cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mapping of the P2U purinergic receptor gene to human chromosome 11q13.5-14.1

We mapped a human P2U purinergic receptor gene to chromosome 11q13.5–14.1. Oligonucleotide primers complementary to a part of the human P2U purinergic receptor cDNA were used to amplify a region from genomic DNAs from a panel of mouse/human somatic cell hybrid cell lines, each containing a single human chromosome. A PCR product of the expected size (378 bp) resulted from a single hybrid cell line containing human chromosome 11. The gene was further localized to a region of chromosome 11 using a sub-chromosomal hybrid panel containing different segments of chromosome 11. Based on the specific PCR product obtained and its Southern hibridization to the P2U receptor cDNA, the human P2U receptor gene was localized to chromosome 11q13.5–14.1.
Breast cancer evaluation. Medical-legal and risk management considerations for the clinician

The legal consequences for physicians involved in the treatment of patients who are at risk for or have developed breast cancer are many. The law of negligence, which is concerned with departures from reasonable standards of conduct, govern most of the cases that come to legal attention. Several other torts or civil infractions, however, may be applicable to such practices. Lessons learned from both trial and appellate decisions rendered in this field offer some guidance to avoid untoward medical and legal consequences.
A Comparative Study of Successful Central Nervous System Drugs Using Molecular Modeling

Molecular modeling is a powerful tool used for three-dimensional visualization and for exploring electrostatic forces involved in drug transport. This tool enhances student understanding of structure–property relationships, as well as actively engaging them in class. Molecular modeling of several central nervous system (CNS) drugs is used to examine the factors that affect their ability to penetrate the blood–brain barrier. Seventy-eight molecules with known experimental log(BB) values [log(BB) = log(Cbrain/Cblood), where Cbrain and Cblood are the equilibrium molar concentrations of the drug molecule in the brain and the blood, respectively] were selected from the literature and their three-dimensional models constructed using the Spartan software program. For each molecule, the percent polarity was calculated using a space-filling model (PSA%, polar surface area percentage) and an electrostatic potential map that was constructed from the wave function obtained from a single-point energy calculation, usin...
Effect of a scanned electron beam on a logic device in an advanced process fab

This paper summarizes the work completed to determine if and how an electron beam affects the performance, reliability, and yield of an advanced copper semiconductor device. This study was done in the Kilby Fab of Texas Instruments located in Dallas, Texas. As IC technologies advance to smaller and smaller dimensions, the techniques used to detect defects needs to advance as well. Also the unique nature of defects and the defect mechanisms for copper dual damascene processes are much different than what was seen in the past with Al technologies that further complicate defect detection. The days of using only visible light to inspect wafers for defects is coming to an end. For these advanced technology devices, killer defects can be smaller than 0.15mm in size and may be invisible optically. To detect these types of defects, new light sources must be used to be able resolve these. Scanning electron beam (SEM) inspection has been introduced recently as a new tool to detect these defects and to give further capability to detect defects that may only have an electrical signature. For the defects which exhibit electrical defect characteristics, the scanning electron beam inspection tool can be used to charge the device under the scan causing a voltage contrast and actually detect electrical abnormalities in the circuit that can be caused by a defect in some underlying area. There has been much concern in the semiconductor industry however; that the electron beam itself can damage or affect the transistor characteristics due to the high voltage, or landing energy that is commonly used in an electron beam system. The depth of penetration of the electron beam into the layer of the wafer is dependent on the energy of the electron beam striking the surface. Another concern is that through time, the chamber walls are deposited with various contaminants such as carbon due to outgassing and the interaction of the electron beam and certain materials on the surface of the wafer being inspected, this material can be left on the surface of the wafer where the electron beam scanned. This residue can then affect the processing subsequent to the electron beam inspection causing adhesion issues or improper deposition. This paper will detail a study in which an advanced technology copper dual damascene logic device, along with a defect density test device, are subject to a scanning electron beam inspection at numerous points in the process and attempt to document the effects on the transistor performance and wafer processing. The results that were obtained from both sets of tests were that neither the transistor parametrics nor reliability were affected by the electron beam.
Probing the mechanical properties and microstructure of WSi2/SixGe1−x multiphase thermoelectric material by nanoindentation, electron and focused ion beam microscopy methods

Abstract Thermoelectric (TE) materials such as silicon germanium (SiGe) alloys have been traditionally used in radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG) NASA applications. Beyond traditional RTG applications, we are exploring other applications in the energy harvesting arena. There is still a need to increment the TE figure of merit (ZT) of SiGe based TE alloys and we have been working on ways to improve it by incorporating tungsten di-silicide (WSi2) phases into the matrix by directional solidification (DS) process. Considerable efforts have been focused until now in microstructural engineering methods that lead to ZT improvement by microstructure optimization of TE materials. Although critical for the previous mentioned applications, work pertinent to the mechanical integrity of this type of WSi2/SiGe based TE materials is lacking. In this work, we explored for the first time the local mechanical properties and microstructure of WSi2/SixGe1−x multiphase thermoelectric material by nanoindentation, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focused ion beam (FIB) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods. We report hardness (H), modulus (E) and fracture toughness (kc) data for all phases. We obtained average H (and E) values (in GPa) of 12.94 (464.95) for the WSi2 phase, 19.49 (214.52) for the matrix, 14.95 (142.84) for the Si rich phase, and 13.98 (138.56) for the Ge rich phase respectively; while average kc values (in MPa m0.5) were 1.37 for theWSi2, 0.52 for the matrix, 0.36 for the Si rich and 0.24 for the Ge rich phases respectively. FIB serial sectioning and cross-sectional TEM analysis is also included which provided insights on the deformation process below the nanoindentation area.
Expanding functional diversity of the coactivators

Nuclear receptors (NR) function as ligand-regulated transcription factors that transduce hormonal signals from steroid hormones and other lipophillic ligands. NR-mediated transcription depends on coactivators, a diverse group of proteins that affect the transcriptional machinery in a variety of ways such as via their associated enzymatic activities as histone acetyltransferases, methyltransferases, ubiquitin ligases or as agents that integrate signaling via kinase-signaling pathways. Coactivators have various roles in the transcriptional process (i) as molecules that influence key points in the different stages of transcription, (ii) as integrators of environmental growth-factor and steroid-hormone signals, and (iii) as agents of carcinogenesis.
Who signs an organ donor-card: Traditionalism versus transplantation

ORGAN transplantation as a new medical technology has challenged customary medical and lay behavior toward the dying and the dead. The issue of the donation of organs on the part of newly dead has raised profound ethical and normative questions [l-4]. Because of the shortage of such organs for patients needing kidney transplants, many campaigns have been initiated all over the country to encourage persons to sign ‘donor-cards’, wallet-size cards that in effect serve as wills, volunteering the individual’s organs for transplantation in the event of his death [5]. What type of person actually requests or signs such a card? Random samples of the population at large [6-81 indicate that the vast majority of the population is theoretically in favor of such donation. But there have been no studies of persons committed enough to actually request such cards. In an era in which altruism as a behavior has been called into severe question, where citizens are afraid to come to the aid of victims of violence [9], and in an era in which until recently the very subject and recognition of death has been avoided [lO-131, what types of individuals will exert some energy and plan so that their death might be of benefit to others? Do they differ from others in terms of their social characteristics or social psychological attitudes? Is this one behavior an isolated act or is it part of an entire configuration of social and personal attitudes ? Is it an important or unimportant act for the individual?
Constructivism and computer‐mediated communication in distance education

Abstract The fields of learning theory and instructional design are in the midst of a scientific revolution in which their objectivist philosophical foundations are being replaced by a constructivist epistemology. This article describes the assumptions of a constructivist epistemology, contrasts them with objectivist assumptions, and then describes instructional systems that can support constructive learning at a distance.
Prediction of unsuppressed jet engine exhaust noise in flight from static data

A methodology developed for predicting in-flight exhaust noise from static data is presented and compared with experimental data for several unsuppressed turbojet engines. For each engine, static data over a range of jet velocities are compared with the predicted jet mixing noise and shock-cell noise. The static engine noise over and above the jet and shock noises is identified as excess noise. The excess noise data are then empirically correlated to smooth the spectral and directivity relations and account for variations in test conditions. This excess noise is then projected to flight based on the assumption that the only effects of flight are a Doppler frequency shift and a level change given by 40 log (1 - m sub 0 cos theta), where M sub 0 is the flight Mach number and theta is the observer angle relative to the jet axis.
Neurohypophyseal hormone release and biosynthesis in rats with lesions of the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) region

Lesions of the periventricular tissue surrounding the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) have been shown to disrupt body fluid homeostasis. The acute post-lesion phase in rats is characterized by adipsia, the lack of an appropriate antidiuretic response, and plasma vasopressin levels which do not rise. Electron micrographs of the supraoptic nucleus and neural lobe of lesioned adipsic rats suggest no stimulation of biosynthetic activity, and large stores of neurosecretory material in the axon terminals. To directly investigate the status of these neurons, we determined neural lobe vasopressin and oxytocin content and the incorporation of [35S]cysteine into hypothalamic proteins in rats with sham-lesions or lesions of the AV3V after 3 days of adipsia or water deprivation, and in water replete sham-lesioned rats. The results demonstrate that adipsic rats with AV3V lesions have neural lobe vasopressin and oxytocin content equivalent to water-replete sham-lesioned rats. Neural lobe vasopressin and oxytocin levels of water-deprived sham-lesioned rats were significantly below those of all other groups. In addition, this group had a radioactivity incorporation rate into hypothalamic proteins which was two-fold greater than either of the other groups. The results indicate that 3-day adipsic AV3V-lesioned rats do not increase neurohypophyseal hormone release or biosynthesis as do 3-day water-deprived sham-lesioned rats. The periventricular tissue of the AV3V would therefore appear to be crucial in providing information to the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal neurons on body fluid homeostasis.
Limited heterogeneity of T cell receptors from lymphocytes mediating autoimmune encephalomyelitis allows specific immune intervention

Abstract Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an induced autoimmune disease mediated by CD4 + T lymphocytes. Analysis of T cell receptors of myelin basic protein-specific encephalitogenic T cell clones derived from six different PL/J (H-2 u ) or (PL/J × SJL) F1 (H-2 uxs ) mice revealed a limited heterogeneity in primary structure. In vivo, the majority of T lymphocytes recognize the N-terminal MBP-nonapeptide in association with I-A u and utilize the V β 8 gene element. cDNA-sequencing showed that all T cell receptors from a panel of such T cell clones, grown in vitro, share the same V α gene segment. Despite heterogeneity in the D-J regions, the clones unexpectedly display a striking similarity in fine specificity. Based on these results, prevention and reversal of autoimmune disease with V β 8-specific monoclonal antibodies was achieved.
The acetaminophen regioisomer 3′-hydroxyacetanilide inhibits and covalently binds to cytochrome P450 2E1

3'-Hydroxyacetanilide has been previously studied as a nontoxic regioisomer of the analgesic acetaminophen (4'-hydroxyacetanilide). The radiolabeled derivative has been shown to covalently bind to liver proteins at levels similar to that observed with hepatotoxic doses of radiolabeled acetaminophen with no evidence of hepatic damage. Using an anti-arylacetamide antiserum the primary protein adduct detected following administration of 3'-hydroxyacetanilide (300 and 600 mg/kg) to mice was a 50 kDa microsomal protein that co-migrated with cytochrome P450 2E1. Cytochrome P450 2E1 enzyme activity (p-nitrophenol hydroxylase) was decreased by 79% in the mice treated with 3'-hydroxyacetanilide (600 mg/kg). Incubation of 3'-hydroxyacetanilide with hepatic microsomes resulted in a time dependent 47% decrease in cytochrome P450 2E1 activity. Pre-incubation of acetaminophen with microsomes did not result in covalent binding to the cytochrome P450 nor was there a decrease in p-nitrophenol hydroxylase activity. These data suggest that 3'-hydroxyacetanilide covalently binds to cytochrome P450 2E1 with preferential loss of activity.
Linear combinations of overlapping variance estimators for simulation

We estimate the variance parameter of a stationary simulation-generated process using a linear combination of overlapping standardized time series (STS) area variance estimators based on different batch sizes. We establish the linear-combination estimator's asymptotic distribution, presenting analytical and simulation-based results exemplifying its potential for improvements in accuracy and computational efficiency.
Inter- and intraspecific sexual behavior in two species of macaque: A possible behavioral barrier to gene flow.

Adult male pigtail and rhesus monkeys have longer latencies for sexual responding to females of the other species than to females of their own species. Further, males of both species show testosterone rises when introduced to new conspecific females, but neither showed hormonal rises when introduced to extraspecific females. The rhesus males during the nonbreeding season for rhesus showed neither a hormonal rise nor any sexual behavior when introduced to cycling and receptive pigtail females. These data are used to argue that whereas cogeneric females may have some similarities with conspecific females, males are less attracted to them. Initial agonistic responses might preclude the long association requisite for the development of sexual behavior between extraspecific macaques and thus serve as a behavioral barrier to gene flow among sympatric macaques, which are physiologically freely interfertile.
Light Intensity at Different Depths in Lake Water

A quartz prism dispersing system in a specially designed housing was used for evaluating the intensities of different wave-lengths in the visible spectrum at different depths in water on Gunflint Lake on the northern border of Minnesota. The spectrum was photographed at different points down to 70 ft. and from these the intensities of the different wave-lengths were evaluated from characteristic curves obtained from standard exposures by using wire screens. It was found that the variation of the intensity with depth was exponential in the case of some wave-lengths but not in the case of all. From the results obtained, absorption constants were obtained for the different wave-lengths.
A fast iterative boundary element method for solving closed crack problems

Abstract This paper describes an iterative hybrid boundary element method for solving non-linear closed crack problems. The original crack problem is split into two separate sub-problems: (1) the exterior body (without crack) which is modeled using displacement discontinuity boundary elements, and (2) the crack in an infinite domain which is modeled using either a dislocation density or displacement discontinuity approach. Iteration is performed between the exterior body and the crack faces until all boundary conditions are satisfied. Several advantages of this method over previous methods are discussed and are demonstrated in example problems.
Water stress in longleaf pine induced by litter removal

Abstract Forest litter layer acts as a nutrient pool to support future growth of trees and as a blanket which intercepts and absorbs rainfall and insulates soil from evaporative water loss. Litter disturbance can modify either of these functions. Soil moisture content and xylem pressure potential were determined in a longleaf pine plantation for 7 weeks following litter removal. Two weeks following treatment, xylem pressure potential of trees in control, red straw removal and total litter removal plots diverged. Trees in the total litter removal plot had the lowest xylem pressure potential (i.e. most stressed), control trees had the highest xylem pressure potential, and trees in the red straw removal plot were intermediate. Differences in xylem pressure potential among treatments were consistent throughout the season, regardless of precipitation or drought. Soil moisture content also showed different patterns based on the particular litter removal treatment. Differeces in soil water content and xylem pressure potential could explain observed growth reductions of trees in plantations where litter had been removed. Therefore consideration of the potential modification of both the hydrologic and nutrient cycles should be made prior to litter removal.
Hypersomnia in Children: Interface with Psychiatric Disorders

Patients being evaluated in child psychiatry clinics for behavior and mood disturbances frequently exhibit daytime sleepiness. Conversely, patients being evaluated for hypersomnia by sleep specialists may have depressed mood or hyperactive and aggressive behavior. The etiology of daytime sleepiness in children and adolescents is diverse and includes inadequate sleep hygiene, obstructive sleep apnea, delayed sleep phase syndrome, idiopathic hypersomnia, periodic hypersomnia, narcolepsy, and mood disorders per se. Treatment of a sleep disorder can have a favorable impact on alertness and quality of life. A high index of suspicion for sleep problems should be maintained in children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders.
Evaluation as a pragmatic act in Spanish film narratives

Abstract This paper analyzes the use of evaluative language in twenty native Spanish speakers’ oral narrations of the pear film ( Chafe, 1980 ) in light of Mey's (2001) proposal that pragmatic acts must be looked at from the point of view of the speaker and his/her experience and background knowledge, as well as the language used in performing the pragmatic act itself. Evaluative utterances in the narratives are viewed as instances of ‘situated speech acts’ ( Mey, 2001 ) rendered possible on account of the speakers’ underlying assumptions and contextual factors. Analysis of the discourse reveals a tendency by some of the narrators to explicitly verbalize their points of view by sharing their thoughts about, reactions to, and appraisals of specific elements in the film. In addition, several of the speakers evaluated the behaviors of the characters in the film by passing judgment on and/or criticizing the appropriateness or correctness of their actions. Other evaluations involved the attribution of features and properties of entities that were not explicitly part of the cotext. The inclusion of these attributes, it is argued, reflects the fact that they contrasted in some way with the speaker's preconceived idea of what is expected, ordinary, or normal. This study shows how observed tendencies in the narrators’ use of evaluation are constrained by the background knowledge of the narrators and the social relationships between the narrators and the interlocutors, characterized in terms of the relationship of power and the social distance between speaker and addressee. Together, these factors make up the context in which acts of evaluation are possible and thus help define the pragmeme of evaluation.
Streamline-based inversion of formation properties from formation-tester measurements acquired in high-angle and horizontal wells

Abstract A new method is developed based on streamlines to determine the reservoir properties from formation-tester measurements. To do so, a previously developed finite-difference reservoir model is coupled with a streamline method to simulate the near-wellbore dynamic measurements in the presence of invasion and arbitrary fluid distributions. The streamline method is specifically developed to overcome technical challenges in modeling deviated wells in heterogeneous reservoirs efficiently. In this study, synthetic reservoir models are constructed based on measurements acquired in offshore well A with 15 o deviation angle. The streamline-based method is then implemented to simulate packer-type formation-tester measurements and to appraise permeability of multi-layer reservoirs. In addition, transient measurements from a focused-sampling probe-type formation tester is modeled with streamline method to estimate relative permeability and anisotropy in offshore well B. Inversion results indicate that the accuracy of estimated formation properties is higher for formations with larger mobility because more streamlines trace flow into probes from large-mobility layers. For offshore well A, in the presence of 5% zero-mean Gaussian additive noise, the uncertainty of permeability varies from 6% to 38% for layers with high and low mobilities, respectively. The uncertainty increases to 8% and 41% for high and low mobility cases, respectively, when 5% skewed-Gaussian noise contaminates the measurements. The coupled finite-difference and streamline-based inversion method (FDSM) is then compared to a previously validated finite-difference reservoir model (FDM). The coupled FDSM is 8 times faster than FDM on an average when estimating properties of heterogeneous reservoirs using inversion on formation-tester measurements acquired in highly deviated wells. Computational advantage of FDSM is due to application of one-dimensional solutions of fluid saturations and concentrations along streamlines instead of three-dimensional FDM numerical calculations. Despite the efficiency, history matching of measurements indicates up to 6% difference between FDSM and FDM in results. In high-angle wells, mud-filtrate invasion causes a non-symmetric distribution of invading fluid around the wellbore perimeter. Moreover, presence of large permeability–porosity contrast among layers increases complexity of numerical computations and uncertainty. This study proposes that the streamline-based inversion method is an excellent candidate to overcome these difficulties efficiently.
Changing Customary Marine Resource Management Practice and Institutions: The Case of Sasi Lola in the Kei Islands, Indonesia

Summary. — Sasi, the spatial and temporal closure of fields, forests, reefs and fishing grounds, is a conspicuous feature of many Moluccan societies. Despite increasing domestic and international awareness and praise of what is considered by many analysts to be an exemplary indigenous resource conservation tradition, the practice is in decline in many parts of the Thousand Island province, and in many villages has disappeared altogether. This study examines the practice of managing Trochus niloticus (Topshell) harvests in Ohoirenan, a village on the eastern coast of Kei Besar in the District of Southeast Maluku. Trochus is one of the most important sources of cash income for Kei villagers, and until recently, for the district government as well. Since 1987, trochus has been classified as a protected species in Indonesia, and regulations have been issued to regulate the cultivation, harvest and transport of this and other protected species. This article briefly introduces Kei customary law and property relations, followed by a description of sasi and its application to reef habitats and trochus harvests. Examining a territorial conflict between Ohoirenan and a neighboring village, and more recent contention arising from government eAorts to protect the species, the article explores issues of society‐nature and state‐society relations as pertain to natural resource management in Indonesia. Sasi continues to function as an exemplary common property resource (CPR) management institution in Ohoirenan, assuring equitable distribution of the benefits deriving from controlled extraction of a local resource. But, erratic and uneven enforcement of ‘‘one-size-fits-all’’ centralized conservation policy and law, combined with collusion and self-interest on the part of various parties, combine to threaten both the resource and the institutions that have successfully and sustainably managed it in this region. Within the context of a centralized, state-led natural resource management system, the national species protection precludes the establishment of sensible, mutually beneficial co-management regimes that could serve the interests and employ the inherent knowledge and capabilities of local communities, traders, and government agents. ” 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Impact of tumor size on survival in cancer of the cervix and validation of stage IIA1 and IIA2 subdivisions.

Abstract Objective A change has recently been made to the Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system for cervical cancer to account for size within stage IIA cancers. This study was designed to investigate the impact of size within stage I-IIIB cervical carcinoma, and to validate these changes. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program database was used to extract data on patients from 1988 to 2008. Patients were included who had information recorded regarding stage, size, and type of treatment received. They were then stratified by stage and size, and analyzed for cause-specific survival (CSS) using Kaplan Meier estimates, as well as hazard ratios using Cox proportional hazards regression modeling. Results A total of 18,649 cases were evaluated. All stages evaluated demonstrated improved CSS on Kaplan Meier estimates for smaller tumor sizes (largest p=0.0003). Hazard ratios were significantly worse for larger tumor sizes on both univariate and multivariate modeling. Specifically, stage IIA cancers demonstrated a hazard ratio of 2.0 on univariate, and 1.69 on multivariate analysis (C.I. 1.46–2.75, p Conclusions Size is independently prognostic within each stage in cervical cancer, validating the recent changes to the FIGO staging system.
Community-acquired extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers, United States.

sTo the Editor: Extended-spectrum b-lactamase (ESBL)nproducing organisms have become a common problem for patients in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Community-onset ESBL infections have recently been described in Spain, the United Kingdom, Israel, and Canada. Typically, the infections are urinary tract infections (UTIs) with CTX-Mnproducing Escherichia coli. These organisms may be resistant to most or all antimicrobial agents commonly used to treat UTIs, such as ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, gentamicin, and ceftriaxone.Although CTX-Mnproducing E. coli have previously been found in the United States, clinical descriptions of community-acquired ESBL-producing E. coli infections have not been reported in this country. We describe 2 healthy young women in Pennsylvania in whom UTI with CTX-M-15nproducing E. coli developed...
A Noncanonical Autophagy Pathway Restricts Toxoplasma gondii Growth in a Strain-Specific Manner in IFN-γ-Activated Human Cells

ABSTRACT A core set of autophagy proteins is required for gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-mediated clearance of Toxoplasma gondii in the mouse because of their control of several downstream effectors, including immunity-related GTPases (IRGs) and guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs). However, these effectors are absent (i.e., IRGs) from or nonessential (i.e., GBPs) in IFN-γ-activated human cells, raising the question of how these cells control parasite replication. Here, we define a novel role for ubiquitination and recruitment of autophagy adaptors in the strain-specific control of T. gondii replication in IFN-γ-activated human cells. Vacuoles containing susceptible strains of T. gondii became ubiquitinated, recruited the adaptors p62 and NDP52, and were decorated with LC3. Parasites within LC3-positive vacuoles became enclosed in multiple layers of host membranes, resulting in stunting of parasite replication. However, LC3-positive T. gondii-containing vacuoles did not fuse with endosomes and lysosomes, indicating that this process is fundamentally different from xenophagy, a form of autophagy involved in the control of intracellular bacterial pathogens. Genetic knockout of ATG16L or ATG7 reverted the membrane encapsulation and restored parasite replication, indicating that core autophagy proteins involved in LC3 conjugation are important in the control of parasite growth. Despite a role for the core autophagy machinery in this process, upstream activation through Beclin 1 was not sufficient to enhance the ubiquitination of T. gondii-containing vacuoles, suggesting a lack of reliance on canonical autophagy. These findings demonstrate a new mechanism for IFN-γ-dependent control of T. gondii in human cells that depends on ubiquitination and core autophagy proteins that mediate membrane engulfment and restricted growth. IMPORTANCE Autophagy is a process of cellular remodeling that allows the cell to recycle senescent organelles and recapture nutrients. During innate immune responses in the mouse, autophagy is recruited to help target intracellular pathogens and thus eliminate them. However, the antimicrobial mediators that depend on autophagy in the mouse are not conserved in humans, raising the issue of how human cells control intracellular pathogens. Our study defines a new pathway for the control of the ubiquitous intracellular parasite T. gondii in human cells activated by IFN-γ. Recruitment of autophagy adaptors resulted in engulfment of the parasite in multiple membranes and growth impairment. Although susceptible type 2 and 3 stains of T. gondii were captured by this autophagy-dependent pathway, type 1 strains were able to avoid entrapment.
Coordination of perishable crop production using auction mechanisms

Abstract We present a tactical level planning tool to address the issue of coordinating production of perishable specialty crops under decentralized control and incomplete information. The objective of this research is to address an emerging problem seen in the business model of agricultural cooperatives. These vertically expanded farmer associations market their products jointly. However, within the cooperatives farmers remain competitors seeking their own best interest, simultaneously seeking contracts for the most profitable crops in the most desirable part of the season; this behavior can work to the detriment of the group. The model developed considers the problem of asymmetric information and internal competition within the cooperative, as well as traditional factors relevant to agricultural planning. Thereafter, an auction based coordination mechanism is formulated, which leads production decisions toward a coordinated outcome despite each individual acting independently and on his/her best interest. The mechanism is shown to approximate optimal production targets through focused information discovery and a well-structured contract allocation methodology. The results presented show the viability of implementing such planning scheme in practice as well as the optimality gap under a variety of settings.
Diffusion phenomena during cyanate resin cure

The diffusion phenomena, including the molecular diffusion processes and the effect of diffusion on the cure kinetics and molecular size distribution, during the curing of a zinc-catalysed cyanate ester resin have been studied. The average diffusivity, which was estimated using the dielectric analysis-based approach, decreased by several orders of magnitude during the curing process. The molecular size distribution measured with size exclusion chromatography was found to deviate from the mean-field prediction at relatively high conversions. By using the Rabinowitch model, a diffusion-controlled kinetic model was formulated, which adequately predicted the experimental cyanate conversion profiles over the entire range of cure.
Magnetic Shielding Design for Magneto-Electronic Devices Protection

With the rapid progress in magnetic random access memory (MRAM) development, shielding for MRAM and other magneto-electronics devices becomes more and more important. Traditionally, magnetic shielding is done by cylindrical shells with length to diameter ratio greater than one. Such shielding shapes are not compatible with the form factor of electronic chips, boards, or systems. Novel magnetic shielding designs with low length to diameter ratio are needed. In this paper, we introduce a shielding strategy for magneto-electronic devices and demonstrate a case study to achieve shielding factor above 1000 with cylindrical shell length to diameter ratio below 0.3 and with end-cap openings for signal and power bus connections.
Nd-glass burst laser with kW average power output

Demonstrations of operation of a compact neodymium glass laser with average output powers greater than 1 kW for several seconds are reported. The laser is based on the thermal inertia laser (TIL) concept wherein a neodymium-doped glass rod is pumped uniformly without cooling during a burst mode of laser operation. Design principles for TIL devices and scaling to 100 kW class lasers are discussed. Experimental results for a low repetition-rate proof-of-concept pulsed device (30 J, 0.2 Hz) and a high repetition-rate pulsed prototype (40 J, 36 Hz) are presented and compared to numerical solutions for the laser rate equations with temperature dependent cross-sections. >
Testing for Cointegration with Temporally Aggregated and Mixed‐Frequency Time Series

We examine the effects of mixed sampling frequencies and temporal aggregation on standard tests for cointegration. While it is well known that aggregation and sampling frequency do not affect the long-run properties of time series, we find that the effects of aggregation on the size of the tests may be severe. Matching sampling schemes of all series generally reduces size, and the nominal size is obtained when all series are skip-sampled in the same way – e.g., end-of-period sampling. When matching all schemes is not feasible, the size of the likelihood-based trace test may be improved by using a mixed-frequency model rather than an aggregated model. However, a mixedfrequency strategy may not improve the size distortion of residual-based cointegration tests compared to aggregated series. We test stock prices and dividends for cointegration as an empirical demonstration of the size distortion.
Degenerate primer selection algorithms

The multiplex polymerase chain reaction (MP-PCR) is a quick and inexpensive technique in molecular biology for amplifying multiple DNA loci in a single Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). One of the criteria to achieve highly specific reaction products is to keep the concentration of the amplification primers low. In research, the dilemma associated with primer minimization for MP-PCR reactions has been formulated as the Multiple Degenerate Primer Selection Problem (MDPSP). MDPSP is related to the earlier Degenerate Primer Design (DPD) problem that has proven to be NP-complete. This paper formulates a new, so far, unexplored variant, the Multiple Degenerate Primer Selection Problem with Errors (MDPSPE) and introduces new algorithms for solving this new version. Furthermore, we implement an exact algorithm, DPS-HDR for solving the earlier MDPSP and compare the algorithm's performance on randomly generated data sets with DPS-HD, thus far the most efficient algorithm for solving MDPSP introduced in [2]. We expect to reduce the execution time of the algorithm in comparison to DPS-HD.1
The short term natural history of irritable bowel syndrome: A time-series analysis

Although researchers have studied irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), including its physiological and psychological characteristics and treatments' effectiveness, basic descriptive information about IBS has been limited to lists of symptoms and explanations of what IBS is not. The purpose of the present study is to describe how core IBS symptoms vary over time. Twenty-five subjects (17 females, 8 males), who were not receiving treatment for IBS, rated the severity of their IBS symptoms daily for 8 weeks. Four symptoms' (abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, constipation and diarrhea) ratings were slimmed to create a primary IBS symptom score. The data were detrended, then a time-series analysis was performed. Many subjects' IBS severity was predictable over more than one day, and symptoms tended to occur in clusters rather than randomly. Anxiety and depression were slightly to moderately correlated with IBS variables, but virtually all of these correlations were nonsignificant.
Population analysis using the nuclear white gene detects Pliocene/Pleistocene lineage divergence within Anopheles nuneztovari in South America.

Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) nuneztovari Gabaldon (Diptera: Culicidae), a locally important malaria vector in some regions of South America, has been hypothesized to consist of at least two cryptic incipient species. We investigated its phylogeographic structure in several South American localities to determine the number of lineages and levels of divergence using the nuclear white gene, a marker that detected two recently diverged genotypes in the primary Neotropical malaria vector Anopheles darlingi Root. In An. nuneztovari, five distinct lineages (1-5) were elucidated: (1) populations from northeastern and central Amazonia; (2) populations from Venezuela east and west of the Andes; (3) populations from Colombia and Venezuela west of the Andes; (4) southeastern and western Amazonian Brazil populations, and (5) southeastern and western Amazonian Brazil and Bolivian populations. There was a large amount of genetic differentiation among these lineages. The deepest and earliest divergence was found between lineage 3 and lineages 1, 2 and 4, which probably accounts for the detection of lineage 3 in some earlier studies. The multiple lineages within Amazonia are partially congruent with previous mtDNA and ITS2 data, but were undetected in many earlier studies, probably because of their recent (Pleistocene) divergence and the differential mutation rates of the markers. The estimates for the five lineages, interpreted as recently evolved or incipient species, date to the Pleistocene and Pliocene. We hypothesize that the diversification in An. nuneztovari is the result of an interaction between the Miocene/Pliocene marine incursion and Pleistocene climatic changes leading to refugial isolation. The identification of cryptic lineages in An. nuneztovari could have a significant impact on local vector control measures.
Risk as a Proxy for Race

Today, an increasing chorus argues that risk-assessment instruments are a politically feasible way to resolve our problem of mass incarceration and reduce prison populations. In this essay, I argue against this progressive argument for prediction: using risk-assessment tools to decrease prison populations would unquestionably aggravate the already intolerable racial imbalance in our prison populations and will not address the real source of mass incarceration, namely the admissions process. Risk has collapsed into prior criminal history, and prior criminal history has become a proxy for race. This means that using risk-assessment tools, even for progressive ends, is going to significantly aggravate the already unacceptable racial disparities in our criminal justice system. Instead of turning to prediction, we need to address prison admissions. Recent evidence suggests that our carceral excess was not so much fueled by the length of sentences, as it was by the front end: new admissions. The real solution to mass incarceration, then, is not to cut short prison terms though prediction, but to reduce admissions to prison.
Health Care Use of Children Whose Female Caregivers Have Intimate Partner Violence Histories

Objective To determine whether prior exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with children's subsequent emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, a nationally representative sample of children reported to Child Protective Services between 1999 and 2000. Participants Families of children reported to Child Protective Services who were assessed through comprehensive caregiver interviews at baseline and 18 and 36 months. Main Exposure Severe or minor IPV, as measured by the Conflict Tactics Scale 1. Main Outcome Measures Number of ED visits or hospitalizations from baseline to the 18-month assessment (interval 1, n = 2689) and from the 18-month to the 36-month assessment (interval 2, n = 2546). Results Compared with children whose female caregivers reported no IPV at baseline, children whose female caregivers disclosed severe IPV at baseline had significantly higher rates of ED visits over both subsequent intervals (interval 1, incidence rate ratio [IRR], 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-2.9; interval 2, IRR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-3.0). In contrast, rates of hospitalizations were lower in the second interval for children whose female caregivers disclosed minor IPV as compared with no IPV at baseline (IRR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1-0.6). Conclusions Further research is required to elucidate the complex relationship between IPV and child health care use. Such an understanding will facilitate identification of sites within the health care system where effective interventions for children exposed to IPV, and their caregivers, might be located.
Dynamics and Instability of Current-Carrying Cylindrical Shells in a Magnetic Field

Magnetoelastic wave propagation and vibration of perfectly electroconductive circular cylindrical thin shells exposed to an applied magnetic field and carrying electrical current are being investigated. It is assumed that the electrical current and the applied magnetic field are parallel to the longitudinal direction. Within the framework of the technical theory of thin shells, the 2-D equations of motion that capture the full interaction between the shell and the electromagnetic field are developed. Having in view that the thinwalled structures carrying strong electrical currents are highly susceptible to buckling, by using the present model, the implications of the coupling of the magnetic field and the electrical current on the shell buckling will be investigated.
Towards more detailed value-added teacher assessments

Sometimes, the efficiency of a class is assessed by assessing the amount of knowledge that the students have after taking this class. However, this amount depends not only on the quality of the class, but also on how prepared were the students when they started taking this class. A more adequate assessment should therefore be value-added, estimating the added value that the class brought to the students. In pedagogical practice, there are many value-added assessment models. However, most existing models have two limitations. First, they model the effect of the class as an additive factor independent on the initial knowledge. In reality, the amount of knowledge learned depends on the amount of the initial knowledge. Second, the existing models are statistical, they implicitly assume that the assessment values are objective — and are subject to random measurement errors and noises. In reality, many assessment values are subjective. Thus, fuzzy techniques provide, in our opinion, a more adequate way of processing these values. In this paper, we describe how the use of fuzzy techniques can help us overcome both limitations of the existing value-added assessments.
Five Questions about Viruses and MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are ∼22-nt regulatory RNAs expressed by all multicellular eukaryotes [1]. Humans encode >700 miRNAs and similar numbers are likely to exist in other mammalian species. Almost all cellular miRNAs are initially transcribed by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) as part of a long, capped, polyadenylated primary miRNA (pri-miRNA) precursor. The miRNA forms part of one arm of an RNA stem-loop that consists of an ∼32-bp imperfect stem flanked by unstructured RNA sequences. This stem-loop is recognized by the nuclear RNase III enzyme Drosha, which cleaves the stem to liberate an ∼60-nt pre-miRNA hairpin. The pre-miRNA is then transported to the cytoplasm where it is cleaved by a second RNase III enzyme, called Dicer, which removes the terminal loop to generate the miRNA duplex intermediate. One strand of this duplex is incorporated into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), where it acts as a guide RNA to direct RISC to complementary mRNA species [1]. Depending on the level of complementarity, RISC can either cleave bound mRNAs and/or inhibit their translation. Inhibition of mRNA translation generally requires full complementarity of the mRNA to nucleotides 2 through 7 or 8 from the miRNA 5′ end—the miRNA seed region. The primary, and possibly sole, function of mammalian miRNAs is therefore to act as specific post-transcriptional inhibitors of mRNA function.
A programmable routing controller for flexible communications in point-to-point networks

Modern parallel and distributed applications have a wide range of communication characteristics and performance requirements. This paper presents programmable routing controller (PRC), a custom ASIC that supports flexible network policies to accommodate diverse application requirements. By dedicating a small programmable processor to each incoming link, the PRC can implement wormhole, virtual cut-through, and packet switching, as well as hybrid schemes, under a variety of unicast and multicast routing algorithms. The PRC can support several applications or traffic types simultaneously by implementing multiple routing-switching microcode routines.