cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural and Biochemical Advances in Mammalian DNA Methylation

The control of transcription initiation in mammalian cells can be very broadly divided into three categories: intrinsic promoter strength and availability of core transcription machinery (Dvir et al. 2001, Sandelin 2007), the actions of promoter- or regulon-specific transcription factors (positive and negative) (e.g., (Malik and Roeder 2005, Hoffmann et al. 2006)), and the control of DNA accessibility by altering chromatin structure (Li et al. 2007, Berger 2007). This latter category, including posttranslational modifications to histones and postreplicational modification of DNA, is in many ways less well-understood than the other two. Nucleosomes are the fundamental building blocks of eukaryotic chromatin, and consist of ˜146 base pairs of DNA wrapped twice around a histone octamer (Luger et al. 1997). A variety of protein-modifying enzymes (including methyltransferases, MTases) is responsible for histone modification, primarily at their flexible N-termini (Shilatifard 2006, Shi 2007, Bhaumik 2007). We will touch on the functional links between histone modification and that of DNA, but the purpose of this chapter is to summarize, from a structural perspective, the rapidly-growing body of information about the proteins that methylate mammalian DNA.
Cloning Knotted, the dominant morphological mutant in maize using Ds2 as a transposon tag.

The Kn1-2F11 mutation causes protrusions or knots along the lateral veins of the first few leaves of the maize plant. The phenotype is visible when an unlinked gene, presumably Ac, is present in the genome. The mutation is closely linked to a genetically unstable Adh1 mutation that resulted from the insertion of a Ds2 element (Doring et al., 1984; Chen et al., 1986). Using a unique sequence from the Ds2 element as a hybridization probe, a genomic restriction fragment that cosegregated with the knotted phenotype was cloned. It carries the Kn1-2F11 locus by the following criteria. (i) Cosegregation of the fragment is tightly linked to the phenotype. (ii) Somatic and germinal excision produce a fragment which is the expected size of a revertant fragment; progeny containing the revertant size fragment are normal. (iii) The sequences that hybridize to this fragment are significantly altered in the chromosome containing the original knotted mutation, Kn1-O, (iv) The cloned fragment does not hybridize to a chromosome that contains a deletion of Kn1-O.
Design and Performance of the Readout Electronics for the sPHENIX Calorimeters

The sPHENIX collaboration has proposed a major upgrade, sPHENIX, to probe the nature of the Quark-Gluon Plasma, QGP, by studying jets produced in p+p, p+A, and A+A collisions at RHIC. The sPHENIX detector consists of a superconducting solenoid, formerly the BaBar solenoid, electromagnetic and hadronic calorimetry, and central tracking optimized for jet studies. For sPHENIX electromagnetic and hadronic calorimeters, we have designed an optical readout system based on Silicon Photo-multipliers (SiPMs). We have also designed a new 14-bit ADC based digitizer system capable of operating up to 65 MHz and provides a digital pipeline capable of buffering $8 \mu s$ of data and up to 5 triggered events. In this paper we will present the current design, along with the performance of the prototype calorimeter electronics and readout chain.
Large-Displacement Vertical Electrostatic Microactuator Dynamics Using Duty-Cycled Softening/Stiffening Parametric Resonance

Electrostatic microactuators with large vertical scanning range (several hundred micrometers) at high frequency (hundreds to thousands of hertz) and chips’ sizes compatible with endoscopic microscopy have recently been demonstrated based on parametric resonance. This paper examines the use and modeling of mixed softening/hardening dynamics to help produce large ranges of motion in this class of mirrors. Origin of spring stiffening behavior in actuator design is described, followed by non-dimensional analysis of actuator motion trends. The experimental results are presented for a sample actuator design with up to 480- $\mu \text{m}$ displacement at 1225 Hz and 60 V. Comparison of predicted trends and comments on benefits and limitations of modeling are provided. [2018-0184]
Machine perfusion in kidney transplantation.

Purpose of review The shortage of kidneys for transplantation has led to an urgent need to efficiently utilize the available cadaveric kidneys. Efficient use of machine perfusion may potentially lead to increased use of marginal kidneys by lowering the incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) and improving graft outcomes. Recent findings Machine perfusion has had a resurgence in the last 10-15 years over static cold storage (SCS). Hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP), the most commonly utilized type of machine perfusion reduces the rates of DGF when compared with SCS with a trend towards improving the overall graft survival. Summary Despite reduction in the rates of DGF by HMP, its effect on long-term renal and patient outcomes is not clearly known. There is limited clinical literature in the use of normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) but a few pilot studies have shown its potential to resuscitate commonly discarded kidneys. In addition to preservation, machine perfusion also allows for various diagnostic and therapeutic interventions during the preservation period to assess and optimize the viability of the procured kidney.
STATISTICAL STABILITY OF CLIPPED PHOTON CORRELATIONS IN THE SELF-SCALING LIMIT.

High-speed photon correlators commonly use digital clipping techniques to convert the photon rate time series into a series of one-bit numbers that can be multiplied rapidly, thereby improving the product rate (number of multiplication products performed per second) and the overall throughput rate of the correlator. Letting $$\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {{{n}_{i}} = number\,of\,photomultiplier\,anode\,pulses\,in} \\ {time\,\operatorname{int} erval\,\left( {{{t}_{i}},{{t}_{i}} + \nabla \tau } \right),} \\ \end{array}$$ (1) the photon rate correlation with time delay pΔτ is obtained ideally by quantizing each value of ni with enough resolution to make errors in the products of the samples negligible. Clipping processes effectively quantize ni with one-bit resolution. In clipping without scaling the quantization occurs with respect to a set threshold level nth, and the clipped value of ni is given by $${{n}_{{il}}} = \left\{ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {1,\quad if\quad {{n}_{1}} > {{n}_{{th}}}} \hfill \\ {0,\quad if\quad {{n}_{i}} < {{n}_{{th}}}} \hfill \\ \end{array} } \right.$$ (2) .
Determining Patient Characteristics Leading to Worse Outcomes with Long Term Milrinone Therapy

Background Milrinone is an inotrope used in patients with end-stage heart failure awaiting mechanical support, heart transplant or as palliative therapy. Numerous studies have evaluated adverse events and mortality associated with milrinone use, which have shown to be associated with higher mortality rates and arrhythmias. Despite the homogeneous prevalence of these adverse effects, the association of their development with the duration of treatment remains debatable. Additionally, emerging smaller studies have described relative safety of long term milrinone use. In light of such discrepancy, no specific factors have been identified to account for the difference in onset and prevalence of milrinone associated deleterious effects. We sought to determine underlying patient characteristics that would influence worse outcomes with milrinone Methods We conducted a single-center retrospective study reviewing all patients on outpatient milrinone therapy at St. Francis Hospital with a mean follow up of 36 months. Results In total, 10 patients were identified of which 4 patients were deceased. These 4 patients were on milrinone for a mean of 11.5 months. The attributes of the survivors compared to deceased showed: age at start of therapy 67.5 vs 79; female gender 66% vs 33%; non-ischemic cardiomyopathy 33% vs 50%; atrial fibrillation/flutter 50% vs 25%; hyperlipidemia 66% vs 50%; anemia 83% vs 75%; presence of CRT 66% vs 25% and ICD 16% vs 0%; sodium 136 vs 140mEq; chloride 101.5 vs 104.5mEq; potassium 4.07 vs 4.23mEq; and creatinine 1.3 vs 1.8 mg/dL. Conversely, deceased patients were more likely to have diabetes (50% vs 16%), hypertension (100% vs 83%), chronic kidney disease (75% vs 66%), peripheral vascular disease (25% vs 0%), coronary artery disease (75% vs 33%), higher pulmonary artery pressures (54 vs 50.5mmHg) and history of coronary intervention with primary coronary angioplasty or coronary bypass surgery (50% vs 16%). Conclusion Males were more likely to have died if they were placed on milrinone at a later age. Ischemic risk factors appear to be more deleterious. These trends exhibit potential patient characteristics that may predict worse outcomes on long term milrinone. Larger studies are needed to assess statistical significance of these findings.
FOPAC : Flexible On-Chip Power and Clock

A novel flexible on-chip power and clock ( FOPAC ) generation and distribution circuit is proposed to enable fast dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS). FOPAC utilizes resonant rotary clocks (ReRoCs) along with multi-phase voltage regulators (MPVR) for the clock and power generation and distribution. The locally distributed ReRoCs provide the required clock phases to the MPVR, and the MPVR provides the required voltage levels to the ReRoC, providing spatial and temporal flexibility for fast DVFS. The ReRoC and MPVR share the on-chip fly capacitor of the switched capacitor voltage regulators to achieve greater frequency scaling at run-time while reducing the overhead. The FOPAC architecture is evaluated on industrial designs demonstrating a <2 ns DVFS switching time.
Hmong Stories: “Only in the house do your dead ancestors live”

Relocating to the U.S. in the late 1970s, many Hmong refugees experience high rates of mental distress, partly due to factors such as one in four living below poverty and differences in assimilation levels between the young and the old. Spatial elements that supported the well-being of our interviewees included a wall that held the Shamanist altar; a stairway that accommodated a freezer where meat for celebrations was stored; open and connected living and dining areas that hosted gatherings; and extra sleeping areas that enabled extended family members to live together. Suppressing their abilities to nourish connections were open kitchens that allowed the smells from frying and using spices to permeate the rest of the house and the lack of a yard through which to nourish one’s spirit.
Significance of Attribute Selection In The Classification of Chronic Renal Disease

The management and diagnosis of CKD or Renal Failure is often complicated. Maximum risk associated with lack of knowledge, poor health management, and indifferent lifestyle can be considered as primary reasons for increasing cause of this disease. Basically, Chronic Renal Disease is intensifying the damage of kidneys over a duration. Decreased or damaged kidney is often determined using GFR, which is also known as golemerular filtration rate. However, it can be cured or prevented if diagnosed and identified at an early stage or else dialysis and transplantation will be needed for further mishaps. Identifying CKD is can be very complex, proper medical test are needed. Several attributes from the medical test can reveal many useful information about Chronic Kidney Disease. To successfully use these features the significance of these features should be analyzed with greater details in order to provide the required treatment or cure. In this paper, classification models were suggested using different classifying algorithms, Permutation Feature Importance, Correlation-based Feature Subset attribute evaluator and GreedyStepwise search methods are used to classify and identify CKD and non-CKD patients. From the obtained result, it was observed that classifiers performed better with reduced dataset attributes as compare to the original.
Mitigating Process Induced Degradation in p- and n-Czochralski Silicon Wafers with Tabula Rasa

We report on the bulk properties of of n- and p- type Czochralski silicon (Cz-Si) after a high-temperature annealing process known as Tabula Rasa (TR), which is primarily used to annihilate oxygen precipitates. We find significant differences in n- and p-type substrates as well as a strong dependence on the ambient in the resulting process induced degradation. We attribute this ambient dependence to either injection of interstitials or vacancies into the bulk during TR. Finally, we show that subsequent gettering is enhanced due to the annihilation of oxygen precipitates.
Nonlinear wave propagation and dynamic reconfiguration in two-dimensional lattices with bistable elements

Abstract This paper examines the propagation of elastic waves of large amplitudes in two-dimensional square lattices that include an alternating pattern of linear springs and nonlinear bistable springs. Because of the presence of bistable springs, these lattices have multiple stable configurations. In this paper, a theoretical model that takes into account the non-linearity of the bistable springs while neglecting geometric nonlinearities is used to study non-linear wave propagation in these lattices. Results from numerical simulations demonstrate that, for a lattice that is initially in a deformed stable equilibrium configuration, stimuli of large amplitudes are able to cause a reconfiguration of the lattice to a configuration of lower potential energy. Even for initial stable configurations that exhibit omnidirectional or directional bandgaps for infinitesimal wave propagation, waves of large amplitudes can propagate in the lattice due to its reconfiguration; however, due to the nonlinearity of bistable springs, the transmitted response tends to have multiple spectral peaks or be broadband for narrow-band stimuli of large amplitude. Simulations are used to study how the reconfiguration of the lattice depends on the amplitude and duration of the stimulus, on damping, and on the energy barrier between the two stable equilibria of the bistable springs. These numerical results suggest that these multistable lattices can serve as reconfigurable wave guides for which the amplitude of the stimulus offers opportunities for enhanced tunability.
Microphysiological system modeling of ochratoxin A-associated nephrotoxicity.

Abstract Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the most abundant mycotoxin contaminants in food stuffs and possesses carcinogenic, nephrotoxic, teratogenic, and immunotoxic properties. Specifically, a major concern is severe nephrotoxicity, which is characterized by degeneration of epithelial cells of the proximal tubules and interstitial fibrosis. However, the mechanism of OTA toxicity, as well as the genetic risk factors contributing to its toxicity in humans has been elusive due to the lack of adequate models that fully recapitulate human kidney function in vitro. The present study attempts to evaluate dose-response relationships, identify the contribution of active transport proteins that govern the renal disposition of OTA, and determine the role of metabolism in the bioactivation and detoxification of OTA using a 3D human kidney proximal tubule microphysiological system (kidney MPS). We demonstrated that LC50 values of OTA in kidney MPS culture (0.375–1.21 μM) were in agreement with clinically relevant toxic concentrations of OTA in urine. Surprisingly, no enhancement of kidney injury biomarkers was evident in the effluent of the kidney MPS after OTA exposure despite significant toxicity observed by LIVE/DEAD staining. Instead, these biomarkers decreased in an OTA concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the effect of 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT) and 6-(7-Nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-ylthio) hexanol (NBDHEX), pan-inhibitors of P450 and glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes, respectively, on OTA-induced toxicity in kidney MPS was examined. These studies revealed significant enhancement of OTA-induced toxicity by NBDHEX (3 μM) treatment, whereas ABT (1 mM) treatment decreased OTA-induced toxicity, suggesting roles for GSTs and P450 enzymes in the detoxification and bioactivation of OTA, respectively. Analysis of transcriptional changes using RNA-sequencing of kidney MPS treated with different concentrations of OTA revealed downregulation of several nuclear factor (erythroid derived-2)-like 2 (NRF2)-regulated genes by OTA treatment, including GSTs. The transcriptional repression of GSTs is likely playing a key role in OTA toxicity via attenuation of glutathione conjugation/detoxification. The sequential molecular events may explain the mechanism of toxicity associated with OTA. Additionally, OTA transport studies using kidney MPS in the presence and absence of probenecid (1 mM) suggested a role for organic anionic membrane transporter(s) in the kidney specific disposition of OTA. Our findings provide a clearer understanding of the mechanism of OTA-induced kidney injury, which may support changes in risk assessment, regulatory agency policies on allowable exposure levels, and determination of the role of genetic factors in populations at risk for OTA nephrotoxicity.
Minimization of a harmful cross-talk between mitotic checkpoint silencing and error correction

Abstract Accurate chromosome segregation during cell division requires that the pair of sister kinetochores on each chromosome attach to microtubules originating from opposite spindle poles. This is ensured by the combined action of the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint (SAC), which detects unattached kinetochores, and an error correction mechanism that destabilizes incorrect attachment of both sister kinetochores to the same spindle pole. These processes are downregulated by Protein Phosphatase 1 (PP1), which both silences the SAC and stabilizes kinetochore-microtubule attachments. We find that this dual PP1 role can be problematic: if PP1 is recruited to the kinetochore for SAC silencing prior to chromosome biorientation, it interferes with error correction. We show that to mitigate this cross-talk, the yeast kinetochore uses independent PP1 sources to stabilize correct attachments and to silence the SAC, and also delays the recruitment of PP1 for SAC silencing. Consequently, chromosome biorientation precedes SAC silencing ensuring accurate chromosome segregation.
The Discovery of the Positron

This chapter deals with the discovery of the positron, the antiparticle of the electron. The positron was first discovered and reported by Carl Anderson and soon thereafter by Patrick Blackett and Giuseppe Occhialini. Neither of these experimental investigations were motivated by Paul Dirac’s earlier prediction of the positron, but rather by more straightforward concerns about the absorption and production of cosmic ray particles. With respect to the experiments of Anderson, and Blackett and Occhialini, once was enough to establish the existence of the positron and to justify in particular the pursuit of gamma ray experiments in an attempt to understand the production of positrons.
Positive Psychosocial Factors and Oxytocin in the Ovarian Tumor Microenvironment.

OBJECTIVE Clinical ovarian cancer research shows relationships between psychosocial factors and disease-promoting aspects of the stress response (e.g., norepinephrine and cortisol). However, little is known about how psychosocial factors might relate to beneficial hormones in the ovarian tumor microenvironment. Here we examine relationships between psychosocial factors and tumor-associated oxytocin, a hormone linked to survival and antitumor processes in ovarian cancer. METHODS Patients with ovarian cancer (n = 96) completed assessments of positive psychosocial factors (social support, positive affect, and purpose in life) and distress (perceived stress and depression) at the time of surgery. Levels of oxytocin and interleukin (IL) 6 in ascites fluid were obtained during surgery and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multiple regression analyses adjusting a priori for patient age and disease stage examined associations between psychosocial factors and ascites oxytocin. IL-6 was used as a covariate in secondary analyses to examine the potentially confounding effects of inflammation in these relationships. RESULTS Higher levels of positive affect (β = 0.22, p = .034), purpose in life (β = 0.31, p = .021), and social nurturance (β = 0.24, p = .024) were all related to higher levels of tumor-associated oxytocin at the time of surgery. In contrast, we found no effects for distress or social attachment. Relationships between oxytocin, purpose in life, and social nurturance were independent of IL-6, whereas positive affect was no longer significant with IL-6 in the model. CONCLUSIONS Tumor-associated oxytocin may be a previously uninvestigated link in the relationship between psychosocial factors and health in ovarian cancer. Future studies should examine causal mechanisms of relationships observed in this study.
The influence of language-specific and universal factors on acquisition of motion verbs

This study explores children’s encoding of novel verbs referring to motion events, and finds influence of both language-specific and universal constraints on meaning. Motion verbs fall into two categories— manner verbs encode how a movement happens ( run , swim ), and path verbs encode the starting and ending point of a motion ( enter , fall ). Some languages express path more frequently in the verb (Spanish, Hebrew), and others manner more frequently (English, German). Our study expands on this previous work demonstrating sensitivity to these language-specific distributions, as well as expanding to test environmental factors representing a predictable universal distribution. We find that children are sensitive to both the language-specific factors as well as the universal factors in motion verb acquisition.
Failure to Achieve Threshold Scores on Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Within 1 Year Has a Predictive Risk of Subsequent Hip Surgery Within 5 Years of Primary Hip Arthroscopy: A Case-Control Study:

Background:Research has identified factors that influence achievement rates of threshold scores on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after hip arthroscopy. However, little data exist on whe...
Coaching methods in service-providing small and medium-sized enterprises

The services providing firms creates a 60-per-cent share of gross domestic product in the Czech Republic and the majority of these enterprises are of the size of small and medium-sized. The owners are very often the only one person in the top management of the firm and they do not have a sparing partner inside the own company do discuss strategic aims and decisions. This paper deals with the theme how to coach a firm on the size level of SME. Coaching instead of consulting can bring a better and quicker improvement in the development progress in a firm.
The effect of scopolamine on fetal heart rate baseline variability

Abstract The effect on FHR baseline variability of intravenous scopolamine (0.43 mg.) administered alone and in combination with Demerol (50 mg.) and Largon (20 mg.) was evaluated. A decrease in baseline variability was found in nine of 19 patients given scopolamine (0.43 mg.). When scopolamine, Demerol, and Largon were infused simultaneously, a change in baseline variability was observed in nine of 12 patients. No change in variable or early deceleration FHR patterns was observed.
A NOTE ON THE DIFFERENTIAL REGIONAL EFFECTS OF INCOME INEQUALITY: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE USING U.S. COUNTY‐LEVEL DATA

This note examines the correlation between income inequality and economic growth using a panel of income distribution data for 3,109 counties of the U.S. Using the System Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) approach, we find that for the entire sample of 3,109 counties, an increase in a county's level of inequality has a significant negative relationship with future economic growth. In reality, however, the magnitude, sign, and significance of this relationship is not necessarily uniform across all regions of the U.S., motivating the need to examine regional differentials in the relationship between inequality and growth. Consequently, we split our dataset into metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties, into the eight Bureau of Economic Analysis regions, and into regions of different political affiliation and economic-dependence typology. Our results show considerable heterogeneity in the relationship between inequality and growth across these regions.
Constraints on a phenomenologically parametrized neutron-star equation of state

We introduce a parametrized high-density equation of state (EOS) in order to systematize the study of constraints placed by astrophysical observations on the nature of neutron-star matter. To obtain useful constraints, the number of parameters must be smaller than the number of EOS-related neutron-star properties measured, but large enough to accurately approximate the large set of candidate EOSs. We find that a parametrized EOS based on piecewise polytropes with 3 free parameters matches, to about 4% rms error, an extensive set of candidate EOSs at densities below the central density of $1.4{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}}$ stars. Adding observations of more massive stars constrains the higher-density part of the EOS and requires an additional parameter. We obtain constraints on the allowed parameter space set by causality and by present and near-future astronomical observations with the least model dependence. Stringent constraints on the EOS parameter space are associated with the future measurement of the moment of inertia of PSR J0737-3039A combined with the maximum known neutron-star mass. We also present in an appendix a more efficient algorithm than has previously been used for finding points of marginal stability and the maximum angular velocity of stable stars.
A Primate Model of Phobic Fears

The use of animal models in clinical psychology and psychiatry has a long and mixed history. There were early proposals by Watson and Rayner (1920) and by Pavlov (1927) that classical conditioning plays a prominent role in the origins of a variety of so-called neurotic disturbances. These were soon followed by numerous demonstrations of “experimental neurosis” in which disturbed behavior was induced in a range of different species through exposure to a wide range of somewhat aberrant conditioning procedures. Research on this topic was performed in a number of well-known laboratories, including those of Pavlov, Liddell, Masserman, N. R. F. Maier, and Wolpe (see Broadhurst, 1960, 1973; Mineka & Kihlstrom, 1978, for reviews).
Current management of human bites

Human bites should be considered dangerous injuries with potentially serious complications. Their characteristics vary from an uninfected abrasion to a serious infection such as cellulitis or osteomyelitis. An estimated 10% of the injuries become infected; suspected pathogens include oral and skin flora. Management consists of history and examination, wound care, surgical intervention if necessary, assessment of risk of disease transmission, and appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis or treatment. The best choice for oral or intravenous antibiotic therapy remains the combination of a β-lactam antibiotic with a β-lactamase inhibitor. Among the most serious human bites are clenched fist injuries, which often require surgical intervention and intravenous antibiotic therapy.
Interspecific differences in grass seed imbibition

Seeds from 12 grass species were studied relative to mode of wetting and time of exposure to water to document interspecific differences in imbibition characteristics. Imbibition causes seeds to become wet, and wet seeds are more detectable to consumers than dry seeds. Thus, germination potential and ability to remain undetected by consumers may represent an important trade-off. Seeds wetted for 0-192 h in vials imbibed water at rates equivalent to seeds wetted by contact with wet paper towels pressing against their seed coat, except for seeds of Avena sativa , which weighed more after wetting in 2-mL vials with free water (0.471 g vs. 0.432 g). Seeds from different species imbibed water at different rates. These data show that interspecific variation in imbibition for seeds is high and support an expectation that imbibition potential can interact with detectability to consumers in an evolutionary trade-off.
Studies in Sickle Cell Anemia. XXI. Clinico-Pathological Aspects of Neurological Manifestations.

Neurologic manifestations are frequent in patients who have sickle cell disease. These manifestations may be the earliest presenting signs and symptoms and they are so variable that the patient may be erroneously diagnosed as having conditions such as meningitis, poliomyelitis, subdural hematoma, neoplasm, subarachnoid hemorrhage, lead encephalitis, subacute bacterial endocarditis, and congenital malformations of the brain. Furthermore, development of these manifestations cannot be predicted on the basis of the type of crisis involved. Prognosis following neurological involvement is unpredictable, but recurrent episodes, together with abnormal electroencephalographic readings suggest a poor outcome. Such patients die or are the victims of rather severe neurological deficits. Neurological examination of these patients suggests diffuse involvement of the cerebral hemispheres. Examination of the pathological material, however, often fails to reveal thromboses. The striking findings are infarcts in the white matter and perivascular hemorrhages. The thesis that the abnormal neurological findings in these patients are actually due to sickle cell disease is supported by the fact that all such symptoms appear in association with clinical circumstances known to induce sickling. These include surgery and anesthesia, fever and infection.
The Health Significance of Positive Emotions in Adulthood and Later Life

A growing body of literature supports a link between positive emotions and health in older adults. In this article, we review evidence of the effects of positive emotions on downstream biological processes and meaningful clinical endpoints, such as adult morbidity and mortality. We then present relevant predictions from lifespan theories that suggest changes in cognition and motivation may play an important role in explaining how positive emotions are well maintained in old age, despite pervasive declines in cognitive processes. We conclude by discussing how the application of psychological theory can inform greater understanding of the adaptive significance of positive emotions in adulthood and later life.
FDI and Internationalization: Evidence from U.S. Subsidiaries of Foreign Banks

Nine foreign banks own the ten largest U.S. affiliates or subsidiaries of foreign banks. These account for 86% of the assets in affiliates and subsidiaries. Their histories suggest that most now represent an attempt by the parents to grow outside the confines of home markets. Original motives for their establishment have included ethnic banking and operational stability stemming from geographical dispersion. There is one major instance of acquiring capabilities, but it does not involve retail banking. The dispersal of national origins suggests that bank-specific capabilities are the primary source of the parents' competitive advantage. Being from English speaking countries also appears to help. Lastly, the growth of the affiliates and subsidiaries has not come from incremental growth but rather from a rearrangement of assets among banks.
A multiprogramming nucleus with dynamic resource facilities

This paper describes a nucleus for controlling process interaction in multiprogramming systems. The nucleus has three components: a set of primitive operations and data structures for the management of processes and resources, a library of service routines for implementing a variety of resource management strategies and facilities for cleanly handling all input-output and interrupts. The process management component is straightforward, but the resource facilities are novel in permitting the dynamic definition and control of classes of real or virtual resources. Resources are considered to be anything on which a process can be blocked and consequently encompass consumable (message-like) as well as conventional, re-usable objects. Applications of the nucleus as well as some implementation details are also presented.
Microstructural Mechanisms of Early Age Cracking Behavior of Concrete: Fracture Energy Approach

This paper presents findings from a study directed at identifying key properties of ingredient materials that are influential on the early age cracking behavior of concrete, with an emphasis on the...
MiRTE: Mixed Reality Triage and Evacuation game for Mass Casualty information systems design, testing and training

In this paper we introduce a Mixed Reality Triage and Evacuation game, MiRTE, that is used in the development, testing and training of Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) information systems for first responders. Using the Source game engine from Valve software, MiRTE creates immersive virtual environments to simulate various incident scenarios, and enables interactions between multiple players/first responders. What distinguishes it from a pure computer simulation game is that it can interface with external mass casualty incident management systems, such as DIORAMA. The game will enable system developers to specify technical requirements of underlying technology, and test different alternatives of design. After the information system hardware and software are completed, the game can simulate various algorithms such as localization technologies, and interface with an actual user interface on PCs and Smartphones. We implemented and tested the game with the DIORAMA system.
Effect of yield surface evolution on bending induced cross sectional deformation of thin-walled sections

Abstract Bend–stretch forming is commonly used to shape extruded tubular aluminum parts for automotive and other applications. The tubes are pre-stretched, pressurized and bent over rigid curved dies. Tension prevents buckling of the compressed side and helps reduce springback. An unwanted byproduct of the process is distortion of the cross section. Small amounts of pressure applied during forming can reduce this distortion. The problem was studied through a combination of experiment and analysis. In numerical models of the process the inelastic behavior of the aluminum alloy was modeled through isotropically hardening plasticity. With the limitations imposed by this model, use of a J 2 -type yield surface resulted in uniform underprediction of cross sectional deformation. The predictions matched the measurements when a non-quadratic yield function appropriately “calibrated,” was used instead. The change in yield function shape alters the instantaneous normals to the yield surface which, in turn, affect the calculated strain increments. This paper demonstrates how suitably calibrated nonlinear kinematic hardening models can have the same corrective effect. The calibration involves selection of a suitable kinematic hardening rule. Changes in the hardening direction alter the instantaneous normals and therefore alter the plastic strain increments resulting in approximately the same net effect as the switch from the von Mises to the non-quadratic yield function.
Electronic spectra of carotenoids. Schiff's bases of carotenal and carotenones

Abstract Visible absorption bands of β-apo-8′-carotenal, citranaxanthin, and reticulataxanthin Schiff's bases are measured and analyzed in relation to the visual chromophore, retinal Schiff's base. The former shows a strong red shift of the absorption maxima upon protonation in ethanol, and the magnitude of the band shift is comparable to that of retinal Schiff's base. Molecular orbital analysis of the ground and excited state electronic structures of both types of Schiff's bases suggests the usefulness of carotenal Schiff's bases as a model for comparative studies with visual chromophore.
Exact solutions of nonlinear generalizations of the wave equation

Abstract Exact solutions of nonlinear generalizations of the wave equation are constructed. In some cases these solutions are solitary waves or solitions. Thus, by explicit construction solitons or solitary waves are shown to exist in dispersionless systems. In contrast to previous solitary wave solutions, these solutions are limiting cases of solutions of nonlinear partial differential equations with dispersion.
Synthetic biology: The yin and yang of nature

Oscillations in gene expression regulate various cellular processes and so must be robust and tunable. Interactions between both negative and positive feedback loops seem to ensure these features. Synthetic gene circuits producing oscillating outputs have been developed only in bacteria, and it has been difficult to make them reliable even there. Tigges et al. have now developed a synthetic sense–antisense circuit in mammalian cells that produces autonomous, self-sustained and tunable cyclic gene expression. This synthetic mammalian clock will be of use in the study of oscillations in mammalian cells, and may improve our understanding of the circadian clock and associated pathologies.
Dissecting Molecular Differences between Wnt Coreceptors LRP5 and LRP6

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related proteins 5 and 6 (LRP5 and LRP6) serve as Wnt co-receptors for the canonical β-catenin pathway. While LRP6 is essential for embryogenesis, both LRP5 and LRP6 play critical roles for skeletal remodeling, osteoporosis pathogenesis and cancer formation, making LRP5 and LRP6 key therapeutic targets for cancer and disease treatment. LRP5 and LRP6 each contain in the cytoplasmic domain five conserved PPPSPxS motifs that are pivotal for signaling and serve collectively as phosphorylation-dependent docking sites for the scaffolding protein Axin. However existing data suggest that LRP6 is more effective than LRP5 in transducing the Wnt signal. To understand the molecular basis that accounts for the different signaling activity of LRP5 and LRP6, we generated a series of chimeric receptors via swapping LRP5 and LRP6 cytoplasmic domains, LRP5C and LRP6C, and studied their Wnt signaling activity using biochemical and functional assays. We demonstrate that LRP6C exhibits strong signaling activity while LRP5C is much less active in cells. Recombinant LRP5C and LRP6C upon in vitro phosphorylation exhibit similar Axin-binding capability, suggesting that LRP5 and LRP6 differ in vivo at a step prior to Axin-binding, likely at receiving phosphorylation. We identified between the two most carboxyl PPPSPxS motifs an intervening “gap4” region that appears to account for much of the difference between LRP5C and LRP6C, and showed that alterations in this region are sufficient to enhance LRP5 PPPSPxS phosphorylation and signaling to levels comparable to LRP6 in cells. In addition we provide evidence that binding of phosphorylated LRP5 or LRP6 to Axin is likely direct and does not require the GSK3 kinase as a bridging intermediate as has been proposed. Our studies therefore uncover a new and important molecular tuning mechanism for differential regulation of LRP5 and LRP6 phosphorylation and signaling activity.
Sequentiality and Adaptivity Gains in Active Hypothesis Testing

Consider a decision maker who is responsible to collect observations so as to enhance his information in a speedy manner about an underlying phenomena of interest. The policies under which the decision maker selects sensing actions can be categorized based on the following two factors: i) sequential versus non-sequential; ii) adaptive versus non-adaptive. Non-sequential policies collect a fixed number of observation samples and make the final decision afterwards; while under sequential policies, the sample size is not known initially and is determined by the observation outcomes. Under adaptive policies, the decision maker relies on the previous collected samples to select the next sensing action; while under non-adaptive policies, the actions are selected independent of the past observation outcomes. In this paper, performance bounds are provided for the policies in each category. Using these bounds, sequentiality gain and adaptivity gain, i.e., the gains of sequential and adaptive selection of actions are characterized.
Hypospadias repair in an outpatient setting without proximal urinary diversion: Experience with 113 urethroplasties

A total of 113 consecutive patients underwent surgical repair of hypospadias. None had previously undergone a repair procedure. The median age of the patients at the time of surgery was 24 months (range, 5 months to 13 years). A meatal-based flap modified Mathieu technique was used in 48 children and a single- or double-faced transverse preputial island flap was used in 58 children. Urinary diversion was not performed. A 7F silicone rubber urethral stent with multiple perforations that drained freely was used in all cases. The stent was left indwelling for 7 days after meatal-based flap repairs and for 12 days preputial island flap repairs. Seventy-nine patients (70%) were discharged from the hospital the day of the operation. The results were cosmetically satisfactory in all cases. A total of 23 patients developed complications. Sixteen (14%) developed a urethrocutaneous fistula, 2 developed a stricture (1.7%), and 5 developed a urethral diverticulum (4.5%). There were no fistulas and only one stricture in the meatal based flap repairs. For 20 patients who suffered complications, a single outpatient surgical procedure corrected the problem. The remaining 3 patients required more than two surgical procedures. All complications were resolved within 12 months of the hypospadias repair.
Improving the Asphalt of Reading Instruction: A Tribute to the Work of Steven A. Stahl

This department is a review of Steven Stahl's research contributions and contains his beliefs about reading instruction. It begins with biographical highlights that shaped Stahl's reading perspective. Next, there is a discussion of Stahl's contributions to five domains that are central to reading: phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. The column closes with the author's personal thoughts about Stahl as a man and a researcher.
Lessons from Strange Cases Democracy, Development, and the Resource Curse in the U.S. States

The work linking natural resource wealth to authoritarianism and under-development suffers from several shortcomings. In this article, the authors outline those shortcomings and address them in a new empirical setting. Using a new data set for the U.S. states spanning 73 years and case studies of Texas and Louisiana, the authors are able to more carefully examine both the diachronic nature and comparative legs of the resource curse hypothesis than previous research has. They provide evidence that natural resource dependence contributes to slower economic growth, poorer developmental performance, and less competitive politics. Using this empirical setting, they also begin parsing the mechanisms that might explain the negative association between resource wealth and political and economic development. They draw implications from intranational findings for resource abundant countries across the world and suggest directions for future cross-national and cross-state work.
Activation of complement by Fluosol attributable to the pluronic detergent micelle structure.

SummaryFluosol, a complex mixture of perfluorocarbons with a high oxygen-carrying capacity emulsified with the detergent pluronic F-68 and various lipids, recently was approved for adjuvant therapy to reduce myocardial ischemia during coronary angioplasty. Anaphylactoid reactions after Fluosol infus
Ethanol oxidation in the microsomal fraction of rat liver.

Abstract The NADPH dependent oxidation of ethanol by the liver microsomal fraction has been investigated. NADPH cannot be replaced by H2O2 but can be replaced by glucose + glucose oxidase in the system. Aminotriazole inhibits the activity but less than it does catalase. It is concluded that ethanol oxidation by the microsomal fraction is mediated through H2O2 dependent systems one of which is catalase.
The use of non-human primates for production of antisera to human tumor-associated antigens

High-titered antisera against human melanoma- and leukemia-associated antigens have been produced in non-human primates. The data from this and from other studies suggest that this model may prove a valuable source of highly specific antisera against a variety of human tumor-associated antigens or alloantigens. Our methods for production and characterization of these antisera are reported.
Diagnosis of canine viral infections.

Canine viral infections may be tentatively diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs, hematologic findings, and/or gross pathology; however, definitive diagnosis generally requires laboratory assistance. Laboratory diagnosis of these infections relies on one or more of the following procedures: histopathology, virus isolation, serology, and the detection of virus, or viral antigens, using electron microscopy, fluorescent antibody techniques, immunoperoxidase techniques, and enzyme immunosorbent assays.
Systematic desensitization: distribution of practice and symptom substitution.

Abstract Six spider-fearing female undergraduates were given relaxation training plus systematic desensitization with 2–3 treatment sessions per week (Group S: spaced practice); 6 were treated in the same manner but with sessions several times a day (Group M: massed practice); and 5 were given relaxation training plus 2–3 “placebo” sessions a week (Group P: placebo). Groups S and M both showed a relative reduction in spider fear, and appeared to maintain it over a variable follow-up period. Group S showed a decrease in general anxiety but Group M did not. A 3-level self-report stimulus generalization scale was constructed by identifying fears judged highly similar, slightly similar, and dissimilar to spider fear. Treated Ss showed fear reduction at all levels when compared to untreated non-fearful control Ss, providing evidence against the “symptom substitution” hypothesis.
The Age of the Young Leader

(1970). The Age of the Young Leader. Royal United Services Institution. Journal: Vol. 115, No. 660, pp. 19-21.
An exact solution of Einstein's equation with a dilaton field

An exact solution of Einstein gravity coupled to a dilaton field is found. The solution is conformally flat and is invariant under Lorentz transformations. The singularities and conformal structure of the metric are examined.
Online learning and adaptation over networks: More information is not necessarily better

We examine the performance of stochastic-gradient learners over connected networks for global optimization problems involving risk functions that are not necessarily quadratic. We consider two well-studied classes of distributed schemes including consensus strategies and diffusion strategies. We quantify how the mean-square-error and the convergence rate of the network vary with the combination policy and with the fraction of informed agents. Several combination policies are considered including doubly-stochastic rules, the averaging rule, Metropolis rule, and the Hastings rule. It will be seen that the performance of the network does not necessarily improve with a larger proportion of informed agents. A strategy to counter the degradation in performance is presented.