cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional mapping in Chilo iridescent virus infections

Chilo iridescent virus (CIV) belongs to the family Iridoviridae, which are icosahedral cytoplasmic DNA viruses with large, linear, and circularly permuted genomes. Previous studies on infected-cell-specific polypeptides suggested temporal regulation of CIV gene expression. Recently, we demonstrated three temporal classes at the transcriptional level, in CIV infections of a spruce budworm cell line. We also demonstrated a transcriptional cascade with positive and negative control. In this paper, we assign all detectable viral transcripts into respective temporal classes and map them using restriction fragments from a genomic library. More than 90 percent of the genome is transcriptionally active with at least four major clusters of immediate-early transcription and at least three delayed-early clusters. Late transcripts were observed throughout the genome. There was at least one exclusive region in the genome for each of the three temporal classes. We correlated transcribed regions with ORFs on the CIV genome and showed that known ORFs in the exclusive regions are generally consistent with phase-specific requirements of large DNA viruses. Our data also suggest the presence of 5’ or 3’ coterminal transcripts. This is the first complete transcription map for a member of the genus Iridovirus.
Cytosol and nuclear compartmentalization of progesterone receptors of the rat uterus.

Exchange of [3H]progesterone for progesterone bound in vivo to nuclear progesterone receptors (Rn)of rat uterus was accomplished by overnight incubation at 4 C. The Rnwere similar to cytosol progesterone receptors (Rc) in specificity, N-ethylmaleimide sensitivity, and Kd. Uterine Re and Rnwere measured after progesterone injection in adult rats ovariectomized on day 0, primed with 1.0 μg 17β-estradiol (E2) sc on days 3 and 4, injected with 500 μg progesterone (0.5 ml 30% ethanol in saline sc) on day 5, and decapitated (0830–0930 h) at various times thereafter. Progesterone injection resulted in the following significant changes: Rnaccumulation of 1 h and then retuRnto control levels by 9–72 h; and Re depletion at 1 h, partial increase by 9–12 h, and secondary decrease to a minimum at 24–72 h. Vehicle injection resulted in no changes in Rn(nor in Rc depletion at 1 h), but Rc was decreased 25% by 12 h to the level of Rc 12 h postprogesterone. Thereafter, Rc levels in the two injection groups were similar. R...
MR diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neuropsychological testing for neuronal connectivity in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients

We have used MR DTI to identify relevant brain structures involved in visuospatial processing, in an attempt to link perceptual and attentional impairments to WM changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Correlation of DTI measured parameters with results of several neuropsychological tests will be reported here. Several issues related to quantitation of DTI parameters in ROI analysis are addressed. In spite of only a small number of subjects were studied so far, we found not only that AD patients showed significant decrease of white matter (WM) integrity in corpus callosum (CC), most prominent at the posterior portion, but also found significant correlations between the DTI parameters and scores from several neuropsychological tests. Our preliminary results suggest that DTI help to improve the overall accuracy rate in distinguishing between early AD onset and age-related functional decline, and potentially may improve efficiency in differentiating between different types of dementia.
Love at What Price? Estimating the Value of Marriage

Using a law within Social Security that provides clear financial incentives to delay marriage, we estimate the financial value of a month of marriage. Specifically, the law provides that widows who are eligible for Social Security benefits on their deceased spouse's earnings records are eligible for benefits at age 60, unless they remarry before that age. If they remarry before that age, they cannot claim widow benefits and must wait until at least age 62 to claim spousal benefits on their new husband's record, which are typically less generous than widow benefits. To generate an estimate of what this behavior implies about the value of marriage, we use data from five panels of the Survey of Income and Program Participation linked to administrative data from Social Security. We estimate the cost of marrying before age 60 imposed by the Social Security program. We develop a model that reflects the institutional details of Social Security and generate a likelihood function that reflects that model. By taking advantage of the variation in these costs and when or whether widows remarry before age 60, we estimate the benefit of marriage to be $8000/month. These estimates appear to be reasonable in the context of the short length of time widows are willing to wait and the high value of Social Security benefits.
Exposure of Human Primary Colon Carcinoma Cells to Anti-Fas Interactions Influences the Emergence of Pre-existing Fas-Resistant Metastatic Subpopulations

Fas, an important death receptor-mediated signaling pathway, has been shown to be down-regulated during human colon tumorigenesis; however, how alterations in Fas expression influence the metastatic process remains unresolved. In mouse models, loss of Fas function was found to be both necessary and sufficient for tumor progression. In this study, we investigated the link between functional Fas status and malignant phenotype using a matched pair of naturally occurring primary (Fas-sensitive) and metastatic (Fas-resistant) human colon carcinoma cell lines in both in vitro and in vivo (xenograft) settings. Metastatic sublines were produced in vitro from the primary tumor cell line by functional elimination of Fas-responsive cells. Conversely, sublines derived from the primary tumor in vivo at distal metastatic sites were Fas-resistant. In contrast, simply disrupting the Fas pathway by molecular-based strategies in the Fas-sensitive primary tumor failed to achieve the same metastatic outcome. Interestingly, both in vitro- and in vivo-produced sublines resembled the naturally occurring metastatic population, based on functional and morphologic studies and genome-scale gene expression profiling. Overall, using this human colon carcinoma model, we: 1) showed that loss of Fas function was linked to, but alone was insufficient for, acquisition of a detectable metastatic phenotype; 2) demonstrated that metastatic subpopulations pre-existed within the heterogeneous primary tumor, and that anti-Fas interactions served as a selective pressure for their outgrowth; and 3) identified a large set of differentially expressed genes distinguishing the primary from metastatic malignant phenotypes. Thus, Fas-based interactions may represent a novel mechanism for the biologic or immunologic selection of certain types of Fas-resistant neoplastic clones with enhanced metastatic ability.
Dextromethorphan to dextrorphan urinary metabolic ratio not sensitive enough to assess modest changes in CYP2D6 activity

The ability of the dextromethorphan (DTM) to dextrorphan (DT) urinary metabolic ratio (UMR) to detect subtle changes in CYP2D6 activity is not well defined. 10 extensive metabolizers and 1 poor metabolizer were studied on two separate occasions. Serum and urine were collected over 24 hours after DTM (30 mg) oral dosing. DTM and DT were quantitated by LC-MS (serum) and HPLC-fluorescence (urine). The DTM oral clearance (CLPO), DTM/DT AUC ratio, and DTM/DT UMR were determined. DTM CLPO was significantly correlated with the DTM/DT AUC ratio (r = 0.98) and DTM/DT UMR (n= 22; r = 0.765). Exclusion of the poor metabolizer resulted in loss of correlation between DTM CLPO and DTM/DT UMR (r <0.001) but not DTM/DT AUC ratio(r = 0.84). Intra and inter subject variability for DTM CLPO, DTM/DT AUC ratio, and DTM/DT UMR was estimated to be 15%, 26%, 35% and 32%, 68%, 100%, respectively. Assuming an effect size of 30%, type I error rate at 5%, 80% power and a crossover design requires a sample size of 14, 34 or 56 patients when the primary outcome measure is DTM CLPO, DTM/DT AUC ratio, DTM/DT UMR, respectively. If 14 subjects are used in a crossover study design and the DTM/DT UMR is used, the effect size would have to be 395% to maintain 80% power. Cross-sectional studies are similarly affected when the DTM/DT UMR is the principle outcome. The limitations of the DTM/DT UMR should be taken into account when modest effect sizes are expected. Supported by NIH Grants M01RR00750 and FDT001756. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P82–P82; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.314
The relationship between radiating body forces and equivalent surface stresses - Analysis and application to EMAT design

An analysis of the radiation from a body force shows that it is equivalent to the radiation from a series of surface stresses defined by the moments of the body force taken with respect to the depth coordinate. As the body force becomes localized near the surface, the zeroth moment of the force dominates the radiation and is often thought of as an equivalent surface stress. However, under certain conditions, this can vanish, and the other moments must be considered. It is found that, as the order of the moment of a particular force component increases, the resulting radiation patterns alternate between those characteristic of a compressive surface stress and those characteristic of a shear surface stress, which have considerably different angular variations. Results of experiments in the development of EMAT transducers for nondestructive testing that support these results are cited, and important consequences in the design of inspection systems are indicated.
Combining vascular and cellular targeting regimens enhances the efficacy of photodynamic therapy.

Purpose Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can be designed to target either tumor vasculature or tumor cells by varying the drug-light interval. Photodynamic therapy treatments with different drug-light intervals can be combined to increase tumor response by targeting both tumor vasculature and tumor cells. The sequence of photosensitizer and light delivery can influence the effect of combined treatments. Methods and materials The R3327-MatLyLu rat prostate tumor model was used in this study. Photosensitizer verteporfin distribution was quantified by fluorescence microscopy. Tumor blood flow changes were monitored by laser-Doppler system and tumor hypoxia was quantified by the immunohistochemical staining for the hypoxic marker EF5. The therapeutic effects of PDT treatments were evaluated by the histologic examination and tumor regrowth assay. Results Fluorescence microscopic studies indicated that tumor localization of verteporfin changed from predominantly within the tumor vasculature at 15 min after injection, to being throughout the tumor parenchyma at 3 h after injection. Light treatment (50 J/cm 2 ) at 15 min after verteporfin injection (0.25 mg/kg, i.v.) induced significant tumor vascular damage, as manifested by tumor blood flow reduction and increase in the tumor hypoxic fraction. In contrast, the vascular effect observed after the same light dose (50 J/cm 2 ) delivered 3 h after administration of verteporfin (1 mg/kg, i.v.) was an initial acute decrease in blood flow, followed by recovery to the level of control. The EF5 staining revealed no significant increase in hypoxic fraction at 1 h after PDT using 3 h drug-light interval. The combination of 3-h interval PDT and 15-min interval PDT was more effective in inhibiting tumor growth than each individual PDT treatment. However, it was found that the combined treatment with the sequence of 3-h interval PDT before 15-min interval PDT led to a superior antitumor effect than the other combinative PDT treatments. Histologic studies confirmed that this combined treatment led to damage to both tumor vasculature and tumor cells. Importantly, the combined PDT treatment did not increase normal tissue damage and tissue recovered well at 60 days after treatment. Conclusions Our results suggest that targeting both tumor vascular and cellular compartments by combining a long-interval PDT with a short-interval PDT can be an effective and safe way to enhance PDT damage to tumor tissue.
Detection of deception: collaboration systems and technology

Deception is defined as messages and information knowingly transmitted to create a false impression or conclusion. Since 9/11 we are all aware of the threat of terrorism and need to be vigilant in our pursuit of the detection of deception. A major risk to the success of our society in the 21st century is the failure to detect and counter deception in the world. Success depends on our society achieving information superiority. This requires safeguarding information against manipulation, infiltration, and deception by adversaries. Yet achieving high information assurance is complicated not only by the very speed, complexity, volume, and globality of communication and information exchange that society now expects and demands, but also by the fallibility of human deception detection, vulnerability exacerbated by new information technologies. Although automating deception detection is an appealing prospect, the complexity of detecting and countering deceptions that involve humans as source, conduit, or target defies a completely automated solution. A more promising approach is to integrate improved human detection with automated tools. The objectives of this minitrack are to encourage research papers that offer approaches and theories to detecting deception through one of the following: (1) synthesize applicable theories to create a model of deception and detection processes; (2) identify through experimental and longitudinal research systematic uncertainty-reduction and information-processing biases that make humans susceptible to false positives and false negatives; (3) identify reliable indicators of deceit under varying task and communication conditions; (4) develop a multi-pronged, computer-assisted training program to improve detection abilities; (5) create prototypes for automated tools to augment human detection; and (6) test integrated training program and automated tools to improve accuracy in distinguishing truthful from deceptive information and communications. To accomplish these objectives, this minitrack will bring together scientists and practitioners from the relevant fields of information systems, communication, criminology, psychology, artificial intelligence and warfare.
A potential-theoretic construction of the Schwarz–Christoffel map for finitely connected domains

We explicitly construct the Schwarz–Christoffel map from a (bounded or unbounded) finitely connected Jordan domain to a (bounded or unbounded) finitely connected polygonal domain. The map is derived in terms of Green's function and the harmonic measure functions of the Jordan domain which need not be a canonical multiply connected domain.
Numerical Modeling of Buried HDPE Pipelines Subjected to Normal Faulting: A Case Study

A systematic study is presented herein on the seismic response of buried pipelines subjected to ground fault rupture in the form of normal faulting. In this study, advanced computational simulation...
The shifted plactic monoid (extended abstract)

We introduce a shifted analog of the plactic monoid of Lascoux and Schutzenberger, the \emphshifted plactic monoid. It can be defined in two different ways: via the \emphshifted Knuth relations, or using Haiman's mixed insertion. Applications include: a new combinatorial derivation (and a new version of) the shifted Littlewood-Richardson Rule; similar results for the coefficients in the Schur expansion of a Schur P-function; a shifted counterpart of the Lascoux-Schutzenberger theory of noncommutative Schur functions in plactic variables; a characterization of shifted tableau words; and more.
MEREDITHIAN SLIPS: EMBODIED DISPOSITIONS AND NARRATIVE FORM IN THE EGOIST

Despite a rich and varied critical heritage, reception of George Meredith's 1879 novel The Egoist has tended to rely on the author's Essay on Comedy as a key to unlocking the novel's many mysteries. Written just two years earlier as a lecture for the London Institution, the Essay would seem an apt place to start. A blueprint for Meredith's attempt to offer a revitalizing corrective for the tedium of everyday life, that “monstrous monotonousness” of convention and complacency that enfolds us ( The Egoist 5; Prelude), the Essay helps explain, and thus rehabilitate, the novel's apparent oddities: its fragmentary and discontinuous narration, dynamic conception of character, and infamous, ostentatious stylistic eccentricities, to name but the most obvious anomalies. The parallels between the Essay and the novel are well rehearsed by critics; indeed, this connection has served both the novel and critics well, generating a range of forceful and illuminating readings. It must be said, too, that the critical tendency to see The Egoist as an outgrowth of the Essay represents a significant improvement over the main thrust of contemporary reviews of the novel, in which the four most frequently used words were “affectation,” “obscurity,” “artificiality,” and “weakness” (I. Williams 11; Lucas 3).
Low resistance, large dimension entrance to the inner cavity of BK channels determined by changing side-chain volume

Large-conductance Ca2+- and voltage-activated K+ (BK) channels have the largest conductance (250–300 pS) of all K+-selective channels. Yet, the contributions of the various parts of the ion conduction pathway to the conductance are not known. Here, we examine the contribution of the entrance to the inner cavity to the large conductance. Residues at E321/E324 on each of the four α subunits encircle the entrance to the inner cavity. To determine if 321/324 is accessible from the inner conduction pathway, we measured single-channel current amplitudes before and after exposure and wash of thiol reagents to the intracellular side of E321C and E324C channels. MPA− increased currents and MTSET+ decreased currents, with no difference between positions 321 and 324, indicating that side chains at 321/324 are accessible from the inner conduction pathway and have equivalent effects on conductance. For neutral amino acids, decreasing the size of the entrance to the inner cavity by substituting large side-chain amino acids at 321/324 decreased outward single-channel conductance, whereas increasing the size of the entrance with smaller side-chain substitutions had little effect. Reductions in outward conductance were negated by high [K+]i. Substitutions had little effect on inward conductance. Fitting plots of conductance versus side-chain volume with a model consisting of one variable and one fixed resistor in series indicated an effective diameter and length of the entrance to the inner cavity for wild-type channels of 17.7 and 5.6 A, respectively, with the resistance of the entrance ∼7% of the total resistance of the conduction pathway. The estimated dimensions are consistent with the structure of MthK, an archaeal homologue to BK channels. Our observations suggest that BK channels have a low resistance, large entrance to the inner cavity, with the entrance being as large as necessary to not limit current, but not much larger.
Remote sensing in hydrology

Remote sensing provides a means of observing hydrological state variables over large areas. The ones which we will consider in this paper are land surface temperature from thermal infrared data, surface soil moisture from passive microwave data, snow cover using both visible and microwave data, water quality using visible and near-infrared data and estimating landscape surface roughness using lidar. Methods for estimating the hydrometeorlogical fluxes, evapotranspiration and snowmelt runoff, using these state variables are also described. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
Reactions of radicals. XXVI. On the use of activation parameters as a test for concerted decomposition of initiators

In 1958, Bartlett and Hiatt [1] suggested that the number of bonds which are rotationally “frozen” at the transition state for decomposition of peresters can be determined from the magnitude of the values of ΔH‡ and ΔS‡. In recent years, other workers have extended this hypothesis to include the use of the magnitude of ΔH‡ and ΔS‡ values to determine the number of bonds which undergo synchronous scission in the decomposition of initiators. This criterion for separating one-bond from two -or three-bond initiators is discussed in the light of all of the data now reported in the literature. It is probable that the correlation of ΔH‡ and ΔS‡ in an isokinetic plot cannot be used to distinguish either the number of bonds which are rotationally frozen at the transition state or the number that are undergoing scission, except in limited and rather imprecise ways. However, the insights and principles of Bartlett and Hiatt still are extremely useful as qualitative tools.
Social history and its discontents: Gareth Stedman Jones and the politics of language∗

(1992). Social history and its discontents: Gareth Stedman Jones and the politics of language. Social History: Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 165-188.
Gamma-ray background anisotropy from Galactic dark matter substructure

Dark matter annihilation in Galactic substructure will imprint characteristic angular signatures on the all-sky map of the diffuse gamma-ray background. We study the gamma-ray background anisotropy due to the subhalos and discuss detectability at the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. In contrast to earlier work that relies on simulated all-sky maps, we derive analytic formulae that enable to directly compute the angular power spectrum, given parameters of subhalos such as mass function, and radial profile of gamma-ray luminosity. As our fiducial subhalo models, we adopt M^(-1.9) mass spectrum, subhalos radial distribution suppressed toward the Galactic center, and luminosity profile of each subhalo dominated by its smooth component. We find that, for multipole regime corresponding to theta<~5°, the angular power spectrum is dominated by a noiselike term, with suppression due to internal structure of relevant subhalos. If the mass spectrum extends down to Earth-mass scale, then the subhalos would be detected in the anisotropy with Fermi at angular scales of ~10°, if their contribution to the gamma-ray background is larger than ~20%. If the minimum mass is around 10^4M[sun], on the other hand, the relevant angular scale for detection is ~1°, and the anisotropy detection requires that the subhalo contribution to the gamma-ray background intensity is only ~4%. These can be achieved with a modest boost for particle-physics parameters. We also find that the anisotropy analysis could be a more sensitive probe for the subhalos than individual detection. We also study dependence on model parameters, where we reach the similar conclusions for all the models investigated. The analytic approach should be very useful when Fermi data are analyzed, and the obtained angular power spectrum is interpreted in terms of subhalo models.
The FCC's Indecent Proposal: Copyright Implications of the Proposed 'Record and Retain' Rule

The issue of broadcast indecency has recently been on the forefront of congressional and regulatory agendas. Prompted in part by the January 2004 Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently proposed a new regulation that would require broadcasters to maintain an archive of their entire program stream. The FCC believes the recordings would aid in the investigation of indecency complaints against broadcasters.While there are many troubling aspects to the FCC's proposal, this article explores the copyright implications of the proposed rule. The paper argues that if the FCC were to promulgate the new rule, it would force broadcasters to infringe upon the material rights of various programming producers. This issue is illustrative of a fundamental tension between the Copyright Act and the Communications Act that has caused trouble before and will undoubtedly do so again in the future.
Brain-Computer Interface Technology for Schizophrenia

This commentary examines brain-computer interface interventions for schizophrenia, including electroencephalographic (EEG) neurofeedback and real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) n...
Methane Emissions from Conventional and Unconventional Natural Gas Production Sites in the Marcellus Shale Basin.

There is a need for continued assessment of methane (CH4) emissions associated with natural gas (NG) production, especially as recent advancements in horizontal drilling combined with staged hydraulic fracturing technologies have dramatically increased NG production (we refer to these wells as “unconventional” NG wells). In this study, we measured facility-level CH4 emissions rates from the NG production sector in the Marcellus region, and compared CH4 emissions between unconventional NG (UNG) well pad sites and the relatively smaller and older “conventional” NG (CvNG) sites that consist of wells drilled vertically into permeable geologic formations. A top-down tracer-flux CH4 measurement approach utilizing mobile downwind intercepts of CH4, ethane, and tracer (nitrous oxide and acetylene) plumes was performed at 18 CvNG sites (19 individual wells) and 17 UNG sites (88 individual wells). The 17 UNG sites included four sites undergoing completion flowback (FB). The mean facility-level CH4 emission rate amo...
PROGRESSIVE FAILURE ANALYSIS MODELING TECHNIQUES FOR CERAMIC MATRIX TEXTILE COMPOSITES

A micromechanics textile composite analysis code has been developed to predict the progressive damages for textile composite structures, especially for the brittle material composite systems. The repeating unit cell (RUC) of a textile composite is usually u sed to represent the textile composite. The thermal and mechanical properties of the RUC are considered as the same as the composite. In this study, the micromechanics, the shear -lag, and the continuum fracture mechanics models have been integrated with a statistical model in the RUC to predict the progressive damage failures of the textile composite structures. For the failure analysis, the textile composite failure is defined as the loss of loading capability of the RUC, which depends on the stiffness red uction due to material slice (matrix slice and yarn slice) failures and nonlinear material properties. To account for these phenomena in a more accurate manner, a new analysis code has been developed to demonstrate the proposed methodologies with compariso ns to material test data obtained with carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide matrix (C/SiC) plain weave composites as well as various polymer matrix composites (PMC) experimental data available in the literature for a code validation, and some of the res ults are presented in this paper. The good comparisons with the full range of the test data have established the feasibility of the proposed analysis techniques and its ability to model the progressive failure analysis for the textile composite structures.
Short tandem repeats based molecular diagnosis of Down syndrome

Objective: To research the possibility of a molecular method to diagnose Down syndrome using short tandem repeats.Methods: 6 STRs with high heterozygosis on chromasome 21 were selected,they were D21S1414,D21S1413,D21 S1432,D21S1437,D21S1446 and D21S2054.The STR-amplicons were subjected to denatured polyacylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining,then Down syndrome were diagnosed by analyzing the banding patterns.Results: Among 82 patients,31 Down syndrome were diagnosed by STR-PCR.Conclusion: This assay can be applied as a direct,convenient and quick method to diagnose Down syndrome,it will be valuable in large scale prenatal diagnosis.
Cancer Epigenetics: Mechanisms and Crosstalk of a HDAC Inhibitor, Vorinostat.

In recent years, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis), a novel class of agents that targets mechanistic abnormalities in cancers, have shown promising anti-cancer activity in both hematological and solid cancers. Among them, vorinostat was approved by FDA to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and is being evaluated in other cancer types. Although initially designed to target histone deacetylase, vorinostat were found to have additional effects on other epigenetic machineries, for example acetylation of non-HDAC, methylation and microRNA (miRNA) expression. In this review, we examined all known mechanisms of action for vorinostat. We also summarized the current findings on the ‘crosstalk’ between different epigenetic machineries. These findings suggest that improved understanding of epigenetic regulatory role of vorinostat and/or other HDACis will provide novel insights in improving utilization of this class of novel agents.
Wound healing: the biological basis of hand surgery.

Because the basic reaction of tissue to injury alters physical properties by replacing normal structures with scar, a thorough understanding of wound healing reactions and scar formation forms the biological foundation on which hand surgery rests.
Concepts and targets in triple-negative breast cancer: recent results and clinical implications

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease in which tumors are defined by lack of expression of the estrogen receptor (ER), the progesterone receptor (PR), and the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptor. No targeted therapies are available for the treatment of TNBC, and chemotherapy remains the standard of care. Gene expression profiling has identified six distinct molecular subtypes of TNBC. The identification of novel targets, coupled with the development of therapies for different subsets of TNBC, holds great promise for the future treatment of this aggressive form of breast cancer. This review focuses on novel therapies in development for the treatment of TNBC.
Searching interactions and perceived learning

This research investigates the user’s learning during interactive searching process, to find out what search behaviors would be associated with the user’s perceived learning, and whether or not the user’s perceived learning could be reflected in the existing search performance measures, so that such measures could also be used for indicating learning during searching process. The research used a data set collected by a research project on searching, which involved 35 participants at a major US university. The results show that the number of documents saved is significantly correlated with perceived learning for all search topics. None of the search performance measures is correlated with perceived learning in general. However, for specific topics, one of the performance measures, Recall, is significantly correlated with perceived learning. The results and the implications of the findings are discussed.
Expedited CT-Based Methods for Evaluating Fracture Severity to Assess Risk of Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis After Articular Fractures.

Background Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is common after intra-articular fractures of the tibial plafond. An objective CT-based measure of fracture severity was previously found to reliably predict whether PTOA developed following surgical treatment of such fractures. However, the extended time required obtaining the fracture energy metric and its reliance upon an intact contralateral limb CT limited its clinical applicability. The objective of this study was to establish an expedited fracture severity metric that provided comparable PTOA predictive ability without the prior limitations
Open-Market Repurchases, Firm Quality, And Discouraging Short Sellers

Announcing an open-market repurchase (OMR) is presented as a potential tool for managers to discourage short selling in their firm’s stock. Empirical testing determines the relation that abnormal short selling that follows an OMR announcement has with abnormal returns during the announcement period and announcing firm quality. Results show that post-announcement abnormal short sales decrease with positive abnormal returns during the OMR announcement period but that announcing firm quality is unrelated to the level of post-announcement abnormal short sales. Therefore, announcing an OMR may be an effective tool to discourage short sales in a firm’s stock independent of firm quality because abnormal returns around an OMR announcement tend to be positive and short sellers do not appear to distinguish among announcing firms based on firm quality.
Video Movement Analysis Using Smartphones (ViMAS): A Pilot Study.

The use of smartphones in clinical practice is steadily increasing with the availability of low cost/freely available "apps" that could be used to assess human gait. The primary aim of this manuscript is to test the concurrent validity of kinematic measures recorded by a smartphone application in comparison to a 3D motion capture system in the sagittal plane. The secondary aim was to develop a protocol for clinicians on the set up of the smartphone camera for video movement analysis. The sagittal plane knee angle was measured during heel strike and toe off events using the smart phone app and a 3D motion-capture system in 32 healthy subjects. Three trials were performed at near (2-m) and far (4-m) smartphone camera distances. The order of the distances was randomized. Regression analysis was performed to estimate the height of the camera based on either the subject's height or leg length. Absolute measurement errors were least during toe off (3.12 ± 5.44 degrees) compared to heel strike (5.81 ± 5.26 degrees). There were significant (p 0.05) differences between the absolute measurement errors between the two camera positions. The measurement errors averaged between 3 - 5 degrees during toe off and heel strike events of the gait cycle. The use of smartphone apps can be a useful tool in the clinic for performing gait or human movement analysis. Further studies are needed to establish the accuracy in measuring movements of the upper extremity and trunk.
A 98.3% Efficient GaN Isolated Bidirectional DC–DC Converter for DC Microgrid Energy Storage System Applications

This paper presents a novel 400 to 12 V isolated bidirectional dc–dc converter based on a phase-shift-controlled-modified dual-active-bridge power stage. The proposed converter consists of a half-bridge and center tap with active clamp circuit, which has promising performance for low-voltage high-current applications. 650 V gallium-nitride high electron mobility transistors are used on the high voltage side to avoid issues encountered using Si superjunction MOSFETs in phase-shift-controlled-bidirectional power conversions. The operation principle and power transfer characteristic are obtained based on a time-domain analysis of the inductor current. Design methodology and criteria and converter's efficiency analysis are discussed. Both the analysis and experiments verify that the proposed converter is capable of achieving low power loss and high power density in soft-switching and hard-switching modes. Experimental results are presented for a 1-kW, 400 V-to-12 V dc–dc prototype converter operating at 100 kHz switching frequency. A power density of 30 W/in3 and a peak efficiency of 98.3% in a wide input/output voltage range are achieved.
Geographic distribution of the nonnative Mediterranean gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) in Oklahoma

Abstract Recent studies have identified an expanding range of Hemidactylus turcicus in southwestern Oklahoma. In 2015, researchers added nine additional Oklahoma county records to the known range of H. turcicus. Due to this new distribution, we conducted a statewide survey of Oklahoma for H. turcicus activity. We successfully identified 16 new county records for H. turcicus and 20 Oklahoma counties without H. turcicus activity.
Surgery residents recognized less frequently over time by medical students: A twelve year study of the Arnold P. Gold Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award

Abstract Background There is a decreasing institutional percentage of surgical resident recipients of The Arnold P. Gold Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award over time. The hypothesis was that this trend was a national phenomenon. Methods This was a retrospective study from 2004 - 2015, utilizing data from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. Multiple regression was performed using the estimated ratio of eligible surgical to non-surgical residents and the year as explanatory variables, utilizing an α = 0.05. Results The percentage of surgical award winners was lower in the second study half compared to the first half (40.2% vs. 47.2%) (p = 0.02). Multiple regression showed that when controlling for the number of eligible residents, the number of resident awardees decreased over time (p = 0.01). Conclusion There is a clear national trend that surgical residents are receiving the Arnold P. Gold Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award less over time.
Evaluation of scenario-specific modeling approaches to predict plane of array solar irradiation

Predicting thermal or electric power output from solar collectors requires knowledge of solar irradiance incident on the collector, known as plane of array irradiance. In the absence of such a meas...
Reporting Practices of Institutional Repositories: Analysis of Responses from Two Surveys

ABSTRACTThis article describes the results of two surveys, which gathered data about the reporting practices for institutional repositories (IR). The surveys were completed by library directors and...
Co-translational Modification, Stability and Turnover of Eukaryotic Proteins

Eukaryotic function is tightly controlled through the complex mechanisms that regulate transcriptional and translational events. These processes are variously augmented by co- and post-translational modifications that affect function, location and ultimately turnover for each protein. Among the least well understood aspects are stability, including the process of folding, and degradation of both normal and damaged proteins. Since proteolytic destruction of proteins is as important as synthesis in determining the level of a biological activity, it represents a major cellular activity whose dissection is essential for the full appreciation of the regulation of eukaryotic cell function.
Nutrition and Immune Function in the Elderly

There is a growing recognition that nutrition influences immune function not only in young populations with severe malnutrition and a high incidence of infectious disease but also in groups with relatively mild or single nutrient deficiencies (Chandra and Chandra, 1986; James and Makinodan, 1984). Several comprehensive reviews in this area have been published recently (Stinnett, 1983; Gershwin et al., 1985; Fernandes, 1984; Beisel, 1982; Keusch et al., 1983). The elderly represent a large and expanding group with a significant number of individuals noted to possess poor nutritional status in the face of potentially increasing nutrient requirements and decreasing immunocompetence. Thus, as malnutrition impairs immunity, nutritional problems may contribute to declining immunity in old age, and appropriate dietary intervention may improve immune responsiveness and reduce the burden of illness in the elderly. Recently, attention has been focused on the possibility of utilizing selective nutritional manipulations to regulate the aberrant response of diseases associated with immune disorders (Chandra, 1985; Corman, 1985).
Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: Prognosis based on Stage of Disease and Age

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) was first described in 1959 by Hazard et al. as a solid thyroid neoplasm without follicular histologic features, but with a high degree of lymph node metastases. It is a neuroendocrine tumor of the thyroid, derived from the parafollicular cells or C-cells; these cells are responsible for the production of calcitonin, a sensitive and specific marker for MTC. They are considered part of the amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation system, and are found mostly in the upper and middle parts of the thyroid. Calcitonin is involved in calcium regulation and bone remodeling, but its exact role in humans is not clear. MTC can be found in both sporadic and hereditary forms. The familial association of MTC has been isolated to the ret proto-oncogene.
Outcomes of metastatic melanoma (MM) patients (pts) after discontinuation of anti-Programmed-Death 1 (PD1) therapy without disease progression.

9549Background: The optimal duration of PD1 therapy for MM pts that do not progress remains unknown. There is limited information available about long-term outcomes of patients that discontinue tre...
An Assessment of Stone Weapon Tip Standardization During the Clovis-Folsom Transition in the Western United States

It has long been assumed that Folsom points are more standardized than Clovis points, although an adequate test of this proposition has yet to be undertaken. Here, we address that deficiency by using data from a sample of Folsom and Clovis points recovered from sites across the western United States. We used geometric morphometric techniques to capture point shape and then conducted statistical analyses of variability associated with Clovis and Folsom point bases and blades. Our results demonstrate that Folsom bases and blades are less variable than those on earlier Clovis points, indicating an increase in point standardization during the Early Paleoindian period. In addition, despite published claims to the contrary, Clovis and Folsom point bases are no more variable than blades. Based on these results, we conducted additional analyses to examine the modularity and size of Clovis and Folsom points. The results suggest Clovis points have more integrated base and blade segments than Folsom points. We suggest that several classes of Clovis points—intended for different functions—might have been in use during the Clovis period and that the later Folsom points might have served only as weapon tips, the shape of which were constrained by the fluting process.
Real-Time Control and Operation for a Flexible Microgrid with Dynamic Boundary

To better utilize the existing electric power grid distribution network automation of smart switches, a microgrid can expand or shrink its electrical boundary according to available renewable generation. Previous literature only focused on the design of a microgrid with a dynamic boundary, but without considering real-time operation. This paper proposes a microgrid controller that enables operation of microgrid with dynamic boundary and can be integrated into the existing distribution automation system. The architecture of the control system is introduced, and the essential functions such as online topology assessment and synchronization are presented. Simulation results are given to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed controller.
Antigen-antibody diffusion-limited binding kinetics for biosensors

A fractal analysis is made for antigen-antibody binding kinetics for different biosensor applications available in the literature. Both types of examples are considered wherein: (1) the antigen is in solution and the antibody is immobilized on the fiberoptic surface, and (2) the antibody is in solution and the antigen is immobilized on the fiberoptic surface. For example, when the antibody is immobilized on the surface, an increase in the antigenClostridium botulinum toxin A concentration in solution leads to (1) a decrease in the fractal dimension value or state of disorder, and (2) a higher rate constant for binding on the fiberoptic surface. An analysis of the effect of the influence of different parameters on the fractal dimension values for a particular example, such as varying treatments or incubation procedures, helps provide insights into the conformational states and reactions occurring on the fiberoptic surface. The analysis of the different examples taken together provides novel physical insights into the state of “disorder” and reactions occurring on the surface. Such types of analysis should help contribute toward manipulating the reactions occurring on the fiberoptic surfaces in desired directions.
N. A. VASIL'EV AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF MANY-VALUED LOGICS

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the history of formal logic and the development of many-valued logics. N. A. Vasilev's idea was set forth in four papers, which was published between 1910 and 1913, the principal statement dating from 1912. N. A. Vasil’ev's work anticipated the works of Jan Łukasiewicz and E. L. Post by a full decade. The principal difference between N. A. Vasil’ev's anticipation and Jan Łukasiewicz’ and E. L. Post's formulation of the idea of three-valued and many-valued logics is that Jan Łukasiewicz and E. L. Post worked out propositional calculi based on three and more generally, n, truth-values while N. A. Vasil’ev did not.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal

Anal cancer is infrequent but the incidence is rising. Better understanding of the pathogenesis, natural course, and the results of clinical trials have resulted in improvement in management of the cancer. Treatment has evolved from the implementation of concurrent 5-fluorouracil/mitomycin C chemoradiation therapy (5-FU/MMC CRT) as a precursor to an alternative to surgery and finally as the preferred regimen over radiotherapy (RT) alone, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) alone, neoadjuvant 5-FU/cisplatin, and concurrent 5-FU/cisplatin CRT. Definitive CRT results in high cure rate, allowing abdominoperineal resection (APR) to be reserved for patients who experience locoregional treatment failure. Although several randomized trials support the use of CRT, 5-FU and mitomycin C (MMC) component of CRT have reduced the quality of life because of their toxicity. Research continues to identify less toxic chemotherapeutics and safer radiotherapy with fewer side effects. Oral rather than intravenous chemotherapy is being tested, and intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) rather than 3D conformal RT (3D CRT) has become the standard of care.
Observations and Lessons from Election Administration in Nigeria

The consolidation of democracy in transitioning governments is a topic of interest for established nations around the globe. As Auburn University graduate students who have focused on election administration in the United States, we found that the opportunity to observe elections in a comparative perspective created a unique learning experience. In February 2019, Nigeria was preparing to host their sixth democratic election since the end of military rule in 1999. Although these elections were expected to be the next step in launching the country forward as an exemplar of democracy, they were instead delayed at the last minute due to logistical issues. The response from the electorate was immediate: institutions and the electoral process were questioned and officials were criticized. Our in-country observations illustrate the true costs of postponing the presidential election and the impact that the decision to postpone the election had on the democratic process in Nigeria.
Conformational Response of N-Terminally Truncated Cytochrome P450 3A4 to Ligand Binding in Solution.

Human cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is a membrane-associated monooxygenase that is responsible for metabolizing >50% of the pharmaceuticals in the current market, so studying its chemical mechanism ...
Bring the war home: the white power movement and paramilitary America: by Kathleen Belew, Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press, 2018, 339 pp., USD 29.95 (hardcover), ISBN: 9780674286078

Historian Kathleen Belew presents a highly readable history of the white power movement in the United States in its entirety as it formed and changed over time. Her research into extremist printed ...