cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The cis and trans effects of the risk variants of coronary artery disease in the Chr9p21 region

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Chr9p21 region are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Most of the SNPs identified in this region are non-coding SNPs, suggesting that they may influence gene expression by cis or trans mechanisms to affect disease susceptibility. Since all cells from an individual have the same DNA sequence variations, levels of gene expression in immortalized cell lines can reflect the functional effects of DNA sequence variations that influence or regulate gene expression. The objective of this study is to evaluate the functional consequences of the risk variants in the Chr9p21 region on gene expression. We examined the association between the variants in the Chr9p21 region and the transcript-level mRNA expression of the adjacent genes (cis) as well as all other genes across the whole genome (trans) from transformed beta-lymphocytes in 801 non-Hispanic white participants from The Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy (GENOA) study. We found that the CAD risk variants in the Chr9p21 region were significantly associated with the mRNA expression of the ANRIL transcript ENST00000428597 (p = 8.58e-06). Importantly, a few distant transcripts were also found to be associated with the variants in this region, including the well-known CAD risk gene ABCA1 (p = 1.01e-05). Gene enrichment testing suggests that retinol metabolism, N-Glycan biosynthesis, and TGF signaling pathways may be involved. These results suggest that the effect of risk variants in the Chr9p21 region on susceptibility to CAD is likely to be mediated through both cis and trans mechanisms.
Improving the balance between treatment and diagnosis: a role for radioimmunodetection.

Abstract Despite major advances in diagnostic testing, including the introduction and widespread availability of high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging, inadequate diagnostic information still interferes with proper management of many patients with cancers. This is particularly true for recurrent colorectal cancer, for example. In the course of this symposium, significant advances have been reported which are likely to improve management of this clinical situation. 111 In, oncoscint for colorectal and ovarian cancer imaging, has been approved for single use only, and is a product licensed by the Food and Drug Administration. It has been shown to be significantly more effective than CT for detecting the presence of disease that is confined to the abdomen outside the liver. This agent is very useful in a limited role. A larger opportunity awaits other preparations reported at this conference, especially 99m Tc-labeled Immu-4 carcinoembryonic antigen, which is significantly better than CT for determining resectability of recurrent cancer (T. Behr et al. , Cancer Res. 55 (Suppl.) : 5777s–5785s, 1995). The 99m Tc-labeled compound preparations offer the advantages of low immunogenicity, excellent imaging energies of 99m Tc, and “same-day” imaging. Even the most effective cancer treatment such as surgical resection, if applied to a patient who basically does not need it, can be a needless expense and a trauma to the patient. To date, our emphasis in oncology research has been heavily weighted toward developing new therapies. The success of radioimmunodetection is one indication of why it is time for a paradigm shift, during which we can move toward a more balanced program that emphasizes both diagnosis and therapy. To achieve this we must urge research institutions such as the National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society to make major investments in the diagnostic aspects of cancer care. With the knowledge base that we have now, we can make improvements in patient care by emphasizing development of improved diagnostic methods and support for cost-effectiveness studies for developed methods, in order that currently available treatments can be more intelligently applied.
Social Work in the University

Abstract This article asserts that social work is failing to fulfill its professional obligations to people in need, in part because its academic institutions are failing to perform their basic intellectual functions. The author presents evidence that false reports of the effectiveness of the nation's social welfare services exaggerate the degree to which social therapeutics and professional techniques have been successful, which has in turn prevented an accurate approach to resolving social problems and has diminished the claims of people in need. The author asserts that a reinvigorated role for academic social work requires credible research, a shift in curricular emphases, and a supportive constituency drawn from populations at risk and their organizations.
Automatic sample injector. Its application in the analysis of adenosine triphosphate.

Abstract The luminescence analysis of ATP requires the rapid and adequate mixing of 10 μliters of low viscosity ATP extract with 100 μliters of viscous luciferin-luciferase preparation. The enzyme-substrate mixture is itself sensitive and will luminesce if excessively agitated. Therefore, mixing must be rapid enough to maximize ATP dependent light emission, but not so vigorous as to cause excitation of the luciferin-luciferase in the absence of ATP. To satisfy this requirement, an automated, pneumatic sample injector was developed and its performance compared to manual injection and to two commercially available mechanical systems. Over a wide range of ATP concentrations (1 × 10−7 to 1 × 10−5 μg/μliters) the pneumatic injector demonstrated precision and sensitivity comparable to one of the mechanical injectors and superior to either manual injection or the other mechanical system. In addition, the automated system offered automatic refill, variable injection velocity, volume control, reliability, and ease of operation.
AUTISM TREATMENTS IN PRINT: MEDIA'S COVERAGE OF SCIENTIFICALLY SUPPORTED AND ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

Professionals, celebrities, and media frequently suggest to parents the possible treatment options for their children with autism. Some treatment recommendations advocate for scientifically supported treatments whereas others suggest novel, untested interventions, or potentially ineffective or harmful treatments. The current study examined the print media's coverage of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and non-scientifically supported autism treatments. Over the last 10 years, print media have increasingly published articles referring to autism treatments with little scientific support and a decreased coverage of ABA. Print media's positive statements about non-scientifically supported treatments also increased over the last decade, whereas positive statements about ABA decreased. ABA received two times as many positive comments as negative; however, non-scientifically supported treatments as a group received four times as many positive comments as negative. These results could contribute to parents' decisions to implement treatments for their children with autism. To contribute to future positive perception of ABA, we provided suggestions for the dissemination of information to increase positive reporting of ABA in print media. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Partitioning the effects of an ecosystem engineer: kangaroo rats control community structure via multiple pathways

Summary 1. Ecosystem engineers impact communities by altering habitat conditions, but they can also have strong effects through consumptive, competitive and other non-engineering pathways. 2. Engineering effects can lead to fundamentally different community dynamics than non-engineering effects, but the relative strengths of these interactions are seldom quantified. 3. We combined structural equation modelling and exclosure experiments to partition the effects of a keystone engineer, the giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens), on plants, invertebrates and vertebrates in a semi-arid California grassland. 4. We separated the effects of burrow creation from kangaroo rat density and found that kangaroo rats increased the diversity and abundance of other species via both engineering and non-engineering pathways. 5. Engineering was the primary factor structuring plant and small mammal communities, whereas non-engineering effects structured invertebrate communities and increased lizard abundance. 6. These results highlight the importance of the non-engineering effects of ecosystem engineers and shed new light on the multiple pathways by which strong-interactors shape communities.
Persistence during extinction: examining the effects of continuous and intermittent reinforcement on problem behavior

This study examined behavioral persistence during extinction following continuous or intermittent reinforcement in the context of an analogue functional analysis of problem behavior. Participants were 4 children who had been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and who engaged in problem behavior maintained by social reinforcement. Experimental sessions included 4 successive 5-min components: no social interaction, continuous or intermittent reinforcement for problem behavior (alternating across sessions), extinction, and no social interaction. All participants' problem behavior was more persistent during extinction following continuous reinforcement, suggesting that behavior during extinction was affected by the preceding schedule of reinforcement.
Human leukocyte interferon preparation blocks granulopoietic differentiation

Since interferon administration in the treatment of some malignant conditions has been reported to cause leukopenia, we studied the effects of human leukocyte interferon preparation (HLIF) on myelopoiesis in vitro. The continual presence of HLIF in semisolid agar cultures caused a progressive decline in colony and a rise in cluster incidence with increasing concentrations of interferon. The total plating efficiency, however, remained nearly constant, regardless of the HLIF doses used. Morphological examination of the clusters demonstrated a progressively increasing percentage of immature granulocytic precursors with increasing HLIF concentrations. This suggests that HLIF causes leukopenia by blocking differentiation of marrow myeloid precursors.
Low Noise Amplifiers

This article discusses the noise theory of silicon and GaAs devices and its application in microwave amplifiers. Discussions of small-signal equivalent circuits, amplifier gain and stability criteria, gain, and noise figure circles are included. Narrowband and broadband amplifier design procedures and specific considerations are also explained. Low-noise amplifier (LNA) design techniques and some LNA examples are also presented. Keywords: microwave amplifiers; high-frequency noise; low noise; noise circles; circuit stability
Cosmic Rays Beyond the Knee

We briefly review the available data on cosmic rays beyond the ‘knee’, i.e., over the energy range from 1015 to more than 1020 eV. We discuss the observational status of the field, review some of the current attempts to explain the origin of these particles, and briefly survey the prospects of future measurements.
Unhealthy Drinking Patterns in Older Adults: Prevalence and Associated Characteristics

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of unhealthy drinking patterns in community-dwelling older adults and its association with sociodemographic and health characteristics. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative survey data. SETTING: The data source was the 2003 Access to Care file of the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, which represents the continuously enrolled Medicare population. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older (N=12,413). MEASUREMENTS: The prevalence of unhealthy alcohol use by older adults defined in relation to two parameters of recommended limits: monthly use exceeding 30 drinks per typical month and “heavy episodic” drinking of four or more drinks in any single day during a typical month in the previous year. Sociodemographic and health status variables were also included. RESULTS: Nine percent of elderly Medicare beneficiaries reported unhealthy drinking, with higher prevalence in men (16%) than women (4%). In logistic regression analyses with the full sample, higher education and income; better health status; male sex; younger age; smoking; being white; and being divorced, separated, or single were associated with higher likelihood of unhealthy drinking. Among drinkers, in addition to sociodemographic variables, self-reported depressive symptoms were positively associated with unhealthy drinking. Among unhealthy drinkers, race and ethnicity variables were associated with likelihood of heavy episodic drinking. CONCLUSION: Almost one in 10 elderly Medicare beneficiaries report exceeding recommended drinking limits. Several distinct unhealthy drinking patterns were identified and associated with sociodemographic and health characteristics, suggesting the value of additional targeted approaches within the context of universal screening to reduce alcohol misuse by older adults.
Effects of self-interstitials and close pairs on the elastic constants of copper

Measurements of changes in the elastic constants of copper and their temperature dependences resulting from stage-${I}_{C}$ close pairs and stage-${I}_{D}$ isolated interstitials are used to investigate defect configurations. The relative elastic-constant changes below 4 K per unit concentration $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ of isolated interstitials, $\frac{d\mathrm{ln}C}{d\ensuremath{\gamma}}$, are found to be 0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1, -30, and -15 for the bulk modulus, ${C}_{44}$, and ${C}^{\ensuremath{'}}=\frac{({C}_{11}\ensuremath{-}{C}_{12})}{2}$, respectively. These results show that the bulk effect arising from the change in number and strength of interatomic bonds is small, but that there exist polarization effects expected from 100 g split interstitials. The temperature dependence of the elastic constants provides evidence of thermally excited resonance modes of frequency $\ensuremath{\omega}=5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{12}$ Hz, which are also evidence for 100 g split interstitials. An elastic relaxation due to thermally activated stress-induced ordering of ${I}_{C}$ defects is observed at 18 K in ${C}_{44}$, but not in ${C}^{\ensuremath{'}}$, providing symmetry information which leads to a model for the ${I}_{C}$ close-pair configuration.
The mGluR5 antagonist MPEP selectively inhibits the onset and maintenance of ethanol self-administration in C57BL/6J mice

Rationale Many of the biochemical, physiological, and behavioral effects of ethanol are known to be mediated by ionotropic glutamate receptors. Emerging evidence implicates metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in the biobehavioral effects of ethanol and other drugs of abuse, but there is little information regarding the role of mGluRs in the reinforcing effects of ethanol.
High-performance liquid chromatography of acid-stable and acid-labile phosphoamino acids.

Abstract A high-performance liquid chromatographic system has been developed which permits the separations of both acid-stable and acid-labile phosphoamino acids. An anion-exchange resin and two buffers of different ionic strength and near neutral pH are used. A low-ionic-strength buffer is used for the separation of N-ω-phospho- arginine and N-e-phospholysine, while the higher-ionic-strength buffer permits the clear separation of τ-phosphohistidine, o-phosphoserine and o-phosphothreonine. An in-stream fluorometric detection system using o-phthalaldehyde permits the rapid analysis of samples containing as little as 25 pmoles of phosphoamino acid. This method has been applied to the detection of τ-phosphohistidine from alkaline digests of chemically phosphorylated calf thymus histone 4 and bovine myelin basic protein.
Effect of Hydrostatic Pressure on Allosteric Couplings in a Tryptophan-Shifted Variant of Phosphofructokinase from Bacillus Stearothermophilus

Phosphofructokinase from Bacillus stearothermophilus is an allosteric, homotetrameric enzyme containing one tryptophan per subunit. Unlike its homolog from E. coli, the fluorescence of the native tryptophan is unresponsive to ligand binding. This study utilizes a tryptophan-shifted mutant (W179F/F240W) that is functionally similar to wild-type, however a decrease in fluorescence intensity of about 6.5% is associated with substrate, fructose 6-phosphate (Fru-6-P), binding and a decrease of approximately 20% is associated with inhibitor, phosphoenol pyruvate (PEP), binding. Dissociation constants equal 1.9±0.3 μM for Fru-6-P and 107±13 μM for PEP. This dissociation constant for PEP agrees with that determined kinetically (128±5 μM). Due to MgATP antagonism, the dissociation constant for Fru-6-P in the absence of MgATP is lower than at saturating MgATP (36±1 μM) as determined by steady-state kinetic assays. The coupling between PEP and Fru-6-P increases with temperature and results from compensating enthalpy and entropy components. The sign of the coupling free energy is opposite that of the enthalpy and is therefore determined by the larger absolute value of the entropy term. This relationship is opposite that for the allosteric response in EcPFK, where the sign is established by the enthalpy component. Fluorescence intensity of the BsPFK variant increases by about 15% linearly as a function of pressure from 0 to 2 kbar. Pressure induced changes to the fluorescence intensity in this pressure range are completely reversible and the enzyme retains 100% of its activity. This variant is being used to determine how the thermodynamic components of the coupling free energy change as a function of pressure with the goal of better understanding the thermodynamic forces involved in the allosteric effect. Initial results indicate that the coupling in BsPFK is relatively pressure insensitive at 25°C. Funding: NIH-GM33261, NIH-CBI, Welch-A1543.
Transport of fixed gases in radiation‐stabilized poly(vinyl chloride)

Poly(vinyl chloride) was reacted with sodium N-methyl dithiocarbamate to produce a modified PVC containing N-methyl dithiocarbamate of varying degrees of substitution. The resulting adducts were markedly more stable when subjected to γ-radiation than the unmodified PVC. The transport parameters (permeability, solubility, and diffusivity) of fixed gases were determined in modified and unmodified films. Although the radiation stability was dramatically improved by this novel substitution, the barrier properties of the PVC were only slightly changed by the controlled substitution of N-methyl dithiocarbamate.
Passive mode locking in erbium-ytterbium fiber lasers

A novel mode-locked erbium-ytterbium fiber laser operating at 1550 nm using multiple quantum well (MQW) saturable absorbers was developed. The laser was constructed in a Fabry-Perot configuration using a fiber Bragg grating as a front reflector and a fiber Bragg grating output as a back reflector of the laser cavity. The passive mode-locking element placed inside the laser cavity is a 75 period InGaAs/InAlAs MQW saturable absorber grown lattice matched on an InP substrate. The output of the laser was taken through the other available port of a wavelength-division demultiplexer. The laser produced mode-locked output pulse trains at 16.67-MHz repetition rate and 10 mW of average output power.
Inhibition of cytokine-induced nitric oxide synthase expression by gene transfer of adenoviral IκBα

Abstract Background: Nitric oxide is overexpressed in nearly every organ during sepsis and it has profound biologic effects. Previously, we showed that maximal inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression is up-regulated by a combination of cytokines and that this effect is mediated by the transcription factor NF-κB. Therefore the purpose of this study was to establish whether gene transfer of the inhibitory molecule IκB would result in the abrogation of cytokine-induced iNOS expression. Methods: Cultured hepatocytes were infected with an adenoviral vector containing the IκBα gene (Ad5IκB) and after an 18-hour recovery period were stimulated with the cytokine mixture of tumor necrosis factor-α (500 U/mL) plus interleukin 1β (200 U/mL) plus interferon gamma (100 U/mL). Results: As expected, cytokine mixture induced significant hepatocyte nitrite (NO 2 – ) and iNOS messenger RNA production. Cells infected with the IκBα gene showed a dose-dependent decrease in NO 2 – and iNOS messenger RNA levels. Western blot analysis showed a marked decrease in iNOS protein levels in the presence of Ad5IκBα. Gel shift assays of nuclear extracts demonstrated that Ad5IκBα decreased the cytokine-induced DNA binding activity for NFκB. Conclusions: NFκB is an important regulator of cytokine-induced NO expression. These results identify a novel therapeutic approach where gene transfer of the inhibitory molecule IκBα can be used to down-regulate cytokine-induced iNOS expression as well as other NFκB-dependent genes that are up-regulated during the inflammatory response. (Surgery 1999;126:142-7.)
Representing spatial structure through maps and language: Lord of the Rings encodes the spatial structure of middle Earth.

Spatial mental representations can be derived from linguistic and non-linguistic sources of information. This study tested whether these representations could be formed from statistical linguistic frequencies of city names, and to what extent participants differed in their performance when they estimated spatial locations from language or maps. In a computational linguistic study, we demonstrated that co-occurrences of cities in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit predicted the authentic longitude and latitude of those cities in Middle Earth. In a human study, we showed that human spatial estimates of the location of cities were very similar regardless of whether participants read Tolkien’s texts or memorized a map of Middle Earth. However, text-based location estimates obtained from statistical linguistic frequencies better predicted the human text-based estimates than the human map-based estimates. These findings suggest that language encodes spatial structure of cities, and that human cognitive map representations can come from implicit statistical linguistic patterns, from explicit non-linguistic perceptual information, or from both.
Vitamin D Receptor Expression and Neoadjuvant Therapy in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

Esophageal adenocarcinoma carries a poor prognosis. Tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy is a key prognostic factor in patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, but is inconsistent. Identifying tumor characteristics that portend a favorable response to neoadjuvant therapy would be a valuable clinical tool. The anticancer actions of vitamin D and its receptor may have implications. In this study, 15 biopsy specimens were procured retrospectively from patients being treated for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. The tissue was immunostained for the vitamin D receptor and compared on the basis of response to neoadjuvant therapy. Tumors that did not respond to neoadjuvant therapy had greater expression of VDR than tumors that responded completely. Expression of VDR declined with tumor de-differentiation. The data suggest that a relationship between vitamin D receptor expression and response to neoadjuvant therapy is plausible.
Peri-ovulatory synchronisation of behaviour in male and female rhesus monkeys

RHESUS monkeys, like many other primates, do not restrict their sexual activity to the ovulatory period, and copulation may occur at any time during the menstrual cycle1,2. Thus, in the laboratory, the male's ejaculatory frequency is generally highest near mid-cycle (although different pairs show different patterns of mounting and ejaculation3) while, in the wild, sexual activity seems to be more or less restricted to the middle part of the cycle4,5. It is difficult to judge the stage of the cycle in troops of feral rhesus monkeys, but during the period of maximum sexual activity females actively approach males and form temporary consort bonds which involve mutual grooming and frequent copulations6. To obtain an independent and objective measure of female sexual motivation, we have used an operant conditioning technique in which the female was required to press a lever for access to her male partner. This has made it possible to relate changes in female motivation precisely to changes in the circulating levels of ovarian hormones. We have also demonstrated a synchronisation and maximisation of female sexual motivation with male ejaculatory performance during the peri-ovulatory (fertile) period of the menstrual cycle.
Negative resistance fluctuations at resistance minima in narrow quantum Hall conductors.

Negative resistances are a signature of four-terminal resistance measurements. We construct a simple model of a localized impurity state in a four-probe conductor. A recently proposed multiprobe resistance formula is combined with the multichannel Breit-Wigner formalism to describe tunneling between edge states via the localized state. Deviations from the quantized Hall resistance are discussed and the symmetry with regard to magnetic field reversal is investigated. The model permits negative longitudinal resistance fluctuations which have been observed in recent experiments.
Influence of Dispersants on the Bioavailability of Naphthalene from the Water-Accommodated Fraction Crude Oil to the Golden-Brown Algae, Isochrysis galbana

The golden-brown algae Isochrysis galbana, a primary producer, was used to determine the influence of the chemical dispersing agent, Corexit 9527®, on the bioavailability of naphthalene. Cells were exposed to laboratory preparations of either the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of Prudhoe Bay crude oil (PBCO) or a dispersed oil (DO) mixture of PBCO and Corexit 9527 spiked with [U-14C]naphthalene. Uptake was determined by the amount of algae-associated [14C]. High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) co-chromatography was used to fractionate and identify metabolic products. A 24-h bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was calculated in the absence of steady state. The presence of Corexit 9527, had significant influence (p = 0.001) on the uptake of naphthalene, but no significant effect on the 24-h BAF (BAF: 168 and 180 from WAF and DO, respectively), or metabolic fate of naphthalene in I. galbana. Results of this research indicate that dispersants have the potential to increase organismal exposure to certain petroleum hydrocarbons without increasing their aqueous concentration.
Radiochemical method for the isolation of protactinium

A simple, yet highly reproducible separation procedure for isolating low levels of protactinium /pico- to micrograms/ from gram quantities of natural or activated soils or sediments has been developed. The reliability is achieved by minimizing the tendency of Pa to hydrolyze or to form colloids by keeping it complexed at all times either by fluoride or sulfate ions. The procedure consistently gives high chemical yields /85+8%/ and the final fractions are not only radiochemically pure, but show little or no visible mass contamination with evaporation.
Absorption of endotoxin from the mammary glands and uteri of early postpartum sows and gilts

Abstract Within 24 hours following parturition 7 sows and gilts were each given Escherichia coli endotoxin by either infusion of one mammary gland or by infusion of the uterus. The endotoxin was absorbed from both sites as evidenced by an increase in body temperatures, by a decline in white blood cell counts, and by the detection of the endotoxin in the blood plasma samples by a limulus amebocyte lysate gelation test. All of the animals following treatment with E. coli endotoxin exhibited many of the signs often listed in descriptions of lactation failure.
Sleep and recovery from critical illness and injury: a review of theory, current practice, and future directions.

Objective:The objectives of this article were to describe the deleterious effects of sleep deprivation, characterize sleep in patients cared for in an intensive care unit (ICU) environment, and propose an integrated strategy to improve sleep in critical care units.Study Selection:Clinical trials and
Solvophobic Acceleration of Diels−Alder Reactions in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

The rate of the Diels-Alder reaction between N-ethylmaleimide and 9-hydroxymethylanthracene in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)) was determined by following the disappearance of 9-hydroxymethylanthracene with in situ UV/vis absorption spectroscopy. The reaction conditions were 45-75 degrees C and 90-190 bar, which correspond to fluid densities (based on pure carbon dioxide) ranging between approximately 340 and 730 kg m(-3). The measured reaction rate at low scCO(2) fluid densities was nearly 25x faster than that reported in acetonitrile at the same temperature (45 degrees C). An inverse relationship between reaction rate and fluid density/pressure was observed at all temperatures in scCO(2). The apparent activation volumes were large and positive (350 cm(3) mol(-1)) and only a weak function of reduced temperature. A solvophobic mechanism analogous to those observed in conventional solvents is postulated to describe (a) the rate acceleration observed for this reaction in scCO(2) relative to that in acetonitrile, (b) the observed relationship between reaction rate and pressure/temperature/density, and (c) the large, positive activation volumes. Solubility measurements in scCO(2), rate measurements in conventional solvents, and an empirical correlation are used to support this theory. Our results advance the general understanding of reactivity in supercritical fluids and provide a rationale for selecting reactions which can be accelerated when conducted in scCO(2).
A Limit Equation Criterion for Solving the Einstein Constraint Equations on Manifolds with Ends of Cylindrical Type

We prove that in a certain class of conformal data on a manifold with ends of cylindrical type, if the conformally decomposed Einstein constraint equations do not admit a solution, then one can always find a nontrivial solution to the limit equation first explored by Dahl et al. (Duke Math J 161(14):2669–2798, 2012). We also give an example of a Ricci curvature condition on the manifold which precludes the existence of a solution to this limit equation. This shows that the limit equation criterion can be a useful tool for proving the existence of solutions to the Einstein constraint equations on manifolds with ends of cylindrical type.
P03.12. A Case Report Series Demonstrating the Importance of Differential Diagnosis in the Successful Management of Low Back Pain Using Integrative Manual Therapy

Focus Areas: Integrative Approaches to Care, Alleviating Pain Similar clinical presentations of low back pain may be caused by diverse pathologies that require different courses of treatment. The effectiveness of Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT) treatment in low back pain is based on differential diagnosis ascertained through advanced manual palpation. Three case studies illustrate the efficacy of IMT in treating chronic pain when a precise manual diagnosis guides an individualized course of treatment. Case 1: A 58-year-old male presented with longstanding low back pain with bilateral lower extremity paresthesia and numbness. Manual diagnostics revealed multifocal soft tissue tethering of neural structures at cranial, spinal, and peripheral levels. Biomechanical compromise of tethered neural components included caudal traction of the spinal cord and brain stem. Protective compensatory mechanisms causing joint compression further contributed to the clinical presentation. IMT intervention corrected these pathologies with full resolution of symptoms.
The concept of justice in sociology

Sociology has implicitly identified itself with a desert-based conception of distributive justice in various ways: the functionalist claim that societies naturally allocate resources according to contribution, the nearly universal belief that modernization involves the displacement of ascriptive with achievement norms, and the social psychological doctrine that we are innately drawn to equity. This misconception about the nature of distributive justice, and about the dominant mode of distribution in capitalist society, has blinded the discipline to deep tensions that constitute major themes in contemporary political discourse: the tension between market, meritocratic, and need-based principles of distribution. Moreover, sociology has absorbed a theory of justice that is open to severe challenge. Uncontroversially, need will play a significant role in any viable contemporary scheme of distribution. Perhaps controversially, the market represents a value difficult to ignore. We may indeed have a need to see achievement rewarded, our own and others. But we also want to spend our money as we choose and a meritocracy sets rules of allocation that restrict this freedom. We all have tastes and preferences that leave the deserving under-rewarded. There are other difficulties in the meritocratic ideal. As Rawls argues, our ability to achieve depends considerably on the luck of the genetic and social draw and hence rewarding people for talents they in no way deserve is of questionable moral force. Second, a fundamental tenet of liberal thought is that each individual should be free to choose his or her own conception of the good and hence there should be no official or collective sanctioning of any particular good. But to reward merit as a matter of public policy is to choose some values over others e.g. the Chicago Symphony Orchestra over Michael Jackson. An officially endorsed hierarchy of values is a threat to the moral autonomy of individuals cherished by liberalism. Michael Sandel, (London: Cambridge University Press, 1983). Sandel effectively describes the importance of government moral neutrality in liberalism. A third problem with the ideal of meritocracy is that decisions about the value of individuals and activities to society involve nearly impossible technical difficulties. The controversies stirred up by comparable worth suggest the intractability of these debates as well as their vulnerability to interest-driven parochialism. The unreflective absorption of the meritocratic ideal of distributive justice has had unfortunate consequences for sociology. A moral debate of central importance to contemporary political culture has been obscured and an ideal of doubtful appeal has been implicitly endorsed. Whether this is a parochial projection of the academic way of life, or an expression of a social-engineering impulse, a reappraisal is in order. Sociology's research agenda, as well as its ideological character, requires a reexamination of the concept of justice.
Merging with parallel processors

Consider two linearly ordered sets A, B, | A | = m, | B | = n, m ≤ n, and p, p ≤ m, parallel processors working synchronously. The paper presents an algorithm for merging A and B with the p parallel processors, which requires at most 2⌈log2(2m + 1)⌉ + ⌊3m/p⌋ + [m/p][log2(n/m)] steps. If n = 2bm (b an integer), the algorithm requires at most 2[log2(m + 1)] + [m/p](2 + b) steps. In the case where m and n are of the same order of magnitude, i.e. n = km with k being a constant, the algorithm requires 2[log2(m + 1)] + [m/p](3 + k) steps. These performances compare very favorably with the previous best parallel merging algorithm, Batcher's algorithm, which requires n/p + ((m + n)/2p)log2m steps in the general case and km/p + ((k + 1)/2)(m/p)log2m in the special case where n = km.
CFA-aware features for steganalysis of color images

Color interpolation is a form of upsampling, which introduces constraints on the relationship between neighboring pixels in a color image. These constraints can be utilized to substantially boost the accuracy of steganography detectors. In this paper, we introduce a rich model formed by 3D co-occurrences of color noise residuals split according to the structure of the Bayer color filter array to further improve detection. Some color interpolation algorithms, AHD and PPG, impose pixel constraints so tight that extremely accurate detection becomes possible with merely eight features eliminating the need for model richification. We carry out experiments on non-adaptive LSB matching and the content-adaptive algorithm WOW on five different color interpolation algorithms. In contrast to grayscale images, in color images that exhibit traces of color interpolation the security of WOW is significantly lower and, depending on the interpolation algorithm, may even be lower than non-adaptive LSB matching.
PERIODIC INHIBITION OF LIVING PACEMAKER NEURONS (I): LOCKED, INTERMITTENT, MESSY, AND HOPPING BEHAVIORS

This communication is concerned with an embodiment of periodic nonlinear oscillator driving, the synaptic inhibition of one spike-producing pacemaker neuron by another. Data came from a prototypical living synapse. Analyses centered on a prolonged condition between the transients following the onset and cessation of inhibition. Evaluations were guided by point process mathematics and nonlinear dynamics. A rich and exhaustive list of discharge forms, described precisely and canonically, was observed across different inhibitory rates. Previously unrecognized at synapses, most forms were identified with several well known types from nonlinear dynamics. Ordered by decreasing regularities, they were locked, intermittent (including walk-throughs), messy (including erratic and stammerings) and hopping. Each is discussed within physiological and formal contexts. It is conjectured that (i) locked, intermittent and messy forms reflect limit cycles on 2-tori, quasiperiodic orbits and strange attractors, (ii) noise in neurons hovering around threshold contributes to certain intermittent and stammering behaviors, and (iii) hopping either reflects an attractor with several portions or is nonstationary and noise-induced.
Books, Toys, Parent-Child Interaction, and Development in Young Latino Children

Objective To describe the interrelationships between books and toys in the home, parent-child interaction, and child development at 21 months among low-income Latino children. Methods Latino mother-infant dyads enrolled in a level 1 nursery and infants were followed to 21 months. The subjects consisted of the control group of a larger intervention study. At 6 and 18 months, the number of books and toys in the home and the frequency of reading aloud were measured by the StimQ. At 21 months, child cognitive and language development and parent-child interaction were assessed by the Bayley Mental Development Index (MDI), the Preschool Language Scale-3 (PLS-3), and the Caregiver-Child Interaction Rating Scale, respectively. Eligibility for early intervention (EI) services was determined on the basis of the MDI and PLS-3. Results Data were obtained for 46 (63.0%) of 73 at 21 months. In multiple regression analysis, books provided at 18 months predicted both cognition (semipartial correlation [sr] = .49, P = .001) and receptive language (sr = .37, P = .02), whereas toys provided at both 6 and 18 months predicted 21-month receptive language (sr = .40, P = .01; sr=.32, P = .047, respectively). Reading aloud by parents ≥4 days a week was associated with decreased EI eligibility (adjusted odds ratio=0.16, 95% confidence interval 0.03–0.99). Conclusions Reading aloud and provision of toys are associated with better child cognitive and language development as well as with decreased likelihood of EI eligibility.
The telomeric length and heterogeneity decrease with age in normal human oral keratinocytes

We have examined the telomere length in NHOK explanted from 28 donors between the ages of 21 and 84 years. Genomic DNA was isolated from exponentially replicating NHOK and digested with HinFI to yield terminal restriction fragments (TRF). The TRF length ranged from 4.1 to 7.0 kbp with a mean of 5.3±0.8 kbp, which was significantly shorter than that (8.9±1.0 kbp) of normal human oral fibroblasts (NHOF). The TRF length was inversely correlated to the increase of donor age in NHOK (m=−23 bp per year; r=−0.60; P<0.001). Also, the heterogeneity of TRF length in cultured NHOK decreased with increased donor age (r=−0.38, P<0.05). These data indicated that clonogenic NHOK cells had replicated in situ and showed a progressive shortening of TRF length. The short telomere length and decreased telomeric length heterogeneity in immortalized cells suggested that there is a critical minimum for cell survival.
Photoreactions of [(η5C5H5)Fe(CO)2]2 with Potential Hydrogen Donors

Abstract Photolysis of the metalmetal bonded dimer [(η 5 C 5 H 5 ) Fe(CO) 2 ] 2 in the presence of a variety of potential hydrogen atom donors leads to net hydrogen abstraction only in the case of benzaldehyde, for which (η 5 C 5 H 5 )Fe(CO) 2 (C 6 H 5 ) is the only product formed. Photolysis in acetonitrile gives the monosubstitution product (η 5 C 5 H 5 ) 2 Fe 2 (CO) 3 (CH 3 CN).
The Influence of Clinical and Biological Factors on Transfusion-Associated Non-ABO Antigen Alloimmunization: Responders, Hyper-Responders, and Non-Responders

In the context of transfusion medicine, alloimmunization most often refers to the development of antibodies to non-ABO red blood cell (RBC) antigens following pregnancy, transfusion, or transplantation. The development of RBC alloantibodies can have important clinical consequences, particularly in patients who require chronic transfusions. It has been suggested that alloimmunization is more common in some clinical circumstances and patient populations than in others. As such, individuals that develop alloantibodies are frequently referred to as ‘responders’ in the medical literature. In contrast, individuals that do not develop alloantibodies despite repeated exposures to non-self blood group antigens have been referred to as ‘non-responders'. The purpose of this article is to review the phenomenon of RBC alloimmunization in the context of responders and non-responders to: i) establish a basic framework for alloimmunization as reported across several diverse patient populations; ii) more fully explore literature reports which support the concept of responders/non-responders regarding blood group antigen alloimmunization; iii) summarize the mechanisms that have been shown to predispose an individual to alloimmunization to determine how these factors may differentiate ‘responders’ from ‘non-responders'; and iv) briefly discuss some practical approaches to prevent alloimmunization in patients who may be prone to alloantibody development.
Proposed Models for Angiotensin II in Aqueous Solution and Conclusions about Receptor Topography

Angiotensin II has an uncertain molecular basis in aqueous solution; two models are proposed here, a β-turn and a γ-turn model, of which the latter seems the more likely.
Evaluating integrated graphics processors for data center workloads

More than 90% of consumer computers use integrated graphics processors. In these processors, the CPU and the GPU share the same physical memory. Due to high density, good power efficiency, and low cost, integrated graphics processors are promising candidates for next-generation micro-servers and, hence, data-center workloads.While discrete graphics processors have been extensively studied, there is very little work on characterizing integrated GPUs. This paper is a step towards understanding the power and performance of integrated GPUs. Our results reveal many architectural caveats that programmers need to be aware of to exploit integrated GPUs: memory contention between the CPU and GPU, workload dependent energy efficiency, and data transfer tradeoffs.
G6PD deficiency as protection against falciparum malaria: An epidemiologic critique of population and experimental studies

Several recent reviews in the medical literature maintain that only heterozygous G6PD deficient females are relatively protected against falciparum malaria. However, a number of population studies pro-vide compelling evidence that both the hemizygous G6PD deficient male and homozygous G6PD deficient female are also relatively protected against falciparum parasitization. An epidemiologic critique of a sample of these field investigations points out the methodological problems that un-derlie some of the negative findings. In vitro studies also provide compelling evidence that erythrocytes from all G6PD deficient genotypes are relatively protected against falciparum infestation, and that this protection is en- hanced by oxidant substances derived from a number of food crops such as fava beans. It is suggested that "quinine" taste sensitivity reflects taste sensitivity to bitter-tasting, naturally occurring antimalarial substances of plant origin, and that the G6PD polymorphism and the genetic loci coding for "quinine" taste sensitivity have co-evolved in human populations. It appears that adaptation at the G6PD locus in human populations reflects an intricate web of interactions between a large number of different G6PD deficient alleles which have reached polymorphic frequencies and a variety of food crops from which oxidant substances may be derived.  1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc. The specific goal of this article is to review the evidence indicating that all glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient genotypes are relatively pro- tected against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. A discussion of this issue is timely and necessary because several influential reviews of G6PD and G6PD deficiency in the medical literature over the past few years have reiterated the position that only G6PD deficient heterozygotes are protected against falciparum parasitization, while G6PD deficient hemizygotes and homozygotes are not (Luzzatto and Mehta, 1989; Luzzatto and Battistuzzi, 1985; Usanga and Luzzatto, 1985). However, this position is based on a single study (Bienzle et al., 1972), while a number of other field investigations support the view that all G6PD deficient genotypes are rela- tively protected against falciparum parasitization (Allison and Clyde, 1961; Gilles et al., 1967; Butler, 1973; Kar et al., 1992). The inaccuracy of the "heterozygote" position seriously obscures our understanding of how selection operates at the
NativeTask: A Hadoop compatible framework for high performance

Although Hadoop MapReduce provides good programming abstractions and horizontal scalability, it is often blamed for its poor single node performance. In the meantime, MapReduce has already achieved a large install base, thus any performance improvement should keep the compatibility. In this paper, we address the challenges via several approaches guided by low-level performance analysis. And we materialize the approaches via NativeTask, a high-performance, fully compatible MapReduce execution engine. We evaluate its performance with representative HiBench workloads. The results show that the speedup NativeTask achieves ranges from 10% to 160%, and it paves the way for a better MapReduce that excels on both single node performance and scalability. In the future, hardware acceleration can also be applied to further improve the system's efficiency.
On rational approximation of Markov functions on finite sets

In this article we study questions related to the approximation of Markov functions on a finite set of points on the real line by rational functions with real coefficients. The main results include formulas for the error in best rational approximation. A connection of rational approximation problems with the discrete Hankel operator is also investigated.