cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The fourth epidermal growth factor-like domain of thrombomodulin interacts with the basic exosite of protein C.

Thrombomodulin (TM) functions as a cofactor to enhance the rate of protein C activation by thrombin ∼1000-fold. The molecular mechanism by which TM improves the catalytic efficiency of thrombin toward protein C is not known. Molecular modeling of the protein C activation based on the crystal structure of thrombin in complex with the epidermal growth factor-like domains 4, 5, and 6 of TM (TM456) predicts that the binding of TM56 to exosite 1 of thrombin positions TM4 so that a negatively charged region on this domain juxtaposes a positively charged region of protein C. It has been hypothesized that electrostatic interactions between these oppositely charged residues of TM4 and protein C facilitate a proper docking of the substrate into the catalytic pocket of thrombin. To test this hypothesis, we have constructed several mutants of TM456 and protein C in which charges of the putative interacting residues on both TM4 (Asp/Glu) and protein C (Lys/Arg) have been reversed. Results of TM-dependent protein C activation studies by such a compensatory mutagenesis approach support the molecular model that TM4 interacts with the basic exosite of protein C.
Ultra-wideband Radar Target detection for sloped and diffuse scattering environments

ABSTRACT This paper extends simulation and target detection results from an investigation entitled Self-Training Algorithms for Ultra-wideband SAR Target Detection that was conducted last year and presented at the 2003 SPIE Aerosense Conference on Algorithms for Synthetic Aperture Radar Imagery. Under this approach, simulated SAR impulse clutter data was generated by modulating a tophat model for the SAR video phase history with K-distributed data models. Targets were synthesized and instanced within the SAR image via the application of a dihedral model to represent broadside targets. For this paper, these models are extended and generalized by developing a set of models that approximate major scattering mechanisms due to terrain relief and approximate major scattering mechanisms due to scattering from off-angle targets. Off-angle targets are difficult to detect at typical ultra-wideband radar frequencies and are denoted as diffuse scatterers. Potential approaches for detecting synthetic off-angle targets that demonstrate this type of diffuse scattering are developed and described in the algorithms and results section of the paper. A preliminary set of analysis outputs are presented with synthetic data from the resulting simulation testbed. Keywords: Ultra-wideband Radar, Synthetic Aperture Radar, Target Detection, Diffuse Scattering
Inhibition of Novikoff ascites cell transplantation by a polysaccharide component in bull seminal plasma.

Un extracto desproteinizado preparado a partir de plasma seminal de toro, inhibio completamente la transplantacion del hepatoma ascitico de Novikoff de rapido crecimiento. Se sugiere a partir de los experimentos realizados que el factor activo antitransplantacion es un polisacarido.
An operant reinforcement system to improve ward behavior in in-patient drug addicts

Abstract The application of a reinforcement system by which conformity to stated rules was rewarded to a drug addict population resulted in a substantial increase in the frequency of patients complying to rules and in patient involvement in ward planning. Private conversations of patients discussing drug usage decreased and public discussion of different content became more frequent. Although at first staff attitudes were generally skeptical, they changed on finding the system effective.
Smooth static and dynamic indentation of a cantilever beam

Abstract The static and dynamic indentation of structural elements such as beams and plates continue to be intriguing problems, especially for scenarios where large area contacts are expected to occur. Standard methods of indentation analyses use a beam theory solution to obtain an overall load–displacement relationship and then a Hertzian contact solution to calculate local stresses under the indenter. However, these techniques are only applicable in a fairly limited class of problems: the stress distribution in the contact region will differ significantly from a Hertzian one when the contact length exceeds the thickness of the beam. The indentation models developed herein are improvements over existing GLOBAL/LOCAL models for static and dynamic indentation of cantilever beams. Maximum contact stresses, beam displacements, and contact force time histories are obtained and compared with the predictions of current static and dynamic indentation models. The validity of the solutions presented herein is further assessed by comparing the results obtained to the predictions of modified beam theory solutions.
Competitive Exclusion of a Glycopeptide-Resistant Enterococcus Faecium in the Presence of Vancomycin but not Equivalent Concentrations of Tylosin or Gentamicin

Abstract The effect of subtherapeutic concentrations of antibiotics (10.0 and 40.0 µg/mL of vancomycin, gentamicin, and tylosin) on the efficacy of a mixed anaerobe culture of chicken microflora (CCF) was studied in a continuous-flow fermentation system. Efficacy of CCF posttreatment was assessed by challenge with glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus faecium (GRE) at 6.0 log10 cfu/mL. Bacterial enumeration of endogenous CCF isolates, volatile fatty acid (VFA) analysis, and challenge with GRE indicated that CCF efficacy was affected by all antibiotic treatments. Although CCF treated with 10.0 µg/mL of vancomycin eliminated GRE13 at a rate of 0.61 log10 cfu/ mL per day, it was unable to eliminate E. coli, a gram-negative challenge organism. All other antibiotic treatments allowed GRE persistence at approximately 2.0 to 6.5 log10 cfu/mL. All antibiotic-treated cultures had decreased concentrations of acetic and propionic acids. Our data suggest that low concentrations of antimicrobials may adversely affect the microbial ecology of gut microflora with respect to its ability to exclude exogenous bacteria. Moreover, gentamicin had an adverse effect on the inhibitory stringency of CCF even though it showed little anti-anaerobic activity against CCF strict anaerobes in pure culture. Verification of the results in live animals will be necessary to determine if antimicrobial treatment could compromise the effectiveness of normal microflora to serve as a natural host defense against infection.
THE THEORY OF HYDROGEN THREE

The binding energy of the triton has been calculated by the variational method. The forces between the particles are assumed to be charge independent and to be composed of central and tensor parts, the radial dependence of each being given by Yukawa wells. The binding energy calculation is employed to determine the range of the tensor component; the other constants are fixed by the low energy two-body data. The effective triplet range, the percentage $D$ state in the triton, and the Coulomb energy of ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ are then predicted. The first two of these are in satisfactory agreement with experiment; the third is in error by twentyfive percent. The final "best" potential contains only four constants, the ranges and depths of the central and tensor potentials. The triplet and singlet central forces are equal.
Working-Class Children's Experience through the Prism of Personal Storytelling.

Framed within recent developments in genre theory, this paper examines personal storytelling as practiced by working-class children and their families. Although both working-class and middle-class chi
The Potential of Human Papillomavirus Vaccines

The anticipated licensure of a vaccine against HPV would represent a major public health advance. The acceptance of the HPV vaccine — by physicians, parents, pre-teens, and the public at large — is uncertain. Dr. Robert Steinbrook reports.
From Dictatorship to Democracy: Crime and Policing in Contemporary Spain

Francisco Franco's death in 1975 ended nearly forty years of fascist dictatorship in Spain. In the next decade the country underwent substantial and dramatic change: The political structure was democratized under King Juan Carlos. Rapid industrialization and commercial development, especially on the northeastern areas, altered the economic nature of Spain. Internal migration, particularly from the more impoverished South to Madrid and Barcelona, altered social arrangements as well. Crime and disorder also increased rapidly. All crime rates and imprisonment rates grew. Drug use and abuse became a major problem. Basque pressure for a separate state often resulted in a terrorist war in which the main casualties were policemen. Attempts at reforming the police occurred almost immediately after Franco's death. The old Armed Police—a repressive agency that policed cities over 20,000 populations-was substantially demilitarized and became the National Police. Although transformations are incomplete, the National ...
A Thurstonian comparison of the analytic hierarchy process and probabilistic multidimensional scaling through application to the nuclear waste site selection decision

Abstract Monte-Carlo simulation and subjective evaluations are used to compare the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and probabilistic multidimensional scaling (PROSCAL) in the context of selecting the United States' first high-level nuclear waste repository. The simulation assumes a Thurstonian judgment framework as a means of evaluating the perofrmance of AHP/PROSCAL estimation procedures. Simulated factors include the amount of Thurstonian uncertainty and number of decision-makers. The subjective evaluations of the two methods are given by individuals who make both AHP and PROSCAL judgments in a hypothetical nuclear waste repository decision. Various strengths and weaknesses of the two methods are identified.
Diffusion measurements in cement paste by water replacement using Propan-2-OL

Abstract Length and weight changes were measured when saturated portland cement pastes prepared at water-cement ratios of 0.3 to 1.0 were immersed in both propan-2-ol and methanol. Diffusivities and diffusion rates were determined, and were correlated with pore structure parameters, measured by mercury intrusion. Length measurements indicate that methanol interacts with the hydrated cement and is thereby unsuitable for measuring diffusivities. Propan-2-ol on the other hand is relatively inert and produces diffusivity values similar to those obtained for chloride ions in similar materials.
Persistent Activation of STAT3 by Latent Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Infection of Endothelial Cells

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the infectious cause of Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and plasmablastic multicentric Castleman's disease. STAT3 has been shown to be important for the maintenance of primary effusion lymphoma cells in culture and is chronically activated in many tumor cell lines. However, little is known about the role of KSHV in the activation of STAT3 or the role of STAT3 in KS tumors. We demonstrate that STAT3 is activated by KSHV infection of endothelial cells, the KS tumor cell type, in a biphasic fashion. Viral binding and entry activate STAT3 in the first 2 h after infection, but this activation dissipates by 4 h postinfection. By 12 h after KSHV infection, concomitant with the expression of latent genes, STAT3 is once again activated, and this activation persists for as long as latent infection is maintained. Activated STAT3 translocates to the nucleus, where it can bind to STAT3-specific DNA elements and can activate STAT3-dependent promoter activity. Conditioned medium from KSHV-infected endothelial cells is able to transiently activate STAT3, indicating the involvement of a secreted factor and that a latency-associated factor in KSHV-infected cells is necessary for sustained activation. KSHV upregulates gp130 receptor expression, and both gp130 and JAK2 are required for the activation of STAT3. However, neither human nor viral interleukin-6 is required for STAT3 activation. Persistent activation of the oncogenic signal transducer, STAT3, by KSHV may play a critical role in the viral pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma, as well as in primary effusion lymphomas.
Pressure Ulcer Prevalence and Incidence in a Rehabilitation Hospital

Pressure ulcers remain a serious health problem, especially in terms of personal suffering and economics. The study described here, conducted in a rehabilitation setting, investigated the prevalence (number of persons with pressure ulcers at a given time) and the incidence (number of persons developing pressure ulcers over a given time) of pressure ulcers. Skin assessments and risk assessments of the subjects were completed using the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk. Demographic data were obtained. The prevalence rate was 25%, although there was no incidence during the time of this study. Factors associated with the prevalence of pressure ulcers are discussed.
Transitioning between microstrip and inverted microstrip

A broadband microstrip to inverted microstrip transition is described in which field matching between microstrip and inverted microstrip is obtained by gradually removing the dielectric at the transition so the E-field has a region over which to redistribute itself as it propagates from microstrip to inverted microstrip or vice versa. The method that yielded the least reflection ( >
Human Cytomegalovirus Activates Glucose Transporter 4 Expression To Increase Glucose Uptake during Infection

Glucose transport into mammalian cells is mediated by a group of glucose transporters (GLUTs) on the plasma membrane. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-infected human fibroblasts (HFs) demonstrate significantly increased glucose consumption compared to mock-infected cells, suggesting a possible alteration in glucose transport during infection. Inhibition of GLUTs by using cytochalasin B indicated that infected cells utilize GLUT4, whereas normal HFs use GLUT1. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and Western analysis confirmed that GLUT4 levels are greatly increased in infected cells. In contrast, GLUT1 was eliminated by a mechanism involving the HCMV major immediate-early protein IE72. The HCMV-mediated induction of GLUT4 circumvents characterized controls of GLUT4 expression that involve serum stimulation, glucose concentration, and nuclear functions of ATP-citrate lyase (ACL). In infected cells the well-characterized Akt-mediated translocation of GLUT4 to the cell surface is also circumvented; GLUT4 localized on the surface of infected cells that were serum starved and had Akt activity inhibited. The significance of GLUT4 induction for the success of HCMV infection was indicated using indinavir, a drug that specifically inhibits glucose uptake by GLUT4. The addition of the drug inhibited glucose uptake in infected cells as well as viral production. Our data show that HCMV-specific mechanisms are used to replace GLUT1, the normal HF GLUT, with GLUT4, the major glucose transporter in adipose tissue, which has a 3-fold-higher glucose transport capacity.
Co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus and tuberculosis in Asia

Summary Asia has the highest numbers of tuberculosis cases (60% of the global total) and has experienced a marked rise in HIV seroprevalence (22% of the global total) in key subpopulations of these highly populous nations. Thus, co-infected patients are a challenge for practitioners and public health workers alike. The U.S.–Japan Cooperative Medical Science Program is spearheading interdisciplinary collaborations in Asia to address the many outstanding research priorities for HIV–tuberculosis co-infection. There is an urgency to this agenda for many reasons, including the frequency with which tuberculosis accounts for the death of HIV-infected persons in Asia, and the continued rise of multiple drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis . We review briefly the public health situation in Asia, highlighting research questions from US–Japan–Asian partner joint meetings, and cite salient studies to indicate trends and challenges.
Demonstrating the Utility of Boron Based Precursor Molecules for Selective Area DepositIon in a Scanning Tunnelling Microscope

The scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) can be used to selectively deposit material from a gaseous precursor compound. Ultrasmall (less than a 100 nm across) spatial dimensions for selective area deposition may be achieved by this means. In this paper we outline a scheme forselecting and designing main group cluster compounds and organometallics for this type of selective area deposition using nido-decaborane(14) as an example.
The effectiveness of community practice interventions: A review of the literature

Objective: Evidence-based practice is becoming increasingly important in social work and community practice. The authors reviewed existing research to assess the level of evidence available to guide community practice. Method: The authors conducted a review of the literature on community practice intervention research from 1985 to 2002 using several databases, search engines, and personal contact with researchers. The authors found 269 articles published from 1985 to 2001. Fifty-eight were quantitative and combined quantitative and qualitative studies, of which 20 were intervention studies. Conclusions: The search revealed a relatively small number of quantitative intervention studies using experimental or statistical controls (9), which suggests the need for a consideration of how to develop the evidence base for community practice. Implications for social work practice are also discussed.
Contrarian clade confirms the ubiquity of spatial origination patterns in the production of latitudinal diversity gradients

The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG), wherein the number of species and higher taxa peaks in the tropics and decreases toward the poles, is the best-documented large-scale diversity pattern on Earth, but hypotheses explaining the standard LDG must also account for rare ''contrarian'' taxa that show diversity maxima outside of the tropics. For marine bivalves, one of the few groups that provide spatially explicit temporal data on a global scale, we show that a major contrarian group, the Anomalodesmata, unex- pectedly exhibits the same large-scale dynamics as related clades having normal LDGs in two key respects. First, maxima in standing genus diversity and genus origination rates coincide spatially. Second, the strength of a clade's present-day LDG is significantly related to the proportion of its living genera that originated in the tropics during the late Cenozoic, with the contrarian gradient strength at both species and genus level predicted quantitatively by the values for the other clades. Geologic age distributions indicate that the anomalous LDG results from origination that is damped in the tropics rather than heightened in the temperate zones. The pervasive role of spatial origination patterns in shaping LDGs, regardless of the position of their diversity maxima, corrob- orates hypotheses based on clades showing standard gradients and underscores the insights that contrarian groups can provide into general principles of diversity dynamics. bivalves biodiversity Anomalodesmata tropics extinction
Telavancin: a new lipoglycopeptide with multiple mechanisms of action.

Antimicrobial resistance among Gram-positive organisms continues to increase and has reached epidemic proportions in numerous countries. Telavancin is a semisynthetic lipoglycopeptide with a dual mechanism of action that involves the inhibition of cell-wall synthesis and disruption of bacterial cell-membrane barrier functions. Telavancin exhibits a rapid bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus. It is also active against coagulase-negative staphylococci, enterococci, streptococci and various anaerobic Gram-positive organisms. Telavancin has a prolonged postantibiotic effect and distributes well into cutaneous and pulmonary tissues. Furthermore, it has a low potential for development of resistance and is well tolerated. The overall incidence of adverse events in patients receiving telavancin was similar to that observed with standard therapy and recent data from preliminary clinical trials have demonstrated similar efficacy to standard therapy in the treatment of complicated skin and skin-struct...
Alternative methods for the assessment of mechanical dyssynchrony using phase analysis of gated single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging

Measurement of left ventricular (LV) mechanical dyssynchrony from single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) allows optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy in heart failure patients. We compared the discriminatory ability and reproducibility of a new software method, Corridor 4DM (4DM) to the established method, Emory Cardiac Toolbox (ECTb) in normals and heart failure patients. LV dyssynchrony was measured in 100 control (Group 1) and 100 patients with LVEF <35% (Group 2) using time to peak thickening with first harmonic, fourth harmonic, and volume curve methods with the 4DM software, and compared to ECTb. Of the 3 4DM methods, first harmonic had the best correlation with the ECTb (R = 0.88, slope = 1.00, P < 0.0001, bias = −0.18° [95% CI: −20°; 16°] for phase standard deviation; and similarly for histogram bandwidth, while volume curve analysis had the greatest variation. The intra and inter-observer reproducibility for 4DM time to peak thickening with first harmonic was very good (R = 0.99, P < 0.0001 and coefficient of variability 10% [95% CI 9.2–12%] for intra-observer, and R = 0.97, P < 0.0001, coefficient of variability 16% [15–17%] for inter-observer, respectively). Finally, in patients with LVEF <35%, the area under the curve on receiver operator characteristic analysis was 0.93 [95% CI: 0.89–0.97] to detect significant mechanical dyssynchrony (i.e. standard deviation ≥43°) using 4DM versus ECTb. The 4DM-software provides an accurate and reproducible alternative method of dyssynchrony analysis of SPECT MPI for evaluation and management of heart failure.
Molecular characterization of human melanocortin-3 receptor ligand-receptor interaction.

Melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R), primarily expressed in the hypothalamus, plays an important role in the regulation of energy homeostasis. MC3R-deficient (MC3R -/- ) mice demonstrate increased fat mass, higher feeding efficiency, hyperleptinaemia, and mild hyperinsulinism. At least one specific mutation of MC3R has been identified to be associated with human obesity. Functional analysis of this altered MC3R (I183N) has indicated that the mutation completely abolishes agonist-mediated receptor activation. However, the specific molecular determinants of MC3R responsible for ligand binding and receptor signaling are currently unknown. The present study is to determine the structural aspects of MC3R responsible for ligand binding and receptor signaling. On the basis of our theoretical model for MC1R, using mutagenesis, we have examined 19 transmembrane domain amino acids selected for these potential roles in ligand binding and receptor signaling. Our results indicate that (i) substitutions of charged amino acid residues E131 in transmembrane domain 2 (TM2), D154 and D158 in TM3, and H298 in TM6 with alanine dramatically reduced NDP-MSH binding affinity and receptor signaling, (ii) substitutions of aromatic amino acids F295 and F296 in TM6 with alanine also significantly decreased NDP-MSH binding and receptor activity, (iii) substitutions of D121in TM2 and D332 in TM7 with alanine resulted in the complete loss of ligand binding, ligand induced receptor activation, and cell surface protein expression, and (iv) interestingly, substitution of L165 in TM3 with methionine or alanine switched antagonist SHU9119 into a receptor agonist. In conclusion: Our results suggest that TM3 and TM6 are important for NDP-MSH binding, while D121 in TM2 and D332 in TM7 are crucial for receptor activity and signaling. Importantly, L165 in TM3 is critical for agonist or antagonist selectivity. These results provide important information about the molecular determinants of hMC3R responsible for ligand binding and receptor signaling.
Ultrasound transmission and reflection computerized tomography for imaging bones and adjoining soft tissues

An ultrasonic imaging system that simultaneously collects attenuation, time of flight, and backscatter data from multiple views to make tomographic images is described. By using 80 such cross sections, three-dimensional images of turkey and dog limbs are constructed. The images are of high quality and provide detailed information on geometry and nature of structures that constitute bone and surrounding soft tissue. They reveal topological information of regions of interest without shadow and artifacts, and thus provide a distinct advantage over conventional single-line methods for measuring tissue properties. >
Right-Making, Reference, and Reduction

The causal theory of reference (CTR) provides a well-articulated and widely-accepted account of the reference relation. On CTR the reference of a term is fixed by whatever property causally regulates the competent use of that term. CTR poses a metaethical challenge to realists by demanding an account of the properties that regulate the competent use of normative predicates. CTR might pose a challenge to ethical theorists as well. Long (2012) argues that CTR entails the falsity of any normative ethical theory. First-order theory attempts to specify what purely descriptive property is a fundamental right-making property (FRM). Long contends that the notion that the FRM causally regulates competent use of the predicate ‘right’ leads to a reductio. The failure of this argument is nevertheless instructive concerning a point at which ethics and metaethics overlap.
Surface segregation and oxidation studies of AlBe alloys

Surface segregation and oxidation of AlBe alloys have been studied using the LEED-AES technique. Results obtained from one polycrystalline sample and three single crystals with (001), (011) and (111) orientations show no segregation of Be to the clean Al surface. The annealing temperatures ranged from 300 °C to 600 °C for a few minutes to a few hours. Results from the polycrystalline sample suggest that in the presence of oxygen or Al2O3 on the surface, Be diffuses to the surface during annealing (at 400 °C or above) to form BeO and reduces Al2O3. The difference in the free energies of formation of the bulk BeO and Al2O3 favors this reaction. A one-to-one correspondence has been found between the surface coverage of BeO formed to that of Al2O3 present prior to annealing the sample. The three single crystals had much less Be in the bulk and this affects the reduction reaction by limiting the rate of Be diffusion to the surface. LEED investigation for the (111) oriented crystal showed that BeO grows as the (0001) basal plane on the Al(111) surface. The magnitude of the misfit between unrelaxed Al(111) and BeO(0001) as measured from the relative positions of superlattice beams indicate some compression or expansion in the interface region.
Rational Disposition Effects: Theory and Evidence

The disposition effect is a longstanding puzzle in financial economics. This paper demonstrates that it is not intrinsically at odds with rational behavior. In a rational expectations model with asymmetrically informed investors, trading strategies as predicted by the disposition effect can arise as an optimal response to dynamic changes in the information structure. The model generates several novel predictions: the disposition behavior of unsophisticated investors should weaken after events that reduce information asymmetries and should be concentrated in stocks with weak price momentum. The data, trading records of 30,000 clients at a German discount brokerage firm from 1995 to 2000, are consistent with these predictions.
Regulation of Sos Activity by Intramolecular Interactions

The guanine nucleotide exchange factor Sos mediates the coupling of receptor tyrosine kinases to Ras activation. To investigate the mechanisms that control Sos activity, we have analyzed the contribution of various domains to its catalytic activity. Using human Sos1 (hSos1) truncation mutants, we show that Sos proteins lacking either the amino or the carboxyl terminus domain, or both, display a guanine nucleotide exchange activity that is significantly higher compared with that of the full-length protein. These results demonstrate that both the amino and the carboxyl terminus domains of Sos are involved in the negative regulation of its catalytic activity. Furthermore, in vitro Ras binding experiments suggest that the amino and carboxyl terminus domains exert negative allosteric control on the interaction of the Sos catalytic domain with Ras. The guanine nucleotide exchange activity of hSos1 was not augmented by growth factor stimulation, indicating that Sos activity is constitutively maintained in a downregulated state. Deletion of both the amino and the carboxyl terminus domains was sufficient to activate the transforming potential of Sos. These findings suggest a novel negative regulatory role for the amino terminus domain of Sos and indicate a cooperation between the amino and the carboxyl terminus domains in the regulation of Sos activity.
Remote Real-Time Video-Enabled Docking for Underwater Autonomous Platforms

One of the key challenges in the development and implementation of ocean observatories is sustained observations over relevant temporal and spatial scales. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have demonstrated their potential for synoptic spatial coverage of regions of scientific and strategic interest. The range and duration of these systems are limited, however, to the capabilities of a single charge. A few efforts have been made to develop docking systems for propeller-driven vehicles; however, these systems are not applicable for buoyancy-driven gliders and cannot be universally applied to AUVs. Here the authors introduce an alternative strategy for AUV docking, demonstrate feasibility with a series of field tests using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to remotely recover an AUV, and comment on the scalability within the framework of the evolving global ocean observatory initiatives. Implementation of simple strategies such as this has the potential to reduce the chronic problem of undersampling in the ocean and may facilitate addressing some outstanding scientific questions related to the ocean.
Evaluating Best Practices in Raman Spectral Analysis for Uranium Speciation and Relative Abundance in Aqueous Solutions

Raman spectroscopy is emerging as a powerful tool for identifying hexavalent uranium speciation in situ; however, there is no straightforward protocol for identifying uranyl species in solution. Herein, uranyl samples are evaluated using Raman spectroscopy, and speciation is monitored at various solution pH values and anion compositions. Spectral quality is evaluated using two Raman excitation wavelengths (532 and 785 nm) as these are critical for maximizing signal-to-noise and minimizing background from fluorescent uranyl species. The Raman vibrational frequency of uranyl shifts according to the identity of the coordinating ions within the equatorial plane and/or solution pH; therefore, spectral barcode analysis and rigorous peak fitting methods are developed that allow accurate and routine uranium species identification. All in all, this user's guide is expected to provide a user-friendly, straightforward approach for uranium species identification using Raman spectroscopy.
An exercise in Malliavin's calculus

This note has two goals. First, for those who have heard the term but do not know what it means, it provides a gentle introduction to Malliavin's calculus as it applies to degenerate parabolic partial differential equations. Second, it applies that theory to generalizations of Kolmogorov's example of a highly degenerate operator which is nonetheless hypoelliptic.
Relationship of Serum S100B and Intracranial Injury in Children with Accidental Closed Head Trauma

S100B, a calcium-dependent protein produced by astroglial cells in the central nervous system (CNS) and by chondrocytes, functions as both a neurotrophin and neurotoxin. It has a half-life in the systemic circulation of approximately six hours. We examined whether serum levels of S100B would be predictive of intracranial injury (ICI) in children, as detected by cranial computed tomography (CT), in children with closed head trauma (CHT). In addition, we evaluated the effect of long bone fractures on the level of S100B in children with both CHT and extracranial injuries such as long bone fractures. One hundred fifty-two children, who presented to the Pediatric Emergency Department of Yale -New Haven Children's Hospital, within six hours of accidental CHT, and required CT to exclude ICI, were prospectively enrolled. After informed consent from a caregiver, samples were obtained by venipuncture and analyzed for a quantitative serum level of S100B. Of the 152 children enrolled in this study, 24 had an ICI. Mean S100B levels were significantly greater in children with ICI (0.212 μg/L vs. 0.084 μg/L; p<0.001), in children with long bone fractures (0.220 μg/L vs. 0.083 μg/L; p<0.001), and in children who were non-white (0.127 μg/L vs. 0.081 μg/L; p=0.03). Sixty-two percent of children with ICI had venipuncture performed more than 120 minutes after head injury. After controlling for time of venipuncture, fractures, and race, mean S100B levels were still greater in children with ICI (0.409 μg/L vs. 0.118 μg/L; p<0.001). The discriminatory value of S100B to detect ICI, as determined by the area under the receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve, was 0.67. Further study of S100B is necessary to determine whether this biochemical marker could serve as a useful adjunct in the evaluation of children with CHT.
Introduction to a Special Issue on Making Markets Work for the Rural Poor

This special issue originates with a three week Seminar in Christian Scholarship that Calvin College graciously hosted in July 2005 on the topic, "Making Markets Work for the Rural Poor: Christian Mission and Global Enterprise". This seminar involved 14 participants from 10 different colleges and universities and 2 non-academic research institutions in the United States and Europe, as well as a visiting speaker from the Rockefeller Foundation. It was an exceptionally talented group with a wealth of energy, experience and skills. This made for rich interactions within the group, drawing on practical as well as technical expertise, a range of spiritual traditions, and different experiences from around the world, domestically and internationally. The seminar not only fostered networking and fellowship among Christian development economists, it also sparked original research, including new collaborations such as those reflected in the Boughton et al. and Wilson and Stapleford contributions to this special issue. We organized an Association of Christian Economists session at the January 2007 meetings in Chicago based on a selection of papers submitted for this special issue. And following rigorous peer review, we now introduce this set of four papers.
Stem cell transplantation (SCT) for Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM)

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) is a low-grade lymphoplasmacytoid malignancy of unknown etiology. It primarily affects elderly patients and is characterized by a monoclonal IgM component, varying degrees of cytopenias, lymphadenopathy and manifestations related to hyperviscosity syndromes. WM is usually treated with single agent nucleoside analogues or alkylating agents that often provide high response rates and durable remissions. Recurrence of the disease after primary therapy is not uncommon, and resistance to both alkylating agents and nucleoside analogs eventually emerges. Small numbers of patients have undergone high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) with either autologous (n = 24) or allogeneic (n = 6) stem cell transplantation (SCT) as treatment for this disease. Most patients in both groups achieved remission. Results are promising and a more in-depth analysis of possible applications of this treatment modality is attempted with this mini-review.
Enhanced breast cancer cell adherence to the lung endothelium via PAF-acetylhydrolase inhibition: A potential mechanism for enhanced metastasis in smokers

Cancer deaths are primarily caused by distant metastases, rather than by primary tumor growth; however, the role of smoking in metastasis remains unclear. We demonstrated previously that endothelial cell platelet-activating factor (PAF) production results in enhanced inflammatory cell recruitment to the lung. We propose that endothelial cell PAF accumulation plays a role in cancer cell migration to distal locations. We used cigarette smoke extract (CSE) to inhibit the activity of endothelial cell PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH), which hydrolyzes and inactivates PAF, and determined whether this results in increased endothelial cell PAF accumulation and breast cancer adherence. Incubation of human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-L) with CSE resulted in a significant inhibition of PAF-AH activity that was accompanied by increased PAF production and adherence of highly invasive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Pretreatment of HMVEC-L with (S)-bromoenol lactone to inhibit calcium-independent phospholipase A2β (iPLA2β, which initiates endothelial cell PAF production) prior to CSE exposure resulted in complete inhibition of MDA-MB-231 cell adherence. Similarly, pretreatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with the PAF receptor antagonist Ginkgo biloba resulted in inhibition of adherence to the endothelium. Immunoblot analysis indicated an increase in MDA-MB-231 cell PAF receptor expression with CSE exposure. Taken together, our data indicate that CSE exposure increases endothelial cell PAF production, resulting in enhanced adherence of tumor cells to the endothelium. Our in vitro data indicate that increased tumor cell adherence would lead to enhanced metastasis formation in smokers. Potential therapeutic targets include endothelial cell iPLA2β or the tumor cell PAF receptor.
Time Factor in Reversibility of Myocardial Metabolic Changes in Hemorrhagic Shock.

Summary1. The abnormal changes that occur in the % extraction of pyruvate and lactate by the heart in shock are returned to normal if a blood transfusion is given within 1 to 1 1/4 hours of onset of shock. If the shock period is prolonged to 3 or more hours, the changes are irreversible to transfusion. 2. The % extraction of O2 by the heart, which is markedly elevated in hemorrhagic shock, is returned to normal after an infusion of blood given following 1 to 1 1/4 hours of shock. In contrast, if transfusion is given after more prolonged shock, the myocardial % extraction of O2 is depressed to abnormally low levels. It is suggested that this may be a reflection of depleted or abnormal myocardial enzyme systems after prolonged shock. 3. These findings support other biochemical, physiological, and pathological observations which point to irreversible myocardial damage as an important factor in the irreversibility of prolonged shock.
La Crosse Encephalitis: An Adult Case Series

Abstract Background La Crosse viral encephalitis is well described in children, but to date, there are only 2 adult cases described in the literature. Despite the fact that pediatric infection can be life threatening and typically presents as a febrile meningoencephalitis often complicated by seizures and mental status changes, little is known about the presentation and course of adult infection. We report the largest case series of adult La Crosse encephalitis. Methods Inpatient data were reviewed between 2001 and 2012 to identify adults (≥18 years of age) with possible La Crosse encephalitis. Subsequent review of serologic testing was followed by a comprehensive chart review. Results Ten cases were identified, with ages ranging from 20 to 80 years. Fever, headache, and hyponatremia were seen in the majority, while mental status changes occurred in 5 patients and seizures in 2 patients. The mean length of stay was 8.4 days (± 8.4); 3 patients required intensive care unit admission, 2 of them were intubated, and 4 patients required discharge to a rehabilitation facility. Conclusions La Crosse Virus produces a clinically significant encephalitis in adults, and a high level of suspicion should be maintained, particularly in endemic areas. There were no deaths, but La Crosse encephalitis in adults remained a morbid illness often associated with mental status changes, prolonged length of stay or intensive care unit admission, and frequent need for postdischarge rehabilitation.
I’m so angry I could help you: Moral outrage as a driver of victim compensation

Recent behavioral economics studies have shown that third parties compensate players in Dictator, Ultimatum, and Trust games. However, there are almost no studies about what drives third parties to compensate victims in such games. It can be argued that compensation is a form of helping; and helping behavior, in a variety of forms, has been widely researched, especially with regard to motivators. Previous work on helping behavior has focused on empathic concern as a primary driver. In sharp contrast, anger is often seen as an antisocial motivator resulting in aggression. However, other research has shown that moral outrage, anger evoked by the violation of a moral rule or a social norm, can lead to the punishment of a perpetrator, often described as altruistic or pro-social punishment. Some of the motivations for pro-social punishment, namely a concern for justice or the restoration of community values, can also be realized through victim compensation. We therefore propose the hypothesis that moral outrage leads to compensating behavior above and beyond what is predicted by empathic concern, but only when a social norm has been violated. We test this hypothesis in two studies, both of which use modified trust games in which the investor experiences a loss due either to a social norm violation or some other cause. Study 1 shows that trait moral outrage predicts third-party compensatory behavior above and beyond empathic concern, but only when a social norm is violated. To better understand the causal mechanism, Study 2 directly manipulated moral outrage, showing again that moral outrage leads to compensation, but only when a social norm is violated.
Categorical versus dimensional approaches to autism-associated intermediate phenotypes in 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome.

ABSTRACT Background Individuals with 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome (22q11DS) have elevated rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although the diagnosis is controversial. To determine whether there is a biological substrate of ASD in patients with 22q11DS, we examined neurocognitive and structural neuroanatomic differences between those with 22q11DS and an ASD diagnosis (22q11DS-ASD + ) and those with 22q11DS without ASD (22q11DS-ASD − ). We then determined whether these differences were better characterized within a categorical or dimensional framework. Methods We collected multiple neurocognitive measures and high-resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans from 116 individuals (29 patients who were 22q11DS-ASD + , 32 patients who were 22q11DS-ASD − , and 55 typically developing controls) who were between 6 and 26 years of age. Measures of subcortical volume, cortical thickness (CT), and surface area were extracted using the FreeSurfer image analysis software. Group differences in neurocognitive and neuroanatomic measures were assessed; regression analyses were then performed to determine whether a categorical or dimensional measure of ASD was a better predictor of neurocognitive impairment or neuroanatomic abnormalities observed in patients with 22q11DS-ASD + . Results In comparison to 22q11DS-ASD – individuals, 22q11DS-ASD + participants had decreased bilateral parahippocampal CT and decreased right amygdala volumes. Those with 22q11DS-ASD + also showed slowed processing speed and impairments in visuospatial and facial memory. Neurocognitive impairments fit a dimensional model of ASD, whereas reductions in parahippocampal CT were best explained by a categorical measure of ASD. Conclusions A combination of categorical and dimensional measures of ASD may provide the most comprehensive understanding of ASDs in individuals with 22q11DS.
Superficial Peroneal Nerve Entrapment

Superficial peroneal nerve entrapment is an uncommon cause of anterolateral leg pain. Patients may have numbness or paresthesias in the distribution of the nerve; there may be a tender bulge approximately 10 cm proximal to the lateral malleolus or tenderness medial to the lateral malleolus. Entrapment may be due to injury, compression, or surgery, and it may present as neuropathic or sympathetic pain.
HIV-Associated Cognitive Disorders and CSF Viral RNA

The relationship of CSF levels of HIV type 1 RNA to neuropsychological (NP) test performance in 97 prospectively enrolled, HIV-infected subjects (mean age, 31 yrs) was studied at the University of California, San Diego.
Screening for Shortness of Breath: Stretching the Screening Paradigm to Tertiary Prevention.

The article discusses the authors' views about the use of medical screening as a means of diagnosing shortness of breath (dyspnea) in patients in America, and it mentions the potential expansion of medical screening practices to prevent the need for patients to undergo tertiary care. According to the article, dyspnea prevalence increases with age. Epidemiological and mortality studies are examined, along with chronic respiratory disease- and lung cancer-related deaths in the U.S.
'Le Renégat' D'albert Camus: De L'insignifiance au Terrorisme

La nouvelle 'Le Renegat, ou, un esprit confus' reste un texte peu explore d'Albert Camus malgre de nombreuses exegeses allegoriques. Au tournant du vingt-et-unieme siecle, la montee des integrismes et la proliferation du terrorisme mondial n'ont pourtant guere suscite de regain d'interet. C'est notre intention de replacer ce texte 'etrange' dans la mouvance hypermoderne de la violence. Les angles d'etude sont multiples et rendent justice a la complexite de la nouvelle. Elle est examinee a la lumiere de L'Homme revolte , en apprehendant les derives fondamentalistes et en faisant retour sur la guerre d'Algerie, afin de comparer les mecanismes de la terreur et les pratiques repressives. La responsabilite de l'intellectuel derriere le phenomene terroriste est egalement invoquee, jusqu'a la lecture contemporaine apres les reflexions de Jean Baudrillard sur les attentats du 11 septembre 2001. L'insignifiance des positions presentees par le protagoniste renegat reflete l'engagement ideologique absurde selon Camus.
Dynamic response of human spleen to various compression strain rates

It was found that the material properties of the human spleen were not strain rate dependent within the tested range. This finding can lead to simplified models with elastic material properties that can quickly determine the effect of loading on the spleen including prediction of failure.