cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How does Lin28 let-7 control development and disease?

One of the most ancient and highly conserved microRNAs (miRNAs), the let-7 family, has gained notoriety owing to its regulation of stem cell differentiation and essential role in normal development, as well as its tumor suppressor function. Mechanisms controlling let-7 expression have recently been uncovered, specifically the role of the RNA-binding protein Lin28 – a key developmental regulator – in blocking let-7 biogenesis. This review focuses on our current understanding of the Lin28-mediated control of let-7 maturation and highlights the central role of Lin28 in stem cell biology, development, control of glucose metabolism, and dysregulation in human disease. Manipulating the Lin28 pathway for the precise control of let-7 expression may provide novel therapeutic opportunities for cancer and other diseases.
Somatic Mutations and Immunotherapy Outcome with CTLA-4 Blockade in Melanoma

One of the greatest challenges in the study and treatment of cancer has been that the disease is too heterogeneous: too many tissue types, too many etiologic factors, too much genetic diversity. After the discovery of oncogenes, it was thought that a limited number of genes, the proto-oncogenes, might turn a normal cell into a cancerous one. But soon it was discovered that tumor-suppressor genes antagonize the action of oncogenes, thus increasing genetic diversity in the context of cancer pathogenesis. To date, about 140 genes have been identified that can drive cancer growth when genetically altered.1 The discovery that driver . . .
Studies on the opiate receptor-mediated inhibition of K+-stimulated cholecystokinin and substance P release from cat hypothalamus in vitro.

The addition of 50 mM K+ to the perfusate of cat hypothalamic slices results in a 3.4- and 5.5-fold increase in the levels of cholecystokinin (CCK) and substance P (sP) like immunoreactivity, respectivity. The addition of morphine (10−11–10−8 M; a μ receptor agonist) andd-Ala2-d-Leu5-enkephalin (DADL: 10−12–10−10 M; a δ receptor agonist) resulted in a dose-dependent suppression of the K+-evoked release. SKF10047 (a τ receptor ligand) and U50488H (a χ receptor ligand) had no effect in doses up to 10−6 M. Naloxone added with the lowest dose of agonist producing a maximal inhibition produced a dose-dependent reversal of the anti-release effects of morphine and DADL. The IC50 of naloxone for the antagonism by DADL and morphine of the release of CCK were similar, whereas the naloxone IC50 was lower for morphine than DADL in the reversal of the effects of the agonist in sP release. Within the constraints of receptor selectivity of the several ligands, these data suggest that at least two populations of opiod receptors (μ and δ) may be discriminated which govern the release of hypothalamic sP.
Unexpected left dislocation: An English Corpus Study

The discourse function of the syntactic construction left dislocation in English has received significant attention. Prior research has identified at least three distinct form-function correlations underlying left dislocation. This paper examines left dislocation tokens from a corpus of spoken English recorded in South Philadelphia. From this emerges a fourth type of left dislocation not previously identified. We define this variety of left dislocation, termed the Unexpected Subject type, via a Centering Theory analysis of the surrounding discourse. This finding adds even greater diversity to the potential discourse functions underlying the left dislocation construction, and thus lends important support to the claim that the association between syntactic form and discourse function is arbitrary. Future research utilizing much larger corpora will not only allow us to hone the definition of the Unexpected Subject type, but may also reveal that there are indeed more discourse functions of the left dislocation construction that have not been identified.
Thioamide-based fluorescent protease sensors.

Thioamide quenchers can be paired with compact fluorophores to design “turn-on” fluorescent protease substrates. We have used this method to study a variety of serine-, cysteine-, carboxyl-, and metallo-proteases, including trypsin, chymotrypsin, pepsin, thermolysin, papain, and calpain. Since thioamides quench some fluorophores red-shifted from those naturally occurring in proteins, this technique can be used for real time monitoring of protease activity in crude preparations of virtually any protease. We demonstrate the value of this method in three model applications: (1) characterization of papain enzyme kinetics using rapid-mixing experiments, (2) selective monitoring of cleavage at a single site in a peptide with multiple proteolytic sites, and (3) analysis of the specificity of an inhibitor of calpain in cell lysates.
Partitioning a Planar Graph of Girth 10 into a Forest and a Matching

We prove that any finite planar graph with girth at least 10 can have its edges partitioned to form two graphs on the same vertices, one of which is a forest, and the other of which is a matching. Several related results are also demonstrated.
Collective pedagogical teacher culture, teacher-student ethno-racial mismatch, and teacher job satisfaction.

Abstract Teacher job satisfaction is critical to schools’ successful functioning. Using a representative sample of kindergarten teachers from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, we investigate the association among professional learning community and teacher collaboration, teacher ethno-racial group, teacher–student ethno-racial mismatch, and teacher job satisfaction. We find that White teachers are significantly less satisfied than African–American and Latino teachers, especially when they teach in majority non-White classrooms. However, the existence of a professional community moderates the negative influence of teacher–student ethno-racial mismatch on White teachers’ job satisfaction. In effect, strong professional communities serve as a cushion to bolster teacher job satisfaction.
Highly synchronized, simultaneous, high-speed 24-bit data acquisition of triaxial MEMS accelerometers for monitoring a real world civil structure

A hardware system has been developed to obtain data from multiple MEMS triaxial accelerometers for structural health monitoring research in a laboratory setting. The system can be easily configured for a single accelerometer or up to as many as 120 triaxial accelerometers with 24-bit data sampled up to a 2 kHz rate simultaneously. The system is modular where each Aggregator Module consists of a circuit board that supports up to eight accelerometers. Up to 15 modules can be synchronized to within 0.1 µs for simultaneous data acquisition and timestamping by connecting a central clock module that distributes a 10 MHz clock to each Aggregator Module. This represents (4 channels per ADC) × (8 ADCs) × (15 Aggregator Modules) = 480 channels that are all simultaneously sampled and synchronized down to 0.1 µs. The data from each Aggregator Module is transmitted to a single host computer or multiple host computers using serial communication. The advantages of this custom system over a wireless solution are its very tight synchronization, high sample rate, high resolution and ability to process large quantities of data. COTS wired solutions do offer these features; however, to accommodate 480 sensor channels, numerous bulky and expensive pieces of equipment are needed. We decided that a custom design allowed us the greatest performance in a scalable, lower power, portable and affordable package.
Adult House Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Activity and Age of Females Near Varying Levels of (Z) -9-Tricosene on a Southern California Dairy

ABSTRACT The number of adult male and female house flies, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), near varying levels of (Z)-9-tricosene alone (5, 50, or 100 µl) or combined (50 µl) with sugar was determined using conical screened traps on a dairy in southern California. Overall, significantly more males than females were collected in the traps. Significantly more flies (male and female) were collected in traps with (Z)-9-tricosene. There were no significant differences among doses of (Z)-9-tricosene alone, but numbers of both sexes were significantly higher in traps baited with (Z)-9-tricosene and sugar compared with the 5- and 50-µl doses without sugar. The age of female flies collected in traps was determined by pterin analysis. Mean female ages ranged from 94.7 to 99.6 degree-days (6.3–6.8 d of age) and did not differ significantly among treatments. Dissections of a subset of females from each treatment determined that collected females were primarily nongravid (86.3%). Proportions of gravid females t...
An analysis of visual evoked potential wave forms in unrestrained cats

Marked alterations in the wave forms of the visual evoked potential were found during repeated observations in 7 unrestrained cats. These changes were usually, but not always, associated with behavioral and electroencephalographic correlates of sleep and wakefulness.
Work in progress: Mesoscopic analysis of engineering education scholarship in electrical and Computer Engineering, 2002–2011

Engineering education remains a relatively new and rapidly developing research field. As a result, there are significant variations in the quantity and kinds of engineering education research being conducted and published in different engineering disciplines and local/national contexts. Responding to a lack of systematic attempts to study such dynamics, this paper describes our ongoing efforts to investigate the quantity and nature of engineering education scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and allied fields over the last ten years. More specifically, we report preliminary results of an in-depth quantitative and qualitative analysis of journal articles (n=664) published in IEEE Transactions on Education from 2002 to 2011, including co-authorship patterns, geographic distribution of authors, and research funding reported. To help contextualize the study, the authors also discuss other studies of publication trends in engineering education research.
Free recall by deaf and hearing children: Semantic clustering and recall in trained and untrained groups

Abstract Free recall tasks with semantically categorizable stimuli were given to 60 deaf and 60 hearing children, divided equally among Grades 3, 5, and 7 (ages 9, 11, and 13 years, respectively). Half the children were trained to use semantic categorization as a memory aid after the first study-test trial. All subjects were told category labels and sizes on the third recall trial. As hypothesized, older children showed more spontaneous semantic clustering and higher recall scores than younger children. Training increased clustering in all groups, while the provision of category information at retrieval increased clustering regardless of training condition. Contrary to expectations, deaf children used semantic clustering as much as hearing children. Deaf children's recall scores, however, were significantly lower than hearing children's. The specific contrasts observed between deaf and hearing children's performance suggest that deaf children's recall deficiencies probably reflect either inadequate knowledge of category membership or inflexibility in reclassifying individual items, rather than a general inability to recognize and use the categorical nature of a list as a mnemonic aid.
Synthetic spike-in standards improve run-specific systematic error analysis for DNA and RNA sequencing

While the importance of random sequencing errors decreases at higher DNA or RNA sequencing depths, systematic sequencing errors (SSEs) dominate at high sequencing depths and can be difficult to distinguish from biological variants. These SSEs can cause base quality scores to underestimate the probability of error at certain genomic positions, resulting in false positive variant calls, particularly in mixtures such as samples with RNA editing, tumors, circulating tumor cells, bacteria, mitochondrial heteroplasmy, or pooled DNA. Most algorithms proposed for correction of SSEs require a data set used to calculate association of SSEs with various features in the reads and sequence context. This data set is typically either from a part of the data set being “recalibrated” (Genome Analysis ToolKit, or GATK) or from a separate data set with special characteristics (SysCall). Here, we combine the advantages of these approaches by adding synthetic RNA spike-in standards to human RNA, and use GATK to recalibrate base quality scores with reads mapped to the spike-in standards. Compared to conventional GATK recalibration that uses reads mapped to the genome, spike-ins improve the accuracy of Illumina base quality scores by a mean of 5 Phred-scaled quality score units, and by as much as 13 units at CpG sites. In addition, since the spike-in data used for recalibration are independent of the genome being sequenced, our method allows run-specific recalibration even for the many species without a comprehensive and accurate SNP database. We also use GATK with the spike-in standards to demonstrate that the Illumina RNA sequencing runs overestimate quality scores for AC, CC, GC, GG, and TC dinucleotides, while SOLiD has less dinucleotide SSEs but more SSEs for certain cycles. We conclude that using these DNA and RNA spike-in standards with GATK improves base quality score recalibration.
Catalyst Nuclearity Effects in Olefin Polymerization. Enhanced Activity and Comonomer Enchainment in Ethylene + Olefin Copolymerizations Mediated by Bimetallic Group 4 Phenoxyiminato Catalysts

This contribution describes the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic implementation of the binuclear {2,7-di-[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]-1,8-naphthalenediolato group 4 metal complexes {1,8-(O)2C10H4-2,7-[CH═N(2,6-iPr2C6H3)]2}Zr2Cl6(THF)2 (FI2-Zr2) and {1,8-(O)2C10H4-2,7-[CH=N(2,6-iPr2C6H3)]2}Ti2Cl6(THF)2 (FI2-Ti2) in comparison to the mononuclear analogues {3-tBu-2-(O)C6H3CH═N(2,6-iPr2C6H3)}ZrCl3(THF) (FI-Zr1) and {3-tBu-2-(O)C6H3CH=N(2,6-iPr2C6H3)}TiCl3(THF) (FI-Ti1), in ethylene homopolymerization and ethylene + olefin copolymerization processes. The comonomers studied include 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1,5-hexadiene (1,5-HD), 1,4-pentadiene (1,4-PD), and highly hindered 1,1-disubstituted methylenecyclopentane (MCP) and methylenecyclohexane (MCH). In ethylene + 1-hexene copolymerizations, FI2-Zr2 enchains 1.5× more 1-hexene than FI-Zr1, and FI2-Ti2 enchains 2.2× more 1-hexene than FI-Ti1. While ethylene + 1,5-HD and ethylene + 1,4-PD copolymerizations mediated by FI2-Zr2 and FI-Zr1 produce ethylene + ...
Let's look at cysts from both sides now.

In the years since identification of autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) genes, the lag time between initial understanding and translation to therapy has decreased rapidly. Albaqumi and colleagues describe a promising approach to slow ADPKD cyst enlargement through inhibition of the basolateral KCa3.1 K + channel, using a nontoxic small molecule with a close congener poised for rapid entry into the clinic. Cyst fluid accumulation can be blocked from both sides now.
Exact solutions to gaseous flow time and temperature dependent parent and first-daughter fission-product plateout problems

Abstract Exact solutions are obtained to the parent and first-daughter time and temperature dependent convective-diffusion equations with radioactive decay in an axisymmetric cylindrical conduit. Time invariant nominal gaseous flow conditions are assumed for which piecewise polynomial spatial representations of the axial temperature distribution are considered. The time dependence of the daughter-product inlet concentration due to parent decay is included. A mass transfer model incorporating these solutions is developed to predict the fission-product plateout on the conduit wall. The temperature dependence of both the diffusion and wall mass transfer coefficients is characterized using Arrhenius relationships. Comparison with experimental 134 Cs, 137 Cs, and 131 I data demonstrates model viability in correctly predicting temperature dependent plateout under relevant flow conditions.
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy of Electrochemically Self-Assembled Lithium–Iodine Batteries

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of self-assembled lithium-iodine batteries was performed in both two and three-electrode configurations. The in situ EIS spectrum of the cell transitioned from that associated with an initial ideal ionic conductor for the Lil-based composite in the unformed state to that of three depressed semicircles as the cell formed. The assignments of these spectral features were made empirically using various techniques. Three-electrode measurements using a Ag|AgI reference electrode and dynamic impedance measurements were used to confirm these assignments. The charge-transfer process at the positive electrode is the main kinetically limiting factor, especially toward the end of the lithiation cycle. In situ Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of the polyiodide anions I - 3 and I - 5 in the positive electrode region during cell formation.
Olefin metathesis for metal incorporation: Preparation of conjugated ruthenium-containing complexes and polymers

Abstract Olefin Metathesis for Metal Incorporation (OMMI) was used for the stoichiometric attachment of ruthenium to both small and large polyenes. The dinuclear complexes (PCy3)2C12Ru CH(CH CH)nCH Ru(PCy3)2Cl2 (n = 1, 2), were prepared by reacting 2 equiv. of the Grubbs first-generation catalyst (PCy3)2C12Ru (CHPh)) with 1 equiv. of the appropriate polyene (1,3,5-hexatriene for n = 1 and 1,3,5,7-octatetraene for n = 2). Use of excess hexatriene led to the formation of the monoruthenium complex (PCy3)2C12Ru CHCH CHCH CH2. The mono- and di-ruthenium complexes exhibited marked differences in their spectroscopic and electrochemical properties, in addition to their Z–E isomerization rates. Nucleophilic attack of PCy3 on the end CH2 of the mono complex was observed, leading to both isomerization and phosphonium products. Extending the OMMI strategy to the second-generation catalyst was also done, despite the reduced initiation rate. The more reactive catalyst (H2IMes)RuCl2( CHPh)(3-bromopyridine)2 allowed for ruthenium incorporation into polyacetylene, leading to the formation of polymers and oligomers with high ruthenium content.
Service Package Switching in Hotel Revenue Management Systems

Revenue Management Systems (RMS) are commonly used in the hotel industry to maximize revenues in the short term. The forecasting-allocation module is a key tactical component of a hotel RMS. Forecasting involves estimating demand for service packages across all stayover nights in a planning horizon. A service package is a unique combination of physical room, amenities, room price, and advance purchase restrictions. Allocation involves parsing the room inventory among these service packages to maximize revenues. Previous research and existing revenue management systems assume the demand for a service package to be independent of which service packages are available for sale. We develop a new forecasting-allocation approach that explicitly accounts for this dependence. We compare the performance of the new approach against a baseline approach using a realistic hotel RMS simulation. The baseline approach reflects previous research and existing industry practice. The new approach produces an average revenue increase of at least 16% across scenarios that reflect existing industry conditions.
Preparation and Characterization of 4-Methoxy Cinnamoyl Glycerol

Glycerol was reacted with 4-methoxy cinnamic acid to prepare the corresponding 4-methoxy cinnamoyl glycerol. The reaction proceeded in toluene under reflux conditions with p-toluenesulfonic acid catalyst. Reaction of equimolar amounts of reactants produced the monoester in 20% yield after 2 h. The product was isolated and characterized by FTIR, mass spectrometry, and NMR techniques. Results of mass spectrometry and NMR experiments showed that the ester linkage formed between the carboxylic acid and the primary hydroxyl of glycerol. The ester displayed strong absorbance between 250 and 350 nm and shows potential as a UV filter in formulations where hydrophilic compounds are advantageous.
Energetics of muscle contraction: the whole is less than the sum of its parts

Understanding muscle energetics is a problem in optimizing supply of ATP to the demands of ATPases. The complexity of reactions and their fluxes to achieve this balance is greatly reduced by recognizing constraints imposed by the integration of common metabolites at fixed stoichiometry among modular units. ATPase is driven externally. Oxidative phosphorylation and glycogenolysis are the suppliers. We focus on their regulation which involves different controls, but reduces to two principles that enable facile experimental analysis of the supply and demand fluxes. The ratio of concentration of phosphocreatine (PCr) to ATP, not their individual values, sets the range of achievable concentrations of ADP in resting and active muscle (at fixed pH) in different cell types. This principle defines the fraction of available flux of oxidative phosphorylation utilized (at fixed enzyme activities). Then the kinetics of PCr recovery defines the kinetics of oxygen supply and substrate utilization. The second principle is the constancy of PCr and H(+) (lactate) production by glycogenolysis due to the coupling of ATPase and glycolysis. This principle enables glycogenolytic flux to be measured from intracellular proton loads. Further simplification occurs because the magnitude of the interacting fluxes and metabolite concentrations are specified within narrow limits when both the resting and active fluxes are quantified. Thus there is a small set of rules for assessing and understanding the thermodynamics and kinetics of muscle energetics.
The Interaction between a Mean Flow and Random Disturbances

The study of the statistical properties of ensembles of hydrodynamical systems may be called statistical hydrodynamics. It is recommended that statistical hydrodynamics be applied to certain problems which have not previously been looked upon as statistical problems. Statistical hydrodynamics is applied to the problem of the interaction between a mean flow an a superposed disturbance, in a two-dimensional homogeneous incompressible nonviscous fluid. The ensemble of all disturbances which may individually be superposed upon a given mean flow is assumed to be random, in the sense that it is unaltered if each disturbance is subjected to a change of sign, a translation in space, or a rotation. It is found that, ensemble-average-wise, kinetic energy is transferred from the disturbances to the mean flow if the mean flow is of small variance and coarse detail and the disturbances are on the average of large amplitude and fine detail, while kinetic energy is transferred in the opposite direction if the opposite situation exists. This result is applied to the problem of the maintenance of kinetic energy in the earth’s atmosphere against the dissipative effect of friction. There is some evidence that both the total kinetic energy and the kinetic energy of the mean flow can be maintained through the addition of new disturbances which form random ensembles, but that they can be maintained more efficiently, and probably are maintained, by the addition of new disturbances with a systematic lack of randomness. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1953.tb01053.x
Evidence-Based Practice and the Use of Information in State Agency Decision Making

The contemporary policy environment makes persistent demands on agency officials to use the best information available when making decisions about policies, programs, and practices. State and federal legislation calls on agencies to incorporate evidence-based practices (EBP) in their programs. Using data from a 2008 survey of state agency directors, we examine the extent to which state government agencies draw upon various sources of information to guide their decisions about programmatic operations. Our findings reveal the extent to which agencies rely on, or weight, sources of scientific studies and formal evaluations compared to other sources. Factor analysis identifies patterns of agency information use, providing a basis for further exploring agency differences in information consultation that underlie development of new policies and programs in the vein of EBP.
SIP-Based IMS Signaling Analysis for WiMax-3G Interworking Architectures

The third-generation partnership project (3GPP) and 3GPP2 have standardized the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) to provide ubiquitous and access network-independent IP-based services for next-generation networks via merging cellular networks and the Internet. The application layer Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), standardized by 3GPP and 3GPP2 for IMS, is responsible for IMS session establishment, management, and transformation. The IEEE 802.16 worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMax) promises to provide high data rate broadband wireless access services. In this paper, we propose two novel interworking architectures to integrate WiMax and third-generation (3G) networks. Moreover, we analyze the SIP-based IMS registration and session setup signaling delay for 3G and WiMax networks with specific reference to their interworking architectures. Finally, we explore the effects of different WiMax-3G interworking architectures on the IMS registration and session setup signaling delay.
Hand/eye calibration for electronic assembly robots

This paper investigates a special case of the hand/eye calibration problem, in which the sensor is mounted on an electronic assembly robot, such as a SCARA arm. We restrict our discussion to the case that the end-effector of the robot has three degrees of freedom in translation and one degree of freedom in rotation. A new linear solution method for the problem of hand/eye calibration is given in the paper. An iterative method is also proposed to improve the accuracy of calibration. Both approaches allow the calibration data to be measured while the robot moves arbitrarily in its workspace. Simulation and experimental studies confirm the effectiveness of the methods.
Constraining the relative strengths of high-grade metamorphic rocks using foliation refraction angles: an example from the Northern New England Appalachians

Foliation refraction angles are used to estimate effective viscosity contrasts between metapelitic and metapsammitic layers in amphibolite-facies metaturbidites in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains, in eastern New Hampshire. An early-formed foliation, developed during km-scale nappe folding, consistently displays larger bedding-foliation angles in metapelitic units than metapsammitic units, suggesting that the metapelitic units had higher effective viscosities during this deformation. We collected bedding-foliation angle measurements from a combination of outcrops and locally-derived boulders to test the hypothesis that foliation refraction angles could be used to estimate the effective viscosity ratio between different rock types at high metamorphic grades. Our results show that the metapelitic layers were between 2 and 3 times more viscous than the metaspsammitic layers, which we attribute to the presence of large (up to 15 cm long), abundant (up to 30 vol.%) effectively rigid andalusite porphyroblasts in the metapelitic layers. We present a methodology for using foliation refraction angles to determine the effective viscosity ratios of different rock types, address the practical limitations we encountered, and suggest this method is an easy way of estimating the strength contrast between different rock types. Finally, we hypothesize that metamorphism resulting in porphyroblast growth can strengthen large crustal volumes during orogenesis.
Current perspectives on mRNA stability in plants: multiple levels and mechanisms of control.

Abstract The control of mRNA stability plays a fundamental role in the regulation of gene expression in plants and other eukaryotes. This control can be influenced by the basal mRNA decay machinery, sequence-specific decay components, and regulatory factors that respond to various stimuli. Important progress has been made towards the identification of some of these elements over the past several years. This is true particularly with respect to cis -acting sequences that control mRNA stability, the identification of which has been the focus of much of the initial work in the field. Characterization of mRNA fragments associated with post-transcriptional gene silencing and two plant transcripts that give rise to detectable decay intermediates have provided insight into the mRNA decay pathways. These, and other studies, are indicative of similarities, as well as of interesting differences between mRNA decay mechanisms in plants and yeast – the system that has been used for most of the pioneering work. Future studies in this area, particularly when enhanced by emerging genetic and genomic approaches, have tremendous potential to provide additional knowledge that is unique to plants or of broad significance.
“An Empire of Ideals”: The Chimeric Imagination of Ronald Reagan. By Justin D. Garrison. New York: Routledge, 2013. 237 pp.

"An Empire of Ideals": The Chimeric Imagination of Ronald Reagan. By Justin D. Garrison. New York: Routledge, 2013. 237 pp. In An Empire of Ideals, Justin D. Garrison presents a study of Ronald Reagan's presidency with a specific focus on the role of Reagan's imagination in shaping his public image and his ideals. The author traces the concept of imagination from its classical western roots, where it is seen as passive, through its reworking during the Romantic period, where it is understood as creative, connecting Reagan to the latter conception and ultimately arguing that, because of his imagination, Reagan was less a conventional conservative than most people assume (p. 196). While those looking for a rhetorical analysis may not find An Empire of Ideals a satisfactory study of Reagan (despite a number of close readings of speeches spanning his political life), those who appreciate an applied philosophical approach will likely find Garrison's subtle critique of the president's imagination illuminating. The volume opens appropriately with a description of Reagan's funeral, an event through which Garrison views the former president's ability to create lasting influence, writing that "more than most American presidents, Reagan consciously appealed to the imagination of his listeners" (p. 3). He asserts that, by studying Reagan's imagination as it was expressed in his presidential speeches, the book addresses a "need to examine and assess the fundamental quality and significance of Reagan's imagination, including its historical resonance in American and Western political thought" (p. 7). The author traces Reagan's worldview to his early life circumstances, from his work for General Electric to his work in Hollywood and his role in the anti-Communist alliance between the Screen Actor's Guild and the House Un-American Activities Committee, and then to his early political career. In subsequent chapters, Garrison offers a close reading of Reagan's speeches in order to explore the manifestation of Reagan's imagination as it emerged in his optimism; his view of the American people; his affinity for the American Revolution; his understanding of the proper role of the American government and the place of the United States in foreign relations; and his visions for peace, technology, and religion. Garrison focuses on the element of Reagan's imagination that he labels "chimeric," that is, "having prominent elements of optimism, naivete, and, some would say, illusion" (p. 10). His theoretical approach to the study relies on a distinction he elucidates between classical and romantic ideas about the mind. For preromantics, he notes, the mind passively reflected reality. …
Targeting 4-1BB Costimulation to the Tumor Stroma with Bispecific Aptamer Conjugates Enhances the Therapeutic Index of Tumor Immunotherapy

Despite the recent successes of using immune modulatory Abs in patients with cancer, autoimmune pathologies resulting from the activation of self-reactive T cells preclude the dose escalations necessary to fully exploit their therapeutic potential. To reduce the observed and expected toxicities associated with immune modulation, here we describe a clinically feasible and broadly applicable approach to limit immune costimulation to the disseminated tumor lesions of the patient, whereby an agonistic 4-1BB oligonucleotide aptamer is targeted to the tumor stroma by conjugation to an aptamer that binds to a broadly expressed stromal product, VEGF. This approach was predicated on the premise that by targeting the costimulatory ligands to products secreted into the tumor stroma, the T cells will be costimulated before their engagement of the MHC-peptide complex on the tumor cell, thereby obviating the need to target the costimulatory ligands to noninternalizing cell surface products expressed on the tumor cells. Underscoring the potency of stroma-targeted costimulation and the broad spectrum of tumors secreting VEGF, in preclinical murine tumor models, systemic administration of the VEGF-targeted 4-1BB aptamer conjugates engendered potent antitumor immunity against multiple unrelated tumors in subcutaneous, postsurgical lung metastasis, methylcholantrene-induced fibrosarcoma, and oncogene-induced autochthonous glioma models, and exhibited a superior therapeutic index compared with nontargeted administration of an agonistic 4-1BB Ab or 4-1BB aptamer.
Right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia in the parturient

Parturition is marked by physiological changes that may elicit electrocardiographic anomalies. Sustained right ventricular tachycardia is an uncommon arrhythmia that necessitates cardioversion using physical, pharmaceutical or electrical means. Patients with right ventricular tachycardia must be evaluated for right ventricular dysplasia. Long-term management of right ventricular tachycardia includes beta-adrenergic blockade and/or radio ablation of right ventricle outflow region usually below the pulmonary annuls. This report discusses the case of a 28-year-old previously healthy primigravid who experienced right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia during labor.
A comparison of a behavioral weight loss program to a stress management program: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objectives This study compared a behavioral weight loss program (BWL) with a stress management-based program, Emotional Brain Training (EBT), on weight loss, blood pressure, depression, perceived stress, diet, and physical activity. Methods Subjects with a body mass index (BMI) of >28 and 2 were recruited in Lexington, Kentucky in January 2014 and randomized to BWL or EBT for a 20-week intervention. Of those recruited, 49 participants were randomized to EBT or BWL. Randomization and allocation to group were performed using SPSS software. Weight, blood pressure, depression, perceived stress, dietary intake, and physical activity were measured at baseline, 10 week, and 20 week. Linear models for change over time were fit to calculate 95% confidence intervals of intervention effects. Results BWL produced greater changes in BMI than EBT at both 10 ( P = 0.02) and 20 wk ( P = 0.03). At 10 wk, both EBT and BWL improved BMI, systolic blood pressure, depression and perceived stress ( P P = 0.005). At 20 wk, EBT maintained improvements in BMI, systolic blood pressure, depression, and perceived stress while BWL maintained improvements only in BMI and depression ( P Conclusions BWL produced greater weight loss than EBT; however, EBT produced sustained improvements in stress, depression, and systolic blood pressure. A combination of the two approaches should be explored.
Central Nervous System Vascular Complications in Children and Adults with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (P06.014)

Objective: This study proposes to estimate the prevalence of central nervous system (CNS) vascular complications in the neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) population known to the Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Neurofibromatosis Center. Background Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) affects approximately 1 in 3300 people. Though the neurological complications associated with NF1 are widely known, potentially harmful vascular effects have been largely undocumented. Due to the increasing number of incidental findings in the literature and our heightened clinical suspicion given the experience within our NF Center, a comprehensive study aimed at estimating the prevalence of widespread vasculopathy in the NF1 population is needed. Design/Methods: Retrospective chart review was undertaken for all patients with NF1 from our Center. Charts were screened for brain MRI scans either completed or formally reviewed at Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1980 until the present. MRI reports were reviewed for indication of a vascular anomaly. Results: 429 patients were screened for this study. 44 patients were found to have at least one CNS vasculopathy. The most common finding in patients >18 years were arteriovenous anomalies and ischemic stroke. The most common finding in patients Conclusions: Based on confirmed vasculopathy in 44 of 429 patients seen in a large neurofibromatosis clinic, we report the minimum prevalence rate of 10% for CNS vascular complications. The actual prevalence is likely higher, as only 41% of the clinic population underwent brain MRI. When controlled for age, the prevalence of CNS vascular complications within our population increases from 7% in childhood to 13% in adulthood. The majority of vascular complications seen were ischemic events or complications known to increase the likelihood of ischemic events in a population with a mean age of 36 years. This data indicates that patients with NF1 are at risk for vascular disease at a young age. Disclosure: Dr. Bergner has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kaas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chance has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jordan has received personal compensation for activities with Berlin Heart. Dr. Blakeley has nothing to disclose.
Dark-field Interferometric Detection of Single Human Viruses and Bacteriophage

We introduce a new nanoparticle detection scheme which combines phase-sensitive heterodyne interferometry and background-free dark-field detection to enable us characterize in real-time single human viruses and bacteriophage down to ∼24 nm in radius.
Where do we place the sacrocolpopexy stitch? A magnetic resonance imaging investigation.

Objectives Sacrocolpopexy presacral sutures are placed at or slightly above the sacral promontory without knowledge of the location of intervertebral discs. We used magnetic resonance imaging to assess the anatomic relationship of the sacral promontory to intervertebral discs. Methods We reviewed spinal magnetic resonance images of women imaged at Loyola University Medical Center between January 2010 and February 2012. Sagittal T1 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequence images of the lumbosacral spine were used to identify the promontory as the most prominent point where S1 intersected with the superior anatomic structures. All measurements were obtained at the midline of the spinal cord. Results The mean age of 73 study subjects was 59 years (range, 22-89 years). The promontory was an intervertebral disc in many women (53 [73%]); the remaining images confirmed a nondisc promontory at the superior aspect of S1 in 20 patients (27%). The distance between the promontory and the next bony structure (L5) was 13 mm (25th-75th interquartile range, 11-16). In women without disc at the promontory, the median distance between the promontory and the base of L5 disc was 1.29 mm (interquartile range, 1.1-2.2). The mean height of the disc was 13.3 mm (4.4-20.6 mm). Age was not associated with the most prominent structure (P = 0.2), nor was it correlated to disc height (P = 0.27, r = 0.13) or distance to L5 (P = 0.75, r = 0.04). Conclusions Given the high proportion of women with an intervertebral disc at the promontory, suture placement strategies that avoid this location may avoid-reduce disc-related sequelae after sacrocolpopexy.
Epidemiological characteristics of 420 confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1) in Shijingshan District,Beijing,2009-2010

Objective To describe epidemiological characteristics of 420 conformed cases of influenza A(H1N1) in Shijingshan district,Beijing during 2009-2010.Methods Epidemiological features of 420 confirmed cases of influenza A(HlNl) reported were described,including distribution of age,gender,source of infection,occupation and time of onset,and so on.Results There were 420 cases of influenza A(H1N1) reported from all nine subdistricts of Shijingshan,with an incidence of 70.72/100 000,and four deaths with case-fatality of 0.95 percent.Most(92.62%) of 420 confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1) were indigenous,28 cases from other provinces and only three imported from other countries,with an average age of 21.53 years(ranging from 0-93 years),males accounting for 56.43 percent and students accounting for 59.05 percent of the total cases.Only eight of 420 cases were immunized with influenza vaccine previously.Conclusion Most of the total confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1) during the epidemic of 2009-2010 in Shijingshan were indigenous and school children and adolescents whose proportion reduced gradually with epidemic progress.
A behavioral economic analysis of texting while driving: Delay discounting processes

The purpose of the present study was to examine an impulsive decision-making process underlying texting while driving from a behavioral economic perspective. A sample of 108 college students completed a novel discounting task that presented participants with a hypothetical scenario in which, after receiving a text message while driving, they rated the likelihood of replying to a text message immediately versus waiting to reply for a specific period of time. Participants also completed a delay discounting task in which they made repeated hypothetical choices between obtaining a larger amount of money available after a delay and an equal or lesser amount of money available immediately. The results show that the duration of the delay is a critical variable that strongly determines whether participants choose to wait to reply to a text message, and that the decrease in the likelihood of waiting as a function of delay is best described by a hyperbolic delay discounting function. The results also show that participants who self-reported higher frequency of texting while driving discounted the opportunity to reply to a text message at greater rates, whereas there was no relation between the rates of discounting of hypothetical monetary rewards and the frequency of texting while driving. The results support the conclusion that texting while driving is fundamentally an impulsive choice.
Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Plays a Stimulatory Role in Platelet Activation.

Platelets generate nitric oxide (NO) in response to agonist stimulation. Previous reports have shown that the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays a role in agonist-stimulated platelet NO production and in platelet activation. Here we show that platelets from eNOS knockout mice (eNOS−/−) showed only partial reduction in thrombin-induced NO production compared to wild type platelets (50% reduction), indicating the presence of another NOS isoform in platelets. More importantly, we show that resting platelets express functional inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which participates in platelet activation. Compared to wild type platelets, thrombin-induced NO production was reduced by 54% in platelets isolated from iNOS knockout mice (iNOS−/−), indicating an iNOS-dependent NO production in platelets induced by thrombin. Since thrombin-induced NO production occurs during the first 3 min of thrombin stimulation, our findings provide the first evidence for a short-term regulation of iNOS activity independent of transcription regulation. In contrast, previous description of iNOS activation was primarily at the transcriptional level and required much longer time of induction. To determine the role of iNOS in platelet activation, platelets from wild type and iNOS−/− mice were stimulated with low concentrations of agonists. iNOS−/− platelets exhibited lower aggregation and secretion response compared to wild type control, indicating that iNOS plays a stimulatory role in platelet activation. We also examined the effect of iNOS inhibitors on platelet activation. Human and mouse platelets preincubated with iNOS specific inhibitors, 1400W and aminoguanidine, exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of platelet secretion and aggregation induced by either low-dose thrombin or collagen. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of iNOS-specific inhibitors was only shown in wild type mouse platelets, but was lacking in iNOS−/− platelets. Thus, activation of both iNOS and eNOS is important in agonist-induced NO production which stimulates platelet secretion and aggregation.
Nanocomposite for Advanced Packaging of Microelectronics

The advances of semiconductor technology are mainly due to the advances of polymeric materials. These include the use of polymers as adhesives (both conductive and non-conductive), interlayer dielectrics (low-k, low loss dielectrics), encapsulants (discrete and wafer level packaging), embedded passives (high-k and high-Q materials), superhydrophobic self-cleaning lotus effect surfaces, and etc. In this presentation, we will review some of the recent advances of polymeric materials and polymer nanocomposites currently being investigated for these types of applications, such as lead-free electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs) for fine pitch and high current density interconnects, flip chip and wafer level underfills, superhydrophobic self-cleaning lotus effect surfaces, as well as high-k and high-Q nanocomposites for embedded capacitors and inductors.
FUSION OF HARD AND SOFT CONTROL FOR UNINHABITED AERIAL VEHICLES

Abstract This paper develops a new approach by integrating hard and soft control strategies for Guidance, Navigation, and Control of Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The desired features from both soft and hard control are incorporated in the development of a navigation controller and UAV autopilot. The navigation controller is responsible for the generation of flyable trajectories based on desired GPS waypoint destinations. The UAV autopilot is responsible for steering the UAV along these desired trajectories while maintaining stable control.
Cancer and bone

I. Introduction II. Normal Calcium and Bone Homeostasis A. Bone remodeling B. Calcium homeostasis C. Defenses against hyper- and hypocalcemia III. Humoral Mechanisms by Which Solid Tumors Affect the Skeleton A. Hypercalcemia B. Oncogenic osteomalacia C. Tumor lysis syndrome IV. Local Mechanisms by Which Tumors Affect the Skeleton A. Clinical manifestations B. Pathophysiology of the metastatic process to bone C. Local tumor syndromes in bone D. Therapy of tumor in bone
Field swimming behavior in largemouth bass deviates from predictions based on economy and propulsive efficiency.

Locomotion is energetically expensive. This may create selection pressures that favor economical locomotor strategies, such as the adoption of low-cost speeds and efficient propulsive movements. For swimming fish, the energy expended to travel a unit distance, or cost of transport (COT), has a U-shaped relationship to speed. The relationship between propulsive kinematics and speed, summarized by the Strouhal number (St=fA/U, where f is tail beat frequency, A is tail tip amplitude in m and U is swimming speed in m s-1), allows for maximal propulsive efficiency where 0.2<St<0.4. Largemouth bass adopted field speeds that were generally below the range predicted to minimize their COT. This may reflect speed modulation to meet competing functional demands such as enabling effective prey detection and capture. St exceeded the optimal range for the lowest observed swimming speeds. Mechanical and physiological constraints may prevent adoption of efficient St during low-speed swimming.