cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sequence Mapping by Electronic PCR

The highly specific and sensitive PCR provides the basis for sequence-tagged sites (STSs), unique landmarks that have been used widely in the construction of genetic and physical maps of the human genome. Electronic PCR (e-PCR) refers to the process of recovering these unique sites in DNA sequences by searching for subsequences that closely match the PCR primers and have the correct order, orientation, and spacing that they could plausibly prime the amplification of a PCR product of the correct molecular weight. A software tool was developed to provide an efficient implementation of this search strategy and allow the sort of en masse searching that is required for modern genome analysis. Some sample searches were performed to demonstrate a number of factors that can affect the likelihood of obtaining a match. Analysis of one large sequence database record revealed the presence of several microsatellite and gene-based markers and allowed the exact base-pair distances among them to be calculated. This example provides a demonstration of how e-PCR can be used to integrate the growing body of genomic sequence data with existing maps, reveal relationships among markers that existed previously on different maps, and correlate genetic distances with physical distances.
A stochastic process on the hypercube with applications to peer-to-peer networks

Consider the following stochastic process executed on a graph G=(V,E) whose nodes are initially uncovered. In each step, pick a node at random and if it is uncovered, cover it. Otherwise, if it has an uncovered neighbor, cover a random uncovered neighbor. Else, do nothing. This can be viewed as a structured coupon collector process. We show that for a large family of graphs, O(n) steps suffice to cover all nodes of the graph with high probability, where n is the number of vertices. Among these graphs are d-regular graphs with d =Ω(log n log log n), random d-regular graphs with d =Ω(log n) and the k-dimensional hypercube where n=2k.This process arises naturally in answering a question on load balancing in peer-to-peer networks. We consider a distributed hash table in which keys are partitioned across a set of processors, and we assume that the number of processors grows dynamically, starting with a single processor. If at some stage there are n processors, the number of queries required to find a key is log2 n+O(1), the number of pointers maintained by each processor is log2 n+O(1), and moreover the worst ratio between the loads of processors is O(1), with high probability. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first analysis of a distributed hash table that achieves asymptotically optimal load balance, while still requiring only O(log n) pointers per processor and O(log n) queries for locating a key; previous methods required Ω(log2 n) pointers per processor and Ω(log n) queries for locating a key.
A New Look at Emotional Intelligence: A Dual-Process Framework

In this article, the author provides a framework to guide research in emotional intelligence. Studies conducted up to the present bear on a conception of emotional intelligence as pertaining to the domain of consciousness and investigate the construct with a correlational approach. As an alternative, the author explores processes underlying emotional intelligence, introducing the distinction between conscious and automatic processing as a potential source of variability in emotionally intelligent behavior. Empirical literature is reviewed to support the central hypothesis that individual differences in emotional intelligence may be best understood by considering the way individuals automatically process emotional stimuli. Providing directions for research, the author encourages the integration of experimental investigation of processes underlying emotional intelligence with correlational analysis of individual differences and fosters the exploration of the automaticity component of emotional intelligence.
Architectures and components for multifunctional wireless systems

A multifunctional wireless system is one that can receive and demodulate any electromagnetic signal from any direction, return a modulated signal in any specific direction, be reconfigurable to implement a variety of radio and sensor functions, and adapt to its local (ambient) environment to improve signal reception, reject interference, and compensate for multipath effects. This paper will present an overview of some programs pursuing development of the technology required to realize multifunctional wireless systems, discuss the advantages and challenges presented by these systems, and offer new concepts in components and system architectures that will enable the advantages and address the challenges.
Monitoring Structural Health of a Bridge using Wireless Sensor Network

The objective of this research is to monitor the real-time structural health of an urban bridge in the City of Youngstown, OH, by applying new technologies involving acceleration sensors, wireless networks, internet web services, Java SunSPOTs and embedded systems. The research was aimed to assess the current structural health and future performance of the bridge with any immediate repair or replacement needs. A total of 8 wireless accelerometer Java SunSPOT Sensors, developed by Sun Microsystems, were customized and deployed at structurally critical locations on the bridge. Acceleration data were collected via a real-time wireless sensor network. Later the acceleration data were analyzed to assess the structural condition of the bridge.
Phosphorylation of Ser363, Thr370, and Ser375 Residues within the Carboxyl Tail Differentially Regulates μ-Opioid Receptor Internalization *

Prolonged activation of opioid receptors leads to their phosphorylation, desensitization, internalization, and down-regulation. To elucidate the relationship between mu-opioid receptor (MOR) phosphorylation and the regulation of receptor activity, a series of receptor mutants was constructed in which the 12 Ser/Thr residues of the COOH-terminal portion of the receptor were substituted to Ala, either individually or in combination. All these mutant constructs were stably expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells and exhibited similar expression levels and ligand binding properties. Among those 12 Ser/Thr residues, Ser(363), Thr(370), and Ser(375) have been identified as phosphorylation sites. In the absence of the agonist, a basal phosphorylation of Ser(363) and Thr(370) was observed, whereas [d-Ala(2),Me-Phe(4),Gly(5)-ol]enkephalin (DAMGO)-induced receptor phosphorylation occurs at Thr(370) and Ser(375) residues. Furthermore, the role of these phosphorylation sites in regulating the internalization of MOR was investigated. The mutation of Ser(375) to Ala reduced the rate and extent of receptor internalization, whereas mutation of Ser(363) and Thr(370) to Ala accelerated MOR internalization kinetics. The present data show that the basal phosphorylation of MOR could play a role in modulating agonist-induced receptor internalization kinetics. Furthermore, even though mu-receptors and delta-opioid receptors have the same motif encompassing agonist-induced phosphorylation sites, the different agonist-induced internalization properties controlled by these sites suggest differential cellular regulation of these two receptor subtypes.
Effects of Temperature and Tissue Type on the Development of Cochliomyia macellaria (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

The secondary screwworm, Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius), was reared on either equine gluteus muscle or porcine loin muscle at 20.8°C, 24.3°C, and 28.2°C. C. macellaria needed ≈35% more time to complete development when reared at 20.8 than 28.2°C. Furthermore, larval growth and weight over time did not differ between larvae reared on equine versus porcine muscle. This study is the second in the United States to examine the development of C. macellaria and is the first to examine development of this species on muscle tissue from different vertebrate species. These data could provide significant information regarding time of colonization, including myiasis and neglect cases involving humans and animals. Furthermore, these results in comparison with the only other data set available for this species in North America indicate a fair amount of phenotypic variability as it relates to geographic location, suggesting caution should be taken when applying these data to forensic cases outside the region where this study was conducted.
Sequential synthesis using S1S

We propose the use of the logic S1S as a mathematical framework for studying the synthesis of sequential designs. We will show that this leads to simple and mathematically elegant solutions to problems arising in the synthesis and optimization of synchronous digital hardware. Specifically, we derive a logical expression which yields a single finite state automaton characterizing the set of implementations that can replace a component of a larger design. The power of our approach is demonstrated by the fact that it generalizes immediately to arbitrary interconnection topologies, and to designs containing nondeterminism and fairness. We also describe control aspects of sequential synthesis and relate controller realizability to classical work on program synthesis and tree automata.
Physical organization of temporal data

In this paper, we propose a partitioning scheme of files in a temporal database system, and develop algorithms to minimize the overflow associated with that scheme. The proposed partitioning is suitable for range queries and aggregation operations along the time dimension. Simulation results show that the partitioning algorithms proposed in this paper result in better performance than in the case of a grid-type partitioning.
Paralleling the stator coils in permanent magnet machines

As low voltage machines require smaller number of turns per phase compared to higher voltage machines, it is normal to connect the various stator phase coils in parallel to form the phase winding. The placement of various coil sides in the slot and the difference in the field produced by different poles of the rotor magnet can influence the induced voltage in various coils and the impedance of the coils. The difference in the induced voltages in the various parallel paths results in circulating current in the winding and causes increased losses in the machine. The unequal induced voltage and impedance causes unequal distribution of stator current in the various parallel paths and impacts the torque ripple contents. This paper discusses the effects of these unbalanced parallel paths on the machine performance
Study of entanglement of polymers in solution by viscosity measurements. II. Polymethyl methacrylate in various solvents

A study has been made of the flow behavior at 30°C. of solutions of three samples of polymethyl methacrylate in three solvents in both the Newtonian and non-Newtonian regions. The concentration range covered was approximately 0–16% by weight. By application of the Ree-Eyring theory it was found possible to represent the observed data in terms of two flow units, and to obtain from the parameters of the theory the effective hydrodynamic volume occupied by the polymer in solution, eυ2. Here υ2 is the volume fraction of the polymer and e an effective volume factor. The volume factor, e, was found to be dependent on both solvent and molecular weight only up to ca. υ2 = 0.04. Beyond υ2 = 0.04, e is independent of solvent and is a function of molecular weight only. These observations indicate that chain entanglement in solution is not probable. Rather, the polymer chain curls on itself, and compacts to a small mass when the effective concentration eυ2 = 1 and the viscosity becomes infinite. The concentration at which this occurs, υ∞, is given by ∞ = 1/e∞. The quantity e∞ has been found to be a linear function of molecular weight, M. Further, the value of e at υ2 = 0, e0, has been found to be an exponential function of M, and to yield expressions relating intrinsic viscosity to molecular weight in good accord with published results.
Specification and estimation of nonstandard profit functions

This paper critically examines appropriateness of the nonstandard profit function (NSPF) as a tool for measuring profit efficiency. We show that there are some fundamental problems with the NSPF approach, the way it is currently specified and estimated. This is true irrespective of whether technical inefficiency is included or not. Instead of estimating profit efficiency directly from the NSPF, we suggest alternative specifications and recommend using the cost function approach and deriving profit efficiency therefrom. Data from US banks are used to estimate the cost function and the NSPF. Results from alternative specifications are then compared and analyzed.
Acute and Chronic Sinusitis: Diagnosis and Management

Acute (less than 30 days9 duration) infections of the paranasal sinuses are seen in children, usually as complication of viral upper respiratory tract infections or allergic inflammation. Chronic (more than 30 days9 duration) sinusitis may result when acute sinusitis is not recognized as such or is inadequately treated. Although there are few data on which to base an estimate of the frequency of these disorders, acute sinusitis is commonly encountered in pediatric practice, and chronic sinusitis is not rare. EMBRYOLOGY, ANATOMY, AND PHYSIOLOGY A brief review of the embryology, anatomy, and physiology of the paranasal sinuses will facilitate an understanding of the clinical manifestations of acute and chronic sinusitis. All of the sinuses develop as outpouchings of the nasal mucosa. The maxillary and ethmoid sinuses develop between the third and fifth months of gestation and are pneumatized soon after birth. Although the frontal and sphenoid sinuses also develop during gestation, they remain primitive for several years. The frontal sinuses are not distinct from the anterior ethmoid sinuses until they reach the superior orbital ridge at about 2 years of age; they assume a supraorbital position at 2 to 4 years of age and are in the frontal position at about 6 years of age. The sphenoid sinuses first become well pneumatized at 2 to 3 years of age.
Mechanisms and Distribution of Ion Channels in Retinal Ganglion Cells: Using Temperature as an Independent Variable

Trains of action potentials of rat and cat retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) were recorded intracellularly across a temperature range of 7–37°C. Phase plots of the experimental impulse trains were precision fit using multicompartment simulations of anatomically reconstructed rat and cat RGCs. Action potential excitation was simulated with a “Five-channel model” [Na, K(delayed rectifier), Ca, K(A), and K(Ca-activated) channels] and the nonspace-clamped condition of the whole cell recording was exploited to determine the channels' distribution on the dendrites, soma, and proximal axon. At each temperature, optimal phase-plot fits for RGCs occurred with the same unique channel distribution. The “waveform” of the electrotonic current was found to be temperature dependent, which reflected the shape changes in the experimental action potentials and confirmed the channel distributions. The distributions are cell-type specific and adequate for soma and dendritic excitation with a safety margin. The highest Na-channel density was found on an axonal segment some 50–130 μm distal to the soma, as determined from the temperature-dependent “initial segment–somadendritic (IS-SD) break.” The voltage dependence of the gating rate constants remains invariant between 7 and 23°C and between 30 and 37°C, but undergoes a transition between 23 and 30°C. Both gating-kinetic and ion-permeability Q10s remain virtually constant between 23 and 37°C (kinetic Q10s = 1.9–1.95; permeability Q10s = 1.49–1.64). The Q10s systematically increase for T <23°C (kinetic Q10 = 8 at T = 8°C). The Na channels were consistently “sleepy” (non-Arrhenius) for T <8°C, with a loss of spiking for T <7°C.
The Prevalence and Factors Associated With QTc Prolongation Among Emergency Department Patients

Study objective Previous studies have suggested that QTc prolongation may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of QTc prolongation among emergency department (ED) patients is unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of QTc prolongation among ED patients. Methods This was a retrospective review of ED and inpatient data for all patients with an ECG conducted for any reason at a tertiary care university ED during a 3-month period. QTc prolongation was defined as computer-generated QTc intervals greater than or equal to 450 ms for men and greater than or equal to 460 ms for women. Results Of the 1,558 eligible cases, 544 patients had QTc prolongation (35%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 32% to 37%). The prevalence of QTc intervals greater than or equal to 500 ms was 8% (120/1,558; 95% CI 6% to 9%). The most common comorbidities were structural heart disease, renal failure, and stroke. Forty-four percent (239/544; 95% CI 40% to 48%) of patients with any degree of QTc prolongation were discharged from the ED. Furthermore, 23% (28/120; 95% CI 16% to 32%) of patients with QTc intervals greater than or equal to 500 ms were discharged from the ED, including 16 patients with QTc intervals greater than or equal to 500 ms and QRS durations less than 120 ms (16/60; 27%; 95% CI 16% to 40%). Five percent of the patients with QTc prolongation died in the ED or during hospitalization (27/544; 95% CI 3% to 7%); none had QTc prolongation or torsades de pointes listed as a cause of death. Conclusion QTc prolongation occurred frequently among ED patients who had an ECG study for any reason. Nearly half of all patients with QTc prolongation were discharged from the ED.
Similar Outcome in Boys with Isolated and Combined Testicular Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Relapse After Stratified BFM Salvage Therapy

Despite modern intensive treatment, relapses occur in about 25% children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). After the central nervous system (CNS), the testes are the second most frequent site of an extramedullary relapse [1]. The incidence of testicular relapses has been decreased by intensification of front-line regimens, mainly by the introduction of intermediate-dose or high-dose methotrexate (MTX) [2–6]. When salvage therapy of an isolated relapse consisted of local treatment, alone or in combination with mild chemotherapy, a subsequent bone marrow relapse occurred in a high percentage of boys [3, 7–9]. Therefore, intensive systemic salvage therapy is necessary to achieve favorable results in boys with isolated as well as combined testicular relapse [10–13]. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of tumor load-adapated chemotherapy in boys with first overt testicular relapse, treated according to four consecutive Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster (BFM) relapse protocols.
Stem respiratory potential in six softwood and four hardwood tree species in the central cascades of Oregon

Mature and old growth trees of varying sapwood thickness were compared with regard to stem respiration. An increment core-based, laboratory method under controlled temperature was used to measure tissue-level respiration (termed respiratory potential) of ten different tree species. Bark (dead outer and live inner combined), sapwood, and heartwood thickness measurements were used to predict sapwood volume from stem diameter (including bark) for four of the ten species. These predictions of sapwood volume were used to scale respiratory potential to the main-bole level (excluding all branches). On the core level, species that maintained narrow sapwood (8-16% of bole radius) such as Pseudotusga menziesii, Taxus brevifolia, and Thuja plicata, had sapwood respiratory potentials in the lower bole that were 50% higher (P 16% of bole radius), such as Abies amabilis, Pinus monticola, and Tsuga heterophylla. This pattern was not observed for inner bark respiratory potential, or for sapwood respiratory potential within the crown. On the main-bole level, respiratory potential per unit volume was inversely correlated to the live bole volumetric fraction (inner bark plus sapwood divided by whole bole volume) (Adj. R(2)=0.6). Specifically, tree species with 18-20% of the main bole alive potentially respired 1.3-3 times more per unit live bole volume than species with over 40%, suggesting that the live bole was less metabolically active in tree species that maintained large volumes of sapwood.
Analysis techniques for the recovery of winds and backscatter coefficients from a multiple-channel incoherent Doppler lidar

The University of Michigan has developed an incoherent-detection Doppler lidar system that continuously measures vertical profiles of horizontal winds and aerosol backscatter. An overview of the instrument is given, followed by a description of improvements that have been made to control the system stability. Most notably, an active feedback system has been implemented to improve the laser frequency stability. A detailed forward model of the instrument is developed that includes many subtle effects, such as detector nonlinearity. A nonlinear least-squares inversion method is then described that permits the recovery of Doppler shift and aerosol backscatter without requiring assumptions about the molecular component of the signal. Examples of wind and aerosol backscatter profiles are shown to illustrate the capabilities of the fitting method.
CORRELATION ANALYSIS OF AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS AND GRAIN YIELD OF RICE FOR TIDAL SWAMP AREAS

Development of rice varieties for tidal swamp areas is emphasized on the improvement of rice yield potential in specific environment. However, grain yield is a complex trait and highly dependent on the other agronomic characters; while information related to the relationship between agronomic characters and grain yield in the breeding program particularly for tidal swamp areas is very limited. The objective of this study was to investigate relationship between agronomic characters and grain yield of rice as a basis for selection of high yielding rice varieties for tidal swamp areas. Agronomic characters and grain yield of nine advanced rice breeding lines and two rice varieties were evaluated in a series of experiments in tidal swamp areas, Karang Agung Ulu Village, Banyuasin, South Sumatra, for four cropping seasons in dry season (DS) 2005, wet season (WS) 2005/2006, DS 2006, and DS 2007. Result from path analysis revealed that the following characters had positive direct effect on grain yield, i.e. number of productive tillers per hill (p = 0.356), number of filled grains per panicle (p = 0.544), and spikelet fertility (p = 0.215). Plant height had negative direct effect (p = -0.332) on grain yield, while maturity, number of spikelets per panicle, and 1000-grain weight showed negligible effect on rice grain yield. Present study suggests that indirect selection of high yielding tidal swamp rice can be done by selecting breeding lines which have many product tive tillers, dense filled grains, and high spikelet fertility.
Detection of differentially expressed genes in human colon carcinoma cells treated with a selective COX-2 inhibitor

Numerous reports suggest that use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) decrease mortality from colorectal cancer. To better understand all of the mechanisms underlying this effect, the global pattern of gene expression in colon carcinoma cells following treatment with NS-398, a selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor was evaluated. We utilized suppression subtractive hybridization combined with differential screening to identify genes whose expression was affected following treatment. Among the subtracted cDNA fragments confirmed as differentially expressed, there were two which are known to be involved in the regulation of cell adhesion (human FAT and proto-cadherin-7). We identified two other genes whose levels were decreased and these are known to be involved in the regulation of cell proliferation (cyclin K and p-100). We identified additional genes which are involved in different signaling pathways which regulate programmed cell death (Dynamin 2, Pdcd4 and LIP.1). These results provide evidence that some of the effects of NS-398 on carcinoma cells may be due to modulation of genes which regulate programmed cell death, cell proliferation and cell–cell communication. Additional studies are underway to determine the biological function of the novel genes that were identified.
Time as a social practice

If there is more than one time, what is a time and how do they relate to each other? I argue that times order something more basic that we may call temporality. Temporality involves more than past, present, and future; it includes duration, access, inevitability, and much more. Times are social efforts to translate operations of temporality into meaningful codes and organize their material influence. Times relate primarily by translation and material influence. One reinforcing set has emerged that reifies a simple notion of time that makes it difficult to imagine other times. This is starting to change.
The periplasmic sensing domain of Vibrio fischeri chemoreceptor protein A (VfcA): cloning, purification and crystallographic analysis

Flagella-mediated motility and chemotaxis towards nutrients are important characteristics of Vibrio fischeri that play a crucial role in the development of its symbiotic relationship with its Hawaiian squid host Euprymna scolopes. The V. fischeri chemoreceptor A (VfcA) mediates chemotaxis toward amino acids. The periplasmic sensory domain of VfcA has been crystallized by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method using polyethylene glycol 3350 as a precipitating agent. The crystals belonged to space group P1, with unit-cell parameters a = 39.9, b = 57.0, c = 117.0 A, α = 88.9, β = 80.5, γ = 89.7°. A complete X-ray diffraction data set has been collected to 1.8 A resolution using cryocooling conditions and synchrotron radiation.
MCBF: Multimodal Corpora Building Framework

Designing an effective human-machine multimodal interaction environment requires addressing crucial issues such as the correct interpretation of complex user’s input from different modal channels. In this context the use of corpora of multimodal sentences is very important because they allow integrating properties and linguistic knowledge which are not formalised in the grammar. This paper provides framework for dynamic multimodal corpora building that semi-automates the extraction of syntactic and semantic information from multimodal dialogues using both grammar inference and interpretation methodologies based on HMM. This method is based on a Multimodal Attribute Grammar and on an HMM-based approach to syntactically and semantically annotate new multimodal sentences. It allows for improving human-computer dialogue because the multimodal corpus evolves by adapting itself to the dynamic change of the human-computer interaction.
064 Sirolimus as primary immunosuppression is associated with improved renal function and survival compared with calcineurin inhibitors in stable cardiac transplant recipients

Purpose Although transition to sirolimus (SRL) as primary immunosuppression has been associated with an improvement in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), long term follow up has not been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate GFR in SRL treated patients and to compare with patients remained on CNIs during 5 years follow-up (FU). Methods and Materials The study population consisted of 85 cardiac transplant recipients with impaired renal function and/or cardiac allograft vasculopathy in whom CNIs were substituted with sirolimus (SRL group) and 86 cardiac transplant recipients maintained on CNI based immunosuppression (CNI group). Secondary immunosuppressants were not changed. GFR was measured by corrected iothalamate clearance. Results Mean follow up was 5.3 (IQR 3.7, 6.1) years. GFR increased from 53.522.4 to 59.524.7 mL/min (p=0.03) 4 years after SRL initiation while in the CNI group, GFR declined from 57.021.8 to 53.120.6 mL/min (p=0.03) in the same period of FU. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, treatment with CNI (p=0.04), lower GFR at study entry (p=0.03), and ischaemic aetiology of cardiomyopathy prior to transplantation (p=0.04), were all associated with long term worsening of GFR. In the SRL group, improvement in GFR was significant in patients with GFR 40 mL/min prior to conversion but not in patients with GFR Conclusions Substitution of CNIs with SRL in stable cardiac transplant recipients was associated with improved renal function, particularly in patients with GFR 40 mL/min prior to conversion, and survival. These results suggest that the initial improvement seen with substituting SRL for CNIs is sustained over a longer FU period and this strategy has the potential to improve long-term outcome in cardiac transplantation.
Probability Distributions and Statistical Estimation

The theory of probability is at the bottom nothing but common sense reduced to calculus. Pierre de Laplace, Theorie Analytique de Probabilites , introduction, 1812–20 Introduction Suppose you wish to represent uncertainty about an empirical quantity by a probability distribution. If you have some empirical data directly relevant to the quantity, you may want to use statistical methods to help select a distribution and estimate its parameters. If you feel you know little or nothing about the quantity before seeing the observations, you may want to use standard classical statistical methods. If you feel you do have some prior opinions about the quantity, based on whatever knowledge and reasoning, you may want to combine these prior opinions with the observed evidence and use Rayesian updating methods to obtain posterior distributions. If you have no directly relevant observations of the quantity, then you may wish to express your opinion directly by a subjective probability distribution. We discuss methods for doing this Chapters 6 and 7, but before getting to them it will be useful to review some of the basic properties of probability distributions. The methods presented in this chapter cover a range of useful procedures in probability and statistics. The discussion is provided as a review and a compact reference and is not intended to replace a full course or text on the subject, many of which are available (e.g., Benjamin and Cornell, 1970; Ang and Tang, 1975; DeGroot, 1975).
Transcranial Doppler Changes in Patients Treated with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Background Transcranial Doppler (TCD) has significant implications for neurovascular assessment in patients being treated with venoarterial–extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). However, there have been no studies demonstrating the changes in pulsatility indices (PIs) seen in these patients. Nonpulsatile waveforms are seen during on-pump coronary artery bypass graft, but low or low–normal PIs have never been reported. It is important to be aware of these changes, as they can be misinterpreted as cerebral vasodilation, vasoconstriction, increased intracranial pressures (ICPs), or cerebral circulatory arrest. Methods Data from 11 TCDs from 8 patients on VA-ECMO in the Cedars Sinai Medical Center Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit were reviewed. Mean pulsatility indices were calculated for each patient using Gosling's PI formula. The values obtained were correlated with ejection fraction (EF) values obtained from a transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiogram. Results PIs were globally low or absent in all 11 TCDs. In 3 patients, TCDs were performed at the initiation and conclusion of the VA-ECMO cannulation. The PI values for these TCDs correlated directly with changes in EFs. Also, an abrupt rise in PI to normal value was seen with the placement of a total artificial heart and the return of pulsatile circulation. Conclusions We demonstrate that PIs on TCDs in patients treated with VA-ECMO are either low or cannot be calculated depending on the severity of myocardial suppression, and should not be mistaken for cerebral vasodilation or cerebral circulatory arrest. Moreover, rising PIs in these patients can represent improving cardiac function and should not be confused with elevated ICPs.
The Role of the Host Membrane in the Morphogenesis of the Head of Coliphage T4

Head morphogenesis in T4 represents an ideal system for studying the interaction of proteins with nucleic acid since many of the relevant components can be dissected genetically. T4 head morphogenesis has been studied by electron microscopic examination of cells infected with conditional lethal mutants under non-permissive conditions. However, the structures accumulated often are not normal intermediates. In vitro complementation (the formation of a head from its pieces) has not been achieved for T4. In fact, it has been carried out with good efficiency only with Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Here we describe a new approach for the examination of the early events of T4 head morphogenesis which conceivable could be used to study other viruses.
Gender, Parenthood, and Perceived Chances of Promotion

In this article, I examine the gender gap in perceived promotion chances. Using General Social Survey data, I find that men are more likely than women to expect a promotion, and work-family conflic...
Arbitrary streaming permutations with minimum memory and latency

Streaming architectures are a popular choice for data intensive application due to their high throughput requirements. When assembling components for a streaming application, it is often necessary to build translation blocks between them to match the ordering of the data elements required for the subsequent processing. This paper addresses this need by developing a technique that realizes arbitrary permutations in a streaming architecture. It is parametrized to accommodate any size data sequence and streaming width. This technique is applied to an architecture that receives continuous input at a rate of k elements per clock cycle, and after an initial start-up latency, outputs continuously at the same rate. In addition, the memory usage and latency through the memory array is minimized. This design is evaluated for permutations parametrized by size and stream width in terms of the memory elements and depths required. The class of stride permutation is considered for specific experimental evaluation. On average, this technique and architecture has only half the latency and requires half the memory of other techniques.
Rethinking Cloud Service Marketplaces

Services offered by cloud providers (e.g., for key-value storage and for redirecting clients to nearby data centers) simplify the development of applications deployed in the cloud. However, since any cloud provider’s service offerings are far from complete, many cloud providers host a service marketplace, wherein third parties can advertise new services.In this paper, we argue that existing cloud service marketplaces need to be redesigned so that third-parties can not only offer new independent services but also augment the capabilities of existing cloud services. Enabling efficient implementation of such third-party add-ons requires a careful examination of the API that the cloud provider should expose and the manner in which add-ons can be interposed on interactions between applications and cloud services. We discuss how recent advances in software-defined networking with P4 can be leveraged to facilitate this redesign of cloud service marketplaces.
Abstract WMP5: Endovascular Therapy Stroke Outcome in Very Elderly: Meta-analysis

Introduction: Very elderly (age ≥80yo) individuals account for about one-third of all stroke admissions with mixed literature demonstrating relative poor stroke outcomes. With overwhelming recent e...
Strain-Dependent Recognition of a Unique Degradation Motif by ClpXP in Streptococcus mutans .

ABSTRACT Streptococcus mutans, a dental pathogen, has a remarkable ability to cope with environmental stresses. Under stress conditions, cytoplasmic proteases play a major role in controlling the stability of regulatory proteins and preventing accumulation of damaged and misfolded proteins. ClpXP, a well-conserved cytoplasmic proteolytic system, is crucial in maintaining cellular homeostasis in bacteria. ClpX is primarily responsible for recognition of substrates and subsequent translocation of unfolded substrates into the ClpP proteolytic compartment for degradation. In Escherichia coli, ClpX recognizes distinct motifs present at the C-terminal end of target proteins. However, recognition sequences for ClpXP in other bacteria, including S. mutans, are not known. In this study, using two-dimensional (2D) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis, we have identified several putative substrates for S. mutans ClpXP. SsbA, which encodes a small DNA binding protein, is one such substrate that is degraded by ClpXP. By sequential deletions, we found that the last 3 C-terminal amino acids, LPF, are sufficient for ClpXP-mediated degradation. Addition of LPF at the C-terminal end of green fluorescent protein (GFP) rendered the protein completely degradable by ClpXP. Alterations of this tripeptide motif impeded ClpXP-mediated degradation. However, recognition of LPF by ClpXP is highly specific to some S. mutans strains (UA159, UA130, and N3209) since not all S. mutans strains recognize the motif. We speculate that an adaptor protein is involved in either substrate recognition or substrate degradation by ClpXP. Nevertheless, this is the first report of a unique recognition sequence for ClpXP in streptococci. IMPORTANCE Regulated proteolysis in bacteria is an important biological process that maintains protein homeostasis. ClpXP, an intracellular proteolytic complex, is the primary protease that is responsible for protein turnover. While the substrates for ClpXP were identified in Escherichia coli, the substrates for vast majority of bacteria are currently unknown. In this study, we identified a unique substrate for ClpXP-mediated degradation in Streptococcus mutans, a dental pathogen. We also found that a small motif composed of 3 amino acids is sufficient for ClpXP-mediated degradation. Identification of this motif will clearly help us to understand the pathogenesis of this organism and other related pathogens.
APP Causes Hyperexcitability in Fragile X Mice.

Amyloid-beta protein precursor (APP) and metabolite levels are altered in fragile X syndrome (FXS) patients and in the mouse model of the disorder, Fmr1KO mice. Normalization of APP levels in Fmr1KO mice (Fmr1KO/APPHET mice) rescues many disease phenotypes. Thus, APP is a potential biomarker as well as therapeutic target for FXS. Hyperexcitability is a key phenotype of FXS. Herein, we determine the effects of APP levels on hyperexcitability in Fmr1KO brain slices. Fmr1KO/APPHET slices exhibit complete rescue of UP states in a neocortical hyperexcitability model and reduced duration of ictal discharges in a CA3 hippocampal model. These data demonstrate that APP plays a pivotal role in maintaining an appropriate balance of excitation and inhibition (E/I) in neural circuits. A model is proposed whereby APP acts as a rheostat in a molecular circuit that modulates hyperexcitability through mGluR5 and FMRP. Both over- and under-expression of APP in the context of the Fmr1KO increases seizure propensity suggesting that an APP rheostat maintains appropriate E/I levels but is overloaded by mGluR5-mediated excitation in the absence of FMRP. These findings are discussed in relation to novel treatment approaches to restore APP homeostasis in FXS.
The Central Nervous System and Immune Responses: Conditioned Immunopharmacologic Effects

ABSTRACT Behavioral conditioning represents one of several converging lines of research indicating that central nervous system processes are capable of influencing immune responses. Several studies are described in which an illness-induced taste aversion conditioning paradigm was used to modify immunologic reactivity. A neutral taste stimulus (saccharin) was first paired with the injection of cyclophosphamide, an immunosuppressive drug. Experimental (conditioned) animals were reexposed to the saccharin when immunogenic stimulation was subsequently introduced. Relative to conditioned animals that were not reexposed to saccharin and to non-conditioned and placebo-treated animals, experimental rats and/or mice displayed a typical conditioned aversion to saccharin and also showed an attenuated antibody response to T-cell dependent and independent antigens and a diminished graft-versus-host response.
Introduction: Why the Sociology of Sports-Talk Radio Matters

The opening chapter introduces this study of the social structures and processes that make sports-talk radio today such a vibrant societal milieu and seeks to identify the essential sociological dynamics that make all that endless talking so vital to so many. Through a qualitatively descriptive analytic focus on the sociological dynamics of the talk of sports-talk radio, a remarkable world where so very many come together to interact frequently, insistently, colorfully, emotionally, and quite often with stunning ferocity in processes by which human communicators construct meaning.
Health Beliefs and the Developmental Treatment Cascade

* Abbreviation: EI — : early intervention In the current issue of Pediatrics, Magnusson et al1 describe findings from 22 semistructured interviews with low-income African American and Hispanic mothers. The mothers discuss health beliefs that facilitate or impede engagement with early intervention (EI) services for their children after a positive screen for developmental delay in the primary care setting. From these interviews, the authors identify 5 themes: (1) comparisons with other children influence perceptions of their own children’s development, (2) perceptions that children develop at their own pace can lead mothers to believe their children are developing normally, (3) social networks inform decisions to seek services, (4) competing stressors are often prioritized over services, and (5) conflicting information about EI referral processes can discourage engagement with services. These health beliefs clearly have important consequences for individual patients. What may be less clear is the role such health beliefs can (and should) play in informing research and clinical approaches to developmental screening within US pediatric primary care delivery systems. The principal implication of Magnusson et al’s1 study is that it offers a series of evidence-informed hypotheses for why families sort into those who engage with developmental services and those who … Address correspondence to Michael Silverstein, MD, MPH, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, 1 Boston Medical Center Pl, Vose Hall 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02118. E-mail: michael.silverstein{at}bmc.org
The Nightmare of History and the Burden of the Past

William Faulkner wrote famously that in the American South, “[t]he past is never dead. It’s not even past.” Indeed, for the modern world, the past seems a burden that one—whether an individual or a community—has to carry around in the present. Many modern thinkers have been thus engaged in a memory crisis arising out of this obsession with the power and the burden—of the past, what Milan Kundera calls “the burden of memory.” This chapter explores the issues involved in trying to extinguish the past (and the memory of the past), focusing particularly on Joyce’s and Kundera’s novels, but also on novels by Ford Madox Ford, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Walker Percy—within Nietzsche’s and Renan’s arguments about the desirability of forgetting.
Evaluating Undergraduate Nursing Students' Attitudes Toward Health Care Teams in the Context of an Interprofessionally-Focused Nursing Course.

Abstract Background Nursing students' attitudes related to health care teams in the context of interprofessional education (IPE) and the impact of these attitudes on IPE and future practice are not fully understood. Purpose The current study assesses baccalaureate nursing students' attitudes toward health care teams and evaluates if these attitudes have changed after completion of a nursing course focusing on health care systems from an interprofessional perspective. Method A convenience sample of 116 undergraduate nursing students in a required interprofessionally-focused course was invited to participate. The Attitudes Toward Health Care Teams Scale Quality of Care subscale (ATHCT-QC) and Team Understanding Scale (TUS) were employed via a pretest-posttest design. Paired samples t-tests were conducted to compare mean scores. Results Ninety-five respondents (81.8%) voluntarily participated at the beginning and conclusion of the course. Conclusions There were no significant differences between pretest-posttest attitudes toward interprofessional health care teams. Nurse educators must create and evaluate innovative IPE interventions to enhance students' preparedness to be effective interprofessional health care team members.
On Entropy Rate

The concept of maximum entropy is reexamined in the context of spectral estimation. Applications include problems involving nonconsecutive correlation constraints and constraints in terms of system responses.
Selective Breeding of Honeybees for Alfalfa Pollen: Fifth Generation and Backcrosses

SummarySelection within lines for honeybees showing strong and weak tendencies toward collection of alfalfa pollen was continued through the fifth generation. In the line with a strong tendency (high line), the average percentage of pollen collectors collecting alfalfa pollen increased from 66% in the fourth generation to 85% in the fifth. In the line with the weak tendency (low line), the corresponding percentages were 8% and 18%. Backcrosses of the two lines resulted in an intermediate mean. At Howell, Utah, where other pollen than alfalfa was scarce, the percentages were 99% and 53% for the high and low lines respectively, and at Fielding, Utah, where other pollen was abundant, they were 54% and 2%. Although we have not compared the productive ability of the high line with that of commercial bees, results suggest that commercially useful strains could be developed.
Repair and Treatment of TFCC Injury

The triangular fibrocartilage complex is a homogeneous structure composed of the articular disk, the volar and dorsal radioulnar ligament, the meniscal homolog, the ulnar collateral ligament, and the sheath of the extensor carpi ulnaris. The triangular fibrocartilage complex acts as an extension of the articular surface of the radius to support the proximal row and stabilize the distal radioulnar joint. The volar carpal ligaments assist in limiting wrist extension and radial deviation, as well as in stabilizing the volar-ulnar aspect of the carpus.
The Dynamically Imaginative Cognition of Descartes

What imagination is cannot be answered apart from understanding its conceptual topology, the articulated framework of basic phenomena and concepts that govern our thinking about it. The Platonic ontology of the good (as well as the forms) imaging itself in all levels of reality and the Aristotelian psychology based on the claim there is no thinking without images exercised their influence for nearly two millennia, though chiefly in distorted forms that undermined their conception of imagination as dynamic. The third step in our historical investigation examines the work of Rene Descartes (1596–1650), who was strongly influenced by this heritage in surprising ways (e.g., the practice of spiritual exercises). His early work developed a universal method for using figures and images, both mathematical and nonmathematical, for representing the degree of similarity of things to natural forms. On this basis he developed techniques for resolving all kinds of questions and problems. His invention of analytic geometry was the most rigorous form of using images ever conceived. Marked positions in geometric figures are symbolically incorporated into algebraic formulas; algebra, conceived as a matrix field, allows manipulations of elements that are mapped back exactly into the geometric field. The biplanar character of imagination first discovered by Plato—that things on one level of reality embody and can be used to display relations on another level, and vice versa—was thus incorporated into, and became the basis for, the dynamism of modern analytical mathematics.