cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Force-Extension Measurements on Bacterial Flagella: Triggering Polymorphic Transformations

Abstract Bacterial flagella can adopt several different helical shapes in response to varying environmental conditions. A geometric model by Calladine ascribes these discrete shape changes to cooperative transitions between two stable tertiary structures of the constituent protein, flagellin, and predicts an ordered set of 12 helical states called polymorphic forms. Using long polymers of purified flagellin, we demonstrate controlled, reversible transformations between different polymorphic forms. While pulling on a single filament using an optical tweezer, we record the progressive transformation of the filament and also measure the force-extension curve. Both normal and coiled polymorphic forms stretch elastically with a bending stiffness of 3.5pN· μ m 2 . At a force threshold of 4–7pN or 3–5pN (for normal and coiled forms, respectively), a fraction of the filament suddenly transforms to the next, longer, polymorphic form. This transformation is not deterministic because the force and amount of transformation vary from pull to pull. In addition, the force is highly dependent on stretching rate, suggesting that polymorphic transformation is associated with an activation energy.
Measuring subsurface water distribution using the Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons instrument on Mars Science Laboratory

Abstract The Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN) instrument, a neutron scattering instrument currently being constructed by IKI, is a component of the science payload of the 2009 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission. Based on simulations using the Monte-Carlo N-Particle Extended (MCNPX) particle physics code, DAN is able to measure bulk water content and to detect variations in water concentration up to ∼50 cm beneath the ground surface, assuming perfect detector performance. Data from DAN, combined with measurements from other instruments on MSL, allow derivation of profiles of water content to a depth of ∼15 cm.
Acquired immunodeficiency without evidence of infection with human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2.

Abstract There have been three published cases of acquired immunodeficiency in which no evidence for infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) types 1 and 2 was found. We have identified five other individuals, from the New York City area (four who have known risk factors for HIV infection), with profound CD4 depletion and clinical syndromes consistent with definitions of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS- related complex. None had evidence of HIV-1, 2 infection, as judged by multiple serologies over several years, standard viral co-cultures for HIV p24 Gag antigen, and proviral DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction.
The impact of structured editing on introductory computer science education: the results so far

Properly done, introductory computer science courses have great potential, both for preparing future computing professionals and for the broad goals of general education. Yet the performance all too often lags well behind the promise. Poor grades, high failure and drop out rates are all too common at both the collegiate and pre-collegiate levels. However the advent of seamless programming environments based on structure editing provides us with an opportunity to change the situation in fundamental ways. Initial studies show dramatic differences between students who do and do not use a structure editor based environment.
Batch scheduling for a limited capacity fixed period process problem

Abstract The paper demonstrates an analytical model to schedule jobs in a batch, through a fixed time process such as oven baking. Only certain number of jobs can be processed in each batch and no addition or deletions of the jobs can be made once the batch is scheduled. The integer linear programming model is efficient for small problems, but is burdened by dimensionality for most practical problems. A heuristic solution procedure was developed which proved to be very effective for handling large-scale problems.
Fusion of multi-modal features for efficient content-based image retrieval

The optimal combination of the outputs of multi-modal features in content-based image retrieval (CBIR) is an important task that can have a significant impact on the overall performance of the CBIR system. This problem has not received much attention from the CBIR research community, and only simple methods have been used. In this paper, we treat the problem as an information fusion problem and propose an approach that is generic and can be adapted to various features and distance measures using a small set of training images. Our approach is based on associating a fuzzy membership function with the distribution of the featurespsila distances, and assigning a degree of worthiness to each feature based on its average performance. The memberships and the feature weights are then aggregated to produce a confidence that could be used to rank the retrieved images. We describe and experiment with two distinct aggregation methods. The first one is linear and is based on a simple weighted combination. The second one is non-linear and is based on the discrete Choquet integral. The proposed fusion methods were trained and tested using a large collection of images with several low-level visual and high-level textual features. The results were compared to other methods used in typical CBIR systems.
Bringing Up New Information Technology Systems the Old-Fashioned Way

This article analyzes the means why which law libraries can assure their position as a center of knowledge during harsh economic times, including when budgets are restricted, and how to think proactively by evaluating current assets, creating new information products, promoting services directly, and creating follow-up information products.
Constructing RNA dynamical ensembles by combining MD and motionally decoupled NMR RDCs: new insights into RNA dynamics and adaptive ligand recognition

We describe a strategy for constructing atomic resolution dynamical ensembles of RNA molecules, spanning up to millisecond timescales, that combines molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with NMR residual dipolar couplings (RDC) measured in elongated RNA. The ensembles are generated via a Monte Carlo procedure by selecting snap-shot from an MD trajectory that reproduce experimentally measured RDCs. Using this approach, we construct ensembles for two variants of the transactivation response element (TAR) containing three (HIV-1) and two (HIV-2) nucleotide bulges. The HIV-1 TAR ensemble reveals significant mobility in bulge residues C24 and U25 and to a lesser extent U23 and neighboring helical residue A22 that give rise to large amplitude spatially correlated twisting and bending helical motions. Omission of bulge residue C24 in HIV-2 TAR leads to a significant reduction in both the local mobility in and around the bulge and amplitude of inter-helical bending motions. In contrast, twisting motions of the helices remain comparable in amplitude to HIV-1 TAR and spatial correlations between them increase significantly. Comparison of the HIV-1 TAR dynamical ensemble and ligand bound TAR conformations reveals that several features of the binding pocket and global conformation are dynamically preformed, providing support for adaptive recognition via a ‘conformational selection’ type mechanism.
Panic attack history and anxiety sensitivity in relation to cognitive-based smoking processes among treatment-seeking daily smokers.

Introduction Empirical research has found that panic attacks are related to increased risk of more severe nicotine withdrawal and poor cessation outcome. Anxiety sensitivity (AS; fear of anxiety and related sensations) has similarly been found to be related to an increased risk of acute nicotine withdrawal and poorer cessation outcome. However, research has yet to examine the relative contributions of panic attacks and AS in terms of cognitive-based smoking processes (e.g., negative reinforcement smoking expectancies, addictive and negative affect-based reduction smoking motives, barriers to cessation, problem symptoms experienced while quitting). Method Participants (n = 242; 57.4% male; M (age) = 38.1) were daily smokers recruited as a part of a larger randomized control trial for smoking cessation. It was hypothesized that both panic attacks and AS would uniquely and independently predict the studied cognitive-based smoking processes. Results As hypothesized, AS was uniquely and positively associated with all smoking processes after controlling for average number of cigarettes smoked per day, current Axis I diagnosis, and participant sex. However, panic attack history was only significantly related to problem symptoms experienced while quitting smoking. Conclusions Although past research has demonstrated significant associations between panic attacks and certain aspects of cigarette smoking (e.g., severity of nicotine withdrawal; lower abstinence rates, and negative affect reduction motives), the present findings suggest that AS may be more relevant to understanding beliefs about and motives for smoking behavior as well as perceptions of cessation-related difficulties.
Antenatal treatment of fetal immune thrombocytopenias

Advances in both imaging techniques and in treatments for immune thrombocytopenias affecting the fetus have allowed for more accurate antenatal predictions of severe disease and effective antenatal treatments for those fetuses who are at risk of sequelae. This article will review current knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of affected fetuses in alloimmune thrombocytopenia and in immune thrombocytopenic purpura.
Empirical Research Into the Chinese Judicial System

The last few years have seen a proliferation of programs by Western states and international agencies designed, in broad terms, to promote reforms in the Chinese judicial system. What is not clear, however, is whether there has been systematic thinking about the precise goals to be sought in these and other projects, whether these goals are appropriate, and indeed whether their achievement can even be ascertained in some measurable way. This paper is an attempt to think about what we know, what we might want to know, and what we can know about China's judicial system, broadly defined. A key finding of this paper is that information about China's judicial system, even in the form of reliable and representative statistics, is not always what it seems to be. In other words, without a deeper understanding of the actual functioning of China's courts and other legal institutions, it is very easy to look for the wrong type of information and to misinterpret the information we have. Like the drunk in the joke who looked for his lost car keys under the streetlamp because the light was better there, we can be tempted to overvalue the importance of features of China's judicial system that can be measured by easily obtainable data. Thus, a priority in an empirical research agenda at this stage of our understanding should be further research into the actual functioning of China's various legal institutions so that we can have a better idea of what questions to ask.
On the optimal sampling strategy for model-based parameter estimation using rational functions

We investigate several sampling strategies in performing model-based parameter estimation based on the rational function model. They are: i) uniform-like sampling; ii) random sampling; and iii) sampling based on the Fisher information theory. The sampling strategies are implemented for the calculation of the input impedance of an antenna over a broad frequency range. The model parameters of the rational functions are found by the Cauchy method. The results are evaluated against the optimal sampling solution obtained by a genetic algorithm search.
A Staggered Ordering Policy for One-Warehouse, Multiretailer Systems

We consider a one-warehouse,N-identical-retailer model. Random demands occur at the retailers with complete backlogging. The retailers replenish their inventories from the warehouse, which in turn orders from an outside supplier with unlimited stock. Each retailer places an order everyN periods according to a base-stock policy, and the reorder intervals of the retailers are staggered so that only one retailer places an order in each period. The warehouse orders according to an ( s, S) policy based on its own inventory position. We consider two allocation policies, past priority allocation (PPA) and current priority allocation (CPA), which specify how the retailer orders are filled at the warehouse. For the PPA model, we provide an exact procedure for computing the long-run average total cost. Based on the exact procedure, we develop an approximate model that can be used to determine near-optimal control parameters for both the PPA and the CPA model. We conduct a computational study to test the effectiveness of the approximate model and to compare the performance of the two allocation policies.
Qualitative research interviews Assessing the therapeutic value and challenges

This essay explores a question crucial to the role of qualitative researchers: Is there therapeutic value in the research interview process? I use interviewees’ responses to participating in in-depth interviews, along with a discussion of theoretical and empirical research, to build and evidence an argument that the qualitative research interview (QRI) process can be therapeutic and should be acknowledged as such. Challenges to researchers and ideas for strengthening the value of QRIs are discussed.
Reconciling environment integration and software evolution

Common software design approaches complicate both tool integration and software evolution when applied in the development of integrated environments. We illustrate this by tracing the evolution of three different designs for a simple integrated environment as representative changes are made to the requirements. We present an approach that eases integration and evolution by preserving tool independence in the face of integration. We design tool integration relationships as separate components called mediators, and we design tools to implicitly invoke mediators that integrate them. Mediators separate tools from each other, while implicit invocation allows tools to remain independent of mediators. To enable the use of our approach on a range of platforms, we provide a formalized model and requirements for implicit invocation mechanisms. We apply this model both to analyze existing mechanisms and in the design of a mechanism for C++.
Commentary: observational studies and their importance in improving end-of-life care in the intensive care unit.

Making 20:271-280, 2000 15. Marbella AM, Desbiens NA, Mueller-Rizner N, et al: Surrogates’ agreement with patients’ resuscitation preferences: Effect of age, relationship and SUPPORT intervention study to understand prognoses and preferences for outcomes and risks of treatment. J Crit Care 13:140-145, 1998 16. Stolman CJ, Gregory JJ, Dunn D, et al: Evaluation of the do not resuscitate orders at a community hospital. Arch Intern Med 149:1851-1856, 1989 17. McCusker J, Stoddard AM: Use of a surrogate for the sickness impact profile. Med Care 22:789-795, 1984 18. Magaziner J, Simonsick EM, Kashner TM, et al: Patient-proxy response comparability on measures of patient health and functional status. J Clin Epidemiol 33:1065-1074, 1988
Diagnostic, treatment, and prevention protocols for feline heartworm infection in animal sheltering agencies

The high prevalence of heartworm infection in shelter dogs creates a dilemma for shelter managers, who frequently operate with insufficient funding, staffing, and expertise to comply with heartworm guidelines developed for owned pet dogs. The purpose of this study was to survey canine heartworm management protocols used by 504 animal sheltering agencies in the endemic states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi. Open-admission shelters, which tended to be larger and more likely to perform animal control functions, were less likely (41%) to test all adult dogs than were limited-admission shelters (80%), which tended to be smaller non-profit humane agencies, and foster programs (98%) based out of private residences. Open-admission shelters were more likely to euthanize infected dogs (27%) or to release them without treatment (39%), whereas limited-admission shelters and foster programs were more likely to provide adulticide therapy (82% and 89%, respectively). Of the 319 agencies that treated infections, 44% primarily used a standard two-dose melarsomine protocol, and 35% primarily used a three-dose split-treatment melarsomine protocol. Long-term low-dose ivermectin was the most common treatment used in 22% of agencies. Open-admission shelters were less likely (35%) to provide preventive medications for all dogs than were limited-admission shelters (82%) and foster programs (97%). More agencies used preventives labeled for monthly use in dogs (60%) than ivermectin products labeled for livestock (38%). The most common reason diagnostic testing and preventive medication was not provided was cost. These results indicate a lack of protocol uniformity among agencies and insufficient resources to identify, treat, and prevent infection. Sheltering agencies and companion animal health industries should develop guidelines that are feasible for use in sheltering agencies and provide improved access to preventive and treatment strategies for management of Dirofilaria immitis.
Stochastic Petri net representation of discrete event simulations

In the context of discrete event simulation, the marking of a stochastic Petri net (SPN) corresponds to the state of the underlying stochastic process of the simulation and the firing of a transition corresponds to the occurrence of an event. A study is made of the modeling power of SPNs with timed and immediate transitions, showing that such Petri nets provide a general framework for simulation. The principle result is that for any (finite or) countable state GSMP (generalized semi-Markov process) there exists an SPN having a marking process that mimics the GSMP in the sense that the two processes (and their underlying general state-space Markov chains) have the same finite dimensional distributions. >
Synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of water-soluble, dendritic derivatives of epimeric 5α -cholestan -3 -amines and 5α-cholestan-3-yl aminoethanoates

Abstract To examine the effect of negatively charged steroidal amphiphiles on antimicrobial activity, two pairs of epimeric, dendritic tricarboxylato amphiphiles – 4-(2-carboxyethyl)-4-[3-(5α-cholestan-3-yl)ureido]heptanedioic acid (1) and 4-(2-carboxyethyl)-4-[3-(5α-cholestan-3-yloxycarbonylmethyl)ureido]heptanedioic acid (2) – were synthesized. A broad antimicrobial screen of 11 microbes revealed that these amphiphiles only showed good activity against a methicillin-resistant isolate of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and modest activity against an unrelated strain of S. aureus. The best activity, a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 27 μM, was found for the 3β epimer of 1 against MRSA.
Adaptive acceleration structures in perspective space

Traversal efficiency of ray tracing acceleration structures can be improved by specializing them, each frame, for the rays that are traced in that frame. A companion paper to this one demonstrates that extremely high traversal performance for eye and hard shadow rays can be obtained by transforming rays and geometry with a perspective transform, then using a grid acceleration structure in the perspective space. However, the performance of this perspective grid acceleration structure suffers for off-axis rays such as those used for soft shadows or depth of field. In this paper we address this shortcoming by exploring the use of the perspective transform with adaptive acceleration structures such as kd-trees. The problem of choosing optimal split planes for an acceleration structure is different in perspective space than it is in world space, so we introduce a new cost metric for estimating traversal cost of acceleration structures in perspective space. This metric is related to the traditional surface area metric but defined in perspective space. We implement a ray-tracing system with both traditional and perspective acceleration structures and demonstrate significant performance improvements using the perspective space structures even when build time is included. Additionally we evaluate the effectiveness of our new cost metric compared to traditional cost metrics. A key insight demonstrated by these results is that end-to-end rendering performance can be improved by building a different specialized acceleration structure for each light and camera in the scene instead of using a single non-specialized acceleration structure for all rays.
Performance and carcass characteristics of Delaware chickens in comparison with broilers

SUMMARY The recent resurgence in the popularity of keeping small flocks of chickens has brought with it an interest in the production characteristics of heritage breeds of chicken. The Delaware breed was developed in the state of Delaware for meat production and is considered a heritage breed because it has long been passed over in favor of the Cornish cross. The definition of a heritage chicken breed is one that physically conforms to the standards of the American Poultry Association, mates naturally, has a long, productive outdoor lifespan, and a slow growth rate. Production information on raising meat Delawares is lacking, as recent research has focused on diet formulation and genetics for broiler production. This study was undertaken to determine the production efficiency of Delawares as compared with broilers in BW, feed intake, FCR, and carcass dressing percentage. Significant differences in BW were noted between broilers and Delawares throughout the study; this was evident even with chick weights. Delawares took 15 wk to reach the same live BW as that of a broiler at 6 wk. The feed intake was greater for the broilers over Delawares during their 6-wk grow-out. The Delawares required twice as much feed to reach the same BW as that of the broiler. Significant differences between the 2 breeds were observed with regard to FCR, the broilers being the more efficient breed. The Delawares had a significantly lower carcass dressing percentage, just under 65%, as compared with broilers, just over 68%. It is hoped that this information will aid producers of niche-market heritage chickens in their decision-making when considering this breed for meat production.
Neuropsychological functioning as a moderator of the relationship between psychosocial functioning and the subjective experience of self and life in schizophrenia

Psychosocial interventions and models of quality of life in schizophrenia are based on the notion that increases in psychosocial functioning will be related to improvements in subjective experience outcomes such as self-esteem and satisfaction with life. However, studies have repeatedly failed to demonstrate a direct relationship between psychosocial functioning and subjective experience in schizophrenia. This study of 40 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia examined whether neurocognitive measures of executive functioning moderated the relationship between psychosocial functioning and subjective experience. Subjective experience was represented by measures of satisfaction with life and self-esteem. The Global Assessment Scale measured psychosocial functioning, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test measured executive functioning. Multiple regression and correlation analyses indicated that executive functioning was a strong moderator. Specifically, individuals with schizophrenia with impaired executive functioning displayed a positive and statistically significant association between psychosocial functioning and both measures of subjective experience (r = 0.55 and 0.61). However, among schizophrenia patients with intact executive performance, psychosocial functioning was negatively associated with self-esteem and satisfaction with life (r = -0.24 and -0.46). And the findings were internally replicated using two other neuropsychological measures relevant to executive functioning. These findings indicate that executive functioning plays a major role in moderating the relationship between subjective experience and psychosocial functioning in schizophrenia. Implications for biosocial models, psychosocial interventions, and models of quality of life in schizophrenia are discussed.
“Hanging on” or “gaining ground”: Educating marginal adults

Some recent experiments in community-based education bring adult educators back to their origins and give them hope for the future.
THE ROLE OF BODY SIZE IN HOST SPECIFICITY: RECIPROCAL TRANSFER EXPERIMENTS WITH FEATHER LICE

Although most parasites show at least some degree of host specificity, factors governing the evolution of specificity remain poorly understood. Many different groups of host-specific parasites show a striking correlation between parasite and host body size, suggesting that size reinforces specificity. We tested this hypothesis by measuring the relative fitness of host-specific feather lice transferred to pigeons and doves that differ in size by an order of magnitude. To test the general influence of size, we transferred unrelated groups of wing and body lice, which are specialized for different regions of the host. Lice were transferred in both directions, from a large native host species, the rock pigeon (Columba livia), to several progressively smaller hosts, and from a small native host species, the common ground dove (Columbina passerina), to several larger hosts. We measured the relative fitness (population size) of lice transferred to these novel host species after two louse generations. Neither wing lice nor body lice could survive on novel host species that were smaller in size than the native host. However, when host defense (preening behavior) was blocked, both groups survived and reproduced on all novel hosts tested. Thus, host defense interacted with host size to govern the ability of lice to establish on small hosts. Neither wing lice nor body lice could survive on larger hosts, even when preening was blocked. In summary, host size influenced the fitness of both types of feather lice, but through different mechanisms, depending on the direction of the transfer. Our results indicate that host switching is most likely between hosts of similar body size. This finding has important implications for studies of host-parasite coevolution at both the micro- and macroevolutionary scales.
Purinergic receptors as potential therapeutic targets in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive loss of memory and cognitive ability and is a serious cause of mortality. Many of the pathological characteristics associated with AD are revealed post-mortem, including amyloid-β plaque deposition, neurofibrillary tangles containing hyperphosphorylated tau proteins and neuronal loss in the hippocampus and cortex. Although several genetic mutations and risk factors have been associated with the disease, the causes remain poorly understood. Study of disease-initiating mechanisms and AD progression in humans is inherently difficult as most available tissue specimens are from late-stages of disease. Therefore, AD researchers rely on in vitro studies and the use of AD animal models where neuroinflammation has been shown to be a major characteristic of AD. Purinergic receptors are a diverse family of proteins consisting of P1 adenosine receptors and P2 nucleotide receptors for ATP, UTP and their metabolites. This family of receptors has been shown to regulate a wide range of physiological and pathophysiological processes, including neuroinflammation, and may contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and AD. Experimental evidence from human AD tissue has suggested that purinergic receptors may play a role in AD progression and studies using selective purinergic receptor agonists and antagonists in vitro and in AD animal models have demonstrated that purinergic receptors represent novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of AD. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Purines in Neurodegeneration and Neuroregeneration'.
An experimental study of vibration based energy harvesting in dynamically tailored structures with embedded acoustic black holes

In this paper, we present an experimental investigation on the energy harvesting performance of dynamically tailored structures based on the concept of embedded acoustic black holes (ABHs). Embedded ABHs allow tailoring the wave propagation characteristics of the host structure creating structural areas with extreme levels of energy density. Experiments are conducted on a tapered plate-like aluminum structure with multiple embedded ABH features. The dynamic response of the structure is tested via laser vibrometry in order to confirm the vibration localization and the passive wavelength sweep characteristic of ABH embedded tapers. Vibrational energy is extracted from the host structure and converted into electrical energy by using ceramic piezoelectric discs bonded on the ABHs and shunted on an external electric circuit. The energy harvesting performance is investigated both under steady state and transient excitation. The experimental results confirm that the dynamic tailoring produces a drastic increase in the harvested energy independently from the nature of the excitation input.
Understanding of the Biological Process of Nonverbal Communication: Facial Emotion and Expression Recognition

Facial emotion and expression recognition is the study of facial expressions to infer the emotional state of a person. A camera captures video or images of a person’s face and algorithms automatically, without the help of a human operator, detect his/her expressions to infer his/her underlying emotional state. There has been an increased interest in this field in the past decade, and a system that accomplishes these tasks in unconstrained settings is a realizable goal. In this chapter, we will discuss the process by which a human expresses an emotion; how it is perceived by the human visual system at a low level; how prediction of emotion is made by a human; and publicly available datasets currently used by researchers in the field.
Resource diversity in cross-border joint ventures and performance implications

Prior studies, which consider the role of resources in strategic alliances in general and joint ventures in particular have typically focused on the limited physical aspects of a firm. In this study, I base my theoretical framework on the resource-based view and the social capital theory. I examine the effect of diversity of resources, in other words the variety or mix of different kind of resources, which constitutes both physical and social dimensions, on the performance consequences of domestic and international joint ventures. Data were collected on 117 equity joint venture activities in the pharmaceutical, semiconductor, and computer industries over a span of 15 years (1996-2010). The results of this study show that joint venture performance is enhanced under conditions of ownership equity, non-cultural, structural and status diversity. The relationship between cultural diversity and alliance performance improves when joint venture partners share similar business domains and goal orientations. The findings of this study shed light on the important factors that may help or hinder joint venture performance. I conclude with implications for joint venture theory and practice.
Translating Evidence into Practice, Policy, and Public Health in Perinatal Medicine

Although translation of medical research has traditionally been referred to as the process whereby basic science is applied to clinical medicine, focus has been growing on applying clinical research findings to the broader clinical community, what has been deemed “translating evidence into practice.” Scientific studies and clinical trials provide the evidence by which medicine can improve health, but how can the clinician actually apply this evidence to daily practice to improve patient outcomes? In this article, we describe some of the history of thought in the arena of translational medicine, consider some seminal examples in perinatal medicine, and hypothesize about the future of the field.
The honeymoon is over.

BACKGROUND The importance of a broad differential diagnosis is highlighted by a complex patient case. CASE A young woman returned from her honeymoon complaining of activity-limiting pain. The evaluation revealed multiple constitutional symptoms, a breast mass, a large pelvic mass, pulmonary abnormalities, an external iliac venous thrombosis, and lytic bone lesions. Biopsies from several sites revealed no evidence of neoplasia. CONCLUSION Consideration of potential etiologies outside of one's practice specialty may be necessary to make a correct diagnosis.
A polysaccharide medium of known composition favoring chlamydospore formation in Candida albicans.

Of the yeasts grouped in the anascosporogenous, filament-forming genus Candida, the only species known to form chlamydospores is the pathogen, Candida albicans}~z Production of the thick walled, spherical, refractile structures termed chlamydospores is thus an important feature for identification of this species. While the physiological bases of resistant spore formation in this or any other fungus have scarcely been explored, an impoverished medium is known practically to be of value in obtaining such morphogenetic development in C. albicans. Mediums in current
The osteocyte: key player in regulating bone turnover

Osteocytes are the most abundant cell type in bone and are distributed throughout the mineralised bone matrix forming an interconnected network that ideally positions them to sense and to respond to local biomechanical and systemic stimuli to regulate bone remodelling and adaptation. The adaptive process is dependent on the coordinated activity of osteoclasts and osteoblasts that form a so called bone multicellular unit that remodels cortical and trabecular bone through a process of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, followed by a phase of bone formation mediated by osteoblasts. Osteocytes mediate their effects on bone remodelling via both cell–cell interactions with osteoclasts and osteoblasts, but also via signaling through the release of soluble mediators. The remodelling process provides a mechanism for adapting the skeleton to local biomechanical factors and systemic hormonal influences and for replacing bone that has undergone damage from repetitive mechanical loading.
Abstract 104: Targeting the Alms1 Gene in Rats Causes Hypertension, Obesity and Enhanced NKCC2 Trafficking

Enhanced NaCl reabsorption by the thick ascending limb (TAL) is associated with salt sensitive hypertension in rodents and humans. NaCl absorption by the TAL depends on the apical Na/K/2Cl cotransporter - NKCC2. NKCC2 activity is regulated in part by protein-protein interactions with its carboxyl terminus that controls its trafficking to the apical membrane. We hypothesized that the proteins binding to this region of NKCC2 may be involved in NKCC2 regulation and trafficking. To identify new TAL proteins that bind NKCC2, we performed a proteomics screen between the NKCC2 carboxyl terminus and TAL proteins. We identified ALMS1 (Alstrom syndrome 1) as a specific interacting partner for this NKCC2 region and confirmed that ALMS1 is expressed in TALs. Little is known about ALMS1 in renal function. Mutation of this gene causes severe metabolic syndrome in humans and is associated with hypertension. To study ALMS1 function we obtained ALMS1 knockout (KO) rats in collaboration with the rat genome editing consortium. We found that ALMS1 KO rats fed a normal salt diet have higher systolic blood pressure (151± 5 mmHg) compared to wild type littermates (125± 4 mmHg, p< 0.02). We also observed an increase in body weight in ALMS1 KO at all ages (WT: 344± 4 g vs KO: 429±11 g, at 11 weeks, p<0.05). ALMS1 KO rats showed large intra-abdominal and sub-cutaneous fat deposits. We then obtained TALs and measured surface and total NKCC2 expression. In TALs from ALMS1 KO, the percentage of total NKCC2 at the surface was higher compared to WT (27±4 vs 14±2 %, p<0.05, n=6). Total NKCC2 expression was not significantly different between ALMS1 KO and WT rats. We conclude that ALMS1 is important for blood pressure regulation. The mechanism for hypertension in ALMS1 KO is unclear but may involve an increase in NKCC2 trafficking to the apical membrane and activity. ALMS1 has been associated with poor kidney function, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes in humans. Understanding the function of ALMS1 could develop new avenues for research into these diseases.
Charting a democratic course for global citizenship education: Research directions and current challenges

This article outlines research directions for global citizenship education, by emphasizing the centrality of democratic goals for schools in the 21 st century. Despite a significant shift in educational policies and practices towards addressing education that respond to the conditions of globalization, there is not a clear vision regarding its role in schools. Furthermore, curriculum reforms such as global citizenship education inevitably face the issue of whether to adapt to neoliberal tenets of privatization, high stakes testing and standards-based accountability, or to resist and challenge these policies with alternative, democratic visions of schooling. This article argues that for global citizenship education to reach maturity, there is a need for a programmatic research agenda that addresses the complex dynamics that globalization has introduced to schooling, particularly the challenges to teaching and learning for helping youth to make sense of the world and their role in it. An analysis of recent advances in research and practice in civic education is used as a starting point to advance directions for global citizenship education. Two key directions are suggested: to gain a more secure foothold in schools and the need to focus on a shared conceptual focus that helps researchers, practitioners and other stakeholders to access the same body of practices and knowledge.
The life cycle of the Netherlands’ natural gas exploration: 40 years after Groningen, where are we now?

The discovery of the giant Permian Groningen Field in 1959 triggered the main phase of gas exploration in NW Europe. This paper deals with the history and future of natural gas exploration in the Netherlands. The aim is to explain the historical exploration process and use the results to predict the remaining part of the exploration life cycle. Data from over 40 years of continuous exploration and production are presented and analysed for relationships between exploration and production (E&P) activity levels (licence area coverage, seismic surveying and drilling rates) and reserves growth. The E&P data are further investigated in terms of the exploration efficiency. After more than 1000 exploration wells drilled, the cumulative reserves growth curve still shows little sign of creaming off. At first sight, this observation would appear to indicate a not very efficient historical exploration process. The paper will try to explain the impact of the underlying dynamic factors such as added information through time, technology development and infrastructure extensions. Past exploration has revealed part of the total natural distribution of gas accumulations present in the Netherlands subsurface. The best known, i.e. least uncertain, part of the distribution consists of discovered accumulations (although changes in the assessment of this part of the portfolio still occur). Next comes the presently known portfolio of mapped prospects, identified and assessed according to proven play concepts. There is already some of uncertainty as to their actual subsurface volumes. Finally, from the observation that new prospects have been identified even in recent years, it is proposed that the perceived prospect portfolio will also behave dynamically in the future. Indicators of the maturity level and the estimated ultimate potential of the main play areas are derived. Today’s remaining potential is the source of future exploration. However, the actual outcome of future exploration is not determined by geology alone: business activity levels and exploration efficiency will be shown to be at least as important in the prediction of discovery and production rates.
Endoscopic endonasal resection of ACTH secreting pituitary microadenoma; how I do it.

Transsphenoidal selective adenectomy is considered the treatment of choice in patients with Cushing’s disease given the possibility for high remission and low complication rates. The endoscopic endonasal surgical nuances for Cushing’s disease are not well illustrated in the neurosurgical technique and video collections. We describe the technical nuances of microadenoma resection for two cases of Cushing’s disease, one in which the adenoma is visualized on imaging and one in which the pre-operative MRI is negative. Transsphenoidal endoscopic selective adenectomy is a safe and effective surgery for patients with Cushing’s disease regardless of preoperative MRI findings.
Personalization for Google Now: User Understanding and Application to Information Recommendation and Exploration

At the heart of any personalization application, such as Google Now, is a deep model for users. The understanding of users ranges from raw history to lower dimensional reductions like interest, locations, preferences, etc. We will discuss different representations of such user understanding. Going from understanding to application, we will talk about two broad applications recommendations of information and guided exploration - both in the context of Google Now. We will focus on such applications from an information retrieval perspective. Information recommendation then takes the form of biasing information retrieval, in response to a query or, in the limit, in a query-less application. Somewhere in between lies broad declaration of user intent, e.g., interest in food, and we will discuss how personalization and guided exploration play together to provide a valuable tool to the user. We will discuss valuable lessons learned along the way.At the heart of any personalization application, such as Google Now, is a deep model for users. The understanding of users ranges from raw history to lower dimensional reductions like interest, locations, preferences, etc. We will discuss different representations of such user understanding. Going from understanding to application, we will talk about two broad applications recommendations of information and guided exploration both in the context of Google Now. We will focus on such applications from an information retrieval perspective. Information recommendation then takes the form of biasing information retrieval, in response to a query or, in the limit, in a queryless application. Somewhere in between lies broad declaration of user intent, e.g., interest in food, and we will discuss how personalization and guided exploration play together to provide a valuable tool to the user. We will discuss valuable lessons learned along the way.
Connecting and Configuring Defective Nano-Scale Networks for DNA Self-Assembly

This paper presents a novel technique for isolating defects in DNA self-assembled networks. This technique improves upon a previous framework based on the reverse path forwarding algorithm (RPF) (Patwardhan, 2005). The proposed technique (referred to as CWRPF or combined wave expansion RPF) involves three algorithmic tiers of independent improvements over RPF. Simulations show that as the network size increases, the broadcast latency of CWRPF is significantly less than the broadcast latency of RPF. Furthermore, as the network size increases, the broadcast coverage of CWRPF improves compared with the broadcast coverage of RPF. In addition, simulations show that CWRPF has excellent scalability features
Learning to Spell Words: Findings, Theories, and Issues

There has been less research on how children learn to spell than on how they learn to read, but a good deal is now known about spelling development. This article reviews studies of normative develo...
Regulatory T Cell Effect on CD8+ T Cell Responses to Human Herpesvirus 8 Infection and Development of Kaposi's Sarcoma.

Abstract We assessed CD8+ T cell reactivity to human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8; Kaposi's sarcoma [KS]-associated herpesvirus) and the role of CD4+CD25hiFoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) in HHV-8- and HIV-coinfected participants of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study who did or did not develop KS. There were similarly low CD8+ T cell interferon-γ responses to MHC class I-restricted epitopes of HHV-8 lytic and latent proteins over 5.7 years before KS in participants who developed KS compared to those who did not. T cell reactivity to HHV-8 antigens was low relative to responses to a combination of cytomegalovirus, Epstein–Barr virus and influenza A virus (CEF) peptide epitopes, and dominant HIV peptide epitopes. There was no change in %Treg in the HHV-8- and HIV-coinfected participants who did not develop KS, whereas there was a significant increase in %Treg in HHV-8- and HIV-coinfected participants who developed KS beginning 1.8 years before development of KS. Removal of Treg enhanced HHV-8-specific T cell respons...
Controlled antegrade intimal tracking with subintimal balloon inflation as a novel bailout technique for chronic total occlusion after failed intravascular ultrasound-guided parallel wire technique ☆

Failure to cross with a guidewire is the most common reason for failure of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In cases of CTO PCI with no interventional collaterals, an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided parallel wire technique is usually the last-resort procedure. Failure of this technique sometimes causes enlarged subintimal space, resulting in procedure failure. We present a successful second attempt at left anterior descending artery CTO PCI with no interventional collaterals. After IVUS-guided parallel wire technique failed with an enlarged subintimal space, successful antegrade wire crossing was achieved using controlled antegrade intimal tracking with balloon inflation in the subintimal space to deflect a second wire. This technique may be useful as a bailout strategy in otherwise-failed CTO PCI with an enlarged subintimal space.
Functional Pearl: the Proof Search Monad.

We present the proof search monad, a set of combinators that allows one to write a proof search engine in a style that resembles the formal rules closely. The user calls functions such as premise, prove or choice; the library then takes care of generating a derivation tree. Proof search engines written in this style enjoy: first, a one-to-one correspondence between the implementation and the derivation rules, which makes manual inspection easier; second, proof witnesses “for free”, which makes a verified, independent validation approach easier too. 1 Theory and practice 1.1 A minimal theory We are concerned with proving the validity of logical formulas; that is, with writing a search procedure that determines whether a given goal is satisfiable. To get started, we consider a system made up of conjunctions of equalities, along with existential quantifiers. Any free variables are assumed to be universally quantified. For instance, one may want to prove the following formula:
Framework for Multiparty Relational Contracting

AbstractA framework for multi-party relational contracting is proposed whereby the owner, contractor, suppliers, and manufacturers collaboratively work together under similar terms and conditions. ...