme increases performance by 9% (max. 18%) and reduces memory energy consumption by 15% (max. 70%).