PSLR(1): Pseudo-Scannerless Minimal LR(1) for the Deterministic Parsing of Composite Languages

Composite languages are composed of multiple sub-languages. Examples include the parser specification languages read by parser generators like Yacc, modern extensible languages with complex layers of domain-specific sub-languages, and even traditional programming languages like C and C++. In this dissertation, we describe PSLR(1), a new scanner-based LR(1) parser generation system that automatically eliminates scanner conflicts typically caused by language composition. The fundamental premise of PSLR(1) is the pseudo-scanner, a scanner that only recognizes tokens accepted by the current parser state. However, use of the pseudo-scanner raises several unique challenges, for which we describe a novel set of solutions. One major challenge is that practical LR(1) parser table generation algorithms merge parser states, sometimes inducing incorrect pseudo-scanner behavior including new conflicts. Our solution is a new extension of IELR(1), an algorithm we have previously described for generating minimal LR(1) parser tables. Other contributions of our work include a robust system for handling the remaining scanner conflicts, a correction for syntax error handling mechanisms that are also corrupted by parser state merging, and a mechanism to enable scoping of syntactic declarations in order to further improve the modularity of sub-language specifications. While the premise of the pseudo-scanner has been described by other researchers independently, we expect our improvements to distinguish PSLR(1) as a significantly more robust scanner-based parser generation system for traditional and modern composite languages

CARD11 mediates factor-specific activation of NF-κB by the T cell receptor complex

NF‐κB is a critical target of signaling downstream of the T cell receptor (TCR) complex, but how TCR signaling activates NF‐κB is poorly understood. We have developed an expression cloning strategy that can identify catalytic and noncatalytic molecules that participate in different pathways of NF‐κB activation. Screening of a mouse thymus cDNA library yielded CARD11, a membrane‐associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family member containing CARD, PDZ, SH3 and GUK domains. Using a CARD‐deleted variant of CARD11 and RNA interference (RNAi), we demonstrate that CARD11 mediates NF‐κB activation by αCD3/αCD28 cross‐linking and PMA/ionomycin treatment, but not by TNFα or dsRNA. CARD11 is not required for TCR‐mediated induction of NFAT or AP‐1. CARD11 functions upstream of the IκB‐kinase (IKK) complex and cooperates with Bcl10 in a CARD domain‐dependent manner. RNAi‐rescue experiments suggest that the CARD, coiled‐coil, SH3 and GUK domains of CARD11 are critical for its signaling function. These results implicate CARD11 in factor‐ specific activation of NF‐κB by the TCR complex and establish a role for a MAGUK family member in antigen receptor signaling

Structure and Mobility of Lactose in Lactose/Sodium Montmorillonite Nanocomposites

This study aims at investigating the molecular level organization and molecular mobility in montmorillonite nanocomposites with the uncharged organic low-molecular-weight compound lactose commonly used in pharmaceutical drug delivery, food technology, and flavoring. Nanocomposites were prepared under slow and fast drying conditions, attained by drying at ambient conditions and by spray-drying, respectively. A detailed structural investigation was performed with modulated differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning electron microscopy, microcalorimetry, and molecular dynamic simulations. The lactose was intercalated in the sodium montmorillonite interlayer space regardless of the clay content, drying rate, or humidity exposure. Although, the spray-drying resulted in higher proportion of intercalated lactose compared with the drying under ambient conditions, non-intercalated lactose was present at 20 wt% lactose content. This indicates limitations in maximum load capacity of nonionic organic substances into the montmorillonite interlayer space. Furthermore, a fraction of the intercalated lactose in the co-spray-dried nanocomposites diffused out from the clay interlayer space upon humidity exposure. Also, the lactose in the nanocomposites demonstrated higher molecular mobility than that of neat amorphous lactose. This study provides a foundation for understanding functional properties of nanocomposites, such as loading capacity and physical stability

Influence of propranolol, enalaprilat, verapamil, and caffeine on adenosine A2A-receptor–mediated coronary vasodilation

AbstractObjectivesThe study was done to determine the effects of propranolol, enalaprilat, verapamil, and caffeine on the vasodilatory properties of the adenosine A2A-receptor agonist ATL-146e (ATL).BackgroundATL is a new adenosine A2A-receptor agonist proposed as a vasodilator for myocardial stress perfusion imaging. Beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and calcium blockers are commonly used for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD), and their effect on ATL-mediated vasodilation is unknown. Dietary intake of caffeine is also common.MethodsIn 19 anesthetized, open-chest dogs, hemodynamic responses to bolus injections of ATL (1.0 μg/kg) and adenosine (60 μg/kg) were recorded before and after administration of propranolol (1.0 mg/kg, ATL only), enalaprilat (0.3 mg/kg, ATL only), caffeine (5.0 mg/kg, ATL only), and verapamil (0.2 mg/kg bolus, ATL and adenosine).ResultsNeither propranolol nor enalaprilat attenuated the ATL-mediated vasodilation (225 ± 86% and 237 ± 67% increase, respectively, p = NS vs. control). Caffeine had an inhibitory effect (97 ± 28% increase, p < 0.05 vs. control). Verapamil blunted both ATL- and adenosine-induced vasodilation (63 ± 20% and 35 ± 7%, respectively, p < 0.05 vs. baseline), and also inhibited the vasodilation induced by the adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel activator pinacidil.ConclusionsBeta-blockers and ACE inhibitors do not reduce the maximal coronary flow response to adenosine A2A-agonists, whereas verapamil attenuated this vasodilation through inhibition of KATPchannels. The inhibitory effect of verapamil and KATPchannel inhibitors like glybenclamide on pharmacologic stress using adenosine or adenosine A2A-receptor agonists should be evaluated in the clinical setting to determine their potential for reducing the sensitivity of CAD detection with perfusion imaging

Effects of Providing a Sensory Attractant Powder to Suckling Pigs in Late Lactation and After Weaning on Post-Weaning Pig Performance

A total of 28 litters (241 × 600, DNA) and 355 nursery pigs (241 × 600, DNA; initially 12.2 lb) were used in a 29-d trial (4 d pre-weaning and 29 d post-weaning). The trial was conducted to determine the effect of providing a sensory attractant powder (Baby Pig Restart APF; TechMix Global; Stewart, MN) to suckling pigs in late lactation and after weaning on post-weaning feed intake and growth. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of: 1) pre-weaning treatment (without or with powder); 2) post-weaning treatment (without or with powder); and 3) body weight category (light or heavy). Overall, pre-weaning powder application did not have a significant effect on piglet weaning weight (P = 0.485) or post-weaning growth performance. Likewise, post-weaning powder application had no effect on the growth performance of pigs after weaning. The percentage of pigs that lost weight in the first 3 d after weaning was reduced by approximately 20 percentage points when pigs were provided powder both pre- and post-weaning compared to the other three treatment combinations (P = 0.015). This interaction diminished by d 7 and no other treatment effects were observed for the percentage of pigs that lost weight after weaning. In summary, sensory attractant powder had limited effects on growth performance of pigs after weaning. However, sensory attractants may encourage activity around the feeder after weaning when pigs also receive the same sensory attractant pre-weaning, as indicated by the percentage of pigs that lost weight after weaning. More research is needed to better understand the implications of early sensory learning and its effect on subsequent feed intake

Effects of Providing Enrichment Cubes to Suckling Pigs in Late Lactation and After Weaning on Post-Weaning Pig Performance

A total of 28 litters (241 × 600, DNA) and 356 nursery pigs (241 × 600, DNA; initially 12.5 lb) were used in 28-d trial (4-d pre-weaning and 24-d post-weaning) to determine the effect of providing enrichment cubes (supersized pellets that resemble cattle cubes and range in size from 1.1 to 2.0 in. in length and 0.6 to 0.8 in. in diameter) to suckling pigs in late lactation and after weaning on post-weaning feed intake and growth. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of: 1) pre-weaning treatment (without or with enrichment cubes); 2) post-weaning treatment (with or without enrichment cubes); and 3) body weight category (light or heavy). Overall, providing enrichment cubes to litters pre-weaning did not have a significant effect on piglet weaning weight (P = 0.976) or post-weaning ADG; however, pigs offered enrichment cubes prior to weaning had improved G:F (P = 0.017) in the nursery. Post-weaning cube application had no effect on the growth performance of pigs after weaning. The percentage of pigs that lost weight after weaning was reduced by 11.7 percentage points when pigs were offered enrichment cubes for 3 d post-weaning compared to no cubes (P = 0.002). Conversely, pre-weaning cube application had no effect on the percent of pigs that lost weight after weaning. In summary, providing enrichment cubes to pigs post-weaning appears to encourage activity around the feeder, therefore reducing the percentage of pigs that lost weight after weaning. However, more research is needed to validate these results in a commercial setting and to better understand the effect of reducing the percentage of pigs that lost weight after weaning on morbidity and mortality

Effects of Providing a Liquid Sensory Attractant to Suckling Pigs in Lactation and After Weaning on Post-Weaning Pig Performance

A total of 28 litters (241 × 600, DNA) corresponding with 355 nursery pigs (241 × 600, DNA; initially 13.0 lb) were used in 42-d trial (17-d pre-weaning and 24-d post-weaning). This trial was conducted to determine the effect of providing a sensory attractant liquid (BlueLite Pro2Lyte; TechMix Global; Stewart, MN) to suckling pigs on the underline of sows after farrowing and in late lactation, and after weaning on post-weaning feed intake and growth. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of: 1) pre-weaning treatment (without or with attractant); 2) postweaning treatment (without or with attractant); and 3) body weight category (light or heavy). Overall, pre-weaning liquid sensory attractant did not have a significant effect on piglet weaning weight or post-weaning growth performance. Likewise, post-weaning application had limited effects on the growth performance of pigs after weaning. Liquid sensory attractant pre-weaning increased the percentage of lightweight pigs that lost weight from weaning to d 3 by approximately 16 percentage points, whereas liquid sensory attractant pre-weaning decreased the percentage of heavyweight pigs that lost weight after weaning by approximately 17 percentage points (pre-weaning treatment and BW category interaction, P = 0.003). This interaction diminished by d 7. Significance was also detected for the main effect of BW category. A greater percentage of heavyweight pigs lost weight on d 3 (P = 0.007) and d 7 (P = 0.051) compared to lightweight pigs. In summary, liquid sensory attractant that was applied pre- and post-weaning had limited effects on the growth performance of pigs; however, varying responses were observed for the percentage of pigs that lost weight immediately after weaning. Strategies to reduce the number of pigs that lose weight after weaning warrant further investigation

Genetic association study of QT interval highlights role for calcium signaling pathways in myocardial repolarization.

The QT interval, an electrocardiographic measure reflecting myocardial repolarization, is a heritable trait. QT prolongation is a risk factor for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD) and could indicate the presence of the potentially lethal mendelian long-QT syndrome (LQTS). Using a genome-wide association and replication study in up to 100,000 individuals, we identified 35 common variant loci associated with QT interval that collectively explain ∼8-10% of QT-interval variation and highlight the importance of calcium regulation in myocardial repolarization. Rare variant analysis of 6 new QT interval-associated loci in 298 unrelated probands with LQTS identified coding variants not found in controls but of uncertain causality and therefore requiring validation. Several newly identified loci encode proteins that physically interact with other recognized repolarization proteins. Our integration of common variant association, expression and orthogonal protein-protein interaction screens provides new insights into cardiac electrophysiology and identifies new candidate genes for ventricular arrhythmias, LQTS and SCD

Respiratory diseases among U.S. military personnel: countering emerging threats.

Emerging respiratory disease agents, increased antibiotic resistance, and the loss of effective vaccines threaten to increase the incidence of respiratory disease in military personnel. We examine six respiratory pathogens (adenoviruses, influenza viruses, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Bordetella pertussis) and review the impact of the diseases they cause, past efforts to control these diseases in U.S. military personnel, as well as current treatment and surveillance strategies, limitations in diagnostic testing, and vaccine needs