cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of acute lung injury on the spatial correlation of regional pulmonary blood flow

We reanalyzed regional pulmonary blood flow (PBF) and lung water concentration (LWC) data obtained by positron emission tomography to calculate the spatial correlation, p(d), among picture elements (pixels) as a function of distance. Animals were studied in the supine position. Data were obtained both at baseline and after oleic acid induced acute lung injury. With this new analytical approach, we confirmed that p(d) for PBF is strongly positive for adjacent regions but values fall off steadily, reaching strong negative values, at the greatest distances measured. Acute lung injury affected the relationship between p(d) and distance, with less negative correlation at greater distances when perfusion redistribution occurred after injury. However, the magnitude of this effect was not great. The relationship between p(d) and distance for LWC was similar to that observed for PBF, but lung injury caused more, not less, negative correlation at greater distances. Since the relationship between p(d) and distance does not seem to be very sensitive to changes in perfusion distribution, better descriptors of regional heterogeneity are still needed.
Epstein-Barr virus strain-specific differences in transformed cell lines demonstrated in growth characteristics, induction of viral antigens and ADCC susceptibility.

Paired lymphoid cell lines were established by transformation with both B95-8 (B) and QIMR-WIL (Q) EBV strains, of cells either from cord blood or from peripheral blood or spleens of patients with leukemias or lymphomas. The morphologies of the transformed cell clumps differed consistently between B-transformed lines (B-lines) and Q-transformed lines (Q-lines) even after 1 year in culture. When the B- and Q-lines were compared for superinfection with P3HR-1 EBV, B-lines had a higher frequency of EA induction than did the Q-lines. The shape of dose-response curves for superinfection indicated that a much higher multiplicity of infection by P3HR-1 EBV was required for EA expression in Q-lines than in B-lines. This difference in superinfection was independent of the EBV receptor concentration on the two types of lines and reflected apparent control of the level of EA induction by the resident EBV genome of the transformed line. Transforming EBV could be rescued by P3HR-1 EBV superinfection of both B- and Q-lines originating from cells of patients with Hodgkin's disease and hairy cell leukemia but not from cord blood. The cord blood lines transformed with virus produced spontaneously from these B- or Q-lines, showed that the cell lines contained antigen-determining information of the resident genome in the original B- or Q-lines, respectively. Superinfected B-lines were more susceptible to ADCC with anti-EBV-positive sera than were superinfected Q-lines. These experiments demonstrate that distinct biology. differences exist in paired cell lines transformed by different EBV strains.
Maximum cooling load of a heat-engine-driven refrigerator

Abstract An endoreversible heat-engine-driven refrigerator system to carry out the conversion of a high-temperature heat transfer into a cooling effect is modeled thermodynamically in this paper. The endoreversible system couples an external irreversible and internal reversible Carnot heat engine with a work-driven external irreversible and internal reversible Carnot refrigerator. The maximum cooling load of such a combined device is analyzed.
Equivalence of the four-point interaction and the Yukawa interaction. II. A fermion model

It is shown that the compositeness conditions by themselves do not ensure the complete equivalence of the Yukawa-type interaction with the corresponding four-point interaction. In our study of the corresponding situation in the context of the Lee model versus the separable-potential model, we find in the limit in which the bare Yukawa coupling constant becomes infinite, the finite-energy wave functions calculated from the two theories coincide. It is shown, however, that although the finite-energy spectra of the two theories are the same, the Yukawa theory has additional spectral contributions at infinity. It is further demonstrated that it is only by removing all contributions from the spectrum at infinity that the two theories can be made essentially identical. It is therefore suggested that the proofs of the equivalence of the four-fermion interaction and the Yukawa-type interaction need to be reexamined.
Reply to ''Comment on Extended electron energy loss fine structure simulation of the local boron environment in sodium aluminoborosilicate glasses containing gadolinium by M. Qian, H. Li, L. Li and D.M. Strachan (J. Non-Cryst. Solids 328 (2003) 90)''

The nature of ^*-band, near 188-194 eV, from B K EELS spectra of borate minerals and boron containing glasses has been well documented. The ban results rom teh transition of B 1s to P ^* in B with sp hybridization. Similarly, the higher energy broad band is attributed to the transition from B 1s to P in B Radiation effects on B04 conversion to Bo3 was also studied in details for crystalline solids by Sauer et al.
Gas-liguid chromatography of parathion metabolites as a sensitive index of induction of liver microsomal mixed-function oxidases.

Abstract A method for the gas-liquid chromatographic evaluation of induction of liver microsomal mixed-function oxidases is described. The sensitivity and reproducibility of this method allows statistically significant comparisons of inducers in small numbers of animals, or, by using larger treatment groups, should allow evaluation of minimal levels of inducer. The method is compared to several other indices of mixed-function oxidase induction in rats pretreated with DDT or DDE. The induction of squirrel monkey liver microsomal mixed-function oxidases by the drug diphenylhydantoin has also been demonstrated using this procedure.
Strategies for protecting Florida's everglades: The best management practice approach

The Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) is a small portion of the Everglades region, consisting of an artificially drained area of approximately 280 000 ha of organic soils providing a rich environment for the cultivation of primarily sugar cane, vegetables, rice, and sod. Hydroperiods and excessive nutrients in surface water inflows have been identified as potentially disruptive to the natural ecosystem, with phosphorus (P) deemed to be the limiting nutrient. Hence, agricultural drainage water from the EAA, containing higher than background P loads and concentrations, has been targeted as a source of the problem. To reduce P loads and concentrations in the drainage water leaving farms in the EAA, on-farm best management practices (BMPs) can be used. These BMPs have been identified and tested at the large plot scale and are presently being implemented and their efficacy verified at the farm level. It is currently estimated that P loading from the EAA can be reduced by 20% to 60% using BMPs. A 45% reduction should be attainable while keeping within acceptable cost/benefit ratios. The use of BMPs, however, will require higher levels of farm management and more sophisticated tools for decision-making.
Racial/ethnic differences in hospital use and cost among a statewide population of children with Down syndrome.

Children with Down syndrome (DS) use hospital services more often than children without DS, but data on racial/ethnic variations are limited. This study generated population-based estimates of hospital use and cost to 3 years of age by race/ethnicity among children with DS in Massachusetts using birth certificates linked to birth defects registry and hospital discharge data from 1999 to 2004. Hospital use (≥1 post-birth hospitalization and median days hospitalized birth and post-birth) and reasons for hospitalization were compared across maternal race/ethnicity using relative risk (RR) and Wilcoxon rank sums tests, as appropriate. Costs were calculated in 2011 United States dollars. Greater hospital use was observed among children with DS with Hispanic vs. Non-Hispanic White (NHW) mothers (post-birth hospitalization: RR 1.4; median days hospitalized: 20.0 vs. 11.0, respectively). Children with DS and congenital heart defects of Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) mothers had significantly greater median days hospitalized than their NHW counterparts (24.0 vs. 16.0, respectively). Respiratory diagnoses were listed more often among children with Hispanic vs. NHW mothers (50.0% vs. 29.1%, respectively), and NHBs had more cardiac diagnoses (34.1% vs. 21.5%, respectively). The mean total hospital cost was nine times higher among children with DS ($40,075) than among children without DS ($4053), and total costs attributable to DS were almost $18 million. Median costs were $22,781 for Hispanics, $18,495 for NHBs, and $13,947 for NHWs. Public health interventions should address the higher rates of hospital use and hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiac diseases among racial/ethnic minority children with DS in Massachusetts.
Abstract 5094: Investigating the role of CDC25B in inhibition of cellular proliferation

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA CDC25B is a dual specificity phosphatase that activates cyclin-dependent kinases to trigger entry into mitosis and is required for re-entry into mitosis after DNA damage. As an oncogene, CDC25B is overexpressed in multiple tumor types. It has been specifically associated with prostate cancer, where overexpression is seen in prostate tumor tissues and higher levels correlate with increased tumor grade. In the prostate, in addition to its role as a cell cycle regulator, CDC25B acts as an androgen receptor coactivator increasing the response of reporter genes to the addition of androgen analogues. In a transgenic mouse model, overexpression of CDC25B in the mammary glands led to accelerated mammary epithelial proliferation resulting in hyperplasia, while in vitro, co-transfection of CDC25B with Ras allows for transformation of MEF's. Surprisingly, given the establishment of CDC25B as an oncogene, colony formation assays using ectopic expression of CDC25B in transformed cell lines reveal an anti-proliferative effect. Our data reveal a role for Ras inhibition as a cause of this anti-proliferative effect. Co-transfection of CDC25B and Ras results in a dose-dependent decrease in expression of the ectopic Ras protein in several cell lines tested. Preliminary experiments suggest that while mRNA levels remain stable, CDC25B inhibits Ras protein expression. As Ras is pivotal in multiple tumors, this effect of CDC25B may be broadly applicable. These data therefore reveal a new role for CDC25B, which may need to be overcome to allow transformation of tumor cells. Citation Format: Caleb C. Lee, James Manfredi. Investigating the role of CDC25B in inhibition of cellular proliferation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5094. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5094
Determination of Aminophylline and Phenobarbital Combinations

Procedures are presented for the analysis of theophylline (or aminophylline) and phenobarbital in various dosage forms by ion exchange chromatography and nonaqueous titration. Separation is effected on a column of Dowex 2-X8, a strong anion exchange resin. Theophylline and phenobarbital are retained by the column, while the ethylenediamine passes through with the water wash. Theophylline is eluted with 2 M HCl, and the phenobarbital is eluted with 50 per cent acetic acid in ethanol. Ethylenediamine is determined with standard hydrochloric acid; the theophylline and phenobarbital are determined nonaqueously with sodium methoxide in benzene-methanol.
Laryngotracheal Stenosis as a Complication of Photodynamic Therapy

Objective:Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been proposed as an effective treatment for mucosal carcinomas such as early-stage laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Its advantage over other conventional modalities (surgery and chemoradiation) lies in its ability to treat disease while preserving the function and structure of the larynx. While not FDA-approved in the United States, it is used in some countries as a treatment for laryngeal cancer and is an area of active investigation. This report documents a severe complication of tracheostomy-dependent laryngotracheal stenosis resulting from PDT.Methods:Methods include a case report and review of the literature.Results:A 65-year-old male presented with severe stenosis of the supraglottic, glottic, and subglottic larynx following successful treatment of his laryngeal carcinoma with PDT. His presentation, staged airway reconstruction, and outcome are detailed.Conclusion:PDT is a minimally invasive technique which in early clinical trials has matched the effective...
A prediction model for surgical mortality and serious morbidity after primary debulking surgery

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in surgical gynecologic oncology patients, stratified by origin of malignancy. Methods: Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, 104,368 gynecologic surgeries were identified from 2006 to 2012. Patient demographics, 30day postoperative complications, and operative diagnosis were abstracted. Patients were stratified by origin of gynecologic malignancy. The primary outcome was the frequency of VTE. Institutional Board Review exemption was obtained. Results: A total of 104,368 gynecologic surgeries were identified and found to have a frequency of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of 2.3 in 1000 (n= 242) and a frequency of pulmonary embolism (PE) of 2.9 in 1000 (n= 299). One-fifth (n= 49) of patients with DVT had a simultaneous PE. Of all gynecologic surgeries, 1.6% (n= 1657) were performed for ovarian cancer; 3.8% (3941) for uterine cancer; 0.6% (n= 619) for cervical cancer; and 0.3% (n= 310) for vulvar cancer. The rate of DVT observedwithin the ovarian cancer groupwas 1.9% (n= 32) compared to 0.9% (n= 37) in the uterine cancer group; and for PE was 1.3% (n= 21) and 1.1% (n= 42), respectively. The odds ratio (OR) of postoperative DVT in ovarian cancer compared to all gynecologic surgeries was 9.41 (CI, 6.25–13.73). When comparing ovarian cancer to uterine cancer, the adjusted OR of postoperative DVT was 1.899 (CI, 1.12–3.22, P=0.017), while the OR of PE was 9.31 (CI 6.54–12.96). In contrast, there were only three DVTs and two PEs within the cervical cancer group and no DVTs or PEs within the vulvar cancer group. Conclusions: The incidence of VTE among postoperative gynecologic patients is higher for ovarian cancer patients compared to other gynecologic malignancies in current clinical practice, based on this nationally representative cohort. This surgical sentinel event may not be able to be completely eliminated in this higher-risk population. However, continued attention must be directed to decrease VTE risk and to develop feasible benchmarks and clinical practice guidelines in conjunction with national organizations such as the Joint Commission.
Influence of Antihypertensive Therapy on Development and Progression of Diabetic Glomerulopathy

Capillary hypertension is suggested to be the underlying cause of microvascular disease affecting the kidney, the retina, and other organs and tissues in diabetic patients and animals. Hyperglycemia causes an expansion of extracellular volume, which induces a vasodilatory response. Hemodynamic adaptation to vasodilation leads to an increase in intracapillary hydraulic pressure, which subs quently causes vascular damage. In experimental animals, restoration of capillary pressure to normal levels by ingestion of a low-protein diet or administration of an angiotensin l-converting enzyme inhibitor has been s own to prevent microvascular damage in the kidney, and dietary protein restriction limits injury in the retina as well. Atrial natriuretic peptide, which is secreted by atrial myocytes in response to volume expansion, may be involved in mediation of the hemodynamic adaptation (vasodilatory response) that results in diabetic microvascular disease.
Synthesis of Soybean Oil‐Based Thiol Oligomers

Industrial grade soybean oil (SBO) and thiols were reacted to generate thiol-functionalized oligomers via a thermal, free radical initiated thiol-ene reaction between the SBO double bond moieties and the thiol functional groups. The effect of the reaction conditions, including thiol concentration, catalyst loading level, reaction time, and atmosphere, on the molecular weight and the conversion to the resultant soy-thiols were examined in a combinatorial high-throughput fashion using parallel synthesis, combinatorial FTIR, and rapid gel permeation chromatography (GPC). High thiol functionality and concentration, high thermal free radical catalyst concentration, long reaction time, and the use of a nitrogen reaction atmosphere were found to favor fast consumption of the SBO, and produced high molecular weight products. The thiol conversion during the reaction was inversely affected by a high thiol concentration, but was favored by a long reaction time and an air reaction atmosphere. These experimental observations were explained by the initial low affinity of the SBO and thiol, and the improved affinity between the generated soy-thiol oligomers and unreacted SBO during the reaction. The synthesized soy-thiol oligomers can be used for renewable thiol-ene UV curable materials and high molecular solids and thiourethane thermal cure materials.
Experiences with online SQL environments

This paper describes our experiences with teaching SQL using three different online SQL environments: SQLzoo.net, MySQL Query Browser, and Teradata SQL Assistant/Web Edition. Each has been used in formal classes for learning SQL. This paper documents the features of each, along with highlighting the strengths and limitations.
Distributed system management via elastic servers

Most distributed management applications are implemented as client server systems. The traditional client server paradigm fixes the functionality and interfaces provided by server processes at compile time. We propose the use of a more flexible paradigm: management by delegation to elastic servers. Elasticity, the ability to dynamically add and remove functionality of a server while it is executing is necessary for many distributed system management applications. An example application which utilizes elastic servers to compress large amounts of real-time operational data and to accomplish autonomous management decisions is described. >
Characterization of protein degradation in serum-based lubricants during simulation wear testing of metal-on-metal hip prostheses

A size exclusion high performance liquid chromatography (SEC-HPLC) method has been developed which is capable of separation and quantitation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and bovine serum globulin (BSG) components of serum-based lubricant (SBL) solutions. This allowed characterization of the stability profiles of these proteins when acting as lubricants during hip wear simulation, and identification of wear-specific mechanisms of degradation. Using cobalt-chromium metal-on-metal (MOM) hip joints, it was observed that BSA remained stable for up to 3 days (215K cycles) of wear testing after which the protein degraded in a fairly linear fashion. BSG on the other hand, began to degrade immediately and in a linear fashion with a rate constant of 5% per day. Loss of both proteins occurred via the formation of high molecular weight aggregates which precipitated out of solution. No fragmentation of the polypeptide backbone of either protein was observed. Data obtained suggest that protein degradation was not due to microbial contamination, denaturation at the air-water interface, or frictional heating of articulating joint surfaces in these studies. We conclude that the primary source of protein degradation during MOM simulation testing occurs via high shear rates experienced by SBL solutions at articulating surfaces, possibly coupled with metal-protein interactions occurring as new and reactive metal surfaces are generated during wear testing. The development of this analytical methodology will allow new studies to clarify the role of SBL solutions in wear simulation studies and the interactions and lubricating properties of serum proteins with prosthetic surfaces other than MOM.
Detection and Verification of Semantic Interaction In AOSD

Aspects in Aspect Oriented Software Development (AOSD) may interact with the base system in an unfavorable way, resulting in the degradation of the overall software stability. The interaction caused by the new aspectual introduction alters the base system behavior in an undesired way. Temporal logics, such as Computation Tree Logic (CTL), are used to represent the system’s behavior and model checking is used to verify them. Such interaction is referred to as aspect-base interaction. We are proposing a new modular approach to detect such interactions, where aspects are model-checked separately from the base model. This will allow us to detect and report any aspects that violate the base system behavior expressed as CTL. Our modular approach is based on model checking of CTL properties utilizing existing model checkers.
Plasma-Enhanced Catalytic Reduction of NOx in Simulated Lean Exhaust

NOx reduction efficiency in simulated lean exhaust conditions has been examined for three proprietary catalyst materials using a non-thermal plasma discharge as a pretreatment stage to the catalyst. Using propene as the reducing agent for selective catalytic reduction, 74% reduction of NOx has been observed in the presence of 20 ppm SO. For sulfur-free simulated exhaust, 84% NOx reduction has been obtained. Results show that the impact of sulfur on the samples examined can vary widely from virtually no effect (< 5%) to more than 25% loss in activity depending on the catalyst. Any loss due to sulfur poisoning appears to be irreversible according to limited measurements on poisoned catalysts exposed to sulfur-free exhaust streams. Catalysts were tested over a temperature range of 473-773K with the highest activity observed at 773K. Examination of this large temperature window has shown that optimum CH:NOx ratio changes with temperature. In general, as temperature increases a larger concentration of propene is required in the exhaust stream because substantial plasma oxidation of propene takes place at lower specific energy. In addition, better NOx reduction efficiency of the catalysts at higher temperature results in additional propene demand. In contrast, the electrical energy required for maximum conversionmore » of NO to NO decreases at high temperature. This mix of observations leads to a hypothesis that as temperature increases there is a tradeoff between electrical energy for conversion of NO to NO and the hydrocarbon levels required to maximize selective catalytic reduction.« less
Acetylcholine in the cerebral cortex Effects and clinical implications

Cholinergic inputs from the basal forebrain to the neocortex and hippocampus have a key role in mechanisms of arousal, attention, sensory processing, and memory. Acetylcholine (ACh) exerts multiple effects in the cerebral cortex via muscarinic (mAChR) and nicotinic (nAChR) receptors located presynaptically and postsynaptically in both pyramidal glutamatergic projection and local γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons. Through its multiple actions, ACh affects signal-to-noise ratio during sensory processing and modulates synchronization of neuronal networks. The physiologic effects of ACh include enhancement of both attention to sensory stimuli and encoding of memory for specific stimuli. Experimental studies using a variety of approaches have provided insight into the mechanisms of cholinergic modulation of cortical function and cognition. The basal forebrain cholinergic system is affected in several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer disease (AD), Parkinson disease (PD), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and may contribute to behavioral manifestations of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Functional neuroimaging allows the exploration of the effects of cholinergic cortical modulation in healthy subjects and its alterations in patients with neurodegenerative disorders. The recognition of the importance of ACh in normal cortical function has stimulated major advances in the discovery of novel pharmacologic approaches to these conditions. Many of these subjects have been comprehensively covered in excellent reviews.1–12 ### Main connections. Neurons of the basal forebrain are the major source of ACh supplying the neocortex and hippocampus (figure 1). They include the Ch1–Ch3 subgroups located in the medial septum and diagonal band of Broca, providing innervation of the hippocampus, and the Ch4 subgroup located in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) and innervating the cerebral cortex and amygdala.1 Survival of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons depends on the trophic effects nerve growth factor, which is synthesized and secreted by cells in the cortex and hippocampus, binds to tyrosine kinase A receptors, and travels …
Brief Symptom Inventory Factor Structure in Antisocial Adolescents: Implications for Juvenile Justice.

Objectives: The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) is widely used in juvenile justice settings; however, little is known regarding its factor structure in antisocial youth. The authors evaluated the BSI...
Soft-decision feedback turbo equalization for multiple antenna systems with multilevel modulations

Many communication systems today encounter the problem of data transmission over a channel with inter-symbol interference (ISI). The purpose of this paper is to develop a low-complexity, iterative soft-decision feedback equalization (SDFE) receiver for severe, frequency selective ISI channels. The proposed SDFE algorithm offers a novel approach to combat error propagation. In addition, its computational complexity grows only linearly with the number of equalizer coefficients, compared to the quadratic complexity of minimum mean square error-based linear turbo equalizer with time-varying coefficients. Performance of the proposed detection scheme is verified through simulations using different signal constellations. Simulation results show that our proposed algorithm has a significant improvement over the low complexity linear turbo equalizer. Moreover, we show that the performance of the proposed equalization scheme improves significantly when higher order constellations are used for digital modulation.
Fine root dynamics in relation to nutrients in oligotrophic Bornean rain forest soils

The fine roots of plants are key structures enabling soil resource acquisition, yet our understand- ing of their dynamics and the factors governing them is still underdeveloped, especially in tropical forests. We evaluated whether Bornean tree communities on soils with contrasting resource availability display different soil resource uptake strategies, based on their fine root properties and dynamics, and related responses of fine roots to the availability of multiple nutrients. Using root cores and ingrowth cores, we quantified variation in community-level fine root properties (biomass, length, and area) and their growth rates, biomass turnover rate, and specific root length (SRL) between clay and sandy loam soils, on which tree community composition differs dramatically. We found that standing fine root biomass and biomass, length, and area growth were higher in sandy loam, the soil type that is better-drained, coarser-textured, and less fertile for most nutrients. In clay SRL was significantly greater, and turnover tended to be faster, than in sandy loam. Across both soils, greater supplies of K ? ,N H 4 ? ,a nd PO 4 3- were associ- ated with greater standing biomass and growth rates of fine roots, suggesting foraging for these nutrients. Our data support the hypothesis that the sandy loam tree community achieves fine root absorptive area through faster growth and greater investment on a mass basis, whereas trees on clay achieve a similar standing absorptive area through slower growth of less-dense fine root tissues. Furthermore, our results suggest colimitation by multiple nutrients, which may enhance tree species coexistence through increased dimension- ality of soil-resource niches.
Antibody responses and infertility in mice following oral immunization with attenuated Salmonella typhimurium expressing recombinant murine ZP3.

Ovarian ZP3, the primary sperm receptor, is a major glycoprotein of mouse zona pellucida (ZP). Because antibodies raised against ZP3 block sperm-egg interaction, ZP3 has been considered a candidate immunogen in the development of a contraceptive vaccine. This study explored the possibility of using an attenuated Salmonella typhimurium vaccine strain expressing recombinant ZP3 to elicit an antibody response and infertility in mice. A cDNA sequence generated by the polymerase chain reaction encoding 342 amino acid residues (23-364) of the mouse (m)ZP3 was cloned into an Asd + vector. An avirulent Salmonella vaccine strain stably expressed the ZP3 polypeptide and colonized the internal organs of mice after oral inoculation. Oral immunization of female BALB/c mice with the recombinant Salmonella vaccine strain expressing mZP3 induced significant levels of anti-native ZP IgG antibodies in serum and IgA antibodies in vaginal secretions. The IgG antibodies thus induced also bound to ZP in vivo. When mated with males, 3 of 6 females immunized with the recombinant Salmonella were infertile. In contrast, none of the mice that received Salmonella containing the vector plasmid produced antibodies to ZP and all were fertile. No ovarian inflammation was observed in the immunized mice at autopsy. The results suggest a potential oral contraceptive vaccine to control populations of rodent vectors of disease and to induce reversible infertility in humans.
Cognitive Apprenticeship in Computer-Mediated Feedback: Creating a Classroom Environment to Increase Feedback and Learning:

This qualitative case study of 1 teacher and 10 students in an Advanced Placement English class explores the role of computer-mediated feedback in the creation of a classroom learning environment that was supported through hybrid learning experiences. Data sources included classroom observations, online conversations, interviews with 10 high school students, and informal conversations with a high school English teacher. Both inductive and deductive analyses, framed using a cognitive apprenticeship model, revealed how asynchronous online discussions can support the development of safe and productive communities where students actively engage in subject matter learning. The study reveals how online discussion forums can provide an excellent medium where students observe models of writing, engage in the writing process, and observe, reflect upon, and discover expert strategies in context. This study illustrates how both the quantity and quality of computer-mediated feedback increased over time, resulting in ...
Linkage disequilibrium between the ELA and the A blood group systems in Standardbred horses.

Summary The linkage group formed by the ELA and A blood group system in horses was studied in American Standardbred horses. The distance between the ELA locus and the A blood group locus was measured as 1.61 centimorgans. observing only the haplotypes contributed by the sires. Strong linkage disequilibrium was found in pacing Standardbred horses for ELA-W1 with Aa, ELA-W5 with Ab and ELA-W10 with Ab. Linkage disequilibrium was apparent at both the population and family level. Among trotting Standardbred horses, linkage disequilibrium was found for ELA-W1 with Aa and for ELA-W10 with Ab. It was not possible to investigate linkage relationships in Thoroughbred horses because of the high frequency of Aa and low frequency of other A system markers.
Modelling the cumulative risk of a false-positive screening test

The goal of a screening test is to reduce morbidity and mortality through the early detection of disease; but the benefits of screening must be weighed against potential harms, such as false-positive (FP) results, which may lead to increased healthcare costs, patient anxiety, and other adverse outcomes associated with diagnostic follow-up procedures. Accurate estimation of the cumulative risk of an FP test after multiple screening rounds is important for program evaluation and goal setting, as well as informing individuals undergoing screening what they should expect from testing over time. Estimation of the cumulative FP risk is complicated by the existence of censoring and possible dependence of the censoring time on the event history. Current statistical methods for estimating the cumulative FP risk from censored data follow two distinct approaches, either conditioning on the number of screening tests observed or marginalizing over this random variable. We review these current methods, identify their limitations and possibly unrealistic assumptions, and propose simple extensions to address some of these limitations. We discuss areas where additional extensions may be useful. We illustrate methods for estimating the cumulative FP recall risk of screening mammography and investigate the appropriateness of modelling assumptions using 13 years of data collected by the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC). In the BCSC data we found evidence of violations of modelling assumptions of both classes of statistical methods. The estimated risk of an FP recall after 10 screening mammograms varied between 58% and 77% depending on the approach used, with an estimate of 63% based on what we feel are the most reasonable modelling assumptions.
Control of nonholonomic mechanical systems using reduction and adaptation

This paper considers the problem of controlling the motion of nonholonomic mechanical systems in the presence of uncertainty regarding the system model and state. It is proposed that a simple and effective solution to this problem can be obtained by first using a reduction procedure to obtain a lower dimensional system which retains the mechanical system structure of the original system, and then adaptively controlling the reduced system in such a way that the complete system is driven to the goal configuration. This approach is shown to be easy to implement and to ensure accurate motion control despite measurement and model uncertainty. The efficacy of the proposed control strategy is illustrated through computer simulations and preliminary hardware experiments with nonholonomic mechanical systems arising from both explicit kinematic constraints and symmetries of the system dynamics.
Expression profiling of cell cycle genes reveals key facilitators of cell production during carpel development, fruit set, and fruit growth in apple (Malus×domestica Borkh.)

Cell production is an essential facilitator of fruit growth and development. Cell production during carpel/floral-tube growth, fruit set, and fruit growth, and its regulation by cell cycle genes were investigated in apple (Malus×domestica Borkh.). Cell production was inhibited during late carpel/floral-tube development, resulting in growth arrest before bloom. Fruit set re-activated cell production between 8 d and 11 d after full bloom (DAFB) and triggered fruit growth. The early phase of fruit growth involved rapid cell production followed by exit from cell proliferation at ∼24 DAFB. Seventy-one cell cycle genes were identified, and expression of 59 genes was investigated using quantitative RT-PCR. Changes in expression of 19 genes were consistently associated with transitions in cell production during carpel/floral-tube growth, fruit set, and fruit growth. Fourteen genes, including B-type cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and A2-, B1-, and B2-type cyclins, were positively associated with cell production, suggesting that availability of G2/M phase regulators of the cell cycle is limiting for cell proliferation. Enhanced expression of five genes including that of the putative CDK inhibitors, MdKRP4 and MdKRP5, was associated with reduced cell production. Exit from cell proliferation at G0/G1 during fruit growth was facilitated by multiple mechanisms including down-regulation of putative regulators of G1/S and G2/M phase progression and up-regulation of KRP genes. Interestingly, two CDKA genes and several CDK-activating factors were up-regulated during this period, suggesting functions for these genes in mediating exit from cell proliferation at G0/G1. Together, the data indicate that cell cycle genes are important facilitators of cell production during apple fruit development.
Compressed xenon gas near its critical point as an ionization medium

The authors report results obtained from a dual gridded ionization chamber filled with highly purified gaseous xenon operating near its critical point where the density, rho /sub c/=1.09 g/cm/sup 3/, approaches that of the liquid phase. The data obtained suggest that xenon near its critical point is an important addition to the presently available high-resolution radiation detector media. Both the ability to drift ionization electrons over large distances without attenuation and stability with time have been demonstrated. The energy resolution of the 976-keV K-conversion electron peak of /sup 207/Bi was measured to be 20 keV FWHM in 1.4 g/cm/sup 3/ (62 atm) of xenon, independent of the distance over which the charge drifts. These findings indicate that attachment to electronegative impurities is not a problem. An additional effect was observed as the density of the xenon gas was lowered from 1.4 to 0.5 g/cm/sup 3/: the energy resolution improved without an increase in the average charge collected. >
Using Metaphors in Dynamic Social Stratification Visualizations

We present three information visualizations for studying social stratification. Each Web-based applet uses a different metaphor to display U.S. Census income data along with the categories of race, marital status, and profession. Each system is completely dynamic, affording the user the choice of categorical variable to compare, as well as the choice of categories within each visualization. Two different user interfaces have also been implemented. The systems are described, compared, and their respective merits and deficiencies discussed.
Fast and Slow Intermediate Accumulation and the Initial Barrier Mechanism in Protein Folding

Do stable intermediates form very early in the protein folding process? New results and a quantity of literature that bear on this issue are examined here. Results available provide little support for early intermediate accumulation before an initial search-dependent nucleation barrier.
Efficient characterization of multilevel interconnections on the gaas-based VLSICs

An efficient numerical technique for the characterization of the single-and multi-level interconnections on the GaAs-based VLSIs is presented. The algorithm employs an efficient and more flexible network analog method suitable for the finite-dimensional interconnection configurations on the GaAs substrate.
Epidemiology and Predictors of Multidrug-Resistant Community-Acquired and Health Care-Associated Pneumonia

There are limited U.S. data describing the risk factors for multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) isolation in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and health care-associated pneumonia (HCAP). However, concern for the presence of these pathogens drives the prescribing of empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics for CAP and HCAP. A retrospective study of all adults hospitalized with community-onset pneumonia (CAP and HCAP) at a large U.S. medical center from January 2010 to December 2011 was conducted. The objective was to ascertain the rate of pneumonia caused by MDROs and to evaluate whether HCAP is a risk factor for MDRO pneumonia. Univariate and propensity score-adjusted multivariate analyses were performed. A total of 521 patients (50.5% CAP and 49.5% HCAP) were included. The most common etiologies of pneumonia were primary viral and Streptococcus pneumoniae. MDROs were isolated in 20 (3.8%) patients overall, and MDROs occurred in 5.9% and 1.9% of HCAP and CAP patients, respectively. The presence of an MDRO was not associated with HCAP classification (odds ratio [OR] = 1.95; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.66 to 5.80; P = 0.23) or with most of its individual components (hemodialysis, home infusion, home wound care, and ≥48-h hospitalization in the last 90 days). Independent predictors of MDRO included the following: Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization/infection in the previous year (OR = 7.43; 95% CI, 2.24 to 24.61; P < 0.001), antimicrobial use in the previous 90 days (OR = 2.90; 95% CI, 1.13 to 7.45; P = 0.027), admission from a nursing home (OR = 4.19; 95% CI, 1.55 to 11.31; P = 0.005), and duration of hospitalization in the previous 90 or 180 days (P = 0.013 and P = 0.002, respectively). MDROs were uncommon in HCAP and CAP. HCAP did not predict MDRO isolation. Local etiology of community onset pneumonia and specific MDRO risk factors should be integrated into therapeutic decisions to prevent empirical overprescribing of antibiotics for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and P. aeruginosa.
Learning Cell Biology as a Team: A Project-Based Approach to Upper-Division Cell Biology

To help students develop successful strategies for learning how to learn and communicate complex information in cell biology, we developed a quarter-long cell biology class based on team projects. Each team researches a particular human disease and presents information about the cellular structure or process affected by the disease, the cellular and molecular biology of the disease, and recent research focused on understanding the cellular mechanisms of the disease process. To support effective teamwork and to help students develop collaboration skills useful for their future careers, we provide training in working in small groups. A final poster presentation, held in a public forum, summarizes what students have learned throughout the quarter. Although student satisfaction with the course is similar to that of standard lecture-based classes, a project-based class offers unique benefits to both the student and the instructor.
Weld Acceptance Criteria for Seismically Loaded Steel Structures

Fracture mechanics can be used to determine allowable flaw sizes for welds in steel structures. Models are developed, both for pull-plate tests and for building connections. Building connections are more severe because of stress concentration in the center of the weld length and column bending. Ultrasonic acceptance criteria are described, based on size of flaw, for surface and embedded flaws.
Disrupting mediator with a short peptide ligand.

Although RNA polymerase II is the core enzyme that carries out transcription, it requires a large number of accessory proteins and protein complexes to regulate its activity. One of the most important of these complexes is Mediator, a group of 20–25 protein components that is highly conserved from Saccharomyces cerevisiae through to humans. The yeast Mediator is subdivided into three portions: a head region that contacts RNA polymerase II, a middle region, and a tail (Figure 1).
LF-copying without LF

A copying approach to ellipsis is presented, whereby the locus of copying is not a level of derived syntactic structure (LF), but rather the derivation itself. The ban on preposition stranding in sprouting follows without further stipulation, and other, seemingly structure sensitive, empirical generalizations about elliptical constructions, including the preposition stranding generalization, follow naturally as well. Destructive operations which ‘repair’ non-identical antecedents are recast in terms of exact identity of derivations with parameters. In the context of a compositional semantic interpretation scheme, the derivational copying approach to ellipsis presented here is revealed to be a particular instance of a proform theory, thus showing that the distinctions between, and arguments about, syntactic and semantic theories of ellipsis need to be revisited.
Peak power modeling for data center servers with switched-mode power supplies

Accurately modeling server power consumption is critical in designing data center power provisioning infrastructure. However, to date, most research proposals have used average CPU utilization to infer the power consumption of clusters, typically averaging over tens of minutes per observation. We demonstrate that average CPU utilization is not sufficient to predict peak power consumption accurately. By characterizing the relationship between server utilization and power supply behavior, we can more accurately model the actual peak power consumption. Finally, we introduce a new operating system metric that can capture the needed information to design for peak power with low overhead.
Is an integrated farm more resilient against climate change? A micro-econometric analysis of portfolio diversification in African agriculture

Abstract This paper examines whether an integrated farm that owns both crops and livestock is more resilient under global warming than a specialized farm in crops. Using around 9000 farm surveys across Africa, we explore how farmers choose one of the farm types and how the net revenue of each type varies across the range of climate in Africa. The results indicate that an integrated farm increases in number while a specialized farm decreases across Africa under climate predictions for 2060. The relative profitability of each system against each other also changes. An integrated farm becomes relatively more profitable over specialized farms half a century from now. The impacts of climate change on integrated farms range from 9% loss to 27% gain depending on climate scenarios. Behavioral models can capture portfolio diversification benefits that agro-economic models cannot measure.
Control of responding by sound location in monkeys: rapid acquisition in darkness.

Abstract Rapid control of responding by sound location is obtained in squirrel monkeys when sound stimuli are presented from one of two loudspeakers, each one adjacent to a response key. With this arrangement of loudspeakers and response keys, squirrel monkeys quickly learn to respond on the key near the source of the sound stimulus, and this pattern is the same whether or not responses near the sound source are differentially reinforcedmthis result may depend on a pre-experimental tendency in squirrel monkeys to orient head and eyes toward a sound, which would lead the animal to look at the response key in front of the loudspeaker producing the sound. The present experiment sought to determine whether visual stimuli are necessary for rapid control of responding by sound location. Two monkeys were trained in darkness in a sound-localization task similar to that described above. Results were similar to those obtained from animals trained in light, indicating that visual stimuli are not required for rapid acquisition of sound-localization behavior in monkeys.
A Review of Parabolic Theories

All theorems in Chap. 2 have their parabolic version. As mentioned at the beginning of Chap. 2, the books [21] and [20] are not intimidating even for beginners and therefore are excellent textbooks for beginning graduate students. Elliptic theories are introduced in [21] and the parabolic theories are introduced in [20].