cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of potential CSF biomarkers in ALS

Background: The clinical diagnosis of ALS is based entirely on clinical features. Identification of biomarkers for ALS would be important for diagnosis and might also provide clues to pathogenesis. Objective: To determine if there is a specific protein profile in the CSF that distinguishes patients with ALS from those with purely motor peripheral neuropathy (PN) and healthy control subjects. Methods: CSF obtained from patients with ALS, disease controls (patients with other neurologic disorders), and normal controls were analyzed using the surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry proteomics technique. Biomarker sensitivity and specificity was calculated with receiver operating characteristic curve methodology. ALS biomarkers were purified and sequence identified by mass spectrometry–directed peptide sequencing. Results: In initial proteomic discovery studies, three protein species (4.8-, 6.7-, and 13.4-kDa) that were significantly lower in concentration in the CSF from patients with ALS (n = 36) than in normal controls (n = 21) were identified. A combination of three protein species (the “three-protein” model) correctly identified patients with ALS with 95% accuracy, 91% sensitivity, and 97% specificity from the controls. Independent validation studies using separate cohorts of ALS (n = 13), healthy control (n = 25), and PN (n = 7) subjects confirmed the ability of the three CSF protein species to separate patients with ALS from other diseases. Protein sequence analysis identified the 13.4-kDa protein species as cystatin C and the 4.8-kDa protein species as a peptic fragment of the neurosecretory protein VGF. Conclusion: Additional application of a “three-protein” biomarker model to current diagnostic criteria may provide an objective biomarker pattern to help identify patients with ALS.
Assessing Exposure to Violence Using Multiple Informants: Application of Hierarchical Linear Model

The present study assesses the effects of demographic risk factors on children's exposure to violence (ETV) and how these effects vary by informants. Data on exposure to violence of 9-, 12-, and 15-year-olds were collected from both child participants (N = 1880) and parents (N = 1776), as part of the assessment of the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN). A two-level hierarchical linear model (HLM) with multivariate outcomes was employed to analyze information obtained from these two different groups of informants. The findings indicate that parents generally report less ETV than do their children and that associations of age, gender, and parent education with ETV are stronger in the self-reports than in the parent reports. The findings support a multivariate approach when information obtained from different sources is being integrated. The application of HLM allows an assessment of interactions between risk factors and informants and uses all available data, including data from one informant when data from the other informant is missing.
Behavior patterns in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: report on the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy behavior workshop 8-9 of December 2006, Philadelphia, USA.

Eighteen participants representing clinicians, scientists, parents, industry, and public health agencies involved in the assessment and treatment of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA met in Philadelphia on December 8–9, 2006 to attend a workshop addressing behavioral issues among children and young adults with DMD. The workshop, sponsored by Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD–USA), was organized in response to parent and clinician concerns regarding behavior associated with DMD, and its subsequent impact on patient and family quality of life. For the purposes of clarification, in this report the term ‘‘behavior’’ is defined as readily observable external actions and responses, as well as internal affective/emotional states. The aims of the workshop were to (1) evaluate current findings and determine whether characteristic behaviors occur among boys and young men with DMD, (2) examine etiological factors contributing to behavior patterns in DMD, and (3) develop recommendations for research and intervention strategies. DMD is a genetic disorder occurring in approximately one in 3300 live male births. Mutations in the dystrophin gene result in an absence of dystrophin or a non-functional dystrophin protein. The different types and locations of the mutation are highly variable across individuals, and it is
Towards the Operational Semantics of User-Centric Communication Models

The pervasiveness of complex communication services and the need for end-users to play a greater role in developing communication services have resulted in the creation of the Communication Virtual Machine (CVM) technology. The CVM technology consists of a Communication Modeling Language (CML) and the CVM. CML is a declarative modeling language that can be used to specify domain-specific communication services and the CVM is the platform used to realize the CML models.In this paper we explicitly define the operational semantics of CML to support (1) the synthesis of CML models into executable control scripts and (2) the handling of negotiation and media transfer events during communication. We specify the semantics of CML using label transition systems and describe in detail an algorithm that is essential for the interpretation of CML models. A case study is presented showing how the semantics support the rapid realization of a scenario from the healthcare domain.
Competitive Pricing in a Multi‐Product Multi‐Attribute Environment

We address the problem of simultaneous pricing of a line of several products, both complementary products and substitutes, with a number of distinct price differentiation classes for each product (e.g., volume discounts, different distribution channels, and customer segments) in both monopolistic and oligopolistic settings. We provide a generic framework to tackle this problem, consider several families of demand models, and focus on a real-world case-study example. We propose an iterative relaxation algorithm, and state sufficient conditions for convergence of the algorithm. Using historical sales and price data from a retailer, we apply our solution algorithm to suggest optimal pricing, and report on numerical results.
Introducing the Next Generation of Library Management Systems

This installment of Electronic Resource Forum uses the results of a survey to present profiles of five next generation library management systems: Alma by Ex Libris; Sierra by Innovative Interfaces, Inc.; OLE by the Kuali Foundation; WorldShare Management Services by OCLC; and Intota by Serials Solutions. Each profile provides an overview of the system and describes its development history, use of standards and interoperability, and functionality. In addition to the profiles, the article includes a brief discussion of trends in next generation library management systems.
Rates of Medical Errors and Preventable Adverse Events Among Hospitalized Children Following Implementation of a Resident Handoff Bundle

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcomes were the rates of medical errors and preventable adverse events measured by daily systematic surveillance. The secondary outcomes were omissions in the printed handoff document and resident time-motion activity. RESULTS Medical errors decreased from 33.8 per 100 admissions (95% CI, 27.3-40.3) to 18.3 per 100 admissions (95% CI, 14.7-21.9; P < .001), and preventable adverse events decreased from 3.3 per 100 admissions (95% CI, 1.7-4.8) to 1.5 (95% CI, 0.51-2.4) per 100 admissions (P = .04) following the intervention. There were fewer omissions of key handoff elements on printed handoff documents, especially on the unit that received the computerized handoff tool (significant reductions of omissions in 11 of 14 categories with computerized tool; significant reductions in 2 of 14 categories without computerized tool). Physicians spent a greater percentage of time in a 24-hour period at the patient bedside after the intervention (8.3%; 95% CI 7.1%-9.8%) vs 10.6% (95% CI, 9.2%-12.2%; P = .03). The average duration of verbal handoffs per patient did not change. Verbal handoffs were more likely to occur in a quiet location (33.3%; 95% CI, 14.5%-52.2% vs 67.9%; 95% CI, 50.6%-85.2%; P = .03) and private location (50.0%; 95% CI, 30%-70% vs 85.7%; 95% CI, 72.8%-98.7%; P = .007) after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Implementation of a handoff bundle was associated with a significant reduction in medical errors and preventable adverse events among hospitalized children. Improvements in verbal and written handoff processes occurred, and resident workflow did not change adversely.
Disease to Dirt: The Biology of Microbial Amyloids

Amyloid fibers are β-sheet-rich protein polymers that are highly resistant to denaturation. The distinguishing amyloid fold can be adopted by a variety of proteins, without a shared primary structure, and is found in nearly all cell types. Despite the fact that amyloids have a richly informed scientific history, the diverse biology contributed by amyloids is only beginning to be appreciated. Initial amyloid studies focused on the intimate association of amyloid formation with cytotoxicity and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and the prion encephalopathies. Despite amyloid's somewhat sinister past, recent work on “functional” amyloids has revealed numerous ways that amyloids contribute to normal cellular biology [1]. Included among the activities in which amyloids participate are melanin production, the ability to act as non-Mendelian inheritable genetic elements, and as extracellular molecular scaffolds that hold bacterial communities together. The amyloid fold is tailor-made for the extracellular space, as amyloid polymers can self-assemble without requiring exogenous energy and the polymers are resistant to a slew of harsh denaturants that would devastate most protein folds. This article will address questions involving the various roles of bacterial amyloids in host, polymicrobial, and environmental interactions.
The comparative effectiveness of cognitive processing therapy for male veterans treated in a VHA posttraumatic stress disorder residential rehabilitation program.

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of group cognitive processing therapy (CPT) relative to trauma-focused group treatment as usual (TAU) in the context of a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) residential rehabilitation program. Method: Participants were 2 cohorts of male patients in the same program treated with either CPT (n 104) or TAU (n 93; prior to the implementation of CPT). Cohorts were compared on changes from pre- to posttreatment using the PTSD Checklist (PCL; Weathers, Litz, Herman, Huska, & Keane, 1993) and other measures of symptoms and functioning. Minorities represented 41% of the sample, and the mean age was 52 years (SD 9.22). The CPT group was significantly younger and less likely to receive disability benefits for PTSD; however, these variables were not related to outcome. Results: Analyses of covariance controlling for intake symptom levels and cohort differences revealed that CPT participants evidenced more symptom improvement at discharge than TAU participants on the PCL, F(3, 193) 15.32, p .001, b 6.25, 95% CI [3.06, 9.44], and other measures. In addition, significantly more patients treated with CPT were classified as “recovered” or “improved” at discharge, 2 (1, N 197) 4.93, p .032. Conclusions: There is still room for improvement, as substantial numbers of veterans continue to experience significant symptoms even after treatment with CPT in a residential program. However, CPT appears to produce significantly more symptom improvement than treatment conducted before the implementation of CPT. The implementation of this empirically supported treatment in VHA settings is both feasible and sustainable and is likely to improve care for male veterans with military-related PTSD.
Percutaneous Thoracic and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

With smaller access sheath sizes and with the development of suture-mediated arterial closure devices, completely percutaneous treatment of abdominal and thoracic aneurysms with local anesthesia is now feasible. Potential advantages to percutaneous endograft deployment include shorter procedure time, improved patient acceptance, earlier ambulation, and reduced risk for wound complication~.~-' However, percutaneous sheath placement has its own unique set of risks, and practitioners must be comfortable with the techniques in order for the benefits to outweigh these risks. This technique requires familiarity with off-label use of suture-mediated closure devices, and percutaneous approaches are facilitated by the use of endografts that can be deployed with short procedure times and through relatively small introducer sheaths.'
Reflections on the Federal Trade Commission

Dame (e-mail: Murphy.72@nd.edu). In the fall of 1979, I applied to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business Sears Fellowship program that placed academics in federal agencies for one year. In the early spring of 1980, I was accepted into the program and interviewed at three agencies: the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Agriculture. The best fit for me was in the new Office of Management Planning (OMP) at the FTC. (Most of the earlier marketing academics had worked in the Division of Advertising Practices at the FTC, and I interviewed with them as well.) Steve Kelman, on leave from the Kennedy School at Harvard University, was the director. He and I hit it off in the interview process, and subsequently, I received a letter informing me that the OMP position was mine. In a touch of irony, the FTC letter arrived immediately after I received word of my promotion to Associate Professor at Marquette University. I remarked that I was promoted and got a new job in the same week. As others have indicated in their personal recollections about the FTC, 1979–1980 was a tumultuous year for the FTC. The proposed “Kid Vid” rule and the funeral home rule created much controversy surrounding the agency, and in May, Congress actually shut the FTC down for a day as a punishment for what some considered overreaching its powers. Steve Kelman was anxious for me to join as soon as possible, so I arrived in the middle of May 1980, right after the shutdown occurred. I was not quite sure what I was getting myself into. In thinking about how to organize this essay to keep it from becoming a stream of consciousness, I will use one A and 4 Ps (appropriate for any marketing professor) to recount not only my experience while at the agency but also several activities related to the FTC with which I have been involved since that time. The “A” stands for anniversaries, and the “P”s are people, planning, publications, and policy.
Rapid import of cytosolic 5-lipoxygenase into the nucleus of neutrophils after in vivo recruitment and in vitro adherence

Abstract 5-Lipoxygenase catalyzes the synthesis of leukotrienes from arachidonic acid. The subcellular distribution of 5-lipoxygenase is known to be cell type-dependent and is cytosolic in blood neutrophils. In this study, we asked whether neutrophil recruitment into sites of inflammation can alter the subcellular compartmentation of 5-lipoxygenase. In peripheral blood neutrophils from rats, 5-lipoxygenase was exclusively cytosolic, as expected. However, in glycogen-elicited peritoneal neutrophils, abundant soluble 5-lipoxygenase was in the nucleus. Upon activation with calcium ionophore A23187, intranuclear 5-lipoxygenase translocated to the nuclear envelope. Elicited neutrophils required a greater concentration of A23187 for activation than did blood neutrophils (half-maximal response, 160 versus 52 nM, respectively) but generated greater amounts of leukotriene B4 upon maximal stimulation (26.6 versus 7.68 ng/106 cells, respectively). Intranuclear 5-lipoxygenase was also evident in human blood neutrophils after adherence to a variety of surfaces, suggesting that adherence alone is sufficient to drive 5-lipoxygenase redistribution. These results demonstrate a physiologically relevant circumstance in which the subcellular distribution of 5-lipoxygenase can be rapidly altered in resting cells, independent of 5-lipoxygenase activation. Nuclear import of 5-lipoxygenase may be a universal accompaniment of neutrophil recruitment into sites of inflammation, and this may be associated with alterations in enzymatic function.
Probiotic supplementation attenuates increases in body mass and fat mass during high-fat diet in healthy young adults.

Objective The objective was to determine the effects of the probiotic, VSL#3, on body and fat mass, insulin sensitivity, and skeletal muscle substrate oxidation following 4 weeks of a high-fat diet. Methods Twenty non-obese males (18-30 years) participated in the study. Following a 2-week eucaloric control diet, participants underwent dual X-ray absorptiometry to determine body composition, an intravenous glucose tolerance test to determine insulin sensitivity, and a skeletal muscle biopsy for measurement of in vitro substrate oxidation. Subsequently, participants were randomized to receive either VSL#3 or placebo daily during 4 weeks of consuming a High-fat (55% fat), hypercaloric diet (+1,000 kcal day−1). Participants repeated all measurements following the intervention. Results Body mass (1.42 ± 0.42 kg vs. 2.30 ± 0.28 kg) and fat mass (0.63 ± 0.09 kg vs. 1.29 ± 0.27 kg) increased less following the High-fat diet in the VSL#3 group compared with placebo. However, there were no significant changes in insulin sensitivity or in vitro skeletal muscle pyruvate and fat oxidation with the High-fat diet or VSL#3. Conclusions VSL#3 supplementation appears to have provided some protection from body mass gain and fat accumulation in healthy young men consuming a High-fat and high-energy diet.
Binding of Sindbis Virus to Cell Surface Heparan Sulfate

Alphaviruses are arthropod-borne viruses with wide species ranges and diverse tissue tropisms. The cell surface receptors which allow infection of so many different species and cell types are still incompletely characterized. We show here that the widely expressed glycosaminoglycan heparan sulfate can participate in the binding of Sindbis virus to cells. Enzymatic removal of heparan sulfate or the use of heparan sulfate-deficient cells led to a large reduction in virus binding. Sindbis virus bound to immobilized heparin, and this interaction was blocked by neutralizing antibodies against the viral E2 glycoprotein. Further experiments showed that a high degree of sulfation was critical for the ability of heparin to bind Sindbis virus. However, Sindbis virus was still able to infect and replicate on cells which were completely deficient in heparan sulfate, indicating that additional receptors must be involved. Cell surface binding of another alphavirus, Ross River virus, was found to be independent of heparan sulfate.
Star splaying: an algorithm for repairing delaunay triangulations and convex hulls

Star splaying is a general-dimensional algorithm that takes as input a triangulation or an approximation of a convex hull, and produces the Delaunay triangulation, weighted Delaunay triangulation, or convex hull of the vertices in the input. If the input is "nearly Delaunay" or "nearly convex" in a certain sense quantified herein, and it is sparse (i.e. each input vertex adjoins only a constant number of edges), star splaying runs in time linear in the number of vertices. Thus, star splaying can be a fast first step in repairing a high-quality finite element mesh that has lost the Delaunay property after its vertices have moved in response to simulated physical forces. Star splaying is akin to Lawson's edge flip algorithm for converting a triangulation to a Delaunay triangulation, but it works in any dimensionality.
Fine-Tuning and Multiple Universes

Critique du raisonnement qui consiste a conclure de l'adpatation (fine-tuning) de l'univers a la vie a l'existence d'univers multiples. Refutant les positions de J. Leslie, D. Parfit, J.J. Smart et P. van Inwagen, l'A. examine la conception probabiliste de la confirmation et montre que l'hypothese de Carter concernant la probabilite des evenements est fausse.
Human Capital, Technology, and Specialization: A Comparison of Developed and Developing Countries

This paper examines the determinants of specialization in production in developed countries, developing countries and in the pooled sample. We use a dual approach to general equilibrium theory, namely the GDP fonction framework, and apply it to panel data. We find that factor supplies and openness to trade are important factors influencing the structure of production, but we also uncover interesting differences in results across output sectors and groups of countries. In addition, we find evidence that Hicks-neutral technological differences do not affect specialization. Finally, our results on the effect of openness highlight the sources of conflicts between developed and developing countries in multilateral trade negotiations.
Incompressibility in Dynamic Relaxation

A method is described for enforcing the incompressibility constraint in large-deformation solid mechanics computations using dynamic relaxation. The method is well-suited to explicit time-integration schemes because it does not require the solution of a system of linear equations. It is based on an analogy with thermoelasticity involving manipulation of the natural state of a solid.
Frequency and Severity of Western Bean Cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Ear Damage in Transgenic Corn Hybrids Expressing Different Bacillus thuringiensis Cry Toxins

The frequency and severity of corn ear damage caused by western bean cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Smith), were measured on transgenic corn, Zea mays L., hybrids expressing two different insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) (Berliner) Cry toxins (Bt) selected to protect against damage caused by larval European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner). A field cage experiment deliberately infested with western bean cutworm egg masses resulted in less damage in the hybrid expressing the Cry1F protein and supported fewer western bean cutworm larvae than its non-Bt isoline. Corn hybrids expressing Cry1F, grown in small plot field experiments at three locations over two separate years and exposed to natural western bean cutworm infestations suffered less damage than non-Bt or Bt-hybrids expressing a Cry1Ab protein. Later maturing hybrids suffered more damage than shorter-season hybrids. Finally, corn ears observed in strip trials for several years in diverse agronomic conditions in farmer-cooperator fields corroborated the in-plant protection conferred by corn hybrids expressing the Cry1F protein in small plot field trials.
Atmospheric Diabatic Heating in Different Weather States and the General Circulation

Analysis of multiple global satellite products identifies distinctive weather states of the atmosphere from the mesoscale pattern of cloud properties and quantifies the associated diabatic heating/cooling by radiative flux divergence, precipitation, and surface sensible heat flux. The results show that the forcing for the atmospheric general circulation is a very dynamic process, varying strongly at weather space-time scales, comprising relatively infrequent, strong heating events by ''stormy'' weather and more nearly continuous, weak cooling by ''fair'' weather. Such behavior undercuts the value of analyses of time-averaged energy exchanges in observations or numerical models. It is proposed that an analysis of the joint time-related variations of the global weather states and the general circulation on weather space-time scales might be used to establish useful ''feedback like'' relationships between cloud processes and the large-scale circulation.
Comment, Deconstructing the Taxable Unit: Intrahousehold Allocations and the Dilemma of the Joint Return

This comment, part of a symposium, explains why the taxable unit in the income tax should be the individual.
Abstract 19856: Optogenetic Modulation of Pacemaking, Arrhythmia Generation, and Inhibition with Sustained (Non-pulsed) Light

The induction of automaticity by persistent depolarizing current in non-pacemaking cardiac cells was demonstrated experimentally over 40 years ago, when Sperelakis, Katzung, and others transformed single ventricular myocytes into pacemakers with tunable frequencies by the injection of non-pulsed, constant current. The full dynamic response (bifurcations) to such depolarizing current, including arrhythmia generation and inhibition, has been corroborated in silico. Here we report an optogenetic reincarnation of the method applicable in the cardiac tissue setting. Quiescent syncytia of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes, expressing the light-sensitive ion channel channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2), were exposed to continuous very low-intensity light (470 nm) while optically mapped. In silico, ChR2-expressing human ventricular cardiomyocytes were subjected to a range of irradiances (0.08-0.3 mW/mm2) to map their dynamic response. Both in vitro and in silico delivery of sustained depolarizing current via optical ChR2 actuation produced stable pacemaking. As irradiance varied, the full dynamic response to constant light revealed regions of: 1) robust pacemaking with tunable frequency (1-3 Hz, in silico), 2) arrhythmia generation, and 3) complete inhibition of activity. In vitro tests in cardiac syncytia confirmed a pacemaking region with tunable frequency - 1.83±0.29 times increase in rate as irradiance varied 3-9 μW/mm2 (n=4). Suppression of the inward rectifier current (0.5 mM barium, n=4) widened the effective range of the tunable pacemaker, in addition to reducing the onset threshold for pacemaking by 73±14% experimentally. In sum, we present a new optogenetic method for contactless, spatially-resolved generation of pacemaking, induction and suppression of instabilities in heart tissue with implications for rate-adaptive, biological alternatives to electronic pacemaking and for simple comprehensive testing of electrical stability by low light.
Is Recognition by the T Cell Receptor Highly Constrained or Very Degenerate

Evidence is accumulating that the paradox implied in the title represents the essential characteristic of T cell recognition. Like all other receptor-ligand systems, T cell receptor molecules show constraints in interaction with their ligands, an essential attribute underlying the specificity of antigen recognition. We have attempted to define the limits of these constraints and have shown that for recognition of some antigen-determinants, there is a strict requirement for usage of specific V β gene segments as constituents of T cell receptors. In contrast, we present evidence that individual T cell clones seem able to recognize multiple structures, an evidence for flexibility in receptor-ligand interaction. We discuss these two contrasting attributes of T cell recognition in the context of T cell ontogeny and models of T cell receptor-ligand interaction.
Caudal duplication syndrome: imaging evaluation of a rare entity in an adult patient.

Several theories have been put forth to explain the complex yet symmetrical malformations and the myriad of clinical presentations of caudal duplication syndrome. Hereby, reported case is a 28-year-old female, gravida 2 para 2, with congenital caudal malformation who has undergone partial reconstructive surgeries in infancy to connect her 2 colons. She presented with recurrent left lower abdominal pain associated with nausea, vomiting, and subsequent feculent anal discharge. Imaging reveals duplication of the urinary bladder, urethra, and colon with with cloacal malformations and fistulae from the left-sided cloaca, uterus didelphys with separate cervices and vaginal canals, right-sided aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta, and dysraphic midline sacrococcygeal defect. Hydronephrosis of the left kidney with left hydroureter and inflammation of one of the colons were suspected to be the cause of the patient’s acute complaints. She improved symptomatically over the course of her hospitalization stay with conservative treatments. The management for this syndrome is individualized and may include surgical intervention to fuse or excise the duplicated organs.
NHE3: a Na+/H+ exchanger isoform of renal brush border

Na+/H+ exchangers in the brush-border (luminal, apical) membrane of renal proximal tubules are responsible for active, transcellular reabsorption of NaHCO3 and NaCl. Although well characterized kinetically, the protein that mediates Na+/H+ exchange in the renal brush border has not been identified. Several Na+/H+ exchanger genes, including NHE1, NHE2, NHE3, and NHE4, are expressed in the kidney. To identify the NHE3 gene product and to determine its cellular and subcellular localization in the rabbit kidney, an NHE3-isoform-specific antibody was prepared. Guinea pigs were immunized with purified fusion protein containing the carboxy-terminal 40 amino acids of NHE3 (fpNHE3-C40). After affinity purification, immune sera demonstrated specific reactivity to the NHE3 sequence within the fusion protein as well as to an 80-kDa polypeptide expressed in NHE3-transfected LAP1 cells. Western blot analysis showed that anti-fpNHE3-C40 specifically reacted with an 80-kDa protein that is relatively enriched in renal brush-border membrane compared with basolateral membrane. Immunocytochemical studies confirmed that the Na+/H+ exchanger isoform NHE3 is expressed along the microvillar membrane of the brush border of proximal tubule cells in the rabbit kidney.
Action of Microorganisms from Soil on Type-Specific and Nontype-Specific Pneumococcus Type-I Carbohydrates

The report of Avery and Dubos1 that the specific carbohydrate of pneumococcus type III was split by an enzyme from a soil microorganism appeared to offer a new approach to the study of relationship...
Relativity of behavioral interactions in socially structured populations

Mammals form a variety of inter-individual associations within populations. Because associations between individuals usually are typified by different degrees of genetic correlations within and among groups, evolution of behaviors appropriate to each type will differ also. I reviewed alternative types of behavior and examined conditions favorable for the evolution of social groups. F -statistics are fundamental to evolution of social behaviors and estimation of spatial and temporal dynamics of gene frequencies. Therefore, mating and dispersal tactics within populations establish the genetic background which, in turn, influences selection of other behavioral characteristics. Because evolution of social behaviors is relative to proportions of gene diversity among groups, conditions favoring evolutionary change may remain relatively constant despite continuous losses in genetic variance over time. Evolution of spite and behaviors favoring family groups may be limited by low reproductive rates in many mammals. Low reproductive potential also may be a primary reason that many mammalian social groupings are formed among offspring of related families. Mating behaviors most conducive to the formation of inter-family social groups are discussed.
Removal of invasive shrubs alters light but not leaf litter inputs in a deciduous forest understory

The establishment and spread of non-native, invasive shrubs in forests poses an important obstacle to natural resource conservation and management. This study assesses the impacts of the physical removal of a complex of woody invasive shrub species on deciduous forest understory resources. We compared leaf litter quantity and quality and understory light transmittance in five pairs of invaded and removal plots in an oak-dominated suburban mature forest. Removal plots were cleared of all non-native invasive shrubs. The invasive shrubs were abundant (143,456 stems/ha) and diverse, dominated by species in the genera Ligustrum, Viburnum, Lonicera, and Euonymus. Annual leaf litter biomass and carbon inputs of invaded plots were not different from removal plots due to low leaf litter biomass of invasive shrubs. Invasive shrub litter had higher nitrogen (N) concentrations than native species; however, low biomass of invasive litter led to low N inputs by litter of invasive species compared to native. Light transmittance at the forest floor and at 2 m was lower in invaded plots than in removal plots. We conclude that the removal of the abundant invasive shrubs from a native deciduous forest understory did not alter litter quantity or N inputs, one measure of litter quality, and increased forest understory light availability. More light in the forest understory could facilitate the restoration of forest understory dynamics.
Causal inference with large‑scale assessments in education from a Bayesian perspective: a review and synthesis.

This paper reviews recent research on causal inference with large-scale assessments in education from a Bayesian perspective. I begin by adopting the potential outcomes model of Rubin (J Educ Psychol 66:688-701, 1974) as a framework for causal inference that I argue is appropriate with large-scale educational assessments. I then discuss the elements of Bayesian inference arguing that methods and models of causal inference can benefit from the Bayesian approach to quantifying uncertainty. Next I outline one method of causal inference that I believe is fruitful for addressing causal questions with large-scale educational assessments within the potential outcomes framework—namely, propensity score analysis. I then discuss the quantification of uncertainty in propensity score analysis through a Bayesian approach. Next, I discuss a series of necessary conditions for addressing causal questions with large-scale educational assessments. The paper closes with a discussion of the implications for the design of large-scale educational assessments when the goal is in asking causal questions and warranting causal claims.
Variation analysis of fruit nutrients of native persimmon in Zhejiang Province

【Objective】This study analyzed the nutrients of native persimmon to provide a scientific basis for breeding of excellent persimmon varieties with high nutritional quality.【Method】Taking 172 nativepersimmon resources in Zhejiang Province as study material,the mutation analysis,index value frequency distribution analysis,K-S test,probability classification and correlation analysis of 13 nutrition indicators were conducted.【Result】Among the 172 native persimmon varieties in Zhejiang Province,water contents were 62.22-85.63g/hg with the average of 78.96g/hg,and mainly distributed in 75.00-85.00g/hg.Soluble solids contents were 11.07-29.06g/hg with an average of 17.26g/hg and mainly distributed in14.00-20.00g/hg.Soluble sugar contents were 7.73-16.83g/hg with an average of 11.60g/hg,and mainly distributed in 9.00-14.50g/hg.Starch contents were 0.03-4.21g/hg with an average of 1.12g/hg,and mainly distributed in 0.03-2.00g/hg.Crude fiber contents were 0.32-1.76g/hg with an average of 0.80g/hg,and mainly distributed in 0.25-1.50g/hg.Crude protein contents were 0.12-2.04g/hg with an average of 0.48g/hg,and mainly distributed in 0.25-0.60g/hg.Vitamin C contents were0.92-51.45mg/hg with an average of 17.25mg/hg,and mainly distributed in 3.30-20.00mg/hg.β-carotene contents were 18.40-1 350.90μg/hg with an average of 238.44μg/hg,and mainly distributed in18.40-400.00μg/hg.Carotenoid contents were 3.90-114.70μg/g with an average of 30.82μg/g,and mainly distributed in 6.70-33.40μg/g.Phosphorus contents were 4.92-50.95mg/hg with an average of20.70mg/hg,and mainly distributed in 13.00-27.00mg/hg.Calcium contents were 2.61-22.64mg/hg with an average of 7.72 mg/hg,and mainly distributed in 4.00-12.00 mg/hg.Potassium contents were88.26-420.22 mg/hg with an average of 176.74 mg/hg,and mainly distributed in 100.00-225.00mg/hg.The variation coefficients of the 13 nutrition indicators ranged from 5.16%-86.57%,the lowest was for water content,while the highest was for soluble tannin.Diversity indexes ranged from 1.64-2.07,the lowest was for crude protein,while the highest was for soluble sugars.K-S test showed that the crude protein content did not fit in the normal distribution,while soluble solids,soluble sugar,crude fiber,vitamin C,P,K,and Ca were fully compliance with the normal distribution,and water content,starch,tannin,β-carotene and carotenoids fit in skewed distribution.For probability of quantitative traits grading,3cut-off values of water content,soluble sugar,soluble solids,starch,and crude fiber were were 73.7and 84.2g/hg,9.2and 14.0g/hg,13.6and 21.0g/hg,0.1and 2.1g/hg,and 0.5and 1.2g/hg,respectively.Correlation analysis showed that,only water content and soluble solids content had significant negative correlation(Correlation coefficient was-0.8).【Conclusion】The variation in nutrition ingredients of native persimmon was rich,and the diversity in the nutrition ingredients had the value for selection of high-qualified varieties.
Automated compiler optimization of multiple vector loads/stores

With widening vectors and the proliferation of advanced vector instructions in today's processors, vectorization plays an ever-increasing role in delivering application performance. Achieving the performance potential of this vector hardware has required significant support from the software level such as new explicit vector programming models and advanced vectorizing compilers. Today, with the combination of these software tools plus new SIMD ISA extensions like gather/scatter instructions it is not uncommon to find that even codes with complex and irregular data access patterns can be vectorized. In this paper we focus on these vectorized codes with irregular accesses, and show that while the best-in-class Intel Compiler Vectorizer does indeed provide speedup through efficient vectorization, there are some opportunities where clever program transformations can increase performance further. After identifying these opportunities, this paper describes two automatic compiler optimizations to target these opportunities. The first optimization focuses on improving the performance for a group of adjacent gathers/scatters. The second optimization improves performance for a group of stencil vector accesses using more efficient SIMD instructions. Both optimizations are now implemented in a pre-release version of the Intel Compiler. We evaluate the optimizations using an extensive set of micro-kernels, representative benchmarks and application kernels. On these benchmarks, we demonstrate performance gains of 3-750% on the Intel® Xeon processor (Haswell-HSW) and up to 25% on the Intel® Xeon Phi™ coprocessor (Knights Corner-KNC).
Professional Foresters and the Land Ethic, Revisited

Using a nationwide survey of Forest Service employees, this article compares the land ethic of foresters with that of other natural resource professinals and examines the relationship between one's land ethic and preferred forest policy options. Professional foresters embrace a more utilitarian land ethic than that expressed by biologists and other natural resource scientists in the agency. Because the number of foresters, engineers, and range managers in the Forest Service is declining while the ranks of natural resource scientists are growing, changes in the short-term management of national forest units may be forthcoming.
Organizational factors that contribute to youth workers' promotion of youth voice

ABSTRACTThe term youth voice has been identified as a mechanism that helps youth who are participating in out-of-school time programs (e.g., 4-H, Boys & Girls Club, Big Brother/Big Sister) achieve successful outcomes such as improved academic and social functioning. Youth voice promotion is commonly enacted in out-of-school time programs when youth workers extend opportunities to youth to provide feedback and make key program decisions. To date, scant research has focused on organizational factors that contribute to program staff (e.g., youth workers) willingness to promote youth voice. A structural equation model using person-environment fit theory within a Positive Youth Development theory framework was constructed to test organizational factors that contribute to youth voice promotion among youth workers. Data from 569 frontline youth workers within out-of-school time programs across the United States indicated that youth workers' abilities to form positive relationships with youth, professional effica...
Impact of volunteer rice infestation on yield and grain quality of rice.

BACKGROUND Volunteer rice (Oryza sativa L.) grains may differ in physicochemical traits from cultivated rice, which may reduce the quality of harvested rice grain. To evaluate the effect of volunteer rice on cultivated rice, fields were surveyed in Arkansas in 2012. RESULTS Cropping history that included hybrid cultivars in the previous two years (2010 and 2011) had higher volunteer rice infestation (20%) compared with fields planted previously with inbred rice (5.5%). The total grain yield of rice was reduced by 0.4% for every 1% increase in volunteer rice density. The grain quality did not change in fields planted with the same cultivar for three years. Volunteer rice density of at least 7.6% negatively impacted the head rice and when infestation reached 17.7%, it also reduced the rice grain yield. The protein and amylose contents of rice were not affected until volunteer rice infestation exceeded 30%. CONCLUSION Crop rotation systems that include hybrid rice are expected to have higher volunteer rice infestation than systems without hybrid rice. It is predicted that, at 8% infestation, volunteer rice will start to impact head rice yield and will reduce total yield at 18% infestation. It could alter the chemical quality of rice grain at >30% infestation. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Proceedings of the thiry-fourth annual ACM symposium on Theory of computing

The papers in this volume were presented at the Thirty-Fourth Annual ACM Symposium on Theory of Computing (STOC2002), held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, May 19-21, 2002. The Symposium was sponsored by the ACM Special Interest Group on Algorithms and Computation Theory (SIGACT).In response to a call for papers, 287 paper submissions were received. All were submitted electronically. The program committee conducted its deliberations electronically, via an on-line meeting that ran from January 10 to January 19. The committee selected 91 papers from among the submissions. The submissions were not refereed, and many of these papers represented reports of continuing research. It is expected that most of them will appear in a more polished and complete form in scientific journals.The papers encompassed in wide variety of areas of theoretical computer science. The topics included algorithms and computational complexity bounds for classical problems in algebra, geometry, topology, graph theory, game theory, logic and machine learning, as well as theoretical aspects of security, databases, information retrieval, and networks, the web, computational biology, and alternative models of computation including quantum computation and self-assembly.
Electronic ground state OH(X) radical in a low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma jet

The wide applicability of atmospheric pressure plasma jets in biomedicine stems from the presence of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species generated in these plasma jets. Knowing the absolute concentration of these reactive species is of utmost importance as it is critical, along with the particle flux obtained from the plasma feed gas flow rate to ensure that the correct dosage is applied during applications. In this study, we investigate and report the ground state OH(X) number density acquired using cavity ringdown spectroscopy, along the propagation axis (z-axis) of a cold atmospheric pressure helium plasma plume. The jet was generated by a repetitively pulsed mono-polar square wave of duration 1 μs running at a frequency of 9.9 kHz. The voltage supplied was 6.5 kV with the helium flow rate fixed at 3.6 standard liters per minute. The rotational and vibrational temperatures are simulated from the second positive system of nitrogen, N2(C3πu−B3πg), with the rotational temperature being spatially constan...
Stochastic Methods for Intermedia Transport Analysis

The term “environment” is a generic one which may denote a wide variety of complex systems and subsystems. When the chief concern is assessing the impact of pollutants in the environment, one is typically concerned with a system comprised of sources (natural and anthropogenic), transport/translocation mechanisms, and sinks. The analysis of such a system, virtually by definition, involves “systems analysis”. In order to analyze a system, one must first characterize it in terms of relationships between component parts, i.e. system logic. In this process one typically evolves a set of parameters which, to some degree of approximation, describes in a quantitative way component interactions. The credibility of an analysis is thus heavily dependent upon the accuracy with which the parameters are evaluated. Of particular concern are (a) the sensitivity of a system to parameter variations (sensitivity analysis), and (b) measures of estimates of parameter variabilities. The combining of (a) and (b) will be termed uncertainty analysis in the following discussion.
Do Better Roads Increase School Enrollment? Evidence from a Unique Road Policy in India

In 2001, a national infrastructure development program was initiated in India to construct new all-season roads (roads that can be used in all-weather especially monsoons) in villages that previously had only had dry-season roads (roads that are difficult to use in monsoons). The eligibility rule that was used for undertaking construction of new all-season roads in these villages was that a minimum population of 500 had to be benefit from this road. This eligibility rule induced a nonlinear relationship between the population and the number of new all season roads in the villages of India today. In order to control for factors like communities collective action ability that simultaneously determine the timing of completion of roads and students enrollment in the schools, I instrument new roads with a population eligibility criteria. Exploiting the exogenous nature of the program eligibility criteria I compare student’s enrollment in schools between villages on either side of the population cutoff. The most conservative estimates show that an improved access to school by better roads increases school enrollment by 22 percent in 2009. I find no spurious effects in 2002 when the same villages did not have a road. The effect of better access to roads on students’ enrollment is heterogeneous depending on the age cohort and the caste to which they belong.