cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deconstructing the Divide: Extending Broadband xDSL Services to the Periphery

One of the major challenges to providing full-rate digital subscriber line (xDSL) access to residential customers in rural or remote locations is the use of existing copper infrastructure. First, copper is not particularly good for moving high frequencies over extended distances. Second, much of the existing copper in the United States is of diminished quality. Third, digital loop carriers, bridge taps, load coils, and ambient interference negatively impact data transmission. Because of these problems, the geographic reach of xDSL services is limited. To combat this limitation, providers are installing remote digital subscriber line access multiplexers (RDSLAMs). RDSLAMs seek to maximise the amount of demand covered for a peripheral neighborhood and aggregate this data traffic onto a fiber optic connection for transport back to the central office (CO) for switching. Although this is more feasible than constructing a new CO, acquiring the rights of way and installing fiber is expensive. The purpose of this...
Towards Radiation Tolerant Nanostructured Ferritic Alloys

The high temperature and irradiation response of a new class of nanostructured ferritic alloys have been investigated by atom probe tomography. These materials are candidate materials for use in the extreme environments that will be present in the next generation of power generating systems. Atom probe tomography has revealed that the yttria powder is forced into solid solution during the mechanical alloying process andsubsequently 2-nm-diameter Ti-, Y- and O-enriched nanoclusters are formedduring the extrusion process. These nanoclusters have been shown to be remarkably stable during isothermal annealing treatments up to 0.92 of the melting temperature and during proton irradiation up to 3 displacements per atom. No significant difference in sizes, compositions and number densities of the nanoclusters was also observed between the unirradiated and proton irradiated conditions. The grain boundaries were found to have high number densities of nanoclusters as well as chromium and tungsten segregation which pin the grain boundary to minimize creep and grain growth.
Surface Structure of Deformed Nuclei by Radial and Angular Localization in Heavy-Ion Scattering.

Abstract A new method is introduced for determining heavy-ion potentials which exploits semiclassical radial and angular localization at the nuclear surface. The procedure is used to generate a nuclear potential energy surface for the scattering of heavy ions from a deformed nucleus.
Sensemaking handoff: theory and recommendations

Sensemaking work is often handed off between people. Yet handoff can cause problems, somewhat similar to an interruption. This dissertation examines the issues related to sensemaking handoff by integrating existing theories and drawing predictions about the effects of premature handoff. These predictions and the related design recommendations for systems will be verified using short-term ethnography, interviews, laboratory observations and experiments.
Impact of physical telerehabilitation on functional outcomes in seniors with mobility limitations

The goal of this project was to objectively assess potential impact of home-based physical telerehabilitation program on functional outcomes in seniors with mobility limitations. Nine consecutive seniors with mobility limitations were enrolled into a 12-week physical telerehabilitation program. At the end of the program, the mean time that patients took to walk 25 feet decreased from 13.5 to 10.6 seconds, and the mean distance that patients walked in 6 minutes improved from 722.4 to 805.7 feet. The Berg Balance Score score also increased from 36.6 to 41.7 over the 12-week period. All changes were statistically significant (p&#60;0.05). Patients demonstrated very high acceptance of the home-based program.
Use of Bicaval Dual-Lumen Catheter for Adult Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Background Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides supplementary oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal for selected patients on mechanical ventilatory support. Venovenous ECMO is traditionally established by dual cannulation of the internal jugular and femoral veins. We report our institutional experience using single-site, dual-lumen cannula for venovenous ECMO as an alternative to the 2-catheter approach. This approach minimizes recirculation and avoids use of the femoral site, which confers potential advantages. Methods This is a retrospective review of a single institution's experience with a new bicaval dual lumen ECMO cannula. During a 19-month period, 27 consecutive patients were placed on ECMO using this catheter inserted through the right internal jugular vein. Results Single-site venovenous ECMO support was uneventfully initiated in 26 of the 27 patients (median age, 42 years; interquartile range, 31 to 58 years) and achieved full flows and adequate gas exchange. Median ventilator days before ECMO was 1 day (interquartile range, 0.25 to 3.5 days). The median duration of ECMO support was 9 days (interquartile range, 5.5 to 11.5 days). Decannulation was achieved in 70% of the patients and extubation in 59%. Two were bridged to lung transplantation and are still alive. The overall survival and hospital discharge rate was 56%. There was no device failure or in-cannula thrombosis. One superior vena cava injury occurred, and one cannula required repositioning. Conclusions Single-site venovenous ECMO has advantages compared with traditional venovenous ECMO. Using image guidance, the cannula can reliably be used in prolonged venovenous ECMO cases.
Simulation of mechanical response in crystallizing polymers: crystallization under a constant shear force

The mechanical response of crystallizing polymers under shearing controlled by a constant load is simulated by the model developed by Negahban et al. [10]. It is shown that under a constant shear load the shear strain increases with crystallization. The history of this shear strain directly affects the residual shape of the material after unloading. The shear modulus and elastic moduli are calculated as functions of the shear load and the degree of crystallization. Comparison with simulations based on a constant shear strain shows that some material moduli have the same functional relations and others are different. Specific simulations based on parameters selected for natural rubber are presented and compared to the response under constant shear strain.
Satellite "Wakes" and the Orbit of the Encke Gap Moonlet

A general model is developed for the quasi-periodic optical depth fluctuations observed in photopolarimeter and radio occultation profiles near the Encke Gap of Saturn's rings, which may be the gravitational 'wakes' of a moonlet orbiting within the same gap. The results obtained are used to estimate the moonlet's orbit and mass from the occultation data. In view of the present treatment's neglect of particle collisions and self-gravity, the longitude is consistent with other estimates based on a photopolarimeter scan exterior to the gap. The consistency of the orbit parameters inferred from photopolarimeter, radio, and wavy edge data strongly suggests that a single, dominant moonlet orbits within the gap.
A collaborative model to meet community and institutional needs during a medical emergency: Lessons learned from an influenza vaccine shortage

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: This university medical center (MC) is a 470-bed tertiary-care referral center. It was anticipated that for the 2004-2005 influenza season 15,000 doses of vaccine would be administered to both patients and healthcare workers (HCWs). On October 5, 2004, the Health and Human Services Department announced that the influenza vaccine to be supplied by Chiron – the company contracted to provide vaccine to the MC – was lost to contamination. The MC sought to mobilize the community and MC resources to address the unexpected vaccine shortage and ensure preparedness for a severe flu season. METHODS: Community Effort: On October 8, 2004, the local health department (HD) established a task force with representation from community hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies, laboratories, local government, medical society and infection control (IC). An inventory of all available vaccine was developed. Each healthcare facility provided an estimate of vaccine needed to immunize the highest risk patients. The retail pharmacies were urged to adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Healthcare facilities with no vaccine referred all patients to the patient's local health department. Later, each healthcare facility provided an estimate of vaccine need to immunize HCWs. Institutional Effort: An influenza vaccination task force with representation from physicians, pharmacy, nursing, lab, and IC was established to assess patient and HCW needs. Patients with high-morbidity diseases were deemed the most vulnerable. IC prioritized the HCWs needing immunization to those providing care to the most vulnerable and maintaining functionality, including those that could take FluMist® (live attenuated influenza vaccine). IC also launched a “Cover your Cough” campaign to heighten awareness of mask use and hand hygiene. RESULTS: The HD processed and had oversight in reallocating vaccine to the community and healthcare facilities according to CDC criteria. The MC administered approximately 3200 doses of vaccine, including live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) to patients and HCWs. This represents CONCLUSION: A collaborative city-wide effort along with a multidisciplinary institutional effort provided an effective means to maximize the distribution and use of the flu vaccine during an unexpected shortage. While the flu season was mild, we believe that the lessons learned from this model can be successfully deployed to respond to other healthcare-related crises.
A comparison of elementary teacher attitudes and skills in teaching science in Australia and the United States

A study, originally don in Australia in 1983, was replicated in an urban-suburb in the Unitd States. The Australian project vivolved matched pairs of year-fiv teachers in one of two workshops. One workshop taught the skills of teaching electricity, while the other one discussed issues in gender equity in science education (active participation of both girls and boys, comparble student-teacher interactions, and research findings concerning equity). The U.S. study provided three types of workshops (skills, equity and skills, and equity) for comparable groups of fourth and fifth grade teachers. All teachers and their students were subsequently obseved during lessons involving an electricity unit, queried both students and teachers concerning the appropriateness of different fields of science for boys and girls and their interest and aptitudes in doing various types of science. Results from both studies suggest that gender differences in student attitudes toward science may be amellorated by specific types of teacher workshop.
The role of refugia and dispersal in primary succession on Mount St. Helens, Washington

An intense lateral blast devastated Mount St. Helens in 1980, but forest understory species survived in some north- slope 'refugia'. We explored the effects of refugia on coloni- zation of barren pumice in 1997 and 1998, 18 yr after the eruption. The seed rain of 23 colonizers came mostly from populations that had previously established in refugia. Para- chutists had small, vagile seeds, parasailors had winged seeds, and tumblers were blown along the ground. The latter two groups are heavier and dispersed more slowly, but are more likely to survive. The proportion of the vegetation represented by wind-dispersed species increased with distance from refu- gia. Parachutist's density declined with time and proximity to refugia. As vegetation adjacent to refugia developed, popula- tions of parasailors and tumblers expanded, foreshadowing their dominance in more remote pumice. Refugia played a critical role in determining the rate and course of succession by providing fertile islands that permitted pioneers and dry meadow species to establish near barren pumice. Species that survived in refugia played a negligible role in colonization. This study showed that when refugia contrast sharply with new substrates, they accelerate recovery by facilitating the invasion of pioneer species.
A general hypothesis‐testing framework for stable isotope ratios in ecological studies

We propose a framework for hypothesis-testing of stable isotope ratios in ecological studies. Statistical procedures are based on analysis of nested linear models and a residual permutation procedure (RPP) that is employed to evaluate probabilities associated with test statistics. We used simulated examples and a real data set to illustrate the utility and generality of the method. First, we developed a test for differences in centroid location and dispersion of delta13C and delta15N values within and among groups of isotopic data. Second, we evaluated magnitude and direction of change in centroid position (termed "path") of a pair of isotopic samples separated in space/time relative to paths of other paired sample sets. Third, we compared attributes of path trajectories (size, direction, and shape) over sample sets containing more than two samples to provide a quantitative description of how patterns of isotopic ratios change in response to spatial and temporal gradients. Examples are limited to the bivariate case (delta13C-delta15N biplots), but the statistical method can readily be applied to univariate and multivariate cases.
An analysis of the external validity and applied relevance of three rating formats

Abstract Three rating instruments (Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scales, Numerically Anchored Rating Scales, and Trait Ratings) were compared to an external criterion of police patrolman job performance. The external criterion was five vignettes of hypothetical patrolmen's job behavior based on an inclusive job analysis. Each of the five vignettes was rated by 28 first-level supervisors using each of the three instruments. Rater perceptions of each instrument's relevance for various organizational purposes were also gathered. Analysis of the three rating instruments centered on their respective criterion sensitivity. Results indicated that the three comparison instruments were approximately equal in terms of their resistance to the errors of leniency and central tendency. None of the three instruments was shown to be resistant to halo error. The NARS instrument was preferred for applied usage. Explanations for the results center on scale ambiguity, rater opportunities to observe behavior, and the nature of rater perceptions of performance.
Dependency prior for multi-atlas label fusion

Multi-atlas label fusion has been widely applied in medical image analysis. To reduce the bias in label fusion, we proposed a joint label fusion technique to reduce correlated errors produced by different atlases via considering the pair-wise dependencies between them. Using image similarities from image patches to estimate the pairwise dependencies, we showed promising performance. To address the unreliability in purely using local image similarity for dependency estimation, we propose to improve the accuracy of the estimated dependencies by including empirical knowledge, which is learned from the atlases in a leave-one-out strategy. We apply the new technique to segment the hippocampus from MRI and show significant improvement over our initial results.
High-Resolution Solution Structure of the Beryllofluoride-Activated NtrC Receiver Domain

Bacterial receiver domains mediate the cellular response to environmental changes through conformational changes induced by phosphorylation of a conserved aspartate residue. While the structures of several activated receiver domains have recently been determined, there is substantial variation in the conformational changes occurring upon activation. Here we present the high-resolution structure of the activated NtrC receiver domain (BeF3-−NtrCr complex) determined using NMR data, including residual dipolar couplings, yielding a family of structures with a backbone rmsd of 0.57 ± 0.08 A, which is compared with the previous lower-resolution structure of the phosphorylated protein. Both phosphorylation and beryllofluoride addition induce a shift in register and an axial rotation of α-helix 4. In this high-resolution structure, we are able to observe a concerted change in the positions of Thr82 and Tyr101; this correlated change in two conserved residues (termed Y−T coupling) has been considered a general fea...
Religious and Ethnic Identities: The Romaniote (Greek) Jews in the US

This paper explores key aspects of the immigration history and experience of Romaniote (Greek) Jews to the United States. The paper consists of an empirical study of a selected number of Romaniote Jews in New York, measuring aspects of ethnic identity, attachment to the community, and level of assimilation. Finally, the study documents that historically the immigration pattern of the Greek Jews is similar to that of the Christian Greeks, and in this respect, their immigration experience needs to be considered also as part of the overall Greek mass immigration in the United States. [Article copies available for a fee from The Transformative Studies Institute. E-mail address: jour
Implementing an Outcomes-Based Assessment Process in a Major Metropolitan Community College District

To propose recommendations for implementing an outcomes-based assessment program review in a California community college district, a grounded theory analysis was performed within the district. The findings generated were cross-referenced with findings from a multi-institutional case study analysis. A key finding from the cross-reference was the need for the leadership to clarify, across all levels of the organization, who the audience is for the data generated from the program review process; the indicators that each audience requires; and how that audience intends to use results generated from the process. These clarifications need to be accomplished prior to designing the outcomes-based assessment process.
Bridging the Gap between Preclinical and Clinical Microbicide Trials: Blind Evaluation of Candidate Gels in Murine Models of Efficacy and Safety

Background Despite significant protection in preclinical studies, cellulose sulfate (CS) failed to protect women against HIV-1/2 and was associated with a trend toward increased HIV-1 acquisition in one of the clinical trials. These results highlight the need for preclinical tests more predictive of clinical outcomes. The objective of this study was to test coded vaginal gels, including CS, in murine models of safety and efficacy to determine the models' utility for evaluating future products.
The Fyn-STAT5 Pathway: A New Frontier in IgE- and IgG-Mediated Mast Cell Signaling

Mast cells are central players in immune surveillance and activation, positioned at the host-environment interface. Understanding the signaling events controlling mast cell function, especially those that maintain host homeostasis, is an important and still less understood area of mast cell-mediated disease. With respect to allergic disease, it is well established that IgE and its high affinity receptor FceRI are major mediators of mast cell activation. However, IgG-mediated signals can also modulate mast cell activities. Signals elicited by IgG binding to its cognate receptors (FcγR) are the basis for autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Using knowledge of IgE-mediated mast cell signaling, recent work has begun to illuminate potential overlap between FceRI and FcγR signal transduction. Herein we review the importance of Src family kinases in FceRI and FcγR signaling, the role of the transcription factor STAT5, and impingement of the regulatory cytokines IL-4, IL-10, and TGFβ1 upon this network.
Symmetry Studies for Data Analysis

This paper describes some of the basic applications of the algebraic theory of canonical decomposition to the analysis of data. The notions of structured data and symmetry studies are discussed and applied to demonstrate their role in well known principles of analysis of variance and their applicability in more general experimental settings.
Visualization in detection of intrusions and misuse in large scale networks

The Internet is quickly becoming entrenched in the communication and commercial sectors of everyday life. With this movement away from traditional fixed infrastructure we are also moving away from the traditional securities placed within fixed infrastructure. This has led to increasing numbers of attacks designed to infiltrate or disrupt the activities being performed by companies and individuals on the Internet. We are exploring the applicability of visualization techniques in conjunction with a well-known intrusion detection system (Hummer) for the detection and analysis of misuse of computer systems connected to the Internet. The visualization techniques will allow users to identify the behavior of users connecting to the system and identify those whose intentions are unwelcome.
Delay tails in MapReduce scheduling

MapReduce/Hadoop production clusters exhibit heavy-tailed characteristics for job processing times. These phenomena are resultant of the workload features and the adopted scheduling algorithms. Analytically understanding the delays under different schedulers for MapReduce can facilitate the design and deployment of large Hadoop clusters. The map and reduce tasks of a MapReduce job have fundamental difference and tight dependence between them, complicating the analysis. This also leads to an interesting starvation problem with the widely used Fair Scheduler due to its greedy approach to launching reduce tasks. To address this issue, we design and implement Coupling Scheduler, which gradually launches reduce tasks depending on map task progresses. Real experiments demonstrate improvements to job response times by up to an order of magnitude.Based on extensive measurements and source code investigations, we propose analytical models for the default FIFO and Fair Scheduler as well as our implemented Coupling Scheduler. For a class of heavy-tailed map service time distributions, i.e., regularly varying of index -a, we derive the distribution tail of the job processing delay under the three schedulers, respectively. The default FIFO Scheduler causes the delay to be regularly varying of index -a+1. Interestingly, we discover a criticality phenomenon for Fair Scheduler, the delay under which can change from regularly varying of index -a to -a+1, depending on the maximum number of reduce tasks of a job. Other more subtle behaviors also exist. In contrast, the delay distribution tail under Coupling Scheduler can be one order lower than Fair Scheduler under some conditions, implying a better performance.
Combination treatment with curcumin and quercetin of adenomas in familial adenomatous polyposis.

Background & Aims: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by the development of hundreds of colorectal adenomas and eventual colorectal cancer. Regression of adenomas in this syndrome occurs with the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, but these compounds can have considerable side effects. We evaluated the efficacy of the combination of dietderived nonprescription supplements curcumin and quercetin to regress adenomas in patients with FAP. Methods: Five FAP patients with prior colectomy (4 with retained rectum and 1 with an ileal anal pouch) received curcumin 480 mg and quercetin 20 mg orally 3 times a day. The number and size of polyps were assessed at baseline and after therapy. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine differences in the number and size of polyps. Treatment side effects and medication compliance also were evaluated. Results: All 5 patients had a decreased polyp number and size from baseline after a mean of 6 months of treatment with curcumin and quercetin. The mean percent decrease in the number and size of polyps from baseline was 60.4% (P < .05) and 50.9% (P < .05), respectively. Minimal adverse side effects and no laboratory abnormalities were noted. Conclusions: The combination of curcumin and quercetin appears to reduce the number and size of ileal and rectal adenomas in patients with FAP without appreciable toxicity. Randomized controlled trials are needed to validate these findings.
Estimating treatment effects from a randomized clinical trial in the presence of a secondary treatment

In randomized clinical trials involving survival time, a challenge that arises frequently, for example, in cancer studies (Manegold, Symanowski, Gatzemeier, Reck, von Pawel, Kortsik, Nackaerts, Lianes and Vogelzang, 2005. Second-line (post-study) chemotherapy received by patients treated in the phase III trial of pemetrexed plus cisplatin versus cisplatin alone in malignant pleural mesothelioma. Annals of Oncology 16, 923--927), is that subjects may initiate secondary treatments during the follow-up. The marginal structural Cox model and the method of inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) have been proposed, originally for observational studies, to make causal inference on time-dependent treatments. In this paper, we adopt the marginal structural Cox model and propose an inferential method that improves the efficiency of the usual IPTW method by tailoring it to the setting of randomized clinical trials. The improvement in efficiency does not depend on any additional assumptions other than those required by the IPTW method, which is achieved by exploiting the knowledge that the study treatment is independent of baseline covariates due to randomization. The finite-sample performance of the proposed method is demonstrated via simulations and by application to data from a cancer clinical trial.
CLINICAL, MAGNETIC RESONANCE, AND SONOGRAPHIC IMAGING FINDINGS IN HORSES WITH PROXIMAL PLANTAR METATARSAL PAIN

Sonography is commonly used for diagnosis of desmopathy of the proximal part of the suspensory ligament in horses. However, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been stated to be superior for detecting disease and localizing lesions. In this retrospective study of 39 horses or 46 hind limbs with lameness due to proximal plantar metatarsal pain, the clinical and diagnostic findings are discussed and sonography and MR imaging compared for examination of the proximal part of the suspensory ligament. With MR imaging interpreted as the clinical gold standard, desmopathy of the proximal part of the suspensory ligament was diagnosed in 21 hind limbs, proximal plantar metatarsal pain of unknown cause in 12, an osseous injury at the origin of the suspensory ligament in four and a condition unrelated to the suspensory ligament in nine. Based on these findings, sonography had a sensitivity of 0.77 and 0.66 and specificity of 0.33 and 0.31 for diagnosing proximal suspensory desmopathy and for accurately localizing lesions, respectively. MR imaging changes consistent with proximal suspensory desmopathy were signal hyperintensities and an increase in cross-sectional area compared with the contralateral limb. Anesthesia of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve is not specific neither for proximal suspensory desmopathy, as conditions unrelated to the suspensory ligament were diagnosed, nor for diagnosis of proximal plantar metatarsal pain, as conditions outside the proximal plantar metatarsal region were also diagnosed.
Improving the data cache performance of multiprocessor operating systems

Bus-based shared-memory multiprocessors with coherent caches have recently become very popular. To achieve high performance, these systems rely on increasingly sophisticated cache hierarchies. However, while these machines often run loads with substantial operating system activity, performance measurements have consistently indicated that the operating system uses the data cache hierarchy poorly. In this paper, we address the issue of how to eliminate most of the data cache misses in a multiprocessor operating system while still using off-the-shelf processors. We use a performance monitor to examine traces of a 4-processor machine running four system-intensive loads under UNIX. Based on our observations, we propose hardware and software support that targets block operations, coherence activity, and cache conflicts. For block operations, simple cache bypassing or prefetching schemes are undesirable. Instead, it is best to use a DMA-like scheme that pipelines the data transfer in the bus without involving the processor. Coherence misses are handled with data, privatization and relocation, and the use of updates for a small core of shared variables. Finally, the remaining miss hot spots are handled with data prefetching. Overall, our simulations show that all these optimizations combined eliminate or hide 75% of the operating system data misses in 32-Kbyte primary caches. Furthermore, they speed up the operating system by 19%.
NOVEL AND RAPIDLY DIVERGING INTERGENIC SEQUENCES BETWEEN TANDEM REPEATS OF THE LUCIFERASE GENES IN SEVEN DINOFLAGELLATE SPECIES1

Tandemly arranged luciferase genes were previously reported in two dinoflagellates species, but their intergenic regions were strikingly different and no canonical promoter sequences were found. Here, we examined the intergenic regions of the luciferase genes of five other dinoflagellate species along with those of the earlier two. In all cases, the genes exist in multiple copies and are arranged tandemly, coding for proteins of similar sizes and sequences. However, the 5 0 untranslated region, 3 0 untranslated region, and intergenic regions of the seven genes differ greatly in length and sequence, except for two stretches that are conserved in the intergenic regions of two pairs of phylogenetically close species. Microsatellites and minisatellites were detected in the intergenic sequences of four species, Alexandrium affine (H. Inoue & Y. Fukuyo) E. Balech, A. tamarense (Lebour) E. Balech, Proto
COMPOSITIONAL ANALYSIS OF FOUR RED RASPBERRY CULTIVARS GROWN IN MAINE

The compositional characteristics (total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, moisture, pectin, reducing sugars, nonreducing sugars and total sugars) of four raspberry cultivars (‘Boyne’, ‘Festival’, ‘Killarney’ and ‘Prestige’) grown in Maine were evaluated during three consecutive years. Significant differences were found among these cultivars. In different growing seasons there were also significant effects on these characteristics in the same cultivar.
Altered Susceptibility of Candida glabrata Bloodstream Isolates to Triazoles at Clinically Relevant pH Values: Comparison of the NCCLS M27-A2, Sensititre YeastOne, and Etest Methods

We studied the MICs of triazoles against 15 Candida glabrata clinical isolates by the NCCLS M27-A2, Sensititre YeastOne, and Etest methods by using media at pHs 6.0, 7.0, and 7.4. Thirteen isolates were less susceptible to triazoles at pH 6.0 and more susceptible to triazoles at pH 7.4 compared to pH 7.0.
Topical tacrolimus therapy for vitiligo: therapeutic responses and skin messenger RNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines

Abstract Background Previous studies have documented humoral and cell-mediated immunologic defects in patients with vitiligo. Objective This 24-week study assessed the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus 0.1% ointment in patients with generalized vitiligo as well as the pretreatment and post-treatment expression of cytokines in the depigmented and normal skin of patients compared with controls. Methods Twenty-three patients were enrolled in this investigation, and 19 patients completed the study; 8 were male and 11 were female. Fifteen age-, race-, and sex-matched control subjects were also included. Patients were treated with tacrolimus 0.1% ointment applied twice daily. Repeat evaluations were performed at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks. Three-millimeter punch biopsy specimens were taken from the depigmented, non-sun-exposed skin and adjacent normal skin of patients at baseline and 24 weeks, and from normal, non-sun-exposed skin of controls. Cellular messenger RNA expression for interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alfa (TFN-α), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results At 24 weeks, 17 of 19 patients (89%) achieved varying levels of repigmentation. There was a statistically significant decrease in overall disease severity scores at 24 weeks. Thirteen patients (68%) had greater than 75% repigmentation of face and/or neck lesions. Signs and symptoms of irritation were minimal. At baseline, compared with healthy controls, vitiligo patients demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the expression of IFN-γ in involved and adjacent uninvolved skin ( P =.05 and P =.02, respectively); significantly increased TNF-α expression in involved and uninvolved skin ( P =.01 and P =0.02, respectively); and significantly increased IL-10 expression in involved and uninvolved skin ( P =.01 and P =.04, respectively). Posttreatment, TNF-α expression decreased in the depigmented and adjacent uninvolved skin ( P
Afferents to the Orexin Neurons of the Rat Brain

Emotions, stress, hunger, and circadian rhythms all promote wakefulness and behavioral arousal. Little is known about the pathways mediating these influences, but the orexin-producing neurons of the hypothalamus may play an essential role. These cells heavily innervate many wake-promoting brain regions, and mice lacking the orexin neurons have narcolepsy and fail to rouse in response to hunger (Yamanaka et al. [2003] Neuron 38:701-713). To identify the afferents to the orexin neurons, we first injected a retrograde tracer into the orexin neuron field of rats. Retrogradely labeled neurons were abundant in the allocortex, claustrum, lateral septum, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and in many hypothalamic regions including the preoptic area, dorsomedial nucleus, lateral hypothalamus, and posterior hypothalamus. Retrograde labeling in the brainstem was generally more modest, but labeling was strong in the periaqueductal gray matter, dorsal raphe nucleus, and lateral parabrachial nucleus. Injection of an anterograde tracer confirmed that most of these regions directly innervate the orexin neurons, with some of the heaviest input coming from the lateral septum, preoptic area, and posterior hypothalamus. In addition, hypothalamic regions preferentially innervate orexin neurons in the medial and perifornical parts of the field, but most projections from the brainstem target the lateral part of the field. Inputs from the suprachiasmatic nucleus are mainly relayed via the subparaventricular zone and dorsomedial nucleus. These observations suggest that the orexin neurons may integrate a variety of interoceptive and homeostatic signals to increase behavioral arousal in response to hunger, stress, circadian signals, and autonomic challenges.
BOND REFUNDING IN EFFICIENT MARKETS: A DYNAMIC ANALYSIS WITH TAX EFFECTS

This paper provides a dynamic analysis of the bond refunding problem in an effi­ cient market setting with corporate taxes and transaction costs. A new methodology is developed to analyze the optimal exercise problem in the presence of imperfections. This analysis enables prediction of the effect ofchanges in corporate tax laws on the refunding decision. It also explains the empirical observation that bonds are often called when the bond price is below the call price.
Structure of the UDP-glucosyltransferase GtfB that modifies the heptapeptide aglycone in the biosynthesis of vancomycin group antibiotics.

Abstract Background: Members of the vancomycin group of glycopeptide antibiotics have an oxidatively crosslinked heptapeptide scaffold decorated at the hydroxyl groups of 4-OH-Phegly 4 or β-OH-Tyr 6 with mono- (residue 6) or disaccharides (residue 4). The disaccharide in vancomycin itself is L-vancosamine-1,2-glucose, and in chloroeremomycin it is L-4- epi -vancosamine-1,2-glucose. The sugars and their substituents play an important role in efficacy, particularly against vancomycin-resistant pathogenic enterococci. Results: The glucosyltransferase, GtfB, that transfers the glucose residue from UDP-glucose to the 4-OH-Phegly 4 residue of the vancomycin aglycone, initiating the glycosylation pathway in chloroeremomycin maturation, has been crystallized, and its structure has been determined by X-ray analysis at 1.8 A resolution. The enzyme has a two-domain structure, with a deep interdomain cleft identified as the likely site of UDP-glucose binding. A hydrophobic patch on the surface of the N-terminal domain is proposed to be the binding site of the aglycone substrate. Mutagenesis has revealed Asp332 as the best candidate for the general base in the glucosyltransfer reaction. Conclusions: The structure of GtfB places it in a growing group of glycosyltransferases, including Escherichia coli MurG and a β-glucosyltransferase from T4 phage, which together form a subclass of the glycosyltransferase superfamily and give insights into the recognition of the NDP-sugar and aglycone cosubstrates. A single major interdomain linker between the N- and C- terminal domains suggests that reprogramming of sugar transfer or aglycone recognition in the antibiotic glycosyltransferases, including the glycopeptide and also the macrolide antibiotics, will be facilitated by this structural information.
Birefringence compensation for polarization-independent directional coupler wavelength filters

We show how polarization-independent optical wavelength filters can be achieved using asymmetric directional couplers with birefringence-compensation. Simulations demonstrate that excellent polarization behavior can be achieved with practical tolerances and without sacrificing filter bandwidth or insertion loss. >
Mitochondria regulate autophagy by conserved signalling pathways

Autophagy is a conserved degradative process that is crucial for cellular homeostasis and cellular quality control via the selective removal of subcellular structures such as mitochondria. We demonstrate that a regulatory link exists between mitochondrial function and autophagy in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. During amino-acid starvation, the autophagic response consists of two independent regulatory arms—autophagy gene induction and autophagic flux—and our analysis indicates that mitochondrial respiratory deficiency severely compromises both. We show that the evolutionarily conserved protein kinases Atg1, target of rapamycin kinase complex I, and protein kinase A (PKA) regulate autophagic flux, whereas autophagy gene induction depends solely on PKA. Within this regulatory network, mitochondrial respiratory deficiency suppresses autophagic flux, autophagy gene induction, and recruitment of the Atg1–Atg13 kinase complex to the pre-autophagosomal structure by stimulating PKA activity. Our findings indicate an interrelation of two common risk factors—mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagy inhibition—for ageing, cancerogenesis, and neurodegeneration.
Analysis of Spatial Patterns and Spatial Association between the Invasive Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) and the Native Black Locust (Robinia Pseudoacacia)

Invasive exotic plants can persist and successfully spread within ecosystems and negatively affect the recruitment of native species. The exotic invasive Ailanthus altissima and the native Robinia pseudoacacia are frequently found in disturbed sites and exhibit similar growth and reproductive characteristics, yet each has distinct functional roles such as allelopathy and nitrogen fixation, respectively. Spatial point pattern analysis of trees in a silvicultural experiment was used to analyze the potential intraspecific and interspecific interference between these two species by looking at their individual spatial distribution and their spatial association. Analysis of spatial point patterns in the field with Ripley's K indicated that A. altissima and R. pseudoacacia were positively associated with each other along the highly disturbed skid trails in the majority of the field sites. Robinia pseudoacacia was clumped in the majority of the sites, whereas A. altissima was randomly distributed in most sites. Locally, increased disturbances could lead to more opportunities for A. altissima to invade, interact with R. pseudoacacia and other native species and potentially have an effect on the native plant community.
Ethical issues in the care of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Purpose of reviewTo review the belief's of Jehovah's Witnesses regarding the use of blood and blood products, and how to ensure that those patients professing to be Jehovah's Witnesses are treated ethically.Recent findingsThere are a number of blog sites that have reported that Jehovah's Witnesses h
Sublay versus underlay in open ventral hernia repair.

Abstract Background The ideal location for mesh placement in open ventral hernia repair (OVHR) remains under debate. Current trends lean toward underlay or sublay repair. We hypothesize that in patients undergoing OVHR, sublay versus underlay placement of mesh results in fewer surgical site infections (SSIs) and recurrences. Materials and methods A multi-institution database of all OVHRs performed from 2010 to 2011 was accessed. Patients with mesh placed in the sublay or underlay position and at least 1 mo of follow-up were included. Primary outcome was SSI. Secondary outcome was hernia recurrence. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression for SSI and Cox regression for recurrence. Subgroup analysis of elective, midline ventral incisional hernias was also performed. Results Of 447 patients, 139 (31.1%) had a sublay repair. The unadjusted analysis showed no difference in SSI and lower recurrence using sublay compared with underlay. On multivariate analysis, there was no difference in SSI using sublay compared with underlay (odds ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.8–2.8). Recurrence was less common with sublay (hazard ratio 0.4, 95% CI 0.2–0.8). On subgroup analysis of elective, midline incisional hernias only (n = 247), there were more SSIs with sublay compared with underlay repair (28.0% versus 15.1%, P = 0.018); however, there was no difference in major SSI (sublay 9.3% versus underlay 5.8%, P = 0.315). There were fewer recurrences using sublay repair compared with underlay repair (10.7% versus 25.0%, P = 0.010). Conclusions In this multi-center, risk-adjusted study, sublay repair was associated with fewer recurrences than underlay repair and no difference in SSI. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to validate these findings.
Clustering of Human Sleep Recordings Using a Quantile Representation of Stage Bout Durations

In this paper, a condensed representation of stage bout durations based on the q-quantiles of the duration distributions is used as a basis for the discovery of duration-related patterns in human sleep data. A collection of 244 all-night hypnograms is studied. Quartiles (q = 4) provide a good tradeoff between representational detail and sample variation. 15 descriptive variables are obtained that correspond to the bout duration quartiles of wake after sleep onset, NREM stage 1, NREM stage 2, slow wave sleep, and REM sleep. EM clustering is used to identify distinct groups of hypnograms based on stage bout durations. Each group is shown to be characterized by bout duration quartiles of specific sleep stages, with statistically significant differences among groups (p < 0.05). Several sleep-related and health-related variables are shown to be significantly different among the bout duration groups found through clustering. In contrast, multivariate linear regression fails to yield good predictive models based on the same bout duration variables used in the clustering analysis. This work demonstrates that machine learning techniques are capable of uncovering naturally occurring dynamical patterns in sleep data that also provide sleep-based indicators of health.
A Case of Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor is a rare, aggressive tumor primarily affecting young males. It is considered a childhood cancer, and is characterized by a unique chromosomal translocation which leads to failure to suppress tumor growth. It is classified as a soft tissue sarcoma, sharing some features with other small round cell tumors such as Ewing's Sarcoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Typical imaging findings include multiple heterogeneous, lobular abdominal masses, which can grow very large. Often there is a dominant mass with additional peritoneal, omental, retroperitoneal and retrovesical masses. Prognosis is relatively poor with a 3 year survival rate of 50% in those treated aggressively with surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The clinical presentation, imaging characteristics and pathology are discussed in regards to a recent case.
Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization of Machining Parameters for End Milling Titanium Alloy Ti-6AL-4V

Titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V is a material with superior properties such as high mechanical strength, corrosion and creep resistance, and high strength-to-weight ratio, which make it an attractive material for various industries such as automotive, aerospace, power generation, and biomedical industries. However, these superior properties as well as its low thermal conductivity and chemical reactivity make it a challenge to machine Ti-6Al-4V at optimal conditions. In order to overcome this challenge, researchers constantly develop new tools and new techniques, but the extent of machining rates that can be used efficiently with those tools and techniques are usually not clear. Considering only one variable in the process and optimizing according to that variable is not sufficient because of the interactions between parameters. Also, selecting one objective function from a pool of many is not beneficial since those objectives are in conflict with one another. Therefore, this study proposes the use of a combined optimization algorithm in order to account for three major variables in end milling of Ti-6Al-4V: cutting speed, feed, and depth of cut. These variables are optimized for multiple objectives. Although it is possible to optimize the process for many different objectives, some of them are heavily correlated to each other, hence two objectives representing machinability and efficiency are selected: tool flank wear and material removal rate. The study aims to establish an optimal Pareto front of machining parameters that would optimize the conflicting outputs of the process, utilizing the multi-objective particle swarm optimization technique.© 2014 ASME
Stepwise Ligand Exchange for the Preparation of a Family of Mesoporous MOFs

A stepwise ligand exchange strategy is utilized to prepare a series of isoreticular bio-MOF-100 analogues. Specifically, in situ ligand exchange with progressively longer dicarboxylate linkers is performed on single crystalline starting materials to synthesize products with progressively larger mesoporous cavities. The new members of this series of materials, bio-MOFs 101-103, each exhibit permanent mesoporosity and pore sizes ranging from ~2.1-2.9 nm and surface areas ranging from 2704 to 4410 m(2)/g. The pore volume for bio-MOF 101 is 2.83 cc/g. Bio-MOF-102 and 103 have pore volumes of 4.36 and 4.13 cc/g, respectively. Collectively, these data establish this unique family of MOFs as one of the most porous reported to date.