cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavioral and Hemodynamic Changes Following Dichotic Training in Patients with Neurological Deficits of the Auditory Nervous System: A Case Series.

Background Dichotic listening occurs when one attends to different acoustical messages presented simultaneously to both ears. This is important for understanding speech in compromised listening situations, such as background noise. Deficits in dichotic listening can be remediated by participating in auditory training. We present two patients with binaural integration deficits who underwent dichotic interaural intensity difference (DIID) training. Purpose The purpose of this investigation is to demonstrate improvement of dichotic listening deficits following DIID training in neurological patients seen clinically for hearing issues. Research Design This was a case series utilizing a pre- and posttreatment design. Study Sample This case series utilized two female participants who demonstrated binaural integration deficits during an auditory processing evaluation. Intervention The participants underwent a pretraining auditory processing evaluation and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Participants then underwent 12, 30-minute DIID training sessions followed by posttreatment auditory processing evaluations and fMRI. Data Collection and Analysis Data was collected at the pretreatment appointment and then immediately following the completion of the training. Results Each patient demonstrated varying degrees of improvement on the posttreatment assessment. Case 1 showed significant improvement on the Speech-in-Noise-Revised (SPIN-R) test. fMRI showed changes in activation patterns following training. Case 2 demonstrated improved scores on the Dichotic Digits Test and SPIN-R and increased activation of the calcarine sulcus following training. Conclusion Dichotic training can be an efficacious treatment for binaural integration deficits and may show evidence of improving speech understanding in noise. This case series demonstrates a promising therapy to help patients improve auditory function by improving dichotic listening skills.
A Lattice Linear Predicate Parallel Algorithm for the Dynamic Programming Problems.

It has been shown that the parallel Lattice Linear Predicate (LLP) algorithm solves many combinatorial optimization problems such as the shortest path problem, the stable marriage problem and the market clearing price problem. In this paper, we give the parallel LLP algorithm for many dynamic programming problems. In particular, we show that the LLP algorithm solves the longest subsequence problem, the optimal binary search tree problem, and the knapsack problem. Furthermore, the algorithm can be used to solve the constrained versions of these problems so long as the constraints are lattice linear. The parallel LLP algorithm requires only read-write atomicity and no higher-level atomic instructions.
Resilient Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control for Autonomous Vehicles Using Machine Learning.

Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) is a fundamental connected vehicle application that extends Adaptive Cruise Control by exploiting vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication. CACC is a crucial ingredient for numerous autonomous vehicle functionalities including platooning, distributed route management, etc. Unfortunately, malicious V2V communications can subvert CACC, leading to string instability and road accidents. In this paper, we develop a novel resiliency infrastructure, RACCON, for detecting and mitigating V2V attacks on CACC. RACCON uses machine learning to develop an on-board prediction model that captures anomalous vehicular responses and performs mitigation in real time. RACCON-enabled vehicles can exploit the high efficiency of CACC without compromising safety, even under potentially adversarial scenarios. We present extensive experimental evaluation to demonstrate the efficacy of RACCON.
Dinitrogen Insertion and Cleavage by a Metal-Metal Bonded Tricobalt(I) Cluster.

Reduction of a tricobalt(II) tri(bromide) cluster supported by a tris(β-diketiminate) cyclophane results in halide loss, ligand compression, and metal-metal bond formation to yield a 48-electron CoI3 cluster, Co3LEt/Me (2). Upon reaction of 2 with dinitrogen, all metal-metal bonds are broken, steric conflicts are relaxed, and dinitrogen is incorporated within the internal cavity to yield a formally (μ3-η1:η2:η1-dinitrogen)tricobalt(I) complex, 3. Broken symmetry DFT calculations (PBE0/def2-tzvp/D3) support an N-N bond order of 2.1 in the bound N2 with the calculated N-N stretching frequency (1743 cm-1) comparable to the experimental value (1752 cm-1). Reduction of 3 under Ar in the presence of Me3SiBr results in N2 scission with tris(trimethylsilyl)amine afforded in good yield.
A 25kW Silicon Carbide 3kV/540V Series-Resonant Converter for Electric Aircraft Systems

In this work, a 25 kW all silicon carbide (SiC) series-resonant converter (SRC) design is proposed to enable a single stage dc to dc conversion from 3kV to 540V (±270V) for future electric aircraft applications. The proposed SRC consists of a 3-level neutral-point-clamped (NPC) converter using 3.3kV discrete SiC MOSFETs on the primary side, a H-bridge converter using 900V SiC MOSFET modules on the secondary side and a high frequency (HF) transformer. The detailed design methods for the SRC power stage and the HF transformer are presented. Especially, a tradeoff between the complexity for the cooling system and the need for power density is addressed in the transformer design, leading to a novel multi-layer winding layout. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed SRC design, a converter prototype has been developed and comprehensive experimental studies are performed.
Religious Peacebuilding in Iraq: Prospects and Challenges from the Hawza

This article examines the potential for Shiʿa clerics to engage in religious peacebuilding in post-2003 Iraq. By drawing upon theoretical insights from other post-conflict settings and interviews w...
QuAX: Mining the Web for High-utility FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) are a form of semi-structured data that provides users with commonly requested information and enables several natural language processing tasks. Given the plethora of such question-answer pairs on the Web, there is an opportunity to automatically build large FAQ collections for any domain, such as COVID-19 or Plastic Surgery. These collections can be used by several information-seeking portals and applications, such as AI chatbots. Automatically identifying and extracting such high-utility question-answer pairs is a challenging endeavor, which has been tackled by little research work. For a question-answer pair to be useful to a broad audience, it must (i) provide general information -- not be specific to the Web site or Web page where it is hosted -- and (ii) must be self-contained -- not have references to other entities in the page or missing terms (ellipses) that render the question-answer pair ambiguous. Although identifying general, self-contained questions may seem like a straightforward binary classification problem, the limited availability of training data for this task and the countless domains make building machine learning models challenging. Existing efforts in extracting FAQs from the Web typically focus on FAQ retrieval without much regard to the utility of the extracted FAQ. We propose QuAX: a framework for extracting high-utility (i.e., general and self-contained) domain-specific FAQ lists from the Web. QuAX receives a set of keywords from a user, and works in a pipelined fashion to find relevant web pages and extract general and self-contained questions-answer pairs. We experimentally show how QuAX generates high-utility FAQ collections with little and domain-agnostic training data, and how the individual stages of the pipeline improve on the corresponding state-of-the-art.
A Comparison of the Biomechanical Performance of 3 Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Foams.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to compare 3 foam dressings to (1) determine the biomechanical performance of existing negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) foams and (2) to determine if a test foam is possibly suitable as an antimicrobial "white" foam alternative for use in NPWT. DESIGN A comparison of mechanical performance of 3 foams used for vacuum-assisted NPWT. SUBJECTS AND SETTING Preclinical laboratory study using an in vitro model. METHODS The performance of a "white" foam (polyvinyl alcohol [PVA]), an antimicrobial "black" foam (polyurethane [PU]), and an antimicrobial white foam alternative (test PVA) were tested and compared using 3 mechanically relevant criteria. First, the fluid removal rate was measured for 72 hours. Next, the pressure input was compared to the pressure directly beneath the center of the foam. Finally, the spread of negative pressure beneath the foam was measured and compared. RESULTS Significant differences were found in fluid removal rates; specifically, the PU foam removed fluids faster than the PVA and test PVA foams, and the currently available PVA foams performed similarly. Both the PU and test PVA foams were able to transmit the negative pressure through the center of the dressing, while the typical PVA foam began failing at 140 mm Hg, with 50% of the samples failing at 200 mm Hg. All PU replicate foams evenly distributed the pressure, while 47% to 60% of the test PVA foams and 7% of the typical PVA foams distributed pressures evenly. CONCLUSIONS Study findings suggest that the test PVA foam does not mechanically interfere with NPWT and performs equivalently to currently used foams. These results suggest that the test PVA may be modified and incorporated into a vacuum-assisted NPWT device. In addition, the methods employed in these experiments provide a reproducible means to compare biomechanical compatibility of various NPWT foams, dressings, and subdrape devices.
Colloidal Properties of Ceramic Suspensions

This chapter discusses the colloidal properties of ceramic suspensions. These colloidal characteristics include sedimentation, Brownian diffusion, and colligative properties (including osmotic pressure). Osmotic pressure of solutions is discussed to set the stage for a discussion on suspension osmotic pressure. The osmotic pressure of a polymer solution allows the determination of an interaction parameter for the interaction between polymer and solvent. This parameter allows the determination of the heat of mixing of polymer and sovlent, and the steric interactions for polymers adsorbed on ceramic particles. The osmotic pressure of a suspension is also a useful measure of suspension interactions, including interparticle interactions and the average structure of the particles or the volume fraction of the particles in suspension. Solution osmotic pressure is one of several colligative properties of solutions. There is an equilibrium between sedimentation and Brownian diffusion that prevents the smallest particles from settling. Colligative properties include boiling point elevation, freezing point depression, and osmotic pressure. The osmotic pressure of electrolyte solutions, polymeric solutions, and colloidal suspensions are discussed in detail.
Fatigue crack growth peculiarities and modifications of the Wheeler retardation model (Part 2)

What has been given consideration in the paper, are peculiarities of fatigue crack growth, ones referred to curves of a crack length vs. the number of cycles or the rate of propagation vs. the range of stress intensity factor, i.e. the curves typical of tests with overloads applied in cycles – for the PA7 aluminium alloy and 18G2A steel. Difficulties with the model-based description (based on the Wheeler retardation model) of fatigue crack growth have been shown as due to the peculiarities discussed.
Abstract 20333: Regional Leaflet Tethering Not Annular Size Determines Recurrent Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation After Valve Repair

Background: Mitral valve repair is the preferred treatment for ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR); however, the high incidence of early failure emphasizes the need for parameters to identify patients at high risk for recurrent IMR. Using real-time (rt-3DE), regional mitral valve parameters were compared to better characterize recurrent and non-recurrent IMR valves. Methods: Pre-operative three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) images of 48 IMR valves (35 non-recurrent and 13 recurrent) and 18 normal valves were acquired. Six month follow-up echoes of the IMR patients were obtained to assess competency of the valve post repair. Valve images were segmented as previously published. Customized algorithms were used to determine the septolateral diameter (SLD), mitral annular area (MAA), mitral valve tenting volume (MVTv) referring to the volume enclosed by the annular plane and mitral leaflets, mitral valve tenting index (MVTI) calculated by the MVTv divided by MAA, and tethering angles for each leaflet regi...
Biochemical analysis of adenovirus type 5 DNA-binding protein mutants.

Abstract We previously reported the isolation and functional characterization of seven adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) DNA-binding protein (DBP) point mutants (Quinn, C. O., and Kitchingman, G. R. (1986) J. Virol. 60, 653-661). Six of the seven mutants were defective in their ability to help adeno-associated virus replicate its DNA. To determine the level at which the mutations affect this function of the DBP, we analyzed several properties of the mutant proteins. All are transported to the nucleus and are post-translationally phosphorylated to the same extent. The half-lives of the proteins, measured by pulse-chase, were nearly identical to that of the wild-type DBP. The mutant DBPs were examined for their ability to bind to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Mutations in amino acids 322, 323, and 470 lowered the affinity of the DBP for ssDNA, while a mutation in amino acid 181 had no affect. Combinations of mutations in amino acid 470 with either 322 or 323 did not further lower the affinity of the protein for ssDNA. These data indicate that the functional defect for adeno-associated virus helper activity of the six mutants is due mainly, if not totally, to their reduced affinity for single-stranded DNA. These experiments have thus identified a functional domain of the adenovirus type 5 DBP potentially involved in DNA-protein interactions. Comparisons with temperature-sensitive DBP mutants indicate that the conserved region mutants are functionally distinct and represent a new class of DBP mutants.
Standing for Values and Ethical Action

This article is focused on the role of ethics in the professional socialization of the student and the place of ethics in the social work curriculum. The content and structure of the ethics component and related issues are considered and an educational model, a teaching-learning approach, with its underlying learning theory and philosophical orientation is presented and instructional technology discussed.
Profiting from evidence‐based management

Purpose – This article advocates for evidenced‐based management and aims to demonstrate how it works.Design/methodology/approach – The article identifies seven implementation principles to help people and companies that are committed to doing what it takes to profit from evidence‐based management.Findings – The seven principles are: treat your organization as an unfinished prototype; no brag, just facts; see yourself and your organization as outsiders do; evidence‐based management is not just for senior executives; like everything else, you still need to sell evidenced‐based management; if all else fails, slow the spread of bad practices; and the best diagnostic question: what happens when people fail?Research limitations/implications – A follow‐up article needs to show results when firms institute evidence‐based management.Practical implications – A key underpinning of evidence‐based management are three truths: that most so‐called breakthrough ideas are either old, wrong, or both; that effective compani...
Apigenin inhibits pancreatic stellate cell activity in pancreatitis

Background: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is characterized by recurrent pancreatic injury, resulting in inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis. There are currently no drugs limiting pancreatic fibrosis associated with CP, and there is a definite need to fill this void in patient care. Materials and methods: Pancreatitis was induced in C57/BL6 mice using supraphysiologic doses of cerulein, and apigenin treatment (once daily, 50 mg per mouse by oral gavage) was initiated 1 wk into the recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) protocol. Pancreata were harvested after4wkofRAP. Immunostaining withfibronectin antibodywasusedto quantifytheextent of pancreatic fibrosis. To assess how apigenin may decrease organ fibrosis, we evaluated the effect of apigenin on the proliferation and apoptosis of human pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) in vitro. Finally, we assessed apigenin’s effect on the gene expression in PSCs stimulated with parathyroid hormoneerelated protein, a profibrotic and proinflammatory mediator of pancreatitis, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results: After 4 wk of RAP, apigenin significantly reduced the fibrotic response to injury while preserving acinar units. Apigenin inhibited viability and induced apoptosis of PSCs in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Finally, apigenin reduced parathyroid hormonee related proteinestimulated increases in the PSC messenger RNA expression levels of extracellular matrix proteins collagen 1A1 and fibronectin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, transforming growth factor-beta, and interleukin-6. Conclusions: These in vivo and in vitro studies provide novel insights regarding apigenin’s mechanism(s) of action in reducing the severity of RAP. Additional preclinical testing of apigenin analogs is warranted to develop a therapeutic agent for patients at risk for CP.
Modeling virus exposure during male to female transmission of HIV-1

Background Previously, we illustrated that HIV is able to penetrate the intact female genital mucosal barrier. We found that HIV penetrates to depths where target cells reside. Using data obtained from tissues of more than 40 donors, we are able to generate an average for the ability of HIV to penetrate the mucosal. Using these averages we can extrapolate the number of HIV particles penetrating the mucosa per coital act for male to female HIV transmission for both acute and chronic infections.
Liquid metal flow through a thin walled elbow in a plane perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field

Abstract This paper presents analytical solutions for the liquid-metal flow through two straight pipes connected by a smooth elbow with the same inside radius. The pipes and the elbow lie in a plane which is perpendicular to a uniform, applied magnetic field. The strength of the magnetic field is assumed to be sufficiently strong that inertial and viscous effects are negligible. This assumption is appropriate for the liquid-lithium flow in the blanket of a magnetic confinement fusion reactor, such as a tokamak. The pipes and the elbow have thin metal walls. The flow tends toward the inside surface of the elbow, approaching a vortex about the center of curvature of the elbow. This flow migration away from the uniform fully developed flow in the pipes leads to voltage variations along the pipes. These voltage variations drive four electric current circulations in planes perpendicular to the magnetic field. These current circulations produce significant pressure variations in the cross sections of the pipes and elbow. A long length of pipe is required on both sides of the elbow for the completion of the circuits for these electric current circulations and for the decay of the disturbances to the fully developed flow in the straight pipes. All pressure drops and rises due to the three-dimensional electric current circulations cancel. The total pressure drop is the same as that for fully developed flow in a single straight pipe with the same length. While the analysis treats pipes and elbows with circular cross sections, the absence of a pressure drop in addition to that for fully developed flow is true for any smooth elbow.
Autoimmune disease: is it a disorder of the microenvironment?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a common systemic autoimmune disease that involves several vital organs including the cardiovascular system, joints, and kidneys. The pathology is characterized by accumulation of autoreactive lymphocytes that attack the patients’ own tissues, secretion of autoantibodies and deposition of immune complexes in vital organs. Chronic widespread inflammation is the hallmark of SLE and the target of current therapy. According to recent theories, intonating immune circuits of inflammatory cytokines and immune cells constitute highly specialized targets for SLE therapy, which nonetheless consists for the most part of anti-inflammatory medications and cytotoxic drugs. For advanced autoimmune disorders, cell therapy aiming at introducing “healthy” stem cells has been promising, keeping in mind that in its current state, stem cell therapy is reserved for the most advanced diseases refractory to traditional therapy. Ongoing studies in our laboratories examined the role of the bone marrow microenvironment, in particular, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the etiopathogenesis of SLE. Specifically, we are testing the hypothesis that, in human SLE mouse model, marrow MSCs are defective structurally and functionally. Preliminary data indicate that structural and functional defects in MSC population from an autoimmune mouse model for human SLE may contribute to this pathology and consequently present a target for cell therapy.
Pressure effects on bimolecular excited states processes

Abstract Summarized are recent studies concerned with the use of hydrostatic pressure to probe bimolecular mechanisms for the deactivation of transition metal complex excited states. These include investigations of Bronsted base quenching of rhodium(111) amine ligand field states, Lewis base quenching of the metal-to-ligand charge transfer state of Cu(dmp) 2 + (dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1, 10-phenanthroline), reactive quenching by various organic substrates of the long-lived σ * → σ b state of the platinum dimer Pt 2 (μ-η 2 -H 2 P 2 O 5 ) 4 4− and the competitive electron transfer and energy transfer quenching of the MLCT excited state of the copper(I) complex Cu(dpp) 2 + (dpp = 2,9-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) by various substrates.
Characterization of circadian oscillations in alanine dehydrogenase activity in non-dividing populations of Euglena gracilis (z)

Possible factors that could generate the circadian oscillations in alanine dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.1.) activity observed in cultures of non-dividing Euglena gracilis (Z) have been examined in an effort to learn more about the basic timekeeping mechanism of biological clocks. No differences in Km, pH optimum or electrophoretic mobility could be demonstrated between enzyme extracted from the minimum part of the 24-h oscillation in activity and that extracted from the maximum part. Also, no evidence for the presence of activators or inhibitors was found in mixing experiments. The effect of cycloheximide on the rhythm was examined; it was shown that the oscillation ceases in the presence of the inhibitor, but that if the inhibitor is removed after 12 h, the rhythm resumes with no apparent change in phase. Analyses of gel scans of enzyme preparations partially purified by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that there was more alanine dehydrogenase protein present at the maximum part of the cycle than there was at the minimum part. In view of these and other data, an operational model of a circadian biological clock is discussed.
Capacitor Charging from Batteries with DC--DC Converters

The major problems encountered in designing converters for capacitor charging are discussed. A design approach is outlined for designing an inductive storage (blocking oscillator) type converter and a design example given. Particular emphasis is placed on problems associated with using low-voltage nickel cadmium cells to power the converter.
Analysis of low-level anions in water extracts of hard disk drive heads by capillary electrophoresis

Analysis of anionic contaminants in various electronic components is of importance in assessing cleanliness as well as in identifying contaminants in failed devices. Typically the levels of anionic contaminants is in the low μg/l range. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is one technique that can be used to analyze these low level anions. Analysis of several water extracts of failed devices as well as various components of the drive head and assembly was done using CE with analysis times of less than 5 min. Two different concentrations and pH values of a chromate-based electrolyte were evaluated. Both electrolytes achieved detection limits of less than 1.2 μg/l using an electromigrative injection.
Progressive hippocampal loss of immunoreactive GLUT3, the neuron-specific glucose transporter, after global forebrain ischemia in the rat

Brain damage after global forebrain ischemia is worsened by prior hyperglycemia and ameliorated by antecedent hypoglycemia. To assess whether GLUT3, the neuron specific glucose transporter and its mRNA, are affected by cerebral ischemia, we investigated the hippocampal pattern of GLUT3 immunoreactivity and GLUT3 gene expression 1, 4 and 7 days after global forebrain ischemia in a rat 2-vessel occlusion model. We used a newly generated, specific, C-terminally directed polyclonal antiserum against GLUT3 to stain coronal frozen sections. Thionin staining and the microglial marker, OX42, indicated the extent of ischemic damage in hippocampus and correlated with GLUT3 loss. One day after ischemia, no significant change in hippocampal GLUT3 immunoreactivity was observed; by 4 days however, there was consistent and pronounced loss; and at 7 days the loss of GLUT3 staining was maximal. The greatest loss of GLUT3 staining was in the CA1 region, especially the strata oriens and radiatum of Ammon's horn. By contrast, GLUT3 staining was undiminished in the stratum lacunosum moleculare, in the mossy fibers of the lateral aspect of CA3 and in all but the inner-most portion of the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus, immediately adjacent to the granule cells. GLUT3 mRNA levels were not significantly altered at 24 hours and significantly declined at 4 and 7 days after ischemia in the CA1 pyramidal layer. These data are consistent with the pattern of neuronal loss and microglial activation in hippocampus. Loss of GLUT3 may affect the availability of glucose, and possibly the viability of ischemically damaged neurons.
Low-temperature scaling for systems with random fields and anisotropies

Random fields (or anisotropies) shift the lower critical dimensionality of spin systems from ${d}_{c}^{0}$ to ${d}_{c}$. For dimensionalities ${d}_{c}^{0}ldl{d}_{c}$ at low temperatures $T$, the magnetization has a discontinuity (from zero to $M$) when $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ (the average square field) approaches zero. The correlation length $\ensuremath{\xi}$ diverges as ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}^{{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\Delta}}}$. The structure factor is shown to scale as $S(q,\ensuremath{\xi})={\ensuremath{\xi}}^{d}\overline{S}(q\ensuremath{\xi})$. Simple assumptions on scaling near $T=0$ yield ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\Delta}}=\frac{1}{({d}_{c}\ensuremath{-}d)}$, with ${d}_{c}=4$ for continuous symmetry spins and ${d}_{c}=2$ for Ising spins.
Using vaccination to prevent the invasion of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in dairy herds : A stochastic simulation study

Paratuberculosis, or Johne's disease (JD), is a chronic enteric disease of ruminants infected by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) that causes a significant financial loss in dairy industry. To reduce prevalence and transmission in dairy herds infected with MAP, control programs have been implemented, including test-based culling, improved calf rearing management, and vaccination. The important issue of preventing MAP invasion into a MAP-free herd has been less investigated, however. The objective of this study was to examine whether vaccination was able to prevent MAP invasion in dairy cattle using a stochastic simulation approach. We developed a MAP vaccination model in which calves were vaccinated with a vaccine that is both imperfect in reducing the susceptibility of the host (‘leaky’) and that does not successfully immunize all calves (‘failure in take’). Probability of MAP persistence and the number of infected animals in herds were computed for both control and vaccinated herds over a ten-year period after introduction of an initial infected heifer. Global parameter sensitivity analyses were performed to find the most influential parameters for MAP invasion. Our results show that vaccination of calves is effective in preventing MAP invasion, provided that the vaccine is of high efficacy in both reduction of susceptibility and ‘take’ effects; however, there is still a small chance ( 10 years) due to vertical transmission. This study indicates that reduction in the transmission rate of high shedders (>50 CFU), the number of infected heifers initially introduced to herds, and vertical transmission are important to further decrease the probability of MAP becoming endemic and the overall number of infected animals in endemic herds. The simulation work is useful for designing vaccination programs aimed at preventing MAP invasion in MAP-free herds.
Numbers and Narratives: Quantitative and Qualitative Convergence Across Constructivist Assessments

This study was the first to investigate the coherence of personal constructs across three constructivist assessments (repertory grid technique, laddering interviews, and self-characterizations) for 35 adults who were diverse in age and gender. We evaluated the degree of convergence specifically in the areas of cognitive complexity, self-esteem/adjustment, and thematic content of constructs across the three measures, which ranged from primarily quantitative to primarily qualitative in emphasis. Results provided mixed evidence of convergence for the different measures derived from the various methods. For example, although some measures, such as repertory grid-based indices of complexity or differentiation, showed significant correlation, little evidence of triangulation was observed across methods. Likewise, although some measures (e.g., number of hierarchical levels in ladders, number of positive self-appraisals in characterizations) were stable over one month, other scores were less so. Overall, reliable...
Modelling optimal strategies for the allocation of wealth in multicurrency investments

Abstract This paper analyzes rates of return on financial assets denominated in five major currencies and provides a framework for the determination of optimal strategies for the allocation of wealth in multicurrency investments. Three models are estimated: a univariate autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (ARCH) model, an extended ARCH model using the random coefficient (RC) procedure, and a pure RC model. A comparison of the forecasts of these models with those generated by a random walk model demonstrates that forecasts based on the RC/extended ARCH procedure are superior to those based on the random walk model and those based on direct ARCH estimation. These results could be useful for both international investors for the allocation of their wealth among fixed-income investment securities and central banks for the management of their external reserve assets.
Class and Ethnicity in the Global Market for Organs: The Case of Korean Cinema

While organ transplantation has been established in the medical imagination since the 1960s, this technology is currently undergoing a popular re-imagination in the era of global capitalism. As transplantation procedures have become routine in medical centers in non-Western and developing nations and as organ sales and transplant tourism become increasingly common, organs that function as a material resource increasingly derive from subaltern bodies. This essay explores this development as represented in Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook’s 2002 Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, focusing on the ethnic and class characteristics of the global market in organs and possible modes of counter-logic to transplant technologies and related ethical discourses.
Cardinality of simplexes in a Delaunay tessellation

Given a set of n linearly independent points in a Euclidean space Ed, P = {p1, … , pn} with n > d, a Delaunay tessellation with at lease one d-dimensional simplex can be constructed. This tessellation is unique up to degenerate linearity conditions. The cardinality of the set of unique k-dimensional simplexes, k ≤ d, in the tessellation is bounded and the bound can be computed, given the dimension of the space, d, and the number of points in the tessellation generating set, n. These bounds can be refined if the number of points on the convex hull of P, m, is known. The bounds on cardinality are developed using constructive geometric arguments presented in the sequence necessary to construct the tessellation. The cardinality of simplexes in the Voronoi diagram is then related to the Delaunay tessellation by geometric duality. An example is given.
The coronin family of actin-associated proteins

Coronin was first isolated from Dictyostelium, but similar proteins have been identified in many species and individual cell types. The coronin-like protein in yeast promotes actin polymerization and also interacts with microtubules. Dictyostelium mutants lacking coronin are impaired in cytokinesis and all actin-mediated processes. Analysis of coronin-GFP (green-fluorescent protein) fusions and knockout mutants shows that coronin participates in the remodelling of the cortical actin cytoskeleton that is responsible for phagocytosis and macropinocytosis. Likewise, in mammalian neutrophils, a coronin-like protein is also associated with the phagocytic apparatus. The diversity of function in this family of actin-associated proteins is just beginning to be explored.
Adaptive nulling: a new enabling technology for interferometric exo-planet detection

Deep, stable nulling of starlight requires careful control of the amplitudes and phases of the beams that are being combined. The detection of earth-like planets using the interferometer architectures currently being considered for the Terrestrial Planet Finder mission require that the E-field amplitudes are balanced at the level of ~ 0.1%, and the phases are controlled at the level of 1 mrad (corresponding to ~ 1.5 nm for a wavelength of 10 μm). These conditions must be met simultaneously at all wavelengths across the science band, and for both polarization states, imposing unrealistic tolerances on the symmetry between the optical beamtrains. We introduce the concept of a compensator that is inserted into the beamtrain, which can adaptively correct for the mismatches across the spectrum, enabling deep nulls with realistic, imperfect optics. The design presented uses a deformable mirror to adjust the amplitude and phase of each beam as an arbitrary function of wavelength and polarization. A proof-of-concept experiment will be conducted at visible / near-IR wavelengths, followed by a system operating in the Mid-IR band.
Echocardiographic ratio indices in overtly healthy Boxer dogs screened for heart disease.

Background: Boxer dogs are routinely screened by echocardiography to exclude congenital and acquired heart disease. Individuals of a given breed may span a large range of body sizes, potentially invalidating linear regression of M-mode measurements against body weight. Echocardiographic ratio indices (ERIs) provide a novel method of characterizing echocardiographic differences between Boxers and other dog breeds. Hypothesis: ERIs obtained from overtly healthy Boxer dogs presented for cardiac screening will be different from ERIs established for normal non-Boxer dogs, and those differences will be unrelated to aortic velocity or systolic blood pressure. Animals: Eighty-one Boxers with no outward clinical signs of heart disease were studied. Methods: All dogs were examined by 2-dimensional, M-mode, and Doppler echocardiography. M-mode measurements were used to perform ERI calculations, and the indices in Boxers were compared between Boxers with varying severity of arrhythmia and those of normal non-Boxer dogs. Results: Differences in weight-based ERIs, which reflect increased thickness of the left ventricular free wall (LVW) and interventricular septum (IVS) and smaller aortic size, were found in overtly healthy Boxer dogs compared with normal non-Boxer dogs. ERIs of left atrial and LV cavity size in overtly healthy Boxers were not significantly different from those of non-Boxer dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Boxer dogs may have an increased relative thickness of the LVW and IVS that is independent of aortic size, aortic velocity, or arterial blood pressure, and this morphology should be taken into consideration when screening Boxers by echocardiography.
Microwear Analysis of a Sample of 100 Chipped Stone Artifacts from the 1971–1977 Excavations at the Seip Earthworks

A sample of 100 lithic artifacts from seven excavation blocks at the Seip Earthworks was examined for microwear traces. None of the artifacts from Block VII had any microwear traces, but one third of the artifacts from the other six blocks were used for 35 different tasks. All of the drills, bifaces, and scrapers, as well as 60% of the points, 11% of the cores, 50% of the core rejuvenation flakes, 15% of the bladelets, and 3% of the flakes were examined. Most of the utilized Hopewell artifacts were used on fresh hide and/or meat and bone (32%) or dry hide (26%). Seven artifacts were used on bone, stone, or shell (20%), and two tools were used to work bone or antler (6%). Only one Hopewell artifact was used to cut plants or soft wood (3%). The rest of the utilized artifacts in the Seip sample are probably not associated with the Hopewellian occupations. The tools seem to have been used in an expedient fashion. There was no evidence for specialized activities in any of the Seip structures. Almost all of the...
Is the American Slipper-Limpet ( Crepidula fornicata ) an Oyster Pest?

THE shortage of oysters (O. edulis) on the European oyster beds has led to the introduction in many places of American oysters, on which the American slipper-limpet (Crepidula fornicata) frequently occurs. Oyster-cultivators in various parts of Europe are therefore becoming interested in the possible effects of introducing the slipper-limpet on their beds, so that it has become a matter of economic interest to know the results to date of the introduction of this animal on English oyster-beds since its arrival about 1880 (see Orton, Proc. Roy. Soc. B. 91, 1909).
Comments on the interpretation of results from the restrained ring test

The restrained ring test has recently been standardized (ASTM C1581-04) as a test method to assess the restrained shrinkage cracking susceptibility of a concrete mixture. Unfortunately, there is currently a lack of published information regarding the repeatability of the test. This paper quantifies the variability of the ASTM C1581-04 ring test procedure. To determine the repeatability of the standard test, 24 restrained ring specimens were cast from the same mortar mixture and stored in carefully controlled environmental conditions. Results from the restrained ring test were assessed using the same mixture proportions. The results indicate that a standard deviation of approximately 6 μe can be expected in the strain measurements from the same mixture and 8 μe from different batches of the same mixture. The total coefficient of variation observed was less than 12 % (within single mixture and between different batches). A probabilistic approach was used to describe the variability associated with the age of cracking and to provide a tool that allows cracking prediction, especially when only a fraction of the ring specimens crack.
Calmodulin Sensitivity of the Flagellar Membrane Adenylate Cyclase and Signaling of Motile Responses by cAMP in Gametes of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) has been shown to be a primary signal of the agglutination-induced mating events of flagellar tip activation, cell wall loss, and mating structure activation in the unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Pasquale and Goodenough, Cell Biol. 105 (1987), 2279–2293). The flagellar membrane adenylate cyclase of Chlamydomonas is here shown to be inhibited in vitro by EGTA, La3+, and trifluoperazine, and to be stimulated in the presence of calcium by incubation with exogenous calmodulin. Also, the motility of detergent-extracted models of Chlamydomonas is shown to be enhanced by cAMP. These observations suggest the hypothesis that the twitching motility characteristic of agglutinating Chlamydomonas gametes may be signaled by cAMP produced locally within the flagella by a calmodulin-sensitive adenylate cyclase.
Intraventricular administration of a FIV-envelope protein induces sleep architecture changes in rats.

Abstract Fifteen adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with a set of electrodes for standard sleep recordings. A stainless steel cannula was also implanted into the lateral ventricle of these rats. Fifteen additional rats were implanted with a cannula alone. Rats with electrodes were habituated for 3 days or more to the recording environment, then placed into 3 groups ( n = 5). One group received saline (i.c.v.), while the other two groups received either the feline immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein (FIV SU-Env) or a fragment of the Epstein-Barr virus envelope glycoprotein (EB gp 105). Rats were then recorded for electrographic sleep-wake cycle evaluation for the following 4 h. Core temperature was assessed through a thermistor probe inserted into the rectum, immediately before and 1, 2, 3 and 4 h after the i.c.v. treatment condition. Results demonstrated that compared to saline, FIV SU-Env increased wakefulness and decreased REM sleep throughout the 4 h of recording. Likewise, FIV SU-Env decreased SWS2 for 2 h. In addition, EB gp105 administration elicited minor modifications of the sleep-wake cycle, causing only a transient reduction of REM sleep in the first hour of recording. None of the treatments altered body temperature. These findings strongly support and extend studies in FIV-infected cats in which we have found similar sleep abnormalities. In addition, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that the FIV SU-Env proteins are responsible for these neurological disturbances. Immunologic and physiologic similarities reported for FIV and HIV infection as well as virologic properties of FIV indicate that FIV is a suitable model to study AIDS neuropsychiatric disorders and may also be used to asses potential therapeutics.
Hindsight bias and causal reasoning: a minimalist approach.

What factors contribute to hindsight bias, the phenomenon whereby the known outcome of an event appears obvious only after the fact? The Causal Model Theory (CMT) of hindsight bias (Nestler et al. in Soc Psychol 39:182-188, 2008a; in J Expl Psychol: Learn Mem Cog 34:1043-1054, 2008b; Pezzo in Mem 11:421-441, 2003; Wasserman et al. in Pers Soc Psychol Bull 17:30-35, 1991) posits that hindsight bias can occur when people have the opportunity to identify potential causal anteced- ents and evaluate whether they could have led to the out- come. Two experiments incorporating highly controlled minimalist scenarios supported the CMT. As predicted by the CMT, hindsight bias occurred when the causal factor explained the actual outcome better than the alternative outcome, and reverse hindsight bias occurred when the causal factor explained the alternative outcome better than the actual outcome. Moreover, we found new evidence that outcome knowledge alone was insufficient to elicit hind- sight bias in the absence of a potential causal antecedent. Implications for future directions in hindsight bias research are discussed.
Lymphotoxin-induced changes in target-cell plasma-membrane protein: enhancement of synthesis and content.

Abstract When the plasma-membrane protein content of L cells was assayed after 16 hr of treatment with human α-lymphotoxin (LT) or control buffer, the LT-treated cells showed a considerably higher protein content than the control cells. Cells treated for 16 hr with LT also showed an increase in plasma-membrane protein synthesis, measured by pulse labeling the experimental and control populations with equimolar concentrations of [ 14 C]- or [ 3 H]leucine, but showed no increase in total cellular protein synthesis. Target-cell plasma-membrane protein content was further assessed by measuring labeling of cell surface protein with 125 I. Cells treated with LT for 24 hr (but not those treated for 4 or 8 hr) and microsomal fractions of cells treated with LT for 16 hr showed much higher levels of iodination than control cells. SDS-PAGE and radioautography of the iodinated preparations revealed no apparent differences in band pattern between LT-treated and control cells.
Simultaneous targeting of Src kinase and receptor tyrosine kinase results in synergistic inhibition of renal cell carcinoma proliferation and migration.

There have been recent improvements in the treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitors being one of newer treatment options. We hypothesized that simultaneous targeting of Src kinase and the RTK may have synergistic effects to further improve therapies on metastatic RCC. The effects of Src kinase inhibitor saracatinib and multiple RTK inhibitor sunitinib on RCC cell line (ACHN) and Caki-1 were studied. Saracatinib alone or in combination with sunitinib inhibited the migration of ACHN and Caki-1 cells in vitro. Activation of migration related components FAK, P130Cas and Paxillin were blocked by saracatinib at 0.05- to 3-μM concentrations. Combined treatment resulted in improved growth inhibition, greater loss of the S phase cell population and decreased clonogenic colony formation compared to sunitinib alone in the metastatic Caki-1 line. Molecular studies in Caki-1 showed that saracatinib alone and in combination with sunitinib inhibited phosphorylation of the cell progression regulator c-Myc in a dose-dependent manner. Sunitinib alone or in combination suppressed cyclin-D1 expression with the combination showing greater dose-dependent effect. Sunitinib inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion through the inhibition of STAT3 signaling and VEGF biosynthesis. HIF1-α expression in normoxic and hypoxic conditions in Caki-1 cells was inhibited by either saracatinib or sunitinib when administered alone, however, a greater reduction occurred when these compounds were given in combination. Targeting Src kinase and RTK simultaneously with saracatinib and sunitinib resulted in 70–80% blockade of RCC cell migration, synergistic inhibition of cell growth and reduction of acquired drug resistance in Caki-1 cells. The results show promise for combination targeted therapy of RCC.
A general treatment of helix-coil equilibria in macromolecular systems.

Statistical mechanical methods recently developed for treating the properties of linear chains are here applied to helix-coil equilibria in systems of single-strand (polypeptide) and double-strand (polynucleotide) helices. Chains of any finite length and copolymeric chains comprising units having different helix-forming tendencies can be treated rigorously by these methods. The partition function, the average degree of helicity and related quantities are formulated in terms of products of factors (matrices), one for each kind of unit. Execution of numerical calculations requires specification of the sequential order of the various units in the macromolecular chain. In the case of random copolymers, representative sequences may be generated as random numbers, the computations being carried out as prescribed by them. These methods are readily applicable to DNA helices, with account being taken not only of the different pairing energies for AT and GC but also for the ten possible distinct stacking energies for neighbor pairs formed from AT, TA, GC and CG.