cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The response of the salp, Pegea confoederata, to high levels of particulate material: Starvation in the midst of plenty1

When the pelagic tunicate Pegea confoederata is presented with concentrations of particulate material equivalent to levels found in neritic areas, its feeding mechanism is disrupted. A bolus is formed that blocks the esophagus, dramatically decreasing the amount of material that enters the stomach. This bolus never occurs at particle concentrations ~0.5 ppm, and always forms at particle concentrations >S.O ppm. For oceanic waters, 0.5 ppm lies in the upper range of values, so that it appears that P. confoederata is adapted for feeding on average concentrations of particulate material in the open sea. These results are in contrast to those with most of the Calanoid copepods that have been studied. Because P. confoederuta feeds on oceanic average amounts of food, it can be more evenly distributed throughout the great oceanic central water masses, decreasing the likelihood of its discovery by predators. The great majority of experimental work on marine planktonic suspension feeders has been done on copepods, particularly neritic species of Calanus and Acartia. Although the understanding of the basic feeding biology of these species is presently in a state of flux, there is a general consensus that certain responses of these animals seem clear-cut, and these have been incorporated into grazing models (e.g. Steele 1974; Steele and Frost 1977). It appears that some calanoid copepods cease to feed (or feed at greatly reduced rates) at low concentrations of food (threshold feeding behavior). Likewise, above a certain concentration of food (the critical concentration), the clearance rate drops, and ingestion remains maximal and constant as food concentration is increased (but see Conover and Huntley 1980). Thus some calanoids can regulate their feeding rates in response to changing concentrations of phytoplankton. However Mullin and Brooks (1976) have shown that one species of Calanus cannot meet its respiratory and growth requirements at average levels of food in the ocean. This has led to the logical conclusion, perhaps expressed most succinctly by Steele (1980, p. 6) that “it is unlikely that any group could survive if it had
Molecules at the external nuclear surface. Sialic acid of nuclear membranes and electrophoretic mobility of isolated nuclei and nucleoli.

The molecules occurring as terminal residues on the external surfaces of nuclei prepared from rat liver by either sucrose-CaCl2 or citric acid methods and nucleoli derived from the sucrose-CaCl2 nuclei were studied chemically and electrokinetically. In 0.0145 M NaCl, 4.5% sorbitol, and 0.6 mM NaHCO3 with pH 7.2 ± 0.1 at 25°C, the sucrose-CaCl2 nuclei had an electrophoretic mobility of -1.92 µm/s/V/cm, the citric acid nuclei, -1.63 µm/s/V/cm, and the nucleoli, -2.53 µm/s/V/cm. The citric acid nuclei and the nucleoli contained no measurable sialic acid. The sucrose-CaCl2 nuclei contained 0.7 nmol of sialic acid/mg nuclear protein; this was essentially located in the nuclear envelope. Treatment of these nuclei with 50 µg neuraminidase/mg protein resulted in release of 0.63 nmol of sialic acid/mg nuclear protein; treatment with 1 % trypsin caused release of 0.39 nmol of the sialic acid/mg nuclear protein. The pH-mobility curves for the particles indicated the sucrose-CaCl2 nuclei surface had an acid-dissociable group of pK. ∼2.7 while the pK for the nucleoli was considerably lower. Nucleoli treated with 50 µg neuraminidase/mg particle protein had a mobility of -2.53 µm/s/V/cm while sucrose-CaCl2 nuclei similarly treated had a mobility of -1.41 µm/s/V/cm. Hyaluronidase at 50 µg/mg protein had no effect on nucleoli mobility but decreased the sucrose-CaCl2 nuclei mobility to -1.79 µm/s/V/cm. Trypsin at 1 % elevated the electrophoretic mobility of the sucrose-CaCl2 nuclei slightly but decreased the mobility of the nucleoli to -2.09 µm/s/V/cm. DNase at 50 µg/mg protein had no effect on the mobility of the isolated sucrose-CaCl2 nuclei but decreased the electrophoretic mobility of the nucleoli to -1.21 µm/s/V/cm. RNase at 50 µg/mg protein also had no effect on the electrophoretic mobility of the sucrose-CaCl2 nuclei but decreased the nucleoli mobility to -2.10 µm/s/V/cm. Concanavalin A at 50 µg/mg protein did not alter the nucleoli electrophoretic mobility but decreased the sucrose-CaCl2 nuclei electrophoretic mobility to -1.64 µm/s/V/cm. The results are interpreted to mean that the sucrose-CaCl2 nuclear external surface contains terminal sialic acid residues in trypsin-sensitive glycoproteins, contains small amounts of hyaluronic acid, is completely devoid of nucleic acids, and binds concanavalin A. The nucleolus surface is interpreted to contain a complex made up of protein, RNA, and primarily DNA, to be devoid of sialic acid and hyaluronic acid, and not to bind concanavalin A.
Male quality, dominance rank, and mating success in free-ranging rhesus macaques

In social mammals, condition and health are important determinants of the ability of males to achieve high dominance rank. Measures of individual condition are also predicted to affect male fitness via female preference for high-quality mates. We examined intermale variation in phenotypic quality (immune function and oxidative stress) in relation to male dominance status and mating success in a species with prominent female choice and a lack of male–female sexual coercion, the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). We quantified immunity via 2 functional assays of innate immune response (bacteria killing assay and hemolytic complement assay) and measured oxidative stress via a lipid peroxidation assay in 15 adult males from 1 social group of macaques on Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico. We then observed these males throughout the mating season to test the prediction that males in better condition achieved higher mating success. Males with more robust innate immune response and lower oxidative damage mated with a greater number of potentially fertile females. Male dominance rank, however, also correlated with our measures of quality. Higher-ranking males had more robust functional innate immune response and lower levels of oxidative damage. After accounting for rank, male quality was no longer correlated with mating success. These results demonstrate a potentially important role of male phenotypic quality in the mating system of a long-lived, group-living primate. What are the exact behavioral mechanisms via which sexual selection may operate on traits related to immunocompetence and resistance to oxidative damage in this species, however, remains an open question.
Achene mass variation in Ericameria nauseosus (Asteraceae) in relation to dispersal ability and seedling fitness

1. Ericameria nauseosus (Asteraceae) is a highly variable shrub species of western North America, whose achene mass varies sevenfold among subspecies and populations. We examined trade-offs between seedling fitness and dispersal ability by asking: does greater achene mass reduce dispersal ability, and is this potential disadvantage to large achenes compensated for by increased pappus investment? Does smaller achene mass reduce seedling fitness, and is this potential disadvantage to small achenes compensated for by increased relative growth rate (RGR)? 2. Dispersal ability was measured as fall rate in still air, while seedling fitness was measured as dry mass at two ages for 21 populations belonging to nine subspecies. 3. Fall rate was positively correlated with achene plume loading−1/2, but because of variation in pappus investment and geometry, both plume loading−1/2 and fall rate were only weakly positively correlated with achene mass. Relative pappus investment did not show a consistent increase with achene mass. 4. Seedling dry mass was strongly positively correlated with achene mass for 2-week-old seedlings grown without added nutrients. This correlation was significant but weak with added nutrients at 2 weeks, and by 4 weeks it was no longer significant. Seedling RGR was strongly negatively correlated with achene mass. 5. Achene mass variation was related to both seedling fitness and dispersal ability, but compensation was evident mainly as faster RGR in populations with small achenes.
Evidence for self-organized criticality in a time series of electric power system blackouts

We analyze a 15-year time series of North American electric power transmission system blackouts for evidence of self-organized criticality (SOC). The probability distribution functions of various measures of blackout size have a power tail and rescaled range analysis of the time series shows moderate long-time correlations. Moreover, the same analysis applied to a time series from a sandpile model known to be self-organized critical gives results of the same form. Thus, the blackout data seem consistent with SOC. A qualitative explanation of the complex dynamics observed in electric power system blackouts is suggested.
Epistemic Friction: Reflections on Knowledge, Truth, and Logic

Knowledge requires both freedom and friction. Freedom to set up our epistemic goals, choose the subject matter of our investigations, espouse cognitive norms, design research programs, etc., and friction (constraint) coming from two directions: the object or target of our investigation, i.e., the world in a broad sense, and our mind as the sum total of constraints involving the knower. My goal is to investigate the problem of epistemic friction, the relation between epistemic friction and freedom, the viability of foundationalism as a solution to the problem of friction, an alternative solution in the form of a neo-Quinean model, and the possibility of solving the problem of friction as it applies to logic and the philosophy of logic within that model.
An Investigation on Multi-token List Based Proximity Search in Multi-dimensional Massive Database

A proximity search looks for similar complex documents such as images, sounds, DNA sequences that share two or more separately matching terms within a specified distance from within a large collection. Retrieving those similar complex documents are of great importance to many applications. To achieve an efficiency query process, many different access methods have been proposed. Token list based proximity search has been proved to be a good alternative method to the LSH for a large massive database proximity search. However, single-token based method leads to a high overhead in the results refinements process to achieve a required similarity. In this paper, we investigate how the multi-token list affects the performance of database proximity search. Numerous experiments have been conducted and the results show that two-token adjacent token list can achieve the best query performance in multi-token list based proximity search.
The Charité Artificial Disc: Insertion Technique

The Charite Artificial Disc is the first commercially available motion-preserving technology for the lumbar spine. The Charite is the first US Food and Drug Administration-approved artificial disc for the treatment of single-level lumbar degenerative disc disease from L4 to S1. With thousands of implantations worldwide since 1987, it has the longest clinical experience of any artificial disc. No other artificial disc has the substantial preclinical and clinical history that validates its use.
Numerical Optimization of Circulation Control Airfoil at High Subsonic Speed

A numerical procedure for optimizing the design of the circulation control airfoil for use at high subsonic speeds is presented. The procedure consists of an optimization scheme coupled with a viscous potential flow analysis for the blowing jet. The desired airfoil is defined by a combination of three baseline shapes (cambered ellipse and cambered ellipse with drooped and spiraled trailing edges). The coefficients of these shapes are used as design variables in the optimization process. Under the constraints of lift augmentation and lift-to-drag ratios, the airfoil, optimized at free-stream Mach 0.54 and alpha = -2 degrees can be characterized as a cambered ellipse with a drooped trailing edge. Experimental tests support the performance improvement predicted by numerical optimization.
Joint estimation of copy number variation and reference intensities on multiple DNA arrays using GADA

Motivation: The complexity of a large number of recently discovered copy number polymorphisms is much higher than initially thought, thus making it more difficult to detect them in the presence of significant measurement noise. In this scenario, separate normalization and segmentation is prone to lead to many false detections of changes in copy number. New approaches capable of jointly modeling the copy number and the non-copy number (noise) hybridization effects across multiple samples will potentially lead to more accurate results. Methods: In this article, the genome alteration detection analysis (GADA) approach introduced in our previous work is extended to a multiple sample model. The copy number component is independent for each sample and uses a sparse Bayesian prior, while the reference hybridization level is not necessarily sparse but identical on all samples. The expectation maximization (EM) algorithm used to fit the model iteratively determines whether the observed hybridization levels are more likely due to a copy number variation or to a shared hybridization bias. Results: The new proposed approach is compared with the currently used strategy of separate normalization followed by independent segmentation of each array. Real microarray data obtained from HapMap samples are randomly partitioned to create different reference sets. Using the new approach, copy number and reference intensity estimates are significantly less variable if the reference set changes; and a higher consistency on copy numbers detected within HapMap family trios is obtained. Finally, the running time to fit the model grows linearly in the number samples and probes. Availability: http://biron.usc.edu/~piquereg/GADA Contact:rpique@ieee.org; shahab@chla.usc.edu Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Elastofibroma presenting as an oral soft tissue mass

Elastofibroma (EF) is a rare soft tissue lesion that most commonly develops in the subscapular region. To date, there has been only one documented example of oral EF; presenting as a painless nodule in the floor of the mouth of a middle-aged female. Described herein, we report a male patient who developed EF in the floor of the mouth; in his case, also presenting as an asymptomatic nodular growth. Acute onset and a history of regional surgery and radiation therapy suggest a reactive etiology.
State smoothing and filtering with stack sequential schemes for non-linear dynamic systems with an Nth-order memory

A stack sequential decoding algorithm is used estimate states of dynamic models with an Nth-order memory.The state at the future and observation at the present are linear or non-linear functions of the disturbance noise, the observation noise, and either the present or N - 1 past discrete values of the state. States are estimated by approximating the state model by a finite state machine and then using a stack sequential decoding algorithm of Information Theory. The proposed suboptimum scheme is faster and more practical than the estimation schemes using the Viterbi decoding algorithm.
Knowledge, Authority and Identity: A Prolegomenon to an Epistemology of the Clinic

Disputes about theory in bioethics almost invariablyrevolve around different understandings of morality or practicalreasoning; I here suggest that the field would do well to becomemore explicitly contentious about knowledge, and start the taskof putting together a clinical epistemology. By way of providingsome motivation for such a discussion, I consider two cases ofresistance to shifts in clinical practice that are, by and large,not ethically controversial, highlighting how differentconceptions of epistemic authority may contribute to clinicians'unwillingness to adopt these changes, and sketching out someinitial suggestions for epistemic analysis of clinical practice.
Big data provenance: Challenges, state of the art and opportunities

Ability to track provenance is a key feature of scientific workflows to support data lineage and reproducibility. The challenges that are introduced by the volume, variety and velocity of Big Data, also pose related challenges for provenance and quality of Big Data, defined as veracity. The increasing size and variety of distributed Big Data provenance information bring new technical challenges and opportunities throughout the provenance lifecycle including recording, querying, sharing and utilization. This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities of Big Data provenance related to the veracity of the datasets themselves and the provenance of the analytical processes that analyze these datasets. It also explains our current efforts towards tracking and utilizing Big Data provenance using workflows as a programming model to analyze Big Data.
α-TEA and 9-nitro-camptothecin alone and in combination, induces caspase dependent apoptosis in 66cl-4-GFP mouse mammary tumor cells in vitro and reduces mouse mammary tumor burden and metastases in vivo.

B28 Previous studies have shown that a novel, nonhydrolyzable ether analog of RRR-α-tocopherol, 2, 5, 7, 8-tetramethyl-2R-(4R, 8R-12-trimethyltridecyl)chroman-6-yloxyacetic acid, α-TEA) exhibits anti-tumor activity both in vitro and in vivo in a mouse mammary tumor model. α-TEA has been shown to be non-toxic and can induce DNA synthesis arrest and apoptosis in cells from BALB/c mouse mammary tumor line 66 clone 4 stably transfected with green fluorescent protein (66cl-4-GFP) in a dose responsive and time dependent manner. Studies presented here show that combinations of α-TEA and 9-Nitro-Camptothecin (9NC) are able to produce increased levels of cell death in 66cl-4-GFP mouse mammary tumor cells in vitro. Treatment with α-TEA and 9NC separately and in combination, increased levels of membrane bound FAS, Caspase 8, 9 and p-JNK, suggesting that α-TEA and combination treatments induce cell death in a caspase and mitochondrial dependent manner. To evaluate the role of JNK, protein levels were knocked down with the use of an inhibitor in turn producing a significant decrease in apoptosis suggesting a pivotal role in programmed cell death. To investigate the role of anti-apoptotic players such as c-FLIP and Survivin, cells where transfected to overexpress these proteins. Reduced levels of apoptosis were seen in both cases, highlighting the importance of c-FLIP and Survivin in tumor cell survival. In vivo studies using α-TEA and 9NC combination treatments administered by liposomal aerosol, resulted in effective inhibition of tumor growth and lung metastases. Combination treatments reduced tumor volume by 31, 57, 66, 80 and 82 % after 7, 9, 19, 27 and 29 days of liposomal aerosol treatment, respectively. Mice treated with α-TEA or 9NC alone reduced tumor volumes of 51% and 72 % respectively by 29 days. Analysis of fluorescent micrometastatic lung lesions showed that mice treated with aerosol combination results in 95% fewer micrometastatic lung lesions per lobe when compared to mice receiving the aerosol control. Individual treatments with α-TEA or 9NC results in 87% and 86% reduction respectively. α-TEA and 9NC in combination shows 79% fewer lymph node micrometastatic lesions when compared to the control group, (1.62 ± 0.4 vs. 7.9 ± 1.5, p
Quantifying Control Authority in Periodic Motions of Underactuated Mobile Robots

The locomotion of legged robots is inherently underactuated, which creates control challenges in terms of rejecting large disturbances. A detailed understanding of how the control authority of a robot evolves over a gait trajectory has the potential to inform the design of controllers that offer superior disturbance rejection capabilities without compromising the efficiency benefits that typically accompany underactuated legged robots. Previous work has shown how the system velocities of an underactuated mechanical system can be decomposed into directions aligned with the inputs, or controlled directions, and directions orthogonal to the inputs, or uncontrolled directions, and applied that decomposition to drive wheeled robots to rest. This decomposition fundamentally provides a measure of the instantaneous control authority of the robot. This paper examines how the same techniques can be applied to inform the control of biped robots walking with periodic gaits. This problem differs from those previously studied in that it necessarily involves ground impacts and non-zero desired velocities. A representative example of a two-link planar biped walking on flat ground shows how a simple open loop controller that implements heuristics identified through the velocity decomposition to make use of the available control authority can improve disturbance rejection when added to a hybrid zero dynamics-based controller.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Analysis on contamination status of direct edible foods involving food-borne pathogens in Haidian district of Beijing from 2010 to 2012

Objective The aim of this study was to survey the contamination status of direct edible foods involving food-borne pathogens in Haidian district of Beijing, and to provide scientific basis for disease control. Methods From 2010 to 2012, based on the requirments from Beijing monitoring net, 13 types of direct edible foods were collected in Haidian district, and six kinds of food-borne pathogenic bacterium, including Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, EHEC(O157: H7/NM), Vibrio parahemolyticus and Vibrio vulnficus, were examined according to the international method. Results Fifteen strains of food-borne pathogens in 13 types of food were isolated from 315 samples, the overall positive rate was 4.76%, the number of strains for Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahemolyticus and Vibrio vulnficus were ten, four, and one, respectively. Conclusion Direct edible foods in Haidian district were contaminated by several food-borne pathogens in different degrees, which was a threat that can induce food poisoning and food-borne disease. It is suggested that surveillance and management should be improved to get rid of the risk factors associated with food-borne diseases.
Reliability of mycotoxin assays--an update.

The precision parameters of the method-performance (collaborative) studies for mycotoxins published in the literature through 1991 have been recalculated on a uniform basis by following the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry protocol. About 80% of the 793 accepted assays for mycotoxins, almost all of which have been conducted by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), liquid chromatography (LC), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), exhibit relative standard deviations among laboratories (RSDR) that are less than 2 times the values predicted from the Horwitz equation: RSDR, % = 2(1-0.5log10C) where C is the concentration expressed as a decimal fraction. The precision of TLC and LC methods is about the same, but that of ELISA is somewhat poorer. For those commodities for which sufficient data exist to provide a meaningful comparison, the methods applied to cottonseed products have the best precision and corn the worst, with peanuts intermediate. Overall, however, the primary factor affecting RSDR is concentration, more or less independent of analyte, method, matrix, and age of the study. If it is assumed that the test results are normally distributed and that an RSDR of 50% is the point where effective control of the results begins to be lost (a value equivalent to the production of 2% false-negative values), then relying on the Horwitz curve, the limit of quantitative measurement is the single digit, i.e., 5, micrograms/kg (10(-9); ppb) concentration for solid food commodities. Such a value must be considered as a limit applicable to a single analyte, aflatoxin B1, and not as a mean, and not applicable to the sum of the individual components, each of whose associated standard deviation would lie in the unacceptable region. Enforcement of a 5 micrograms aflatoxin B1/kg limit, under the assumptions made, requires that a responsible manufacturer and a prudent regulator operate at opposite extremes of tolerance limits: e.g., the producer at 2 micrograms/kg and the consumer at 10. A proposed Codex "maximum level" of 0.05 micrograms aflatoxin M1/kg milk cannot be supported by the available data applied in an interlaboratory enforcement environment. These conclusions are also supported by an examination of the reported data from the ongoing, large-scale proficiency studies routinely performed by the American Oil Chemists' Society and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Technology Outlook: Federated Ontologies and Industrial Applications

Proprietary Ontologies allow for internally developed machine-usable content to be leveraged for greater purpose. In this context, Industrial Ontologies can be considered first and foremost, an integration technology, supporting connections between any numbers of disparate data sources. By this application, it is possible to leverage proprietary and public ontologies thus supporting a Federated Ontology. This paper explores the potential of a Federated Ontology for the purpose of supporting reasoning in the manufacturing sector. To this goal we summarize the current state of publically available ontologies examining how they are currently utilized, their application challenges and a realistic assessment of their potential.
Co-phasing primary mirror segments of an optical space telescope using a long stroke Zernike WFS

Static Zernike phase-contrast plates have been used extensively in microscopy for half a century and, more recently, in optical telescopes for wavefront sensing. A dynamic Zernike wavefront sensor (WFS) with four phase shifts, for reducing error due to spurious light and eliminating other asynchronous noise, has been proposed for use in adaptive optics. Here, we propose adapting this method for co-phasing the primary mirror of a segmented space telescope. In order to extend the dynamic range of the WFS, which has a maximum range of +/ − λ/2, a phase- contrast plate with multiple steps, both positive and negative, has been developed such that errors as large as +/ − 10λ can be sensed. The manufacturing tolerances have been incorporated into simulations, which demonstrate that performance impacts are minimal. We show that the addition of this small optical plate along with a high precision linear translation stage at the prime focus of a telescope and pupil viewing capability can provide extremely accurate segment phasing with a simple white-light fringe fitting algorithm and a closed-loop controller. The original focal-plane geometry of a centro-symmetric phase shifting element is replaced with a much less constrained shape, such as a slot. Also, a dedicated pupil imager is not strictly required; an existing pupil sampler such as a Shack-Hartmann (SH) WFS can be used just as effectively, allowing simultaneous detection of wavefront errors using both intensity and spot positions on the SH-WFS. This could lead to an efficient synergy between Zernike and SH-WFS, enabling segment phasing in conjunction with high-dynamic range sensing.
Abstract 2994: Orlistat decreases endometrial cancer cell proliferation: implications for a novel treatment strategy

Objectives: Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is a key enzyme involved in fatty acid synthesis. It also plays an important role in tumorigenesis and is highly expressed in many cancers, including endometrial cancer. Orlistat is a weight loss medication that has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of FAS. The goal of this study was to evaluate the anti-tumorigenic potential of orlistat in endometrial cancer cell lines. Methods: The endometrial cancer cell lines ECC-1 and KLE were treated with varying doses of orlistat (0.01-500 μM). Cell proliferation was assessed using the MTT assay. Cell cycle progression was evaluated by Cellometer and apoptosis was assessed using the Annexin V assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using the DCFH-DA assay. Western immunoblotting was performed to determine changes in FAS, cellular stress, cell cycle progression and the AMPK/mTOR pathways. Results: Orlistat inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in both cell lines (IC50 = 81.7 μM in ECC-1; IC50 = 145.5 μM in KLE). Treatment with orlistat resulted in G1 arrest but did not affect apoptosis. Orlistat increased ROS at high doses (500 uM, p = 0.008 for ECC-1 cells and p = 0.012 for KLE cells) and induced expression of BIP and PERK. Western immunoblot analysis demonstrated that orlistat decreased expression of FAS, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A), important proteins in fatty acid metabolism. Treatment with orlistat also increased expression of phosphorylated AMPK and decreased expression of the downstream S6 protein. Conclusions: Orlistat suppressed cell growth in endometrial cancer cell lines through inhibition of fatty acid metabolism, induction of cell cycle G1 arrest, and modulation of the AMPK/mTOR pathway. Given that patients with endometrial cancer have high rates of obesity, orlistat should be further investigated as a novel strategy for endometrial cancer treatment and prevention. Citation Format: Weiya Z. Wysham, Dario R. Roque, Jianjun Han, Hui Guo, Lu Zhang, Paola A. Gehrig, Chunxiao Zhou, Victoria L. Bae-Jump. Orlistat decreases endometrial cancer cell proliferation: implications for a novel treatment strategy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2994.
Quantile Regression for Correlated Observations

We consider the problem of regression analysis for data which consist of a large number of independent small groups or clusters of correlated observations. Instead of using the standard mean regression, we regress various percentiles of each marginal response variable over its covariates to obtain a more accurate assessment of the covariate effect. Our inference procedures are derived using the generalized estimating equations approach. The new proposal is robust and can be easily implemented. Graphical and numerical methods for checking the adequacy of the fitted quantile regression model are also proposed. The new methods are illustrated with an animal study in toxicology.
Integrated phononic crystal resonators based on adiabatically-terminated phononic crystal waveguides

In this letter, we demonstrate a new design for integrated phononic crystal (PnC) resonators based on confining acoustic waves in a heterogeneous waveguide-based PnC structure. In this architecture, a PnC waveguide that supports a single mode at the desired resonance frequencies is terminated by two waveguide sections with no propagating mode at those frequencies (i.e., have mode gap). The proposed PnC resonators are designed through combining the spatial-domain and the spatial-frequency domain (i.e., the k-domain) analysis to achieve a smooth mode envelope. This design approach can benefit both membrane-based and surface-acoustic-wave-based architectures by confining the mode spreading in k-domain that leads to improved electromechanical excitation/detection coupling and reduced loss through propagating bulk modes.
Training Undergraduates in Behavioral Therapy and Behavioral Community Psychology

A clas s of undergraduates , enrolled in a psychol ogy internship prog ra m , were provided training in behavior t he rapy a nd beh a vioral community psychology. A t the begin ning of t he quarter, each u ndergraduat e se l ec t ed and operationally defined a behavio r t o chart a nd u ltim a tel y mod i fy (e. g. , studying , w e i ght control, etc.). After th e un dergraduates h ad colle c ted bas eli ne data and imple mented inter v entions on th ei r sel f -control projects , they bega n ga th e rin g d ata o n a commun i ty problem ( e.g . , vanda li sm, environ mental hazards, litt er, e nergy waste). The projects prov id ed t he un d ergraduates a real - l ife e xp er ience for understanding the p rocess of effec ting behavior change at th e in dividual and com mu ni ty l evels . Of most i mpo rtance was the op portunity provide d the undergraduates for e xp l or ing an alternative concept u al model, the c o mm unity p sy ch ology approach, for extending mental health serv i ces.
Recruitment and Retention in a Parenting Intervention: A Case Study with Parents Aging Out of the Child Welfare System

Parenting interventions are efficacious in reducing child maltreatment and negative child behaviors, yet the recruitment and retention of parents, especially vulnerable parents, in such interventio...
Zero-One Law for Semigroups of Measures on Groups

Let (μt)t>0 be a convolution semigroup of probability measures of Poisson type on a complete separable metric abelian group. The purpose of this note is to provide a short and elementary proof of the zero-one law for (μt)t>0.
General Relationships for the Minimum Spouting Pressure Drop Ratio, ΔPmS/ΔPmF, and the Spout-Annular Interfacial Condition in a Spouted Bed

An expression is developed for predicting the pressure drop ratio, ΔPmS/ΔPmF, in a spouted bed of arbitrary height. Experimental values of ΔPmS/ΔPmF differ from predicted ones by only about 12% on average. This relationship is used to develop the spoutannular interfacial condition in a spouted bed.
The reliability of Hertel exophthalmometry. Observer variation between physician and lay readers.

Abstract In order to quantify and characterize the interobserver variation in exophthalmometry and to assess the impact of experience on that variation, four observers of varying levels of experience obtained an exophthalmometer reading from 100 subjects' right eyes and 97 subjects' left eyes. Observers were masked to the measurements of their colleagues. The subjects measured were referrals to the eye plastic and orbital service over a three week interval. Substantial interobserver variation was demonstrated. Fully one-fourth to onethird of all measurements by the three less-experienced observers differed enough from the senior observer to be of concern to him. The direction of disagreement varied with experience. The least-experienced observer consistently underread whereas the more experienced observer slightly overread exophthalmometry, relative to the senior observer. As the study progressed, the least-experienced observer's reliability increased. Interobserver agreement for this observer was influenced by the degree of proptosis presenting in the eye being measured.
Manipulation, Display, and Analysis of Three-Dimensional Biological Images

Due to dramatic advances in optical microscope technology, it is now possible to examine biological specimens in three-dimensions with either electron microscopy or light microscopy. Although the algorithms used for generating the three-dimensional reconstructions are well known, much work remains on developing methods for the display and analysis of the resultant complicated three-dimensional data. After brief discussion of a rational file format designed for storing three-dimensional image data and its properties (e.g. pixel spacing, orientation, size etc), we will go on to discuss two major aspects of three-dimensional image data handling. The first covers image processing schemes for enhancing features in the data and some computational methods for manipulating three-dimensional data sets. In the second part, we will discuss the image display system in the context of software design and hardware requirements, which must be considered for convenient data visualization and measurement. Much effort has been spent on developing a generalized display system that can also be used for model building and analysis. By model building we mean the interactive tracking of features in three-dimensional volumetric images. Throughout this chapter we will make a distinction between display methods that directly utilize three-dimensional image data stored as a contiguous set of pixels (also called volumetric data, or voxel data) and those that convert the data into a set of polygon vertices that define a single-level contour surface. Although this latter approach contains much less information than volumetric approaches, it can make stunning pictures. Figure 1 shows a typical procedure for handling three-dimensional data involving image enhancement, data manipulation, data display and analysis.
Analysis of Krylov Subspace Solutions of Regularized Non-Convex Quadratic Problems

We provide convergence rates for Krylov subspace solutions to the trust-region and cubic-regularized (nonconvex) quadratic problems. Such solutions may be efficiently computed by the Lanczos method and have long been used in practice. We prove error bounds of the form $1/t^2$ and $e^{-4t/\sqrt{\kappa}}$, where $\kappa$ is a condition number for the problem, and $t$ is the Krylov subspace order (number of Lanczos iterations). We also provide lower bounds showing that our analysis is sharp.
Modular structure in fish co-occurrence networks: A comparison across spatial scales and grouping methodologies.

Network modules are used for diverse purposes, ranging from delineation of biogeographical provinces to the study of biotic interactions. We assess spatial scaling effects on modular structure, using a multi-step process to compare fish co-occurrence networks at three nested scales. We first detect modules with simulated annealing and use spatial clustering tests (interspecific distances among species’ range centroids) to determine if modules consist of species with broadly overlapping ranges; strong spatial clustering may reflect environmental filtering, while absence of spatial clustering may reflect positive interspecific relationships (commensalism or mutualism). We then use non-hierarchical, multivariate cluster analysis as an alternative method to identify fish subgroups, we repeat spatial clustering tests for the multivariate clusters, then compare spatial clustering results among modules and clusters. Next, we compare species lists within modules and clusters, and estimate congruence as the proportion of species assigned to the same groups by the two methods. Finally, we use a well-documented nest associate complex (fishes that deposit eggs in the gravel nests of a common host) to assess whether strong within-group associations may, in fact, reflect positive interspecific relationships. At each scale, 2–4 network modules were detected but a consistent relationship between scale and the number of modules was not observed. Significant spatial clustering was detected at all scales for network modules and multivariate clusters but was less prevalent at smaller scales. Congruence between modules and clusters was always < 90% and generally decreased as the number of groups increased. At all scales, the complete nest associate complex was completely preserved within a single network module, but not within a single multivariate cluster. Collectively, our results suggest that network modules are promising tools for studying positive interactions and that smaller scales may be preferable in this research.
Identifying high-efficiency oxygen evolution electrocatalysts from Co–Ni–Cu based selenides through combinatorial electrodeposition

Water splitting has been widely considered to be an efficient way to generate sustainable and renewable energy resources in fuel cells, metal–air batteries and other energy conversion devices. Exploring efficient electrocatalysts to expedite the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a crucial task that needs to be addressed in order to boost the practical application of water splitting. Intensive efforts have been devoted to develop mixed transition metal based chalcogenides as effective OER electrocatalysts. Herein, we have reported synthesis of a series of mixed metal selenides containing Co, Ni and Cu employing combinatorial electrodeposition, and systematically investigated how the transition metal doping affects the OER catalytic activity in alkaline medium. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was performed to detect the elemental compositions and confirm the feasibility of compositional control of 66 metal selenide thin films. It was observed that the OER catalytic activity is sensitive to the concentration of Cu in the catalysts, and the catalyst activity tended to increase with increasing Cu concentration. However, increasing the Cu concentration beyond a certain limit led to decrease in catalytic efficiency, and copper selenide by itself, although catalytically active, showed higher onset potential and overpotential for OER compared to the ternary and quaternary mixed metal selenides. Interestingly, the best quaternary composition (Co0.21Ni0.25Cu0.54)3Se2 showed similar crystal structure as its parent compound of Cu3Se2 with slight decrease in lattice spacings of (101) and (210) lattice planes (0.0222 A and 0.0148 A, respectively) evident from the powder X-ray diffraction pattern. (Co0.21Ni0.25Cu0.54)3Se2 thin film exhibited excellent OER catalytic activity and required an overpotential of 272 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm−2, which is 54 mV lower than Cu3Se2, indicating a synergistic effect of transition metal doping in enhancing catalytic activity.
Electrokinetic Pump Application in Micro-Total Analysis Systems Mechanical Actuation to HPLC

Electrokinetic pumping in microporous media provides a means to integrate flow and high pressure generating capability in liTAS. A general formalism describing flow and current transport in porous media is presented. This is applied to the design of a complete electrokinetic pump-driven HPLC system that is suitable for full chip-scale integration. The application of the electrokinetic pump as a driver for mechanical actuation is also considered. A model and experimental results for the frequency response of an electrokinetic pump are presented.
An 8-aminoimidazo[4,5-g]quinazoline carbocyclic nucleoside: a ring-extended analog of 5′-noraristeromycin

Abstract The antiviral properties of 5′-noraristeromycin (3) have been attributed to its inhibition of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase. As part of an effort to establish the limiting structural parameters possible for the biological properties of 3, a ring-extended analog possessing 8-aminoimidazo[4,5-g]quinazoline as the base (7) has been prepared and found to be less active than 3.
Mechanical guidance of the golf swing: the "Golfer's Groove" as an instructional adjunct.

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to study the effectiveness of the Golfer's Groove,1 a mechanical device which restricts displacement of the golf club through a standard swing plane, as an instructional aid for beginning golf classes. Twelve beginning golfers, enrolled in a 7 1/2-week instructional series and matched according to pretest scores on a golf skill test, were randomly divided into two groups. One group received instruction using the Groove and the other group received a similar amount and type of instruction without the Groove. The Vanderhoof drive test was used to assess learning as reflected in outcome changes. Form was assessed by having golf teaching professionals rate pre and postfilms of the students using rating scales designed specifically for the study. Hotelling's matched pairs T 2 test of scores on both the Vanderhoof drive test and the film analysis disclosed no significant differences between the groups in posttest scores (p > .05). It was concluded that the use of t...
Factors Regulating the Activity of Escherichia Coli Adenylate Cyclase

In Escherichia coli, cAMP plays an important role in regulating cell physiology. By sensing the availability of a variety of catabolites as well as cAMP, the organism is able to assess the desirability of expressing a significant portion of the E.coli genome (1). The common element in the mechanism for transcribing inducible genes is cAMP, which in concert with a unique binding protein activates transcription of those genes. It is important, therefore, to understand the way in which E.coli regulates levels of cAMP. While there is some evidence that the adenylate cyclase gene is regulated (2), the most significant modulation of cAMP levels is due to a regulation of the activity of adenylate cyclase rather than by way of degradation or excretion of the nucleotide (3). The aim of this presentation is to review those factors regulating the activity of adenylate cyclase.
Electric Vehicle Batteries Eye Solid-State Technology: Prototypes Promise Lower Cost, Faster Charging, and Greater Safety

The global pressure to cut carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles is driving more and more buyers toward electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid EVs (HEVs). As the market for EVs and HEVs slowly grows with lithium-ion (Liion) as the battery technology of choice, for reasons well known, there is another technology emerging. Researchers are developing a solid-state (SS) version of Li-ion batteries for EVs that promises to charge and discharge rapidly, offer longer lifecycles, provide a much higher energy density, cost less, and provide greater safety. Besides the performance improvement, safety is a major factor driving automakers toward SS technology. In SS batteries (SSBs), the flammable liquid electrolyte, which passes the charge that carries Li ions during charge and discharge cycles, is replaced by a solid electrolyte. These ongoing improvements in battery technologies will pave the way for an installed EV base of 100 million vehicles by 2028, according to global technology market advisory firm ABI Research, Oyster Bay, New York. In fact, ABI's principal analyst James Hodgson says, "Lithium-silicon and SS are the future EV battery technologies that will improve performance, hold more energy, and last longer at a lower cost. The addition of silicon alone over the next seven years will grow the EV installed base from 8 million vehicles in 2019 to 40 million in 2025, as consumers' range anxiety slowly eases" [1].
Letter to the Editor: Postoperative Complications Following Orthopedic Spine Surgery: Is There a Difference Between Men and Women?

Dear editor, It is an advancement in surgical care to acknowledge the disparate outcomes between genders. This study[1][1] served as one of the first to pay attention to sex-varied outcomes after orthopedic spine surgery. The researchers adequately highlighted the way that variable risk factors in
Cystic Fibrosis and COVID-19: Care Considerations.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has demanded large scale changes in patient care. People with cystic fibrosis have unique considerations, including underlying lung disease and routine aerosolizing therapies, but there is insufficient evidence to create comprehensive practice guidelines. We share a case of a patient with CF and COVID-19 as well as alterations to routine CF care at a large academic center. Key considerations include accessible COVID-19 screening, augmented infection control practices, and rapid integration of telemedicine.
Exploding the Repeat Length Paradigm while Exploring Amyloid Toxicity in Huntington's Disease.

ConspectusHuntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive, familial neurodegenerative disease triggered by the expansion of a polyglutamine (polyQ) track in the protein huntingtin (htt). PolyQ sequences...