cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extensive ichthyosiform sarcoidosis in a patient with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

To the Editor.— Cutaneous manifestations are common in sarcoidosis. Ichthyosislike changes are reported occasionally, but are limited to the extremities. A generalized ichthyosiform eruption, which proved to be sarcoidosis, developed in a patient with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) who had taken systemic corticosteroids since infancy. Report of a Case.— A 23-year-old woman was seen at Northwestern University Medical Center, Chicago, because of progressive hair loss and scalp scaliness of eight years' duration that was unresponsive to topical steroids, emollients, and oral vitamin A. During the previous year, the hair loss markedly worsened and generalized scaling and pruritus developed. The patient had had seronegative polyarticular JRA since she was 1 year old, which was now controlled on a regimen of 5 mg/day of prednisone and aspirin. On examination, generalized, fine white scales overlay 1- to 3-mm yellow-brown macules that persisted with diascopy (Fig 1). In addition, extensive, patchy, nonscarring alopecia with
The polynomial of a permutation representation

Abstract Let (G, D) be a permutation representation of a finite group G acting on a finite set D. The cycle index of this representation is a polynomial P(G,D;x1,…,xm) in several variables x1,…,xm with rational numbers as coefficients (see [1]). The restriction, made in [1], that the representation (G, D) is faithful, is unnecessary and we put no restriction on (G, D) whatsoever. We replace each variable xi of the cycle index P(G, D; x1,…,xm) by the polynomial Σjxj, where j runs through the divisors of i. For instance, x1→x1; x2→x1+2x2; x12→x1+2x2+3x3+4x4+6x6+12x12; etc. The resulting polynomial q(G, D; x1,…,xm) still has rational numbers as coefficients and has the additional property: o Theorem 1. If all the variables x1,…xm of the polynomial q(G, D; x1,…,xm) are replaced by integers (=whole numbers), the value of q is also an integer. The proof of Theorem 1 is based on [2]. We then investigate the polynomial q(G, D; x1,…,xm) further in the case that (G, D) is the regular representation, i.e., when D=G and G acts on G by left multiplication. We prove: Theorem 2. If (G, D) is the regular representation, Theorem 1 is equivalent to the following theorem of Frobenius: The number of solutions in G of the equation xi=1 is divisible by the greatest common divisor of i and the order of G. Because of Theorem 2, we consider Theorem 1 as the extension of the above Frobenius theorem to all permutation representations. The polynomial q(G, D; x1,…,xm) for arbitrary permutation representations has been further investigated in [4].
Advances in the treatment of neonatal herpes simplex infections.

Neonatal HSV disease is a potentially devastating illness with significant mortality and morbidity. Collaborative research efforts over the past 25 years have provided therapeutic options that were beyond hope just a generation ago. The use of high-dose acyclovir for the treatment of acute neonatal HSV disease has reduced mortality rates to their lowest level ever. Application of PCR to clinical specimens from neonates suspected of having neonatal HSV infection largely has eliminated the need to perform invasive brain biopsies, while at the same time providing a new tool with which to re-define the natural history of neonatal HSV disease. A limitation of PCR is the lack of standardisation in methodologies from laboratory to laboratory, which can impede a clinician's ability to interpret the PCR results. As such, all test results, including those from PCR, must be evaluated in the context of the patient's medical condition. Areas for continued research for further means of improvement in disease outcome include raising awareness of neonatal HSV disease so that the time between disease onset and the initiation of antiviral therapy can be shortened, as well as the evaluation of monoclonal antibodies as adjunctive therapy to high-dose acyclovir. Utilisation of suppressive oral acyclovir following acute neonatal disease is another therapeutic option under clinical investigation with the potential to improve morbidity outcomes of neonatal HSV disease survivors.
Fenfluramine effects on impulsivity in a sample of adults with and without history of conduct disorder.

Rationale: The role of serotonin in impulsivity was examined by administering the serotonin-releasing drug, d,l-fenfluramine, and measuring effects on impulsive responding of male subjects with and without a history of conduct disorder (CD) under controlled laboratory conditions. Methods: Five adult male subjects with a history of CD and five matched controls were recruited into a study to determine the acute effects of d,l-fenfluramine on a laboratory measure of impulsive behavior. This laboratory measure, based upon delay of gratification, presented subjects with choices between a small reward after a short delay and a larger reward after a longer delay. Impulsive behavior was indicated by frequent choices for the smaller reward. Results: Acute oral doses of d,l-fenfluramine (0.21, 0.42, and 0.85 mg/kg) produced decreases in the number of impulsive choices in all subjects with a history of CD, but had no effect on the control subjects. Conclusions: This data suggests that a deficit in serotonin and/or dopamine may play a role in impulsivity in CD subjects, and drugs which act to reduce this biological deficit can reduce impulsiveness.
Hydroxyl Radical Formation during Peroxynitrous Acid Decomposition

Yields of O2 formed during decomposition of peroxynitrous acid (ONOOH) under widely varying medium conditions are compared to predictions based upon the assumption that the reaction involves formation of discrete •OH and •NO2 radicals as oxidizing intermediates. The kinetic model used includes all reactions of •OH, •O2-, and reactive nitrogen species known to be important under the prevailing conditions; because the rate constants for all of these reactions have been independently measured, the calculations contain no adjustable fitting parameters. The model quantitatively accounts for (1) the complex pH dependence of the O2 yields and (2) the unusual effects of NO2-, which inhibits O2 formation in neutral, but not alkaline, solutions and also reverses inhibition by organic •OH scavengers in alkaline media. Other observations, including quenching of O2 yields by ferrocyanide and bicarbonate, the pressure dependence of the decomposition rate, and the reported dynamic behavior for O2 generation in the prese...
The use of fullerene substituted phenylalanine amino acid as a passport for peptides through cell membranes

We report the formation of a fullerene-peptide conjugate via the incorporation of a fullerene substituted phenylalanine derivative, "Bucky amino acid" (Baa), to a cationic peptide, which acts as a passport for intracellular delivery, enabling transport of a range of sequences into HEK-293, HepG2, and neuroblastoma cells where the peptides in the absence of the fullerene amino acid cannot enter the cell. Delivery of the fullerene species to either the cytoplasm or nucleus of the cell is demonstrated. Fullerene peptides based on the nuclear localization sequence (NLS), H-Baa-Lys(FITC)-Lys-Lys-Arg-Lys-Val-OH, can actively cross over the cell membrane and accumulate significantly around the nucleus of HEK-293 and neuroblastoma cells, while H-Baa-Lys(FITC)-Lys8-OH accumulates in the cytoplasm. Cellular studies show that the uptake for the anionic peptide Baa-Lys(FITC)Glu4Gly3Ser-OH is greatly reduced in comparison with the cationic fullerene peptides of the same concentration. The hydrophobic nature of the fullerene assisting peptide transport is suggested by the effect of gamma-cyclodextrin (CD) in lowering the efficacy of transport. These data suggest that the incorporation of a fullerene-based amino acid provides a route for the intracellular delivery of peptides and as a consequence the creation of a new class of cell penetrating peptides.
The effects of ischemia on long bone vascular resistance

An in vitro canine tibia model was used to assess the effects of 48 h of hypothermic (4 degrees C) ischemia on bone vascular resistance and on responsiveness of intraosseous blood vessels to circulating norepinephrine. Three groups of bones were studied: Group I (n = 11), 48 h hypothermic ischemia; Group II (n = 11), 48 h hypothermic ischemia with pretreatment with allopurinol and oxypurinol; and Group III (n = 10), no ischemia. Resting vascular resistance in both ischemic groups (79 and 74 mmHg/ml/min) was significantly higher (p less than 0.0001) than in the nonischemic group (22 mmHg/ml/min). Effects of norepinephrine on vascular resistance were significantly greater in both ischemic groups (p less than 0.004). In all three groups, acetylcholine infusion attenuated the increases in perfusion pressure caused by norepinephrine. This demonstrates secretion of endothelial-mediated relaxing factors (EDRF) and prostaglandin for up to 48 h of hypothermic ischemia. As no significant differences were detected between the two ischemic groups, this study failed to demonstrate any protective effect of xanthine oxidase inhibitors.
Displacement of sequence-specific transcription factors from mitotic chromatin

Abstract The general inhibition in transcriptional activity during mitosis abolishes the stress-inducible expression of the human hsp70 gene. Among the four transcription factors that bind to the human hsp70 promoter, the DNA-binding activities of three (C/EBP, GBF, and HSF1) were normal, while Sp1 showed reduced binding activity in mitotic cell extracts. In vivo footprinting and immunocytochemical analyses revealed that all of the sequence-specific transcription factors were displaced from promoter sequences as well as from bulk chromatin during mitosis. The correlation of transcription factor displacement with chromatin condensation suggests an involvement of chromatin structure in mitotic repression. However, retention of DNase I hypersensitivity suggests that the hsp70 promoter was not organized in a canonical nucleosome structure in mitotic chromatin. Displacement of transcription factors from mitotic chromosomes could present another window in the cell cycle for resetting transcriptional programs.
Take the money and run [pension funds]

Previous columns on pensions and retirement planning stimulated plenty of feedback from readers. Two recurring themes were: "My situation is much worse than I realized," and "How can I become an effective manager of my pension fund?" Several readers had specific questions concerning the best time to start taking pensions from former employers. Some readers expressed an interest in learning about Canadian income funds. This column presents follow-up information on recent columns. The main article looks at factors that impact when and how to take defined benefit pensions from former employers. A sidebar contains recommendations for two recently published books that set out to help individuals to manage their own pension funds.
Temperature Distributions in Anisotropic Shells of Revolution

The present paper studies the effects of curvilinear material anisotropy on the temperature distributions of thin walled bodies of revolution. To facilitate the analysis, the thinness property of shells is used to develop an approximate three-dimensional anisotropic heat conduction equation and associated boundary conditions for thin walled bodies of revolution. Based on these equations, a solution procedure is developed by means of successive integral transforms and subsequent numerical integration. Using the integral transforms, a solution is obtained for temperature distributions in cylindrical thin walled bodies. In terms of this solution, the effects of cylindrical anisotropy on the temperature distribution is discussed at length.
Multicellular natural convection in a vertical slot

In this article we present numerical solutions to multicellular natural convection in a vertical enclosure. The calculated streamlines faithfully represent what has been seen in the laboratory by smoke traces in air and particle traces in oils. The calculated isotherms for air correspond to reported interferometric patterns. Solutions exhibiting travelling waves for water were calculated near conditions where they should occur according to linear stability theory. Heat-transfer results for air are given and their dependence on the aspect ratio of the enclosure exhibited.
Self-ignition of hydrogen releases through electrostatic discharge induced by entrained particulates

Abstract The potential for particulates entrained in hydrogen releases to generate electrostatic charge and induce electrostatic discharge ignitions was investigated. A series of tests were performed in which hydrogen was released through a 3.175-mm diameter orifice from an initial pressure of 140 bar. Electrostatic field sensors were used to characterize the electrification of known quantities of iron oxide particulates deliberately entrained in the release. The ignition experiments focused on using charged particulates to induce spark discharges from isolated conductors and corona discharges. A total of 12 ignition events were observed. The results show that electrification of entrained particulates is a viable self-ignition mechanism of hydrogen releases.
Association of the use of MMRV in infants by pediatric infectious disease specialists with that of other affiliated providers.

Background In an effort to maximize vaccine acceptance by minimizing adverse events following immunization associated with fever, including seizures, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended in 2009 the use of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) and varicella vaccines (V) given separately (MMR + V) rather than combination MMRV as the first dose of MMR-containing vaccine to infants. We evaluated factors associated with continued administration of MMRV as the first dose in many infants despite the ACIP recommendation.
Unemployment and Alcohol Consumption

From 1950 to 1972 unemployment rates were negatively associated wirh per capita alcohol consumption in eight nations studied.
Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Responsible for Cellular Stress and Low-grade Inflammation Induced by a Super-low Dose of Endotoxin

Super-low-dose endotoxemia in experimental animals and humans is linked to low-grade chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we examined the effects of a super-low dose of LPS on low-grade inflammation in macrophages as well as underlying mechanisms. We observed that a super-low dose of LPS induces mitochondrial fission and cell necroptosis in primary murine macrophages, dependent upon interleukin 1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK-1). Mechanistically, our study reveals that a super-low dose of LPS causes protein ubiquitination and degradation of mitofusin 1 (Mfn1), a molecule required for maintaining proper mitochondrial fusion. A super-low dose of LPS also leads to dephosphorylation and activation of Drp1, a molecule responsible for mitochondrial fission and cell necroptosis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that a super-low dose of LPS activates receptor interacting protein 3 kinase (RIP3), a key molecule critical for the assembly of the necrosome complex, the initiation of Drp1 dephosphorylation, and necroptosis. The effects of a super-low dose of LPS are abolished in macrophages harvested from IRAK-1-deficient mice. Taken together, our study identified a novel molecular pathway that leads to cellular stress and necroptosis in macrophages challenged with a super-low dose of endotoxin. This may reconcile low-grade inflammation often associated with low-grade endotoxemia.
Prenatal diagnosis of hemimegalencephaly.

Background In recent literature, there have been case reports of prenatal diagnosis of hemimegalencephaly, an extremely rare entity characterized by enlargement of all or portions of 1 cerebral hemisphere and intractable seizures. A unique case is presented of hemimegalencephaly of a fetus diagnosed in utero. Methods A 27-year-old woman presented at 32 weeks' gestation for fetal magnetic resonance imaging after an abnormal fetal ultrasound. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging showed hemimegalencephaly of the left cerebral hemisphere with abnormal gyration. Results The patient was born via cesarean section at 39 weeks' gestation. He had continuous infantile spasms and partial-onset seizures starting on day 1 of life, and electroencephalography showed burst suppression. The patient's seizures were initially managed with antiepileptics, prednisolone, and a ketogenic diet; however, he was hospitalized multiple times because of status epilepticus. At 6 months of age, he underwent a successful anatomic left hemispherectomy. Conclusions In utero diagnosis of complex developmental brain anomalies allows a multidisciplinary approach to provide optimal prenatal patient treatment and parental counseling.
Dynamic Regulation of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ Content and Release by Luminal Ca2+-Sensitive Leak in Rat Ventricular Myocytes

In cardiac muscle, excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling is determined by the ability of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) to store and release Ca(2+). It has been hypothesized that the Ca(2+) sequestration and release mechanisms might be functionally linked to optimize the E-C coupling process. To explore the relationships between the loading status of the SR and functional state of the Ca(2+) release mechanism, we examined the effects of changes in SR Ca(2+) content on spontaneous Ca(2+) sparks in saponin-permeabilized and patch-clamped rat ventricular myocytes. SR Ca(2+) content was manipulated by pharmacologically altering the capacities of either Ca(2+) uptake or leak. Ca(2+) sparks were recorded using a confocal microscope and Fluo-3 and were quantified considering missed events. SR Ca(2+) content was assessed by application of caffeine. Exposure of permeabilized cells to anti-phospholamban antibodies elevated the SR Ca(2+) content and increased the frequency of sparks. Suppression of the SR Ca(2+) pump by thapsigargin lowered [Ca(2+)](SR) and reduced the frequency of sparks. The ryanodine receptor (RyR) blockers tetracaine and Mg(2+) transiently suppressed the frequency of sparks. Upon washout of the drugs, sparking activity transiently overshot control levels. Low doses of caffeine transiently potentiated sparking activity upon application and transiently depressed the sparks upon removal. In patch-clamped cardiac myocytes, exposure to caffeine produced only a transient increase in the probability of sparks induced by depolarization. We interpret these results in terms of a novel dynamic control scheme for SR Ca(2+) cycling. A central element of this scheme is a luminal Ca(2+) sensor that links the functional activity of RyRs to the loading state of the SR, allowing cells to auto-regulate the size and functional state of their SR Ca(2+) pool. These results are important for understanding the regulation of intracellular Ca(2+) release and contractility in cardiac muscle.
A new decomposition algorithm for multistage stochastic programs with endogenous uncertainties

Abstract In this paper, we present a new decomposition algorithm for solving large-scale multistage stochastic programs (MSSPs) with endogenous uncertainties. Instead of dualizing all the initial non-anticipativity constraints (NACs) and removing all the conditional NACs to decompose the problem into scenario subproblems, the basic idea relies on keeping a subset of NACs as explicit constraints in the scenario group subproblems while dualizing or relaxing the rest of the NACs. It is proved that the algorithm provides a dual bound that is at least as tight as the standard approach. Numerical results for process network examples and oilfield development planning problem are presented to illustrate that the proposed decomposition approach yields significant improvement in the dual bound at the root node and reduction in the total computational expense for closing the gap.
Tunneling atomic force microscopy characterization of cuprous oxide thin films

In this work we characterized thermally grown cuprous oxide thin films using tunneling atomic force microscopy (TUNA) and optical reflection measurements. Significant hysteresis was observed in the I-V curves measured at the nanometer contact under various bias voltages. Histogram analysis of the barrier voltage distribution indicated the barrier height is related to electrochemical potentials for oxidation/ reduction of copper atoms. Changes in chemical state of copper atoms were identified by optical reflectance measurements in the UV-VIS-NIR wavelength region. The peak shift observed in the optical reflection measurements from the short to the long wavelength is attributed to the quantum size confinement effects of the nanometer-scale cuprous particles formed in the films. The grain size, including surface roughness, was measured by topographic AFM imaging. The fluctuations in the I–V measurements are likely due to changes of electrochemical properties of cuprous ions in the film, including the grain size distribution. The asymmetric distribution in the barrier height may indicate that a different probability for injecting an electron in and withdrawing an electron from the films.
A Rationale for Monod′s Biochemical Growth Kinetics

A rationale is presented for Monod′s biochemical kinetics which has hitherto been viewed as purely empirical. It is shown here that this expression, which continues to be used by modelers of biochemical processes, has indeed an origin that relates to the detailed treatment of metabolism. This rationale originates from the resolution of the metabolic network into so-called elementary modes and assumes steady state for every metabolite in each elementary mode.
Tissue-specific expression of functionally rearranged lambda 1 Ig gene through a retrovirus vector

To explore the potential use of retrovirus vectors for the transfer of genomic DNA sequences into mammalian cells, recombinant retroviral genomes were constructed that encode a functionally rearranged murine lambda 1 immunoglobulin gene. Several of these genomes could be transmitted intact to recipient cells by viral infection, although successful transmission depended both on the orientation of the lambda 1 sequences and on their specific placement within vector sequences. The lambda 1 gene transduced by viral infection was expressed in a cell lineage-specific manner, albeit at lower levels than endogenous lambda 1 gene expression in cells from the B-lymphocyte lineage. Vectors yielding integrated proviruses that lacked viral transcriptional enhancer sequences were used to show that neither viral transcription nor the viral transcriptional sequences themselves had any effect on the tissue specificity of lambda 1 gene expression or the absolute amount of lambda 1 transcription. Vector transcription did, however, dramatically decrease the amount of lambda 1 protein that could be detected in tranduced cells. These results suggest that retrovirus vectors may be useful reagents not only for the expression of complementary DNA sequences but also for studies of tissue-specific transcription in mammalian cells.
Worst-Case Scenario

It's no longer enough to merely ensure that the systems we work on meet the most basic security requirements; we have to realize that in the current political climate, the threats that we previously chose to ignore - the worst-case scenarios, the one percent - can no longer be overlooked
Directed evolution of plant basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors for the improvement of transactivational properties.

Abstract Myc-RP from Perilla frutescens and Delila from Antirrhinum majus, two plant basic helix–loop–helix transcription factors (bHLH TFs) involved in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway, have been used for the improvement of transactivational properties by directed evolution. Through two rounds of DNA shuffling, Myc-RP variants with up to 70-fold increase in transcriptional activities have been identified using a yeast transactivation system. In a tobacco protoplast transient expression assay, one of the most improved variants, M2-1, also shows significant increase of transactivation. The majority of resulting mutations (∼53%) are localized in the acidic (activation) domains of the improved Myc-RP variants. In variant M2-1, three of the four mutations (L301P/N354D/S401F) are in the acidic domain. The fourth mutation (K157M) is localized to a helix within the N-terminal interaction domain. Combinatorial site-directed mutagenesis reveals that, while the acidic domain mutations contribute modestly to the increase in activity, the K157M substitution is responsible for 80% of the improvement observed in variant M2-1. The transactivation activity of the K157M/N354D double mutant is equal to that of M2-1. These results suggest that the interaction domain plays a critical role in transactivation of these bHLH TFs. Delila variants have also been screened for increased activities toward the Arabidopsis chalcone synthase (CHS) promoter, a pathway promoter that responds weakly to the bHLH TFs. Variants with increased activity on the CHS promoter, while maintaining wildtype-level activities on the naturally responsive dihydroflavonol reductase promoter, have been obtained. This study demonstrates that functional properties of TFs can be modified by directed evolution.
Optical Negative-Index Materials Based on Pairs of Metal Nanorods

Pairs of gold nanorods exhibit “-0.3” effective refractive index near 1.3 um. This type of artificially designed materials can be used for obtaining negative-index materials and applying them for super-lenses in the visible and near-infrared.
Differential effects of carvedilol and metoprolol succinate on plasma norepinephrine release and peak exercise heart rate in subjects with chronic heart failure.

Dosing equivalency of carvedilol and metoprolol remains a debate. Degree of β1-blockade is best assessed by blunting of the exercise-induced heart rate. Accordingly, the authors have investigated dosing equivalency by examining baseline and peak exercise heart rates and norepinephrine levels in subjects with chronic heart failure treated with carvedilol or metoprolol. Thirty-seven subjects treated with carvedilol (32.9 ± 3.5 mg; n = 23) or metoprolol succinate (XL) (96.4 ± 15.9 mg; n = 14) referred for cardiopulmonary exercise testing were studied prospectively. Carvedilol versus metoprolol XL subjects did not differ with respect to baseline heart rate (73 ± 2 vs 70 ± 3 bpm), or baseline plasma norepinephrine levels (597.5 ± 78.3 vs 602.1 ± 69.6 pg/mL), P = NS. However, despite similar peak exercise norepinephrine levels (2735.8 ± 320.1 vs 2403.1 ± 371.6 pg/mL), heart rate at peak exercise was higher in subjects receiving carvedilol (135 ± 4 bpm) than those receiving metoprolol XL (117 ± 6 bpm), P = 0.02....
Health: Wealth versus warming

The response of malaria distribution to climate change has been debated. Statistical models suggest that by 2050, increasing national wealth will limit the expansion of malaria risk caused by rising temperatures.
Release of gonadotropin from the anterior pituitary gland of fowl by LH-RH as measured by the 32P uptake of the testes

Abstract Single comb White Leghorn cockerels received LH-RH in varying dosages at different time periods. The uptake of 32P by the testes was the end-point of the assay. Dosages as low as 0.06 μg were effective but at least 30 minutes were required for a significant response. Differences in32P uptakes were observed between 2-day and 8-day-old birds. The younger chicks had greater percentage increases over their controls than did the older chicks and the latter reached their peak response 40 minutes later. Assay of anterior pituitary glands demonstrated that 90 minutes after LH-RH treatment there was less gonadotropin present than in control glands but 150 minutes after injection anterior pituitary gland content was greater than that of the control glands.
Real-time tracking of moving objects by optical correlation

A low-contrast diffusely scattering object was identified and tracked in real-time by coherent optical correlation. The coherent input image is generated with a liquid crystal incoherent-to-coherent image transducer. A cast iron connecting rod (the test object) was tracked with an accuracy of 1 part in 130 over a 0.6-m distance while traveling at speeds up to 0.25 m/sec.
Survival of children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 1977–1982 in Connecticut

Abstract There was no evidence for an increase in survival among all all cases ( N = 104) diagnosed between 1977–1982 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at age
Optimization of an adaptive kalman filter based on information theory

Abstract An adaptive Kalman filter is described which can be optimized, even if the location of the required overlap-free region is not known a priori. The optimization is based on maximizing the information yield from the filter procedure, and the results with the highest precision and accuracy are found when the information is at a maximum. The information-based optimization is also used to demonstrate that more precise filtering is accomplished with higher point densities, and that an optimal filter window exists, depending on the spectral resolution and the sampling frequency. Simulations based on a grid search and on simplex optimization give similar results.
Analysis of the consistency of a mixed integer programming-based multi-category constrained discriminant model

Classification is concerned with the development of rules for the allocation of observations to groups, and is a fundamental problem in machine learning. Much of previous work on classification models investigates two-group discrimination. Multi-category classification is less-often considered due to the tendency of generalizations of two-group models to produce misclassification rates that are higher than desirable. Indeed, producing “good” two-group classification rules is a challenging task for some applications, and producing good multi-category rules is generally more difficult. Additionally, even when the “optimal” classification rule is known, inter-group misclassification rates may be higher than tolerable for a given classification model. We investigate properties of a mixed-integer programming based multi-category classification model that allows for the pre-specification of limits on inter-group misclassification rates. The mechanism by which the limits are satisfied is the use of a reserved judgment region, an artificial category into which observations are placed whose attributes do not sufficiently indicate membership to any particular group. The method is shown to be a consistent estimator of a classification rule with misclassification limits, and performance on simulated and real-world data is demonstrated.
SU‐FF‐T‐265: Initial Experience with a CyberKnife G4 System

Objective: A CyberKnife G4 system (Accuray Inc.) went clinical at our cancer center on Oct. 17, 2006. The G4 platform is built on a 6 MV X‐band linear accelerator mounted on a multi‐jointed manipulator with 600 MU/min dose rate, 50% higher than the CyberKnife G3 system. The G4 also features flush‐mounted, in‐floor x‐ray image detectors, providing an increase in treatment workspace and expanding the potential for extra‐cranial applications. Our experience with the G4 and its comparison to the G3 will be presented here. Methods: In two and half months of operation, 85 patients with 120 lesions and 223 fractions were treated with the G4 system. Pathologic diagnoses included acoustic neuroma, meningioma, trigeminal neuralgia, arteriovenous malformation, lung, pancreas, prostate, metastases and others. Of the 85 patients, 55 were tracking with 6D skull, 16 Xsight, 13 Synchrony and 1 Fiducial. Mean number of fractions per lesion was 2 (1 to 5), mean lesion volume was 15.2 cm3 (0.02 to 78.6 cm3) and mean prescription was 25.6 Gy (8 to 60 Gy) to the 78% isodose line (70–82%). Accuracy of beam delivery, system efficiency, E‐stop interruption, machine downtime, customer support and treatment planning system were analyzed. Results:Treatment in all patients was delivered as planned. The end‐to‐end accuracy was under 1.0 mm for all tracking modes. Improvements for the G4 system include an increase in treatment workspace, higher dose rate, enhanced power‐up and power‐down. Initially, the average treatment time was approximately 90 min (60 to 180 min), which was significant longer than our experience with G3. Cause of extended treatment time was identified and corrected. Conclusions: The CyberKnife G4 system offers the latest technology for frameless stereotactic radiosurgery. Our initial experience with this new CyberKnife G4 system was generally very positive.
Teaching with Technology: Reaching out in the Digital Age.

In this article, the authors discuss how technology can enhance online teaching and student engagement. As the number of adult learners increase and the continuing use of online teaching increases, it is important to keep students engaged during learning. If the adult learners are engaged, they will most likely remain the duration of the course, ensuring retention in online courses. Currently completion rates for online courses can be significantly lower than those of the traditional classroom based on studies by a number of authors for a variety of reasons (Diaz, 2002; Lorenzetti, 2002; Murray, 2001). Students will also be more likely to sign up for future online classes when engagement strategies are used. By incorporating the type of technology students use in their everyday life will encourage engagement and relevance. When educators use technology effectively and efficiently in their classes, this increases engagement and provides a positive learning experience for the student. The article reviews literature that outlines different types of technology and the ways technology can complement an online class.
Social computing privacy concerns: antecedents and effects

Social computing systems are increasingly a part of people's social environment. Inherent to such communities is the collection and sharing of personal information, which in turn may raise concerns about privacy. In this study, we extend prior research on internet privacy to address questions about antecedents of privacy concerns in social computing communities, as well as the impact of privacy concerns in such communities. The results indicate that users' trust in other community members, and the community's information sharing norms have a negative impact on community-specific privacy concerns. We also find that community-specific privacy concerns not only lead users to adopt more restrictive information sharing settings, but also reduce the amount of information they share with the community. In addition, we find that information sharing is impacted by network centrality and the tenure of the user in the community. Implications of the study for research and practice are discussed.
Cotton wool spots as an indicator of methotrexate-induced blood dyscrasia

Abstract Background The disease-modifying antirheumatic drug methotrexate (MTX) is the treatment of choice for many patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Systemic toxicity in MTX use is well documented. Side effects such as pancytopenia, myelosuppression, hepatotoxicity, and pulmonary toxicity may be life-threatening. Various ocular effects with methotrexate use have been reported; however, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case documenting cotton wool spots as the presenting feature of systemic MTX toxicity. Case Report A 52-year-old woman presented for a routine ocular examination. Medical history was significant for rheumatoid arthritis and treatment with methotrexate for 11 years. She reported missing her most recent rheumatology follow-up examination. Fundus examinations found progressive cotton wool spots in both eyes. Systemic blood workup found severe pancytopenia (reduced white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet counts). The MTX was tapered, cotton wool spots resolved, and the blood results normalized. Conclusion Patients using MTX typically are monitored for adverse effects at scheduled intervals by their prescribing physician. Patients taking MTX and presenting with ischemic retinal findings warrant investigation for pancytopenia. Prompt workup and communication with the patient's prescribing doctor may be life-saving.
Sorting Determinants in the Transmembrane Domain of p24 Proteins

Members of the p24 family of putative cargo receptors are proposed to contain retrograde and anterograde trafficking signals in their cytoplasmic domain to facilitate coat protein binding and cycling in the secretory pathway. We have analyzed the role of the transmembrane domain (TMD) of a p24 protein isolated from COPI-coated intra-Golgi transport vesicles. CD8-p24 chimeras were transiently expressed in COS7 cells and analyzed by immunofluorescence and pulse-chase experiments. The localization and transit of the wild-type chimera from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) through the Golgi complex involved a glutamic acid residue and a conserved glutamine in the TMD. The TMD glutamic acid mediated the localization of the chimeras to the ER in the absence of the conserved glutamine. Efficient ER exit required the TMD glutamine and was further facilitated by a pair of phenylalanine residues in the cytoplasmic tail. TMD residues of p24 proteins may mediate the interaction with integral membrane proteins of the vesicle budding machinery to ensure p24 packaging into transport vesicles.
Comparative Pollen Morphology of the Madagascan Genera of Myristicaceae (Mauloutchia, Brochoneura, and Haematodendron)

Abstract Pollen of all three genera of Madagascan Myristicaceae (Mauloutchia Warburg, Brochoneura Warburg, and Haematodendron R. Capuron) and all species except one was studied with light, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy. A new term interstitium is introduced. Formal generic pollen descriptions are given for each genus. The distinctness of the frequently united genera Mauloutchia and Brochoneura is confirmed, as well as that of the recently described new genus Haematodendron. Mauloutchia has the most primitive exine structure and Brochoneura the most primitive sculpturing, while pollen of Haematodendron is more advanced in both regards. Mauloutchia is extremely eurypalynous, particularly with regard to exine structure and sculpturing, and to a lesser extent aperture type and pollen size. Stages in the evolution of columellae from a primitively columellaless condition can be observed within the pollen of the putatively primitive genus Mauloutchia.
Noradrenergic sympathetic blockade: lack of effect on memory or retrograde amnesia.

Abstract Previous results indicate that pretraining peripheral injections of any of several adrenergic receptor antagonists can attenuate retrograde amnesia. The present experiment was an attempt to determine if the attenuation of amnesia was due to a blocking of peripheral sympathetic norepinephrine release. This experiment examined the effects on cortical stimulation-induced amnesia of pretreatment with bretylium, a drug which blocks release of norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve endings. The findings indicate that bretylium does not itself affect retention performance, nor does bretylium attenuate the production of retrograde amnesia.
Sugarbeet Nitrogen Uptake and Performance Following Heavily Fertilized Onion

Crop over-fertilization has economic and environmental consequences. Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) N fertilizer requirements could be lower than expected when planted after shallow rooted onion (Allium cepa L.). Sugarbeet was planted on an Owyhee silt loam (coarse-silty, mixed, mesic Xerollic Durorthid) for 2 yr, where the previous onion crop had received 0, 60, 120, 240, and 480 kg N ha -1 . . Soil nitrate and ammonium were measured in 0.3-m increments to 1.8 m deep after harvesting onion, and before and after growing sugarbeet. Nitrogen uptake by plant parts, and beet and sucrose yields, were measured. Averaged across years, sugarbeet recovered 336, 316, 338, 400, and 505 kg N ha -1 when N fertilizer of the previous onion crop was 0, 60, 120, 240, and 480 kg ha -1 , respectively. The corresponding reduction in available inorganic N from the top 1.8 m of the soil during sugarbeet growth was 27,82,62,120, and 152 kg ha -1 , Nitrogen recovered by sugarbeet was largely supplied by sources other than preplant available N. Recovered sucrose yield was near maximum when the N rate on the previous onion crop was 240 kg ha -1 , which resulted in preplant NO 3 -N levels of about 70 kg ha -1 in the top 0.6 m of the soil. Sucrose yield did not improve when petiole NO 3 -N in late June exceeded 6 g kg -1 . In conclusion, sugarbeet may not require fertilizer N when grown after onion fertilized with about 240 kg N ha - 1 .
Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance studies of polyamino acids: the helix-coil transition of poly-L-lysine.

Abstract The helix-coil transition of poly- l -lysine hydrochloride ((Lys)n) in aqueous solution has been studied by 13C Fourier-transform nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. As reference compounds dodeca- l -lysine hydrobromide ((Lys)−12, tri- l -lysine hydrochloride ((Lys)3), and l -lysine hydrochloride (Lys), have been also studied by the same method. It is found that 13C spin-lattice relaxation times t1 of the carbonyl and the side-chain carbons decrease sharply at pD 10.2 which is the midpoint of the transition from the random-coil to the α-helix. Similarly the T1 values of the carbonyl groups of (Lys)−12 decrease at this point in a more moderate way, while no change is observed for those of the side-chain carbons. This is interpreted in terms of the reduced α-helicity involved for (Lys)−12. The variation of 13C chemical shifts with pD for (Lys)n and (Lys)−12 show the same trend:downfield shifts at higher pD. Furthermore, nonterminal and C-terminal residues of (Lys)3 show similar behavior. Thus it is concluded that the 13C chemical shift changes are caused mainly by the pD changes and not by the conformational transition. Conversion from α-helix to β-structure by elevation of temperature at pD 11.2 results in narrowing and downfield shifts of the 13C resonances of (Lys)n.
Hydrostatic instability in the ocean

Two oceanographic sections, made by using the sea sampler, showed inversions of density at about 60 m depth. Earlier sections in the same neighborhood, the edge of the continental shelf, reveal this same feature. The establishment and maintenance of this instability appears to be associated with tidal currents.
On Uniform Flow Through Smooth Rectangular Open Channels

(1970). On Uniform Flow Through Smooth Rectangular Open Channels. Journal of Hydraulic Research: Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 403-418.
Lactate Acid Inhibition of Salmonella Typhimurium in Yogurt

We determined how lactic acid inhibits growth of Salmonella typhimurium in yogurt. This inhibition was demonstrated by microscopic examination not to be due to bacteriolysis. Neither growth nor metabolic activity could be initiated after cells were washed in phosphate buffer and exposed to 1.5% lactic acid for 1 h at 37 degrees C, indicating that lactic acid inhibition is irreversible. The growth rate of S. typhimurium at 37 degrees C, was computed at various combinations of pH and lactic acid concentrations, and the intracellular conditions (pH and lactic acid concentration) at bacteriostasis subsequently were extrapolated. Cellular death resulted when these intracellular bacteriostatic conditions were surpassed. Thus, growing cells could be used indirectly to determine intracellular conditions at the time of death. Intracellular pH (pHi) and inhibition of the growth rate were unrelated. Also, bacteriostasis was observed when hydrochloric acid was used to lower the pHi of Salmonella to 5.5 whereas a bactericidal effect was observed when the pHi was lowered to 5.5 with lactic acid. The lactate anion, rather than the hydrogen ion, exerted the inhibitory effect against S. typhimurium. When the pHi became less than 5.3, inhibition was from the hydrogen ion concentration. Thus, lactic acid inhibition was a complex and variable mechanism in relationship with pHi Lactic acid entered the cell in the undissociated state. Once inside the cell, it dissociated because the pHi was higher than the external pH. The dissociated moiety accumulated because it could not leave the cell in this form consequently lowering the pHi. Thus, inhibition of S. typhimurium in yogurt is from the intracellular dissociated moiety of lactic acid.
Phonemic Variability in Apraxia of Speech

Articulatory performance in the condition apraxia of speech (variously designated aphemia, Broca’s aphasia, motor aphasia, and cortical dysarthria) was analyzed in 10 patients and compared with the performance of 10 dysarthric and 10 normal subjects. Testing ruled out perceptual impairment and muscular weakness or incoordination as the cause of articulatory errors of the apraxic group. Initial consonant production in speech apraxia is characterized by a high degree of inconsistency of articulation errors; predominance of substitution, repetition, and addition errors as opposed to distortion errors of dysarthria; marked prosodic disturbance without phonatory and resonatory changes; increase of difficulty from spontaneous to oral reading to imitative speech conditions; facilitation of correct articulation by visual monitoring in the auditory-visual stimulus mode in contrast to the auditory (repeating tape-recorded stimuli) or visual (reading words) modes; deterioration of articulation with increase in lengt...
Effect of Gibberellic Acid and Cycocel on Tryptophan Metabolism and Auxin Destruction in the Sunflower Seedling

A comparative study of tryptophan conversion in different regions of the sunflower seedling indicates that the regions most active in converting tryptophan on a pathway to auxin are the root apical segments and young leaves; next highest in activity is the cotyledonary tissue. The stem apex proper with leaf primordia is less active than the above regions in converting the auxin precursor. Hypocotyl tissue was observed to be least active. Pre-treatment of the apical bud region of the stem with gibberellic acid (GA) gives rise to tryptophan conversion rates which are 2.1 times those in untreated seedlings. The enhanced tryptophan conversion in the apical bud is followed by an increased elongation rate of the 1st internode which is 2.2 times that in the 1st internode of untreated seedlings. Treatment of the seedlings with Cycocel [(2-chloroethyl)trimethylamnionium chloride] does not reduce tryptophan conversion in the apical bud region of the seedling although elongation of the stem is greatly retarded. Indoleacetic acid (IAA) destruction in cell free preparations as well as in whole sections of the elongating region of the seedling stem was studied. IAA-1-14C destruction rates with the release of 14CO2 in whole sections of 1st internode tissue were approximately 3 times those in cell free preparations of the same region. No significant changes in IAA destruction rates in seedlings pre-treated with GA or Cycocel were observed.
Reaction times of moderate and severe stutterers to monaural verbal stimuli: some implications for neurolinguistic organization

Fourteen right-handed stutterers and 14 normal speakers (7 men & 7 women) responded to monaurally presented stimuli with their right and left hands. Results of an ANOVA with repeated measures showed that a significant ear-hand interaction existed in the normal subjects' data, with the right-ear, right-hand configuration producing the fastest responses. These findings were in concert with an efficiency model of neurolinguistic organization that suggests that the left hemisphere is dominant for language processing with the right hemisphere being capable of performing less efficient auditory-verbal analysis. Results of a similar ANOVA procedure showed that all main effects and interactions were nonsignificant for the stutterers. From these data a bilateral model of neurolinguistic organization was derived for the stutterers where both hemispheres must participate simultaneously in the decoding process. This held true regardless of sex or severity of stuttering.