cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prognosis for Children with Supratentorial Neuroglial Tumors

Factor analysis of reliably identified histologic features in supratentorial glial tumors yielded five interpretable “factors”: Spongy, Fibrillary, Proliferative, Jumbo, and Oligodendroglial. Quantitative scores can be calculated for each factor in a tumor to summarize its heterogeneity. The objective was to investigate whether factor scores are useful for prognostic purposes. The sample consisted of 703 children with supratentorial neuroglial tumors with factor scores for each of the five factors. Data were based on the presence or absence of 26 reliably identified histologic features, plus clinical and survival information. Multivariate proportional hazards models assessed each factor's contribution to survival for children who survived 1 month after operation (n = 609). Patient-specific clinical data were allowed in the models. Increased likelihood of survival is associated with greater tumor removal, later decade of surgery, and high Spongy and high Oligodendroglial factor scores. Decreased likelihood...
Beach nourishment, a practical method of erosion control

Artificial beach nourishment, the placing of sand onto eroded beaches, is increasingly employed by coastal engineers as an alternative to structural control of shoreline erosion. Man-made beaches approximating natural forms and processes offer greater protection against storms than eroded beaches and provide increased recreational opportunities. It is hoped that maintenance nourishment will keep pace with subsidence and eustatic rise in sea level, primary causes of beach erosion. Even though negative impacts of beach restoration may be short-lived and limited in scope, sound ecological engineering practices require careful monitoring of dredging operations.
Whole-Body Volume Regulation and Escape from Antidiuresis

Both individual cells and organs regulate their volume in response to sustained hypo-osmolality via solute and water losses. Similar processes occur in the whole body to regulate the volumes of extracellular fluid (ECF) and intravascular spaces toward normal levels. Body water losses occur via the phenomena "escape from antidiuresis"; solute losses occur through the secondary natriuresis induced by water retention. As a result of resistance to arginine vasopressin (AVP) signaling, escape from antidiuresis is caused by downregulation of kidney aquaporin-2 expression despite high AVP plasma levels. Recent data have implicated downregulation of vasopressin V2R as a potential mechanism of resistance, and suggest that this may be a result of decreased intrarenal angiotensin II signaling in combination with increased intrarenal nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 signaling. The natriuresis that results in volume regulation of the ECF and vascular spaces is the result of intrarenal hemodynamic changes produced by volume expansion, but the degree to which these effects are modulated by aldosterone secretion and the activity of distal sodium cotransporters and channels remains to be elucidated. The clinical implication of these volume-regulatory processes is that the chronic hyponatremic state is one of water retention and solute losses from intracellular fluid and ECF compartments. The degree to which solute losses versus water retention contribute to hyponatremia will vary in association with many factors, including the etiology of the hyponatremia, the rapidity of development of the hyponatremia, the chronicity of the hyponatremia, the volume of daily water loading, and individual variability. Understanding these volume-regulatory processes allows a better understanding of many aspects of the conundrum of patients with "clinical euvolemia" and dilutional hyponatremia from AVP-induced water retention.
Paramagnetic cobalt as a probe of the orientation of an accessory DNA-binding region of the yeast ADR1 zinc-finger protein.

The minimal DNA-binding domain of the yeast ADR1 transcription factor consists of two Cys2−His2 zinc fingers and an additional 20 residues N-terminal and proximal to the fingers. The accessory sequence likely plays a role in contacting DNA. Paramagnetic cobalt was incorporated into the fingers of an ADR1 DNA-binding construct (ADR1z) to serve as a probe of the proximity of the accessory sequence to the zinc fingers. NMR signals from the accessory region are not perturbed by cobalt incorporation. Previous studies showed that this region is random coil in the ADR1z construct in the absence of DNA; it does not adopt a fixed orientation with respect to the cobalt sites. In contrast, many residues of the accessory region are perturbed by cobalt in the DNA-bound form of the protein, suggesting this region becomes constrained. This observation agrees with previous results showing a disorder-to-order transition for the accessory region upon DNA binding. Furthermore, these results indicate that the accessory regio...
GuiTope: an application for mapping random-sequence peptides to protein sequences.

Background Random-sequence peptide libraries are a commonly used tool to identify novel ligands for binding antibodies, other proteins, and small molecules. It is often of interest to compare the selected peptide sequences to the natural protein binding partners to infer the exact binding site or the importance of particular residues. The ability to search a set of sequences for similarity to a set of peptides may sometimes enable the prediction of an antibody epitope or a novel binding partner. We have developed a software application designed specifically for this task.
UVA Phototransduction Drives Early Melanin Synthesis in Human Melanocytes

Exposure of human skin to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), a powerful carcinogen [1] comprising ~95% ultraviolet A (UVA) and ~5% ultraviolet B (UVB) at the Earth's surface, promotes melanin synthesis in epidermal melanocytes [2, 3], which protects skin from DNA damage [4, 5]. UVB causes DNA lesions [6] that lead to transcriptional activation of melanin-producing enzymes, resulting in delayed skin pigmentation within days [7]. In contrast, UVA causes primarily oxidative damage [8] and leads to immediate pigment darkening (IPD) within minutes, via an unknown mechanism [9, 10]. No receptor protein directly mediating phototransduction in skin has been identified. Here we demonstrate that exposure of primary human epidermal melanocytes (HEMs) to UVA causes calcium mobilization and early melanin synthesis. Calcium responses were abolished by treatment with G protein or phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitors or by depletion of intracellular calcium stores. We show that the visual photopigment rhodopsin [11] is expressed in HEMs and contributes to UVR phototransduction. Upon UVR exposure, significant melanin production was measured within one hour; cellular melanin continued to increase in a retinal- and calcium-dependent manner up to 5-fold after 24 hr. Our findings identify a novel UVA-sensitive signaling pathway in melanocytes that leads to calcium mobilization and melanin synthesis and may underlie the mechanism of IPD in human skin.
Plant response to variations in nitrogen availability in a desert shrubland community

Spatial variations in nitrogen availability were studied in a desert community codominated by Larrea tridentata (DC.) Cov. and Prosopis glandulosa Torr. Measure- ments of natural 6' 5 N values in tissues suggested that Prosopis obtains approximately half of its nitrogen through direct symbiotic fixation. Soils were collected under 1) Prosopis shrubs, 2) Larrea shrubs 4 2 m from Prosopis (LP), and 3) Larrea 5 m from the nearest Prosopis (LL). Prosopis soils showed signifi- cantly higher rates of nitrogen mineralization than LL soils in both A and B horizons. Rates of mineralization in LP soils were significantly higher than rates in LL soils only in the B horizon and were not significantly different from rates in Prosopis soils. Leaf nitrogen concentrations were significantly higher in LP shrubs (2.06%) than in LL shrubs (1.78%), although 65"N values did not differ between the two shrub types. Nitrogen concentrations in Perezia nana Gray, a perennial herb, were greater in plants under Prosopis shrubs (2.09%) than under LP shrubs (1.93%) or LL shrubs (1.67%). Despite apparent differences in nitrogen availability, biomass of Larrea and density of Perezia did not differ significantly among these sites.
Joint reduction of out-of-band power and peak-to-average power ratio for non-contiguous OFDM systems

Non-contiguous OFDM is a promising technique for cognitive radio systems. Nevertheless, the sidelobes of the OFDM-modulated tones cause the out-of-band power (OBP) which can induce large interference to the incumbent communication systems. Another major drawback of OFDM-based systems is the high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). In this paper, two algorithms are proposed to jointly reduce the OBP and the PAPR based on the method of alternating projections onto convex sets (POCS). Several OFDM subcarriers are reserved to accommodate the adjusting weights that reduce the OBP and the PAPR. In the first algorithm, the adjusting weights are projected onto two convex sets that are defined according to the OBP and the PAPR limits. Each POCS iteration requires a convex optimization process. In the second algorithm, the frequency-domain OFDM symbol is projected onto multiple convex sets and the adjusting weights are separated into two groups for OBP and PAPR reductions, respectively. The adjusting weights can be obtained in analytical forms so that the computational complexity is lowered. Simulation results show that, within just a few POCS iterations, the proposed algorithms can achieve good performance in the joint reduction of the OBP and the PAPR.
Equilibrium solubility and permeability of sulfur dioxide in epoxy resin of aliphatic diglycidyl ether

Equilibrium sorption isotherms were obtained for the sulfur dioxide-epoxy resin of aliphatic diglycidyl ether system over a temperature range of 1° to 45°C. The sorption isotherms indicated the presence of Langmuir sorption due to specific interaction. This is uncommon for rubbery polymers, though similar behavior was also observed previously. Zimm-Lundberg's clustering analysis indicated a slight tendency for clustering of the penetrant molecules at low temperatures and higher activities. The number of Langmuir sites for sorption was found to be independent of temperature. The mobilities of the molecules sorbed in Henry's law mode and the Langmuir mode were found to be approximately equal. Predictions of the permeability values for this system are presented and compared with other data from the literature. The temperature dependence of different sorption parameters is presented and discussed in detail.
Analysis of dynamic retail electricity rates and domestic demand response programs

Currently, the majority of residential customers are charged a flat retail electricity rate, giving them one option to save money: reduce consumption. This flat rate philosophy is in stark contrast to the wholesale market, which can have substantial fluctuations in market price, especially during peak demand. Although demand response has emerged in the large industrial sector, its presence is lacking in the residential sector. This paper investigates several barriers to residential demand response programs, including the prevalence of flat retail rates and limited flexibility in customer choice in current electricity rates. We present a modified real time price (mRTP) model that encourages customer choice in electricity rates and is based on the amount of risk customers are willing to take and a real time grid condition index developed by the California Independent Service Operator. A case study is presented using smart meter data from nine different houses. This study includes categorizing the nine houses into three different categories: houses that benefit from the mRTP, houses that benefit from a flat rate, and houses that are indifferent to rate design. We also compare the yearly savings of these households as a function of demand response participation level. From this comparison, we conclude that load serving entities should focus their attention on implementing the mRTP in households that are indifferent to rate design. This is because they have little risk in changing to an mRTP and have high potential savings if they have the capability to actively participate, thus giving these houses the most incentive to participate in demand response.
Topography of vaccinia virus DNA

Abstract Contour length measurements in an electron microscope of vaccinia genomes released from virions by lysis in Sarkosyl and 2-mercaptoethanol at 4° on the surface of gradients, followed by sedimentation into the gradients to remove proteins, showed that the linear, double-stranded (ds) viral DNA molecules prepared in this way, had a MW of 132 ±5.93 × 10 6 . Digestion of the viral DNA with the endonuclease Eco RI, followed by electrophoretic analysis in 0.7% agarose gels, allowed 28 fragments to be resolved, ranging in MW from 14.0−0.4 × 10 6 . The sum of the MWs of these fragments was estimated to be 130–132 × 10 6 . Virions were lysed by brief treatment with Sarkosyl and 2-mercaptoethanol at 23° and the released viral DNA molecules, without further purification, were examined in an electron microscope. Hairpin-like structures observed along the length of the viral DNA disappeared after digestion with Pronase, showing that proteins held such structures in place. Loops, containing single-stranded (ss) DNA and dsDNA regions, and dsDNA branches observed in viral DNA molecules were not affected by Pronase digestion. These structures appear to be formed when the virion-associated ssDNA nuclease and (or) RNA polymerase, activated when virions are treated with detergent and 2-mercaptoethanol, function independently or in concert to destabilize selected regions in the DNA.
Inhibition of the Expression of Mitogen-activated Protein Phosphatase-1 Potentiates Apoptosis Induced by Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Rat Mesangial Cells

Previously we showed that rat mesangial cells are normally resistant to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced apoptosis. They are made susceptible to the apoptotic effect of TNF-α when pretreated with actinomycin D, cycloheximide or vanadate. A sustained c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) activation was closely correlated with the initiation of apoptosis under these conditions. We proposed that a TNF-α-inducible phosphatase was responsible for preventing a sustained activation of JNK and consequent apoptosis in these cells (Guo, Y.-L., Baysal, K., Kang, B., Yang, L.-J., and Williamson, J. R. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 4027–4034). In the present study we provide further evidence to support this hypothesis. Ro318220, although originally identified as a specific inhibitor of protein kinase C, was subsequently found to be a strong inhibitor of MKP-1 expression. In rat mesangial cells, pretreatment of the cells with Ro318220 blocked expression of MKP-1 induced by TNF-α. This treatment also prolonged JNK activation and caused apoptosis. Taken together, our results support the currently controversial hypothesis that the JNK pathway is involved in TNF-α-induced apoptosis. In addition, we provide a mechanistic explanation for how mesangial cells in primary culture achieve resistance to TNF-α cytotoxicity. Specifically, induction of MKP-1 by TNF-α appears to be responsible for protection of the cells from apoptosis by preventing a prolonged activation of JNK.
A theoretical model for the analysis of backscattered-conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy: Angular and energy distributions

The intensities of resonant and nonrescnant electrons emerging from the absorber in specific angular intervals have been studied using the model developed previously /1/ for a 1.0 μm thick 0.92857Fe foil mounted on a stainless steel substrate. The signal-to-background (S/B) ratio, which is proportional to the spectral area from a conversion electron Mossbauer spectrum, has been calculated and compared with experimental data. The simulated angular distributions for backscattered-resonant, and backscattered-nonresonant electrons both provide cosine-type ourves and are similar to experimental data, resulting in an isotropic distribution of the S/B ratio. The predicted S/B ratio, however, is about twioe the S/B ratio measured experimentally. This discrepancy may result from the neglect of: (i) electrons below 50 eV and (ii) multiple scattering events. Despite these shortoomings the model proposed in this study is capable of comparing the relative magnitude of the resonant and nonresonant signals, thereby, calibrating the resonant signal against the nonresonant background. This prooedure appears to provide important information helpful for nondestructive depth-profiling studies.
Simulation and Experimental Validation of Tapered Roller Bearing Vibration Induced by Geometrical Imperfection on Cup Raceway

A three dimensional non-linear vibration model of tapered roller bearings was developed based on an in-house dynamic bearing model (DBM), which simulates the motion of bearing components and their interactions using Hertzian contact, traction, and hydrodynamic/ elastohydrodynamic lubrication models. The vibration model can simulate bearings with distributed and localized geometrical imperfections on their cup raceways, cone raceways, and roller bodies. This paper focuses on the influence of localized cup raceway imperfections on bearing vibration. Three levels of localized defects were intentionally created on cup raceways and quantified using a surface profile gauge. The quantified defects on actual test bearings were used as inputs to the vibration model. The corresponding test bearings were evaluated with a high-precision bearing vibration test machine. Two different bearing designs were used in the study. The simulation and test data were analyzed and compared, and it was found that the simulation results agreed well with the test data.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
The solvent-initiated photochemistry of tetrachloropalladate(II) in chloroform.

Under 254 nm irradiation in chloroform, [PdCl 4 ] 2- is protonated to H 2 PdCl 4 by HCl, generated through absorption of light by CHCl 3 . This stands in contrast to the behavior of (PtCl 4 ] 2- and [Pt(bpy)Cl 2 ], which undergo photooxidation under the same conditions.
Relative Weighting of Admission Variables in Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Programs

Graduate admission committees utilize multiple criteria in determining which applicant's to accept into their training programs. The present investigation attempted to determine the relative weighting of nine variables utilized by committees in making admissions decisions. The Directors of Admission Committees in Marriage and Family Therapy Master's programs identified interview performance, grade point average above 3.2, and the personal statement as the most important criteria with research experience and courses taken receiving the lowest weightings. However, within these programs there was significant variability on even the most highly weighted variables. Implications of these findings for applicants to these programs and future research on what constitutes positive interview behavior are discussed.
Treatment techniques for spills of hazardous water-soluble chemicals — a feasiibility study

Abstract Spills of hazardous chemicals which are water soluble are more difficult to treat than other spills where the chemical forms a separate phase. There is a need to develop treatment techniques which are applicable to a range of chemicals, which reduce the adverse environmental effects of the spill and do not introduce any additional environmental problems. Four techniques are examined in this paper: neutralization is effective for acids and bases, solvent extraction is effective for some organic chemicals, and precipitation and chelation are effective against some toxic metals. Each technique has some important practical limitations if further adverse environmental effects from the treatment agent are to be avoided. However, for each technique, one or more reagents can be selected which are effective, non-toxic and readily available.
MODELLING THE MICROSTRUCTURAL EVOLUTION AND DEGRADATION OF M-Cr--Al-Y COATINGS DURING HIGH TEMPERATURE OXIDATION*

Abstract A finite difference computer program has been developed to model the microstructural changes that occur in overlay coatings during simultaneous oxidation and interdiffusion with the base alloy. The degradation of the coating is predicted by modelling the aluminum concentrations in the coating and calculating the phase distribution from the Co-Cr-Al phase diagram. The results of the model are compared with experimental results for the isothermal oxidation of a Co-Cr-Al-Y coating on MM509 and a Co-24Cr alloy. Excellent agreement is found for cases where the diffusion coefficients are known.
Documenting orang-utan sleep architecture: sleeping platform complexity increases sleep quality in captive Pongo

Of the extant primates, only 20 non-human species have been studied by sleep scientists. Notable sampling gaps exist, including large-bodied hominoids such as gorillas (Gorilla gorilla), orang-utans (Pongo spp.) and bonobos (Pan paniscus), for which data have been characterized as high priority. Here, we report the sleep architecture of three female and two male orang-utans housed at the Indianapolis Zoo. Sleep states were identified by scoring correlated behavioural signatures (e.g., respiration, gross body movement, muscle atonia, random eye movement, etc.). The captive orang-utans were focal subjects for a total of 70 nights (1013 h) recorded. We found that orang-utans slept an average of 9.11 h (range 5.85–11.2 h) nightly and were characterized by an average NREM of 8.03 h (range 5.47–10.2 h) and REM of 1.11 (range: 0.38–2.2 h) per night. In addition, using a sleeping platform complexity index (SPCI) we found that individuals that manufactured and slept in more complex beds were characterized by higher quality sleep. Sleep fragmentation (the number of brief awakenings greater than 2 min per hour), arousability (number of motor activity bouts per hour), and total time awake per night were reduced by greater quality sleep environments. Therefore, comfortable sleeping environments reduced arousability and improve sleep quality in captive orang-utans. These results support Fruth & Hohmann’s (1996) hypothesis, which purported that the tree-limb-to-sleeping platform transition in Miocene apes improved sleep quality.
p50 (NF-κB1) Is an Effector Protein in the Cytotoxic Response to DNA Methylation Damage

The functional significance of the signaling pathway induced by O(6)-methylguanine (O(6)-MeG) lesions is poorly understood. Here, we identify the p50 subunit of NF-κB as a central target in the response to O(6)-MeG and demonstrate that p50 is required for S(N)1-methylator-induced cytotoxicity. In response to S(N)1-methylation, p50 facilitates the inhibition of NF-κB-regulated antiapoptotic gene expression. Inhibition of NF-κB activity is noted to be an S phase-specific phenomenon that requires the formation of O(6)-MeG:T mismatches. Chk1 associates with p50 following S(N)1-methylation, and phosphorylation of p50 by Chk1 results in the inhibition of NF-κB DNA binding. Expression of an unphosphorylatable p50 mutant blocks inhibition of NF-κB-regulated antiapoptotic gene expression and attenuates S(N)1-methylator-induced cytotoxicity. While O(6)-MeG:T-induced, p50-dependent signaling is not sufficient to induce cell death, this pathway sensitizes cells to the cytotoxic effects of DNA breaks.
Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes: a new class of amphiphiles at the air/water interface.

Insoluble films of trisilanolisobutyl-POSS and octaisobutyl-POSS at the air/water interface are investigated by means of surface pressure − area per molecule isotherm (Π − A) and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM). Analysis of the experimental results shows the partial cage molecule, trisilanolisobutyl-POSS, is a surface-active molecule that self-assembles into uniform monolayer upon compression; but the fully condensed cage molecule, octaisobutyl-POSS, is nonamphiphilic.
Characterization of Components of Dental Materials and Components of Tooth Structure by Differential Thermal Analysis

Differential thermal analysis (DTA) has been used to characterize a variety of dental materials and the components of tocth structure. The technic is useful for the rapid comparison of similar materials, quality control, measurement of melting ranges, and the study of reactions occurring at elevated temperatures.
Impact of introducing make-to-order options in a make-to-stock environment

Firms engaged in consumer product sales often implement a strict make-to-stock approach, applying a single price to all customers. In such systems, customers can get the product at the given price upon availability on the shelf. However, consumers can often tolerate a delay between order placement and demand satisfaction under a price discount. Recognizing this phenomenon, a supplier may consider offering a menu of delivery-price options to consumers, where longer delay-time options imply lower prices. Demands from customers willing to wait provide advance demand information to the supplier. This paper studies strategies to exploit this additional information to improve profitability and service levels. Primarily assuming that delivery times are set exogenously, we determine optimal prices and stock levels under the new delayed demand satisfaction options. In addition, we develop analytical models to characterize the system performance gains under the new demand fulfillment option.
Implicit manipulation of equivalence classes using binary decision diagrams

A novel representation called an equivalence class characterization function is defined. It can implicitly represent all equivalence classes with a compact characteristic function that will have at most n outputs. Using binary decision diagrams (BDDs) and the concept of the equivalence class characterization function, very large problem instances can be represented. For manipulating equivalence classes efficiently, a Boolean operator called a compatible projection operator is proposed. Conceptually, the compatible projection operator is used to uniquely select a single element from each equivalence class to characterize the class. In manipulating equivalence classes, the compatible projection operator is used to implicitly derive an encoding function from the equivalence relation that encodes the equivalence class information symbolically. An efficient implementation is described based on BDDs that is applied to very large problem instances. >
Alpha ganglion cells of the rabbit retina lose antagonistic surround responses under dark adaptation

Alpha ganglion cells from the midperiphery of the rabbit retina were recorded intracellularly under visual control, in a superfused everted eyecup, and labeled with HRP. Their physiology and large somata with broad dendritic arbors identified them as uniform populations of ON- and OFF-center alpha ganglion cells, which typically displayed transient/sustained light-evoked responses. When dark adapted, the light-evoked responses from both ON- and OFF-center alpha ganglion cells were more sustained than those generally seen under light-adapted conditions. During dark-adapted (scotopic) conditions, stimulation with dim full-field illumination and small spots, either positioned over the soma or displaced 450 μm from the soma, all elicited pure center responses. After light adaptation (photopic conditions), the displaced small spots that previously evoked center responses elicited antagonistic surround responses from both ON- and OFF-center cells. Thus, as originally described in cat retina (Barlow et al., 1957), the receptive-field organization of ganglion cells changed between dark and light adaptation, and an absence or presence of surround antagonism was indicative of scotopic versus photopic states.
A Double Blind Study to Evaluate the Effect of Methyldopa on Menopausal Vasomotor Flushes

Vasomotor flush (VMF) is the most consistent symptom associated with the menopause. Nonsteroidal agents such as clonidine have been demonstrated to decrease VMF. Anecdotal reports suggested that VMF were reduced in hypertensive women receiving methyldopa, which is also an α2-adrenergic agonist. This study describes a double-blind cross-over placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of methyldopa on VMF. Diary reports were made and serum LH and digital skin temperature were measured in 10 menopausal women with 30 or more VMF/week and serum FSH levels of 40 mIU/ml or greater. The frequency of VMF, LH pulse, and temperature elevation during a 5-h observation period and VMF per week based on diary reports were compared for the baseline and fourth week of therapy with methyldopa (250 mg, three times daily) and placebo therapy. The patients reported some amelioration of VMF (P ≤ 0.02) during drug therapy. Objectively, only the frequency of LH peaks was decreased with methyldopa therapy (P ≤ 0.05). Because...
Novel p53 splice site mutations in three families with Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

Germline mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene predispose to a variety of cancers in families with Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Most germline p53 mutations observed to date cause amino acid substitutions in the protein's central sequence-specific DNA binding domain. Outside this conserved core region, however, we found novel alterations in sequences that regulate precursor mRNA splicing in three Li-Fraumeni syndrome families. Two splice site mutations affected the consensus sequence at the splice donor sites of introns 1 and 9, and produced unstable variant transcripts in normal cells. A third mutation at the splice acceptor site of intron 9 generated splicing at a cryptic acceptor site in intron 9. These splice site alterations emphasize the need to examine both noncoding and untranslated regions of the p53 gene for germline mutations in Li-Fraumeni syndrome families.
Characterization of a two-component regulatory system from Acinetobacter baumannii that controls biofilm formation and cellular morphology

Acinetobacter baumannii forms biofilms on abiotic surfaces, a phenotype that may explain its ability to survive in nosocomial environments and to cause device-related infections in compromised patients. The biofilm proficiency of the 19606 type strain depends on the production of pili, cell-surface appendages assembled via the CsuAB-A-B-C-D-E chaperone-usher secretion system. The screening of a bank of isogenic insertion derivatives led to the identification of a biofilm-deficient derivative in which a transposon insertion disrupted a gene predicted to encode the response regulator of a two-component regulatory system. This gene, which was named bfmR, is required for the expression of the Csu pili chaperone-usher assembly system. This coding region is followed by an ORF encoding a putative sensor kinase that was named bfmS, which plays a less relevant role in biofilm formation when cells are cultured in rich medium. Further examination showed that the bfmR mutant was capable of attaching to abiotic surfaces, although to levels significantly lower than those of the parental strain, when it was cultured in a chemically defined minimal medium. Additionally, the morphology of planktonic cells of this mutant, when grown in minimal medium, was drastically affected, while adherent mutant cells were indistinguishable in shape and size from the parental strain. Together, these results indicate that BfmR is part of a two-component regulatory system that plays an important role in the morphology of A. baumannii 19606 cells and their ability to form biofilms on abiotic surfaces.
Randomized Distributed Spatial Multiplexing: Adding capacity to the cell edge

This paper explores the spatial multiplexing gain in a relay assisted distributed wireless network, where multiple relays, each with a single antenna, form a virtual antenna array to transmit to a receiver with multiple antennas. Using a transmission scheme called Randomized Distributed Spatial Multiplexing (RDSM), the transmission rate between the relays and the destination is boosted to a level that is several times higher than the rate that can be achieved through a single relay. As a result, the end-to-end data rate between a source and a destination can be greatly improved. Consequently, in a wireless network, where multiple sources compete for channel access, the overall system aggregated throughput is also improved. An opportunistic rate adaptation algorithm is adopted to achieve the optimal average end-to-end performance. Randomized signal processing at the relays fundamentally changes the way how cooperation is established. Instead of picking nodes with good links or fast paths, our algorithm picks a transmission mode (modulation, coding, and number of streams). Any node that correctly receives from the source can act as a relay and participate in forwarding. We present the performance of RDSM with practical modulation and channel coding, and evaluate its performance in a fully distributed wireless scenario.
Soft Error Susceptibility Analysis of SRAM-Based FPGAs in High-Performance Information Systems

Soft errors due to cosmic particles are a growing reliability threat for VLSI systems. The vulnerability of FPGA-based designs to soft errors is higher than ASIC implementations since the majority of chip real estate is dedicated to memory bits, configuration bits, and user bits. Moreover, single event upsets (SEUs) in the configuration bits of SRAM-based FPGAs result in permanent errors in the mapped design. In this paper we analyze the soft error vulnerability of FPGAs used in information systems. Since the reliability requirements of these high performance information subsystems are very stringent, the reliability of the FPGA chips used in the design of such systems plays a critical role in overall system reliability. We present an analytical approach (versus fault injection) for soft error rate estimation in FPGA-based designs. We also validate the projections produced by our analytical model using field error rates obtained from failure data obtained from a large FPGA-based design used in the logical unit module board of a commercial information system. This comparison confirms that the projections obtained from our analytical tool are accurate (there is an 81% overlap in FIT rate range obtained with our analytical modeling framework and the field failure data studied).
Iconografía egiptizante en la zona de Campania

The development of the isiac cult in the Campania has allowed the study of their rituals and liturgical forms, but has also revealed the desire of the new faithful to recreate egyptianizing exotic environments. The typical iconography of divinities protagonist of the Osiris myth, were already hellenized since Alexandrian period, however, in the Latin sphere, were specially appreciated those objects characterized by an aesthetic close to the Egyptian art. These objects included certain works imported from Egypt, but also pieces made in Latin territory with strong Alexandrian influences, probably made in this type of iconography especialized workshops. The existence of these workshops can be deduced from different findings that display many similarities in terms of not only the technique but also iconographic and epigraphic repertoire.
Performance degradation, polymer encapsulant degradation, and estimating lifetimes for photovoltaic modules from accelerated testing

The purposes of this paper are to provide background information about encapsulants for photovoltaic (PV) modules and to evaluate estimates of the durability of different materials used in PV modules. The authors summarize the field-deployed module degradation in performance, the established degradation mechanisms of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, and potential degradation mechanisms in other module components and at materials interfaces. Most of the emphasis is on estimates for the commercially used EVA formulations A9918 and 15295. These formulations have degraded in field-deployed modules to produce acetic acid and a yellow to brown color from polyenes and the module efficiencies have been reduced by 10% to 70% in 4 to 12 years. Yet, projections were made by several different research groups in the 1980s that the EVA lifetime could range from 20 to 100 years, the production of acetic acid would only be 0.006% in 20 years, and that silver metallization would survive attack from acetic acid for 300 years at 55 C. Those authors did not use appropriate variables or specimen configurations that simulate reality, and based their projections using the generalization that chemical reaction rates double for every 10 C increase in T. The authors review the inherentmore » errors in their assumptions about the Arrhenius relation. They also show how degradation in efficiency (from current-voltage data) comparable to field experience is obtained using minimodules with a construction that simulates reality and by using appropriate variables in accelerated testing, i.e., UV, T, and RH. A test protocol is outlined that simulates reality and permits making suitable service lifetime projections.« less
Influence of local and external processes on the annual nitrogen cycle and primary productivity on Georges Bank: A 3-D biological–physical modeling study

Georges Bank is one of the world's most highly productive marine areas, but the mechanisms of nutrient supply to support such high productivity remain poorly understood. Intrusions of nutrient-poor Labrador Slope Water (LSW) into the Gulf of Maine (NAO-dependent) potentially can reduce nutrient delivery to the bank, but this mechanism has not been quantitatively examined. In this paper, we present the first whole-year continuous model simulation results using a biological–physical model developed for the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank region. This high-resolution three-dimensional coupled model consists of the Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM) and a Nitrogen–Phytoplankton–Zooplankton–Detritus (NPZD) model, and was used to examine the influences of local and external processes on nitrogen and phytoplankton dynamics on Georges Bank. The model captured the general pattern of spatial-temporal distributions of nitrogen and phytoplankton and provided a diagnostic analysis of different processes that control nitrogen fluxes on Georges Bank. Specifically, numerical experiments were conducted to examine seasonal variation in nitrogen transport into the central bank (new nitrogen supply) versus nitrogen regenerated internally in this region. Compared with previous observation-based studies, the model provided a quantitative estimate of nitrogen flux by integrating the transport over a longer time period and a complete spatial domain. The results suggest that, during summer months, internal nitrogen regeneration is the major nitrogen source for primary production on the central bank, while nitrogen supply through physical transport (e.g. tidal pumping) contributes about 1/5 of the total nitrogen demand, with an estimated on-bank nitrogen transport at least 50% less than previous estimates. By comparing the model runs using different nitrogen concentrations in deep Slope Water, the potential influence of NAO-dependent intrusions of LSW was examined. The results suggest that the change of nitrogen concentration in the deep Slope Water may not have a significant impact on nitrogen and phytoplankton dynamics on the well-mixed central bank, largely due to limited nutrient exchange across the tidal mixing front and enhanced near-frontal nutrient uptake. However, relatively more significant impact was observed in the model simulations if both well-mixed and seasonallystratified areas (inside 100 m isobath of the bank) were considered in flux calculations. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Statins, Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, and Risk of Cancer

Objectives We sought to assess whether statin-mediated reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are associated with an increased risk of cancer. Background We recently reported an inverse association between on-treatment LDL-C levels and incident cancer in statin-treated patients enrolled in large randomized controlled trials, raising concern that LDL-C lowering by statins may increase cancer risk. However, meta-analyses suggest a neutral overall effect of statins on incident cancer. Methods A systematic literature search identified 15 eligible randomized controlled trials of statins with ≥1,000 person-years of follow-up that provided on-treatment LDL-C levels and rates of incident cancers (19 statin and 14 control arms, 437,017 person-years cumulative follow-up, and 5,752 incident cancers). Results In the statin arms, meta-regression analysis demonstrated an inverse association between on-treatment LDL-C and incident cancer, with an excess of 2.2 (95% confidence interval: 0.7 to 3.6) cancers per 1,000 person-years for every 10 mg/dl decrement in on-treatment LDL-C (p = 0.006). The corresponding difference among control arms was 1.2 (95% confidence interval: −0.2 to 2.7, p = 0.09). Compared with the control arms, the statin regression line was significantly shifted leftward, such that similar rates of incident cancer were associated with lower on-treatment LDL-C (p Conclusions There is an inverse association between on-treatment LDL-C and incident cancer. However, statins, despite producing marked reductions in LDL-C, are not associated with an increased risk of cancer.
Multiscale algorithm for reconstructing videos from streaming compressive measurements

We propose a multiscale, iterative algorithm for reconstructing video signals from streaming compressive measurements. Our algorithm is based on the observation that, at the imaging sensor, many videos should have limited temporal bandwidth due to the spatial lowpass filtering that is inherent in typical imaging systems. Under modest assumptions about the motion of objects in the scene, this spatial filtering prevents the temporal complexity of the video from being arbitrarily high. Thus, even though streaming measurement systems may measure a video thousands of times per second, we propose an algorithm that only involves reconstructing a much lower rate stream of “anchor frames.” Our analysis of the temporal complexity of videos reveals an interesting tradeoff between the spatial resolution of the camera, the speed of any moving objects, and the temporal bandwidth of the video. We leverage this tradeoff in proposing a multiscale reconstruction algorithm that alternates between video reconstruction and motion estimation as it produces finer resolution estimates of the video.
Glucose sensor evaluation of glycemic instability in pediatric type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Maintaining blood glucose (BG) levels within the target range can be an elusive goal in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). To identify factor(s) that may contribute to glycemic instability, we analyzed the Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS) (Medtronic MiniMed, Northridge, CA) profiles of a group of children with type 1 DM and a history of frequent BG fluctuations and hypoglycemia. A total of 30 (17 girls, 13 boys) pediatric patients with a history of frequent BG fluctuations and hypoglycemia (mean age, 10.5 ± 0.7 years; duration, 5.0 ± 0.6 years), on three to four injections of insulin daily or insulin pump therapy, were evaluated by the CGMS. The mean BG (MBG), absolute means of daily differences (MODD), mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE), and number of hypoglycemic events (BG <60 mg/dL) for 48 h were calculated in each patient. There was a significant correlation between MBG and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (r2 = 0.22, p < 0.009). There was also a significant correlation b...
Rapid and robust reversion to essential thrombocythemia on treatment with Decitabine in a case of hydroxyurea‐induced t‐MDS/AML

Rapid remission of MDS/AML may be induced with Decitabine; however, significant megakaryocyte expansion and subsequent thrombocytosis may occur. Decitabine-mediated reversion of the MDS to benign ET via hypomethylation of JAK/STAT pathway repressors is one potential mechanism to explain this observed phenomenon.
A Benchmark Dataset for Depth Sensor Based Activity Recognition in a Manufacturing Process

Abstract Algorithms for automated recognition of human activities are crucial for supporting the next generation of process measures in manufacturing. While there is active research underway for many sensor systems and algorithms they will need to be tested in real-world conditions in order to mature and become robust or generalized enough for broad deployment in industry. In this paper we present a case study and dataset from a real-world setting along with three performance measures for six common classifiers. The intent is to provide a dataset and baseline performance level metrics so that others may compare their activity recognition algorithms to a common standard.
Forgiveness, Apology, and Retributive Punishment

Much has been made in philosophy of law regarding whether or not punishment is the state’s duty, instead of being its mere right. However, it need not be shown by the retributivist that the state has a duty to punish. For retributivism itself does not entail such a view, though some versions of retributivism (e.g., Immanuel Kant’s) espouse the claim that punishment is the perfect duty of the state. But as Jeffrie G. Murphy argues, all that needs to be shown by the retributivist (or by the utilitarian, if I am correct) is that the punishment of criminals is the state’s right, i.e., that it is justified for the state to exercise hard treatment on duly convicted criminals if it so chooses. This is sufficient to ground both the institution of punishment as well as the practice of punishment. As argued in Chap. 6, the retributivist need not be committed to the position that each and every crime must be punished (a claim entailed by the view that the state has a perfect duty to punish offenders) in order for the state to be justified in inflicting punishment on offenders. Instead, retributivists might argue, as I do, that not every crime must be punished, perhaps because of practical considerations of resource capability or because some crimes are not worth punishing (such as the case of a child walking home from school who walks off of the sidewalk and barely onto someone’s property, thereby trespassing onto that property but causing no damage or harm) or because both compensation coupled with an appropriate warning will best resolve the matter.
The emerging role for red blood cells in haemostasis: opportunity for intervention

Red blood cells (RBCs) participate in haemostasis and thrombosis through their biochemical properties, biomechanical and rheological properties, intercellular interactions, assembly of coagulation factors, release of procoagulant signaling compounds, and composition of the fibrin clot. Targeting anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory drugs to RBCs provides a new approach to mitigate thrombosis and other intravascular pathologies.
Beyond “Dichotonegative” Rhetoric: Interpreting Field Reactions to Feminist Critiques of Academic Rhetoric through an Alternate Multivalent Rhetoric

Sally Miller Gearhart9s 1979 remark that “any intent to persuade is an act of violence” based in “conversion/conquest” argumentation 2 , led many feminists, in the eighties and nineties, to describe more cooperative alternative models of academic argument. However, their critiques and suggestions had little field impact, largely due to negative reactions in relevant journals. The polarized reactions, typical of what Deborah Tannen calls our “Argument Culture,” resulted in dismissive and condemnatory rhetoric, and fruitful ideas were lost. This essay suggests that an alternate multivalent or “fuzzy” rhetoric would have proved a more positive environment for the new ideas, and describes how rhetorical studies might use this rhetoric to change the ways we respond to and teach persuasion and argumentation.
The Relationship between Store Image and Customer Deviant Behavior: An Exploratory Study

This exploratory research paper reports an experiment, which was conducted to establish the relationship between store image and customer deviant behavior. The experiment in which 807 university students were studied provided some evidence indicating a positive correlation. Further research is recommended.