cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rheumatic pneumonia: Report of two cases

Summary Two new cases of so-called rheumatic pneumonia are presented. Together,these two cases of lung affection in children with rheumatic heart disease show most of the features of an exudative lesion resulting from injury to capillary endothelium. Pulmonary histopathology parallels that seen in experimental and sulfonamide anaphylactic pneumonitis. The clinical histories of the two patients reported are consistent with theconcept of an allergic mechanism in the production of pulmonary pathology and lay stress on the point that an exudative reaction such as pneumonitis may be delayed for some time after symptomatic subsidence of the initial endocarditis. This thought must be borne in mind in all cases of sulfonamide-penicillin-resistant pneumonia occurring in children with histories of rheumatic fever.
WORKING SMARTER THE JAPANESE WAY The X -Efficiency of Theory Z Management

A number of recent organizational behavior studies (see, for example, Ouchi, 1981; Pascale and Athos, 1981) agree that the important differences between Japanese management and American management explain in large part why Japan, and not just its auto industry, has been able to achieve rates of growth in productivity much higher than the U.S. since the 1950s. These studies suggest that a critical dimension of Japanese management is the nature of their employer-employee relationship which motivate organization members to work “smarter” than their counterparts in th U.S. In other words, Japanese firms are simply more X-efficient i.e., their productivity is closer to potential, than American ones. If so, why? The purpose of this article is to adapt economic theory (notably X-efficiency theory and transaction cost economics1) to the task of explaining why one would expect organizations managed Japanese style to be more effective in achieving both labor productivity closer to potential (for given technology and capital inputs) and growth in productivity.2
Brain Aging: Influence of Early–Life Events on Late-Life Brain Disorders

The prominent symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) include severe loss of memory, failure of cognition and reasoning, and overall deficit of other intellectual abilities. AD usually appears late in adult life, but when the disease initiates and how long the disease processes take to develop are presently unknown. To address this issue, the “Latent Early–life Associated Regulation” (LEARn) model has been proposed. This model explains the etiology of AD and integrates both the neuropathological features (e.g., amyloid-beta plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau tangles) and environmental conditions (e.g., dietary imbalance, metal exposure, and pestichemicals) associated with AD. As per the LEARn model, environmental agents could perturb gene regulation in a long–term fashion, beginning at early developmental stages, but these perturbations would not have pathological results until significantly later in life, if an additional perturbation were to occur. The LEARn model postulates latent expression of specific genes triggered at an early stage of life. The LEARn model operates via the regulatory region (promoter) of the gene, specifically through changes in methylation and oxidation status within the promoter of specific genes. Thus, the LEARn model unifies genetic and environmental risk factors to explain the etiology of the most common, sporadic form of AD. Finally, the possible medical remediation is discussed with reference to the relatively long term of latency under the LEARn model.
Hands-On Geology for Navajo Nation Teachers

The Navajo Nation comprises the largest land area and the largest population of any Native American community in the United States, and it hosts some of Earth's most spectacular geology. Geologic resources and environmental concerns have figured prominently in the Navajo Nation's recent history and economy. Despite the traditional cultural ties of the Dine (Navajo) people to their land, and the natural curiosity of most K-12 students about the earth, geoscience courses are virtually absent from curricula in Navajo Nation public schools. Many native-born teachers are familiar with the landscape and its cultural geography, but few have received formal training in geology and are not comfortable introducing it into their classrooms. A collaborative project between the U.S. Geological Survey and Navajo Community College has addressed this issue on a local scale by developing a classroom and field- intensive one-week summer course for Navajo Nation teachers with no previous geologic experience. The course intr...
Soluble antigen arrays disarm antigen-specific B cells to promote lasting immune tolerance in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Autoreactive lymphocytes that escape central immune tolerance may be silenced via an endogenous peripheral tolerance mechanism known as anergy. Antigen-specific therapies capable of inducing anergy may restore patients with autoimmune diseases to a healthy phenotype while avoiding deleterious side effects associated with global immunosuppression. Inducing anergy in B cells may be a particularly potent intervention, as B cells can contribute to autoimmune diseases through multiple mechanisms and offer the potential for direct antigen-specific targeting through the B cell receptor (BCR). Our previous results suggested autoreactive B cells may be silenced by multivalent 'soluble antigen arrays' (SAgAs), which are polymer conjugates displaying multiple copies of autoantigen with or without a secondary peptide that blocks intracellular cell-adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Here, key therapeutic molecular properties of SAgAs were identified and linked to the immunological mechanism through comprehensive cellular and in vivo analyses. We determined non-hydrolyzable 'cSAgAs' displaying multivalent 'click'-conjugated antigen more potently suppressed experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) compared to hydrolyzable SAgAs capable of releasing conjugated antigen. cSAgAs restored a healthy phenotype in disease-specific antigen presenting cells (APCs) by inducing an anergic response in B cells and a subset of B cells called autoimmune-associated B cells (ABCs) that act as potent APCs in autoimmune disease. Accompanied by a cytokine response skewed towards a Th2/regulatory phenotype, this generated an environment of autoantigenic tolerance. By identifying key therapeutic molecular properties and an immunological mechanism that drives SAgA efficacy, this work guides the design of antigen-specific immunotherapies capable of inducing anergy.
Houseplants as home health monitors

For eons, houses and indoor plants have gone together: the first a necessity, and the second an aesthetic feature. Along with pets and humans, houseplants are ubiquitous members in interior “megabiomes” (macroscopic home inhabitants). The numerous benefits of greenery in the built environment include metabolizing human respiratory products (carbon dioxide) and increasing oxygen concentrations. But, houseplants could do so much more. During the past decade, a realization has emerged that building interiors house far more than megabiomes and inanimate objects. The immense built environment—0.5% of terrestrial livable Earth—is an evolving microbiome incubator ( 1 ). Analogous to the gut microbiome, in which the gastrointestinal environment shapes the ecology of the microbial community therein, the built environment plays an important role in shaping the evolution and ecology of the home interior microbiome, and burgeoning research is characterizing its components as well as the forces of its evolution ( 1 ). Microbiomes are not typically part of interior design per se, but they could be more explicitly considered during architectural and interior designs ( 2 ). It has become clear that many factors play a role in interior microbiome ecology and evolution: climate and the human occupants themselves, as well as ventilation regimes, antibiotics, and pesticides, along with catastrophes, such as fires and floods ( 3 ). Here, we assess the feasibility of building new microbiome sensing and reporting capabilities into houseplants through synthetic biology approaches. In addition, we suggest how to incorporate these plants into interior designs to benefit human occupants.
Association of Transforming Growth Factor β Polymorphism C-509T With Radiation-Induced Fibrosis Among Patients With Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance Whether genetic factors can identify patients at risk for radiation-induced fibrosis remains unconfirmed. Objective To assess the association between the C−509T variant allele in the promoter region ofTGFB1and breast fibrosis 3 years after radiotherapy. Design, Setting, and Participants This is an a priori–specified, prospective, cohort study nested in an open-label, randomized clinical trial, which was conducted in community-based and academic cancer centers to compare hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation (WBI) (42.56 Gy in 16 fractions) with conventionally fractionated WBI (50 Gy in 25 fractions) after breast-conserving surgery. In total, 287 women 40 years or older with pathologically confirmed stage 0 to IIA breast cancer treated with breast-conserving surgery were enrolled from February 2011 to February 2014. Patients were observed for a minimum of 3 years. Outcomes were compared using the 1-sided Fisher exact test and multivariable logistic regression. Exposures A C-to-T single-nucleotide polymorphism at position −509 relative to the first major transcription start site (C−509T) of theTGFB1gene. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was grade 2 or higher breast fibrosis as assessed using the Late Effects Normal Tissue/Subjective, Objective, Medical Management, Analytic scale (range, 0 to 3) three years after radiotherapy. Results Among 287 women enrolled in the trial,TGFB1genotype and 3-year radiotherapy-induced toxicity data were available for 174 patients, of whom 89 patients (51%) with a mean (SD) age of 60 (8) years had at least 1 copy of C−509T. Grade 2 or higher breast fibrosis was present in 12 of 87 patients with C−509T (13.8%) compared with 3 of 80 patients without the allele variant (3.8%) (absolute difference, 10.0%; 95% CI, 1.7%-18.4%;P = .02). The results of multivariable analyses indicated that only C−509T (odds ratio, 4.47; 95% CI, 1.25-15.99;P = .02) and postoperative cosmetic outcome (odds ratio, 7.09; 95% CI, 2.41-20.90;P Conclusions and Relevance To date, this study seems to be the first prospective validation of a genomic marker for radiation fibrosis. The C−509T allele inTGFB1is a key determinant of breast fibrosis risk. AssessingTGFB1genotype may facilitate a more personalized approach to locoregional treatment decisions in breast cancer. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT01266642
Low vision rehabilitation services: Perceived barriers and facilitators to access for older adults with visual impairment:

IntroductionThe aim of this study is to describe the barriers and facilitators to accessing low vision rehabilitation services in Massachusetts, USA, and determine differences between communities w...
Experimental Study to Illustrate Flow Control in Presence of Race Tracking Disturbances in Resin Transfer Moulding

To manufacture composite parts with the Resin Transfer Moulding process, a fluid resin is injected into a mould containing a fibrous preform. Often, due to variations in the preform structure, the ...
The impact of Age-Tastic! On health literacy about depression among older adults: a pilot study

ABSTRACTAge-Tastic! is a health and wellness intervention designed for older adults. Incorporating game theory and behavioral activation concepts, this intervention is a board game that engages old...
Determining Effective Nutrition Intervention Strategies and the Subsequent Impact on Nutrition Knowledge, Dietary Adherence, and Health Outcomes among American Indian/Alaska Native Youth (2-18 Years of Age): a Systematic Review.

The PRISMA style literature review was used to determine effective nutrition intervention strategies and their subsequent impact on nutrition knowledge, dietary adherence, and health outcomes among American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) youth. Peer-reviewed articles published between January 1980 and December 2019 were extracted from PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, and PsychInfo databases. A 4-point inclusion criterion was established to include articles with AI/AN youth, nutrition intervention, and presented health outcomes. A quality criteria checklist was used to assess the articles. A total of 12 studies were included in this study. Interventions that incorporated cultural adaptations (e.g., storytelling), theoretical frameworks (e.g., community-based participatory), active learning (e.g., cooking), tribal partnership, and caregiver involvement slightly improved nutrition knowledge, dietary adherence, and health outcomes. Overall, this review revealed that incorporating cultural aspects with input from the community in a nutrition program has a positive impact on AI/AN youths. Steps can be taken at the policy level to direct obesity and non-communicable disease prevention efforts among AI/AN youth.
The Incidence, Prevalence, and Burden of Gout in the Veterans Health Administration

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence, incidence, and burden of gout in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) from 2005 to 2014. METHODS We used national VHA data from January 1999 to December 2014 to determine the annual incidence and prevalence of gout in the VHA. Gout burden to the VHA was determined by the proportion of patients with an encounter related to gout. Rates of urate-lowering therapy (ULT) and opiate use were determined annually. Characteristics of those with and without gout were compared using 2014 data. RESULTS From 2005 to 2014, gout prevalence in the VHA increased from 4.2% to 5.8%, while disease incidence ranged from 5.8 to 7.4 cases per 1,000 patient-years. Gout prevalence was highest among men, older patients, and non-Hispanic black patients. During 2014, 4.0% of all inpatient or outpatient encounters and 1.3% of hospitalizations were gout related. Administration of ULT remained stable over the 10-year period, with 46% of gout patients receiving ULT in 2014. In contrast, 16.4% of prevalent gout patients were receiving a weak opioid in 2014, nearly doubling the prescription rate of weak opioids in 2005, while the use of stronger opioids did not change significantly over this period. Patients with gout had greater comorbidity and health care utilization than patients without gout. CONCLUSION The burden posed by gout in the VHA is considerable and increased between 2005 and 2014. While the use of ULT has remained stable, the use of opioid therapy has increased among patients with gout.
An analysis of the influence of the human presence on the distribution of provisioning ecosystem services: A Guyana case study

Abstract Indigenous peoples have long shaped the distributions of plants from which they derive ecosystems services (ES) critical to their subsistence lifestyles. Yet, much of our knowledge on how anthropogenic activities influence these ES by extension has been derived from ethnographic studies. In this paper we examined whether signals of the human presence could be detected from the distributions of two types of provisioning ecosystem services (PES) derived from plants – subsistence uses and commercial logging – in the Rupununi, Southern Guyana. The Rupununi landscape is dominated by indigenous peoples who have strong historical reliance on their forests for subsistence purposes; at the same time, many of the forest species hold considerable commercial timber values. Indices that quantified the subsistence and commercial logging PES were regressed against the five variables intended to estimate the human presence within the landscape – distance-to-village, distance-to-road, distance-to-water, elevation, and slope – at the landscape- and village-level. The analysis showed that the impact of the variables on both types of PES were stronger at the former level than at the latter. At the landscape-level, three variables (distance-to-village, distance-to-road, and elevation) significantly influenced the distributions of subsistence services while four variables (distance-to-village, distance-to-road, distance-to-water, and elevation) significantly influenced the distributions of logging services. On the other hand, at the village-level the effects of each variable on the two PES varied from village to village. In general, although the presence of subsistence services appeared to be more favorable than logging services, the distributions of both types of PES were still comparable across the landscape. The analysis supports earlier observations from ethnographic studies that suggested the human presence does influence the distributions of ES associated with plants and has implications for how logging is practiced in the tropics.
Discrete and Discretized Structures

This chapter begins by identifying four possible states or situations: continuous systems (state 1) modeled in discrete form (state 2), and naturally discrete systems (state 3) modeled in continuous form (state 4). We refer to state 2 as a discretized state whereas state 4 is referred to as a homogenized state. The analyses to follow are divided along these lines but the chapter begins with the discrete state because that is the new aspect of waves considered here.
Structure, function and inhibition of critical protein–protein interactions involving mixed lineage leukemia 1 and its fusion oncoproteins

Mixed lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1, also known as MLL or KMT2A) is an important transcription factor and histone-H3 lysine-4 (H3K4) methyltransferase. It is a master regulator for transcription of important genes (e.g., Hox genes) for embryonic development and hematopoiesis. However, it is largely dispensable in matured cells. Dysregulation of MLL1 leads to overexpression of certain Hox genes and eventually leukemia initiation. Chromosome translocations involving MLL1 cause ~ 75% of acute leukemia in infants and 5–10% in children and adults with a poor prognosis. Targeted therapeutics against oncogenic fusion MLL1 (onco-MLL1) are therefore needed. Onco-MLL1 consists of the N-terminal DNA-interacting domains of MLL1 fused with one of > 70 fusion partners, among which transcription cofactors AF4, AF9 and its paralog ENL, and ELL are the most frequent. Wild-type (WT)- and onco-MLL1 involve numerous protein–protein interactions (PPI), which play critical roles in regulating gene expression in normal physiology and leukemia. Moreover, WT-MLL1 has been found to be essential for MLL1-rearranged (MLL1-r) leukemia. Rigorous studies of such PPIs have been performed and much progress has been achieved in understanding their structures, structure–function relationships and the mechanisms for activating gene transcription as well as leukemic transformation. Inhibition of several critical PPIs by peptides, peptidomimetic or small-molecule compounds has been explored as a therapeutic approach for MLL1-r leukemia. This review summarizes the biological functions, biochemistry, structure and inhibition of the critical PPIs involving MLL1 and its fusion partner proteins. In addition, challenges and perspectives of drug discovery targeting these PPIs for the treatment of MLL1-r leukemia are discussed.
Strategy Implementation: Does Hierarchy Culture Matter in Licensed Professional Societies in East Africa

Purpose: This study is aimed at establishing hierarchy and strategy relationship in registered professional bodies in Kenya. Design/Method/Approach: The dependent variable was measured through policy implementation, resource assessment and motivation. Hierarchy culture as an independent variable was measured through dominant characteristic and management of employees. Using a descriptive design approach, the study collected a return of 132 responses from a target of 168 in professional bodies of Kenya. The study set up a null hypothesis to be tested using a linear regression model to establish the relationship between dependent and independent variables. Findings: For hierarchy constructs, it was established that there was a significant correlation between strategy implementation and dominant characteristics r = .316, p < .05 with the management of employees r = .288, p < .05. Theoretical Implications: This paper expanded the body of research on organizational culture by showing that there is a significant relationship between the hierarchy culture and strategy implementation with both dominant characteristics and management of employees showing positive effects for the relationship. Originality/Value: This research shows that the organizations that are most successful in the market have a strong hierarchy culture within their environment. Therefore, professional bodies must at least have a mechanism of ensuring hierarchy culture within the organization. Research Limitations/Future Research: The study only looked at the association between hierarchy culture and strategy implementation. Future studies should investigate the relationship between strategy implementation and other dimensions of an organizational culture. Paper type: Empirical
Rapid updates of GIS databases from digital images

Our goal is to improve the way in which Geographic Information System (GIS) databases are created, updated and utilized. We are building software systems that will enable users to rapidly and inexpensively acquire, update, analyze and visualize high-resolution digital elevation maps (DEM), ortho-images, and other GIS products from digital images collected by a wide range of aerial and satellite platforms. The low cost and short turnaround time for these products will enable education and research institutes, government agencies and commercial organizations to expand the scope of their GIS applications, especially in the areas of environmental monitoring, change detection, and urban planning.
Efficient Implementation of Run-time Generic Types for Java

We describe an efficient compiler and run-time system for NextGen, a compatible extension of the Java programming language supporting run-time generic types designed by Cartwright and Steele. The resulting system is comparable in performance with both standard Java and the GJ extension of Java, which does not support run-time generic types. Our implementation of NextGen consists of a compiler extending the GJ compiler and a special class loader that constructs type instantiation classes on demand. The compiler relies on the implementation strategy proposed by Cartwright and Steele with one major exception: to support polymorphic recursion in the definition of generic classes, the compiler generates templates for instantiation classes which are constructed on demand by the class loader. We include an extensive set of benchmarks, specifically developed to stress the use of generic types. The benchmarks show that the additional code required to support run-time generic types has little overhead compared with ordinary Java and GJ.
Induction of P1 prophage and superinfection by bacteriophage T1.

Abstract Induction of the resident prophage did not permit restricted phage T1 to replicate freely in P1-lysogenic hosts. A few induced cells did become infectible.
The Policy Machine for Security Policy Management

Many different access control policies and models have been developed to suit a variety of goals; these include Role-Based Access Control, One-directional Information Flow, Chinese Wall, Clark-Wilson, N-person Control, and DAC, in addition to more informal ad hoc policies. While each of these policies has a particular area of strength, the notational differences between these policies are substantial. As a result it is difficult to combine them, both in making formal statements about systems which are based on differing models and in using more than one access control policy model within a given system. Thus, there is a need for a unifying formalism which is general enough to encompass a range of these policies and models. In this paper, we propose an open security architecture called the Policy Machine (PM) that would meet this need. We also provide examples showing how the PM specifies and enforces access control polices.
Modeling Infant Learning via Symbolic Structural Alignment

Abstract : Understanding the mechanisms of learning is one of the central questions of Cognitive Science. Recently Marcus et al. showed that seven-month-old infants can learn to recognize regularities in simple language-like stimuli. Marcus proposed that these results could not be modeled via existing connectionist systems, and that such learning requires infants to be constructing rules containing algebraic variables. This paper proposes a third possibility: that such learning can be explained via structural alignment processes operating over structured representations. We demonstrate the plausibility of this approach by describing a simulation, built out of previously tested models of symbolic similarity processing, that models the Marcus data. Unlike existing connectionist simulations, our model learns within the span of stimuli presented to the infants and does not require supervision. It can handle input with and without noise. Contrary to Marcus proposal, our model does not require the introduction of variables. It incrementally abstracts structural regularities, which do not need to be fully abstract rules for the phenomenon to appear. Our model also proposes a processing explanation for why infants attend longer to the novel stimuli. We describe our model and the simulation results and discuss the role of structural alignment in the development of abstract patterns and rules.
Caching with good enough currency, consistency, and completeness

SQL extensions that allow queries to explicitly specify data quality requirements in terms of currency and consistency were proposed in an earlier paper. This paper develops a data quality-aware, finer grained cache model and studies cache design in terms of four fundamental properties: presence, consistency, completeness and currency. The model provides an abstract view of the cache to the query processing layer, and opens the door for adaptive cache management. We describe an implementation approach that builds on the MTCache framework for partially materialized views. The optimizer checks most consistency constraints and generates a dynamic plan that includes currency checks and inexpensive checks for dynamic consistency constraints that cannot be validated during optimization. Our solution not only supports transparent caching but also provides fine grained data currency and consistency guarantees.
The BPX electrical power system

The design of the BPX (Burning Plasma Experiment) power system has evolved over a period of several years and has included studies of several alternative approaches. The reapplication of the existing TFTR (Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor) power and energy facilities has been basic to all approaches. The dynamics of the power requirements for the BPX poloidal coil system suggest that the TFTR facilities would be most suitably applied to that requirement. The chief concern related to that match has been the adequacy of the 4.5-GJ energy rating of the TFTR flywheel units. The toroidal field power requirements are the greatest of the BPX subsystems and, fortunately, are sufficiently free of dynamics to allow the consideration of different approaches to providing pulse power and energy. Additional design challenges were presented by the multiplicity of plasma control scenarios incorporated in the BPX physics planning and the power response demanded of the plasma position control system. The plasma control scenarios include upper, lower, and symmetrical poloidal diverter operation as well as limiter operation. The plasma position control coils (internal to the TF bore) have a collective peak power demand of 640 MVA, require four quadrant drive, and require 1 ms voltage response. >
Active control of sound transmission through elastic plates using piezoelectric actuators

A theoretical investigation is undertaken concerning the potential of actively controlling sound transmission/ radiation from a vibrating plate using piezoelectric elements bonded to the plate surface as actuators. The system analyzed consists of a plane acoustic wave incident on a baffled, clamped, thin circular plate. Sound transmitted through the plate is considered to be the noise field. An approximate theory is used to evaluate the degree of attenuation achieved when sinusoidally activated piezoelectric elements bonded to the panel are used to minimize the total radiated acoustic power. The results show that global attenuation of radiated sound can be achieved on or off plate resonance frequencies. Both the size and the location of the actuator are demonstrated to affect the degree of control achieved and spillover into residual modes. These results, combined with size, compactness, and cost aspects, reveal that piezoelectric elements have great potential in controlling structurally radiated sound.
Functional prediction through phylogenetic inference and structural classification of proteins

Computational prediction of gene function is an essential tool for modern biologists. The primary method of function prediction used today is based on homology, involving the transfer of annotation from the top hit in a database search to the gene of interest. However, homology-based methods of function prediction have been shown to be prone to systematic errors stemming from gene duplication, domain shuffling, and existing database errors. In recent years, methods of gene function prediction have focused on inclusion of information from evolutionary studies and structural analysis, and the success of these methods in inferring function from sequence data is very encouraging. In this paper, we present a perspective on the use of phylogenetic and structural analyses for improving the inference of protein function. Keywords: protein; function prediction; phylogeny; structure; structural classification; phylogenomics
Perception of crowding, racial antagonism, and aggression in a custodial prison

Abstract This research investigated the interrelationship of perception of crowding, racial antagonism, and aggression in a custodially oriented prison. Due to the black-white ratio in each dorm (2:1) and the forced, largely inescapable interaction in the open dorm housing arrangement, it appeared that race had an important effect upon the interpersonal dynamics of the prison. Perception of crowding was directly associated with the racial antagonism variables of stereotyping and social distance, especially for white inmates. Additionally, racial stereotyping and social distance were related to aggression, particularly interracial violence. Yet, at the zero-order level, aggression was virtually unrelated to perception of crowding. Thus, racial antagonism appeared to have had a far greater impact upon inmate attitudes and behavior than the effects of social density or the perception of being crowded. The finding that the most significant relationships among the variables in this study existed for the white inmate group is consistent with the hypothesis expressed herein—namely, that whites' excessive sensitivity to race may be due to the fact that they were accustomed to belonging to the majority racial group in society but in prison they constituted the minority racial group.
Soluble Alzheimers β-amyloid constricts the cerebral vasculature in vivo

Abstract Bilateral temporoparietal hypoperfusion has been frequently observed early in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) process. An increased β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide is believed to play a central role in the pathogenesis of AD. In vitro experiments have shown that freshly solubilized Aβ enhances constriction of cerebral and peripheral vessels. We propose that in vivo the Aβ vasoactive property may contribute to cerebral hypoperfusion of AD patients. To test this hypothesis, we intra-arterially infused freshly solubilized Aβ1–40 in rats and observed changes in cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular resistance using fluorescent microspheres. We found that infusion of Aβ in vivo resulted in a decreased blood flow and increased vascular resistance specifically in cerebral cortex but not in heart or kidneys. These data suggest that Aβ has a direct and specific constrictive effect on cerebral vessels in vivo, which may contribute to the cerebral hypoperfusion observed early in the AD process.
The statistics of contour fragments in natural scenes

Summary: Recent electrophysiology recordings in macaque V4/IT suggest that single neuron response to synthetic closed contours can be largely captured by models which only consider a small number of contour fragments (Brincat and Connor 2004). Motivated by this experimental work, we sought firstly to characterize the statistics of contour fragments in natural scenes, and secondly to generate synthetic images which reflect the measured contour-fragment statistics.To detect contour fragments, we defined a set of feature detectors which respond only in the presence of two edges co-occurring at a fixed relative angle – implemented as a logical ‘AND’ of two Gabor-like, laplacian-of-gaussian linear filters. We then determined the pairwise correlations of these contour fragments in a natural image ensemble. If efficient coding extends to higher cortical centers and processing in the ventral visual stream can be modeled as a sequence of logical operations on linear shape features, then the pairwise statistics we measure should be informative about neural shape coding.Using these statistics directly, it is possible to produce a generative model of simple images which contain the measured statistics. We implemented a modified Ising model and solved the inverse problem of determining the optimal model parameters which satisfy the measured correlations. The resulting Ising-like model of the pairwise statistics can generate the probability of any arrangement of contour fragments as measured in the natural image ensemble.As a complementary approach to producing images with naturalistic contour fragment statistics, it is possible to start with a natural scene and isolate the target features. This is achieved by applying our contour fragment detection processing to the single scene and then separately visualizing the fragments detected. This second procedure lends itself to parametric randomization of the generated image.Narrative Elaboration: The central question guiding our study is how shapes are represented in inferotemporal cortex. To that end, we have investigated natural images in order to motivate experiments capable of targeting the extent to which neural processing of shapes involves representing shapes as combinations of key contour features. To simplify, we are focusing on black-and-white images and prioritizing contour features. This project suggests it is possible to generate synthetic images containing only a select set of contour statistics. Our subsequent goals include conducting collaborative macaque electrophysiology experiments with our generated images as visual stimuli.
Hyperosmolality Causes Growth Arrest of Murine Kidney Cells INDUCTION OF GADD45 AND GADD153 BY OSMOSENSING VIA STRESS-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE 2

Abstract Murine kidney cells of the inner medullary collecting duct (mIMCD) were exposed to either isosmotic (300 mosmol/kg) or hyperosmotic medium (isosmotic medium + 150 mm NaCl) after seeding. We determined cell numbers, total nucleic acid, DNA, and RNA contents in both groups every day for a total period of 7 days. Based on all 4 parameters it was evident that growth of mIMCD3 cells is arrested for ∼18 h following onset of hyperosmolality. However, none of the parameters measured indicated cell death because of hyperosmolality. Growth curves of hyperosmotic samples were shifted compared with isosmotic samples showing a gap of 18 h but had the same shape otherwise. We demonstrated that at 24 and 48 h after onset of hyperosmolality, but not in isosmotic controls, growth arrest and DNAdamage-inducible (GADD) proteins GADD45 and GADD153 are strongly induced. This result is consistent with growth arrest observed in hyperosmotic medium. We tested if mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) cascades are involved in osmosignaling that leads to GADD45 and GADD153 induction. Using phosphospecific antibodies we showed that extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK), SAPK1 (JNK), and SAPK2 (p38) are hyperosmotically activated in mIMCD cells. Hyperosmotic GADD45 induction was significantly decreased by 37.5% following inhibition of the SAPK2 pathway, whereas it was significantly increased (65.2%) after inhibition of the ERK pathway. We observed similar, although less pronounced effects of SAPK2 and ERK inhibition on hyperosmotic GADD153 induction. In conclusion, we demonstrate that mIMCD cells arrest growth following hyperosmotic shock, that this causes strong induction of GADD45 and GADD153, that GADD induction is partially dependent on osmosignaling via SAPK2 and ERK, and that SAPK2 and ERK pathways have opposite effects on GADD expression.
The incidence of wrongdoing, whistle-blowing, and retaliation: Results of a naturally occurring field experiment

The present study examined two general research questions pertaining to the passage of a law designed to encourage whistle-blowing: (a) Has the incidence of perceived wrongdoing, whistle-blowing, anonymous whistle-blowing, or retaliation changed following the passage of the law? (b) What variables predict the comprehensiveness of retaliation that identified whistle-blowers claim to have experienced? One questionnaire was mailed to members of 15 organizations affected by the law in 1980 (n=8500) and a second was administered in 1983 (n=4700). There was some evidence that the law had beneficial effects; specifically, the incidence of perceived wrongdoing declined and whistle-blowing increased. Unfortunately, identified whistle-blowers were just as likely to experience retaliation in 1983 as they were in 1980. The predictors of the comprehensiveness of the retaliation experienced were generally the same in both years. The results tentatively suggest that more legal and organizational encouragement of whistle-blowing is needed.
Scaling laws for electron loss from ion beams

Abstract Empirical scaling rules for projectile stripping induced by collisions with argon were extracted by analyzing a large database of experimental cross-sections. By scaling both the cross-sections and the impact velocities, data for single and multiple electron loss from negative ions, neutral particles, and singly or multiply charged positive ions could all be fitted with a single universal curve. At high energies, the scaled data are consistent with a v −1 impact velocity dependence up to scaled velocities of 10. For higher scaled velocities, limited data imply that the velocity dependence becomes v −2 . Using our fitted curve, cross-sections are predicted for total and single electron loss from low-charge-state heavy ions of interest for heavy ion fusion and high-energy density research projects. Using a v −2 or a v −1 dependence to extrapolate to energies of 10–20 MeV/ u does not strongly influence the predicted magnitude of the total loss cross-sections but does influence the multiple/single loss ratios.
Visuomotor Origins of Covert Spatial Attention

Covert spatial attention produces biases in perceptual performance and neural processing of behaviorally relevant stimuli in the absence of overt orienting movements. The neural mechanism that gives rise to these effects is poorly understood. This paper surveys past evidence of a relationship between oculomotor control and visual spatial attention and more recent evidence of a causal link between the control of saccadic eye movements by frontal cortex and covert visual selection. Both suggest that the mechanism of covert spatial attention emerges as a consequence of the reciprocal interactions between neural circuits primarily involved in specifying the visual properties of potential targets and those involved in specifying the movements needed to fixate them.
A note on the variation of dew amount with elevation

Abstract The phenomenon of dew deposition is recognized as being of considerable significance to the plant and animal ecology of arid and semi-arid regions of the world. An excellent review article on this subject was published recently by Wallin (1967). His article, plus a brief perusal of the extensive bibliography on the subject, indicates that nearly all research on dew has been concerned with: (1) its measurement; (2) its role on plant development; (3) its forecasting; and (4) its affect on plant diseases and pests. Only a very few studies have been reported on the climatology of dew. While unfortunate, this fact is understandable and is due to a lack of standardization of instrument and measurement techniques. This report summarizes briefly the results of three growing seasons of dew measurements over a limited climatological network along a 340-mile line extending across the high plains and foothills to the Continental Divide in central Colorado.
A Cellular Protein with an RNA-Binding Activity Co-purifies with Viral dsRNA from Mycovirus-Infected Helminthosporium victoriae

A cellular protein that co-purifies with mycoviral dsRNA was isolated from the plant pathogenic fungus Helminthosporium victoriae (telomorph: Cochliobolus victoriae) infected with two viruses, the totivirus Helminthosporium victoriae 190S virus and the chrysovirus-like Helminthosporium victoriae 145S virus (Hv145SV). The cellular protein, which was, designated Hv-p68, accumulated to higher levels in virus-infected isolates compared to virus-free ones. The majority of the Hv145S dsRNAs were found in association with Hv-p68 and not packaged in virions. Hv-p68 could also be detected as a minor component of the virus capsid. Evidence is presented that Hv-p68 occurs in vivo as an octamer and that it possesses RNA-binding activities. Based on partial amino acid sequence analysis, Hv-p68 was shown to share significant sequence identity with alcohol oxidases from methylotrophic yeasts. Hv-p68 is proposed to play a role in viral RNA packaging/replication and in regulating viral pathogenesis.
A Comparison of Parkinson's Disease Symptoms and Self-reported Functioning and Well Being

This study was designed to determine if the presence of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability and gait abnormalities differentially influence Parkinson's disease patients' ratings of quality of life as measured by the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39). A regression analysis indicated that the presence of postural instability and gait abnormalities and bradykinesia were strongly predictive of PDQ-39 quality of life scores. The presence of tremor and rigidity had little effect on patients' ratings of quality of life.
Online scheduling in modular multimedia systems with stream reuse

When properly constructed, a modular multimedia system can satisfy a client's request in multiple ways by using different sequences of modules and by reusing existing streams within the system. Such flexibility in a multimedia server or proxy can provide a rich set of services to clients while efficiently utilizing system resources by choosing the best way to schedule (i.e. allocate resources for) new clients. However, it is difficult to optimally schedule clients in an online fashion as the problem is NP-complete. In this paper, we provide an efficient online algorithm to schedule client requests using a modular multimedia platform.
A generalized susceptibility and Hartree-Fock approach to the many-body problem

Abstract It is shown that the two-particle density matrix and hence the grand partition function for a many-body system may be obtained from generalized susceptibilities which specify the linear response of the system to external perturbations which excite oscillations in the relative motion of pairs of particles. The susceptibilities are calculated in a generalized time-dependent Hartree-Fock approximation which is a generalization of the BCS theory of superconductivity or the Bogolyubov, Brueckner-Sawada theory of a Bose system. The partition function obtained in this manner is equivalent to a sum of ladder graphs for a normal Fermion system and to a sum of quasi-particle ladder graphs for a “superconductive” Fermion system … unphysical poles in the reaction matrix do not arise. The method is extended to give a finite temperature version of Brueckner's theory. Equivalent results are derived for systems of bosons.
Smut Resistance and Grain Yield of Pearl Millet Hybrids Near Isogenic at the Tr Locus

Trichomeless pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.], homozygous for the tr allele, expresses resistance to smut caused by Moesziomyces penicillariae (Bref.) Vanky. These studies examined the hypotheses that smut resistance is the result of the tr allele rather than a dosely linked gene, and that the tr allele has no effect on grain yield in the absence of smut. Trichomed inbreds Tift 90DBE and Tift 8677 and trichomeless derivatives were crossed to produce eight hybrids differing for female parent and genotype at the tr locus. Hybrids were assessed for smut resistance and grain yield. Smut severity of inoculated panicles was reduced by about 13% when a Tift 90DBE genotype was used as the female parent, compared with hybrids produced with a lift 8677 genotype as the female parent. Smut severity was reduced by about 50% in the trichomeless phenotype compared with the trichomed phenotypes. Homozygous and heterozygous trichomed hybrids did not differ in smut severity. The recessive smut resistance is most likely a pleiotropic effect of the tr allele and not the result of another closely linked gene. Although trichomelessness can be used as a marker to select for smut resistance, both parental inbreds must be trichomeless to produce smut-resistant hybrids. Trichomeless hybrids tended to yield more than trichomed hybrids, but yield was primarily reduced in heterozygous trichomed hybrids-compared to the homozygous TrTr genotype. From these results, we conclude that the tr allele can be incorporated into smut-resistant hybrids with no detrimental effect on grain yield.
High-Altitude Measurements of X Rays and Far Ultraviolet Radiation

Since 1946, the Naval Research Laboratory has conducted basic research in the physics of the upper atmosphere by means of high-altitude rockets. The program has emphasized all areas of research, including atmospheric structure and composition, the ionosphere, airglow and aurora, meteors, cosmic rays, and rocket astronomy. In the last area, which includes X ray and ultraviolet radiation measurements, NRL scientists have contributed a major portion of the experimental information available today. These comprise all the existing data on solar X rays, the X ray and ultraviolet emissions of solar flares, the first spectrogram of the sun covering the ultraviolet region below 3000 A and subsequent extensions of the spectrum into the extreme ultraviolet, the first quantitative measurements of solar Lyman-?, and the discovery of ultraviolet nebulosities and the Lyman-? glow of the night sky. A recent success in photographing the profile of Lyman-? with very high resolution opens the way to the use of optical resonance absorption as a gauge of atmospheric composition. This method may prove to be a most powerful technique for analysis of the very high atmosphere, well beyond the range of satellite drag measurements. The purpose of this paper is to describe the experimental approach used in accomplishing the radiation measurement program just outlined.
Structural insights into the molecular ruler mechanism of the endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase ERAP1

Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1) is an essential component of the immune system, because it trims peptide precursors and generates the N--restricted epitopes. To examine ERAP1's unique properties of length- and sequence-dependent processing of antigen precursors, we report a 2.3 A resolution complex structure of the ERAP1 regulatory domain. Our study reveals a binding conformation of ERAP1 to the carboxyl terminus of a peptide, and thus provides direct evidence for the molecular ruler mechanism.