cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A functional arginine residue in the vacuolar H+-ATPase of higher plants

The arginine-specific reagent phenylglyoxal inactivated the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase of red beet. Inactivation by phenylglyoxal followed pseudo-first-order kinetics and a double log plot of the t1/2 of inactivation versus phenylglyoxal concentration yielded a slope of 1.18. Neither inorganic anions nor DIDS protected from phenylglyoxal-mediated inactivation of the H(+)-ATPase. Indeed, Cl- stimulated the rate of phenylglyoxal-mediated H(+)-ATPase inactivation relative to SO4(2-). ATP, but not MgATP or ADP, protected from phenylglyoxal-mediated inactivation and inactivation resulted in a decrease in the Vmax of the H(+)-ATPase with little effect on the Km. Collectively, these results are consistent with phenylglyoxal-mediated inactivation of the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase resulting from modification of a single arginine residue in the catalytic nucleotide binding site of the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase. Stimulation of phenylglyoxal-mediated inactivation by Cl- indicates that exposure of the phenylglyoxal-sensitive functional arginine residue is enhanced in the presence of Cl-. The failure of MgATP to protect from phenylglyoxal inactivation suggests that ATP, rather than MgATP, binds directly to the catalytic site and that Mg2+ may act to promote catalysis subsequent to ATP binding.
Neurodevelopmental impact of hydrocortisone exposure in extremely low birth weight infants: outcomes at 1 and 2 years.

Neurodevelopmental impact of hydrocortisone exposure in extremely low birth weight infants: outcomes at 1 and 2 years
Low complexity algorithm for seizure prediction using Adaboost

This paper presents a novel low-complexity patient-specific algorithm for seizure prediction. Adaboost algorithm is used in two stages of the algorithm: feature selection and classification. The algorithm extracts spectral power features in 9 different sub-bands from the electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings. We have proposed a new feature ranking method to rank the features. The key (top ranked) features are used to make a prediction on the seizure event. Further, to reduce the complexity of classification stage, a non-linear classifier is built based on the Adaboost algorithm using decision stumps (linear classifier) as the base classifier. The proposed algorithm achieves a sensitivity of 94.375% for a total of 71 seizure events with a low false alarm rate of 0.13 per hour and 6.5% of time spent in false alarms using an average of 5 features for the Freiburg database. The low computational complexity of the proposed algorithm makes it suitable for an implantable device.
Doxastic decisions and controlling belief

I critique Matthias Steup’s account of exercising direct voluntary control over coming to have doxastic attitudes via doxastic decisions. I show that the sort of agency Steup argues is exercised in doxastic decision-making is not sufficient for agents to exercise direct voluntary control over their doxastic attitudes. This counts against such putative decisions being the locus of direct control in doxastic agency. Finally, I briefly consider what, if any, consequences the failure of Steup’s theory of doxastic agency may have for epistemic deontologism.
On the inverse scattering problem for the Helmholtz equation in one dimension

A scheme is presented for the solution of inverse scattering problems for the one-dimensional Helmholtz equation. The scheme is based on a combination of the standard Riccati equation for the impedance function with a new trace formula for the derivative of the potential, and can be viewed as a frequency-domain version of the layer-stripping approach. The principal advantage of the procedure is that if the scatterer is be reconstructed has m>or=1 continuous derivatives, the accuracy of the reconstruction is proportional to 1/am, where a is the highest frequency for which scattering data are available. Thus a smooth scatterer is reconstructed very accurately from a limited amount of available data. The scheme has an asymptotic cost O(n2), where n is the number of features to be recovered (as do classical layer-stripping algorithms), and is stable with respect to perturbations of the scattering data. The performance of the algorithm is illustrated by several examples.
The Metasaxophone: concept, implementation, and mapping strategies for a new computer music instrument

The Metasaxophone is an acoustic tenor saxophone retrofitted with an onboard computer microprocessor and an array of sensors that convert performance data into MIDI control messages. The instrument has additionally been outfitted with a unique microphone system that allows for detailed control of the amplified sound. While maintaining full acoustic functionality it is also a versatile MIDI controller and an electric instrument. A primary motivation behind the Metasaxophone is to put signal processing under direct expressive control of the performer. Through the combination of gestural and audio performance control, employing both discrete and continuous multilayered mapping strategies, the Metasaxophone can be adapted for a wide range of musical purposes. This paper explores the artistic and technical development of the instrument, as well as new conceptions of musical mappings arising from the enhanced interface.
The Polarographic and Coulometric Reduction of Fluorene in the Presence of Proton Donor: An Apparent Three Electron Ece Process

Abstract The polarographic and coulometric reduction of the non-alternate aromatic hydrocarbon, fluorene, has been carried out in aprotic DMP and dimethyl sulfoxide and in the same solvents with the electro-inert proton donor, rescorcinal, present. Under aprotic condition the n-value was one but in the presence of the proton donor both polarographie and coulometric n-values were essentially three. The product of the exhaustive coulometric reduction of fluorene in the presence of the proton donor is colorless but unstable in the presence of oxygen. It converts almost quantitatively to fluorenone in the presence of an excess of oxygen. This behavior is quite different from the normal two electron ECE mechanism of all alternant hydrocarbons which produces a stable dihydro product in most cases.
Ear-Lobe Creases and Heart Disease

In 50 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and 38 controls, comparative data on age, sex, serum cholesterol level, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, smoking habits, and ear-lobe creases were analyzed statistically. After adjustment for age differences, the factors which chiefly distinguished the two groups were the incidences of smoking, obesity, diabetes, and ear-lobe creases. Of these, the ear-lobe crease seemed to be correlated best with CHD, and may prove to be a useful diagnostic sign.
Internal reflection infrared spectroscopy for chemical analysis of surfaces and thin films

Abstract Infrared (i.r.) spectroscopy can provide useful chemical information about species present at semiconductor surfaces, at interfaces, and in thin films. Though inherently less sensitive than electron-based techniques, i.r. spectroscopic sensitivity can be greatly enhanced through application of multiple internal reflection geometry. Basic theory describing internal reflection techniques is presented, followed by a discussion of options for apparatus and optics. Finally, examples from the recent literature will be discussed.
Sodium chloride excretion following salt loading in hypertensive subjects.

Patients with essential hypertension show an altered renal excretory response to sodium chloride loading. Hypertensive patients acutely eliminate a greater proportion of a salt and water load than do normotensive subjects. This renal abnormality appears to be due to an augmented tubular rejection of sodium chloride and water. This study further defines the nature and extent of this alteration in electrolyte and water metabolism.
Water jet atomization of molten steel

Data are obtained and a model derived for describing particle size distribution for molten metals atomized by two water jets. The influences of water jet parameters on size distribution and median size are reported and discussed in terms of fundamental quantities and model predictions. The data, which were obtained using fan-spray jets impinging at an apex angle of 60° to atomize Type 4620 steel, indicated that median size was primarly a function of water jet velocity.
Medical Oncologists' Attitudes and Practice in Cancer Pain Management: A National Survey

Purpose To evaluate the attitudes, knowledge, and practices of US medical oncologists that are related to management of cancer pain. Methods An anonymous survey was mailed to a geographically representative sample of medical oncologists randomly selected from the American Medical Association's Physician Master File. Results From a total of 2,000 oncologists, 354 responded to the original questionnaire and 256 responded to one of two subsequent shortened versions (overall response rate, 32%). Responders were demographically similar to all US medical oncologists. Using numeric rating scales of 0 to 10, oncologists rated their specialty highly for the ability to manage cancer pain (median, 7; interquartile range [IQR], 6 to 8) but rated their peers as more conservative prescribers than themselves (median, 3; IQR, 2 to 5). The quality of pain management training during medical school and residency was rated as 3 (IQR, 1 to 5) and 5 (IQR, 3 to 7), respectively. The most important barriers to pain management we...
Assembly of the replication initiation complex on SV40 origin DNA

The assembly of the complex that forms over the simian virus 40 origin to initiate DNA replication is not well understood. This complex is composed of the virus-coded T antigen and three cellular proteins, replication protein A (RPA), DNA polymerase α/primase (pol/prim) and topoisomerase I (topo I) in association with the origin. The order in which these various proteins bind to the DNA was investigated by performing binding assays using biotinylated origin DNA. We demonstrate that in the presence of all four proteins, pol/prim was essential to stabilize the initiation complex from the disruptive effects of topo I. At the optimal concentration of pol/prim, topo I and RPA bound efficiently to the complex, although pol/prim itself was not detected in significant amounts. At higher concentrations less topo I was recruited, suggesting that DNA polymerase is an important modulator of the binding of topo I. Topo I, in turn, appeared to be involved in recruiting RPA. RPA, in contrast, seemed to have little or no effect on the recruitment of the other proteins to the origin. These and other data suggested that pol/prim is the first cellular protein to interact with the double-hexameric T antigen bound to the origin. This is likely followed by topo I and then RPA, or perhaps by a complex of topo I and RPA. Stoichiometric analysis of the topo I and T antigen present in the complex suggested that two molecules of topo I are recruited per double hexamer. Finally, we demonstrate that DNA has a role in recruiting topo I to the origin.
On primitive sets of loops in the boundary of a handlebody

Abstract A set C of disjoint simple loops in the boundary of a handlebody X is primitive (that is, geometrically dual to the boundaries of disjoint disks in X ) if and only if adding 2-handles to X along any subset of C yields a handlebody. Also, a set C of n + 1 disjoint simple loops in the boundary of a handlebody X of genus n is standard, in the sense that the loops cobound a planar surface P in ∂ X such that ( X , P ) ≅ ( P × I , P ×{0}), if and only if adding 2-handles to X along any proper subset of C yields a handlebody.
Food allergy and food intolerance : diagnosis and treatment

Food allergy is a matter of concern because it affects about 0.5–3.8% of the paediatric population and 0.1–1% of adults, and as well may cause life-threatening reactions. Skin prick testing with food extracts and with fresh foods, the measurement of food-specific IgE, elimination diets and a double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge are the main diagnostic procedures; many non-validated procedures are available, creating confusion among patients and physicians. The treatment of food allergy is still a matter of debate. Antihistamines, corticosteroids and, if necessary (in case of anaphylaxis), epinephrine, are the drugs of choice for the treatment of symptoms of food allergy. Sodium cromolyn may be used prophylactically even though there are no controlled studies certifying its efficacy. The only etiologic treatment of food allergy is specific desensitization. Sublingual-oral-specific desensitization has been used by our group for the treatment of food-allergic patients with a high percentage of success.
Thresholds of detection for falling snow from satellite-borne active and passive sensors

Since falling snow from space is the next precipitation measurement challenge from space, information must be determined in order to guide retrieval algorithm development for these current and future missions. This information includes thresholds of detection for various sensor channel configurations, snow event system characteristics, and surface types. Results herein provide thresholds of falling snow detection for active radars at Ku, Ka, and W-band, and for passive radiometer channels from 10 to 183 GHz. The results show that the radar detection levels are an order of magnitude better (detect lower amounts of falling snow) than the passive detection.
Performance visualization: 2-D, 3-D, and beyond

During the past ten years, performance data visualization techniques have evolved from static, two-dimensional graphics to dynamic graphics and immersive virtual environments. We sketch the domain of applicability for each visualization technique using analysis of input/output behavior and WWW traffic as example problem domains. With this background, we describe experiences with virtual environment representations of complex performance data and the potential for immersive interaction with complex software.
Miscomputing ratio: social cost of selfish computing

Auctions are useful mechanism for allocating items (goods, tasks, resources, etc.) in multiagent systems. The bulk of auction theory assumes that the bidders' valuations for items are given a priori. However, in many applications the bidders need to expend significant computational effort to determine their valuations. We introduce a way of measuring the negative impact of agents choosing computing strategies selfishly. Our miscomputing ratio isolates the effect of selfish computing from that of selfish bidding. We present a Bayes-Nash equilibrium analysis of a Vickrey auction where the bidders' strategies include computational actions. This equilibrium analysis allows us to predict the overhead caused by miscomputing, as measured by the miscomputing ratio. We show that in some situations, the outcome can be arbitrarily far from optimal. However, by carefully designing cost functions for agents, it is possible to provide incentives for bidders to choose computing policies that result in optimal social welfare.
The synthetic triterpenoid 1-[2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oyl]imidazole blocks nuclear factor-κB activation through direct inhibition of IκB kinase β

The synthetic triterpenoid 1-[2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oyl]imidazole (CDDO-Im) is a multifunctional agent with potent anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, cytoprotective, and apoptotic activities, whose molecular targets are unknown. Using both cell-free and cellular assays, we show that CDDO-Im is a direct inhibitor of IkappaB kinase (IKK) beta and that it thereby inhibits binding of nuclear factor-kappaB to DNA and subsequent transcriptional activation. Pretreatment of cells with CDDO-Im prevents IkappaBalpha phosphorylation and degradation in response to tumor necrosis factor alpha. The kinetics of this inhibition by CDDO-Im are rapid and occur within 15 min. A biotinylated analogue of CDDO-Im showed that CDDO-Im binds to the IKK signalsome. Furthermore, we show that Cys(179) on IKK is a target for CDDO-Im. This is the first report to show that this novel synthetic triterpenoid binds to and inhibits IKKbeta directly.
Uncertainty in bearing estimation with the Volume Search Sonar

The Volume Search Sonar uses a cylindrical receiver array consisting of 40 staves of 9 elements each mounted parallel with the axis of the cylinder, itself aligned with the fore-aft axis of the towbody on which it is installed. 27 fore-aft beam pairs are formed with 27 sub-arrays of 16 contiguous staves. Previous work [Brogan et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 115(5-2), 2547, 2004] has shown that a combination of monopulse and conjugate product processing applied to beam pairs yielded the time and angles of arrival necessary to obtain bathymetry and seafloor acoustic backscatter imagery from seafloor echoes received at the VSS array. Here we analyze the estimation uncertainties for these angles of arrival. In monopulse processing applied to fore-aft beams with common phase centers, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in excess of 15 dB is necessary for the standard deviation of the angle estimate to remain below 0.5° in long-range mode (±4° about broadside), whereas an SNR in excess of 20 dB is required to obtain the same angular uncertainty in short-range mode (±8° about broadside). For the conjugate product processing applied to pairs of adjacent across-track beams with distinct phase centers, an SNR in excess of 24 dB is required to maintain the standard deviation of angle estimates below 1°, highlighting the need to improve such estimates by filtering the real and imaginary parts of the conjugate product output.
Mechanisms of “Electronic” Desorption

This brief overview of what we know about mechanisms of electron-transition initiated desorption is mainly intended as an exhortation. I indicate areas where desorption can be useful as a surface analytic tool, now, and point out the kind of experiments that would provide important information for the further elucidation of the pathways by which desorption occurs.
Mixing topics while studying does not enhance learning.

Abstract According to a recent survey, it is common for students to study two topics at the same time using flashcards, and students who do so virtually always keep the topics separate instead of mixing flashcards together ( Wissman, Rawson, & Pyc, 2012 ). We predicted that mixing might be a relatively easy way to increase learning efficiency because mixing increases the spacing between repetitions of a given item, and spacing enhances long-term learning. We compared two conditions: in the mixed condition, participants alternated on each trial between studying anatomy terms and Indonesian translations. In the unmixed condition they studied one topic and then the other. Items were interleaved within item-type in both conditions. Mixing did not have reliable effects when participants studied flashcards in a single day (Experiments 1 and 2) or on two different days (Experiments 3 and 4). Thus, the results seem to disconfirm two sets of beliefs: students’ universal belief that mixing flashcards is undesirable and cognitive psychologists’ belief that doing so should be encouraged.
An Evaluation of the Hemizygous Transgenic Tg.AC Mouse for Carcinogenicity Testing of Pharmaceuticals. I. Evidence for a Confounding Nonresponder Phenotype

We have completed 2 26-wk studies to evaluate the hemizygous transgenic Tg.AC mouse, which has been proposed as an alternative short term model for testing carcinogenicity. We attempted to evaluate the response to the known rodent carcinogens cyclophosphamide, phenolphthalein, and tamoxifen and to the noncarcinogen chlorpheniramine following topical application. In the first study, a weak response (2/17 animals) was observed to the positive control 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA in ethanol, 1.25 micrograms), and no response was observed to cyclophosphamide, phenolphthalein, or chlorpheniramine, despite evidence for skin penetration. The second study compared 1.25 micrograms and 6.25 micrograms of TPA in ethanol and acetone solutions. Tamoxifen was also evaluated in both solvents and orally. No significant response was observed to tamoxifen by skin paint or oral routes. Over 60% of the high dose TPA-treated animals showed no (0 or 1) papilloma response, and 30% of the animals each developed more than 32 papillomas. The heterogenous response to high dose TPA may be related to variability in the responsiveness of hemizygous animals. In light of these findings, further Tg.AC studies should employ homozygous animals, and the underlying cause for heterogeneity in the tumorigenic response of Tg.AC mice should be identified and eliminated.
Effect of the acute-phase response on the pharmacokinetics of chlorzoxazone and cytochrome P-450 2E1 in vitro activity in rats.

The acute-phase response is known to produce alterations in hepatic cytochrome P-450 (CYP) expression. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a well known inducer of acute-phase response decreases hepatic CYP2E1 in vitro activity in rats. This study was designed to determine if LPS administration produced alterations in the pharmacokinetics of chlorzoxazone (CZN), a marker for CYP2E1 expression. Sprague-Dawley rats were administered a single i.p. injection of LPS (5 mg/kg) or saline control approximately 24 h before a single i.v. bolus dose of CZN (15 mg/kg). Serial blood samples were collected over a 120-min period to quantitate CZN plasma concentrations and protein binding. In addition, livers were removed and processed for evaluating in vitro CYP2E1 protein concentrations and activity. Systemic clearance decreased by 35% in LPS-treated rats, whereas half-life and steady-state volume of distribution increased by 167 and 66%, respectively. The plasma free-fraction of CZN increased 2-fold after LPS treatment. The CZN intrinsic clearance decreased in LPS rats by 71% compared with control values. The CYP2E1 liver microsomal activity decreased between 55 and 75% along with a 41% decrease in CYP2E1 protein concentration. The CZN intrinsic clearance was significantly correlated with both the CZN and p-nitrophenol liver microsomal activity (r = 0.97 and r = 0.91, respectively). This study demonstrated that LPS administration produced expected reductions in the in vivo intrinsic clearance of CZN, and these changes were highly correlated with in vitro activity studies. In addition, LPS produced significant increases in the steady-state volume of distribution of CZN secondary to reductions in its plasma protein binding.
Helping Others? The Effects of Childhood Poverty and Family Instability on Prosocial Behavior

This article examines the relationship between poverty and family instability during childhood on prosocial behavior—volunteerism—during late adolescence. The 1996 Young Adult supplements of the Na...
Mismatch repair deficiency concordance between primary colorectal cancer and corresponding metastasis

Universal screening for mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) in cancer is increasingly being implemented to detect Lynch syndrome and aid in treatment decisions. The mismatch repair (MMR) immunohistochemistry (IHC) concordance rate between primary colorectal cancer (CRC) and metastasis is unknown. At times, only metastatic tumor is available for screening (lymph node, liver, lung etc.) rather than the primary tumor. Therefore, it is important to confirm that tissue from metastases can be used for screening for dMMR. We tested dMMR primary and metastatic tumor to assess concordance between the two. We identified dMMR CRC resected at Ohio State University from 1999 to 2013 and stained a corresponding metastasis for all four MMR proteins (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2) with IHC. A total of 50 primary CRC with dMMR and available regional lymph nodes (LN; 26 cases) or other metastatic tissue (24 cases) were identified. Thirteen cases were explained by MLH1 hypermethylation and 10 cases had Lynch syndrome. Two cases had somatic MMR mutations and the etiology for dMMR was unknown in 25 cases. All cases showed concordance in IHC staining between the primary tumor and corresponding metastatic tissue. In 36 cases, metastatic LN/other site was resected at the same time as the primary tumor. In 14 cases, time lapsed [median 16.5 months; quartile (Q)1 8.0; Q3 25; range 3-69] from the primary resection until metastatic resection. Metastatic tissue can be used to screen for Lynch syndrome and dMMR.
Lone Star Gas (A3)

This case explores the strategic options that open up in an industry under conditions of deregulation. Lone Star Gas is in the gas and electric business, and it is uncertain how to pursue opportunities in the newly deregulated electric industry.
A Novel, Privacy Preserving, Architecture for Online Social Networks

The centralized nature of conventional OSNs poses serious risks to the security and privacy of information exchanged between their members. These risks prompted several attempts to create decentralized OSNs, or DOSNs. The basic idea underlying these attempts, is that each member of a social network keeps its data under its own control, instead of surrendering it to a central host, providing access to it to other members according to its own access-control policy. Unfortunately all existing versions of DOSNs have a very serious limitation. Namely, they are unable to subject the membership of a DOSN, and the interaction between its members, to any global policy—which is essential for many social communities. Moreover, the DOSN architecture is unable to support useful capabilities such as narrowcasting and profile-based search. This paper describes a novel architecture of decentralized OSNs—called DOSC, for “online social community”. DOSC adopts the decentralization idea underlying DOSNs, but it is able to subject the membership of a DOSC-community, and the interaction between its members, to a wide range of policies, including privacy-preserving narrowcasting and profile-sensitive search. Received on XXXX; accepted on XXXX; published on XXXX
The Pennsylvania Policy Database Project: A Model for Comparative Analysis

Temple University led a six-university effort that built a comprehensive public policy database for Pennsylvania, modeled on the national Policy Agendas Project created by Frank Baumgartner and Bryan Jones (1993). The Pennsylvania database (www.temple.edu/papolicy) enables users to integrate data from all three branches of government and the news media organized into 20 major and 249 minor policy topics since 1979. This article discusses the value of these data, their potential uses in state policy research, and the lessons learned over the four years invested in building the database. Our hope is that interested readers might undertake similar projects in their states to create a standardized national network of state policy databases.
Abstract 14: Regional Cardiologist Density and 30-Day and 1-Year Mortality in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Heart Failure

Background: Although the distribution of cardiologists and mortality for cardiovascular conditions are both known to vary across regions of the United States, no study has examined the relationship between regional cardiologist density and patient mortality for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or heart failure (HF). Methods: We used 2010 Medicare administrative claims data for AMI and HF. Pneumonia (PN) was used as a control condition. Primary outcomes were death at 30 days and 1 year from admission. For each Hospital Referral Region (HRR), we used the 2010 Bureau of Health Professionals’ Area Resource File to define cardiologist density (number of cardiologists divided by population aged 65+) and 4 HRR characteristics: primary care physician density, total physician density, unemployment rate, and percent white race. We used 2-level hierarchical logistic regression models to examine the association between cardiologist density by tertile and mortality for each condition adjusting for (Model A) patient age, sex, and condition-specific comorbidities, and (Model B) patient and HRR characteristics. Results: Median (interquartile range) cardiologist density per 100,000 in the low, middle, and high tertiles of HRRs was 26.3 (22.9-29.9), 38.6 (36.5-43.1), and 64.5 (54.4-85.3), respectively. There were 171,126 admissions for AMI, 352,853 for HF, and 343,053 for PN. The 30-day mortality rates were 15.3% (26,290), 11.7% (41,121), and 11.9% (40,906), and 1-year mortality rates were 32.1% (55,292), 40.4% (142,612), and 35.2% (120,666), respectively (Table). For 30-day mortality, while model A showed lower mortality with higher cardiologist density for all conditions (odds ratios (ORs): 0.84-0.95), model B showed no associations. For 1-year mortality, while model A showed lower mortality in the high cardiologist density tertile for AMI (OR=0.93) and HF (OR=0.91) and no associations for PN, model B showed no associations for AMI or HF and higher mortality with higher cardiologist density for PN (ORs=1.04-1.06). Conclusion: After adjusting for patient and HRR characteristics, regional cardiologist density was not associated with 30-day or 1-year mortality for AMI or HF, suggesting that the uneven regional distribution of cardiologists across the United States does not affect patient outcomes. ![Graphic][1] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
Effect of Growth Nutrients on Attachment of Listeria monocytogenes To Stainless Steel

Listeria monocytogenes cells grown in chemically defined minimal medium (D10), tryptic soy broth (TSB), and modifications of these media were used to determine the effect of growth nutrients on attachment ability. Stainless steel surfaces were submerged in various cell suspensions at 21°C for 4 h, and the numbers of attached cells were compared. Cells grown in D10 showed approximately 50-fold higher attachment than those grown in TSB. Addition of components of D10 to TSB did not affect the attachment ability of cells grown in TSB. The only modifications of D10, which affected attachment ability were a 10-fold increase of ammonium chloride concentration and a 1/10 reduction in iron, both of which resulted in decreases in attachment ability to one third of the D10 control. Replacement of glucose in D10 with mannose, cellobiose, fructose or trehalose did not effect cell attachment. Replacement of nitrogen components in D10 with tryptone decreased cell attachment to the equivalent level of cells grown in TSB. The reduced attachment ability of TSB-grown cells was not the result of hydrolyzed protein absorbing to the cell surface.
A Method for the Initialization of Mesoscale Models Using Remotely Sensed Wind Observations and Radiometric Data

A technique to deduce the virtual temperature from the combined use of the equations of fluid dynamics, observed wind and observed radiances is described. The wind information could come from ground-based sensitive Very High Frequency (VHF) Doppler radars and/or from space borne Doppler lidars. The radiometers are also assumed to be either space borne and/or ground-based. It is shown that the combined use of the three sources of information (wind, radiances, and fluid dynamics equation) can result in a unique determination of the vertical temperature structure with spatial and temporal resolution comparable to that of the observed wind. This is in contrast to pure radiometric techniques which typically resolve only coarse vertical resolution.
Disparities in Unmet Service Needs Among Adults with Intellectual and Other Developmental Disabilities

Background Due to long waiting lists for services, many adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the United States have unmet service needs. Little research, however, has identified the characteristics of caregivers and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities that relate to the unmet service needs among individuals who are waiting for services. Method The present authors conducted a statewide mail survey of 234 caregivers of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who were waiting for services. The present authors identified which parent and individual with intellectual and developmental disability characteristics were significantly associated with the number of unmet service needs. Results Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who were in poor health, from minority backgrounds and non-verbal were significantly more likely to have a greater number of unmet service needs. Additionally, individuals with younger caregivers and individuals with caregivers from low-income backgrounds were significantly more likely to report a greater number of unmet service needs. Discussion Implications for research and policy are discussed.
Candidate Medical Countermeasures Targeting Ebola Virus Cell Entry

Medical countermeasures (MCMs) against virus infections ideally prevent the adsorption or entry of virions into target cells, thereby circumventing infection. Recent significant advances in elucidating the mechanism of Ebola virus (EBOV) host-cell penetration include the involvement of two-pore channels at the early stage of entry, and identification of cellular proteases for EBOV spike glycoprotein maturation and the intracellular EBOV receptor, Niemann–Pick type C1. This improved understanding of the initial steps of EBOV infection is now increasingly applied to rapid development of candidate MCMs, some of which have already entered the clinic. Candidate MCMs discussed include antibodies, small molecules and peptides that target various stages of the described EBOV cell-entry pathway. In this review, we summarize the currently known spectrum of EBOV cell-entry inhibitors, describe their mechanism of action and evaluate their potential for future development.
The importance of folic acid

Folic acid is necessary for cell development; for the metabolism of specific biochemical reactions in the body, such as the conversion of homocysteine to methionine; and for the metabolism of specific anticonvulsant drugs. Folic acid has an interrelationship with vitamin B12. A deficiency of folate increases the risk of NTDs, as well as contributing to hyperhomocystinemia, a condition associated with increased cardiovascular disease and NTDs. For the prevention of NTDs, it is recommended that a woman of childbearing age consume a daily folate intake of 400 micrograms; however, the average dietary folate intake is half that amount, and the FDA folate fortification of cereal grains adds only 100 micrograms daily. The woman in her childbearing years does not meet the recommendation with dietary and food fortification. Periconceptional folic acid supplementation is essential, because the neural tube closes 23 to 27 days after conception. Therefore, a multiple vitamin containing folic acid is the practical solution at present if the food fortification is not increased. The bioavailability of folate in the vitamin preparation is approximately double that of dietary folate. Most preparations contain 400 micrograms of folic acid, and if the woman took a multiple vitamin (400 micrograms of folate) in addition to her diet (230 micrograms of folate), she would not exceed 1000 micrograms (1 mg) daily, which is considered the upper limit of daily folate ingestion by dietary fortification and supplementation before the masking of vitamin B12 becomes a concern. However, in this group of patients, pernicious anemia is rare. Regarding cardiovascular disease in men and women, there are no long-term studies showing the benefit of folic acid in reducing the homocysteine level. At present, there are only estimations. However, they should not be ignored. Although it is not the current standard of practice, adding a multiple vitamin containing folic acid to the regimen of men and women starting anticonvulsant medication should be considered in order to prevent the folate lowering observed with such commonly used drugs as PHT and carbamazepine. Women in childbearing years should be on a folic acid supplement when taking an anticonvulsant drug. In general, it appears that all men and women would benefit from increased folate intake. This can be accomplished through vitamin supplementation when there is compliance. However, if the food fortification for folate is increased in the future, then the issue of vitamin supplementation will have to be readdressed.
Direct measurement of nuclear diameter with high-frequency ultrasound (10-100 MHz) for breast cancer detection

Two high-frequency (10–100 MHz) ultrasound studies were conducted at the Huntsman Cancer Institute (Salt Lake City, Utah) on breast cancer margin and lymph node specimens from 90 patients, and produced sensitivities and specificities as high as 87.5% and 82.9%. The method used through-transmission measurements and a new parameter that correlated not only to malignant versus benign tissue, but also to various breast cancer types and other pathologies. This parameter, peak density, measures the number of peaks in the ultrasonic spectrum. The data indicated that peak density increased successively for atypical pathologies, ductal carcinomas, and lobular carcinomas as compared to normal tissue. Additional correlations were found between the distribution of peaks in the spectra and the above pathologies. This study’s objective was to test the hypothesis that peak density measures the nuclear diameter of the cells in the tested tissue. A computer model of Mie scattering from a single, nucleated cell was used to calculate ultrasonic spectral peaks in the 10-100 MHz band as a function of nuclear diameter. Experiments were also conducted with agarose tissue phantoms containing polyethylene microspheres having diameters of 10-102 μm. The model and phantom results confirmed the hypothesis that peak density directly correlates to nuclear diameter.
In Focus: Our Future Is Up to Us

"If we stand still in a rapidly changing world, we fear we will lose our leadership position. We believe now is exactly the right time to embark on these endeavors and make changes from a position of strength with the ultimate aim of protecting—and increasing—the value of the CFA charter."
Progress in the Development of Non-ATP-Competitive Protein Kinase Inhibitors for Oncology

Abstract Alternative approaches for inhibitor development in targeting sites other than the ATP cleft are increasingly being pursued in the search for new therapeutics targeting protein kinases. While approved kinase inhibitor drugs offer benefit in cancer treatment, further advances are required to avoid off-target-related toxicities, effect tumor selective cell killing, and improve survival rates in oncology patients. In addition, lack of target selectivity may be a significant issue in chronic diseases where drugs are administered over a long period. Protein–protein interactions involved in kinase regulation and substrate recognition offer high potential for selectivity and avoid decreased efficacy as a result of competition with high intracellular ATP concentrations. These interfaces, however, are more challenging for inhibitor discovery. We discuss two examples where regulatory and substrate-binding sites have been successfully blocked and therefore offer potential for further drug discovery and development. We also discuss the latest developments in methodology for drug discovery that can be applied to the identification of protein–protein interaction inhibitors, including the validation of the REPLACE strategy which has been successfully applied to two inhibitors of protein kinase oncology targets, CDK2/cyclin A and PLK1.
Laser Incisional Eyelid Surgery

Laser incisional techniques are commonly used in aesthetic eyelid and periorbital surgery. The eyelids and adjacent tissues are vascular and delicate area of the face which require meticulous surgical technique and strict attention to hemostasis to attain the best surgical results. Lasers promote these outcomes by allowing the surgeon a near bloodless field, less tissue distortion, a clearer view of anatomic detail, and greater surgical precision and efficiency. A commitment to educating the surgeon and staff on laser surgery is a necessary step to mastering the technology. Appropriate education and observation will promote this knowledge and allow safe and effective use of the laser.
Commitment and Trust in Close Relationships

Sometimes everyday involvement with a close partner is relatively easy. When partners’ goals are compatible and their circumstances of interdependence are congenial, couples can readily achieve desirable outcomes such as intimacy, companionship, and security. The true test of a relationship arises when existing circumstances are not so congenial—when partners confront problematic constraints or dilemmas centering on differing activity preferences, hostile patterns of interaction, extrarelationship temptation, or incompatible life goals. In such situations, the immediate interests of one or both individuals may well be incompatible with the interests of the partner or relationship. Behavior in such uncongenial situations is revealing of individuals’ dispositions, values, and goals.
Novel Substances in the Treatment of Lung Cancer for the Radiation Oncologist

Radiotherapy has been a major treatment modality for regionally confi ned lung cancers. The rate of treatment failure is still high, particularly for large tumors or advanced disease, which lowers the overall tumor response rate to radiotherapy and the patient survival. Improvements in radiotherapy have been made both in technological innovations, allowing delivery of higher radiation doses to the tumor or lower doses to normal tissues, and in the implementation of strategies that modulate the biological response of tumors or normal tissues to radiation. The latter strategies include altered fractionation of radiotherapy, combined modality therapy using systemic chemotherapy or biological agents, and, more recently, targeting of molecular processes and signaling pathways that have become dysregulated in cancer cells. The combination of chemotherapeutic drugs with radiation has had a signifi cant impact on current radiotherapy practice for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This combination has been used for many years but has now become a common treatment option for lung cancer patients. This is particularly true for concurrent chemoradiotherapy, which in many recent clinical trials has been shown to be superior to radiotherapy alone in controlling local-regional disease and in improving patient survival. Combining chemotherapeutic drugs with radiotherapy has a strong biologic rationale. Such chemotherapeutic agents reduce the number of tumor cells undergoing radiotherapy by their independent cytotoxicity and often render tumor cells more susceptible to killing by ionizing radiation. An additional benefi t of combined treatment is that chemotherapeutic drugs, by virtue of their systemic activity, may also act on subclinical metastatic disease. Most chemotherapeutic drugs have been chosen for combination with radiotherapy based on their known effectiveness in lung cancer. Alternatively, agents that are effective in overcoming resistance mechanisms associated with radiotherapy could be chosen. There have been improvements in clinical outcome with concurrent chemoradiotherapy using traditional drugs, such as cisplatin, and these studies have led to extensive research on exploring newer chemotherapeutic agents for their interactions with radiation. A number of new potent chemotherapeutic agents, including taxanes, nucleoside analogs, and topoisomerase inhibitors, have entered clinical trials or practice. Preclinical testing has shown that they are potent enhancers of radiation response and thus might improve the therapeutic outcome of chemoradiotherapy. Also, rapidly emerging molecular targeting strategies are aimed at improving the effi cacy of chemoradiotherapy. This chapter reviews the biologic rationale and principles fundamental to the use of radiotherapy CONTENTS
Rapidly-Converging Methods for Solving Multilevel Transfer Problems

It is well known that lambda iterations can be used to solve multilevel non-LTE transfer equations in a reasonable number of iterations when the lambda operator is preconditioned, e.g., when the diagonal part of the operator is combined with other terms analytically. This approach is currently used successfully for the solution of model atoms with many line transitions, but sometimes a very large number of iterations is needed.
Machine Translation: History

The history of machine translation (MT) began in the mid-1940s, probably as the first non-numerical application of computers. During the 1950s and 1960s, research was vigorously pursued throughout the world but with limited success. After a critical report of current methods and achievements in the mid-1960s, research activity did not revive until the 1980s, with linguistics-based, knowledge-based, and interlingua approaches. Since then, many new lines of research (based on large text corpora) have developed, and the practical application of MT has expanded rapidly.
Correlation between valvular interstitial cell morphology and phenotypes: A novel way to detect activation.

Abstract Valvular interstitial cells (VICs) constitute the major cell population in heart valves. Quiescent fibroblastic VICs are seen in adult healthy valves. They become activated myofibroblastic VICs during development, in diseased valves and in vitro . 2D substrate stiffness within a 5–15 kPa range along with high passage numbers promote VIC activation in vitro . In this study, we characterize VIC quiescence and activation across a 1–21 kPa range of substrate stiffness and passages. We define a cell morphology characterization system for VICs as they transform. We hypothesize that VICs show distinct morphological characteristics in different activation states and the morphology distribution varies with substrate stiffness and passage number. Four VIC morphologies - tailed, spindle, rhomboid and triangle - account for the majority of VIC in this study. Using α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), non-muscle myosin heavy chain B (SMemb) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) as activation markers for validation, we developed a system where we categorize morphology distribution of VIC cultures, to be potentially used as a non-destructive detection method of activation state. We also show that this system can be used to force stiffness-induced deactivation. The reversibility in VIC activation has important implications in in vitro research and tissue engineering.
Searching for questions, original thoughts, or advancing theory: Human-machine communication

Abstract The study of Human-Machine Communication (HMC) has the potential to impact a variety of contexts and influence multiple aspects of everyday life. Robots and other machine communicators are increasingly performing social and workplace roles such as teachers, caregivers, surveillance, decision-makers and personal companionship. They have the ability to improve quality of human life through assistance, enabling for instance, independent living or providing support in work-intensive, difficult and possibly complex situations. Moreover, they have the ability to fill social roles. With social machines becoming more common, research into Human-Machine Communication is also expanding. Issues of how HMC is situated in the academic discussion alongside of the role of theory and directions concerning future research are offered.
Observation of Amplified Spontaneous Emission in GeSn Waveguides at Room Temperature

Room temperature amplified spontaneous emission at mid-IR has been observed from optically pumped GeSn waveguides on Si. For higher pump power, emission spectrum indicates the direct band to indirect band emission intensity ratio increases and the peak value increases nonlinearly due to the material gain.