cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improved RNA-seq Workflows Using CyVerse Cyberinfrastructure

RNA-seq is a vital method for understanding gene structure and expression patterns. Typical RNA-seq analysis protocols use sequencing reads of length 50 to 150 nucleotides for alignment to the reference genome and assembly of transcripts. The resultant transcripts are quantified and used for differential expression and visualization. Existing tools and protocols for RNA-seq are vast and diverse; given their differences in performance, it is critical to select an analysis protocol that is scalable, accurate, and easy to use. Tuxedo, a popular alignment-based protocol for RNA-seq analysis, has been updated with HISAT2, StringTie, StringTie-merge, and Ballgown, and the updated protocol outperforms its predecessor. Similarly, new pseudo-alignment-based protocols like Kallisto and Sleuth reduce runtime and improve performance. However, these tools are challenging for researchers lacking command-line experience. Here, we describe two new RNA-seq analysis protocols, in which all tools are deployed on CyVerse Cyberinfrastructure with user-friendly graphical user interfaces, and validate their performance using plant RNA-seq data. (c) 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Exercise is medicine : Primary care counseling on aerobic fitness and muscle strengthening

Patient counseling on physical fitness remains underutilized in primary care, despite its clinical and cost effectiveness. Most counseling interventions have focused on aerobic activity and neglected another vital component of physical fitness, muscle strengthening, which has recently been shown to be independently protective against cardiometabolic diseases and premature mortality. This article reviews the latest scientific evidence and makes recommendations toward a more comprehensive approach for promoting physical fitness in primary care. Given the high prevalence and wide-ranging health impacts of physical inactivity, counseling on physical fitness should be a standard part of wellness promotion and disease prevention and treatment for all patients. Interventions that include muscle strengthening will have a significantly greater impact on health outcomes than those focused on aerobic fitness alone. Counseling to promote both aerobic fitness and muscle strengthening is indicated for all patients, irrespective of body weight, and should begin early in life and continue across the life course.
The Invisible Side of Political Parties: The Case of the PCdoB

AbstractThe young Latin American democracies have been structuring their political parties for day-to-day management. In this context, it is important to understand how such structures could be aff...
Rural Elementary Administrators' Views of High-Stakes Testing

This study examines how rural elementary school administrators perceive the effects of high-stakes testing in comparison to suburban and urban elementary administrators. High-stakes testing had a greater impact, both positively and negatively, on rural administrators than on their counterparts in suburban and urban schools. Specifically, the positive effects were that rural administrators were more motivated by the testing program to do a better job, found the test results more useful in assessing teachers, and found the test results more useful in meeting the academic needs of students. The negative effects were that rural administrators felt more pressure than urban administrators to improve test scores and found their school rating to more negatively affect their ability to attract high quality teachers than administrators in suburban schools.
Disagreement and Uncertainty Among Experts About how to Respond to Marijuana Use in Patients on Long-term Opioids for Chronic Pain: Results of a Delphi Study

Background Marijuana use is common among patients on long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) for chronic pain, but there is a lack of evidence to guide clinicians' response. Objective To generate expert consensus about responding to marijuana use among patients on LTOT. Design Analysis from an online Delphi study. Setting/subjects Clinician experts in pain and opioid management across the United States. Methods Participants generated management strategies in response to marijuana use without distinction between medical and nonmedical use, then rated the importance of each management strategy from 1 (not at all important) to 9 (extremely important). A priori rules for consensus were established, and disagreement was explored using cases. Thematic analysis of free-text responses examined factors that influenced participants' decision-making. Results Of 42 participants, 64% were internal medicine physicians. There was consensus that it is not important to taper opioids as an initial response to marijuana use. There was disagreement about the importance of tapering opioids if there is a pattern of repeated marijuana use without clinical suspicion for a cannabis use disorder (CUD) and consensus that tapering is of uncertain importance if there is suspicion for CUD. Three themes influenced experts' perceptions of the importance of tapering: 1) benefits and harms of marijuana for the individual patient, 2) a spectrum of belief about the overall riskiness of marijuana use, and 3) variable state laws or practice policies. Conclusions Experts disagree and are uncertain about the importance of opioid tapering for patients with marijuana use. Experts were influenced by patient factors, provider beliefs, and marijuana policy, highlighting the need for further research.
Using HOBO Data Loggers with Air/Water/Soil Temperature Probes to Measure Free-Air Temperature on High-Altitude Balloon Flights

HOBO data loggers with Air/Water/Soil temperature probes are commonly used to measure atmospheric temperature during high-altitude balloon flights. Inconsistencies between results from sensors mounted in different ways and between results from a given sensor between ascent and descent confirm that there are many subtleties to making such a measurement properly. These may include, but are not limited to, (a) whether the sensors are exposed to the sun or shaded in some way, (b) where the sensors are physically located with respect to nearby payload boxes (and the color of those boxes), and (c) whether the sensors are surrounded by a thermal wake trailing below the balloon. We will present preliminary results from our investigation and suggest some "best practices" for using these user-friendly temperature sensors on missions to near-space.
Neuroimaging and Reading Comprehension.

In this position paper, we advocate that advancements made in other disciplinary areas such as neurolinguistics should be included into contemporary reading comprehension courses and programs. We present findings from neurobiology of reading that suggest explanation of certain reading behaviors: (1) the differences between reading disability and typically developing readers; (2) an inverted U-shaped function that reflects the fact that learning to read is associated with increased activation (the rising part of the inverted U) and activation decreases are associated with familiarity, experience, and expertise (the falling part of the inverted U); (3) and, the identification of reading networks. As potential pedagogical implications of neuroimaging studies to reading, a list of sentence structures is proposed as an example to further relate reading comprehension to cognitive capacity limits.
Association of Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement With Rates of Pulmonary Embolism in Patients With Cancer and Acute Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis.

Importance Venous thromboembolism is the second overall leading cause of death for patients with cancer, and there is an approximately 2-fold increase in fatal pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with cancer. Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are designed to prevent PE, but defining the appropriate use of IVC filters in patients with cancer remains a substantial unmet clinical need. Objective To evaluate the association of IVC filters with the development of PE in patients with cancer and deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Design, Setting, and Participants A population-based cohort study was conducted using administrative data on 88 585 patients from the state inpatient databases for California (2005-2011) and Florida (2005-2014). Based on diagnostic and procedure codes, patients with cancer and acute lower extremity DVT were identified. All subsequent hospital visits for these patients were evaluated for the placement of an IVC filter, the development of new PE, the development of new DVT, and in-hospital mortality. Data analysis was performed from September 1 to December 1, 2019. Exposures Placement of an IVC filter. Main Outcomes and Measures The association of IVC filter placement with rates of new PE and DVT was estimated using a propensity score matching algorithm and competing risk analysis. Results The study cohort comprised 88 585 patients (45 074 male; median age, 71.0 years [range, 1.0-104.0 years]) with malignant neoplasms who presented to a health care institution with a diagnosis of acute lower extremity DVT. Of these patients, 33 740 (38.1%) underwent IVC filter placement; patients with risk factors such as upper gastrointestinal bleeding (odds ratio, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.29-1.37), intracranial hemorrhage (odds ratio, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.19-1.24), and coagulopathy (odds ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.08-1.10) were more likely to receive an IVC filter. A total of 4492 patients (5.1%) developed a new PE after their initial DVT diagnosis. There was a significant improvement in PE-free survival for these patients compared with those who did not receive IVC filters across the full, unbalanced study cohort as well as after propensity score matching and competing risk analysis (hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.64-0.75;P Conclusions and Relevance This study suggests that, for patients with cancer and DVT and bleeding risk factors, IVC filter placement is associated with an increased rate of PE-free survival.
An Existential Analysis of Responses to the 2020 Coronavirus Outbreak

This essay examines people’s responses to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of existential psychology. The existential anxieties associated with the pandemic, as well as people’s r...
The Drosophila midgut and the systemic coordination of lipid-dependent energy homeostasis

The evolution of complex organ systems in metazoans has dictated that the maintenance of energy homeostasis requires coordinating local and systemic energy demands between organs with specialized functions. The gastrointestinal tract is one of many organs that is indispensable for the systemic coordination of energy substrate uptake, storage, and usage, and the spatial organization of this organ (i.e. proximity to other metabolic organs) within a complex body plan underlies its role in organ crosstalk. Studies of various arthropod intestines, and in particular insects, have shed light on the evolution and function of the gastrointestinal tract in the maintenance of energy homeostasis. This brief review focuses on studies and theories derived from the insect intestine (particularly the midgut) of adult Drosophila melanogaster to inform on the how, what, and why of the gastrointestinal tract in the systemic regulation of lipids, the most common form of stored energy in insects.
An Event-Centered Perspective on Mound 2 at the Hopewell Earthworks

This article reports on our assessment of the events that resulted in Mound 2 at the Hopewell Earthworks, with a special focus on its two caches of blue-gray chert bifaces. Our analysis begins by e...
The Energy Paradox and the Adoption of Energy-Saving Technologies in the Trucking Industry

Several federal benefit-cost analyses report an energy paradox among firms in competitive markets and conclude that firms would benefit from mandates to increase the use of energy-saving technologies. Such findings appear incompatible with neoclassical views that private firms in competitive markets minimize costs. The Environmental Protection Agency, for example, presumes that owners of trailers pulled by tractors belonging to others underinvest in energy-saving technologies because trailer owners incur the costs while tractor owners get the benefits. We test this hypothesis by collecting data and modeling the use of energy-saving technologies as a function of fleet size, the intensity of truck usage, and proxies for management quality. We find effects consistent with conventional models but no evidence that different ownership of tractors and trailers is associated with reduced use of energy-saving technologies on trailers. Regulators should refrain from making claims that firms underuse energy-saving technologies without first rigorously evaluating evidence for such claims.
Physiological machine learning models for prediction of sepsis in hospitalized adults: An integrative review.

Abstract Background Diagnosing sepsis remains challenging. Data compiled from continuous monitoring and electronic health records allow for new opportunities to compute predictions based on machine learning techniques. There has been a lack of consensus identifying best practices for model development and validation towards early identification of sepsis. Objective To evaluate the modeling approach and statistical methodology of machine learning prediction models for sepsis in the adult hospital population. Methods PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases were searched with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guided protocol development. We evaluated studies that developed or validated physiologic sepsis prediction models or implemented a model in the hospital environment. Results Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, and the AUROC of the prediction models ranged from 0.61 to 0.96. We found a variety of sepsis definitions, methods used for event adjudication, model parameters used, and modeling methods. Two studies tested models in clinical settings; the results suggested that patient outcomes were improved with implementation of machine learning models. Conclusion Nurses have a unique perspective to offer in the development and implementation of machine learning models detecting patients at risk for sepsis. More work is needed in developing model harmonization standards and testing in clinical settings.
Fertility discussions in young adult stage III colorectal cancer population: a single-center institution experience.

PURPOSE Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a malignancy that usually occurs in older age individuals. However, CRC cases in young adults are on the rise, and this increase is expected to continue. Young adult CRC requires the healthcare team to familiarize themselves with the unique needs of this population, including concerns about treatment-related infertility. We performed a retrospective review to determine how often our patients, 18-39 years old (yo), had discussions regarding fertility preservation prior to starting stage III CRC treatment. METHODS Our electronic health record was utilized to identify adult patients < 40 yo with a stage III CRC diagnosis during 1/1/2015-9/1/2019. Fertility preservation discussions were determined by searching the patient's EHR chart. Progress notes from the medical oncology, surgery, and/or radiation oncology teams were reviewed. Additionally, notes from our fertility specialist's team were reviewed when consulted. RESULTS One hundred and three patients met criteria. Patients were 21-39 yo at diagnosis (median age of 34 yo). Fifty-two percent were male while the remaining 48% were female. Forty-six percent had stage III colon cancer while 54% had stage III rectal cancer. Search terms and progress notes were utilized to determine if discussions were documented. Fertility discussions were documented in 73% of cases while 27% of patients lacked documentation regarding fertility. CONCLUSION Our results show that most of our young adult stage III CRC population participate in fertility preservation discussions. However, in order to capture all patients, we recognize that a more formal approach is warranted. We additionally recommend these discussions occur with all patients of child-bearing age.
Corporate financial policy and corporate control

Abstract This paper presents evidence that stockholder wealth declines on average when managers respond to attempted hostile takeovers with defensive changes in asset and ownership structure. The data also indicate that these corporate restructurings are typically quite large and that many are attempts by managers to create barriers specific to the hostile bidder and /or to consolidate a block of voting securities in the hands of management allies. The evidence suggests that defensive motives (whether beneficial or harmful) influence corporate asset and ownership structure.
LEFT ATRIAL PULSE COMPLEXES IN ACQUIRED MITRAL VALVE DISEASE. THEIR VALUE AS AN AID IN SELECTION OF PATIENTS FOR CLOSED MITRAL VALVE SURGERY.

Abstract A left heart hemodynamic study was performed on 46 patients with acquired mitral valve disease. These patients were subsequently subjected to elective closed surgical exploration of the mitral valve. The surgical findings were correlated with the left atrial pulse complexes, and an attempt was made to evaluate the utility of this investigation as a diagnostic aid in preoperative determination of the predominance of stenosis or regurgitation in mixed mitral valve lesions. The aspects studied included the estimation of the diastolic gradient across the mitral valve, and correlation of left atrial c wave and x ′ descent with the operative findings. In mixed mitral valve lesions the mitral gradient, evaluated in the light of cardiac output and pulmonary artery pressure, is helpful in determining severity of the stenosis. The contour of the c wave may be an additional helpful guide indicating the state of pliability and the range of movement of the mitral leaflets. This study does not contribute to an exact quantitative hemodynamic assessment of mitral incompetence and at best seems to give only an indirect clue to the qualitative presence of incompetence by the study of the x ′ descent. In a mixed lesion of the mitral valve, even if the hemodynamic study contributes only as much as pointing out that there is a significant mitral narrowing, without quantitating the amount of regurgitation, it has been a worthwhile investigation. We feel it will help a clinician come to a decision on whether or not to subject such a patient with mixed mitral valve disease to closed cardiotomy correction. In patients with normal pulmonary artery pressure, exercise increased the mitral diastolic gradient and thus unmasked a few doubtful cases of mitral stenosis. Patients with severe pulmonary hypertension and low resting cardiac output reacted adversely to exercise. In them the cardiac output fell precipitously, reducing the diastolic gradient, and this appeared to be a dangerous procedure to carry out.
Is Start a Switch

The cell cycle in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is controlled by regulation of START in late G1. The CLN1, CLN2 and CLN3 family of cyclin homologues is required for cells to pass START. They probably act by activating the CDC28 protein kinase. Expression of CLN1 or CLN3 under the control of an inducible promoter shows that transcription of either gene is sufficient for cyclin-deficient strains arrested in G1 to traverse START. A model of START regulation involves activation of CDC28 kinase by any CLN protein, leading to activation of CLN1 and CLN2 transcription in a positive feedback loop and passage through START. The cell cycle-dependent transcriptional regulators SWI4 and SWI6 may be components of the feedback loop. Cell cycle commitment entails resistance to the inhibitory action of mating factor, which correlates with peak levels of CLN1 and CLN2 mRNAs. FAR1 encodes an alpha-factor-dependent inhibitor of CLN function whose expression is markedly reduced at the time of START. The interplay of all these factors may sharpen the START transition such that it is close to an all-or-nothing switch event. This may be important for several START-dependent events to be activated at the same time, leading to coordinated cell cycle progression.
Capacity Constrained Exporters: Micro Evidence and Macro Implications

This study challenges a central assumption of standard trade models: constant marginal cost technology. We present evidence consistent with the view that increasing marginal cost is present in the data, and further identify financial and physical capacity constraints as the main sources of increasing marginal cost. To understand and quantify the importance of increasing marginal cost faced by financially and physically constrained exporters, we develop a novel structural estimation framework that incorporates these micro frictions. Our structural estimates suggest that the presence of such capacity constrained firms can (1) reduce aggregate output responses to external demand shocks by 30% and (2) result in welfare loss by around 23%.
Prejudice and the Plate: Effects of Weight Bias in Nutrition Judgments

As millions of people turn to social media for health information, better understanding the factors that guide health-related judgments and perceptions in this context is imperative. We report on two Web experiments (n>400 total) examining the power of society's widespread weight bias and related stereotypes to influence nutrition judgments in social media spaces. In Experiment 1, meals were judged as lower in nutritional quality when the person who recommended them (the source) was depicted as obese rather than of normal weight, an effect mediated by stereotypic beliefs about the source as a generally unhealthy person. Experiment 2 replicated this effect, which--notably--remained significant when controlling for objective nutritional information (calories and fat content). Results highlight spillover effects of weight bias that extend beyond person perception to color impressions of objects (here, food) that are associated with stigmatized attributes. Implications for everyday nutrition judgments and public health are considered.
Role of core polarization curvature of screw dislocations in determining the Peierls stress in bcc Ta: A criterion for designing high-performance materials

We use a family of embedded atom model potentials all based on accurate quantum-mechanical calculations to study the relation between Peierls stress and core properties of the 1/2a‹111› screw dislocation in bcc tantalum (Ta). We find that the Peierls stress (σP) is a function of the core-polarization curvature (II) near the equilibrium core configuration. Our results suggest that the computationally available quantity II is a useful criterion for designing high-performance materials.
Yield and Angular Distribution of Protons from Li 6 (d, p)Li 7

The relative yields versus energy of protons from the reactions ${\mathrm{Li}}^{6}(d, p){\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$, ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7*}$ have been measured for deuteron energies up to 3.0 Mev. A marked difference in the energy dependence of the yields for the two reactions is noted. The yield for the reaction ${\mathrm{Li}}^{6}(d, p){\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$ shows a broad maximum centered about 1.1-Mev deuteron energy, whereas the yield from the ${\mathrm{Li}}^{6}(d, p){\mathrm{Li}}^{7*}$ reaction shows a slow increase throughout the whole energy range covered. Above 2.5 Mev the yield from ${\mathrm{Li}}^{6}(d, p){\mathrm{Li}}^{7*}$ exceeds the yield from ${\mathrm{Li}}^{6}(d, p){\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$. The angular distributions of the two proton groups have been observed at 0.825, 2.0, and 3.0 Mev. The angular distributions of the two groups are quite similar at all energies covered. The Butler analysis of the angular distribution data indicates that in both reactions the neutron is captured with one unit of orbital angular momentum. Since ${\mathrm{Li}}^{6}$ has even parity and spin 1, this gives odd parity for the ground state and the first excited state of ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$ and possible values of \textonehalf{}, $\frac{3}{2}$, and $\frac{5}{2}$ for the spins of the ground state and the first excited state. These possible values include the known spin of $\frac{3}{2}$ for the ground state and the currently accepted spin of \textonehalf{} for the first excited state.
Prevalence, etiology, and prognostic significance of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in diabetic ketoacidosis

We reviewed the discharge records of all diabetic ketoacidosis hospitalizations over 30 months for the presence of clinically significant upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Of 284 hospitalizations in 193 patients, hemorrhage occurred in 26 hospitalizations (9%) in 25 patients (13%). None required invasive therapy to achieve hemostasis, and there were no bleeding recurrences and no deaths due to bleeding. Endoscopy in eight revealed esophagitis in all (five had erosions or ulcerations), one Mallory-Weiss tear, five with gastritis (mild in four), four with duodenitis (one erosive), one duodenal ulcer, and no gastric ulcers. Hemorrhage patients had a longer diabetes duration (14.85 vs 9.16 years, P < 0.02), and more nephropathy (40% vs 11%, P < 0.001), retinopathy (28% vs 12%, P < 0.03) and gastroparesis (36% vs 10%, P < 0.002) than those without hemorrhage. Ulcer medication (42% vs 23%, P < 0.03) or anticoagulant (12% vs 1%, P < 0.005) but not nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug usage (12% vs 12%) was higher in the hemorrhage group. Admission glucose (P < 0.02), BUN (P < 0.04), and creatinine (P < 0.02) levels were higher in hemorrhage patients, but arterial pH, serum ketones, hemoglobin, platelet count, and coagulation values were not. Hemorrhage patients required more blood transfusions (27% vs 10%, P < 0.003) and intensive care unit admissions (69% vs 43%, P < 0.009). Total (15% vs 3%, P < 0.003) and intensive care unit mortality (22% vs 6%, P < 0.026) were higher in the hemorrhage group. We conclude that upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage complicates 9% of diabetic ketoacidosis hospitalizations. Blood transfusion may be required, but the bleeding is self-limited and not severe. The most common lesion is erosive esophagitis. Hemorrhage correlates with glucose level, admission to the intensive care unit, duration of diabetes, the presence of diabetic complications, and portends a high non-bleeding-related mortality.
Statins affect AQP2 traffic.

the aquaporin-2 water channel (AQP2) plays a critical role in mediating vaopressin action in the kidney collecting duct (4). Physiologically, vasopressin acts by activating the V2 receptor on the basolateral side of these cells to trigger a classical G protein-coupled activation cascade resulting in increased cAMP and activation of protein kinase A (PKA). With the realization that AQP2 translocation from vesicles in the cytoplasm to the apical membrane increases apical water permeability (12, 13), studies then followed showing that PKA phosphorylation of the COOH terminal of AQP2 triggers the vesicular traffic that transfers AQP2 to the apical membrane in response to vasopressin (3, 5). A comprehensive review of this field has recently been published in the American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology (10). But, like for most important physiological pathways, the list of factors affecting apical AQP2 levels has grown year by year with increasing complexity. The abundance of AQP2 in the apical membrane is affected by its rate of endocytosis as well as exocytosis (8, 11). Moreover, cAMP and PKA are not the only intracellular mechanisms involved. It was discovered that modulation of cGMP and PGE2 pathways also impact AQP2 traffic (1, 2, 18). Adding even further to this complexity are new observations indicating that the statins so widely used clinically to reduce cholesterol can also affect levels of AQP2 in the apical membrane. Initial studies examined long-term actions of statins and were believed to be due to statins' established action of decreasing membrane cholesterol (14). A previous study had shown that levels of apical AQP2 channels are increased by cholesterol depletion because of reduced clathrin-mediated endocytosis of AQP2 (7). However, work by Li et al. (6) published in an issue of the American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology now shows that even acute exposure to simvastatin for times known to cause no significant changes in cholesterol can increase apical membrane AQP2 both in cultured cells and in Brattleboro rats, a strain that lacks any vasopressin. The significance of these new findings extends beyond the identification of yet another pharmacological effect of statins. Intriguingly, the authors provide strong evidence that the effect on AQP2 traffic is due to simvastatin's downregulation of RhoA activity, since overexpression of RhoA blocks elevation of AQP2 by simvastatin (6). Thus these studies add additional support to previous studies suggesting that statins have important effects on Rho GTPases (9, 16). Rho GTPases, in turn, appear to regulate the cytoskeleton and very likely endocytosis and vesicle trafficking (15, 17). Important details on exactly how Rho GTPases act to regulate AQP2 vesicle traffic are still unresolved. It also remains to be determined if there are similar effects of statins on endocytosis of other important kidney transporters or if AQP2 alone is affected. Nevertheless, this interesting new work strongly implicates RhoA in AQP2 regulation.
Flecainide: a new agent for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias

Flecainide has been shown to be a relatively safe and effective antiarrhythmic agent. Its twice daily dosage schedule and demonstrated efficacy in suppression of ventricular ectopy suggest that it will be a valuable agent in the therapy of ventricular arrhythmias.
A comparative study of linked list sorting algorithms

Carraway recently published an article [2] describing a sorting algorithm (the sediment sort) for doubly linked lists. He claimed that the sediment sort is one of the fastest and most efficient sorts for linked list, and planned to determine its complexity. In this article, a comparative study will be presented to show that the sediment sort is only a minor variation of the bubble sort which has been known to the computer science community for more than three decades and that the sediment sort is perhaps the slowest algorithm for sorting linked lists.
On the power of underdifferencing and overdifferencing tests against nearly nonstationary alternatives

The choice of the appropriate degree of integration is a very important question in ARIMA time series modeling. This choice is particularly difficult in the presence of either a nearly nonstationary autoregression or a fractionally integrated process. Via a Monte Carlo study we assess the size and power of MA, AR and spectral estimation tests in the presence of fractionally integrated, nearly nonstationary, and nearly noninvertible processes.
Interspecies Constancy of N-Terminal Amino-acid Sequences in the γ-Chain of Fibrinogen

THE fibrinogen molecule from several mammals is made up of three different peptide chains1,2, the α(A), β(B) and γ chains, which are cross-linked by disulphide bonds and possibly other bonds3–6. Previous comparative studies of the primary structure of fibrinogen have dealt with its N-terminal amino-acids2 and with amino-acid sequences of fibrinopeptides A and B, released from amino termini of the respective chains by the action of thrombin7. These have shown considerable interspecies variation in amino-acid sequences of the fibrinopeptides, except for a relatively constant C-terminal sequence in the fibrino-peptide A. We now report a second relatively constant sequence in the fibrinogen molecule, the amino terminus of its γ-chain.
The properties ofCucurbita foetidissima seed oil

Oils from the seeds of 15 different selections of the buffalo gourd,Cucurbita foetidissima, were characterized in terms of their physical and chemical properties, which indicate that this oil is similar to other common edible oils. Xanthophylls were the predominant carotenoid pigments present in the crude oil, ranging from 51~232 mg/kg oil. Linoleic acid, the predominant fatty acid, ranged from 39~77% with an average level of 61%. Although conjugated unsaturated acids are a significant component in some other xerophytic cucurbit oils, the levels of conjugated dienoic and trienoic fatty acids in this species are only 2.3 and 0.03%, respectively.
Contemporary surgical management of pediatric urolithiasis.

With miniaturization of instruments and refinement of surgical technique, the management of pediatric stone disease has undergone a dramatic evolution. While shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is still commonly used to treat upper tract calculi, the use of ureteroscopy (URS) has dramatically increased and is now the procedure of choice for upper tract stone burdens less than 1.5cm at centers with significant experience. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has replaced open surgical techniques for the treatment of large stone burdens greater than 2 cm, with efficacy and complication rates similar to the adult population. Large institutional series demonstrate comparable stone-free and complication rates with SWL, URS, and PCNL, but concerns remain with these techniques regarding renal development and damage to the pediatric urinary tract. Randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of SWL and URS for upper tract stone burdens are needed to reach consensus regarding the most effective primary treatment modality in children.
Molecular mimicry connects BRCA2 to Rad51 and recombinational DNA repair

The crystal structure of the central region of Rad51 bound to a BRC peptide from BRCA2 shows that the BRC peptide mimics a structural motif within Rad51 and can thereby regulate assembly of the Rad51 nucleoprotein filament needed for DNA repair.
Identification and Quantitative Analysis of Indole-3-Acetyl-l-Aspartate from Seeds of Glycine max L.

Indole-3-acetyl-l-aspartate (IAAsp) was isolated from seeds of Glycine max L. cv. Hark and its identity established by its chromatographic performance and its mass spectral fragmentation. Following acid hydrolysis, the aspartate moiety was shown to be the l-enantiomer by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic retention time of the bisethyl ester derivatized with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glycopyranosyl isothiocyanate. Isotope dilution analysis using [14C]IAAsp as internal standard showed that soybean seed contained 10 μmol/kg IAAsp and this accounted for one-half of the total indoleacetic acid of the seed.
The calculation of fatigue life in the presence of stress concentrations

Abstract A previous paper in this Journal (Vol. 3 No. 1, 1966) showed that plasticity of the material is the decisive factor in the fatigue phenomenon, at least as far as crack initiation is concerned. The presence of a stress concentration exaggerates the effect of this plasticity and may be expected to reduce fatigue life. The assumption is made that failure of the structure is governed by the maximum stress developed in the vicinity of a stress raiser. This maximum stress is computed from well known formulas which take plasticity of the material into account. The stress so computed is then used to calculate the number of cycles to failure in accordance with the procedure outlined in the previous paper. Comparison of fatigue life with test results on notched specimens of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy shows good agreement.
Translocation t(5;11)(q13.1;p13) associated with familial isolated aniridia

A father and daughter with isolated aniridia were observed to have an apparently balanced, reciprocal translocation involving chromosomes 5 and 11 [t(5;11)(q13.1;p13)]. No other clinical characteristics often associated with the deletion of 11p13 were observed in this family. This finding, in association with 3 other instances of single breaks at 11p13 and aniridia, supports the assignment of AN2 to 11p13.
ANALYSIS OF FATIGUE CRACK PROPAGATION UNDER BIAXIAL LOADING USING AN INCLINED STRIP YIELD ZONE MODEL OF CRACK TIP PLASTICITY

Le modele est base sur la simulation d'un champ plastique entourant l'extremite de fissures, par introduction de superdislocations. Determination d'equations pour la prevision des propagations de fissures. Application de ce modele a un alliage d'aluminium. Comparaison entre previsions et donnees experimentales
The impact of job stress, job involvement, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment on correctional staff support for rehabilitation and punishment

Past studies that have examined correctional staff support for rehabilitation and punishment policies have produced conflicting results. Most studies have focused on personal characteristics including age, gender, job position, tenure, education, marital status, prior military service, and race. To expand the area of inquiry and assess the potential antecedents of the work environment regarding correctional staff support for inmate rehabilitation or punishment, this study examined the impact of job stress, job involvement, and organizational commitment on staff attitudes toward the rehabilitation or punishment of inmates. Our findings indicated that job involvement and organizational commitment positively influenced correctional staff support for rehabilitation policies; however, job stress and job satisfaction did not have a significant effect on correctional staff attitudes towards either punishment or rehabilitation.
Seeking the source: software source code as a social and technical artifact

In distributed software development, two sorts of dependencies can arise. The structure of the software system itself can create dependencies between software elements, while the structure of the development process can create dependencies between software developers. Each of these both shapes and reflects the development process. Our research concerns the extent to which, by looking uniformly at artifacts and activities, we can uncover the structures of software projects, and the ways in which development processes are inscribed into software artifacts. We show how a range of organizational processes and arrangements can be uncovered in software repositories, with implications for collaborative work in large distributed groups such as open source communities.
Thromboembolism Following Shoulder Arthroscopy: A Retrospective Review

Background:Thromboembolism following shoulder arthroscopy is considered an uncommon complication, with fewer than 50 cases reported in the literature. Arthroscopy of the shoulder is one of the most commonly performed orthopaedic procedures, with low associated risks.Purpose:To identify potential risk factors for the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following shoulder arthroscopy and to determine the overall incidence of this complication.Study Design:Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:A retrospective case-control review was performed of patients who developed symptomatic deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) following shoulder arthroscopy. Multiple surgeons from across North America were queried. For every case of DVT or PE identified, 2 control cases of shoulder arthroscopy were analyzed. The incidence of DVT/PE following shoulder arthroscopy was determined. A univariate analysis and a multivariate logistic regression model were conducted to identify any potenti...
Improved oxygen reduction reactivity of platinum monolayers on transition metal surfaces

Abstract The catalytic activity of platinum monolayers supported on close-packed transition metal surfaces (Au(1 1 1), Pt(1 1 1), Pd(1 1 1) and Ir(1 1 1)) is investigated for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) by generating free energy diagrams and performing Sabatier analysis based on periodic, self-consistent density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Three different ORR mechanisms, involving direct or hydrogen-assisted activation of O2, are considered. At the ORR equilibrium potential of 1.23 V, the reactivity of all surfaces is shown to be limited by the rate of OH removal from the surface. At a cell potential of 0.80 V, the ORR reactivity of different surfaces is dictated by the strength of oxygen adsorption, with OH removal via hydrogenation and O–O bond scission in either O2, O2H or H2O2 being the rate-limiting steps for surfaces with stronger and weaker oxygen binding, respectively. Among the surfaces studied, Pt monolayer on a Pd(1 1 1) substrate shows the highest reactivity and is more active than Pt(1 1 1). These results are in excellent agreement with our earlier experimental and theoretical work, which was based on a simpler model for the ORR.
Regulation of plasmacytoid dendritic cell development

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC) represent a distinct immune cell type specialized in direct virus recognition and rapid secretion of type I interferon. The origin and lineage affiliation of PDC have been controversial, partly because PDC show features of both lymphocytes and dendritic cells (DC). Recent studies helped elucidate the cellular and molecular basis of PDC development. In particular, the common developmental origin and genetic similarity of PDC and classical antigen-presenting DC have been established. In addition, E protein transcription factor E2-2 was shown to control lineage commitment and gene expression program of PDC. Because E proteins are essential regulators of lymphocyte development, E2-2 activity may underlie the distinct ‘lymphoid’ features of PDC.
Rheological and Stability Transitions in Meat Batters Containing Soy Protein Concentrate and Vital Wheat Gluten

Physical/rheological properties of meat batters during heat-processing were studied. Vital wheat gluten (VWG) and soy protein concentrate (SPC) were incorporated into meat batters which were heated to 40, 50, 60 and 70°C and held for 0, 30 and 60 min. Amounts of fat and aqueous fluid released during heating were determined. A two-cycle compression test and shear modulus determination were used to evaluate rheological changes. VWG and SPC did not have any significant effect on either stability or textural changes. There was a significant interaction between temperature and time for stability and textural characteristics. Significant changes in rheological and stability properties of meat batters occurred in the 50–70°C region. Shear modulus showed a major increase at 54–57°C.
Health care crisis from a trauma center perspective: The LA story.

In the summer of 1995, the chief administrative officer of the County of Los Angeles proposed closure of Los Angeles County+University of Southern California (LAC + USC) Medical Center, the nation's biggest and busiest hospital, in order to address a budgetary shortfall of $655 million in the Los Angeles County Health Department. The magnitude of the fiscal crisis facing the Los Angeles County public health system is perhaps best demonstrated by the fact that the County Board of Supervisors gave serious consideration to the proposal, despite widespread predictions that such a move would trigger collapse of the nation's second-largest public health system.1(The Los Angeles County emergency agency has predicted a "dominolike" effect of closure of LAC + USC, where other hospitals' emergency departments would be overwhelmed by the numbers and complexities of patients for whom care would be unreimbursed.) Considering that the hospital (1) is the country's largest teaching hospital,
Surprising leads for a cholera toxin receptor-binding antagonist: crystallographic studies of CTB mutants

Abstract Background: Because agents which inhibit the receptor binding of cholera toxin constitute possible lead compounds for the structure-based design of anti-cholera drugs, detailed investigation of the toxin's receptor-binding site is of key importance. The substitution Gly→Asp at residue 33 of the cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) has been reported to abolish receptor-binding ability. The substitution Arg35→Asp has been reported to result in deficient assembly of the AB 5 holotoxin. The molecular basis for these effects was not readily apparent from analysis of an earlier crystal structure of the wild-type toxin B pentamer in a complex with the receptor pentasaccharide. Results We now report at a resolution of 2.0 a the crystal structure of a recombinant CTB pentamer containing the Gly33→Asp substitution. The observed conformation of the Asp33 side chain suggests that the loss in binding affinity is due to a steric clash with atoms C9 and O9 of the sialic acid moiety of the receptor, ganglioside G M1 . The crystal structure also reveals an unexpected mode of pentamer–pentamer interaction in which pairs of toxin pentamers are joined by reciprocal insertion of the imidazole ring of His13 from one subunit of each pentamer into one of the receptor-binding sites on the other. The surface of interaction at each pentamer–pentamer interface is on the order of 500 a 2 , and primarily involves contact of residues 10–14 with the receptor-binding site on the associated pentamer. This same pentamer–pentamer interaction is also present in the crystal structure of a second recombinant CTB containing an Arg→Asp substitution at residue 35, which we have determined at 2.1 a resolution. Conclusion These structures suggest that analogs to all or part of the pentapeptide Ala-Glu-Tyr-His-Asn, corresponding to residues 10–14 of CTB, may constitute lead compounds for the design of binding-site inhibitors.
Circadian variation in plasma dopamine levels in man

Nocturnal and daytime recumbent secretory patterns of norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine were determined at 30 min intervals in 9 normotensive males. Plasma levels of dopamine as well as those of norepinephrine and epinephrine followed a circadian pattern in these recumbent males. Plasma levels of dopamine were more closely related to clock time (r = -0.54, p < 0.001) than either norepinephrine or epinephrine levels. As for norepinephrine and epinephrine, the sleep period in all 9 males was characterized by a paucity of dopamine secretory peaks as well as lower mean dopamine levels than during the awake state. There was a strong relationship between the circadian changes in plasma dopamine levels and those of norepinephrine ( r = 0.92) and epinephrine (r = 0.78) throughout the 24-h period of recumbency. These interrelationships are consistent with a common regulatory mechanism governing the sleep/wake and/or rest/activity in plasma catecholamine levels.
The Problem of a Universal Language

Author's summary.— Difficulties in mastering natural languages have caused scientists and others usually not linguists, to devise many schemes for artificial languages, of which Volapuk and Esperanto are the best known; however, nationalistic aspirations, racial prejudices, and practical difficulties have interfered, and it is still a moot question whether any artificial language can be a success.)
Pain Measurement in Older Adults With Head and Neck Cancer and Communication Impairments

The ability to communicate the presence of pain by means of verbal and nonverbal communication is crucial to facilitate the assessment of pain. Patients with communication impairment (CI) are limited in their ability to verbally report their pain and, consequently, mechanisms to elicit information about the pain experience must incorporate simple and valid methods to accomplish this goal. Pain measurement and the impact of the pain experience in older adults with CI are areas that have been studied on a limited basis in nursing. This study compared the effectiveness of 3 pain assessment tools in measuring pain intensity in the older adults with head and neck cancer and with CI. Multivariate repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that there were no significant differences in the mean pain intensity scores when subjects used the Numeric Rating Scale, the Faces Pain Scale, and the Visual Analogue Scale at 3 different time intervals. The highest correlation coefficients between pain measurement tools were identified during the third time when the pain measurement tools were used to rate pain intensity. Subjects identified the Numeric Rating Scale as the preferred method to rate pain intensity. Canonical correlation analysis demonstrated that among the demographic variables evaluated in the study, education explained the largest variance in composite of the pain measurement scales.