cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome following intravenous paclitaxel and intraperitoneal cisplatin chemotherapy for fallopian tube cancer

Background. Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) is a clinical and radiologic syndrome of heterogeneous etiology. Although it has been described in association with intravenous cytotoxic chemotherapy including cisplatin and molecularly targeted therapies such as bevacizumab and sorafenib, it has not been described in the setting of intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Case. A 64-year-old woman with stage IIIC fallopian tube cancer developed acute mental status changes and radiologic findings consistent with RPLS in conjunction with hypertension after one cycle of intravenous paclitaxel, followed by intraperitoneal (IP) cisplatin. Symptoms resolved over the course of 4 days with no obvious residual effects. Conclusion. The use of an intravenous paclitaxel and intraperitoneal cisplatin regimen can be associated with RPLS. Hypertension should be controlled in patients prior to receiving this chemotherapy regimen due to potential toxicity.
Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) Nymphs Collected in Managed Red Pine Forests in Wisconsin

Changes in the structure of managed red pine forests in Wisconsin caused by interacting root- and stem-colonizing insects are associated with increased abundance of the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis Say, in comparison with nonimpacted stands. However, the frequency and variability of the occurrence of tick-borne pathogens in this coniferous forest type across Wisconsin is unknown. Red pine forests were surveyed from 2009 to 2013 to determine the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in questing I. scapularis nymphs. Polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed geographical differences in the nymphal infection prevalence (NIP) of these pathogens in red pine forests. In the Kettle Moraine State Forest (KMSF) in southeastern Wisconsin, NIP of B. burgdorferi across all years was 35% (range of 14.5-53.0%). At the Black River State Forest (BRSF) in western Wisconsin, NIP of B. burgdorferi across all years was 26% (range of 10.9-35.5%). Differences in NIP of B. burgdorferi between KMSF and BRSF were statistically significant for 2010 and 2011 and for all years combined (P < 0.05). NIP ofA. phagocytophilum (human agent) averaged 9% (range of 4.6-15.8%) at KMSF and 3% (range of 0-6.4%) at BRSF, and was significantly different between the sites for all years combined (P < 0.05). Differences in coinfection of B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum were not statistically significant between KMSF and BRSF, with an average of 3.4% (range of 1.7-10.5%) and 2.5% (range of 0-5.5%), respectively. In 2013, the density of infected nymphs in KMSF and BRSF was 14 and 30 per 1000m2, respectively, among the highest ever recorded for the state. Differences in the density of nymphs and NIP among sites were neither correlated with environmental factors nor time since tick colonization. These results document significant unexplained variation in tick-borne pathogens between coniferous forests in Wisconsin that warrants further study.
Sigma Factor N, Liaison to an ntrC and rpoS Dependent Regulatory Pathway Controlling Acid Resistance and the LEE in Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is dependent on acid resistance for gastric passage and low oral infectious dose, and the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) for intestinal colonization. Mutation of rpoN, encoding sigma factor N (σ(N)), dramatically alters the growth-phase dependent regulation of both acid resistance and the LEE. This study reports on the determinants of σ(N)-directed acid resistance and LEE expression, and the underlying mechanism attributable to this phenotype. Glutamate-dependent acid resistance (GDAR) in TW14359ΔrpoN correlated with increased expression of the gadX-gadW regulatory circuit during exponential growth, whereas upregulation of arginine-dependent acid resistance (ADAR) genes adiA and adiC in TW14359ΔrpoN did not confer acid resistance by the ADAR mechanism. LEE regulatory (ler), structural (espA and cesT) and effector (tir) genes were downregulated in TW14359ΔrpoN, and mutation of rpoS encoding sigma factor 38 (σ(S)) in TW14359ΔrpoN restored acid resistance and LEE genes to WT levels. Stability, but not the absolute level, of σ(S) was increased in TW14359ΔrpoN; however, increased stability was not solely attributable to the GDAR and LEE expression phenotype. Complementation of TW14359ΔrpoN with a σ(N) allele that binds RNA polymerase (RNAP) but not DNA, did not restore WT levels of σ(S) stability, gadE, ler or GDAR, indicating a dependence on transcription from a σ(N) promoter(s) and not RNAP competition for the phenotype. Among a library of σ(N) enhancer binding protein mutants, only TW14359ΔntrC, inactivated for nitrogen regulatory protein NtrC, phenocopied TW14359ΔrpoN for σ(S) stability, GDAR and ler expression. The results of this study suggest that during exponential growth, NtrC-σ(N) regulate GDAR and LEE expression through downregulation of σ(S) at the post-translational level; likely by altering σ(S) stability or activity. The regulatory interplay between NtrC, other EBPs, and σ(N)-σ(S), represents a mechanism by which EHEC can coordinate GDAR, LEE expression and other cellular functions, with nitrogen availability and physiologic stimuli.
A method to measure the texture of secondary alpha in bimodal titanium-alloy microstructures

Abstract A general method for determining the texture of the secondary-alpha phase in titanium alloys with a bimodal microstructure was developed. Validated using Ti–6Al–4V, the procedure is generally applicable to all alpha–beta titanium alloys and can be applied using a variety of texture-measurement techniques.
PETER TRUDGILL , The dialects of England . 2nd ed. Oxford: Blackwell, 1999. Pp. x,154. Pb $26.95. PAUL FOULKES & GERARD DOCHERTY (eds.), Urban voices: Accent studies in the British Isles . London: Arnold, 1999. Pp. xiii, 313. Pb $24.95.

Reports of the death of heterogeneity in British speech have been greatly exaggerated. Most Language in Society readers are certainly already aware of this, and two recent books will help communicate this point to people outside the field.
Membrane protein assembly: genetic, evolutionary and medical perspectives.

Lipid bilayers are delicate structures that are easily disrupted by a variety of amphipathic molecules. Yet the viability of a cell requires the continued assembly of large amphipathic proteins within its membranes without damage. The need to minimize bilayer disruption may account for a number of fundamental features of membrane protein assembly. These include the use of redundant sequence information to establish the topologies and folded structures of membrane proteins and the existence of efficient mechanisms to rid cells of misassembled proteins. Most missense mutations that inactivate a membrane protein probably do so by altering the folding of the membrane-inserted structure rather than by rearranging the topology or by changing key residues involved directly in function. Such misfolded membrane proteins may be toxic to cells if they escape cellular safeguards. This toxicity may underlie some human degenerative diseases due to mutant membrane proteins.
Unbounded stratified flow over a vertical barrier

The horizontal, linearly stratified, non-diffusive, high Reynolds number flow of an unbounded fluid over a two-dimensional vertical barrier is studied for a range of internal Froude numbers (Fi) under the Oseen and Boussinesq approximations. For F1 > 0·47 the most prominent feature of the flow is the system of large amplitude lee waves located downstream of the barrier with crests tilted in the upstream direction. For 0·47 < F1 < 0·6 the crests actually extend upstream of the barrier and appear as flows of alternating direction over the barrier. For 0·47 < Fi < 0·5 reversed flows due to these waves actually extend far upstream. For Fi < 0·47 a blocking column upstream of the obstacle, as well as large amplitude lee waves, is present. For even smaller 3. the amplitude of the lee-wave system diminishes but the blocking column remains. It is also shown that the steady-state solution obtained by Trustrum (1964, 1971) for the density and pressure field is drastically altered if a small viscosity is retained in the transient analysis.
Fabrication of tunnelling barriers by oxidation in hydrogen peroxide

Abstract One of the major experimental difficulties in electron tunnelling work is the preparation of very thin insulating barriers. This paper describes a method based on oxidation of the substrate in hydrogen peroxide. Good results have been obtained with gallium and tin, and the technique may be useful for other metals as well.
The Political Economy of Electricity Deregulation: Appointed vs. Elected Utility Commissioners

Does the manner in which public utility commissioners are selected influence the kinds of decisions they render regarding electric rates and other factors pertaining to electricity services? This article examines the impact and implications of different methods of regulator selection and how that selection process affects protection of consumer interests as opposed to the interests of electricity suppliers (i.e., utilities).
Biomechanical Analysis of Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit in a Cadaveric Model

Overhead throwing athletes have been shown to develop adaptive changes in humeral rotation to allow for higher throwing velocities. This manifests as an increase in humeral external rotation and a decrease in internal rotation, which is called glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD). The percentage of GIRD that significantly affects glenohumeral joint kinematics is not known. The objective of the study was to create a throwers shoulder model with fixed percentages of GIRD to determine at which point kinematic changes start occurring.The results showed that there was a significant decrease in posterior translation starting at 10% GIRD. With inferior translational loads, significantly less inferior translation starts occurring at 20% GIRD. The humeral head apex position at maximum external rotation moves superiorly, posteriorly and laterally, with significant changes in the superior direction occurring with 10% GIRD onwards. Overall, significant kinematic changes begin at 10% GIRD and this should be taken into account for clinical decision-making as to when intervention is necessary.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Microtoxicology. X. Colorimetric reactions and optical crystallographic properties of five synthetic antispasmodics.

The antispasmodics Profenil Citrate, Syntropan phosphate, Trasentin hydrochloride, Pavatrine hydrochloride, and Lacbesine chloride were subjected to a large number of colorimetric and precipitation reagents. Although definite differences between these drugs were observed, the drugs were difficult to identify b these methods. On the other hand, their optical crystallographic properties eagle a positive identification to be made from very small amounts of material. Combination of these methods with melting point determinations may be useful to the toxicological chemist.
The Unique Relations between Emotional Awareness and Facets of Affective Instability

The relation between affective instability and two facets of emotional awareness, attention to emotion and clarity of emotion, was examined in two community samples (Ns = 303, 101) and one student sample (N = 409). Affective instability was positively associated with attention to emotion and negatively associated with clarity of emotion. The two facets of affective instability, affect intensity and emotional variability, were differentially associated with the two components of emotional awareness. As hypothesized, affect intensity was uniquely associated with attention to emotion, whereas emotional variability was uniquely (inversely) associated with clarity of emotion even after taking into account shared variance with neuroticism and gender.
Differential Control of Neonatal Tolerance by Antigen Dose versus Extended Exposure and Adjuvant

Ig-PLP1, an immunoglobulin (Ig) chimera carrying the encephalitogenic proteolipid protein (PLP) sequence 139-151 (PLP1), induces neonatal tolerance in mice and confers resistance to experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) without the need for incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA). The mechanism underlying such tolerance involves organ-specific T cell regulation characterized by lymph node deviation and an unusual IFNgamma-dependent splenic anergy. This form of T cell modulation may prove useful for prevention of autoimmunity. However, since the neonatal period is susceptible to regulation, further investigations are necessary to define parameters required to establish regimens suitable for optimal protection against disease. Therefore, studies were carried out to investigate the effect that IFA, the dose of Ig-PLP1, and the number of Ig-PLP1 injections might have on Ig-PLP1-mediated neonatal tolerance and protection against disease. Herein it is reported that as little as 1 microg of Ig-PLP1 supported IFNgamma-dependent splenic anergy but lymph node deviation and protection against disease strengthened as the dose of tolerogen increased. However, when a two-injection regimen was applied, resistance to disease was observed but the mechanism manifested proliferative and cytokine unresponsiveness in both lymphoid organs. Furthermore, the use of IFA along with Ig-PLP1 yielded a suppressive mechanism similar to that of the two-injection regimen. Therefore, the dose of Ig-PLP1 displays a quantitative influence, while the number of injections of Ig-PLP1 and the presence of IFA rather drive qualitative influences on such tolerance.
Looking in the wrong direction? Reflections on Italy's most recent ‘crisis’

This paper argues that, rather than focus on Italy's well-known institutional deficits, especially vis-a-vis its larger, more prosperous European neighbours, we should examine instead the experiences of another set of countries (India, Israel, etc.) that have promoted economic reform and growth through entrepreneurship. Relying on cross-national networks to provide local firms with capital, technology, market access and managerial skills, firms in these other countries were able to supplement or even circumvent institutional deficiencies in their home countries and build successful enterprises. Perhaps a similar strategy could be pursued by Italy's small and medium-sized firms and thus help relaunch growth in the Italian economy.
ISOLATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND CHARACTERIZATION OF 17-OXO DEXAMETHASONE, AN OXIDATIVE DEGRADATION IMPURITY OF DEXAMETHASONE USING FLASH CHROMATOGRAPHY AND NMR/HRMS/IR

Some formulations of dexamethasone available in the market require γ-radiation sterilized dexamethasone active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). A new impurity was detected in the γ-radiation sterilized dexamethasone API and determined using gradient ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method with UV detection. This impurity was identified as the major peroxide degradation impurity of dexamethasone. This impurity standard was consequently isolated via oxidative degradation followed by flash liquid chromatography (LC) method. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and infrared (IR) study the impurity was identified as 17-oxo dexamethasone (dexamethasone 17-ketone). In this method, about 600 mg of relatively pure 17-oxo dexamethasone impurity (chromatographic purity: 99.34% w/w by LC) was obtained with 1000 mg of extract loaded. This isolated 17-oxo dexamethasone impurity served as external standard for determination of percentage amounts of this impurity...
Enhancement of cellulose accessibility and enzymatic hydrolysis by simultaneous wet milling

It has been shown that the rate of enzymatic saccharification of cellulosic materials including pure cellulose, newsprint, lignocellulose and wood can be substantially increased by simultaneous wet milling. The cellulosic substrates were wet milled with a variety of grinding elements, such as sand, glass beads, and stainless-steel beads, agitated in a shaker bath. Simultaneous hydrolysis was achieved with a 2% substrate slurry in a 0.1M acetate buffer at 45/sup 0/C and pH 5. The effectiveness of this process was dependent upon the lignified matrix of the cellulose microfibrils, the grinding elements, and the oscillation frequency of the shaker bath. Wet milling pure cellulose for 48 h, with 3.5 mm glass beads and 200 oscilations/min (opm), yielded 1031 mg reducing sugar/g substrate (93% saccharification) as compared to 483 mg (44%) for the ball-milled sample and 253 mg (23%) for the unmilled material. With the lignified substrates, stainless-steel beads (3.5 mm) were more effective than glass. For lignocellulose 529 mg sugar/g substrate (93% saccharification) could be obtained by wet milling with cellulase for 24 h. This was about three times greater than that of the ball milled and 10 times greater than that of the unmilled substrates. The method was also effectivemore » for wood particles (60 mesh) giving 143 mg sugar/g wood (approx. 38% saccharification) in 48 h, whereas the ball-milled sample gave only 79 mg (21%) and the unmilled substrate 38 mg (10%). These observations can be explained on the basis of the current crystalline theory for the morphology of the cellulosic microfibrils. The advantage of wet milling and simultaneous hydrolysis apparently depends on a continuous generation of accessible sites and a sustained rapid hydrolysis rate as the saccharification proceeds, where in the pretreated substrates the hydrolysis rate slows down as the active sites are reduced.« less
On the evolution and saturation of instabilities of two-dimensional isolated circular vortices

Laboratory observations and numerical experiments have shown that a variety of compound vortices can emerge in two-dimensional flow due to the instability of isolated circular vortices. The simple geometrical features of these compound vortices suggest that their description may take a simple form if an appropriately chosen set of functions is used. We employ a set which is complete on the infinite plane for vorticity distributions with finite total enstrophy. Through projection of the vorticity equation (Galerkin method) and subsequent truncation we derive a dynamical system which is used to model the observed behaviour in as simple as possible a fashion. It is found that at relatively low-order truncations the observed behaviour is qualitatively captured by the dynamical system. We determine what the necessary ingredients are for saturation of instabilities at finite amplitude in terms of wave–wave interactions and feedback between various azimuthal components of the vorticity field.
Measuring the functional status and well-being of patients with migraine headache.

SYNOPSIS Objective: Compare adult migraineurs' health related quality of life to adults in the general U.S. population reporting no chronic conditions, and to samples of patients with other chronic conditions. Methods: Subjects (n=845) were surveyed 2–6 months after participation in a placebo-controlled clinical trial and asked to complete a questionnaire including the SF-36 Health Survey, a migraine severity measurement scale and demographics. Results were adjusted for severity of illness and comorbidities. Scores were compared with responses to the same survey by the U.S. sample and by patients with other chronic conditions. Results: Response rate was 67%. After adjustment for comorbid conditions, SF-36 scale scores were significantly (P 0.001 ) lower in migraineurs, relative to age and sex-adjusted norms for the U.S. sample with no chronic conditions. Some health dimensions were more affected by migraine than other chronic conditions, while other dimensions were less affected by migraine. Measures of bodily pain, role disability due to physical health and social functioning discriminated best between migraineurs, the U.S. sample, and patients with other chronic conditions. Patients reporting moderate, severe and very severe migraines scored significantly (P £ 0.001 ) lower on five of the eight SF-36 scales than the U.S. sample. Conclusions: Migraine has a unique, significant quality of life burden.
High-performance InGaAs/InP-based single-photon avalanche diode with reduced afterpulsing

We report reduced afterpulsing for a high-performance InGaAs/InP single photon avalanche photodiode (SPAD) using a gated-mode passive quenching with active reset (gated-PQAR) circuit. Photon detection efficiency (PDE) and dark count probability (DCP) were measured at a gate repetition rate of 1 MHz. With a double-pulse measurement technique, the afterpulsing probability was measured for various hold-off times. At 230K, 0.3% afterpulsing probability for a 10 ns hold-off time was achieved with 13% PDE, 2×10 -6 DCP and 0.4 ns effective gate width. For the same hold off time, 30% PDE and 1×10 -5 DCP was achieved with 6% afterpulsing probability for an effective gate width of 0.7 ns.
Identification of a collectin-like protein in pig serum that binds a component in perienteric fluid from Ascaris suum

Abstract A collectin-like protein (CLP) of the acute phase protein family that binds the polysaccharides mannan and α-1-6 dextran was isolated from the serum of pigs infected with Ascaris suum . A monoclonal antibody generated against this protein and used to characterize the CLP revealed on SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis that the protein had a molecular weight of approximately 48 kDa under reducing conditions and greater than 100 kDa under nonreducing conditions. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that the CLP bound to substances in the perienteric fluid of Ascaris suum (APF). Molecular weight fractionation of APF demonstrated that CLP binds primarily to APF substances of greater than 100 kDa. Binding of CLP to APF was partially blocked by phosphatidylinositol. This is the first report of a porcine CLP and the binding of a CLP to components of the common nematode Ascaris suum .
Hemoglobin interference with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of tumor necrosis factor-alpha

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of hemoglobin (Hb) on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Detection of TNF-alpha was performed by using the commercially available ELISA systems Factor-Test ttm hTNF-alpha and Predicta tm Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Kit (Genzyme, Cambridge, MA) in buffered samples containing 0.00 pg ml −1 or 200 pg ml −1 of recombinant human TNF-alpha, spiked with human Hb. The results suggest that Hb interferes with the detection of TNF-alpha by ELISA. A more pronounced effect was observed with the Factor-Test tm hTNF-alpha system. The observed effects were directly proportional to the concentration of Hb ranging from 1 to 20 mg ml −1 . It appeared that in freshly spiked samples, Hb cross-reacted with monoclonal anti-TNF-alpha antibodies. When such an interaction occurred, Hb underwent a chemical reaction with hydrogen peroxide to yield a potent oxidant, capable of oxidizing the assay's substrates o -phenylenediamine dihydrochloride or 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine dihydrochloride hydrate. The fact that Hb might interact with other proteins and possesses catalytic, peroxidase-like activity, suggests the possibility that this molecule may mimic the action of horseradish peroxidase in peroxidase-based ELISA systems and produce false positive results. It was also found that incubation of the TNF samples with Hb outside the ELISA system may have caused its instability. Non-denaturing size-exclusion chromatography revealed that incubation of recombinant human TNF-alpha with Hb caused its partial dissociation and consequent formation of immunologically less reactive TNF monomers possibly producing false negative results.
Tests for acute and chronic viral hepatitis. Finding your way through the alphabet soup of infection and superinfection.

PREVIEWViral causes of hepatitis are clinically indistinguishable from one another. This can be a problem because appropriate management often depends on the specific virus involved. Fortunately, advances in serologic and molecular testing now allow accurate identification of the viral causes of both acute and chronic hepatitis. In this article, Drs Saab and Martin discuss five important hepatitis viruses—A through E—and explain which tests are most helpful for deciding on management.
A general method for locally optimal search

This paper describes a general search procedure for finding a best member of a large discrete set of solutions. The Traveling Salesperson Problem illustrates how the method is used. Two APL functions contain the core of the method. NEXTSET implements the user's definition of the neighborhood of a solution while WHATNOW expresses the search strategy to be employed. WHATNOW can incorporate any calculations, or system or session parameters available to the function as the search progresses, and it passes its determination on to NEXTSET which dynamically expands and contracts the scope of the search.
Prognostic significance of peritumoral lymphatic vessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 in invasive squamous cell cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is known to metastasize primarily by the lymphatic system. Dissemination through lymphatic vessels represents an early step in regional tumor progression, and the presence of lymphatic metastasis is associated with a poor prognosis. In patients who have undergone a radical hysterectomy, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), assessed on hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides, is a major factor for adjuvant therapy in patients with cervical cancer. With the advent of a lymphatic endothelial cell-specific marker, such as D2-40, it is now possible to distinguish between blood and lymphatic space invasion (LSI). In this study, the utility of D2-40 was assessed for the detection of lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and identification of LSI. The expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3), VEGF-C, tyrosine receptor kinase-2, and angiopoietin-1 were assessed by immunohistochemical methods on 50 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Clinicopathologic characteristics, including pelvic lymph node metastasis, were correlated with the above histochemical findings. We found that lymphangiogenesis, measured by an increase in peritumoral LVD, was significantly associated with positive lymph node status (P < .005). VEGFR-3 expression was significantly associated with LVD (P < .05). D2-40 staining verified LSI (P = .03) and surpassed that of hematoxylin and eosin-identified LVSI (P = .54). In conclusion, lymphangiogenic markers, specifically LVD quantified by D2-40 and VEGFR-3, are independently associated with LSI and lymph node metastasis in patients with early squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy.
Studying program correctness in ProVIDE

In an attempt to better integrate discrete mathematics into the introductory CS curriculum, we implemented ProVIDE, an enhanced integrated development environment (IDE) for Java that enables students to analyze their computer programs (in terms of their correctness) while they are creating them [1]. The primary goal of the construction of ProVIDE is the seamless integration of analysis with the creation of computer programs. Because the concept of program correctness is generally taught as an activity independent of the programming process, most introductory CS students preceive it is unnecessary and even irrelevant. The concept of contracts, on the other hand, is generally taught as an integral part of the programming process. As such, most introductory CS students have little difficulty understanding the need to establish contracts via preconditions and postconditions.The approach we have taken with ProVIDE is a modified version of the "design by contract" methodology. Rather than asking the student programmer for both a precondition and postcondition for each of his/her methods, ProVIDE asks the student to simply supply a postcondition. ProVIDE then helps the student construct the appropriate precondition by leading him/her through an axiomatic proof of the correctness of the method. Thus, the proof of correctness of the method is a side-effect of the student's need to construct an appropriate precondition.In this demonstration, we will show some examples of method precondition construction (including loop invariant construction) within ProVIDE, including the following squaring algorithms that uses only additions (which highlights the construction of a loop invariant for a single loop) and only increments and decrements (which highlights the construction of loop invariants for both sequential and nested loops), respectively.
Multimedia abstractions for a digital video library

Multimedia abstractions form essential components of digital video libraries because they enable a user to determine a video’s distinguishing content without investing long viewing times or requiring high networktransfer speeds. This paper presents usage and evaluation data for abstractions implemented the Informedia Digital Video Library, and discusses implications for video delivery over the Web.
Highlights of the fourth international intercomparison of environmental dosimeters under field and laboratory conditions

Abstract The Fourth International Intercomparison of Environmental Dosimeters, primarily thermoluminescence dosimeters, was held in Houston, TX in 1979. A description of the study and highlights of the results are presented.
Expanded social fitness and Hamilton's rule for kin, kith, and kind

Inclusive fitness theory has a combination of simplicity, generality, and accuracy that has made it an extremely successful way of thinking about and modeling effects on kin. However, there are types of social interactions that, although covered, are not illuminated. Here, I expand the inclusive fitness approach and the corresponding neighbor-modulated approach to specify two other kinds of social selection. Kind selection, which includes greenbeards and many nonadditive games, is where selection depends on an actor's trait having different effects on others depending on whether they share the trait. Kith selection includes social effects that do not require either kin or kind, such as mutualism and manipulation. It involves social effects of a trait that affect a partner, with feedback to the actor's fitness. I derive expanded versions of Hamilton's rule for kith and kind selection, generalizing Hamilton's insight that we can model social selection through a sum of fitness effects, each multiplied by an appropriate association coefficient. Kinship is, thus, only one of the important types of association, but all can be incorporated within an expanded inclusive fitness.
Highly stabilized, polymer-lipid membranes prepared on silica microparticles as stationary phases for capillary chromatography.

Abstract The ability to rapidly screen complex libraries of pharmacological modulators is paramount to modern drug discovery efforts. This task is particularly challenging for agents that interact with lipid bilayers or membrane proteins due to the limited chemical, physical, and temporal stability of conventional lipid-based chromatographic stationary phases. Here, we describe the preparation and characterization of a novel stationary phase material composed of highly stable, polymeric-phospholipid bilayers self-assembled onto silica microparticles. Polymer–lipid membranes were prepared by photochemical or redox initiated polymerization of 1,2-bis[10-(2′,4′-hexadieoyloxy)decanoyl]-sn-glycero-2-phosphocholine (bis-SorbPC), a synthetic, polymerizable lipid. The resulting polymerized bis-SorbPC (poly(bis-SorbPC)) stationary phases exhibited enhanced stability compared to particles coated with 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-phosphocholine (unpolymerized) phospholipid bilayers when exposed to chemical (50 mM triton X-100 or 50% acetonitrile) and physical (15 min sonication) insults after 30 days of storage. Further, poly(bis-SorbPC)-coated particles survived slurry packing into fused silica capillaries, compared to unpolymerized lipid membranes, where the lipid bilayer was destroyed during packing. Frontal chromatographic analyses of the lipophilic small molecules acetylsalicylic acid, benzoic acid, and salicylic acid showed >44% increase in retention times (P
Projection, Lifting and Extended Formulation in Integer and Combinatorial Optimization ∗

This is an overview of the significance and main uses of projection, lifting and extended formulation in integer and combinatorial optimization. Its first two sections deal with those basic properties of projection that make it such an effective and useful bridge between problem formulations in different spaces, i.e. different sets of variables. They discuss topics like projection and restriction, the integrality-preserving property of projection, the dimension of projected polyhedra, conditions for facets of a polyhedron to project into facets of its projections, and so on. The next two sections describe the use of projection for comparing the strength of different formulations of the same problem, and for proving the integrality of polyhedra by using extended formulations or lifting. Section 5 deals with disjunctive programming, or optimization over unions of polyhedra, whose most important incarnation are mixed 0-1 programs and their partial relaxations. It discusses the compact representation of the convex hull of a union of polyhedra through extended formulation, the connection between the projection of the latter and the polar of the convex hull, as well as the sequential convexification of facial disjunctive programs, among them mixed 0-1 programs, with the related concept of disjunctive rank. Section 6 reviews lift-and-project cuts, the construction of cut generating linear programs, and techniques for lifting and for strengthening disjunctive cuts. Section 7 discusses the recently discovered possibility of solving the higher dimensional cut generating linear program without explicitly constructing it, by a sequence of properly chosen pivots in the simplex tableau of the linear programming relaxation. Finally, section 8 deals with different ways of combining cuts with branch and bound, and briefly discusses computational experience with lift-and-project cuts.
Metallurgy in a Beaker: Nanoparticle Toolkit for the Rapid Low-Temperature Solution Synthesis of Functional Multimetallic Solid-State Materials

Intermetallic compounds and alloys are traditionally synthesized by heating mixtures of metal powders to high temperatures for long periods of time. A low-temperature solution-based alternative has been developed, and this strategy exploits the enhanced reactivity of nanoparticles and the nanometer diffusion distances afforded by binary nanocomposite precursors. Prereduced metal nanoparticles are combined in known ratios, and they form nanomodulated composites that rapidly transform into intermetallics and alloys upon heating at low temperatures. The approach is general in terms of accessible compositions, structures, and morphologies. Multiple compounds in the same binary system can be readily accessed; e.g., AuCu, AuCu3, Au3Cu, and the AuCu−II superlattice are all accessible in the Au−Cu system. This concept can be extended to other binary systems, including the intermetallics FePt3, CoPt, CuPt, and Cu3Pt and the alloys Ag−Pt, Au−Pd, and Ni−Pt. The ternary intermetallic Ag2Pd3S can also be rapidly synth...
A Pulsed Synchrocyclotron Ion Source Using a Single Cold Cathode

During a development program to improve the beam current accepted by the Nevis Synchrocyclotron, a new source using a single cold cathode was developed. The change to a single cold cathode has resulted in a marked improvement in the performance of the source compared to operation as a PIG source with the same chimney and extraction geometry. The extracted H+ current was greater than 90% compared to about 70% for the PIG source, and the vertical emittance was improved by over a factor of 2. Pulsed beam currents of up to 80 mA were extracted from a slit of 1.6 mm by 6.25 mm high. Although the extracted current was less than the current from the PIG source (? 150mA), the charge per pulse accepted by the accelerator (as measured by an internal probe at a radius corresponding to 30 MeV) increased from 20 to as high as 100 nanocoulombs/pulse.
The adsorption of argon, krypton and xenon on activated charcoal

Charcoal adsorption beds are commonly used to remove radioactive noble gases from contaminated gas streams. The design of such beds requires the adsorption coefficient for the noble gas. Here an extension of the Dubinin-Radushkevich theory of adsorption is developed to correlate the effects of temperature, pressure, concentration, and carrier gas on the adsorption coefficients of krypton, xenon, and argon on activated carbon. This model is validated with previously published adsorption measurements. It accurately predicts the equilibrium adsorption coefficient at any temperature and pressure if the potential energies of adsorption, the micropore volume, and the van der Waals constants of the gases are known.
Purinergic and Adrenergic Agonists Synergize in Stimulating Vasopressin and Oxytocin Release

The A1 catecholamine neurons of the caudal ventrolateral medulla transmit hemodynamic information to the vasopressin (VP) neurons in the hypothalamus. These neurons corelease ATP with norepinephrine. Perifused explants of the hypothalamoneurohypophyseal system were used to investigate the role of these substances on VP release. ATP (100 micrometer) increased VP release 1.5-fold (p = 0.027). The response was rapid but unsustained. It was blocked by the P(2) receptor antagonist pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulphonic acid (PPADS). The alpha(1)-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine (PE; 100 micrometer) also increased VP release by 1.5-fold (p = 0.014). Again, the response was rapid and unsustained. However, simultaneous perifusion of explants with ATP (100 micrometer) and PE (100 micrometer) resulted in a threefold to fourfold increase in VP release, which was sustained for as long as 4 hr. There was a similar synergistic effect of ATP and PE on oxytocin release. Interestingly, the synergistic response was delayed approximately 40 min relative to the response to either agent alone. Several experiments were performed to elucidate the cellular mechanisms of this synergism. The effect was blocked by PPADS, a protein kinase C inhibitor (bisindolylmaleimide I HCl), and actinomycin, an inhibitor of gene transcription. These data suggest that P(2X) receptor activation, PKC-mediated phosphorylation, and gene transcription are required for the synergistic response. The marked synergism of these coreleased agents is probably important to achieve sustained increases in plasma VP in response to prolonged hypotension. These observations may also have broad applications to CNS function, because ATP may be coreleased at noradrenergic synapses throughout the CNS.
The Evolution of North American Elymus (Triticeae, Poaceae) Allotetraploids: Evidence from Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase Gene Sequences

Abstract Cytogenetic studies of North American Elymus suggest that the genus is an allopolyploid derivative of Pseudoroegneria (St) and Hordeum (H). To test this, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis of North American Elymus species within a broad sample of diploid Triticeae taxa using cloned sequences from one member of the nuclear gene family encoding phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase. The phylogeny supports the hypothesis that Pseudoroegneria and Hordeum are the diploid progenitors of the North American Elymus tetraploids. Each tetraploid Elymus individual has two distinct forms of the gene, and each form is in a strongly supported clade with sequences from either Pseudoroegneria or Hordeum, suggesting that these Elymus species have an St + H genomic content. This pattern is consistent with a single (or multiple very similar) polyploid ancestor(s) of the North American tetraploids, confirming earlier results based on granule-bound starch synthase I gene sequence data. We also examined the utility of the ...
A SiGe BiCMOS Variable Gain Amplifier for Cryogenic Temperature Applications

We investigate, for the first time, the design and implementation of a variable gain amplifier (VGA) circuit suitable for cryogenic temperature applications. Temperature compensation is studied to allow for such a large temperature swing. The proposed circuit is capable of operating at temperatures as low as 43 K. The device is fabricated in IBM silicon-germanium (SiGe) BiCMOS 5AM technology.
Economics and the FTC’s Google Investigation

We explain the issues in the Federal Trade Commission (FTC’s) antitrust investigation into whether Google’s use of “Universal” search results violated the antitrust laws and assess the role for economics in the FTC’s decision to close the investigation. We argue that the presence of the Bureau of Economics infuses the FTC with an economic perspective that helped it recognize that “Universals” were a product innovation that improved search rather than a form of leveraging. Labeling them as “anticompetitive” would have confused protecting competition with protecting competitors.
Surgical and medical management of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms.

Objective Extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECCAs) are extremely rare with limited information about management options. Our purpose was to review our institution's experience with ECCAs during 15 years and to discuss the presentation and treatment of these aneurysms. Methods A retrospective review of patients diagnosed with ECCAs from 1998 to 2012 was performed. Symptoms, risk factors, etiology, diagnostic methods, treatments, and outcomes were reviewed. Results During the study period, 141 aneurysms were diagnosed in 132 patients (mean age, 61 years; 69 men). There were 116 (82%) pseudoaneurysms and 25 (18%) true aneurysms; 69 (49%) aneurysms were asymptomatic, whereas 72 (52%) had symptoms (28 painless masses; 10 transient ischemic attacks; 10 vision symptoms; 9 ruptures; 8 strokes; 4 painful mass; 1 dysphagia; 1 tongue weakness; 1 bruit). Causes of true aneurysms included fibromuscular dysplasia in 15 patients, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in three, Marfan syndrome in one, and uncharacterized connective tissue diseases in two. Of 25 true aneurysms, 11 (44%) were symptomatic; 15 (60%) true aneurysms underwent open surgical treatment, whereas 10 (40%) were managed nonoperatively. Postoperative complications included one stroke during a mean follow-up of 31 months (range, 0-166 months). No aneurysms managed nonoperatively required intervention during a mean follow-up of 77 months (range, 1-115 months). Of 116 pseudoaneurysms, 60 (52%) were symptomatic; 33 (29%) pseudoaneurysms underwent open surgery, 18 (15%) underwent endovascular intervention, and 65 (56%) were managed medically. Pseudoaneurysm after endarterectomy (28 patients; 24%) presented at a mean of 82 months from the surgical procedure. Mean follow-up for all aneurysms was 33.9 months. One (0.7%) aneurysm-related death occurred (rupture treated palliatively). No patient undergoing nonoperative management suffered death or major morbidity related to the aneurysm. Nonoperative management was more common in asymptomatic patients (71%) than in symptomatic patients (31%). Conclusions ECCAs are uncommon and may be manifested with varying symptoms. All segments of the carotid artery are susceptible, although the internal is most commonly affected. Open surgical intervention was more common in patients with symptoms and with true aneurysms. Patients with pseudoaneurysms were more likely to undergo endovascular intervention. Nonoperative treatment is safe in selected patients.
Facilitating cells : Novel promoters of stem cell alloengraftment and donor-specific transplantation tolerance in the absence of GVHD

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is the treatment of choice for many hematological malignancies and immunopathologies. Unfortunately, success is often impeded by engraftment failure and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). A rare bone marrow population known as the facilitating cell (FC) has been identified which facilitates stem cell engraftment and circumvents these obstacles in murine experimental models. This review discusses the identification and characterization of this rare population and provides an emerging portrait of FC origin, ontogeny and function. The promotion of durable stem cell engraftment in MHC disparate recipients, GVHD inhibition and tolerance induction by the FC suggests that future therapies in hematopoietic cell transplantation and tolerance induction for solid organ transplants may be significantly improved through the application of FC transplantation.
Quality of experience in distributed interactive multimedia environments: toward a theoretical framework

The past decades have witnessed a rapid growth of Distributed Interactive Multimedia Environments (DIMEs). Despite their intensity of user-involved interaction, the existing evaluation frameworks remain very much system-centric. As a step toward the human-centric paradigm, we present a conceptual framework of Quality of Experience (QoE) in DIMEs, to model, measure, and understand user experience and its relationship with the traditional Quality of Service (QoS) metrics. A multi-displinary approach is taken to build up the framework based on the theoretical results from various fields including psychology, cognitive sciences, sociology, and information technology. We introduce a mapping methodology to quantify the correlations between QoS and QoE, and describe our controlled and uncontrolled studies as illustrating examples. The results present the first deep study to model the multi-facet QoE construct, map the QoS-QoE relationship, and capture the human-centric quality modalities in the context of DIMEs.
Atomic Layer Deposition of HfO2 Thin Films on Si and GaAs Substrates

The atomic layer deposition of HfO2 thin films is studied on Si(100) and GaAs(100) surfaces. The films are grown using tetrakis(dimethylamido)hafnium (TDMAH) and H2O precursors at a deposition temperature of 275°C. The Si surfaces used include a H-terminated surface and an OH-rich chemical oxide. GaAs substrates are subjected to two different pre-deposition treatments involving an HF and a NH4OH wet chemical etch that has been shown to remove most of the Ga and As native oxides. Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) confirms linear growth rates of 1.05±0.05 A/cycle for all surfaces. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) shows that steady-state growth of 2.6×1014 Hf/cm2/cycle is reached after 10 ALD cycles for the HF-etched GaAs surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicates the presence of native oxides on both GaAs starting surfaces after 10 cycles due to postdeposition surface oxidation. However, the presence of the native oxide is not detected for thicker 15 and 20 cycle samples indicating passivation of the surface and suppression of the interfacial layer formation.
Cutting Edge: H-2DM Is Responsible for the Large Differences in Presentation Among Peptides Selected by I-Ak During Antigen Processing

We quantitated the amounts of peptides from hen egg-white lysozyme presented by I-A k molecules in APC lines. The large chemical gradient of presentation of the four hen egg-white lysozyme epitopes observed in cell lines expressing HLA-DM or H-2DM (referred to in this study as DM) was significantly diminished in the T2.A k line lacking DM. Differences in levels of presentation between wild-type and DM-deficient APC were observed for all four epitopes, but differences were most evident for the highest affinity epitope. As a result of these quantitative differences in display, presentation of all four epitopes to T cells was impaired in the line lacking DM. The binding affinity of the pool of naturally processed peptides from DM-expressing lines was higher than that from the DM-deficient line. Thus, using a direct biochemical approach in APC, we demonstrate that DM influences the selection of peptides bound to MHC class II by favoring high affinity peptides.