cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gradual Suppression of Transcytosis Governs Functional Blood-Retinal Barrier Formation

Blood-central nervous system (CNS) barriers partition neural tissues from the blood, providing a homeostatic environment for proper neural function. The endothelial cells that form blood-CNS barriers have specialized tight junctions and low rates of transcytosis to limit the flux of substances between blood and CNS. However, the relative contributions of these properties to CNS barrier permeability are unknown. Here, by studying functional blood-retinal barrier (BRB) formation in mice, we found that immature vessel leakage occurs entirely through transcytosis, as specialized tight junctions are functional as early as vessel entry into the CNS. A functional barrier forms only when transcytosis is gradually suppressed during development. Mutant mice with elevated or reduced levels of transcytosis have delayed or precocious sealing of the BRB, respectively. Therefore, the temporal regulation of transcytosis governs the development of a functional BRB, and suppression of transcytosis is a principal contributor for functional barrier formation.
Revisiting the Cramér Rao Lower Bound for Elastography: Predicting the Performance of Axial, Lateral and Polar Strain Elastograms.

Abstract We derived the Cramer Rao lower bound for 2-D estimators employed in quasi-static elastography. To illustrate the theory, we modeled the 2-D point spread function as a sinc-modulated sine pulse in the axial direction and as a sinc function in the lateral direction. We compared theoretical predictions of the variance incurred in displacements and strains when quasi-static elastography was performed under varying conditions (different scanning methods, different configuration of conventional linear array imaging and different-size kernels) with those measured from simulated or experimentally acquired data. We performed studies to illustrate the application of the derived expressions when performing vascular elastography with plane wave and compounded plane wave imaging. Standard deviations in lateral displacements were an order higher than those in axial. Additionally, the derived expressions predicted that peak performance should occur when 2% strain is applied, the same order of magnitude as observed in simulations (1%) and experiments (1%–2%). We assessed how different configurations of conventional linear array imaging (number of active reception and transmission elements) influenced the quality of axial and lateral strain elastograms. The theoretical expressions predicted that 2-D echo tracking should be performed with wide kernels, but the length of the kernels should be selected using knowledge of the magnitude of the applied strain: specifically, longer kernels for small strains (
Abstract 690: Identifying the genetic basis of stage 4S neuroblastoma

Introduction: The 5 year mortality rate for stage 4 metastatic neuroblastoma (NBL) is ~50%; however, the stage 4S subset of NBL is typically classified as low-risk with tumors exhibiting spontaneous regression. To date, the underlying genetic mechanisms influencing this distinct phenotype remain unknown. Method: To identify genetic determinants specific to the 4S phenotype, we performed genome-wide association study (GWAS) analyses. Blood DNA samples from 6,195 NBL patients and 11,384 non-NBL controls were genotyped using Illumina SNP arrays. European ancestry subjects were selected for inclusion in a discovery [stage 4S (n=148), stage 4 (n=996), non-NBL controls (n=9,923)] or replication cohort [stage 4S (n=76), stage 4 (n=608), non-NBL controls (n=1,461)]. Following imputation using 1KG Phase 3, we conducted case:case comparisons including stage 4S vs. 4 and stage 4S vs. 1, followed by comparisons of NBL cases in each group to matched non-NBL controls. Variants uniquely associated with 4S NBL were defined as those meeting the following criteria: (1) stage 4S vs. 4 meta P -5 and P 0.05) or odds ratio in the opposite direction in 4 vs. non-NBL controls. Results: 4S-specific variants that met our criteria spanned multiple regions with several harboring genes important to neuronal function including 9q34 (SARDH/DBH; rs2502746), 1p32.2 (KCNH1; rs12122529), 1p34 (KCNQ4; chr 1:41317634), 7q34 (CNTNAP2; rs79403134) and 2q24.1 (KCNJ3; rs78829625). At the 9q34 locus, rs2502746 showed further evidence as an expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) for Dopamine Beta-Hydroxylase Antisense RNA1( DBH-AS1 P = 1.9 x 10 -5 sun-exposed skin) and Sarcosine Dehydrogenase SARDH expression (P = 2.5 x 10 -6 whole blood). Other 4S-specific loci observed include 3q27.3 (rs113207181), 8p21.3 (rs12548388), and 15q12 (rs62189512). Notably, none of the previously identified NBL susceptibility loci were found to be associated with 4S NBL in the 4S vs. non-NBL control comparison, suggesting a unique genetic basis for this enigmatic subset. Discussion: Although a unifying mechanism underlying 4S NBL has yet to be identified, our results suggest a potential role for ion-channel and neuronal function genes. Ongoing efforts include investigating the role these genes and associated pathways play in NBL, including an integrative genomic, epigenomic and transcriptome analysis of stage 4 and 4S NBL. Citation Format: Zalman Vaksman, Lee D. McDaniel, Maura Diamond, John M. Maris, Sharon J. Diskin. Identifying the genetic basis of stage 4S neuroblastoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 690. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-690
Community Use of Physical and Occupational Therapy After Stroke and Risk of Hospital Readmission

Abstract Objectives To determine whether receipt of therapy and number and timing of therapy visits decreased hospital readmission risk in stroke survivors discharged home. Design Retrospective cohort analysis of Medicare claims (2010–2013). Setting Acute care hospital and community. Participants Patients hospitalized for stroke who were discharged home and survived the first 30 days (N=23,413; mean age ± SD, 77.6±7.5y). Interventions Physical and occupational therapist use in the home and/or outpatient setting in the first 30 days after discharge (any use, number of visits, and days to first visit). Main Outcome Measures Hospital readmission 30 to 60 days after discharge. Covariates included demographic characteristics, proxy variables for functional status, hospitalization characteristics, comorbidities, and prior health care use. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relation between therapist use and readmission. Results During the first 30 days after discharge, 31% of patients saw a therapist in the home, 11% saw a therapist in an outpatient setting, and 59% did not see a therapist. Relative to patients who had no therapist contact, those who saw an outpatient therapist were less likely to be readmitted to the hospital (odds ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.59–0.90). Although the point estimates did not reach statistical significance, there was some suggestion that the greater the number of therapist visits in the home and the sooner the visits started, the lower the risk of hospital readmission. Conclusions After controlling for observable demographic-, clinical-, and health-related differences, we found that individuals who received outpatient therapy in the first 30 days after discharge home after stroke were less likely to be readmitted to the hospital in the subsequent 30 days, relative to those who received no therapy.
Kinetics of Sulfidation Reactions Between H2S and Bulk Oxide Sorbents

This paper considers the sulfidation kinetics of bulk single oxides as well as mixed metal oxides that have promising overall properties for application to regenerative hot gas desulfurization. The hot fuel gas typically contains a large excess of reductant gases (H2, CO), hence the kinetics of the potential parallel reduction reaction of the oxide sorbent are also considered. Effects of water vapor, typically present in various amounts in coal-gas streams, on the sulfidation/reduction kinetics are addressed as well. In addition to gas composition, the impact of sorbent physical properties and composition on the sulfidation reaction kinetics is examined in this paper. Two major classes of bulk oxide sorbents, namely; ZnO- and CuO-based materials, are used to illustrate the important issues in sulfidation of bulk oxides.
A Modified Amsler Grid: a Self-Assessment Test for Patients With Macular Disease

A Modified Amsler Grid, the size of a conventional credit card, has been developed as a suitable alternate to the full-scale version. The size of the grid makes it extremely convenient for patients in our highly mobile society. When viewed twice (vertically and horizontally), it corresponds well to the topography of the central macula. In this capacity the Modified Amsler Grid is a useful adjunct to the overall management of patients with macular diseases which may potentially be associated with exudative manifestations.
Botanicals in Cancer Chemoprevention

Botanicals have been used for the treatment of various human diseases throughout history. In addition, botanicals play a role in disease prevention. For example, epidemiologic studies have suggested that a reduced risk of cancer is associated with high consumption of vegetables and fruits. Thus, the cancer chemopreventive potential of naturally occurring phytochemicals is of great interest. In this review, we discuss the cancer chemopreventive activity of cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli, Allium vegetables such as garlic and onion, green tea, Citrus fruits, tomatoes, berries, ginger and ginseng, as well as some medicinal plants. In addition, methods for the discovery of active compounds from plant sources are described. Several lead compounds, such as brassinin (from cruciferous vegetables like Chinese cabbage), sulforaphane (from broccoli) and its analog sulforamate, withanolides (from tomatillos), and resveratrol (from grapes and peanuts among other foods), are in preclinical or clinical trials for cancer chemoprevention. Phytochemicals of these types have great potential in the fight against human cancer, and a variety of delivery methods are available as a result of their occurrence in nature.
Torticollis in mice intravenously infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Female BALB/cAnNCrl (n = 170; age, 6 to 9 wk) mice were infected by intravenous inoculation of 5 × 106 cfu Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain Erdman (ATCC 35801). Between day 52 and 5 mo after infection, 10 of the 170 mice infected according to this protocol developed torticollis, including mice in treatment groups that received combination antibiotic therapy of rifampin–pyrazinamide or moxifloxacin–rifampin–pyrazinamide. Torticollis did not develop in mice receiving isoniazid–rifampin–pyrazinamide therapy, nor was it present in the cohort of aerogenically infected mice. Affected mice were euthanized, and complete necropsy evaluation was performed on 4 mice. Gross necropsy evaluation revealed typical tuberculosis lesions in lungs of infected mice. Histologic evaluation of tissues revealed granulomatous otitis media with intralesional acid-fast bacilli consistent with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These cases represent an unusual finding specific to the intravenous mouse model of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and may represent a model of a similar condition in humans that is known as tuberculous otitis media.
Honor and shame in honor and dignity cultures: How can you re-affirm your own honor once it is tarnished?

Available social psychological studies of honor cultures have mostly focused on emotional, cognitive, and behavioral consequences of perceiving an honor insult. The aim of this study was to examine possible ways of re-instilling a sense of honor and thus avoiding the negative emotional consequences of losing honor. A combined honor culture sample of Turkish and Latina/o participants (N=59) and a dignity culture sample of North Americans (N=57) were compared. Participants received an honor insult in the laboratory, and engaged in either self-affirmation or honor-affirmation. Analyses revealed that honor culture participants experienced more reactive honor endorsement in the self-affirmation condition compared to the honor-affirmation condition, indicating that self-affirmation is not as effective as honor-affirmation in alleviating negative consequences of receiving an honor insult for members of honor cultures. Honor versus self-affirmation did not differentially affect the reactive honor endorsement of dignity culture participants. Our analyses did not reveal similar culture by affirmation interaction for the effectiveness of honor versus self affirmation in reducing negative emotional consequences of receiving an honor insult (e.g., shame and anger). The implications for future honor research are discussed.
Strain Rate Dependent FEM of Laser Shock Induced Residual Stress

Laser Shock Peening (LSP) is a process by which the energy of a laser burst produces a plasma shock, transmitting mechanical forces into a substrate material. On metallic structures, LSP produces residual stresses in the substrate which can extend fatigue life and improve surface hardness (Eisensmith, Fatigue effects of laser shock peening minimally detectable partial-through thickness surface cracks. MS thesis, Air Force Institute of Technology, 2017). These resulting stresses are difficult to predict, however, as the LSP process is difficult to model. This difficulty stems from the relatively unknown temporospatial profile of the pressure impulse in relation to settings in the LSP process. A better correlation is desired between FEM predictions, and empirical residual stresses. Residual stress profiles on LSP treated workpieces have been determined by Neutron diffraction in prior work (Eisensmith, Fatigue effects of laser shock peening minimally detectable partial-through thickness surface cracks. MS thesis, Air Force Institute of Technology, 2017). Simulations using Johnson-Cook equations and Mie-Gruneisen equation of state (EOS) were run in Abaqus using an assumed pressure impulse. Initial results show qualitative agreement with empirical LSP results, but still have room for model optimization.
Studies on the fine structure of teleost blood cells. II. Microtubular elements of erythrocyte marginal bands.

Electron microscopic study of nucleated erythrocytes of the goldfish, Carassius auratus, reveals the microtubular elements comprising the marginal band which encircles the cell. Six to ten units are visible at each pole of the cell, immediately within the plasmalemma. Each tubular unit is composed of an electron dense membrane enclosing a less dense core. Cross-sectional units average 264 A outer diameter, whereas tubules measured in longitudinal sections average 237 A.
Detailing the genomic landscape of myeloma

An integrated genomic analysis presented by Walker et al in this issue of Blood confirms that the primary genetic event partially determines the pattern of secondary genetic events in untreated multiple myeloma (MM).
Family forest owners and landscape-scale interactions: A review

Abstract Forested landscapes around the world are owned, governed, and managed by many small owners and collectives. The management decisions that these owners and collectives make aggregate into measurable impacts on forest cover, fragmentation, carbon storage, biodiversity, and on the ecosystem services these forests provide to owners and broader society. Conversely, large scale processes such as climate change, globalization of markets, changes to laws regarding land tenure and access, and labor migration and remittances dramatically affect individual forest owners and the activities they are able to do on their land. Using NVivo 11.0, I coded and analyzed 456 papers describing research in the intersection of private or communal owners, forests, and landscape-scale impacts or influences. This analysis identified several prominent themes. Forested landscapes are increasingly split into smaller managed segments among more owners, in some cases facilitating deforestation. Global-scale processes such as labor migration and globalized forest product systems influence management decisions of family forest owners in most countries, particularly the choice of growing exotic species plantations and converting forests to cash crops. Programs and policies aimed at family and communal forest owners can be better targeted to incentivize these owners to protect and enhance forest benefits for broader society, and to better support owners’ adaptations to climate change, invasive species, biodiversity loss, and population demographics. Forest-based tourism and non-timber forest products are important but undervalued incentives for forest conservation. Given the large proportion of forests owned and managed by smallholders, landscape-scale planning and conservation goals cannot be met without engaging these forest owners.
Use of Validity Indicators on the Personality Assessment Inventory to Detect Feigning of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

This study examined the ability of several Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) validity indicators to detect feigning of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants included 491 individuals recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTURK): 44 participants were asked to feign PTSD, 25 participants carried a diagnosis of PTSD and demonstrated at least moderate levels of current symptom, and 422 served as control subjects. Results indicated that all of the PAI negative distortion validity indicators significantly distinguished the true PTSD from the feigned PTSD group. The indicators with the largest effect sizes were the Hong Malingering Function and the Multiscale Feigning Index, both of which demonstrated moderate sensitivity to feigned PTSD with specificity above 90%.
A Technique to Flush Out Stone Fragments Through a Ureteral Access Sheath During Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery

Abstract Background: Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) has become the preferred treatment option for selected renal stones <20 mm. However, laser fragmentation of stones often results in residua...
Carbon monoxide as a reagent: A report on the role of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands in metal-catalyzed carbonylation reactions

Abstract This report is a focused and critical essay on the effectiveness of M–NHC catalysts in reactions that specifically utilize carbon monoxide as a C1-carbon source. NHC ligands are touted as excellent trialkylphosphine (PR 3 ) mimics and are purported to improve existing phosphine based catalysts. One premise for using NHCs is that the need for excess ligand could be obviated in certain reactions. If true, then reactions involving CO as a reagent should be improved when a M–NHC complex is employed. Herein is a compilation of results that feature CO as a reagent in reactions such as: hydroformylation, hydroaminomethylation, carbonylation of aryl halides, oxidative carbonylation of amino and phenolic compounds, and the copolymerization of alkenes and CO. The aim of the report is to highlight reactions in which the ancillary NHC ligand is beneficial, detrimental, ineffective, or inconclusive in promoting the desired chemistry.
Visual analogies, not graphs, increase patients' comprehension of changes in their health status.

OBJECTIVES Patients increasingly use patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to self-monitor their health status. Visualizing PROs longitudinally (over time) could help patients interpret and contextualize their PROs. The study sought to assess hospitalized patients' objective comprehension (primary outcome) of text-only, non-graph, and graph visualizations that display longitudinal PROs. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a clinical research study in 40 hospitalized patients comparing 4 visualization conditions: (1) text-only, (2) text plus visual analogy, (3) text plus number line, and (4) text plus line graph. Each participant viewed every condition, and we used counterbalancing (systematic randomization) to control for potential order effects. We assessed objective comprehension using the International Organization for Standardization protocol. Secondary outcomes included response times, preferences, risk perceptions, and behavioral intentions. RESULTS Overall, 63% correctly comprehended the text-only condition and 60% comprehended the line graph condition, compared with 83% for the visual analogy and 70% for the number line (P = .05) conditions. Participants comprehended the visual analogy significantly better than the text-only (P = .02) and line graph (P = .02) conditions. Of participants who comprehended at least 1 condition, 14% preferred a condition that they did not comprehend. Low comprehension was associated with worse cognition (P < .001), lower education level (P = .02), and fewer financial resources (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS The results support using visual analogies rather than text to display longitudinal PROs but caution against relying on graphs, which is consistent with the known high prevalence of inadequate graph literacy. The discrepancies between comprehension and preferences suggest factors other than comprehension influence preferences, and that future researchers should assess comprehension rather than preferences to guide presentation decisions.
Beyond the Oracle: Opportunities of Piecewise Differentiation

For more than 30 years much of the research and development in nonsmooth optimization has been predicated on the assumption that the user provides an oracle that evaluates at any given \({\boldsymbol x} \in \mathbb {R}^n\) the objective function value φ(x) and a generalized gradient g ∈ ∂φ(x) in the sense of Clarke. We will argue here that, if there is a realistic possibility of computing a vector g that is guaranteed to be a generalized gradient, then one must know so much about the way \(\varphi : \mathbb {R}^n \to \mathbb {R}\) is calculated that more information about the behavior of φ in a neighborhood of the evaluation point can be extracted. Moreover, the latter can be achieved with reasonable effort and in a stable manner so that the derivative information provided varies Lipschitz continuously with respect to x. In particular we describe the calculation of directionally active generalized gradients, generalized e-gradients and the checking of first and second order optimality conditions. All this is based on the abs-linearization of a piecewise smooth objective in abs-normal form.
Advances in Driveline Technology Cures Some but Infects Others: Single Center's Experience with Driveline Infections in HeartMate 3 Patients

Purpose To address the high incidence of driveline malfunction in the HeartMate II® (HM2), a shield less, polyurethane -insulated, and modular cable driveline was introduced into the HeartMate 3® (HM3). Because these modifications resulted in changes to the physical properties of the driveline, we sought to evaluate the impact of these putative improvements on the incidence of driveline infection (DLI). Methods Retrospective chart review of all HM2 and HM3 between 2015 and 2019. DLI was defined according to the INTERMACS 2016 definition. Patients with DLI were reviewed for clinical course including diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Data were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methodology. Results Over the study period, 93 HM2 and 68 HM3 were implanted. DLI was diagnosed in 16% of HM2 patients vs. 21.7% of HM3 patients (p=0.14, figure 1). Average time to DLI was 428.2 days in HM2 vs 370.3 days in HM3. EPPY was 0.14 for HM2 vs. 0.23 for HM3. HM3 DLI tended to be more severe as evidenced by need for surgical intervention 80% vs. 40% (p Conclusion In this single center experience, HeartMate 3® patients develop infections with shorter support times and required more aggressive interventions. Anecdotally, our team has noted a delayed or lack of integration of skin to polyurethane after implantation. In response, we have implemented the following: dual adjustable anchor, cadexomer iodine for excessive drainage, showering without dressings, suture removal prior to patient discharge, and incorporating picture instructions in driveline dressing kits to facilitate adherence to sterile technique. At the time of presentation of this abstract, we anticipate sharing our outcomes with these new techniques.
Targeted Stimulation of Retinal Ganglion Cells in Epiretinal Prostheses: A Multiscale Computational Study

Retinal prostheses aim at restoring partial sight to patients that are blind due to retinal degenerative diseases by electrically stimulating the surviving healthy retinal neurons. Ideally, the electrical stimulation of the retina is intended to induce localized, focused, percepts only; however, some epiretinal implant subjects have reported seeing elongated phosphenes in a single electrode stimulation due to the axonal activation of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). This issue can be addressed by properly devising stimulation waveforms so that the possibility of inducing axonal activation of RGCs is minimized. While strategies to devise electrical stimulation waveforms to achieve a focal RGCs response have been reported in literature, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. This article intends to address this gap; we developed morphologically and biophysically realistic computational models of two classified RGCs: D1-bistratified and A2-monostratified. Computational results suggest that the sodium channel band (SOCB) is less sensitive to modulations in stimulation parameters than the distal axon (DA), and DA stimulus threshold is less sensitive to physiological differences among RGCs. Therefore, over a range of RGCs distal axon diameters, short-pulse symmetric biphasic waveforms can enhance the stimulation threshold difference between the SOCB and the DA. Appropriately designed waveforms can avoid axonal activation of RGCs, implying a consequential reduction of undesired strikes in the visual field.
Stochastic ΔΣ VCO-ADC Utilizing 4× Staggered Averaging

This work presents a stochastic ring voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) based analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that combines spatial redundancy with staggered averaging to reduce both noise and distortion. Staggered averaging reduces quantization noise more than simple averaging with single clock phase for the same amount of spatial redundancy for VCO-ADCs. 4 continuous-time (CT) second-order VCO based sub-ADCs are run in parallel, and their outputs are sampled with multi-phase clocks followed by averaging to form the overall ADC output. We present behavioral simulation results and measurement results on 65nm CMOS test chip. Measurement results show staggered averaging improves SNR by an average of 7.6dB compared to single ADC. In contrast, simple averaging with 4 sub-ADCs can improve SNR by 6dB. The test chip consumes 0.36mW power and has SNDR of 63dB over 0.5MHz bandwidth.
Cross-reactive memory T cells and herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2

Immunity is a multifaceted phenomenon. For T cell-mediated memory responses to SARS-CoV-2, it is relevant to consider their impact both on COVID-19 disease severity and on viral spread in a population. Here, we reflect on the immunological and epidemiological aspects and implications of pre-existing cross-reactive immune memory to SARS-CoV-2, which largely originates from previous exposure to circulating common cold coronaviruses. We propose four immunological scenarios for the impact of cross-reactive CD4+ memory T cells on COVID-19 severity and viral transmission. For each scenario, we discuss its implications for the dynamics of herd immunity and on projections of the global impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the human population, and assess its plausibility. In sum, we argue that key potential impacts of cross-reactive T cell memory are already incorporated into epidemiological models based on data of transmission dynamics, particularly with regard to their implications for herd immunity. The implications of immunological processes on other aspects of SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology are worthy of future study.
Corporate Cybersecurity Strategy to Enable Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things

Abstract You are under attack … and you do not know it. The truth is, most organizations are breached within 24 hours, and attackers lurk in the environment for more than a year before they are detected. Little wonder that by 2022 the cybersecurity industry is expected to gross more than $232 billion globally and that demand for cybersecurity professionals is expected to rise to six million worldwide by 2019. This chapter will address why in the face of all those statistics we do not act and when we do, why we do not do enough. The chapter will offer some new lenses through which executives can view cybersecurity to overcome that inertia we all feel. In addition, provide some thoughts on what steps you can take to protect your companies in the short and long term alike, to build a little momentum, so you do not have to wait until your company is under attack to act. Because at the end of the day, the companies that win in the decades to come will be the ones that not only take action on cybersecurity but make it part of their corporate strategy.
Pharmacist Views Regarding the Prescription Opioid Epidemic.

Community pharmacists have significant opportunity to contribute to prevention and treatment of opioid use disorders, but barriers to implementation still exist. Understanding their viewpoints is c...
Serious white collar fraud: historical and contemporary perspectives

This article traces the development of fraud throughout history and the establishment of a class of criminal activity committed by members of the business community. There have been a number of attempts to legislate against white collar crime as a specific offence and these efforts have thrown up many definitional problems. The historical development of crimes committed by the business community is investigated within the context of the different approaches formulated in England & Wales and France, this leads into discussion of the possibility that in future there may be a fusion of organised crime and white collar crime in a global context. Many commentators and government agencies believe there is an expansion of the network of organised crime into the business environment and there is a danger that in attempting to overcome legal and socio-legal terminology active deterrence and prosecution is delayed. The issue of competing themes and meanings are explored and the conclusion identifies the controversies that continue to surround this subject and proposes a definition of white collar crime for international application.
Toward a formal semantic framework for deterministic parallel programming

Deterministic parallelism has become an increasingly attractive concept: a deterministic parallel program may be easier to construct, debug, understand, and maintain. However, there exist many different definitions of "determinism" for parallel programming. Many existing definitions have not yet been fully formalized, and the relationships among these definitions are still unclear. We argue that formalism is needed, and that history-based semantics--as used, for example, to define the Java and C++ memory models--provides a useful lens through which to view the notion of determinism. As a first step, we suggest several historybased definitions of determinism. We discuss some of their comparative advantages, prove containment relationships among them, and identify programming idioms that ensure them. We also propose directions for future work.
A novel contourlet based online fingerprint identification

Biometric based personal identification is regarded as an effective method for automatically recognizing an individuals identity. As a method for preserving the security of sensitive information biometrics has been applied in various fields over last few decades. In our work, we present a novel core based global matching approach for fingerprint matching using the Contourlet Transform. The core and delta points along with the ridge and valley orientations have strong directionality or directional information. This directionality has been exploited as the features and considered for matching. The obtained ROI is analyzed for its textures using Contourlet transform which divides the 2-D spectrum into fine slices by employing Directional Filter Banks (DFBs). Distinct features are then extracted at different resolutions by calculating directional energies for each sub-block from the decomposed subband outputs, and given to a Euclidian distance classifier. Finally adaptive majority vote algorithm is employed in order to further narrow down the matching criterion. The algorithm has been tested on a developed database of 126 individuals, enrolled with 8 templates each.
A multiplicative Zac transform

Summary form only given. A multiplicative Zac transform that plays the same role in analyzing affine group wavelets as the standard Zac transform plays in Heisenberg-Weyl wavelet theory has been defined in frequency space for causal signals. This construction is based on dilated complex exponentials that are eigenvectors of a sequence of dilation operators. Algorithms, based on the finite Fourier transform have been designed for analysis and synthesis of signals passing through the multiplicative Zac transform. >
Isolation and functional assay of the membrane complement inhibitors CD55 (DAF) and CD59 (MIRL).

The complement system is the primary effector of humoral immunity. Because of its enormous destructive capacity, mechanisms for confining the activity of the system to the desired target and elaborate safeguards for protecting self against complement-mediated injury have evolved. Human cells, particularly those found at sites of inflammation (e.g., hematopoietic and endothelial cells), express highly specialized membrane constituents that act independently or in concert with plasma regulatory proteins to inhibit the functional activity of complement. Decay-accelerating factor (DAF), or CD55, directly inhibits the formation and stability of the amplification C3 and C5 convertases of both the classical and the alternative pathways. Failure of a cell to regulate the amplification C3 and C5 convertases allows the generation of the potentially cytolytic membrane attack complex (MAC), or C5b-9 (consisting of the complement components C5b, C6, C7, C8, and C9). The primary cellular regulator of the MAC is the membrane inhibitor of reactive lysis (MIRL), or CD59, which restricts complement-mediated lysis by blocking assembly of the MAC (primarily at the stage of C9 binding and polymerization). This unit provides a basic protocol for isolating CD55 and CD59, along with two support protocols describing separate functional assays for CD59 and CD55.
Conservative algorithms for automated collision awareness for multiple Unmanned Aerial Systems

As the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prepares to integrate Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS), developing technologies that mitigate the risk associated with UAS collisions have become a top priority. Despite advances in detect and avoid technologies, the UAS operator remains the primary controller responsible for maintaining inter-vehicle separation and ensuring conflicts do not occur. This paper examines a collision awareness system which increases the operator's situational awareness by spatially and temporally predicting conflicts between the UAS and entities such as other aviation traffic or restricted airspaces. By modeling entities as 3D point masses, the system can be implemented for various, dissimilar UASs. Furthermore, the system supports aircraft engaged in different flight modes such as free flight, following a flight path, and orbit/loiter behavior. Mixed Gaussian distributions model each entity's future position, where the mean is determined by 3D kinematic motion and the covariance is determined by a continuous time error propagation model. Convolving these mixed distribution with another entity or airspace yields mathematically conservative future conflict estimates. Scenarios are presented to demonstrate the algorithm's capabilities.
Multiple maturities and time-varying risk premia in forward exchange markets

Abstract This paper derives the necessary conditions for an intertemporal optimization problem faced by an international investor who can enter forward contracts of several maturity dates and simultaneously borrow in domestic money markets. The model parameters are estimated and the overidentifying restrictions are tested using Hansen's proposed GMM technique. The restrictions are strongly rejected when forward premia are used as instruments. The risk-neutral specification is rejected when expenditures on non-durables and services are used as the consumption measure. Possible explanations for these rejections are provided.
The subsurface biosphere at mid-ocean ridges: Issues and challenges

A recent growth of interest in subsurface microbiology has been fueled by the recognition that the subsurface may have played an important role in the origin and early evolution of life, and may presently sustain a substantial fraction of Earth's biomass. The uppermost igneous oceanic crust is likely to be one of the most habitable subsurface environments because it is porous and the locus of extensive hydrothermal circulation. This circulation is most vigorous at spreading centers where it is driven by the volcanic accretion of oceanic crust. Hot reduced hydrothermal fluids created by water-rock reactions above magma bodies mix with cold seawater in the subsurface and the resulting chemical disequilibria provide energy and carbon sources that support diverse microbial communities. These communities can be sampled in chronic low-temperature hydrothermal vents and in the hydrothermal fluids released following volcanic eruptions. Investigations of the subseafloor environment at mid-ocean ridges integrate biological and geological approaches to understand the characteristics of hydrothermal circulation and how they are modulated by geological events; the sources of carbon, nutrients and energy; and the types and functions of subsurface organisms. They also utilize analogies with accessible sulfide edifices and comparisons with similar subsurface environments elsewhere. Future studies will combine increasingly sophisticated shore-based studies with data from long-term observatories comprising networks of instruments for measuring key physical, chemical and microbial parameters. They will require the development of technology to drill bare rock mid-ocean ridge sites, collect uncontaminated subsurface samples and deploy instruments at different depths in the crust.
The effects of speed-dependent treadmill training and rhythmic auditory-cued overground walking on balance function, fall incidence, and quality of life in individuals with idiopathic Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this single-blinded, randomized controlled study was to examine and compare the immediate and retention effects of progressive speed-dependent treadmill training (SDTT) and rhythmic auditory-cued (RAC) training on balance function, fall incidence, and quality of life (QOL) in individuals with PD. METHODS: Twenty participants (mean age 66.1 yrs) with idiopathic PD were randomized into either SDTT (n = 10) or RAC (n = 10) progressive, interval-based locomotor training for 6 weeks. Measures included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Rapid Step-Up Test (RST), Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ), and the NeuroCom Sensory Organization Test (SOT), Motor Control Test, and Limits of Stability (LOS). Fall incidence was assessed prospectively post-training based on six monthly self-report fall calendars. RESULTS: Significant gains in balance measures were observed post-training in BBS, RST and SOT for the RAC group and in RST, SOT and LOS for the SDTT group. Gains were retained at 3 months post-training in all measures for RAC group, but only the RST for the SDTT group. No clear trend in reduction in fall frequency was evident. CONCLUSION: Externally-cued locomotor training paradigms with progressive speed challenges produced significant improvements in dynamic balance function in persons with PD, with stronger retention of gains in RAC group. Language: en
Lytic Enzyme Produced by Myxococcus xanthus

Hart, Beth A. (Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.), and Stanley A. Zahler. Lytic enzyme produced by Myxococcus xanthus . J. Bacteriol. 92: 1632–1637. 1966.—Strain FBa of Myxococcus xanthus releases into its culture medium an enzyme capable of lysing Micrococcus lysodeikticus cells and of releasing N -acetyl amino sugars from their cell walls. The lysin is stable at p H values near neutrality and at temperatures below 50 C. It lyses a number of bacterial species sensitive to egg-white lysozyme, and fails to lyse lysozyme-resistant species. Sensitivity of M. lysodeikticus cell walls to FBa lysin and to lysozyme is changed in a similar manner by addition and removal of O -acetyl groups. We describe methods for obtaining 190-fold purification of the lysin from culture filtrates, using acetone and ammonium sulfate precipitations and filtration through diethylaminoethyl cellulose. We also describe a gel filtration method for separating the lysin from a protease which is also produced by strain FBa.
Transgenic GLUT-4 overexpression in fat enhances glucose metabolism: preferential effect on fatty acid synthesis

GLUT-4 expression varies widely among normal humans and those with obesity and diabetes. Using the alpha P2 promoter/enhancer ligated to the human GLUT-4 gene, we created transgenic mice to study the impact of alterations in GLUT-4 expression selectively in adipocytes on glucose homeostasis and body composition. Here we investigated molecular mechanisms for enhanced glucose tolerance and obesity in these mice. [U-14C]glucose incorporation into triglycerides, glyceride-glycerol, glyceride-fatty acids, CO2, and lactate was measured in adipocytes incubated at 3, 0.5, and 3 microM glucose with or without maximally stimulating insulin. In nontransgenic and transgenic mice, the major pathway for glucose metabolism shifts from lipogenesis at tracer glucose concentration to glycolysis at physiological glucose concentration. In transgenic adipocytes incubated at 3 microM glucose, metabolism via all major pathways is enhanced by 8.6- to 38-fold in the absence of insulin and 3- to 13-fold in the presence of insulin. At physiological glucose concentration, constitutive metabolism to triglycerides, CO2, and lactate is two- to threefold greater in transgenic than in nontransgenic adipocytes. De novo fatty acid synthesis is preferentially increased: 31-fold for basal and 21-fold for insulin-stimulated compared with nontransgenic adipocytes. Thus overexpression of GLUT-4 in adipocytes of transgenic mice results in increased glucose metabolism in all major pathways, with differential regulation of the pathways involved in lipogenesis.
A Comparison of Four Methods of IRT Subscoring

Lack of sufficient reliability is the primary impediment for generating and reporting subtest scores. Several current methods of subscore estimation do so either by incorporating the correlational structure among the subtest abilities or by using the examinee’s performance on the overall test. This article conducted a systematic comparison of four subscoring methods—multidimensional scoring (MS), augmented scoring (AS), higher order item response model scoring (HO), and objective performance index scoring (OPI)—by examining how test length, number of subtests or domains, and correlation between the abilities affect the subtest ability estimation. The correlation-based methods (i.e., MS, AS, and HO) provided largely similar results, and performed best under conditions involving multiple short subtests and highly correlated abilities. In most of the conditions considered, the OPI method performed poorer compared to other methods on both ability estimates and proportion correct scores. Real data analysis fur...
The effects of external and self-administered reward on high base rate behavior

The effect of external and self-administered reward on high base rate behavior was examined. The investigation involved three periods: baseline, reinforcement, follow-up. Four experimental conditions were run: no-reward control (n =10), self-administered reward (n =10), external reward (n =9), and external control (n =10). During the first two sessions, fifth- and sixth-grade male and female children were placed alone in a free-play room with four toys. During Sessions 3 and 4, subjects were assigned to one of the four conditions. During Sessions 5 and 6, all subjects were again placed in a free-play situation. Using a repeated measure analysis of variance, evidence for an overjusticication effect for the external reward condition was found.
Anisotropy in Two-Center Exchange Interactions

The exchange interaction between electrons on two different centers is developed in a bipolar series of angular momentum operators. In contrast to the isotropic Hamiltonian commonly used to represent this interaction, we find that all forms of anisotropic terms are needed, antisymmetric as well as symmetric ones. The degrees of the anisotropy assume all values commensurate with the angular momenta of the electrons. Beside the Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya term ${\mathrm{S}}_{1}$\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${\mathrm{S}}_{2}$, two-center exchange interactions contain antisymmetric anisotropies of higher degrees. For ions with strong orbital contributions to their magnetic moments, anisotropic exchange does not enter merely as a perturbation, and we find that the magnitudes of the symmetric and antisymmetric anisotropies are as large as the isotropic part of the exchange interaction. Explicit expressions containing radial integrals are derived for the coefficients representing the anisotropy in the exchange interaction. These anisotropy coefficients are related to the more conventional exchange constants; we also find the number of independent parameters needed to describe two-center exchange interactions for various situations. The coefficients of anisotropy representing the exchange interaction between ions with $N$ equivalent electrons are related to the coefficients for the interaction between ions with one electron. Although anisotropic superexchange is not considered in detail, both the form of the Hamiltonian representing this interaction, and also the number of independent parameters in the Hamiltonian, immediately follow from the Hamiltonian for the two-center exchange interaction.
Triangles in claw-free graphs

Abstract A graph is said to be claw-free if it does not contain an induced subgraph isomorphic to K1,3. Let k be a positive integer. Our main result is as follows: If G is a claw-free graph of order at least 3k and d(x) + d(y)⩾3k + 1 for every pair of non-adjacent vertices x and y of G, then G contains k vertex-disjoint triangles unless either k is odd and G is one exceptional graph of order 3k + 1, or k is 1 and G is the union of vertex-disjoint cycles of length at least 4.
Preparation and Properties of Dinitrophenyl-NH(ɛ)-Insulin

THE reaction of 2,4-dinitrobenzene sulphonate1 with insulin has yielded a water-soluble and biologically active product. The only reactive group, which is shown to be substituted, is the ɛ-NH2 of lysine in the hormone molecule.