cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Shapes: A multi-sensory environment for the B/VI and hearing impaired community

The focus of our paper is to describe a multi-sensory Virtual Environment (MSVE), called Shapes, which includes touch (haptic), scent and sound feedback. The touch and sound I/O creates a 3-D environment for the user, while scent feedback replaces sound feedback for the hearing impaired user. Scent also enhances the environment and acts as a catalyst during the exploration of the MSVE. The Shapes virtual environment consists of three unique solid objects (shapes) and three associated containers. The user is asked to find and select the solid shapes and move them into their appropriate container. Implementation details and experimental results are summarized. The success of scent-feedback as an additional I/O channel is measured in correlation to task performance in Shapes. The overall experience of this multi-sensory HCI is expected to foster future development of hardware I/O for visually and/or hearing impaired computer users.
Coordinating a conscious geography: the role of research centers in multi-scalar innovation policy and economic development in the US and Canada

This article contributes to the debate about the role of the region in the placement and coordination of research centers linking technology-led economic development and science, technology, and innovation policy. Through a comparison of how a “conscious geography” has informed the organization of innovation + development (I + D) research centers in the US and Canada, this analysis focuses on the variation in the models of multi-scalar policy coordination deployed through the I + D research center frameworks in the US and Canada. This article begins with a discussion of the theoretical arguments behind territorial innovation systems. It continues by describing the different models of I + D research centers in the US and Canada and the role of the region in each set of policy frameworks. The third section discusses ways policy outcomes are influenced by the initial consideration of the spatial distribution of production and innovation. The article concludes with the case for a policy model which prioritizes a role for the region as a site of economic and geographic analysis and a partner in the design of a multi-scalar innovation policy.
Optimization of the countercurrent moving-bed chromatographic separator

A dispersionless, adsorption equilibrium, plug-flow model of a countercurrent moving-bed chromatographic separator operating at steady state is investigated. The flux of the constituents of a binary mixture is examined via concentration-phase plane plots, which reveal a complex behavior depending on a parameter [sigma], the ratio of solid- and fluid-phase flow of the mobile phase. When the model is modified by incorporating finite mass-transfer rates, axial concentration profiles exhibit behavior that is characteristic of experimental observations, rather than the predictions of the ideal model. Numerical simulations with the finite mass-transfer model reveal an optimum operating condition.
Ecoethics: Now Central to All Ethics

A few years ago, I wrote on the need for expansion of the environmental areas of bioethics, and covered some of the topics touched on here. Sadly, although it is possible to find some notable exceptions, bioethics does not provide much of an ethical base for considering human-nature relationships. Here I’m not going to deal with these philosophical issues or others about the nature of ethical decision-making. The rapid worsening of the human predicament means that applied ethical issues with a significant environmental connection (what I call “ecoethics”), must be dealt with without waiting for the more interesting theoretical issues to be resolved. I define ecoethics very broadly to deal with dilemmas over a vast range of scales, and believe they now should penetrate virtually all areas of human activities. Ecoethics must struggle with issues of intra-generational (and interperson/group/nation) equity and the dilemmas of discounting by distance (valuing distant persons/events/costs/benefits less than those closer to the observer in physical or mental distance). Ecoethics also deals with the difficult dilemma of inter-generational equity—of discounting the future. That is especially troublesome when actions today can have significant environmental consequences 50 or more generations from now. Here I would like to highlight the ubiquity of those questions and the importance of seeking answers.
Software engineering concepts for multimedia development

This presentation reports results, experience and ongoing efforts to teach software engineering skills to developers of instructional technology. Software engineering concepts were presented to faculty who had little prior experience with computer science or system development techniques. These faculty planned to develop technology enhancements for their courses, requiring multimedia and other implementation skills. Analyzing the experiences later led to several projects to address the lack of knowledge and effective practice among faculty and other developers, including professional staff and students.
Developmental exposure to 2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin attenuates later-life Notch1-mediated T cell development and leukemogenesis

Over half of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) patients have activating mutations in the Notch gene. Moreover, the contaminant 2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a known carcinogen that mediates its toxicity through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), and crosstalk between activated AHR and Notch signaling pathways has previously been observed. Given the importance of Notch signaling in thymocyte development and T-ALL disease progression, we hypothesized that the activated AHR potentiates disease initiation and progression in an in vivo model of Notch1-induced thymoma. This hypothesis was tested utilizing adult and developmental exposure paradigms to TCDD in mice expressing a constitutively active Notch1 transgene (Notch(ICN-TG)). Following exposure of adult Notch(ICN-TG) mice to a single high dose of TCDD, we observed a significant increase in the efficiency of CD8 thymocyte generation. We next exposed pregnant mice to 3μg/kg of TCDD throughout gestation and lactation to elucidate effects of developmental AHR activation on later-life T cell development and T-ALL-like thymoma susceptibility induced by Notch1. We found that the vehicle-exposed Notch(ICN-TG) offspring have a peripheral T cell pool heavily biased toward the CD4 lineage, while TCDD-exposed Notch(ICN-TG) offspring were biased toward the CD8 lineage. Furthermore, while the vehicle-exposed NotchICN-TG mice showed increased splenomegaly and B to T cell ratios indicative of disease, mice developmentally exposed to TCDD were largely protected from disease. These studies support a model where developmental AHR activation attenuates later-life Notch1-dependent impacts on thymocyte development and disease progression.
Empirical analysis of slope and runoff for sediment delivery from interrill areas

Slope steepness (S) and runoff discharge (q w ) are two major factors in determining sediment delivery rates (q s ) from interrill areas. Under the current interrill erosion model concept, these two factors are assumed to have independent effects on q s ; thus, each factor can be quantified individually if the other factor is kept constant. This study was conducted to show the effects of S and q w on q s and their interdependency. Sediment discharge rates, measured under different rainfall intensities and slope gradients, for eight soils from two laboratory studies were analyzed empirically with curve-fitting procedures. Results showed that there was a pair of empirical equations for each soil : q s =A 1 q w 2 + A 2 q w + A 3 and q s = B 1 S 2 + B 2 S + B 3 , where A 1 , A 2 , and A 3 are functions of S and B 1 , B 2 , and B 3 are functions of q w . In other words, effects of slope steepness and runoff on sediment delivery are dependent on each other. When S and q w were combined together as stream power, Ω, and plotted against sediment concentration, q s /q w , a unique nonlinear relationship existed for each soil : q s /q q = D 1 Ω 2 + D 2 Ω + D 3 , where D 1 , D 2 , and D 3 are soil-dependent coefficients. The stream power, which encompasses both slope and runoff effects, may provide improved estimates for interrill erosion. Although not based on theory, this result may be useful in process-based erosion models.
Salicylate hepatotoxicity in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Salicylates were administered to 6 patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in doses sufficient to produce a serum salicylate level in excess of 25 mg/100 ml. All 6 patients developed elevations of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase. In addition, 4 patients had other evidence of hepatic dysfunction. Abnormalities were dose-related and were reversible upon lowering the salicylate dose. Liver biopsies performed in 2 patients revealed a mononuclear cell infiltrate of portal triads in both and scattered single cell necrosis in the parenchyma in 1 case.
Device Characteristics of Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Comprising Terfluorene Modified with Triphenyltriazine

The characteristics of a series of organic blue light-emitting diodes comprising terfluorene were investigated. The composition of the emitter layer was either a neat terfluorene compound, F(MB)3, F(MB)3 doped with TRZ, triphenyltriazine, as an electron acceptor, or hybrid compounds, TRZ-3F(MB)3 and TRZ-1F(MB)3, viz. TRZ functionalized with F(MB)3. The emitter layer was deposited by spin-casting from a solution on top of a PEDOT:PSS hole-injecting layer. These acceptor-containing emitters were responsible for a decreasing electroluminescence efficiency with an increasing TRZ content. The loss of efficiency can be attributed to an enhanced electron transport through the emitter layer and a consequent shift of the electron−hole recombination zone toward the exciton-quenching PEDOT:PSS interface. Compared to TRZ as the electron-accepting dopant in F(MB)3, TPBI caused a more substantial decrease in emission efficiency and a more pronounced rise in drive voltage presumably because of the protonation of TPBI by...
Do Debris Flows Pose a Hazard to Mountain-Front Property in Metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona?

Remnants of old debris flows occur on mountains that have been surrounded by growing suburbs of metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, including on steep slopes above large single-family dwellings. Varnish microlamination and lead-profile dating techniques measured ages of 34 debris-flow levees in nine randomly selected catchments above home sites. Four catchments experienced debris flows in the last century, and four others had events in the last 350 years. Debris flows likely pose a modern hazard in Phoenix and perhaps other growing cities in the desert Southwest.
Asynchronous leptomeningeal carcinomatosis from pancreatic cancer: a case report and review of the literature

Central nervous system (CNS) metastases from pancreatic cancer are an exceedingly rare occurrence and have been predominantly described as focal lesions within the brain parenchyma. Even fewer reports exist of tumor spread to the leptomeninges, and most cases are discovered at autopsy. No report of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis without brain parenchymal involvement has been described to date. We describe a 72-year-old female diagnosed with inoperable, stage IV pancreatic cancer. She was treated with combination chemotherapy comprising Reolysin (reovirus serotype-3 Dearing strain), carboplatin, and paclitaxel. After 4 months of treatment, her tumor had decreased in size by 55 %, and CA19-9 levels had dropped 25-fold. However, 7 months after her initial cancer diagnosis, she presented with clinical symptoms and radiographic findings consistent with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. Lumbar puncture did not reveal malignant cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and biopsy was requested for tissue diagnosis. This confirmed pancreatic leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. Our case report demonstrates that leptomeningeal spread from pancreatic tumors may develop independent of focal brain parenchymal involvement and in the setting of controlled systemic disease. Furthermore, the present study describes the first case of CNS progression in the setting of systemic response to Reolysin therapy, suggesting this newly developing treatment may not prevent neurological spread of disease. If repeat cytology of CSF fails to detect malignant cells, biopsy should be pursued for definitive diagnosis. Surgery may also concurrently provide an opportunity to place an intraventricular catheter for delivery of intrathecal chemotherapies.
Multivariate longitudinal statistics for neonatal-pediatric brain tissue development

The topic of studying the growth of human brain development has become of increasing interest in the neuroimaging community. Cross-sectional studies may allow comparisons between means of different age groups, but they do not provide a growth model that integrates the continuum of time, nor do they present any information about how individuals/population change over time. Longitudinal data analysis method arises as a strong tool to address these questions. In this paper, we use longitudinal analysis methods to study tissue development in early brain growth. A novel approach of multivariate longitudinal analysis is applied to study the associations between the growth of different brain tissues. In this paper, we present the methodologies to statistically study scalar (univariate) and vector (multivariate) longitudinal data, and demonstrate exploratory results in a neuroimaging study of early brain tissue development. We obtained growth curves as a quadratic function of time for all three tissues. The quadratic terms were tested to be statistically significant, showing that there was indeed a quadratic growth of tissues in early brain development. Moreover, our result shows that there is a positive correlation between repeated measurements of any single tissue, and among those of different tissues. Our approach is generic in natural and thus can be applied to any longitudinal data with multiple outcomes, even brain structures. Also, our joint mixed model is flexible enough to allow incomplete and unbalanced data, i.e. subjects do not need to have the same number of measurements, or be measured at the exact time points.
Colocalization of metabotropic glutamate receptors in rat dorsal root ganglion cells

Glutamate is the main excitatory transmitter in both central and peripheral nervous systems. Discovery of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) made it clear that glutamate can have excitatory or inhibitory effects on neuronal function, with group I mGluRs enhancing cell excitability but group II and III mGluRs decreasing excitability. The present study investigated the colocalization of mGluR subtypes representing groups I, II, or III in rat L5 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells. The analyses show that group III has the highest expression, with 75.0% of DRG cells expressing mGluR8, followed by group II, with 51.6% expressing mGluR2/3, followed by group I, with only 6.8% expressing mGluR1alpha. mGluR8 is expressed by small, medium, and large diameter cells. In contrast, mGluR1alpha and mGluR2/3 are expressed by mainly small and medium cells. Approximately half of cells expressing group I mGluR1alpha also express either group II mGluR2/3 or group III mGluR8. These mGluR1alpha double-labeled populations are not likely to overlap since >1.0% of mGluR1alpha are triple-labeled. As expected from the high percentage of single-labeled mGluR2/3 and mGluR8 cells, there is a considerable population of double-labeled cells with approximately 30% of each population expressing both receptors. Due to the fact that the number of mGluR1alpha-expressing cells in the DRG is low, the percentage of triple-labeled cells is also low ( approximately 1-2%). The prevalence of groups II and III indicate that glutamate could have a substantial inhibitory effect of primary afferent function, reducing and/or fine-tuning sensory input before transmission to the spinal cord. These anatomical data highlight the potential inhibitory role glutamate may play in peripheral sensory transmission.
Six challenges in supporting end-user debugging

This paper summarizes six challenges in end-user programming that can impact the debugging efforts of end users. These challenges have been derived through our experiences and empirical investigation of interactive fault localization techniques in the spreadsheet paradigm. Our contributions reveal several insights into debugging techniques for end-user programmers, particularly fault localization techniques, that can help guide the direction of future end-user software engineering research.
Optical Physics Discoveries Using Ultrafast Lasers

The talk will review some salient breakthrough contributions in three topics in the field of ultrafast laser science, including the discovery of supercontinuum generation, discovery of new laser tunable Cr materials, as well as the study of pulse propagation, the key lengths of absorption, scattering ,and transport scattering and imaging of objects in strongly scattering media using several optical gates. Article not available.
Dilatation of Porous Glass

A porous body dilates when its surface energy changes, either by adsorption of a gas or by immersion in a liquid. A new equation is derived to describe the resultant strain and is shown to agree better with experiment than the equation proposed by Yates. The physical properties needed for the calculation include Young's modulus and surface area. Measurements are presented for a commercial porous glass that show that the modulus increases by a factor of ∼2, with negligible accompanying shrinkage, upon heating to 800°C. The increase is attributed to the presence of hydroxyls (nonbridging oxygens) in the solid phase that condense on heating. The surface area contains a large contribution from gel that precipitates in the pores during acid leaching. It is concluded that the gel is rigidly bound to the solid network, and therefore contributes to the dilation of the body Porous glasses show an anamolously large expansion when immersed in water, which is attributed to absorption of water into the solid phase. Diffusion of water into the solid phase is expected to be enhanced by the large concentration of nonbridging oxygens.
Circulatory responses to hypoxia in experimental myocardial infarction.

Three levels of decreased arterial oxygen saturation elicited a graded circulatory response in dogs, manifested by stepwise increases in cardiac output, left ventricular dp/dt, and stroke volume, and decreases in systemic vascular resistance. Responses to similar hypoxia challenges after experimental myocardial infarction were qualitatively similar but quantitatively less. Although the circulatory compensation for hypoxia was less effective after myocardial infarction, no further deterioration of the haemodynamics was noted.
Psychiatric diagnoses among Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans screened for deployment-related traumatic brain injury

The authors examined psychiatric diagnoses in administrative records for 13,201 United States military veterans who were screened for traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. Over 80% of the veterans with positive TBI screens had psychiatric diagnoses. Compared to veterans with negative TBI screens, those with positive screens, but without confirmed TBI status, were three times more likely to have a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis and were two times more likely to have depression and substance-related diagnoses. Among veterans with positive TBI screens, those with clinically confirmed TBI status were more likely than those without confirmed TBI status to have diagnoses for PTSD, anxiety, and adjustment disorders. These findings have implications for health care delivery and provider education.
Blink and wink detection for mouse pointer control

A Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) system that is designed for individuals with severe disabilities to simulate control of a traditional computer mouse is introduced. The camera-based system monitors a user's eyes and allows the user to simulate clicking the mouse using voluntary blinks and winks. For users who can control head movements and can wink with one eye while keeping their other eye visibly open, the system allows complete use of a typical mouse, including moving the pointer, left and right clicking, double clicking, and click-and-dragging. For users who cannot wink but can blink voluntarily the system allows the user to perform left clicks, the most common and useful mouse action. The system does not require any training data to distinguish open eyes versus closed eyes. Eye classification is accomplished online during real-time interactions. The system had an accuracy of 8027/8306 = 96.6% in classifying sub-images with open or closed eyes and successfully allows the users to simulate a traditional computer mouse.
Alphaviral Vector-Transduced Dendritic Cells are Successful Therapeutic Vaccines against neu-Overexpressing Tumors in Wild-Type Mice

While dendritic cell (DC) vaccines can protect hosts from tumor challenge, their ability to effectively inhibit the growth of established tumors remains indeterminate. Previously, we have shown that human DCs transduced with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon particles (VRPs) were potent stimulators of antigen-specific T cells in vitro. Therefore, we investigated the ability of VRP-transduced DCs (VRP-DCs) to induce therapeutic immunity in vivo against tumors overexpressing the neu oncoprotein. Transduction of murine DCs with VRPs resulted in high-level transgene expression, DC maturation and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Vaccination with VRP-DCs expressing a truncated neu oncoprotein induced robust neu-specific CD8(+) T cell and anti-neu IgG responses. Furthermore, a single vaccination with VRP-DCs induced the regression of large established tumors in wild-type mice. Interestingly, depletion of CD4(+), but not CD8(+), T cells completely abrogated inhibition of tumor growth following vaccination. Taken together, our results demonstrate that VRP-DC vaccines induce potent immunity against established tumors, and emphasize the importance of the generation of both CD4(+) T cell and B cell responses for efficient tumor inhibition. These findings provide the rationale for future evaluation of VRP-DC vaccines in the clinical setting.
Metal-enhanced fluorescence: a novel approach to ultra-sensitive fluorescence sensing assay platforms

We describe the development of a novel generic approach to fluorescence sensing based on metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF). This work follows our initial reports of radiative decay engineering (RDE), where we experimentally demonstrated dramatic signal enhancements of fluorophores positioned close to surface-bound silver nanostructures. The attractive changes in spectral properties of fluorophores includes increased rates of excitation, increased quantum yields, decreased fluorescence lifetimes with an increased photostability, and drastically increased rates of multi-photon excitation. In this report we present a new class of fluorescent biomarkers which are strongly enhanced by metallic particles. This has afforded the development of a novel generic approach for ultra-sensitive fluorescence assay technology. The assay platform utilizes metal particles deposited on glass/quartz surfaces, covered with sub-nanometer layers of a fluorescent biomarker. As such the fluorescence signal of the composite is strongly enhanced. This readily allows easy, quantitative and inexpensive fluorescence detection of minimal traces of specific antigens. We also explore different sensing geometries, such as using evanescent wave excitation.
Statistical studies of matrix effects on the determination of cadmium and lead in fertilizer materials and plant tissue by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract The evaluation of interferences on an individual basis can give unreliable information, whereas a statistical approach shows the synergic effects of different ions and gives more reliable information with fewer determinations. Cadmium and lead in phosphate rock, wet-process phosphoric acid, and plant tissue can be determined directly after a nitric acid dissolution by carbon-rod atomization with no significant interference within the range studied. The results are in good agreement with results obtained by flame analysis when a careful control of acid concentration is maintained between samples and standards. Results on materials of low cadmium content are more reliable by carbon-rod atomization.
Ribonucleotide reductase metallocofactor: assembly, maintenance and inhibition

Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) supplies cellular deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates (dNTP) pools by converting ribonucleotides to the corresponding deoxy forms using radical-based chemistry. Eukaryotic RNR comprises α and β subunits: α contains the catalytic and allosteric sites; β houses a diferric-tyrosyl radical cofactor (FeIII2-Y•) that is required to initiates nucleotide reduction in α. Cells have evolved multi-layered mechanisms to regulate RNR level and activity in order to maintain the adequate sizes and ratios of their dNTP pools to ensure high-fidelity DNA replication and repair. The central role of RNR in nucleotide metabolism also makes it a proven target of chemotherapeutics. In this review, we discuss recent progress in understanding the function and regulation of eukaryotic RNRs, with a focus on studies revealing the cellular machineries involved in RNR metallocofactor biosynthesis and its implication in RNR-targeting therapeutics.
DOES ANTENATAL PHENOBARBITAL PREVENT NEONATAL INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE IN PRETERM INFANTS?: RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL. • 1452

Objective: To determine efficacy of antenatal phenobarbital (PB) in reducing the rate of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and early death (<72 h) in preterm infants.
Comparison of the Effects of Over-the-counter Famotidine and Calcium Carbonate Antacid on Postprandial Gastric Acid: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective. —To compare an over-the-counter histamine2-receptor antagonist with an antacid as gastric acid reducers. Design. —Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Setting. —Gastric secretory research laboratory in a Veterans Affairs medical center. Participants. —Eighteen healthy volunteers (10 men and 8 women) aged 25 to 62 years with normal gastric acid secretion rates. Interventions. —The subjects received the histamine2-receptor antagonist famotidine (Pepcid AC, 10 mg), calcium carbonate antacid tablets (Turns, 1000 mg), or placebo medications 1 hour after a test meal. Two identical meals were taken 2.5 and 6.0 hours after the medication was given. Main Outcome Measures. —Intragastric pH was maintained at 4.0 by in vivo intragastric titration with 0.3N sodium bicarbonate for 10 hours (1 hour before and 9 hours after medication). Reduction in sodium bicarbonate titrant use in the 2 treatment groups compared with titrant use with placebo was reflective of acid secretion inhibited by famotidine or acid neutralized by calcium carbonate tablets. Results. —When evaluated in increments of 30 minutes, calcium carbonate had a rapid onset of action, neutralizing 6.7 mmol of acid in the first 30 minutes. However, its duration of effect was only 60 minutes. Famotidine had a delayed onset of action compared with antacid, beginning after 90 minutes. However, famotidine had a duration of effect of at least 540 minutes. At its peak effect, 210 minutes after administration, famotidine reduced acid secretion by 7.3 mmol per 30 minutes. Conclusions. —Recommended over-the-counter doses of famotidine and calcium carbonate tablets have different pharmacokinetic profiles when taken in the postprandial period. The antacid has a rapid onset and short duration of action, while the histamine2-receptor antagonist has a delayed onset and a prolonged duration. Their peak potencies are similar. (JAMA. 1996;275:1428-1431)
Regulation of secretogranin II mRNA in rat neuronal cultures

Abstract The regulation of SgII mRNA expression was investigated in primary cultures of neurons prepared from the hypothalamus and brainstem of 1-day-old rats. The administration of forskolin (FSK) resulted in a time- and dose-dependent increase in SgII mRNA expression, a 9-fold effect within 6 h being achieved with 10 μM FSK, which maximally increased cellular cAMP levels. SgII mRNA levels remained elevated for 24 h. Activation of protein kinase C with 100 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) also increased SgII mRNA expression, although induction with PMA was slower and more moderate (3.8-fold above control after 24 h). Neither 10 μM 1,9-dideoxyforskolin nor 100 nM 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, inactive analogues of FSK and PMA respectively, had an effect on SgII mRNA. Depolarization of neuronal cultures with 50 mM KCl had a small and variable effect on SgII mRNA levels (1.8-fold above control) in neuronal cultures and did not influence induction with FSK. To investigate whether neuron-like regulation of SgII mRNA expression could be reproduced in PC12 cells, PC12 cells were treated with 100 nM nerve growth factor (NGF) for 7 days prior to challenge with FSK or PMA. Whereas NGF alone modestly increased SgII mRNA expression in PC12 cells (1.8-fold above control), it did not uncover a stimulatory effect of FSK or PMA. These studies indicate that SgII mRNA expression is enhanced by an increase in cellular cAMP and activation of protein kinase C in primary cultures of neurons and emphasize that SgII mRNA is regulated in a cell-specific manner.
Marek's disease virus reactivation from latency: changes in gene expression at the origin of replication

Marek's disease is a contagious lymphoma of chickens caused by Marek's disease virus (MDV). MDV replicates in chicken lymphocytes and establishes latency within and transforms chicken CD4+ T-cells. Transformed T-cells are seen as skin leukosis or as lymphomas in visceral organs. A major focus of our laboratory is the functional study of genes flanking the origin of replication. This origin (OriLyt) is contained within the repeats flanking the unique long (UL) region of the genome (IRL and TRL). To the left of this Ori are genes associated with MDV latent/transforming infection [1.8-kb RNA family, pp14, Meq), and to the right (UL) are genes associated with early stages of MDV lytic infection [BamHI-H-encoded protein (Hep), pp38/pp24, Mys]. During latency, MDV suppresses lytic gene expression and has evolved mechanisms for blocking the apoptosis of latently-infected CD4+ T-cells. Of the genes expressed during MDV latency and in the transformed cell, the Meq (Marek's EcoRI-Q-encoded protein) has been shown to block apoptosis and transactivate gene expression. Upon reactivation to lytic infection, we have found that splice variants of Meq predominate and that these forms lack several of the domains important to Meq trans-activation and trans-repression. We have found that rightward from the origin of replication, a family genes, including phosphoprotein 38 (pp38) are expressed during early stages of reactivation. Three separate open reading frames (Hep, Mys, and pp38) are encoded by distinct transcripts from this region. We are now determining the kinetics of expression of these transcripts and their relative abundance during reactivation.
Swimming against the streamz: search and analytics over the enterprise activity stream

Activity streams have become prevalent on the web and are starting to emerge in enterprises. In this work, we present Streamz, a novel application that uses a faceted search approach to provide employees with advanced capabilities of search, navigation, attention management, and other types of analytics on top of an enterprise activity stream. We provide a detailed description of the Streamz tool as well as usage analysis based on user interface logs and interviews of active users.
Is a Mac "PC" in engineering?

This study explores the opinions and experiences of five Mac-using students in a first-year engineering program where Windows-based personal computers (PCs) are requisite. These students have circumvented the restrictive departmental policies which solely support Windows-based PC systems and which (as of this writing) clearly identify the lack of technical support for Mac users. Tablet PCs were the only machines that fully met departmental requirements for several years, and were the "machine of choice" in the university's engineering community. This requirement has been unwavering until 2012 when a change was made: the first-year engineering program modified the computer specifications to allow Macintosh computers, with certain stated limitations and precautions. Although still highly discouraged and with no provision for Apple technical support, the change has allowed a greater range of options for incoming cohorts. Whether the use of a Mac in this engineering program is politically correct (PC) or not remains to be discovered; this study intends to shed light on this subject. Building on the work of Firmin, which investigated the lived experiences of Mac users on a PC-dominated campus, this work is unique in its focus on engineering students. The present study poses two questions: 1) How does the level of support for Mac users on a PC-dominated campus impact their experience in the first-year engineering program? And 2) How does technical compatibility affect first year students' day-to-day actions within the engineering program? Data was collected via semi-structured student interviews, and coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. Four salient themes emerged from the data: superiority, advocacy, autonomy, and survival. This exploratory study gives a voice to these students who strive to advocate their chosen systems and survive a rigorous engineering curriculum within a Windows PC-dominated department.
Rhinovirus inactivation by nasal tissues treated with virucide

Rhinovirus colds may be transmitted by hand-to-hand contact followed by self-inoculation of nasal and/or conjunctival mucosa with virus contaminating the fingertips. The purpose of this study was to determine whether impregnation of nasal tissues with virucidal compounds could prevent rhinovirus from passing through the tissue and thus provide a means of preventing hand contamination during nose blowing. Paper tissues treated with a combination of citric acid, malic acid, and sodium laruryl sulfate were compared to placebo tissues containing sodium saccharin. Recovery of infectious virus was significantly reduced by passage of the virus-containing medium through virucidal versus placebo tissue (1/18 vs. 17/18 respectively, P less than 0.001, Fisher exact test). The virucidal effect of treated tissues was demonstrated for multiple rhinovirus serotypes suspended in either cell culture medium or nasal mucus. Virus contained in mucus from infected volunteers was also inactivated.
Linear Least Squares by Elimination and MGS

An algorithm combining Gaussian elimination with the modified Gram-Schmidt (MGS) procedure is given for solving the linear least squares problem. The method is based on the operational efficiency of Gaussian elimination for LU decompositions and the numerical stability of MGS for unitary decompositions and is designed for slightly overdetermined linear systems.
Kin selection: A classical approach and a general solution.

Abstract The necessary conditions for the spread of genes that determine social behaviors and the rate of spread of these genes are derived for a simple model (single locus, two alleles, random mating, discrete generations) by using the classical population genetics approach pioneered by Haldane and the linear fitness function used previously by D. S. Wilson. These results are derived for social behaviors that are manifested by individuals within families, within pairs of families, or within groups of k families, for both diploid and haplodiploid organisms. I show that, when the groups of socially interacting individuals consist of the members of more than one family, severe restrictions are placed on the evolution of altruistic and social behaviors. Specifically, in these instances, the necessary conditions for the evolution of social behaviors are more stringent and the rate of evolution is greatly reduced.
Further studies on the neuroleptic profile of manassantin A

Abstract In an earlier preliminary study, manassantin A, a neolignoid from Saururus cernuus was found to show neuroleptic type activity in mice when given by the i.p. route. It blocked the stereotypy and hyperactivity caused by amphetamine at doses comparable to those of haloperidol, but unlike the latter, did not show catalepsy or ptosis at atoxic doses. In the present study, a more detailed comparison of manassantin A with haloperidol and in some cases with chlorpromazine and reserpine using a variety of neuroleptic parameters and by various routes of administration is described. Results of the present study clearly show that the drug is readily absorbed from various routes of administration and shows many of the patterns of neuroleptic activity. Manassantin A was comparable to haloperidol in many of the tests but unlike the latter, did not produce antiadrenergic or anticholinergic effects. Manassantin A was found to bind weakly to calf caudate membranes (IC50 3500 nM) while haloperidol (IC50 5 nM) and chlorpromazine (IC50 50 nM) inhibited [3H]haloperidol binding. Manassantin A also did not affect the dopamine-induced adenylate cyclase activity in rat caudate nuclei (IC50 > 10 000 nM) while haloperidol (IC50 700 nM) and chlorpromazine (IC50 350 nM) inhibited the enzyme synthesis. These biochemical and behavioral tests suggest that manassantin A exhibits a selective neuroleptic profile and may be considered to behave as an atypical agent.
TEMPORARY ABOLITION OF PHOTOTROPISM IN LIMAX AFTER FEEDING.

When fed upon cooked potato the slug Limax maximus becomes for a day or more indifferent to light—its natural negative phototropism is suppressed. This effect is not produced by raw potato or other diets; it can be duplicated by injection of sugar solutions into the stomach or into the body fluids, and seems to be due to sugar absorbed during the digestion of the cooked starch. The fact is of interest particularly for the suggestion which it affords as to the explanation of fluctuations in conduct.
The optimal design of personalized bank check printing plates

Abstract Billions of personalized bank checks are used by individuals and organizations each year. Before the checks can be used, they must be customized with the account number and customer's identification. In this paper, we discuss the problem of designing the bank check printing plates to minimize the total cost of printing the checks. The problem of assigning orders to plates may be complicated by customer requirements. The problem is initially formulated as an integer linear programing problem. A heuristic procedure, developed because of the long solution times required by the I.P., is presented, and computational experience is discussed.
Clinical outcomes of patients with ulcerative colitis and co-existing Clostridium difficile infection.

Background The incidence of Clostridium difficile infection is increasing in the United States. The aim of our investigation is to compare short-term and long-term outcomes of patients admitted with an ulcerative colitis (UC) flare and co-existent C. difficile infection to those of non-infected patients. Methods A historical cohort study was undertaken examining admissions at Mount Sinai Hospital between June 2004 and June 2005 using ICD-9 criteria for UC. Charts were abstracted for those patients for whom C. difficile testing was performed. Results Of 288 admissions, 99 charts met the inclusion criteria. Fifty-two patients were C. difficile-negative and 47 were positive. Demographic data and laboratory values upon admission did not differ between the two groups. Patients who were C. difficile-positive had significantly more UC-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits in the year following initial admission (58 visits vs. 27, P = 0.001 and eight visits vs. 1 visit (P = 0.012), respectively). One year following the index admission, C. difficile patients had significantly higher rates of colectomy compared to C. difficile-negative patients (44.6% vs. 25%, P = 0.04). Length of hospitalization (11.7 vs. 11 days), use of cyclosporine therapy during index admission (48% vs. 47% of patients), and percentage requiring colectomy at initial admission (23.4% vs. 13.5%) did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions Our data suggest that patients presenting with a UC flare who are infected with C. difficile have worse long-term clinical outcomes than those that are C. difficile-negative. C. difficile testing should be performed for all patients presenting with UC flare. Further studies are warranted to elucidate how infection can alter the natural history of UC.
Reactive polymer multilayers fabricated by covalent layer-by-layer assembly: 1,4-conjugate addition-based approaches to the design of functional biointerfaces.

We report on conjugate addition-based approaches to the covalent layer-by-layer assembly of thin films and the post-fabrication functionalization of biointerfaces. Our approach is based on a recent...
A quantitative model of voice F0 control.

A mathematical model of the larynx, based on biomechanical principles, is described. Components represented include two cartilage elements (cricoid with locked arytenoids, and thyroid), three muscles (thyroarytenoid [TA], cricothyroid pars rectus [CTr], and cricothyroid pars oblique [CTo]), and two ligaments (cricothyroid and vocal ligaments), as well as subglottal pressure (PS). For any combination of muscle activities and PS level, equilibrium positions and tensions could be calculated for components in the system. The tensions and lengths of vocal fold elements were then used to calculate fundamental frequency (F0) of vocal fold vibration. Systematic variation of model muscle activation and PS patterns allowed study of the behavior of the model. TA activity tended to shorten the vocal folds; increased levels of CTr and CTo activity, and PS, had the opposite effect. Increased activity of any muscle tended to increase vocal fold tension, while PS increases were mainly ineffective. F0 was generally increa...
Beyond Surgical Cure for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: The Impact of Surgical Management on Quality of Life

Objective: Polysomnographic (PSG) measures are unable to capture all outcomes for surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We evaluate quality of life outcomes in patients who undergo site-specific surgery for sleep apnea regardless of surgical cure. Design: Retrospective phone survey of patients diagnosed with OSA by PSG. All patients underwent sitespecific sleep surgery. Post-operative PSG were obtained to assess surgical cure in addition to quality of life variables using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and standardized quality of life questionnaire assessing twelve parameters. Setting: Academic practice Main outcome measures: AHI, LO2sat, ESS, CPAP, Hrs/night of sleep, tolerability of CPAP, standardized quality of life questionnaire assessing twelve parameters. Results: Forty-five patients underwent both preoperative and postoperative polysomnography. Twentythree patients obtained a surgical cure with greater than fifty percent reduction in AHI and with AHI less than twenty. Average preoperative ESS scores were 13, post operative ESS scores were 6 for patients with surgical cure and 7 for patients who were not surgically cured. Standardized questionnaire results demonstrate a statistically significant improvement on all twelve QOL parameters. Conclusion: Quality of life parameters may be improved in patients with site-specific sleep surgery regardless of objective surgical cure by AHI measurements.
High-throughput species identification: from DNA isolation to bioinformatics

Ichthyoplankton collections provide a valuable means to study fish life histories. However, these collections are greatly underutilized, as larval fishes are frequently not identified to species due to their small size and limited morphological development. Currently, there is an effort underway to make species identification more readily available across a broad range of taxa through the sequencing of a standard gene. This effort requires the development of new methodologies to both rapidly produce and analyse large numbers of sequences. The methodology presented in this paper addresses these issues with a focus on the larvae of large pelagic fish species. All steps of the methodology are targeted towards highthroughput identification using small amounts of tissue. To accomplish this, DNA isolation was automated on a liquid-handling robot using magnetic bead technologies. Polymerase chain reaction and a unidirectional sequencing reaction followed standard protocols with all template cleanup and transferring also automated. Manual pipetting was thus reduced to a minimum. A character-based bioinformatics program was developed to handle the large sequence output. This program incorporates base-call quality scores in two types of sample to voucher sequence comparisons and provides suggested identifications and sequence information in an easily interpreted spreadsheet format. This technique when applied to tuna and billfish larvae collected in the Straits of Florida had an 89% success rate. A single species ( Thunnus atlanticus ) was found to dominate the catch of tuna larvae, while billfish larvae were more evenly divided between two species ( Makaira nigricans and Istiophorus platypterus ).
Are Older Adults Less Subject to the Sunk-Cost Fallacy Than Younger Adults?

The sunk-cost fallacy is a decision-making bias that reflects the tendency to invest more future resources in a situation in which a prior investment has been made, as compared with a similar situation in which a prior investment has not been made (e.g., the tendency to spend more time watching a boring movie one paid to watch than to watch a boring, but free, movie). Most research on this fallacy has been conducted with college students (Arkes & Ayton, 1999). Although a growing number of studies have investigated the sunk-cost fallacy in children, adolescents (Klaczynski, 2001), and nonhuman animals (Navarro & Fantino, 2005), no research has investigated whether older adults are less likely than younger adults to commit the sunk-cost fallacy (cf. Bruine de Bruin, Parker, & Fischhoff, 2007). Drawing from prior research on age differences in negativity and positivity biases in information processing, we hypothesized that older adults would be less likely than younger adults to commit the sunk-cost fallacy. Soman (2004) offered loss aversion as a potential explanation for the sunk-cost fallacy. Supporting evidence comes from research in which young adults have reported that their sunk-cost decisions are motivated by loss avoidance (Frisch, 1993). This focus on losses may reflect younger adults’ negativity bias in information processing. Younger adults weigh negative information more heavily than positive information (Baumeister, Bratslavsky, Finkenauer, & Vohs, 2001). In contrast, older adults demonstrate a positivity effect (Carstensen & Mikels, 2005). Their decisions reflect a more balanced view of gains and losses (Wood, Busemeyer, Koling, Cox, & Davis, 2005). If older adults are less likely than younger adults to focus exclusively on losses, and loss aversion contributes to the sunk-cost fallacy, then older adults may be less likely than younger adults to commit the sunkcost fallacy.