cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Readers generalize adaptation to newly-encountered dialectal structures to other unfamiliar structures.

Abstract Growing evidence suggests that syntactic processing may be guided in part by expectations about the statistics of the input that comprehenders have encountered; however, these statistics and even the syntactic structures themselves vary from situation to situation. Some recent work suggests that readers can adapt to variability in the frequencies of known, but infrequent syntactic structures. But, the relation between adaptation to altered frequencies of familiar structures and learning to process unfamiliar, never-before-seen structures is under-explored. In two self-paced reading experiments, we investigated readers’ adaptation to an unfamiliar structure used in some regional dialects of American English: the needs +past participle structure, such as using The car needs washed to mean The car needs to be washed . Study 1 used a novel Web-based recruitment method to target regions where participants were likely to be familiar (Ohio, western Pennsylvania) or unfamiliar (Colorado) with the needs +past participle structure. Participants unfamiliar with the structure initially read the structure more slowly, but over the course of the experiment came to read it more like the familiar participants. Study 2 further demonstrated that participants who have adapted to needs +past participle generalize this adaptation to a different, but related structure. These results suggest (a) that readers adapt to unfamiliar syntactic structures, (b) that, in doing so, they become more like existing users of those structures, and (c) that they can generalize this other structures that they may also be more likely to encounter. We discuss these results in the context of implicit learning accounts of exposure effects on syntactic processing.
Mechanisms of Astrocyte Development

Abstract Astrocytes are an abundant and essential cell type that play key roles in brain development and function. However, much remains to be learned about astrocyte lineage specification and functional maturation during development. In this chapter, we summarize some of the major findings in astrocyte biology that have helped to shift the focus from their passive roles as nerve glue to active and critical elements of the developing nervous system. We provide an overview of the current knowledge on astrocyte specification, lineage, maturation, and diversity. We also address how recent technical advances have shed light on these processes and attempt to reconcile prior knowledge into a more comprehensive understanding of astrocyte development.
Index of Economic Freedom: Unrealized Pedagogical Opportunities.

ABSTRACTAlthough the Index of Economic Freedom appears in many economic textbooks, their coverage of the index misses opportunities to teach statistical and policy-related concepts important for the principles course. The standard textbook presentation passes up an opportunity to examine the statistical issues of weighting in composite index numbers and correlation versus causation. In addition, textbook presentations fail to examine the assumptions made in the indexes about key economic concepts. These include inflation rate targets, appropriate government spending levels, tax rates, labor standards, financial regulation, monetary policy, property rights, government regulation, and even the meaning of economic freedom. This study explores how examining economic freedom index assumptions can help students understand key economic policy debates.
Linear Discriminant Analysis with few training data

Statistically-optimal Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) is formulated as a maximization that involves the nominal statistics of the classes to be discriminated. In practice, however, these nominal statistics are unknown and estimated from a collection of labeled training data. Accordingly, the nominal LDA basis is approximated by the solution of the popular practical LDA problem defined upon these estimates. However, when the available training data are few, the solution to practical LDA is known to lie far from the nominal LDA basis. In this work, we propose a novel algorithm that operates on the estimated class statistics and generates a sequence of bases that converges to the solution of practical LDA. Importantly, our studies illustrate that early elements of the proposed sequence exhibit significantly higher approximation to the nominal LDA basis than the converging point and, thus, offer the means for superior classification performance.
Handling Passwords with Security and Reliability in Background Processes

Traditionally, background automation of interactive processes meant giving up security and reliability. With the advent of software such as Expect for controlling interactive processes, it has become possible to improve reliability and security with relative ease. This paper reviews the reliability aspects but focuses primarily on the security aspects, presenting several non-obvious techniques for dealing with passwords and other sensitive information in background processes. These techniques require no changes to existing programs and no new security systems are necessary. With the appropriate tools and examples, these techniques can be applied with surprisingly little effort to a wide variety of problems.
A Reformulation of the Concept of Argument: The Constructivist/Interactionist Foundations of a Sociology of Argument

The traditional view of argument, based upon the positivistic assumption that argument is a “thing” experienced alike by all persons, is criticized, and an alternative view, grounded in constructivism (personal construct theory) and symbolic interactionism is outlined.
Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: Evolving Therapeutic Approaches for Operable and Inoperable Disease

Abstract Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), a rare consequence of an acute pulmonary embolism, is a disease that is underdiagnosed, and surgical pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) remains the preferred therapy. However, determination of operability is multifactorial and can be challenging. There is growing excitement for the percutaneous treatment of inoperable CTEPH with data from multiple centers around the world showing the clinical feasibility of balloon pulmonary angioplasty. Riociguat remains the only approved medical therapy for CTEPH patients deemed inoperable or with persistent pulmonary hypertension after PTE. We recommend that expert multidisciplinary CTEPH teams be developed at individual institutions. Additionally, optimal and standardized techniques for balloon pulmonary angioplasty need to be developed along with dedicated interventional equipment and appropriate training standards. In the meantime, the percutaneous revascularization option is appropriate for patients deemed inoperable in combination with targeted medical therapy, or those who have failed to benefit from surgery.
Economics as Science: Physical or Biophysical?

Economies exist independently of how we perceive or choose to study them. For more or less accidental reasons we have chosen over the past 100 years to consider and study economics as a social science. Before the late nineteenth century economists were more likely to ask “Where does wealth come from?” than are most mainstream economists today. In general, these earlier economists started their economic analysis with the natural biophysical world, probably simply because they had common sense but also because they deemed inadequate the perspective of earlier mercantilists who had emphasized sources of wealth as “treasure” (e.g., precious metals) derived from mining, trade, or plunder. In the first formal school of economics, the French Physiocrats looked to the biophysical world and especially land as the basis for generating wealth (e.g., Quesnay, 1758; see Christensen [1, 2]) focused on agriculture.
DD86: Brainstorming mit diversem IQL (März 2009)

Was passiert, wenn Menschen mit unterschiedlichem IQL (Internal Quality Level) zusammensitzen und uber eine bessere Zukunft nachdenken? Es kommt fast zwangslaufig etwas Unsinniges heraus. Damit das auch ganz sicher so kommt, setzt man absichtlich verschiedene Menschen zu Brainstormings zusammen.
Solubilization of drugs by physiological mixtures of bile salts.

Purpose. The solubilization of a number of steroids was determined in bile salt simple micelles and a bile salt/phospholipid micellar system to provide a better basis to predict the extent of drug solubilization in vivo. Methods. Excess solid drug was dispersed in taurodeoxycholate or mixed micelle solutions prepared with fixed mole ratios of taurocholate, taurodeoxycholate, taurochenodeoxycholate, glycodeoxycholate, glycocholate, and glycochenodeoxycholate with egg phosphatidylcholine. Drug concentrations were determined from the absorbance following centrifugation. Using NMR spectroscopy, the diffusivities of the simple and mixed micelles were 2 × 10-6 and 8 × 10-7 cm2/s, respectively. Results. From the change in the concentration of drug in solution with a change in the lipid concentration, the solubilization ratio (SR) was calculated. The SR and aqueous solubility were used to calculate the micelle/aqueous partition coefficients (Km/w). Km/w was correlated with octanol/water partition (Po/w) for the TDC and mixed micelle data sets with correlation lines of logKm/w = 0.74logPo/w + 1.55 (r2 = 0.91) and logKm/w = 0.61 logPo/w + 2.44 (r2 = 0.95), respectively. Conclusions. With such data, a refined, predictive relationship between the in vitro and the in vivo solubilization with additional information concerning the bile salt/lipid concentration in the human intestine appears possible.
Getting Around the Balian-Low Theorem Using Generalized Malvar Wavelets

Abstract The Balian-Low Theorem represents a significant constraint for windowed complex exponential bases. A new complex-valued generalized Malvar wavelet will be defined, and some of its properties will be stated. This new theory will permit us to obtain something close to an exponential basis.
Investigating the Effects of Percieved Web Quality on eTrust, Mediated by Hedonic Needs and Anxiety

Trust is the central dimension of e-commerce systems adoption, which is one of the most important aspects of e-CRM. In this paper, the effects of perceived Web quality on e-trust, mediated by website user’s anxiety and hedonic needs, are tested and discussed. E-trust is deconstructed into three dimensions (integrity, benevolence, and ability), and the complex relationships of e-trust dimensions with other technology adoption beliefs, including anxiety, enjoyment, and ease of use, are empirically tested with the initial data set (n=69). As expected, perceived Web quality negatively affects anxiety and positively influences enjoyment and ease of use, and anxiety negatively influences all of three dimensions of e-trust. However, enjoyment affects only integrity and benevolence dimensions of e-trust, whereas ease of use influences only ability dimension of e-trust. Furthermore, the effects of Web quality on e-trust are fully mediated by hedonic needs and anxiety. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed in the paper.
Ideal Victims and Monstrous Offenders: How the News Media Represent Sexual Predators:

Drawing on content analysis of 323 Los Angeles Times articles published between 1990 and 2015, this article examines how news reports represent sexual predator victims and offenders in order to exa...
Leveraging Electronic Health Records to Identify and Characterize Patients with Low Vision.

Purpose: To use electronic health record (EHR) data to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of low-vision (LV) patients.Methods: EHR data were obtained for all patients at the nine clinical ...
SAGES University MASTERS PROGRAM: Hernia Pathway

The MASTERS Program organizes educational materials along clinical pathways into discrete blocks of content which could be accessed by a surgeon attending the SAGES annual meeting or by logging into the online SAGES University (Fig. 1.1) [1]. The SAGES MASTERS Program currently has eight pathways including: Acute Care, Biliary, Bariatrics, Colon, Foregut, Hernia, Flex Endoscopy, and Robotic Surgery (Fig. 1.2). Each pathway is divided into three levels of targeted performance: Competency, proficiency, and mastery (Fig. 1.3). The levels originate from the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition [2], which has five stages: novice, advanced beginner, competency, proficiency, and expertise. The SAGES MASTERS Program is based on the three more advanced stages of skill acquisition: competency, proficiency, and expertise. Competency is defined as what a graduating general surgery chief resident or MIS fellow should be able to achieve; proficiency is what a surgeon approximately 3 years out from training should be able to accomplish; and mastery is what more experienced surgeons should be able to accomplish after several years in practice. Mastery is applicable to SAGES surgeons seeking in-depth knowledge in a pathway, including the following: Areas of controversy, outcomes, best practice, and the ability to mentor colleagues. Over time, with the utilization of coaching and participation in SAGES courses, this level should be obtainable by the majority of SAGES members. This edition of the SAGES Manual—Hernia Surgery aligns with the current version of the new SAGES University MASTERS Program Hernia Surgery pathway (Table 1.1).
Infection Prevention Considerations for Complex Penile Prosthesis Recipients

The purpose of this review is to critically analyze and summarize recent studies in the area of penile prosthesis surgery outcomes with a focus on infection prevention in high-risk patients. Reduction of surgical time in complex prosthesis surgery may reduce infection risk. Concomitant implant surgery is not associated with increased infection risk. Certain immunocompromised patients may be more likely to have penile implant infections, but these may not include patients with well-controlled HIV, well-controlled diabetes, or transplant recipients. Substance abuse is correlated with increased risk of infection after penile implant surgery. Careful patient selection and preoperative optimization can reduce infection risk in spinal cord injury patients. In the last 5 years, there have been several important studies investigating the risk of penile prosthesis infection in complex patients, clarifying which patient categories are at increased risk and how that risk can be mitigated.
Air-water PCB fluxes from southwestern Lake Michigan revisited.

From simultaneous air and water polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) measurements collected in September 2010, we re-evaluated the direction and magnitude of net air-water exchange of PCBs in southwest Lake Michigan and compared them with estimations made using similar approaches 15 years prior. Air and water samples were collected during a research expedition on Lake Michigan at 5 km off the coast of Chicago, with prevailing winds from the southwest of our location. Gas-phase ΣPCB concentrations ranged from 190 to 1100 pg m−3 with a median of 770 pg m−3, which is similar to the concentrations measured in the City of Chicago at the same time and similar to concentrations measured in this part of the lake over the last 20 years. Water dissolved-phase ΣPCB concentrations ranged from 150 to 170 pg L−1 with a median of 160 pg L−1, which is one-tenth of that measured in the 1990s. ƩPCB net fluxes showed a slightly absorptive behavior, with a median of (−) 21 ng m−2 day−1 and an interquartile range of (−) 47 to (+) 5 ng m−2 day−1, where (−) and (+) fluxes indicate absorption and volatilization, respectively. Airborne PCB concentrations were higher when the winds were coming from Chicago and drive the deposition. Our fluxes are not significantly different from estimations from 1994 and 1995 and suggest that absorption of PCBs into the waters is slightly more prevalent than 15 years ago. It was confirmed that Chicago remains an important atmospheric source of PCBs to Lake Michigan.
How Responsive Is a Teacher’s Classroom Practice to Intervention? A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Field Studies:

While teacher effectiveness has been a particular focus of federal education policy, and districts allocate significant resources toward professional development for teachers, these efforts are gui...
Retrospective analysis of comorbidities and treatment burden among patients with HIV infection in a US Medicaid population.

Objective: Comorbidities and comedications are important factors influencing optimal therapy because people are living longer with HIV infection. This study describes the long-term comorbidity prof...
Rape Resistance: A Critical Piece of all Women’s Empowerment and Holistic Rape Prevention

In an ecological model, many strategies and tools are needed to help respond to sexual assault in terms of risk, response, recovery, and prevention. A holistic strategy should be based on empirical...
Thermal Ablation Versus Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy After Transarterial Chemoembolization for Inoperable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Propensity Score-Weighted Analysis.

Please see the Editorial Comment by Joanna Kee-Sampson discussing this article. BACKGROUND. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has synergistic properties when combined with ablative therapies f...
Recurrence patterns in patients with Stage II melanoma: The evolving role of routine imaging for surveillance

Background and objectives The relatively recent availability of effective systemic therapies for metastatic melanoma necessitates reconsideration of current surveillance patterns. Evidence supporting surveillance guidelines for resected Stage II melanoma is lacking. Prior reports note routine imaging detects only 21% of recurrent disease. This study aims to define recurrence patterns for Stage II melanoma to inform future surveillance guidelines. Methods This is a retrospective study of patients with Stage II melanoma. We analyzed risk factors for recurrence and methods of recurrence detection. We also assessed survival. Yearly hazards of recurrence were visualized. Results With a median follow-up of 4.9 years, 158 per 580 patients (27.2%) recurred. Overall, most recurrences were patient-detected (60.7%) or imaging-detected (27.3%). Routine imaging was important in detecting recurrence in patients with distant recurrences (adjusted rate 43.1% vs. 9.4% for local/in-transit; p = .04) and with Stage IIC melanoma (42.5% vs. 18.5% for IIA; p = .01). Male patients also self-detected recurrent disease less than females (52.1% vs. 76.8%; p Conclusions Routine imaging surveillance played a larger role in detecting recurrent disease for select groups in this cohort than noted in prior studies. In an era of effective systemic therapy, routine imaging should be considered for detection of asymptomatic relapse for select, high-risk patient groups.
Abstract 15812: Oxidative Stress Promotes Susceptibility to Atrial Fibrillation in Pitx2 Deficient Mice

Introduction: The strongest genetic risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) is variants on chromosome 4q25, near the paired-like homeobox transcription factor 2 gene Pitx2. Mice deficient in Pitx2...
Dual gauge concepts in electrodynamics, and new limitations on gauge invariance.

Gauge invariance, a core principle in electrodynamics, has two separate meanings. One concept treats the photon as the gauge particle for electrodynamics. It is based on symmetries of the Lagrangian, and requires no mention of electric or magnetic fields. The second concept depends directly on the electric and magnetic fields, and how they can be represented by potential functions that are not unique. A general proof that potentials are more fundamental than fields serves to resolve discrepancies. Physical symmetries, however, are altered by gauge transformations and strongly limit gauge freedom. A new constraint on the form of allowable gauge transformations must be introduced that applies to both gauge concepts.
Self-control in career decision-making: The roles of the hot and cool systems of gratification delay

Abstract While extant research has focused on the joint roles of distal background factors and decisional self-efficacy when investigating facilitative factors in career decision-making, knowledge regarding the role of gratification delay and its contributing systems is limited. Using a sample of U.S. individuals (n = 281), the current study longitudinally examined the structural predictions of the emotional (i.e., distress tolerance) and cognitive (i.e., time discounting) foundations of gratification delay for decisional anxiety. The results supported a mediation model in which gratification delay mediates the negative prediction of distress tolerance (Time 1) for decisional anxiety (Time 2 = Time 1 + 3 months) and the positive prediction of time discounting (Time 1) for decisional anxiety (Time 2). Additionally, gratification delay joined decisional self-efficacy in sequentially mediating these predictions. Therefore, the present study supports the utility of the gratification delay perspective in conceptualizing and facilitating the career decision-making process and provides implications for research and practice related to self-control in career decision-making.
Covariate‐based cepstral parameterizations for time‐varying spatial error covariances

The difference between a mechanistic model of a spatio-temporal process and associated observations can reasonably be represented by a random process with possible dependence structure in space and time. Often, such error processes are assumed to be stationary in time, so that a unique spatial error covariance structure is applicable for all time. However, model performance can be related to large-scale time-varying features, causing the error process to be nonstationary, leading to a time-varying spatial covariance. Because of dimensionality constraints, one cannot estimate such time-varying covariances reliably, and therefore they must be modeled. Such models for covariances should be able to accommodate influences from exogenous covariates. However, the inclusion of covariates in a standard covariance model is challenging due to the fact that the covariance must be positive definite. We mitigate this issue by modeling the time-varying spatial dependence through the Fourier coefficients of the log spectrum, as originally developed for time series representations. The convenient feature of these so-called “cepstral” models (or “exponential models”) is that the associated parameters are unrestricted yet still are guaranteed to produce a positive definite covariance. Thus, it is fairly straightforward to model these parameters as time-varying random processes that depend on other covariates within the Bayesian hierarchical modeling paradigm. We illustrate the effectiveness of this model through various simulated examples and by applying it to differences from a long-lead sea surface temperature forecast model. In this case, we consider the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and Southern Oscillation Index as possible factors that influence the error covariance. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On cyclostationary analysis of WiFi signals for direction estimation

Cyclostationary analysis is a powerful tool to study the Signal-Selective Direction Estimation (SSDE) problem as different types of wireless signals have different cyclostationary patterns. Generally speaking, each type of wireless signal has unique cyclic frequencies with the frequency-selective property, which distinguishes itself from other types of signals. The cyclostationary property of a signal may be induced by its modulation method, its carrier frequency, and/or its frame structure. In this paper, we study the cyclostationary property of IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) signals induced by their underlying OFDM frame structure, which includes pilots, cyclic prefix (CP), and preambles. We first analyze the pilot-induced, CP-induced, and preamble-induced cyclostationary properties of WiFi signals, respectively. We then derive their spectral correlation function (SCF) and investigate their applicability to solving the SSDE problem. Simulation results show that the pilot-induced cyclostationary property of WiFi signals is a promising feature that can be used to solve the SSDE problem.
A Theory of Rerepresentation in Analogical Matching

Abstract : Psychologically, rerepresentation appears to be an important technique for achieving flexibility in analogical matching. This paper presents a concise theory of rerepresentation in analogical matching. It divides the problem into detecting opportunities for rerepresentation, generating rerepresentation suggestions based on libraries of general methods, and strategies for controlling the rerepresentation process. We show that the kinds of opportunities can be exhaustively derived from the principles of structure mapping, and the methods for detecting them derived from consideration of how the SME algorithm works. Four families of rerepresentation methods are proposed, as well as task-independent and task-dependent constraints on strategies. Implemented simulation examples are used for illustration.
Load carriage effects on a robotic transtibial prosthesis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinetic and kinematic effects of load carriage while wearing a robotic transtibial prosthesis. Nine separate tests were conducted with a unilateral transtibial amputee test subject wearing the robotic foot-ankle prosthesis. The subject walked on a treadmill at 1.3 m/s with a back pack weighing 0 kg, 4.5 kg and 9 kg. Direct measurement of the kinematics and kinetics of the robotic prosthesis at varying loads and ankle joint stiffness using embedded sensors is presented. The test data suggest that the coping strategy for load carriage is one of kinetic variance and kinematic invariance for subjects using a powered, computer controlled foot-ankle prosthesis. The finding suggests that modulation of the spring stiffness as a function of load condition may reduce system energy expenditure by 10%.
The impact of technology scaling on soft error rate performance and limits to the efficacy of error correction

The soft error rate (SER) of advanced CMOS devices is higher than all other reliability mechanisms combined. Memories can be protected with error correction circuitry but SER in logic may limit future product reliability. Memory and logic scaling trends are discussed along with a method for determining logic SER.
DECOLONIZING GLOBAL THEORIES TODAY

Since the 1990s there has been an impetus to develop paradigms of theory that are global and energize us with possibilities for resistance. This essay argues that such theories confront us with a postcolonial unease because they are, like the tradition of colonial knowledge production, universalizing. The essay begins by briefly analysing the West-centered basis of the idea of inevitability in Hardt and Negri's concept of empire and moves on to critiquing two universalizing concepts: Giorgio Agamben's ‘bare life’ and Judith Butler's ‘vulnerability’. Turning from theory to practice, the essay points out the problems of Eurocentrism in even so ostensibly radical and global an organization as the World Social Forum. The essay demonstrates the need, particularly in the imperial moment today, for a vigilance against the global theoretical projects being generated at present.
Processing information from screen media: A psycholinguistic approach

How do viewers derive meaning from sequenced images shown on a screen? The author attempted to determine whether methodologies employed in psycholinguistic investigation of sentence perception can be used to ascertain how screen media communicate. In the present study, techniques similar to those used to explore linguistic perception were not transferable to the examination of visual perception. However, the author believes that as researchers proceed to explore the area of screen literacy, the analogy with language will continue to be of heuristic value.
A Whiff of Chemistry in Heavy Electron Physics

Calculations show how electrons in a rare earth compound develop their unusual low-temperature properties.
A microfabricated fluorescence-activated cell sorter

We have demonstrated a disposable microfabricated fluorescence-activated cell sorter (µFACS) for sorting various biological entities. Compared with conventional FACS machines, the µFACS provides higher sensitivity, no cross-contamination, and lower cost. We have used µFACS chips to obtain substantial enrichment of micron-sized fluorescent bead populations of differing colors. Furthermore, we have separated Escherichia coli cells expressing green fluorescent protein from a background of nonfluorescent E. coli cells and shown that the bacteria are viable after extraction from the sorting device. These sorters can function as stand-alone devices or as components of an integrated microanalytical chip.
Comparison of the Effects of Testosterone Gels, Injections, and Pellets on Serum Hormones, Erythrocytosis, Lipids, and Prostate-Specific Antigen.

Introduction Numerous testosterone (T) formulations are available, each with differing effects on serum parameters.
Execution architectures and compilation

This paper introduces a partition of the possible forms of knowledge according to their relationship to the basic objective of an intelligent agent, namely to act successfully in response to its environment. The resulting classes of knowledge range from fully declarative to fully compiled. From these classes, it is possible to generate 1) a set of execution architectures, each of which combines some of the classes to produce decisions; and 2) a set of compilation methods, that transform knowledge into more efficient but (approximately) behaviourally equivalent, compiled forms. Existing compilation methods can be understood within this framework, and new compilation methods and execution architectures are indicated. It is proposed that systems with the ability to learn, use and transform between all the types of knowledge may be able to achieve simultaneously higher levels of competence, efficiency and flexibility.
Applying the nonuniform FFT to the parabolic equation split-step algorithm for high frequency propagation modeling

A popular approach to modeling electromagnetic wave propagation in the troposphere is to use the Fourier split-step algorithm to solve the parabolic equation (PE) by marching over range steps. In each step a Fourier transform is made to the frequency domain followed by a multiplication of the frequency-domain operator. The result is then transformed again to the space domain and is followed by a multiplication of the space-domain operator. The PE algorithms provide a fast and efficient numerical solution to most long-range propagation problems. Some limitations of this technique are that it neglects the backscattered field and is accurate only for waves propagating near horizontal directions. In this paper, we show a new method that implements the nonuniform fast Fourier transform in the Fourier split-step algorithm to solve the parabolic equation.
Vasculitic Diseases of the Kidney

Systemic diseases associated with inflammatory and necrotizing lesions of blood vessels, ranging from muscular arteries to glomerular capillaries to dermal venules, produce major diagnostic as well as therapeutic challenges to the clinician. Few medical conditions present as diversely both in regard to renal and extra-renal manifestations. Kussmaul and Maier in 1866 originally described a young patient with Bright’s disease and progressive muscular weakness who at autopsy exhibited nodular swelling of arteries, a condition they termed, periarteritis nodosa (1). It subsequently became evident that classical periarteritis nodosa was relatively rare, but the related name, polyarteritis nodosa, became widely accepted to describe a wide variety of vasculitic diseases. Currently, the synonomous term, systemic necrotizing vasculitis, is generally preferred since it can be more appropriately applied to vasculitic diseases with and without nodular vascular lesions.
Molding ceramic microstructures on flat and curved surfaces with and without embedded carbon nanotubes

This paper explores micromolding fabrication of alumina ceramic microstructures on flat and curved surfaces, the transfer of carbon nanotube (CNT) micropatterns into the ceramic and oxidation inhibition of these CNTs through ceramic encapsulation. Microstructured master mold templates were fabricated from etched silicon, thermally embossed sacrificial polymer and flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The polymer templates were themselves made from silicon masters. Thus, once the master is produced, no further access to a microfabrication facility is required. Using the flexible PDMS molds, ceramic structures with mm scale curvature having microstructures on either the inside or the outside of the curved macrostructure were fabricated. It was possible to embed CNTs into the ceramic microstructures. To do this, micropatterned CNTs on silicon were transferred to ceramic via vacuum molding. Multilayered micropatterned CNT–ceramic devices were fabricated, and CNT electrical traces were encapsulated with ceramic to inhibit oxidation. During oxidation trials, encapsulated CNT traces showed an increase in resistance that was 62% less than those that were not encapsulated. The processes described here could allow fabrication of inexpensive 3D ceramic microstructures suitable for high temperature and harsh chemical environments.
Replication in UV-irradiated Caenorhabditis elegans embryos

Replication continues in wild-type (but not rad mutant) Caenorhabditis elegans embryos even after exposure to massive fluences of UV radiation. It is of interest to elucidate the mechanism(s) for this "damage-resistant" DNA synthesis. In this study, DNA from unirradiated and UV-irradiated wild-type embryos was examined using the electron microscope. Large fluences of UV radiation (180 J m-2) had little effect on either replication bubble size or distances between bubbles in wild-type embryos, indicating that the damage-resistant DNA synthesis was not grossly aberrant. Conversely, UV irradiation significantly decreased center-to-center distances between bubbles in excision-repair-deficient rad-3 embryos. This suggests that the decreased DNA synthesis observed after UV irradiation in rad-3 embryos is due largely to blockage of elongation of DNA synthesis.
Polaron and bipolaron states in Si-inversion layers: Possible origins and effects

We report results of a series of multiband tight-binding cluster calculations we have made to further uncover the origin and nature of the intrinsic interface states at the Si-SiO2 interface as well as their effects on the n- and p-channel inversion layers. These results show that distortion (reconstruction) effects are important ingredients in the description of these states and this together with additional analysis indicates that threefold coordinated Si atoms at the Si-SiO2 interface as well as strained Si-Si bonds on the oxide “side” on the interface can exist, as we have suggested earlier, in metastable configurations leading to e.g., device instabilities. A subgroup of these reconstructing interface states associated with weakly strained Si-Si bonds on the semiconductor side of the interface is identified and analyzed with emphasis on how such states can give rise to polaronic and bipolaronic effects in inversion layers and hence provide an additional basis for the Anderson-like negative U models previously employed by us in studying the low carrier density regime of this system.
Presence of acetate and succinate in the exopolysaccharide produced by Zoogloea ramigera 115SLR

The extracellular acidic polysaccharide produced by Zoogloea ramigera 115SLR contains O-acetyl and O-succinyl groups, in addition to glucose, galactose and pyruvate already reported. Methylation analysis of both the native and the chemically modified zooglan showed that these O-acyl groups are attached to position 6 of a 4-substituted glucosyl residue and of a terminal glucose.
Women's attitudes regarding mode of delivery and cesarean delivery on maternal request

Objective. To explore women's attitudes and beliefs regarding cesarean delivery and cesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR).Study design. Anonymous questionnaires assessing patient demographics, knowledge, and attitudes about CDMR were distributed at the time of routine mid-trimester ultrasound appointment.Results. Eight hundred thirty three out of 3929 (21.2%) potential participants completed the questionnaire. About 81.7% of participants indicated that they believed that vaginal delivery was a safer alternative for the mother and 72.8% believed that it was safer for the fetus. While only 6.1% of women thought that CDMR was ‘a good idea’, most believed that women should have the right to choose their mode of delivery and that the option should be offered to everyone (85.9% and 79.6%, respectively). Socioeconomic and demographic variables did not significantly influence the participants' responses.Conclusion. Majority of women believe that vaginal delivery is safer for the mother and baby and would p...
Site-specific conversion of a pro-fusion protein toxin

Comment on Abi-Habib et al, page [2143][1] Substituting the native furin endoprotease activation site with a urokinase plasminogen activator recognition sequence, Abi-Habib and colleagues have constructed a diphtheria toxin–related granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor fusion protein
Natural killer T cell and TLR9 agonists as mucosal adjuvants for sublingual vaccination with clade C HIV-1 envelope protein

The vast majority of HIV-1 infections occur at mucosa during sexual contact. It may therefore be advantageous to provide mucosal barrier protection against this entry by mucosal vaccination. While a number of mucosal routes of vaccination are possible, many like enteric oral vaccines or intranasal vaccines have significant impediments that limit vaccine efficacy or pose safety risks. In contrast, immunogens applied to the sublingual region of the mouth could provide a simple route for mucosal vaccination. While sublingual immunization is appealing, this site does not always drive strong immune responses, particularly when using protein antigens. To address this issue, we have tested the ability of two mucosal adjuvants: alpha-galactosylceramide (αGalCer) that is a potent stimulator of natural killer T cells and CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN) a TLR9 agonist for their ability to amplify immune responses against clade C gp140 HIV-1 envelope protein antigen. Immunization with envelope protein alone resulted in a weak T cell and antibody responses. In contrast, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells responses in systemic and mucosal tissues were significantly higher in mice immunized with gp140 in the presence of either αGalCer or CpG-ODN and these responses were further augmented when the two adjuvants were used together. While both the adjuvants effectively increased gp140-specific serum IgG and vaginal IgA antibody levels, combining both significantly improved these responses. Memory T cell responses 60 days after immunization revealed αGalCer to be more potent than CpG-ODN and the combination of the αGalCer and CpG-ODN adjuvants was more effective than either alone. Serum and vaginal washes collected 60 days after immunization with gp140 with both αGalCer and CpG-ODN adjuvants had significant neutralization activity against Tier 1 and Tier 2 SHIVs. These data support the utility of the sublingual route for mucosal vaccination particularly in combination with αGalCer and CpG-ODN adjuvants.
Magnetization Prepared RApid Gradient-Echo (MP-RAGE) MR imaging of the liver: Comparison with spin-echo imaging

We have implemented an MR technique that employs a rapid gradient echo sequence, preceded by magnetization preparation pulses to provide T1- and T2-weighted tissue contrast. With this technique, which can be identified as a member of a new family of pulse sequences, generically named Magnetization Prepared RApid Gradient Echo (MP-RAGE), very short repetition times are used, allowing acquisition times of less than one second and images virtually free of motion-induced artifacts during quiet respiration. Fifteen patients with known liver lesions (metastases, hemangiomas, and cysts) were examined using T1- and T2-weighted 2-dimensional MP-RAGE sequences, and the images were compared with conventional T1- and multi-echo T2-weighted spin-echo (SE) sequences. Signal difference-to-noise ratios (SD/Ns) of the lesions were calculated for all pulse sequences using corresponding axial images and were normalized for voxel volume. The mean normalized SD/Ns of the MP-RAGE sequences were generally comparable to those for the SE sequences. In addition, there were no noticeable respiratory artifacts on the MP-RAGE images whereas these were clearly present on the T2-weighted SE images and to a lesser degree on the T1-weighted SE images. It is concluded that the MP-RAGE technique could become an important method for evaluating the liver for focal disease.
M.I.T. studies of transient X-ray phenomena

A variety of transient X-ray phenomena have been studied. Data from the OSO-7 satellite reveal both long and short time-scale transients. Extensive observations have been made of the Lupus X-ray Nova (3U1543-47) and GX339-4(MX 1658-48) which may represent a very different type of transient source. A unique, intense X-ray flare lasting ten minutes was also recorded, and the X-ray emission from the active galaxy Cen A was found to vary significantly over a period of several days. In a recent balloon flight the Crab pulsar, NP0532, was observed to exhibit a transient pulsed component distinct from the usual main pulse and interpulse. A sounding-rocket experiment detected an ultrasoft transient X-ray source tentatively associated with SS Cygni, and preliminary results from SAS-3 show a very hard spectrum for the new source A0535 + 26. On the other hand, extensive OSO-7 null observations of both Type I and II supernovae and of the flaring radio star Algol make it unlikely that these types of objects are potent transient X-ray emitters.
Patterns of scientific collaboration between Japan and France: Inter-sectoral analysis using Probabilistic Partnership Index (PPI)

In this article we present an indicator - Probabilistic Partnership Index (PPI) - for use in measuring scientific linkages. This indicator is based on the Monte-Carlo simulation which provides a standard model to each network established in collaboration between two countries. Any relationship that occurs within a (whole) network can be projected to a standard model respectively and thus PPI is useful in examining individual networks within complex exchanges. We investigate inter-sectoral cooperation between France and Japan for the period of 1981-2004, by classifying every research unit appearing in the data set by its sector. We examine international collaborative patterns, domestic collaborative patterns and multilateral relationships established within the French-Japanese cooperation. We also compare PPI with the classic collaborative linkage indexes - Jaccard Index, Salton-Ochiai Index and Probabilistic Affinity Index - in order to describe the specificity of the new indicator. Our hope is that PPI will prove to be a useful and complementary tool for the analysis of international collaboration.
Bayesian approach to life testing and reliability estimation under competing exponential failure distributions

Abstract Suppose n items, each consisting of p components, are put on test and that testing is continued until some preassigned time point τ 0 . An item fails if any one of its p components fail. Assume that the component life lengths are independent and each life time is exponentially distributed. The Bayes estimation of the parameter of the failure distribution of each component is carried out by using independent gamma and uniform prior densities for the parameters of failure distributions. The estimation of the reliability function of an item is also carried out. A Monte Carlo simulation is performed in order to compare the Bayes and maximum likelihood estimators of the parameters and the reliability function. Computations indicate that the Bayes estimators are better than the maximum likelihood estimators in the sense of smaller root mean squared errors.
Tiam1 Overexpression Potentiates Heregulin-induced Lymphoid Enhancer Factor-1/β-Catenin Nuclear Signaling in Breast Cancer Cells by Modulating the Intercellular Stability

Heregulin-β1 (HRG) promotes motility, scattering, and invasiveness of breast cancer cells. Tiam1, a newly identified guanine nucleotide exchange factor, has been shown to inhibit or promote cell migration in a cell type-dependent manner. In this study, we identified Tiam1 as a target of HRG signaling. HRG stimulation of breast cancer epithelial cells induced the phosphorylation and redistribution of Tiam1 to the membrane ruffles and the loosening of intercellular junctions. In addition, HRG-mediated scattering of breast epithelial cells was accompanied by stimulation of tyrosine phosphorylation and redistribution of β-catenin from the cell junctions to the cytosol and, finally, entry into the nucleus. Decompaction of breast cancer epithelial cells by HRG was accompanied by a transient physical association of the tyrosine-phosphorylated β-catenin with the activated human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and subsequent nuclear translocation of β-catenin, as well as β-catenin-dependent transactivation of T-cell factor·lymphoid enhancer factor-1. All of these HRG-induced phenotypic changes were regulated in a phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase-sensitive manner. HRG-induced cellular ruffles, loss of intercellular adhesiveness, and increased cell migration could be mimicked by overexpression of a fully functional Tiam1 construct. Furthermore, ectopic expression of Tiam1 or of an active β-catenin mutant led to potentiation of the β-catenin-dependent T-cell factor·lymphoid enhancer factor-1 transactivation and invasiveness of HRG-treated cells. We also found preliminary evidence suggesting a close correlation between the status of Tiam1 expression and invasiveness of human breast tumor cells with the degree of progression of breast tumors. Together, these findings suggest that HRG regulate Tiam1 activation and lymphoid enhancer factor/β-catenin nuclear signaling via phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase in breast cancer cells.
Percutaneous repair of an ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm with a septal occluder device

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