cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beyond Data Points and Research Contributions: The Personal Meaning and Value Associated with Public Participation in Scientific Research

As public participation in scientific research (PPSR) initiatives have expanded rapidly among private, public, and non-profit science research communities over the past decade, program managers and scholars regularly promote, evaluate, and manage such programs with a focus on the value and impact of PPSR efforts on the practice and relevancy of science. While many of these assessments rely on evaluation of individual participant knowledge and skill, they are driven by a broader interest in how such individual outcomes influence the form and function of science in society. Such a science-centered emphasis is neither surprising nor inappropriate. Nonetheless, such appraisals generally do not interrogate the full range of program goals and outcomes. This article advocates for greater comprehensive examination of the effects of PPSR participation on program volunteers. A more integrated perspective is therefore assumed to report on research conducted with volunteers in the Coastal Observation and Seabird Surv...
Reducing Exposures to Airborne Particles Through Improved Filtration: A High-Level Modeling Analysis

1. Abstract Indoor airborne particulates are well-known health hazards and filtration is one common method of reducing exposures. Based on our previously developed Regional Shelter Analysis methodology and parameters that characterize the existing US building stock, we perform a high-level assessment of the potential benefits of upgrading existing filters in furnace and in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems using off-the-shelf filters. We use three metrics to assess the improvement: Building Transmission Factor (a measure of protection against outdoor airborne particles), Indoor Normalized Time and Space Integrated Air Concentration (a measure of indoor exposure to indoor-origin airborne particles), and Building Exit Fraction (fraction of indoor airborne particles that are released to the outdoor atmosphere). We also discuss the potential reduction in regional exposures due to particles exiting the building and exposing downwind building occupants. Our modeling indicates that while buildings provide their occupants passive protection against airborne particulate hazards, including but not limited to PM2.5, PM10, and wildfire smoke; improving particle filtration efficiency may further improve this protection. The degree of improvement varies with particle size and building type. Of the building types studied, apartments are predicted to benefit most, with greater than a factor of 2 improvement (≥50% reduction in exposures) for 1 µm particle exposures when using MERV 7 to 12 rated filters. Non-residential buildings were notably less responsive to improved filtration but had the highest Building Exit Fractions with 30% to 40% of indoor airborne particles released to the outdoor atmosphere (apartment buildings only released 6% to 9%). Improvements predicted for single family homes were intermediate between apartments and non-residential buildings. Improvements in the Regional Exposure metric are larger, ranging from a factor of 2.5x to 10x for residences (when using MERV 7 to 12 rated filters) and up to 25x for large apartments with MERV 14 or 15 rated filters. The results of our modeling analysis are broadly consistent with the limited experimental data and modeling results available in the literature.
Supporting decision-making in upper-level chemical engineering laboratories

Abstract We redesigned the upper-level chemical engineering laboratory sequence at Stanford University to shift the focus from learning various analytic techniques, to having students learn to make the same decisions that an expert experimentalist makes in the laboratory. Each course in the two-course sequence had different levels of structure and available agency to scaffold the decision-making process for students in a way that would help them practice making the relevant decisions. In the first lab course, students were given targeted feedback as they made a limited set of experimentation decisions, such as deciding how much data to collect or how to control variables, for a predefined experimental question. In the second lab course, students were given the opportunity to make almost all of the same decisions an expert experimentalist would conducting their research, including choosing a research question. We found that students tended to make more decisions per week in the second lab course than in the first, partly because some decisions, such as whether an experiment was feasible, were made for the students in the first lab. In the projects in the second lab course, we found substantial variations in the temporal patterns of student decision-making between groups, but the variation in decision-making did not seem to be correlated with the type of research question students chose to explore. Student testimonials suggest that the first lab course laid the groundwork for students to be successful in the more open-ended projects in the second course. These results motivate future research that systematically varies the amount of agency afforded to students to understand the role of other variables, such as relevant course preparation or prior research experiences, in learning to make expert-level decisions during experimentation.
A Decoupling Control Strategy to Feedwater System of The Gas-steam Combined Cycle units

Based on water-cooled TCA of Mitsubishi gas turbine M701F, aiming at the control difficulty of the complex control system, this paper proposes a decoupling control strategy combined water-level control of waste heat boiler steam drum and outlet pressure control of high pressure feed water pump and TCA water side flow control. Finally the effectiveness and rationality of the complete set of optimized control scheme is verified by practical engineering application.
The effect of lower airway inflammation on inflammatory cytokine gene expression in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and whole blood in racing Thoroughbreds.

Abstract Background Immunological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of mild to moderate equine asthma (MEA) are not completely understood. There are limited data on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood inflammatory cytokine profiles in racehorses with MEA, and the effect of racing on inflammatory cytokines is unknown. Hypothesis/objectives We hypothesized that inflammatory cytokine gene expression in BALF and resting blood would be higher in racehorses with lower airway inflammation compared to healthy controls, and that gene expression in blood collected immediately post-race would be increased compared to resting blood in racehorses with lower airway inflammation. Animals 38 racing Thoroughbreds (samples: 30 resting blood, 22 post-race BALF, 41 post-race blood). Methods Prospective observational study. Inflammatory cytokine gene expression was determined in resting blood, post-race BALF and post-race blood from racehorses with lower airway inflammation and controls. Results Lower airway inflammation was diagnosed in 79 % of racehorses (23 % neutrophilic, 67 % mastocytic, and 10 % mixed). There was no difference in gene expression in BALF or resting blood between racehorses with lower airway inflammation and controls. IL-8 gene expression was higher in post-race blood compared to resting peripheral blood, regardless of disease (p = 0052). BALF neutrophil proportions increased with increasing IL-1β gene expression in all sample types (p = 0.0025). BALF mast cell proportions increased with increasing TNF-α gene expression in post-race blood (p = 0.015). Conclusions and clinical importance Lower airway inflammation was common in a population of racehorses without respiratory signs or exercise intolerance. Exercise alone increased peripheral blood IL-8 gene expression. Inflammatory cytokine gene expression was not increased in BALF or resting blood in horses with subclinical lower airway inflammation, precluding its diagnostic utility in clinical practice.
Efficient Simulation and Analysis of Mid-Sized Networks

There is growing interest in developing the abilities to simulate realistic social networks and analyze data generated from existing online social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. Amongst other things, researchers and practitioners need these abilities to study how opinions and information diffuse over networks and identify the influential agents in networks. However, the sizes of the social networks that need to be simulated and the amount of user generated data that needs to be analyzed is growing at a faster rate than the computational power of most of the modern day computers. This paper presents a memory efficient network representation and computational resource allocation algorithm that yields a scale-up of about 400; thus, given a constraint on the availability of computational resources, researchers can now use the proposed algorithm to simulate and analyze networks that are more than 100 times larger than what they could simulate otherwise. The proposed network representation is conducive to multi-core processing and random node sampling. Algorithms for computationally efficient execution of three random-node-sampling-based methods to estimate network metrics such as the network diameter and average path length are also presented in the paper. These algorithms yield a speed-up of about 40 even when the researcher requires a precision of more than 98%. The scale-up and speed-up numbers are based on a detailed performance analysis of the proposed algorithms that was conducted on synthetic networks of sizes ranging from 1000-1,000,000 nodes. The observed scale-up and speed-up performance of the proposed algorithms has been validated against the algorithms used in igraph and statnet-two popular network data analysis software package, and these results are also presented in this paper.
Disparities in Radiotherapy: Practice Patterns Analysis of DIBH Use in Non-English Speakers.

Purpose/objective(s) To examine current practice patterns in non-English speaking breast cancer patients undergoing Deep Inspiratory Breath Hold (DIBH). We hypothesize that disparities in DIBH utilization exist between English and non-English speaking patients. Materials/methods An anonymous, voluntary online survey was distributed to residency program coordinators of U.S. radiation oncology departments to survey their faculty and recent graduates. Eligibility was limited to board-certified radiation oncologists who have treated breast cancer within the prior 6 months. Results There were 66 respondents, 50 of whom were eligible. 70% (n = 35) of eligible respondents were from academic sites. Slightly over half (52%) of respondents reported that at least 10% of their patients were non-English speaking. Most offered DIBH at their institution (92%) and of those, 82% of responding radiation oncologists used DIBH for at least a quarter or more of their breast cancer patients. Nearly all of those who use DIBH (98%) used coaching at the time of simulation, with about a third (37%) answering they would be "less likely" to utilize DIBH for non-English speaking patients. If DIBH is used for non-English speaking patients, 86% would take into consideration potential language barriers for proper execution of DIBH. However, slightly over one-half of respondents had an interpreter present 76-100% of the time at CT simulation. At the first DIBH treatment, 31% used an interpreter 76-100% of the time. And at each subsequent treatment, 11% used an interpreter 76-100% of the time. Conclusion Disparities in the application of DIBH exist despite its established utility in reducing cardiac dose. This study provides evidence that language barriers may impact physician treatment practices from initial consideration of DIBH to subsequent delivery. Even within a limited sampling of self-reported responses, this data suggests that breast cancer treatment considerations and subsequent execution are negatively affected in non-English speaking patients.
Thanatogaming: Death, Videogames, and the Biopolitical State

In response to the rise of the biopolitical state, which derives power from its ability to “make live” and “let die,” some scholars have argued that death itself can serve as a form of resistance to biopower. As virtual worlds become increasingly intertwined with the physical world, the concept of in-game death can have rhetorical force to resist both physical and virtual biopower. This paper draws on examples of death as resistance with in the virtual worlds of America's Army and World of Warcraft.
Electrochemical Processes in Membrane Channels and Biosynthetic Structures

In the development of microelectronic devices for use in sensory and information storage/retrieval applications, it is important to understand the mechanisms of these processes in biological systems. Over the course of evolution, living systems have developed highly specialized biopolymer structures with advantages (e.g., small size, speed, sensitivity, selectivity and stability) that make biomaterials desirable for direct use in microelectronic applications. Even when biopolymers cannot be used, the knowledge of how biological structures achieve their unusual properties can help in the development of non-biologically based materials.
Playing with House Money: Patriot Dollars Considered

Over two centuries ago, Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that democracy cannot flourish where economic and status distinctions among citizens are too great: "There must also be much equality in the rank and fortunes of all the citizens, or there will not be equality of rights or authority for long."' Rousseau may seem overly fastidious on this point, but free markets can sometimes produce patterns of unequal wealth and status so extreme that the idea of true equality of political influence among the citizenry is at best official fiction. Indeed, we live in such an era of inequality. As Bruce Ackerman and Ian Ayres rightly point out, those committed to democracy need to insist that democratic institutions may and should intervene to limit the political and sociological effects of economic inequality. Roughly speaking, this may be done in two ways: first is the traditional liberal approach, which imposes limits on the degree of economic inequality that can be generated in the market. Redistributive policies serve to limit the economic inequalities that the market generates through taxes, transfers of wealth, or by imposing other regulatory restrictions that limit wealth creation. Such policies may come at a cost measured in terms of either economic dislocation or economic growth, and to many this cost has become less bearable over time.2 The American people, speaking through their representative institutions, seem in fact to have accepted a high degree
Context-sensitive weights for a neural network

This paper presents a technique for making neural networks context-sensitive by using a symbolic context-management system to manage their weights. Instead of having a very large network that itself must take context into account, our approach uses one or more small networks whose weights are associated with symbolic representations of contexts an agent may encounter. When the context-management system determines what the current context is, it sets the networks' weights appropriately for the context. This paper describes the approach and presents the results of experiments that show that our approach greatly reduces the training time of the networks as well as enhancing their performance.
Skin Surface Carbon Dioxide Tension in Sick Infants

Skin surface PCO2 (PSCO2) was measured at 44 C in 17 sick infants using a Radiometer surface PCO2 electrode. Values obtained for PSCO2 were compared with simultaneous values for arterial PCO2 (PaCO2). PSCO2 was found to be linerarly related to PaCO2 by a regression line with a slope 1.37. PaCO2 could be predicted from PSCO2 to within 6 torr in all instances. The relationship was not affected by the patient's gestational age, postnatal age, weight, or blood pressure. This electrode is a valuable clinical tool in the management of sick infants.
Dissecting the roles of the non-canonical NF-kB signaling in the pathogenesis of lymphoma and autoimmunity.

NF-κB2 (p52 and its precursor p100) is a member of the Rel/NF-κB family of transcription factors. The NF-κB2 gene is recurrently mutated in human lymphoid malignancies including both B cell and T cell lymphomas. The mechanism by which how these mutations lead to lymphomagenesis has not been unveiled. Using NF-κB2 deficient mice, we revealed that the loss of NF-κB2 p100 is not lymphomagenic, instead itpredisposes mice to autoimmunity. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the NF-κB2 defecient mice have a defect in the development/maintenance of UEA-1+ mTECs, themain cell population expressing a wide variety of peripheral tissue-restricted antigens essential for induction of self-tolerance in thymus. The impaired development of UEA-1+mTECs and the resulting breakdown in self-tolerance are probably the cause for the autoimmunity in these mice. We generated transgenic mice expressing an NF-κB2mutant p80HT. We demonstrated that these mice develop malignant lymphomas mainly of B cell origin, we also found that p80HT promote lymphoma development primarilythrough a TRAF1-dependent antiapoptotic pathway. These findings provide direct evidence that the NF-κB2 mutation is oncogenic in vivo. It is well known that NF-κB2mutants manifest constitutive processing to p52, and the constitutive production of p52 has been suggested as a major mechanism for lymphomagenesis induced by mutations ofthe NF-κB2 gene. To test this hypothesis, we generated transgenic mice expressing p52 using the same strategy as for p80HT mice. p52 transgenic mice do not developlymphoma, instead they display autoimmunity characterized by multi-organ infiltration of activated lymphocytes, high levels of autoantibodies in the serum, and immune-complexglomerulonephritis. Mechanistically, p52 represses Bim expression, leading to defects in apoptotic processes critical for elimination of autoreactive lymphocytes and control of immune response. In summary, these studies provide in vivo evidence for a gain of oncogenic activity for NF-κB2 mutants and indicate that fine-tuning the alternative NF-κB signaling is required for control of autoimmunity.
How changes in depression and anxiety symptoms correspond to variations in female sexual response in a nonclinical sample of young women: a daily diary study.

Abstract Introduction A large body of literature supports the co‐occurrence of depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction. However, the manner in which affective symptoms map onto specific female sexual response indices is not well understood. Aims The present study aimed to examine changes in depression and anxiety symptoms and their correspondence to fluctuations in desire, subjective arousal, genital response, orgasmic function, and vaginal pain. Methods The study used a 2‐week daily diary approach to examine same‐day and temporal relations between affective symptoms and sexual function. Main Outcome Measures The unique relations between shared and disorder‐specific symptoms of depression and anxiety (i.e., general distress, anhedonia, and anxious arousal) and female sexual response (i.e., desire, subjective arousal, vaginal lubrication, orgasmic function, and sexual pain) were examined, controlling for baseline levels of sexual distress, depression, and anxiety, as well as age effects and menstruation. Results Analyses revealed that changes in depression and anxiety severity corresponded to same‐day variations in sexual response. Specifically, anhedonia (depression‐specific symptom) was related to poorer same‐day sexual desire, whereas greater anxious arousal (anxiety‐specific symptom) was independently related to simultaneous increases in subjective sexual arousal, vaginal lubrication, and sexual pain. Increases in general distress (i.e., shared symptoms) were associated with greater same‐day difficulties achieving orgasm. Notably, only one temporal relation was found; it indicated that higher levels of anhedonia predicted a next‐day decrease in sexual desire. Conclusions It is proposed that the simultaneous changes in affective symptoms and sexual function may indicate that they are products of shared underlying mechanisms. That is, in response to stress, the processes manifesting as feelings of weak positive affect and amotivation are the very same processes responsible for diminished capacity for sexual desire. In contrast, the physiological hyperarousal associated with anxiety also gives rise to sexual arousal difficulties and vaginal pain. Kalmbach DA, Kingsberg SA, and Ciesla JA. How changes in depression and anxiety symptoms correspond to variations in female sexual response in a nonclinical sample of young women: A daily diary study. J Sex Med 2014;11:2915–2927.
Involvement of Tissue Plasminogen Activator in Onset and Effector Phases of Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis

Inflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration are pathological features of multiple sclerosis (MS). In the brains of MS patients, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) mRNA and protein are upregulated, and changes in the levels of tPA correlate with progression of the disease. However, the role of tPA in MS is as yet unknown. tPA functions in the CNS in neuronal plasticity and cell death. tPA also mediates the activation of microglia, the CNS “immune cells.” In this study, we establish that tPA activity increases during major oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in normal mice. To explore the role of tPA in this disease as a model for MS, we have examined the EAE course and expression of histopathological markers in mice lacking tPA (tPA−/−). We find that tPA−/−mice have a delayed onset of EAE but then exhibit increased severity and delayed recovery from the neurological dysfunction. Demyelination and axon degeneration are delayed, microglial activation is attenuated, and the production of chemokines is decreased. Our results suggest that tPA and activated microglia have complex roles in MS/EAE, and that these roles are harmful during the onset of the disease but beneficial in the recovery phase. A temporally restricted attenuation of tPA activity could have therapeutic potential in the management of MS.
Atmospheric neutrino data and neutrino oscillations.

Several calculations of the upward throughgoing and stopping muon fluxes produced by atmospheric, or cosmic ray, neutrinos interacting in the material surrounding underground detectors are compared and the uncertainties in the calculations estimated. We evaluate the implications for neutrino oscillations of the measured and calculated upward muon fluxes in relation to the neutrino oscillation interpretation of the atmospheric neutrino-induced interactions totally contained within the underground detectors. It appears that the region of the [Delta][ital m][sup 2], sin[sup 2]2[theta] parameter space excluded by previous analyses of the upward throughgoing muons has been overestimated, and that a more likely representation is consistent with the contained event result. In contrast, the region delineated by comparison of the observed and calculated stopping fractions is less ambiguous and comparable in quality with that obtained from the totally contained event samples.
Suppression of human PMN bactericidal activity by human IgA paraproteins.

Abstract IgA paraproteins which have previously been shown to suppress neutrophil chemotaxis were found to suppress neutrophil bactericidal activity in a concentration dependent manner. This inhibition was cell directed, dependent on the Fc portion of the IgA, and lost after reduction and alkylation which resulted in conversion of polymeric to monomeric IgA. IgA suppression of bactericial activity was not due to interference with cell metabolism or membrane fluidity as evidenced by a lack of effect on chemiluminescence or Con-A cap formation. Further tests demonstrated that the presence of IgA paraproteins inhibited PMN ingestion of IgG coated latex particles which could account for their effect on PMN bactericidal activity.
The Privatization of Health Care in Peru

The health sector in Peru has undergone significant change in recent years, as state-administered systems are replaced with private and for-profit ones. Jim Yong Kim, A.D.A. Shakow and J. Bayona look at how the policy shift has gone forward with significant input from US planners, and bears close correspondence to the American private health care model. Such health reforms, they contend, are upheld with little attention to their empirical value as instruments to improve health outcomes in poor countries.
Progress in studying the fatigue behavior of Zr-based bulk-metallic glasses and their composites

Abstract Zr-based amorphous alloys with a high glass-forming ability and thermal stability were discovered in 1990. In the following years, the alloy design increased the critical casting thickness to several centimeters, and a homogeneous dispersion of nanoscale particles was found to improve the ductility. Therefore, Zr-based bulk-metallic glasses (BMGs) are being studied widely because of their potential as structural materials. The fatigue behavior is an important characteristic of structural materials. The current review documents the fatigue studies of Zr-based BMGs and their composites. The fatigue characteristics of these alloys in different loading conditions and environments are summarized and compared in this paper. The factors affecting the fatigue behavior of the Zr-based BMGs and their composites are discussed. The mechanisms of fatigue-crack initiation and propagation in BMGs are addressed in this review. In order to broaden the scope of applications of BMGs, a fundamental understanding of the fatigue behavior is important for the design of new alloy systems and the development of the processing techniques.
Tumor microvessel density-associated mast cells in canine nodal lymphoma

Objective:Mast cells are associated in angiogenesis in various human and animal neoplasms. However, association of mast cells with tumor microvessel density in canine lymphoma was not previously do...
Mannose-receptor positive and negative mouse macrophages differ in their susceptibility to infection by Chlamydia species

It has been shown that N-linked high mannose type oligosaccharides competitively inhibits attachment to and infectivity of chlamydiae in HeLa cells. To further study whether mannose moieties are involved in the infectivity of chlamydiae, the susceptibility of mannose-receptor negative J774A and positive J774E mouse macrophages to Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia pneumoniae was evaluated. C. trachomatis infected mannose-receptor positive cells better than mannose-receptor negative cells. C. psittaci infected both mannose-receptor negative and positive cells equally well, while C. pneumoniae infected mannose-receptor negative cells better than mannose-receptor positive cells. Further studies using this system may provide insight into the role of mannose-receptor in attachment, entry and survival of chlamydiae in macrophages.
Recognition of lesion correspondence on two mammographic views: A new method of false-positive reduction for computerized mass detection

We used the correspondence of detected structures on two views of the same breast for false-positive (FP) reduction in computerized detection of mammographic masses. For each initially detected object on one view, we considered all possible pairings with objects on the other view that fell within a radial band defined by the nipple-to-object distances. We designed a 'correspondence classifier' to classify these pairs as either the same mass (a TP-TP pair) or a mismatch (a TP-FP, FP-TP or FP-FP pair). For each pair, similarity measures of morphological and texture features were derived and used as input features in the correspondence classifier. Two-view mammograms from 94 cases were used as a preliminary data set. Initial detection provided 6.3 FPs/image at 96% sensitivity. Further FP reduction in single view resulted in 1.9 FPs/image at 80% sensitivity and 1.1 FPs/image at 70% sensitivity. By combining single-view detection with the correspondence classifier, detection accuracy improved to 1.5 FPs/image at 80% sensitivity and 0.7 FPs/image at 70% sensitivity. Our preliminary results indicate that the correspondence of geometric, morphological, and textural features of a mass on two different views provides valuable additional information for reducing FPs.
Maternal methadone administration: deficit in development of alpha-noradrenergic responses in developing rat brain as assessed by norepinephrine stimulation of 33Pi incorporation into phospholipids in vivo.

Abstract The effects of perinatal methadone exposure on the development of noradrenergic responses in the brain were examined by assessing the ability of intracisternally administered norepinephrine to stimulate 33 P i incorporation into phospholipids in vivo ; the effect of norepinephrine is mediated by alpha 1 -receptors juxtaposed to noradrenergic nerve terminals. Although there was no difference in basal (unstimulated) incorporation of 33 P i , a deficit in norepinephrine-induced stimulation of incorporation was found throughout the preweanling period in offspring of dams treated daily with methadone beginning in midgestation. This effect was not seen when methadone was given during the postnatal period. Since perinatal methadone exposure also delays development of presynaptic catecholaminergic nerve terminals in the brain, these results support the view that perinatal exposure to methadone depresses overall central noradrenergic synaptic function; however, the effects on presynaptic development and on receptor-mediated responses appear to be separable in that they display differences in the critical age periods of sensitivity to perturbation by the drug.
The Role of Board Environmental Committees in Corporate Environmental Performance

This study explores the relationship between board environmental committees and corporate environmental performance (CEP). We propose that board environmental committees will be positively associated with CEP. Moreover, we argue that the composition of the committee (i.e., stakeholder representation) as well as the presence of a sustainability manager will influence this relationship. Our results find support for a positive association between board environmental committees and CEP. Further, the presence of a senior-level environmental manager positively moderates this relationship, but is not effective in isolation. Unexpectedly, no support was found for the influences of stakeholder representation.
Mefloquine, a clinically useful quinolinemethanol antimalarial which does not significantly bind to DNA.

WE report that mefloquine (2,8-bis-(trifluoromethyl)-α-(2-pipe-ridyl)-4-quinolinemethanol1, see Fig. 1) clinically useful against drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria (G. M. Trenholme, unpublished), does not significantly bind to calf thymus DNA. This constitutes the first reported case of an active compound in the quinoline–acridine class of antimalarials which does not strongly bind to DNA by intercalation.
Specific binding of [3H]-estradiol to the cytosol of rat pancreas: alteration of the apparent number of binding sites by an endogenous factor and oligopeptide derivatives.

Abstract The supernatant fraction of rat pancreas contains an estrogen-binding protein that differs in several ways from the one found in uterus: (1) binding of 17β-[ 3 H]-estradiol in pancreas was non-saturable at hormone concentrations ranging from 2–50 nM; (2) diethylstilbestrol (as well as 17α-estradiol) was only about half as effective as unlabeled 17β-estradiol in competing for these specific binding sites; and (3) the binding reaction in pancreas requires the presence of a coligand, referred to as accessory factor. Accessory factor is an endogenous substance isolated from rat pancreas that is required for specific binding of [ 3 H]-estradiol to a soluble protein present in this tissue. The activity of this factor can be mimicked by the synthetic oligopeptide N -benzoyl- l -phenylalanyl- l -valyl- l -argininyl- p -nitroanilide, or the simpler derivative N -benzoyl- l -argininyl- p -nitroanilide. Removal of endogenous accessory factor by CM Affi-gel Blue chromatography renders the estrogen-binding protein incompetent. Using such preparations, the capacity to reactivate binding of [ 3 H]-estradiol by partially purified accessory factor and synthetic oligopeptide was compared. When specific binding of [ 3 H]-estradiol was determined at concentrations ranging from 2–50 nM in the presence of limiting amounts of accessory factor, a saturable isotherm was obtained. In the presence of increasing amounts of accessory factor, specific binding was nonsaturable as was observed with the initial cytosol. Scatchard analysis indicated: (a) that the number of binding sites for [ 3 H]-estradiol increased as a function of accessory factor concentration; and (b) the affinity of these sites for [ 3 H]-estradiol declined concomitantly. As a working hypothesis it is suggested that binding of [ 3 H]-estradiol in the presence of limiting amounts of accessory factor results in a ternary complex (binding protein: [ 3 H]-estradiol: and accessory factor). Upon further addition of factor a supramolecular structure seems to form that is nonsaturable with respect to binding of [ 3 H]-estradiol at concentrations as high as 50 nM. One possible function of this binding system is that the coligand (accessory factor) may enable the cell to concentrate steroid, and depending on the extent of steroid binding, regulate the intensity of the reaction in which the binding complex participates.
Masters of Control: Behavioral Patterns of Simultaneous Unit Group Manipulation in StarCraft 2

Most user interfaces require the user to focus on one element at a time, but StarCraft 2 is a game where players often control more than a hundred units simultaneously. The game interface provides an optional mechanism called "control groups" that allows players to select multiple units and assign them to a group in order to quickly recall previous selections of units. From an analysis of over 3,000 replays, we show that the usage of control groups is a key differentiator of individual players as well as players of different skill levels---novice users rarely use control groups while experts nearly always do. But players also behave differently in how they use their control groups, especially in time-pressured situations. While certain control group behaviors are common across all skill levels, expert players appear to be better at remaining composed and sustaining control group use in battle. We also qualitatively analyze discussions on web forums from players about how they use control groups to provide context about how such a simple interface mechanic has produced numerous ways of optimizing unit control.
Mechanisms of tamoxifen resistance.

Though the antiestrogen tamoxifen prolongs disease-free and overall survival in the adjuvant setting, and induces remissions in over half of the patients with estrogen receptor positive metastatic disease, all patients eventually acquire tamoxifen resistance. Furthermore, many of the resistant tumors actually appear to bestimulated by tamoxifen just as they are by estrogens. In both animal models and clinical specimens, we have found lower tamoxifen uptake and somewhat altered tamoxifen metabolism in resistant tumors, but neither appears to explain tamoxifen stimulation of the resistant tumors. Nor do estrogen receptor losses or mutations appear to explain this phenomenon, although altered expression of transcriptional variant forms of the receptor may well contribute. Pure steroidal antiestrogens such as ICI 182,780 are capable of reversing tamoxifen-stimulated as well as estrogen-stimulated growth of these resistant tumors, and are now in clinical trials for this purpose.
Visual attention with deep neural networks

Animals use attentional mechanisms for being able to process enormous amount of sensory input in real time. Analogously, computerised systems could take advantage of similar techniques for achieving better timing performance. Visual attentional control uses bottom-up and top-down saliency maps for establishing the most relevant locations to observe. This article presents a novel fully-learnt unbiassed biologically plausible algorithm for computing both feature based and proto-object saliency maps, using a deep convolutional neural network simply trained on a single-class classification task, by unveiling its internal attentional apparatus. We are able to process 2 megapixels (MPs) colour images in real-time, i.e. at more than 10 frames per second, producing a 2MP map of interest.
Effects of recombinant mouse growth hormone treatment on growth and body composition in GHRH knock out mice

Abstract Objective GH deficiency (GHD) causes growth failure and alterations in body composition both in humans and mice. Mouse models of GHD are used to study the effect of GH replacement therapy on these parameters. As the administration of human GH to mice causes development of antibodies and progressive reduction of its effectiveness, the use of species-specific GH is recommended. To determine the optimal GH replacement schedule in GHD mice, and to study its effect on body composition, we treated mice with targeted ablation of the GHRH gene (GHRH knock out-GHRHKO) with recombinant mouse GH (rmGH). Design One week-old GHRHKO male animals received either placebo or one of two different regimens of escalating doses of rmGH: R1: 30 μg/daily (1st week), 50 μg/daily (2nd week), 70 μg/daily (3rd–4th week); R2: 15 μg/twice a day (1st week), 25 μg/twice a day (2nd week), 35 μg/twice a day (3rd–4th week). Sex- and age-matched wild-type (WT) animals served as controls. At the end of the study we measured body length and weight, tibia and femur length, and body composition. Results While R1 normalized all growth parameters (TBW, N–A, femur, tibia length), R2 mice achieved significantly higher TBW, N–A and femur length when compared to WT. Body composition abnormalities (increased subcutaneous fat and reduced lean mass) were completely reverted by both treatment schedules. None of the GH-induced parameter modification described above was reflected in parallel changes in circulating serum IGF-1 and liver IGF-1 mRNA. Conclusions Our findings indicate that in GHD mice body composition changes are reverted by rmGH and that twice/daily is more effective than daily administration.
Floating spherical gaussian calculations on systems of protons and electrons

Ammonia and ethane undergo interesting internal motions which are not easily described within the theory of simple harmonic motion. We discuss a series of calculations on these systems based on a Hamiltonian operator including kinetic energy terms for protons, and treating proton-electron interactions as two-particle terms. A formalism derived from Frost's “Lewis orbital” model of electronic structure is outlined, and results for planar and pyramidal NH3 and staggered and eclipsed C2H6 are reported. The possibility of interconversion of energetically equivalent “geometric configurations” suggests a calculation of the frequency of interconversion by a kind of configuration interaction related to resonance theory. Preliminary results of such calculations on NH3 are summarized.
Melatonin: Antigonadal and progonadal effects in male golden hamsters

Melatonin induced marked testicular regression in hamsters maintained on photostimulatory long days (light-dark 14 : 10). In animals maintained on nonstimulatory short days (light-dark 6 : 18), small amounts of melatonin (50 micrograms per day; 100 millimeters capsule length) prevented testicular regression; but testicular atrophy occurred in hamsters that received larger amounts of melatonin (75 to 100 micrograms per day; 150 to 200 millimeters capsule length) and in control hamsters that received none. The results demonstrate that melatonin can exert either pro- or antigonadal effects and emphasize that the effects of melatonin on the testis cannot be properly assessed unless account is taken of the dosage and mode of melatonin administration and the photoperiod on which experimental animals are maintained.
Telerehabilitation wheeled mobility and seating assessments compared with in person.

Abstract Schein RM, Schmeler MR, Holm MB, Saptono A, Brienza DM. Telerehabilitation wheeled mobility and seating assessments compared with in person. Objective To evaluate the equivalency of wheeled mobility and seating assessments delivered under 2 conditions: in person (IP) at a local clinic and via Telerehabilitation at remotely located clinics. Design The study used a prospective, multicenter controlled nonrandomized design to investigate wheeled mobility and seating assessments. Setting Five wheelchair clinics in Western Pennsylvania. Participants Participants (N=98) in need of new wheeled mobility and seating were recruited and consented for IP assessments at the Center for Assistive Technology (n=50) and Telerehabilitation (n=48) assessments at remotely located clinics. Interventions The telerehabilitation condition used a custom videoconferencing system to connect a wheeled mobility and seating expert at the University of Pittsburgh's Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Telerehabilitation to a remote clinic. Main Outcome Measures Study findings were based on the level of function the participants showed with their new wheeled mobility and seating devices as measured by using the Functioning Everyday with a Wheelchair (FEW) outcome tool. Results The results revealed no significant differences between the FEW pretest average or item scores for the 2 conditions or the FEW posttest average or item scores except for the FEW transportation item. The average FEW and FEW item scores reached the established clinically relevant pretest-posttest difference of 1.85, and the change scores were significantly different. The difference between FEW means based on posttest confidence intervals indicated that telerehabilitation was equally effective as IP rehabilitation. Conclusions An expert practitioner located at least 125 miles away from each of the remote sites used a secured videoconferencing system to consult from a geographic distance on wheeled mobility and seating evaluations via telerehabilitation. Compared with participants receiving standard IP care, the telerehabilitation treatment condition was equally effective on all but 1 outcome.
Kolavane diterpenoids of Vanclevea stylosa

Abstract From the aerial parts of Vanclevea stylosa , 19 new kolavane diterpenoids were isolated as their methyl ester derivatives and two were also isolated as the free acids. Their structures were elucidated from the NMR and mass spectra and a few chemical transformations. All the compounds are kolavenol derivatives having a succinyloxy group either at C-17 or C-18, with widely differing C-9 side chains; in four cases carbons have been lost from this side chain. Three known flavonoids, identified as kaempferol 3,7,4′-trimethyl ether, quercetin 3,7,3′,4′-tetramethyl ether (retusine) and quercetin 3,3′-dimethyl ether, were also isolated.
COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN AS APPLIED TO TRANSIT SYSTEM EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY PLANNING

Abstract As shown by the experiences gained in recent energy crises, transit agencies should prepare emergency contingency plans to deal with possible rapid and sharp increases in the demand for transit service. In this paper, contingency plans are developed for two suburban areas, Bellevue and Federal Way, in the Seattle, Washington metropolitan area. Bus transit system designs are developed for three emergency levels: 100, 75 and 50% of the work trips to be carried by buses. Altogether, 10 plans are developed. Six assume no vehicle availability constraints, and four assume only existing Metro and school buses are available. Results indicate that bus vehicle requirements for the 100 and 75% levels far exceed likely vehicle availability levels while the 50% level could be handled with currently available vehicles (Metro fleet combined with school buses). This design work was accomplished rapidly and effectively with an interactive graphic computer program called the Transit Network Optimization Program (TNOP). It would be impossible to do a similar study using conventional transit planning techniques.
Social Support — Meaning, Measurement, and Relevance to Community Health Nursing Practice

Social support is a popular concept in the 1980s. This paper reviews recent advances in the development and measurement of the concept; the research that relates support to a variety of health outcomes and behaviors; the relevance of the concept to the practice of community health nurses.
‘Sally Has Been Sick’: Pregnancy and Family Limitation among Virginia Gentry Women, 1780–1830

The extent of family planning practice in the antebellum South of the United States is examined using data on 298 Virginia gentry women born between 1710 and 1849. The data are from letters and diaries and indicate that although fertility remained high a definite trend to lower marital fertility can be established by the 1840s and 1850s. (ANNOTATION)
Similarity of EPR Signal IIf rise and P-680+ decay kinetics in Tris-washed chloroplast Photosystem II preparations as a function of pH

Abstract The rise time, of Signal II f and the decay time of P-680 + have been measured kinetically as a function of pH by using EPR. The Photosystem II-enriched preparations which were used as samples were derived from spinach chloroplasts, and they evolved oxygen before Tris washing. The onset kinetics of Signal II f are in agreement, within experimental error, with the fast component of the decay of an EPR signal attributable to P-680 + . The signal II f rise kinetics also show good agreement with published values of the pH dependence of the decay of P-680 + measured optically (Conjeaud, H. and Mathis, P. (1980) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 590, 353–359). These results are consistent with a model where the species Z (or D 1 ) responsible for Signal II f is the immediate electron donor to P-680 + in tris-washed Photosystem II fragments.
The struggle to find reliable results in exome sequencing data: filtering out Mendelian errors.

Next Generation Sequencing studies generate a large quantity of genetic data in a relatively cost and time efficient manner and provide an unprecedented opportunity to identify candidate causative variants that lead to disease phenotypes. A challenge to these studies is the generation of sequencing artifacts by current technologies. To identify and characterize the properties that distinguish false positive variants from true variants, we sequenced a child and both parents (trio) using DNA isolated from three sources (blood, buccal cells, and saliva). The trio strategy allowed us to identify variants in the proband that could not have been inherited from the parents (Mendelian errors) and would most likely indicate sequencing artifacts. Quality control measurements were examined and three measurements were found to identify the greatest number of Mendelian errors. These included read depth, genotype quality score, and alternate allele ratio. Filtering the variants on these measurements removed ~95% of the Mendelian errors while retaining 80% of the called variants. These filters were applied independently. After filtering, the concordance between identical samples isolated from different sources was 99.99% as compared to 87% before filtering. This high concordance suggests that different sources of DNA can be used in trio studies without affecting the ability to identify causative polymorphisms. To facilitate analysis of next generation sequencing data, we developed the Cincinnati Analytical Suite for Sequencing Informatics (CASSI) to store sequencing files, metadata (e.g. relatedness information), file versioning, data filtering, variant annotation, and identify candidate causative polymorphisms that follow either de novo, rare recessive homozygous or compound heterozygous inheritance models. We conclude the data cleaning process improves the signal to noise ratio in terms of variants and facilitates the identification of candidate disease causative polymorphisms.