cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DNA intercalation and photosensitization by cationic meso substituted porphyrins

Several cationic porphyrins are known to bind to DNA by intercalative and outside binding modes. This study identifies the cis and trans isomers of bis(N-methyl-4-phridiniumyl)diphenyl porphyrin as DNA intercalators based on evidence from a DNA topoisomerase I assay. Moreover, both isomers are shown to be potent photosensitizers of DNA, inducing multiple S1 nuclease sensitive breaks in the phosphodiester backbone. Porphyrin-induced photodamage in DNA was also shown to be quantitatively dependent upon ionic strength and to inhibit the action of restriction endonucleases. The results indicate that these porphyrins can be useful probes of DNA structure and have potential as DNA-targeted photosensitizers.
A model for including thermal conduction in molecular dynamics simulations

A technique is introduced for including thermal conduction in molecular dynamics simulations for solids. We develop a model to allow energy flow between the computational cell and the bulk of the solid when periodic boundary conditions cannot be used. Thermal conduction is achieved by scaling the velocities of atoms in a transitional boundary layer. The scaling factor is obtained from the thermal diffusivity, and the results show good agreement with the solution for a continuous medium at long times. We have investigated the effects of different temperature and size of the system, and of variations in strength parameter, atomic mass, and thermal diffusivity. In all cases, no significant change in simulation results has been found.
Seismic hazard analysis of Peru

Abstract This paper provides a hazard map of Peru, showing peak ground acceleration (PGA) levels on bedrock, with a 10% probability of exceedance for a 50 yr time period. The probabilistic PGA map for Peru and adjacent areas may be used as a reference by designers and engineers to obtain the primary input for initially quantifying seismic loads needed for the effective design of structures. Additionally, the PGA values are expected to provide planners with suitable information for identifying critical seismic areas in Peru to assist in earthquake hazard mitigation plans. The study used the historical database for earthquakes that have affected Peru during the past 90 years. On the basis of historical seismicity, five distinct seismic source zones were identified, each with a different magnitude-recurrence relationships. The “α” and “β” coefficients for the magnitude recurrence curves wre found to be consistent with the values previously reported for the area. The available strong motion accelerogram data from six seismic events in the study area were examined to select a general PGA attenuation relationship for Peru. The probabilistic PGA values were calculated using the classical methods that combine the frequency of earthquake occurrence and uncertainties associated with predicting peak ground accelerations.
A graph model for unsupervised lexical acquisition

This paper presents an unsupervised method for assembling semantic knowledge from a part-of-speech tagged corpus using graph algorithms. The graph model is built by linking pairs of words which participate in particular syntactic relationships. We focus on the symmetric relationship between pairs of nouns which occur together in lists. An incremental cluster-building algorithm using this part of the graph achieves 82% accuracy at a lexical acquisition task, evaluated against WordNet classes. The model naturally realises domain and corpus specific ambiguities as distinct components in the graph surrounding an ambiguous word.
Effects of manufacturing limitations upon coplanar waveguide designs at high microwave frequencies

To date, the effect of dimensional errors using standard printed circuit board etch processes on the transmission line (TL) response at mm-wave frequencies has not been investigated. While sidewall curvature due to etch has a negligible effect upon transmission line characteristics when the dimensions are in units of mm — these dimensional errors can become significant at higher GHz frequencies where dimensions are 10s of micrometers to achieve a 50 Ohm line impedance. These various geometric errors are studied in terms of the broadband microwave and mm-wave response on coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission lines.
Crystallization kinetics of Na2O · 3SiO2

Abstract The crystallization kinetics of Na 2 O · 3SiO 2 have been determined over the temperature range between 600°C and 800°C. The (metastable) melting point of this material has been determined as 811 ± 3°C. The growth rate vs. temperature relation exhibits the maximum generally found for glass-forming systems, with the maximum growth rate (3.3 x 10 -6 cm sec -1 ) observed at 735 °C. Under all conditions of growth, the crystal-liquid interfaces are faceted. This is indicative of significant growth rate anisotropy, and suggests that the entropy of fusion is large in Jackson's sense (Δ S fM &62- 4 R , where Δ S fM is the molar entropy of fusion). Assuming Δ S fM = 4 R , by analogy with the characteristics of Na 2 O · 2SiO 2 , the reduced growth rate versus undercooling relation has been constructed. The form of this relation — a straight line of positive slope passing through the origin — is suggestive of growth by a screw dislocation mechanism. The magnitudes of the growth rates are in close accord with the predictions of the standard model for such growth.
Using aided AAC models, recasts, and contrastive targets to teach grammatical morphemes to children who use AAC.

Purpose The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate the effects of using aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) modeling and recasting on the expression of grammatical morphemes with children who used AAC. Method A single-subject, multiple-probe, across-targets design was used for the study. Three participants were each taught to use 3 grammatical structures. Intervention consisted of aided AAC models and recasts during storybook reading tasks. Results All three children readily began using the targeted grammatical morphemes. However, none of the participants maintained use of the first morpheme. Error analyses revealed that the children either omitted the targeted morpheme or replaced it with another morpheme. To address this issue, a second intervention phase was implemented for the targets that were not maintained. During this phase, various grammatical morphemes were contrasted with each other (e.g., past tense –ed vs. possessive 's). Following the second intervention phase, parti...
Person and consciousness.

My interlocutor is Locke with his reduction of person to personal consciousness. This reduction is a main reason preventing people from acknowledging the personhood of the earliest human embryo, which lacks all personal consciousness. I show that Catholic Christians who live the sacramental life of the Church have reason to think that they are, as persons, vastly more than what they experience themselves to be, for they believe that the sacraments work effects in them as persons that can only be believed but that cannot be experienced within themselves in this life. I also show that Christians and non-Christians alike have an experience of moral good and evil in themselves that implies that they are, as moral persons, far more than they find in their conscious self-presence. It is, therefore, natural to think that if my being as person so far exceeds my consciousness, I may well have once existed as person even before the awakening of consciousness.
Review of Largemouth Bass Virus

Abstract Largemouth bass virus (LMBV) causes a newly recognized disease of wild largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). The disease usually occurs during the summer and typically affects adult fish, which lose equilibrium and are found floating at the water surface. Largemouth bass virus was first isolated during 1991 in Florida and has now been found in several bodies of water in the eastern United States. Fish kills have occurred in some infected populations of largemouth bass, but in other locations this virus is found in largemouth bass and other fish species with no overt signs of disease. Although there have not been documented changes in the total number of fish after die-offs caused by LMBV, additional research is needed to determine whether LMBV has reduced the number of trophy-sized largemouth bass in infected populations.
Rheology and Microstructural Changes during Enzymatic Degradation of a Guar−Borax Hydrogel

Hydrogels composed of borax cross-linked guar galactomannans are enzymatically degraded using endo-β-mannanase, an enzyme which cleaves the polymer chain backbone. Dynamic rheological measurements show the elastic (G‘) and viscous (G‘ ‘) moduli to be sensitive to gel structure and to reduce significantly during the enzymatic hydrolysis process. The reduction in rheological properties shows three distinct regimes: an initial large decrease, a slower reduction rate at intermediate times, and an accelerated reduction at longer degradation times. In contrast, the polymer chain molecular weight, obtained from gel permeation chromatography, reduces rapidly at short times and at a slower rate subsequently. We therefore find the kinetics of moduli reduction to be dictated by the relationship between gel structure and rheological properties, rather than purely the rates of chain scission. At short times, the large decrease in moduli is analogous to changes in molecular weight and can directly be attributed to cha...
Identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Phenazines that Kill Caenorhabditis elegans

Pathogenic microbes employ a variety of methods to overcome host defenses, including the production and dispersal of molecules that are toxic to their hosts. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative bacterium, is a pathogen of a diverse variety of hosts including mammals and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. In this study, we identify three small molecules in the phenazine class that are produced by P. aeruginosa strain PA14 that are toxic to C. elegans. We demonstrate that 1-hydroxyphenazine, phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, and pyocyanin are capable of killing nematodes in a matter of hours. 1-hydroxyphenazine is toxic over a wide pH range, whereas the toxicities of phenazine-1-carboxylic acid and pyocyanin are pH-dependent at non-overlapping pH ranges. We found that acidification of the growth medium by PA14 activates the toxicity of phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, which is the primary toxic agent towards C. elegans in our assay. Pyocyanin is not toxic under acidic conditions and 1-hydroxyphenazine is produced at concentrations too low to kill C. elegans. These results suggest a role for phenazine-1-carboxylic acid in mammalian pathogenesis because PA14 mutants deficient in phenazine production have been shown to be defective in pathogenesis in mice. More generally, these data demonstrate how diversity within a class of metabolites could affect bacterial toxicity in different environmental niches.
Multipotent stem cells in cardiac regenerative therapy.

The potential for stem cells to ameliorate or cure heart diseases has galvanized a cadre of cardiovascular translational and clinical scientists to take a ‘first-in-man’ approach using autologous stem cells from a variety of tissues. However, recent clinical trial data show that when these cells are given by intracoronary infusion or direct myocardial injection, limited improvement in heart function occurs with no evidence of cardiomyogenesis. These studies illustrate the great need to understand the logic of cell-lineage commitment and the principles of cardiac differentiation. Recent identification of stem/progenitor cells of embryological origin with intrinsic competence to differentiate into multiple lineages within the heart offers new possibilities for cardiac regeneration. When combined with developments in nuclear reprogramming and provided that tumor risks and other challenges of embryonic cell transplantation can be overcome, the prospect of achieving autologous, cardiomyogenic, stem cell-based ...
Rehospitalization after Living Kidney Donation

Readmission for acute conditions has become an important metric for health systems in looking at the success of their original treatment for a particular condition. Indeed, it is so important that there are specific financial penalties relating to readmissions for specific conditions. In general,
Surface and Frictional Properties of Two-Component Alkylsilane Monolayers and Hydroxyl-Terminated Monolayers on Silicon

To investigate the effect of chain mobility and functional group exposure on friction, the tribological properties of one-component (pure) and two-component (mixed) alkylsilane monolayers on silicon, with variance in the ratios of long- and short-chain molecules, are presented. The tribological properties of these monolayers were measured with a ball-on-flat tribometer at 9.8 mN load and a speed of 0.1 mm/s. The molecular precursors investigated were n-hexyltrichlorosilane (C6), n-dodecyltrichlorosilane (C12), n-hexadecyltrichlorosilane (C16), n-octadecyltrichlorosilane (C18), and n-docosyltrichlorosilane (C22). Created from these molecules were the following four mixed monolayers: C6/C18, C12/C18, C16/C18, and C12/C22 in which the ratio of long- and short-chain molecules was varied in order to create different levels of mobility and average chain cant in the upper liquidlike region of the film. For the two-component monolayers, once a critical thickness is reached, the tribological properties were indistinguishable from the pure monolayers although the oleophilicity was much higher for the mixed films. Altering the terminal group of the monolayer to a hydroxyl, however, resulted in an increased coefficient of friction and significant adhesive forces between the monolayer and the stainless steel probe of the microtribometer. This tribological behavior can be explained by the low surface energies of the methyl and methylene groups and the increased adhesion that occurs with hydroxyl-terminated monolayers due to stronger interfacial interactions. Collectively, the results indicate that monolayer thickness and surface energy greatly affect the tribological properties of a monolayer but that molecular mobility within the film and interfacial oleophilicity are less important at these loads and speeds.
A workload characterization for coarse-grain multiprocessors

Scalable shared memory multiprocessors commonly employ replication and the associated coherency maintenance of memory blocks, but differ in the granularity from fine-grain (cache-coherent multiprocessors) to coarse-grain (page-based distributed shared memory systems). Regardless of the size of coherency blocks, attaining good performance may depend on the number of copies staying small. Previous workload characterization studies of fine-grain systems have shown sharing patterns that tend toward small worker sets. Coarse-grain architectures offer scalability advantages unless sharing patterns for larger blocks are considerably less favorable. This is the question we address in this paper. Our results are encouraging in that, despite the coarse granularity, worker sets scale reasonably. >
Roles of Leukocyte and Immune Cell Junctional Proteins

The restricted expression of E-cadherin on dendritic cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes has been described as a structural/adhesive system that helps to retain and integrate these cells within mucosal and dermal tissues. The activation of these cells downregulates expression of cadherins, and contributes to cell redistribution and tissue homing. It has recently been reported that lymphocytes and other leukocytes express cadherins, as well as occludin, a tight junctional component, in response to several types of stimuli. This suggests that mobilization of adherens and tight junction proteins in leukocytes may facilitate interactions of leukocytes with epithelial, endothelial, and interstitial cells that express these proteins and support homophilic adhesion. The conditions and patterns of synthesis of these adhesion molecules, in antigen-presenting cells and leukocytes, indicate that the expression of junction proteins may play roles in normal and pathological leukocyte traffic.
Plant Establishment in Masticated Utah Juniper Woodlands

Abstract Juniper (Juniperus spp.) encroachment into sagebrush (Artemisia spp.)-bunchgrass communities has reduced understory cover on millions of hectares of semiarid rangelands. Mechanical masticators shred trees to restore desirable vegetation and reduce the potential for catastrophic wildfire. Mechanical mastication where juniper density is high and perennial grass cover is low brings a risk of invasive weed dominance unless perennial species are established. To determine whether juniper mastication favors annual- or perennial-grass establishment, we compared seedling emergence, tillers, and aboveground biomass of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) and Anatone bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata [Pursh] A. Love). Comparisons were made among hand-planted rows between and under juniper canopies of masticated and adjacent untreated control areas at three locations in Utah. Bluebunch wheatgrass had 16% (95% CI: 11–21) and cheatgrass had 10% (95% CI: 5–15) fewer seedlings emerge per row in masticated...
An iron tetrahydroporphyrin prosthetic group common to both assimilatory and dissimilatory sulfite reductases.

The heme† chromophore of the “assimilatory” E. coli sulfite reductase is an iron-octacarboxylic tetrahydroporphyrin of the isobacteriochlorin type (1). Although the two “dissimilatory” sulfite reductases, desulfoviridin and desulforubidin, from the sulfate reducing bacteria Desulfovibrio gigas and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (Norway strain), have absorption spectra and reaction products which differ from those of E. coli sulfite reductase, the present studies indicate that they contain prosthetic groups with an organic structure closely similar or identical to that of the E. coli sulfite reductase heme. EPR spectra show high-spin ferriheme in all three enzymes. It is clear, however, that the prosthetic groups must reside in substantially different environments within their respective proteins.
High modulation speed photonic crystal nanocavity array laser

We designed a new laser composed of two-dimensional coupled photonic crystal microcavity arrays that can operate at speeds above 100 GHz with large power conversion efficiency. We will present time-domain measurements, which support our theoretical predictions.
Microtubule flux in mitosis is independent of chromosomes, centrosomes, and antiparallel microtubules.

Abstract We investigated the mechanism of poleward microtubule flux in the mitotic spindle by generating spindle subassemblies in Xenopus egg extracts in vitro and assaying their ability to flux by photoactivation of fluorescence and low-light multichannel fluorescence video-microscopy. We find that monopolar intermediates of in vitro spindle assembly (half-spindles) exhibit normal poleward flux, as do astral microtubule arrays induced by the addition of dimethyl sulfoxide to egg extracts in the absence of both chromosomes and conventional centrosomes. Immunodepletion of the kinesin-related microtubule motor protein Eg5, a candidate flux motor, suggests that Eg5 is not required for flux. These results suggest that poleward flux is a basic element of microtubule behavior exhibited by even simple self-organized microtubule arrays and presumably underlies the most elementary levels of spindle morphogenesis.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, part 2: controversies surrounding pathophysiology of vasogenic edema.

SUMMARY: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a neurotoxic state accompanied by a unique brain imaging pattern typically associated with a number of complex clinical conditions including: preeclampsia/eclampsia, allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, solid organ transplantation, autoimmune diseases and high dose cancer chemotherapy. The mechanism behind the developing vasogenic edema and CT or MR imaging appearance of PRES is not known. Two theories have historically been proposed: 1) Severe hypertension leads to failed auto-regulation, subsequent hyperperfusion, with endothelial injury/vasogenic edema and; 2) vasoconstriction and hypoperfusion leads to brain ischemia and subsequent vasogenic edema. The strengths/weaknesses of these hypotheses are reviewed in a translational fashion including supporting evidence and current available imaging/clinical data related to the conditions that develop PRES. While the hypertension/hyperperfusion theory has been most popular, the conditions associated with PRES have a similar immune challenge present and develop a similar state of T-cell/endothelial cell activation that may be the basis of leukocyte trafficking and systemic/cerebral vasoconstriction. These systemic features along with current vascular and perfusion imaging features in PRES appear to render strong support for the older theory of vasoconstriction coupled with hypoperfusion as the mechanism.
Virtual sensors for remote sensing: Algorithms and performance

Consider data collected by two types of sensors with disparate capabilities. A technique is presented for constructing a high quality image from an image measured by a low quality sensor, given training sets of high quality and low quality images of related scenes. The method involves calculation of a non-linear transformation using the training data. The transformation is then applied to the low quality image to produce a ldquovirtualrdquo high quality image.
The renewal and persistence of group identification in American politics

This article builds on analyses addressing social group identification found in The American Voter Revisited (chapter 11), by exploring the dynamics of social group identity and Latino partisanship using data from the 2006 Latino National Survey. We argue that group identification matters to Latinos, and that the ANES significantly underestimates the degree of ethnic identification among Latino registered voters. The evidence we bring to bear on the matter of Latino partisan unity shows important distinctions by national origin, generation, language and level of perceived discriminationdmeasures that are unreliable due to sampling error or wholly unavailable in the ANES. These distinctions are shown in our replications of descriptive tables in the American Voter Revisited, and further supported through multinomial logit models of Latino partisanship. As a result of a large immigration population, continued and widespread discrimination against Latinos, and new mobilization efforts that encourage ethnic appeals, the Latino electorate embodies the renewal and persistence of group identification in American politics.
Carbon nitride as a buffer layer for magnetic thin films

Amorphous carbon nitride (CNx, 0.1<x<0.3) thin films present a unique combination of hardness and compliance and may be useful for incorporation into ferromagnetic multilayers. We present a study of the use of amorphous CNx as a buffer layer for NiFe magnetic thin films. The surface roughness of the NiFe films is comparable to films on Ta or Cu buffer layers and is stable with annealing at 200 °C. Effects on the magnetization and coercivity are seen, and may be due to several mechanisms, including chemical reactions at the interface and interdiffusion.
Does courtship behavior contribute to species-level reproductive isolation in field crickets?

Reproductive behavior influences gene flow within and among species; thus, sexual selection may be a major contributor to the maintenance of species, and possibly their formation. Here I experimentally manipulate the courtship interactions of the field crickets Gryllus rubens and G. texensis to examine the potential of close-range courtship interactions to limit interspecific gene flow. Responses of males to females and of females to male courtship song and males per se were examined for four paired sympatric and allopatric populations. Male G. rubens were more likely to court conspecific females, but male G. texensis courted females of both species equally. If paired with conspecific males, female G. rubens and G. texensis both preferred conspecific courtship song. In none of these comparisons were the responses of males or females from allopatry different from those in sympatry. There was an asymmetry of courtship response across both sex and species: male G. rubens were more discriminating than male G. texensis, whereas female G. texensis were more discriminating than female G. rubens. Despite significant preferences for conspecifics, the net effect of courtship interactions would appear to limit interspecific gene flow only weakly. These results are consistent with courtship behavior evolving under the influence of sexual selection and only indirectly promoting species integrity. Key words: sexual selection, speciation, reproductive isolation, Gryllus. [Behav Ecol]
Changes in soluble sugar, starch, and alcohol dehydrogenase in Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to N2 diluted atmospheres

Proper exchange of atmospheric gases is important for normal root and shoot metabolism in plants. This study was conducted to determine how restricted air supply affects foliar carbohydrates, while using the marker enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) to report on the oxygenation status of the rootzone. Fourteen-day-old Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. plants grown singly in 7-ml tubes containing agarified nutrient medium were placed in coupled Magenta vessels and exposed for six days to either ambient air or one of six different air/nitrogen dilutions. Redox potential of the agar medium was measured immediately after harvesting and freezing leaf tissue, and then root systems were quickly extracted from the agar and frozen for subsequent analyses. Redox potential measurements indicated that this series of gas mixtures produced a transition from hypoxia to anoxia in the root zones. Root ADH activity increased at higher rates as the redox potential neared anoxic levels. In contrast, ADH mRNA expression quickly neared its maximum as the medium became hypoxic and showed little further increase as it became anoxic. Foliar carbohydrate levels increased 1.5- to 2-fold with decreased availability of metabolic gases, with starch increasing at higher concentrations of air than soluble carbohydrate. The results serve as a model for plant performance under microgravity conditions, where absence of convective air movement prevents replenishment of metabolic gases.
Assessing the performance of cultural algorithms for semantic network re-engineering

Evolutionary computation has been successfully applied in a variety of problem domains and applications. The authors discuss the use of a specific form of evolutionary computation known as cultural algorithms to improve the efficiency of the subsumption algorithm in semantic networks. Subsumption is the process that determines if one node in the network is a child of another node. As such, it is utilized as part of the node classification algorithm within semantic network based applications. One method of improving subsumption efficiency is to reduce the number of attributes that need to be compared for every node without impacting the results. We demonstrate that a cultural algorithm approach can be used to identify these defining attributes that are most significant for node retrieval. These results can then be utilized within an existing vehicle assembly process planning application that utilizes a semantic network based knowledge base to improve the performance and reduce complexity of the network.
Design of Concrete Members Subjected to Triaxial Compression

A new strength theory for the design of concrete members subjected to triaxial compression stress has been developed which is an extension of the traditional Mohr’s strength theory. This new theory explicitly relates the maximum principal stress, σ1 , to the confining pressure, σ3 . It is shown that this new theory requires information about the uniaxial compressive strength, fc′ , the uniaxial tensile strength, ft′ , and a quantity n relating to the shape of Mohr’s envelope of ultimate strength states which depends on the degree of confinement. Because few test results that include the values of ft′ have been reported in the engineering literature, a preliminary and simplified version of this new theory has been proposed and verified using results from 236 tests of normal strength concrete ( fc ⩽8,000 psi) specimens and 50 tests of high strength concrete ( fc >8,000 psi) specimens previously reported in the engineering literature. Agreement between values predicted by means of the proposed theory and tes...
The Chemical and Structural Nature of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Properties

The chemical and structural (morphological) features of proton exchange membranes are directly tied to their fuel cell relevant transport properties. A large body of research has focused on characterizing the structure or investigating the properties of Nafion® and other proton exchange membranes, but few studies have linked chemical composition to membrane morphology, and resulting transport properties. This paper systematically discusses the key chemical and structural features of proton exchange membranes that impact properties critical for fuel cell applications. We focus our discussion on the fuel cell relevant transport properties of proton conductivity, methanol permeability, water diffusion coefficient, and electro-osmotic drag coefficient, using evidence from our work and from the literature to illustrate the connection between structure and properties in these materials. It is hoped that this document will serve as a guide to the rational, systematic design of new proton exchange membrane materials with improved properties.
Deriving Directional Variance from Covariance Matrix

Directional variance characterizes the dispersion of a sample of directions. The derivation of directional variance, as it has appeared in the directional statistics literature, is from a geometric and intuitive approach. This short note presents a new derivation from the covariance matrix of directions. It provides a connection from directional variance to the covariance matrix of unit vectors.
Fault tolerant broadcasting in SIMD hypercubes

In this paper, we propose an optimal fault tolerant broadcasting algorithm which requires only n+1 steps for an SIMD hypercube, with up to n-1 faulty nodes. The basic idea of the proposed algorithm is first to find a fault-free subcube (C/sub s/) which contains the source node such that each neighboring subcube of the subcube C/sub s/ contains at least one fault. Next, the message is broadcast along the internal dimensions followed by external dimensions of the subcube C/sub s/. This process requires n steps. Since this process does not guarantee that all the fault-free nodes receive the message, an extra step may be needed. We prove that there exists an internal dimension of the subcube C/sub s/ such that all the nodes which did not receive the message in n steps will receive the message by broadcasting the message along that dimension. We also develop a generalized broadcasting algorithm which tolerates any number of faults. >
A Comparison of Relative Weight and Nutritional Status among Four Fish Species in Two Impoundments

ABSTRACT Relative weight (Wr ) was originally developed to assess the physiological status of largemouth bass. Later it was expanded to other centrarchids and, more recently, to non-centrarchids without consideration of how well the concept may fit other taxa. Our goal was to compare the ability of Wr , to convey physiological information among species. We considered the following alternative hypotheses: that the relationship of Wr , to physiological status would vary according to phylogeny, according to ecological specialization, or according to morphology. We collected data (water, protein, lipid, liver, gonad and viscera percentages) from 216 fish of four species (bluegill, largemouth bass, black crappie, chain pickerel) from two Virginia impoundments. All but one population-specific multiple regression model explained a significant amount of variation (F > 2.31, P < 0.05). Both bluegill models explained the least amount of variation (adjusted R 2 < 0.15). Piscivore models fit the data best (adjusted R...
Fast coalescent-based computation of local branch support from quartet frequencies

Species tree reconstruction is complicated by effects of incomplete lineage sorting, commonly modeled by the multi-species coalescent model (MSC). While there has been substantial progress in developing methods that estimate a species tree given a collection of gene trees, less attention has been paid to fast and accurate methods of quantifying support. In this article, we propose a fast algorithm to compute quartet-based support for each branch of a given species tree with regard to a given set of gene trees. We then show how the quartet support can be used in the context of the MSC to compute (1) the local posterior probability (PP) that the branch is in the species tree and (2) the length of the branch in coalescent units. We evaluate the precision and recall of the local PP on a wide set of simulated and biological datasets, and show that it has very high precision and improved recall compared with multi-locus bootstrapping. The estimated branch lengths are highly accurate when gene tree estimation error is low, but are underestimated when gene tree estimation error increases. Computation of both the branch length and local PP is implemented as new features in ASTRAL.
The effectiveness of Hespan in reducing the incidence of severe hyperstimulation syndrome in polycystic ovarian disease patients

Abstract Objective: Prophylactic IV administration of 6% hydroxyethyl starch solution (HES) has been shown to help in preventing moderate-severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in patients at risk. This prospective study evaluates the effectiveness of HES extended use in preventing severe OHSS in patients with or without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) undergoing assisted reproductive technology. Setting: The study group included 45 patients with PCOS (Group 1) and the control group consisted of 98 non-PCOS patients (Group 2). Materials and methods: Patients in both groups received multiple HES doses to reduce risk of severe OHSS. The inclusion criteria included having serum estradiol (E2) ⩾ 3000 pg/mL and/or ⩾20 total follicles on day of HCG and to have an embryo transfer done. HES (500–1000 cc) was given daily starting on the day of oocyte retrieval for a mean number of 3.2 ± 0.8 days. Results: The percentage of patients who developed severe OHSS requiring pigtail catheter insertion or vaginal aspiration was significantly higher in Group 1 vs Group 2 (15.6% vs. 4.1%, P = 0.017). Conclusion: Prophylactic use of multiple doses of HES appears to be more effective in preventing severe OHSS in non-PCOS patients, but may have limited effect in PCOS patients.
The Historical Development of J. J. Sylvester's Four Point Problem

(1989). The Historical Development of J. J. Sylvester's Four Point Problem. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 62, No. 5, pp. 309-317.
3D Object Classification in Uncalibrated Structure from Motion Models

We present a 3D object classification technique that is robust to noise and inaccuracies of 3D Structure from Motion models. We illustrate our classification results on 3D models reconstructed from real-world aerial imagery.
HER2 and HER3 in HPV+ and HPV- HNSCC--Response.

We appreciate the perspective of Drs. Machiels, Galot and Schmitz of our article, which was published earlier this year in Clinical Cancer Research , prior to the publication of the LUX-Head and Neck 1 trial results. The open-label randomized phase III study did not demonstrate increased response
The Application of Eigenvalue Coherence in the Structural Interpretation in Sayi Group Developed in the First Lanan Middle East Lanan District

The coherence cube technique is applied to fine seismic interpretation in order to resolve the problems of distribution pattern of faults in development blocks.With the coherency cube,preliminary analyzing on the relationships of fault intersected with each other,then fault closure is achieved by interpreting by hand on the surface and body and fault framework is build.It mainly elaborates that the application of the eigen value coherence cube technique carried out in No.1 block of middle east of Lanan Daqing area,with the coherence cube along horizon,to analysis coherent properties of adjacent seismic trace aiming at the fault interpretation and five changes have been summarized among newly recognized faults,such as strike,trace lengths,combinations,segmentations and cancellations after verification of faults.By application of the coherence cube technique to field data,it can be seen that the coherence cube technique is a kind of method of more effectively identification fault,and the tectonic interpretation precision is greatly improved,so as to have the direction significance for injection-production development of oil field.
Abstract B10: mTORC1 directly phosphorylates and activates ERα upon estrogen stimulation

Approximately 75% of breast cancers are estrogen receptor (ERα) positive, underscoring the dependence of cancer cells on estrogen for growth and survival. Patients treated with endocrine therapy often develop resistance, either de novo or acquired, which is caused by aberrations within the growth factor signaling pathways. The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) has emerged as a critical node in estrogenic signaling. We have previously shown that mTORC1 can phosphorylate and activate ERα on S167 via its effector the 40S ribosomal S6 kinase 1 (S6K1). Presently, we have uncovered a direct link between mTORC1 and ERα. We found that ERα binds to regulatory-associated protein of mTOR (Raptor) and causes it to translocate to the nucleus upon estrogen stimulation. Additionally, we identified mTOR as the kinase that directly phosphorylates ERα and activates transcription of ER target genes. Our findings show a direct link between mTORC1 and ERα, which further implicates mTORC1 signaling in the pathogenesis of ER-positive breast cancer and provides additionale rationale for the FDA-approved use of mTORC1 inhibitors in combination with endocrine agents for treatment of this disease . Citation Format: Anya Alayev, Marina K. Holz. mTORC1 directly phosphorylates and activates ERα upon estrogen stimulation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Breast Cancer Research; Oct 17-20, 2015; Bellevue, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2016;14(2_Suppl):Abstract nr B10.
Lymphangiectasia of the Colon with Protein Loss and Malabsorption

A 22-year-old woman had enteric protein loss and malabsorption, including steatorrhea. Colonic lymphangiectasia was found at laparotomy. Surgical removal of the most severely involved part of the colon resulted in temporary clinical and biochemical improvement. Stool fat and enteric protein loss decreased when a modified medium chain triglyceride formula was given, but the patient tolerated the diet poorly.
8-BrcAMP does not affect Na-K-2Cl cotransport in winter flounder intestine.

The flounder intestinal epithelium possesses luminal Na-K-2Cl cotransport and K secretory mechanisms that account for the short-circuit current (Isc) across the tissue. This epithelium is also high...
CD28 days later: Resurrecting costimulation for CD8(+) memory T cells.

Rapid activation and proliferative expansion of specific CD8(+) memory T (CD8(+) TM ) cells upon antigen re-encounter is a critical component of the adaptive immune response that confers enhanced immune protection. In this context, however, the requirements for costimulation in general, and CD28 signaling in particular, remain incompletely defined. In the current issue of the European Journal of Immunology, Frohlich et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2016. 46: 1644-1655] provide definitive evidence that optimal elaboration of CD8(+) TM -cell recall responses is indeed contingent on CD28 expressed by these cells. Here, we discuss the "CD28 costimulation paradigm" in its historical context and highlight some of the unresolved complexities pertaining to CD28-dependent interactions that shape CD8(+) T-cell phenotypes, functionalities, and recall reactivity.
Screenless printing procedures at the U.S. Geological Survey

AbstractThe U.S. Geological Survey has, for many years, been involved in printing photoimages without using conventional halftone screens. The purpose for using screenless printing in photoimage mapmaking has been to print finer detail that enables the user to make a better interpretation of the imagery. In an attempt to meet this objective, we have experimented with many photographic and screen processes and in the past several years have used the Howson-Algraphy, Inc., Alympic Gold positive plates along with their Contone developer to lithographically print photographic imagery, without the use of a screen. This screenless process uses the structure of the grain of photosensitive plates to form microscopic random dots that comprise the printed image. Changes and modifications to the manufacturer’s recommended process are included in the detailed procedures for calibration of the positive subtractive press plates, evaluation of the continuous-tone film, and quality control review during the reproduction ...
Echocardiographic Evaluation of Mitral Valve Tissue Bioprostheses In Vitro and In Vivo

A specially constructed chamber was used to observe factors involved in echographic recording of stent-mounted bioprosthetic valves. Twenty clinically normal patients (pts) with bioprostheses in the mitral orifice (MVBP) were studied and normal values for early diastolic descent rate (EDDR), external and internal, diameters, and valve cusp motion were defined. In pts with MVBP and periprosthetic leaks show increased EDDR while those with clot or tissue compromise of the orifice had a decreased EDDR, despite brisk motion of the heart walls. Reduced cusp excursion may be due to low flow through the valve and/or accumulation of fibrinous material within the valve. Calcific stenosis with thrombotic occlusion of the MVBP gives a striking echographic picture among the cases studied. Echocardiography may be used to follow pts after MVBP placement to observe malfunction.
Bullying, the Neurobiology of Emotional Aggression, and the Experience of Witchcraft

Anthropologists define witchcraft as the belief that certain people have the innate ability to cause other people misfortune through occult, or hidden, means. This chapter draws on recent work in the neurobiology of anger, intersubjectivity, fear, psychophysical influences on health, and modern adult bullying to provide new insights into the process by which this can actually take place. It starts by considering some cases of witchcraft in which peoples’ physical ailments were attributed to suspects’ belligerent behaviors. It then examines research into modern adult bullying that demonstrates that hostile behaviors analogous to those attributed to the witches do take place, and connects them to somatic as well as psychic distress in their targets. It concludes with a detailed consideration of how manifestations of hostility by one person can be transmitted and internalized by another in ways that result in physical disorders. Acknowledging that cases involving such mechanisms constitute a small minority of all witch trials, the chapter argues that historians nevertheless need to take this reality into account in their interpretations of individual cases and of witchcraft as a whole.
Clinical Implication of Natriuretic Peptides and Left Atrial Volume for the Screening Methods of Advanced Diastolic Dysfunction in the Community.

Methods : In 100 patients who referred for echocardiography, Doppler recording of the mitral inflow and tissue Doppler imaging of the mitral annulus were obtained and classified into 4 diastolic function grades (normal, impaired relaxation, pseudonormal, and restrictive). Advanced diastolic dysfunction was defined as pseudonormal and restrictive physiology. LAVi was measured by modified Simpson’s method in apical 4-chamber view at end-systole. Plasma levels of BNP and ANP were measured on the same day as echocardiogram was done.
Wither U.S. Net Neutrality Regulation

I examine the (lack of) economic logic that underlies the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s latest iteration of network neutrality regulations. I explore potential unintended consequences and find a substantial tension between the regulations and the objective of promoting consumer choice and sovereignty. I also identify market developments that could largely neutralize the regulations unless they are expanded to constrain Internet access providers’ actions further.
A strain sensing bolt for lathe cutting tool monitoring

The status of cutting tools is critical in metal cutting processes, as tool wear or breakage can result in increased production costs as well as unscheduled downtime. This study proposes a novel lathe cutting tool monitoring scheme using a specially designed bolt that can not only be applied for fasten the tool holder, but also capable of perceiving the strain of it. In conjunction with a front-end amplifier, a RC filter, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), the strain perceived by the bolt can be transformed into digital signals. Afterwards features relating to signal morphology and statistical characteristics are extracted, and the fuzzy neural network (FNN) classifier is employed for tool breakage detection. Using bearing outer ring machining as a practical case, a hit rate of 99.41% can be achieved, which demonstrates the validity of the proposed strain sensing bolt and analyzing method.
Maximizing Effectiveness and Patient Value

We live in exciting times, when technological achievements are a matter of daily occurrences, and when medical technology, in particular, is reaching new and never before imagined heights of accomplishments. The cumulative effects of advances in medical technology and in their management are felt in almost every aspect of our medical life, from cradle to old age. Successes in combating diseases and prolonging life, as well as the quality of artificially prolonged life are too many to list in this book, but for a glimpse into them which isgiven in the case studies in part III of the book.
B cells transiently exposed to antigen that return to quiescence respond to protein immunization similarly to naive B cells

Transient exposure of B cells to moderately multivalent antigens has been shown to lead to their activation and recruitment into T-dependent B cell response in the presence of T cell help. However, when T cell help is delayed, transiently activated B cells return to a naive-like state. While B cells that briefly encountered cognate antigen and then underwent inactivation are not tolerant, whether they may be hypo- or hyper-responsive to cognate antigen is not known. In this study we show that naive B cells and those previously exposed to antigen and then inactivated generate comparable germinal center and plasma cell responses after immunization with a wide range of antigen concentrations.
Layer-wise spatial modeling of porosity in additive manufacturing

The objective of this work is to model and quantify the layer-wise spatial evolution of porosity in parts made using Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes. This is an important research area becaus...