cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improved detection of mcyA genes and their phylogenetic origins in harmful algal blooms

Microcystins, a group of cyanotoxins produced by cyanobacterial strains, have become a significant microbial hazard to human and animal health due to increases in the frequency and intensity of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs). Many studies have explored the correlation between microcystin concentrations and abundances of toxin-producing genes (e.g., mcyA genes) measured using quantitative PCR, and discrepancies between toxin concentrations and gene abundances are often observed. In this study, the results show that these discrepancies are at least partially due to primer sets that do not capture the phylogenetic diversity of naturally present toxin-producers. We designed three novel primer gene probes based on known mcyA genes to improve the detection and quantification of these genes in environmental samples. These primers were shown to improve the identification of mcyA genes compared to previously published primers in freshwater metagenomes, cyanobacterial isolates, and lake water samples. Unlike previously published primers, our primer sets could selectively amplify and resolve Microcystis, Anabaena, and Planktothrix mcyA genes. In lake water samples, abundance estimations of mcyA genes were found to correlate strongly with microcystin concentrations. Based on our results, these primers offer significant improvements over previously published probes to accurately identify and quantify mcyA genes in the environment. There is an increasing need to develop models based on microbial information and environmental factors to predict CyanoHABs, and improved primers will play an important role in aiding monitoring efforts to collect reliable and consistent data on toxicity risks.
Parasitism and predation of sentinel eggs of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), in the southeastern US

Abstract The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is present in the Piedmont and expanding into the Coastal Plains Regions of the southeastern US. Consequently, this study was conducted to evaluate parasitism and predation of H. halys sentinel egg masses by native parasitoids and predators in woodland habitats and orchard, vineyard, row, and vegetable crops alongside these habitats in Alabama and Georgia in 2017 and 2018. Ten primary parasitoid species, including two new records, and one hyperparasitoid emerged from eggs. Trissolcus japonicus was not detected. Ooencyrtus sp. was the prevalent parasitoid species in vegetables while Telenomus podisi was the predominant species in row crops. Anastatus reduvii, An. mirabilis, Tr. brochymenae, and Tr. euschisti were the prevalent species in woodland and orchard habitats. Trissolcus edessae Fouts occurred primarily in orchards. Trissolcus basalis and Gyron obesum were observed in vegetable habitats. Percentage successful development to adults, sex ratio, and percentage of parasitism per egg mass was highest for Tr. edessae. Predation damage included complete and incomplete chewing, stylet sucking, puncture sucking, and removal of whole eggs from egg masses. Hole and non-stylet sucking damage were discovered. Chewing and piercing-sucking predation constituted the majority of predation in woodlands, plum, blueberry, tomato, pecan, peach, and okra. Mainly chewing predation and egg removal occurred in soybean, cotton, and strawberry. Piercing-sucking predation was common in wine grape and apple. There was no difference between fresh and frozen eggs in the proportion of parasitism and predation both years. In 2017, overall percent parasitism was higher for blueberry compared to other crops except peach and apple. No differences were detected in 2018. Peak parasitism (72.3%) in apple at a site in 2017 represented the highest parasitism rate. Predation was highest in soybean and cotton. Indeed, predation in soybean reached very high levels in 2017 (96.3%) and 2018 (90.3%). In conclusion, native natural enemies parasitize and prey on H. halys egg masses in the southeastern US.
APAlyzer: a bioinformatics package for analysis of alternative polyadenylation isoforms.

Summary Most eukaryotic genes produce alternative polyadenylation (APA) isoforms. APA is dynamically regulated under different growth and differentiation conditions. Here, we present a bioinformatics package, named APAlyzer, for examining 3'UTR APA, intronic APA and gene expression changes using RNA-seq data and annotated polyadenylation sites in the PolyA_DB database. Using APAlyzer and data from the GTEx database, we present APA profiles across human tissues. Availability and implementation APAlyzer is freely available at https://bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/APAlyzer.html as an R/Bioconductor package. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
CHAPTER 7 – VECTOR FIELDS

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the rotational properties of vector fields. The transformation of a vector field is characterized by an angular momentum operator that arises from the coupling of an orbital angular momentum operator and a spin angular momentum operator. The transformation of a scalar field is describable based on an orbital angular momentum operator; therefore, the spin of a scalar field is zero. The chapter discusses vector spherical harmonics. An application of vector spherical harmonics is in the expansion of plane waves. The chapter further presents the multipole expansion of the electromagnetic field. The general solution to the vector Helmholtz equations for the electromagnetic field may be expressed as a linear superposition of electric and magnetic multipoles of all orders in which the coefficients depend on the sources and the boundary conditions.
Cold agglutinin disease and autoimmune hemolytic anemia with pulmonary embolism as a presentation of COVID-19 infection.

Abstract Background Lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated D-dimer and ferritin levels are frequently reported in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here we report a case of cold agglutinin disease (CAD), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), and pulmonary embolism as a presentation of COVID-19 infection. Case report A 51-year-old African–American woman presented to the emergency room with fever and shortness of breath. She was tachycardic, febrile, and had an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. Laboratory studies showed hemoglobin (Hb) 5.1 g/dL, D-dimer 4.55 µg/mL, and C-reactive protein 12.3 mg/dL. Computed tomography scan of the chest showed acute pulmonary embolism involving the bilateral lower lobe segmental branches. Her influenza test was negative, but her SARS-CoV-2 test returned positive. Due to severe anemia, she was not started on any anticoagulation. Haptoglobin was low. Direct antiglobulin test returned positive for anticomplement and negative for anti-immunoglobulin G. Cold agglutinin titer was 80. Mycoplasma, Epstein–Barr virus, parvovirus, human immunodeficiency viruses, and acute hepatitis screen were negative. Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography showed a normal liver and spleen without lymphadenopathy. Peripheral blood smear showed red blood cell agglutination. On Day 2, she became hypoxic requiring 6 L oxygen. Since her Hb remained stable, she was started on low-intensity unfractionated heparin. Inflammatory markers subsequently improved and she was weaned off oxygen. Her Hb remained stable at 9 g/dL and she was discharged home. After 2 weeks, her Hb increased to 11 g/dL. Conclusion As exemplified in this case report, COVID-19 infection can lead to thromboembolism, CAD, and AIHA and it should be recognized as a potential etiology to such rare diseases.
GIS-Based Python Simulation of Infiltration over a Landscape

AbstractAccounting for variation in infiltration over space and time is essential in planning for land management. One such example is the consideration of sites for mitigation wetlands, where know...
Current Paradigms and Emerging Opportunities in Nephrology Training

Nephrology is facing a period of remarkable and unprecedented change. The pipeline of device and therapeutic drug development, the growing success of clinical trials, and the emergence of novel clinical practice and training pathways each hold the promise of transforming patient care. Nephrology is also at the forefront of health policy in the United States, given the recent Advancing American Kidney Health initiative. Despite these developments, significant barriers exist to ensure a robust pipeline of well-qualified nephrologists, including but not limited to trainees' declining trainee interest in the specialty, lower board pass rates, and a perceived erosion in stature of the subspecialty. There is a lack of consensus among training program directors regarding procedural training requirements, the number of fellowship positions needed, and the value of the match. There is widespread agreement, however, that any initiative to reassert the value of nephrology must include significant focus on reinvigorating the trainee experience before and during fellowship. We discuss the current state of education in nephrology (from medical school to beyond fellowship) and highlight ways to increase interest in nephrology to reinvigorate the specialty.
Therapeutic plasma exchange for COVID-19-associated hyperviscosity.

Background Recent data suggests an association between blood hyperviscosity and both propensity for thrombosis and disease severity in patients with COVID-19. This raises the possibility that increased viscosity may contribute to endothelial damage and multiorgan failure in COVID-19, and that therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) to decrease viscosity may improve patient outcomes. Here we sought to share our experience using TPE in the first 6 patients treated for COVID-19-associated hyperviscosity. Study design and methods Six critically ill COVID-19 patients with plasma viscosity levels ranging from 2.6 to 4.2 centipoise (cP; normal range, 1.4-1.8 cP) underwent daily TPE for 2-3 treatments. Results TPE decreased plasma viscosity in all six patients (Pre-TPE median 3.75 cP, range 2.6-4.2 cP; Post-TPE median 1.6 cP, range 1.5-1.9 cP). TPE also decreased fibrinogen levels in all five patients for whom results were available (Pre-TPE median 739 mg/dL, range 601-1188 mg/dL; Post-TPE median 359 mg/dL, range 235-461 mg/dL); D-dimer levels in all six patients (Pre-TPE median 5921 ng/mL, range 1134-60 000 ng/mL; Post-TPE median 4893 ng/mL, range 620-7518 ng/mL); and CRP levels in five of six patients (Pre-TPE median 292 mg/L, range 136-329 mg/L; Post-TPE median 84 mg/L, range 31-211 mg/L). While the two sickest patients died, significant improvement in clinical status was observed in four of six patients shortly after TPE. Conclusions This series demonstrates the utility of TPE to rapidly correct increased blood viscosity in patients with COVID-19-associated hyperviscosity. Large randomized trials are needed to determine whether TPE may improve clinical outcomes for patients with COVID-19.
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted photodynamic therapy enhances the delivery of PSMA-targeted magnetic nanoparticles to PSMA-expressing prostate tumors

Enhanced vascular permeability in tumors plays an essential role in nanoparticle delivery. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is overexpressed on the epithelium of aggressive prostate cancers (PCs). Here, we evaluated the feasibility of increasing the delivery of PSMA-targeted magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to tumors by enhancing vascular permeability in PSMA(+) PC tumors with PSMA-targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT). Method: PSMA(+) PC3 PIP tumor-bearing mice were given a low-molecular-weight PSMA-targeted photosensitizer and treated with fluorescence image-guided PDT, 4 h after. The mice were then given a PSMA-targeted MNP immediately after PDT and monitored with fluorescence imaging and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (T2-W MRI) 18 h, 42 h, and 66 h after MNP administration. Untreated PSMA(+) PC3 PIP tumor-bearing mice were used as negative controls. Results: An 8-fold increase in the delivery of the PSMA-targeted MNPs was detected using T2-W MRI in the pretreated tumors 42 h after PDT, compared to untreated tumors. Additionally, T2-W MRIs revealed enhanced peripheral intra-tumoral delivery of the PSMA-targeted MNPs. That finding is in keeping with two-photon microscopy, which revealed higher vascular densities at the tumor periphery. Conclusion: These results suggest that PSMA-targeted PDT enhances the delivery of PSMA-targeted MNPs to PSMA(+) tumors by enhancing the vascular permeability of the tumors.
Achieving near-water-cooled power plant performance with air-cooled condensers

Abstract Power plants using air-cooled condensers suffer a 5–10% plant-level efficiency penalty compared to plants with once-through cooling systems or wet cooling towers. In this study, a model of a representative air-cooled condenser (ACC) system is developed to explore the potential to mitigate this penalty through techniques that reduce the air-side thermal resistance, and by raising the air mass flow rate. The ACC unit model is coupled to a representative baseload steam-cycle power plant model. It is found that water-cooled power-plant efficiency levels can be approached by using enhanced ACCs with a combination of significantly increased air flow rates (+68%), reduced air-side thermal resistances (−66%), and air-side pressure losses near conventional levels (+24%). Emerging heat-transfer enhancement technologies are evaluated for the potential to meet these performance objectives. The impact of ambient conditions on ACC operation is also examined, and two hybrid wet/dry cooling system technologies are explored to improve performance at high ambient temperatures. Results from this investigation provide guidance for the adoption and enhancement of air-cooled condensers in power plants.
Effect of cimetidine and pancreatic enzymes on serum and fecal bile acids and fat absorption in cystic fibrosis

Steatorrhea persists in most cystic fibrosis patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency despite enzyme replacement, perhaps because gastric acid inactivates oral enzymes. Bile acid malabsorption may parallel steatorrhea. We studied the effect of adding cimetidine (300 mg a.c.) to pancreatic enzyme therapy in 8 patients with cystic fibrosis and steatorrhea. Fecal bile acid, weight and fat, and postprandial serum bile acids were measured with and without cimetidine. D-Xylose absorption was normal in all patients. On constant diets, 72-hr stools were collected during enzyme therapy and during a 5-day course of enzymes plus cimetidine. Addition of cimetidine to enzyme decreased fecal weight (257 +/- 32.6 to 198.6 +/- 32.5 g/day), increased the percent of dietary fat absorbed (75.0 +/- 4.9 to 80.1 +/- 4.1%, P less than 0.05), but had no effect on fecal bile acids (4.7 +/- 0.9 to 4.2 +/- 1.0 mmol/m2/day). Compared with no therapy, enzymes increased postprandial serum bile acid at 60 min (9.56 +/- 1.0 to 14.0 +/- 1.3 muM/liter, P less than 0.05) and at 120 min (9.4 +/- 1.2 to 12.4 +/- 1.6 muM/liter, P less than 0.02). The addition of cimetidine to enzymes abolished this postpranidial bile acid rise. In conclusion, addition of cimetidine to oral pancreatic enzyme therapy decreases stool weight and fat but perhaps not stool bile acids in cystic fibrosis. However, correction of fat absorption is incomplete. Enzyme therapy increases postprandial serum bile acids, and this increase is abolished with oral cimetidine. In view of the incomplete correction of steatorrhea and the alterations in serum bile acids induced by cimetidine, further research with this new medication is needed before it can be recommended for routine clinical use in patients with cystic fibrosis.
Investigation of Automatic Assembly Methods

Investigation of passive and active methods of accommodation in part mating is conducted. A passive accommodation method is developed where the worktable has a lateral compliance, while the flexibility of the robot’s arm forms the angular compliance. The experiments showed that an appropriate design of the gripper and the feeder allows successful part mating in many practical cases.
Compact rotation-invariant texture classification

This paper constructs a texture feature extractor based on a morphological scale-space. It produces features that are invariant to rotation of the texture. The features are used with a very simple k-nearest neighbour classifier and tested using the Outex methodology. The classifier has comparable performance to a number of benchmark classifiers but uses fewer features. The algorithm is quick to compute and provides insight into the underlying structure of texture.
Inter-diagrammatic reasoning

Endowing a computer with an ability to reason with diagrams could be of great benefit in terms of both human-computer interaction and computational efficiency through explicit representation. To date, research in diagrammatic reasoning has dealt with intra-diagrammatic reasoning (reasoning with a single diagram) almost to the exclusion of inter-diagrammatic reasoning (reasoning with related groups of diagrams). We postulate a number of general inter-diagrammatic operators and show how such operators can be useful in various diagrammatic domains. We develop a heuristic in the domain of game notation, derive fingering information in the domain of musical notation, and infer new information from related cartograms.
Optical/electrical correlations in ZnO. The plasmonic resonance phase diagram

Following the Drude model for dielectric constant, e(E) = (E) + i(E), the plasmonic resonance energy Eres in a semiconductor depends on four parameters: () (or ) , effective mass m*, optical mobility µopt, and optical carrier concentration nopt. By solving the Drude equation at e(Eres) = 0, we obtain a relationship between µopt and nopt at constant Eres [or wavelength res(µm) = 1.2395/Eres(eV)]. A family of µopt vs nopt curves covering a range of res values (including the limiting wavelength res = ) constitute a plasmonic resonance phase diagram (PRPD) for a semiconductor defined by only e and m*. The PRPD is a convenient instrument that allows an immediate prediction of res from Hall-effect measurements of µH and nH. Furthermore, if the µH/nH point falls outside the family of µopt vs nopt curves, it shows that no resonance at all is possible. We apply the PRPD analysis to a series of ten ZnO samples grown by pulsed laser deposition at 200 C in an ambient of 33%H2:67%Ar and annealed in 25-C steps for 10 min in air at various temperatures from 400 C to 600 C. The unannealed sample had a resistivity  = 1.67 x 10-4 -cm, nmore » = 1.39 x 1021 cm-3, and µ = 26.8 cm2/V-s, and the 600-C sample,  = 1.52 -cm, n = 5.03 x 1017 cm-3, and µ = 8.2 cm2/V-s. Each of the ten µH/nH points was plotted on the PRPD. For the samples that were annealed at 550 C or lower, the µH/nH points yielded predicted values of res that ranged from 1.07 to 2.80 µm, respectively; however, the 575-C and 600-C samples were predicted to have no resonances at all. Reflectance curves for the eight samples annealed up to 550 C de-creased slowly from 6 eV down to about 1 eV, and then increased rapidly at an energy evidently close to Eres. In contrast, there was no such increase for the 575-C and 600-C samples, and thus presumably, no resonance. Satisfactory agreement is found between the reflectance and Hall-effect-predicted values of res.« less
Sterol-dependent Transactivation of theABC1 Promoter by the Liver X Receptor/Retinoid X Receptor

Tangier disease, a condition characterized by low levels of high density lipoprotein and cholesterol accumulation in macrophages, is caused by mutations in the ATP-binding cassette transporter ABC1. In cultured macrophages, ABC1 mRNA was induced in an additive fashion by 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol and 9-cis-retinoic acid (9CRA), suggesting induction by nuclear hormone receptors of the liver X receptor (LXR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR) family. We cloned the 5′-end of the human ABC1 transcript from cholesterol-loaded THP1 macrophages. When transfected into RAW macrophages, the upstream promoter was induced 7-fold by 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol, 8-fold by 9CRA, and 37-fold by 9CRA and 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol. Furthermore, promoter activity was increased in a sterol-responsive fashion when cotransfected with LXRα/RXR or LXRβ/RXR. Further experiments identified a direct repeat spaced by four nucleotides (from −70 to −55 base pairs) as a binding site for LXRα/RXR or LXRβ/RXR. Mutations in this element abolished the sterol-mediated activation of the promoter. The results show sterol-dependent transactivation of the ABC1 promoter by LXR/RXR and suggest that small molecule agonists of LXR could be useful drugs to reverse foam cell formation and atherogenesis.
ISOLATION, ENUMERATION, AND CHARACTERISTICS OF PROTEOLYTIC RUMINAL BACTERIA

Fulghum, Robert S. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg) and W. E. C. Moore. Isolation, enumeration, and characteristics of proteolytic ruminal bacteria. J. Bacteriol. 85: 808–815. 1963.—Colony counts of proteolytic ruminal bacteria in the order of 10 9 organisms per g of whole rumen contents, and total colony counts in the order of 2 to 3 × 10 9 organisms per g, were obtained from rumen contents of cattle fed a maintenance ration of hay and grain. The proteolytic counts averaged 38% of the total counts. An anaerobic, differential medium characterizing proteolytic colonies by clear zones in an opaque skim-milk suspension was utilized. Proteolytic isolates were assigned to the following taxa: Butyrivibrio sp., Succinivibrio sp., Selenomonas ruminantium var. lactilytica, Borrelia sp., Bacteroides sp., and selenomonadlike organisms similar to the B-385 group of Bryant.
Continuous Quality Improvement for Point-of-Care Testing Using Background Monitoring of Duplicate Specimens

Abstract Context.—Despite compliance with quality control standards, concerns remain as to the accuracy and reliability of point-of-care testing. Objective.—To assess a practical method for quality improvement using the context in which point-of-care testing is done. Design.—Quality measures for point-of-care testing, making use of natural duplication of results obtained by other testing methods, were used to monitor testing quality and evaluate quality improvement interventions. Setting.—Five adult intensive care units (total of 88 beds) in a large academic medical center, using point-of-care testing for blood gases, electrolytes, and hematocrit levels. Participants.—Nurses performing bedside testing and laboratory personnel assigned the responsibility for supervising their performance. Interventions.—Quality of testing was monitored continuously, and, where problems were identified, training and support interventions implemented, and their effects evaluated. Main Outcome Measures.—Improvement in correla...
Accelerators and the Regional Supply of Venture Capital Investment

Recent years have seen the rapid emergence of a new type of program aimed at seeding startup companies. These programs, often referred to as accelerators, differ from previously known seed-stage institutions such as incubators and angel groups. While proliferation of such accelerators is evident, evidence on efficacy and role of these programs is scant. Nonetheless, local governments and founders of such programs often cite the motivation for their establishment and funding as the desire to transform their local economies through the establishment of a startup technology cluster in their region. In this paper, we attempt to assess the impact that such programs can have on the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the regions in which they are established, by exploring the effects of accelerators on the availability and provision of seed and early stage venture capital funding in the local region.
Book Review: Ethnic Cleansing and the Indian: the Crime that Should Haunt America

This critical review examines the recent monograph by Gary C. Anderson, Ethnic Cleansing and the Indian. Although Anderson's work gives a comprehensive overview of how Native Americans were forced from their homelands by European and American settler-expansion, the author's analysis is weakened by his refusal to consider that many of the Indigenous groups may have experienced this process as genocide.
Nano-photonic phenomena in van der Waals heterostructures (Presentation Recording)

van der Waals (vdW) crystals consist of individual atomic planes coupled by vdW interaction, similar to graphene monolayers in bulk graphite. We investigated van der Waals heterostructures assembled from atomically thin layers of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). We launched, detected and imaged plasmonic, phonon polaritonic and hybrid plasmon-phonon polariton waves in a setting of an antenna based nano-infrared apparatus. Hyperbolic phonon polaritons in hBN enabled sub-diffractional focusing in infrared frequencies. Because electronic, plasmonic and phonon polaritonic properties in van der Waals heterstructures are intertwined, gate voltage and/or details of layer assembly enable efficient control of nano-photonic effects.
Functional Measures Developed for Clinical Populations Identified Impairment Among Active Workers with Upper Extremity Disorders

Purpose Few studies have explored measures of function across a range of health outcomes in a general working population. Using four upper extremity (UE) case definitions from the scientific literature, we described the performance of functional measures of work, activities of daily living, and overall health. Methods A sample of 573 workers completed several functional measures: modified recall versions of the QuickDASH, Levine Functional Status Scale (FSS), DASH Work module (DASH-W), and standard SF-8 physical component score. We determined case status based on four UE case definitions: (1) UE symptoms, (2) UE musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), (3) carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and (4) work limitations due to UE symptoms. We calculated effect sizes for each case definition to show the magnitude of the differences that were detected between cases and non-cases for each case definition on each functional measure. Sensitivity and specificity analyses showed how well each measure identified functional impairments across the UE case definitions. Results All measures discriminated between cases and non-cases for each case definition with the largest effect sizes for CTS and work limitations, particularly for the modified FSS and DASH-W measures. Specificity was high and sensitivity was low for outcomes of UE symptoms and UE MSD in all measures. Sensitivity was high for CTS and work limitations. Conclusions Functional measures developed specifically for use in clinical, treatment-seeking populations may identify mild levels of impairment in relatively healthy, active working populations, but measures performed better among workers with CTS or those reporting limitations at work.
Calculator Use on NAEP: A Look at Fourth- and Eighth-Grade Mathematics Achievement.

This article summarizes research conducted on calculator block items from the 2007 fourth- and eighth-grade National Assessment of Educational Progress Main Mathematics. Calculator items from the assessment were categorized into two categories: problem-solving items and noncomputational mathematics concept items. A calculator has the potential to be used as a problem-solving tool for items categorized in the first category. On the other hand, there are no practical uses for calculators for noncomputational mathematics concept items. Item-level performance data were disaggregated by student-reported calculator use to investigate the differences in achievement of those fourth- and eighth-grade students who chose to use calculators versus those who did not, and whether or not the nation's fourth and eighth graders are able to identify items where calculator use serves as an aide for solving a given mathematical problem. Results from the analysis show that eighth graders, in particular, benefit most from the use of calculators on problem-solving items. A small percentage of students at both grade levels attempted to use a calculator to solve problems in the noncomputational mathematics concept category (items in which the use of a calculator does not serve as a tool to solve the problem).
Gefitinib NSCLC maintenance therapy.

Dr. Zhang and co-authors have demonstrated that gefitinib “maintenance therapy” of newly diagnosed east Asian non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who were progression-free after four cycles of platinum-based doublet chemotherapy, resulted in a significant increase in progression free survival (PFS) and objective response rate without a concomitant increase in overall survival (OS).
Development of childhood allergy in infants fed breast, soy, or cow milk

Abstract Seventeen hundred and fifty-three infants fed breast, soy, or cow milk from birth to 6 months of age were followed for varying periods to 7 years to observe the development of childhood allergy. There were 45.8 per cent with an immediate family history of allergy, 15.6 per cent with a remote history, and 38.6 per cent with a negative history. Allergy occurred in 218 (12.4 per cent), 132 males, 86 females. The development of allergy was similar in the 3 milk groups. The cow group showed allergy earlier than the breast group. Diet did not affect the incidence of the allergic diseases. In 218 allergic children, gastrointestinal allergy occurred in 13 per cent, atopic dermatitis in 33 per cent, urticaria in 8.0 per cent, allergic rhinitis in 50 per cent, and asthma in 43 per cent. Feeding egg yolk before 3 weeks of age or after 6 months of age did not affect the development of allergy. Allergy to soy milk occurred in 0.5 per cent; to cow milk, in 1.8 per cent. The incidence of allergy by family history showed significant differences: immediate, 15.6 per cent; remote, 12.1 per cent; and negative, 8.8 per cent. In the immediate group, allergy occurred earlier and asthma and allergic rhinitis more often. Feeding breast or soy milk in place of proprietary liquid cow milk from birth to 6 months did not affect the development of childhood allergy.
A New Species of Dirhagus with Notes on Other Eucnemidae (Coleoptera)

Male .—Slender, elongate, subcylindrical;1 dark brown, clothed with short recumbent brown pubescence. Head convex; clypeal margin sinuately rounded in front, margin greater than width between antennae; surface finely punctured; antennae when laid along side, extending to apical third of elytra, tapering in width toward outer joints, scape stout, second joint about as long as broad, third joint as long as scape, fourth to tenth joints inclusive of equal length, shorter than third, eleventh longer than third, third to tenth inclusive serrate.
A parametrically-defined nearest neighbor distance measure

A parametrically-directed nearest neighbor procedure is developed to reduce the error between asymptotic and finite sample risk. Two examples are given.
A resource-based perspective on information technology, policy, and environmental performance

Title IV of the Clean Air Act (CAA) amendment of 1990 required electric utilities to install continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) -- technology that provides continuous information on the emission of certain hazardous pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrous oxide (NOX) that cause acid rain - in their power plants. The information gained from CEMS in power plants was used in an emissions trading program to curb the emission of these hazardous pollutants. This paper investigates whether the use of Information System (IS) technology such as the CEMS are helpful in changing a plant's emission levels. Results suggest that the interaction of cap-and-trade policy with CEMS is crucial to reduce emission of hazardous pollutants thereby improving environmental performance. At the same time, installation of CEMS also provided complementary benefits to power plants in curbing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions not regulated under Title IV of the 1990 amendment of the CAA.
CFO Fiduciary Responsibilities and Annual Bonus Incentives

We examine how firms design bonus plans of their CFOs. CFOs participate in decision making much like other executives, but they also have significant fiduciary responsibilities for reporting firms’ financial results. Responsibility for financial reporting raises the question of whether it is appropriate to pay CFOs annual bonuses contingent on self-reported financial performance. In this paper, we provide a framework that characterizes CFO bonuses as a tradeoff between CFOs’ decision-making responsibilities and their fiduciary duties over financial reporting. This framework yields a number of implications that we examine empirically using a proprietary survey of CFO compensation practices of public and private firms. Our main finding shows that from 2003 to 2007 public entities (relative to private entities) reduced the percentage of CFO bonuses contingent on financial performance. We interpret this result as evidence that firms mitigate misreporting practices in part by deemphasizing CFO incentive compensation.
Diagnosis and management of ectopic varices

Abstract Ectopic varices are large portosystemic collaterals in locations other than the gastroesophageal region. They account for up to 5% of all variceal bleeding; however, hemorrhage can be massive with mortality reaching up to 40%. Given their sporadic nature, literature is limited to case reports, small case series and reviews, without guidelines on management. As the source of bleeding can be obscure, the physician managing such a patient needs to establish diagnosis early. Multislice computed tomography with contrast and reformatted images is a rapid and validated modality in establishing diagnosis. Further management is dictated by location, underlying cause of ectopic varices and available expertise. Therapeutic options may include double balloon enteroscopy, transcatheter embolization or sclerotherapy, with or without portosystemic decompression, i.e., transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts. In this article we review the prevalence, etiopathogenesis, anatomy, presentation, and diagnosis of ectopic varices with emphasis on recent advances in management.
Modulation of STAT signaling by STAT-interacting proteins

STATs (signal transducer and activator of transcription) play important roles in numerous cellular processes including immune responses, cell growth and differentiation, cell survival and apoptosis, and oncogenesis. In contrast to many other cellular signaling cascades, the STAT pathway is direct: STATs bind to receptors at the cell surface and translocate into the nucleus where they function as transcription factors to trigger gene activation. However, STATs do not act alone. A number of proteins are found to be associated with STATs. These STAT-interacting proteins function to modulate STAT signaling at various steps and mediate the crosstalk of STATs with other cellular signaling pathways. This article reviews the roles of STAT-interacting proteins in the regulation of STAT signaling.
The preparation of a cellulose derivative of ribonucleosides and ribonucleic acids and its proposed use for ribonucleic acid sequence studies

Abstract A cellulose derivative of ribonucleosides and ribonucleic acids has been prepared which utilizes the reaction of p -hydrazinobenzyl cellulose with the dialdehyde formed by periodate oxidation of ribonucleosides or acids. The ribonucleosides or ribonucleic acid dialdehydes thus reacted can be removed from the modified cellulose using benzaldehyde. It is also possible to degrade the attached ribonucleic acid with pancreatic ribonuclease (EC 2.7.7.16) before removal from the cellulose. The application of these reactions toward sequence studies of riibonucleic acid is discussed.
Exchange versus simple transfusion for acute chest syndrome in sickle cell anemia adults

BACKGROUND There are scant data regarding the relative efficacy of exchange transfusion (XC) versus simple transfusion (ST) for treatment of sickle cell anemia acute chest syndrome (ACS). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Twenty patients who received XC for ACS were compared with 20 ST patients. Hemoglobin (Hb) levels, platelet and white blood cell counts, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), indirect bilirubin, and temperature were used to assess disease severity. Primary outcome was postprocedure length of hospital stay; secondary outcome was total length of stay. RESULTS Cohorts were similar with regard to age; sex; prior ACS episodes; echocardiogram results; and antibiotic, bronchodilator, and hydroxyurea use. Maximum temperature recorded was higher in the XC group (39.1 degrees C vs. 38.4 degrees C, p = 0.02), but LDH, WBCs, and indirect bilirubin were comparable. Admission Hb levels were higher for XC (XC 8.6 g/dL vs. ST 7.4 g/dL, p = 0.02) and XC had higher peak Hb levels during hospitalization (10.4 +/- 1.4 g/dL vs. 9.3 +/- 1.0 g/dL, p < or = 0.01). No differences were demonstrable in postprocedure length of stay (XC 5.6 days vs. ST 5.9 days, p = 0.82) or total length of stay (XC 8.4 days vs. ST 8.0 days, p = 0.76). A total of 10.3 +/- 3.0 units were transfused for XC compared to 2.4 +/- 1.2 units for ST (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Based on postprocedure length of stay or total length of stay, we could not detect a difference in the efficacy of XC compared to ST in populations despite red blood cell product usage fourfold higher in the XC group. We suggest that it is time for an adequately powered, randomized trial to examine the true risk:benefit ratio of XC in ACS.
Kinetic evaluation of the effects of bioavailability of organic ligands on biodegradation in the presence of common sesquioxide grain coatings

Radionuclides and metals can be mobilized by chelating agents typically present in low-level radioactive liquid wastes that are disposed of in shallow land trenches; persistence of the organic chelating agent in the subsurface environment is a critical control on solubilization and transport of the complexed nuclide. Low-molecular-weight organic compounds are susceptible to uptake by bacteria, yet the biodegradation rates of nuclide-ligand complexes in a mixture of solids (soil minerals) and liquids (ground water) are poorly known. We investigated the rate of citrate uptake in the presence of cobalt by a mixed bacterial community under experimental conditions designed to explore the impacts of citrate concentration, temperature, and chemistry of mineral surfaces. Dilute solutions with a typical sandy-aquifer groundwater composition and equimolar amounts of cobalt and citrate ranging from 4 to 320 μM were combined with four different sand treatments: uncoated quartz sand, Fe-coated quartz sand, Mn-coated quartz sand, and no sand. Mineralization (net 14CO2 produced) and assimilation (14C retained on a 0.2-μm filter) were quantified. Initial rates of citrate mineralization and of assimilation were independent of temperature in the presence of Fe- and Mn-coated sands but were lower at lower temperatures (15°C versus 25°C) for the no-sand and the uncoated sand, but the fraction of total carbon taken up (respiration plus assimilation) that the cells assimilated was greater at 15°C than at 25°C. In the presence of Fe-coated sand, the mixed culture assimilated a greater fraction of carbon at both temperatures. The van Slyke equation, based on a model of sequential irreversible reactions, was fit to the results of the heterotrophic uptake experiments. The estimated value of the van Slyke constant indicated that mass-transfer constraints limited the overall rate of citrate uptake, and that biokinetic limitations became more important at the lower temperature for the no-sand and uncoated sand treatments. The sorption of citrate to the sand surface did not limit the rate of uptake. Further, complexation with cobalt did not alter the rate of citrate degradation or the rate of bacterial growth. The results suggest that transmembrane citrate transport limited the rate of uptake. The benefit that the bacteria derived from being associated with the solid sand surface was not directly related to the extent of citrate sorption, but might have resulted from a local elevation in the concentration of nutrients (e.g., P or N) available to the adsorbed bacteria, which may have allowed a more efficient processing of carbon into biomass. Sesquioxide coatings enhance the sorptive properties of the mineral grains, and in these experiments, the bacteria derived benefit from being associated with the solid sand surface.
Comparison of low-abundance biomarker levels in capillary-collected nonstimulated tears and washout tears of aqueous-deficient and normal patients.

Purpose Low tear volume limits the use of nonstimulated (NS) microcapillary tear collection in aqueous-deficient (AD) patients. Adding a small amount of "washout" fluid to the eye prior to tear collection is a potentially viable alternative method for abundant proteins, but is relatively untested for low-abundance biomarkers. This study determined the feasibility of the washout (WO) method as an NS alternative for low-abundance biomarkers. NS and WO biomarker profiles were compared between AD patients and non-AD controls to determine if the two methods identify the same intergroup differences. Methods Matching NS and WO tears were collected from 48 patients by micropipette, the WO sample after instillation of 10 μL saline. Tear cytokine levels were measured by 27-Plex Bio-Rad assay. Bland-Altman analyses for each biomarker determined the agreement between tear sample types. Patients were grouped as AD or non-AD based on Schirmer score to determine if NS profile between-group differences were preserved in WO tears. Results Bland-Altman plots showed good biomarker level agreement between NS and WO tears for most cytokines. Five biomarkers, among those most often cited as differing in AD dry eye, differed significantly between non-AD and AD groups in both tear types. Additional biomarker differences were seen in NS tears only. Conclusions The WO tear collection method is a viable alternative to NS tears for many low-abundance biomarkers and is able to replicate major NS tear differences between dry eye groups. More subtle intergroup differences are lost in WO samples because of reduced statistical power.
Amorphization of Crystalline Phase Change Material by Ion Implantation

Germanium ion implantation at an energy of 30 keV was used as a different method to re-amorphize thin films of crystalline phase change material Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST). It was found that rather low doses of 5×1013 cm-2 were sufficient to re-amorphize GST. Amorphization was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) as well as reflectivity measurements. Re-crystallization characteristics of ion-implantation-amorphized samples was studied using time-resolved XRD. It showed that samples re-crystallize at an increased crystallization temperature with increasing dose compared to as-deposited material. A static laser tester was applied to measure the crystallization times of material that was (1) as–deposited amorphous; (2) crystallized by annealing and re-amorphized by melt-quenching using a laser pulse; and (3) crystallized by annealing and re-amorphized by ion implantation. It was found that as-deposited amorphous and high-dose ion implanted samples had longer crystallization times while melt-quenched amorphous and low-dose ion implanted samples had shorter crystallization times.
Bone age assessment in Hispanic children: digital hand atlas compared with the Greulich and Pyle (G&P) atlas

ABSTRACT Bone age assessment is most co mmonly performed with the use of the Greulich and Pyle (G&P) book atlas, which was developed in the 1950s. The population of theUnited States is not as homogenous as the Caucasian popula tion in the Greulich and Pyle in the 1950s, especially in the Los Angeles, California area. A digital hand atlas (DHA) based on 1,390 hand images of children of different racial backgrounds (Caucasian, African American, Hispanic, and Asian) aged 0-18 years was collected from Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Statistical analysis discovered significant discrepancies exist between Hispanic a nd the G&P atlas standard. To validate the usage of DHA as a clinical standard, diagnostic radiologists performed reads on Hisp anic pediatric hand and wrist computed radiography im ages using either the G&P pediatric radiographic atlas or the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Digital Hand Atlas (DHA) as reference. The order in which the atlas is used (G&P followed by DHA or vice versa) for each image was prepared before actual reading begins. Statistical analysis of the results was then performed to determine if a discrepancy exists between the two readings. Keyword : Bone Age Assessment, Digital Hand Atlas
Characterization of genetic identities and relationships of Brassica oleracea L. via a random amplified polymorphic DNA assay

Effective conservation and the use of plant genetic resources are essential for future agricultural progress. Critical to this conservation effort is the development of genetic markers which not only distinguish individuals and accessions but also reflect the inherent variation and genetic relationships among collection holdings. We have examined the applicability of the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay for quick, cost-effective, and reliable use in addressing these needs in relation to collection organization and management. Twenty-five decamer oligonucleotide primers were screened individually with a test array composed of individuals representing a range of genetic relationships in Brassica oleracea L. (vegetable and forage cole crops). Over 140 reproducible, polymorphic fragments were generated for study. Each individual of the test array exhibited a unique molecular genotype and composites specific for accessions and botanical varieties could be established. An analysis of similarity based on amplified DNA fragments reflected the known genetic relationships among the selected entries. These results demonstrated that RAPD markers can be of great value in gene bank management for purposes of identification, measurement of variation, and establishment of genetic similarity at the intraspecific level.
Influence of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae infected host cadavers or their extracts on the foliar nematode Aphelenchoides fragariae on Hosta in the greenhouse and laboratory

Abstract The influence of entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae infected wax moth, Galleria mellonella, cadavers and their extracts on the foliar nematode Aphelenchoides fragariae on hosta was studied in the greenhouse. Curative application of both cadavers and their extracts (prepared by crushing cadavers in water) in 1999 and only cadaver extract in 2000 significantly reduced A. fragariae numbers in leaves compared to the control 30 and 45 days after treatment (DAT). Both the cadavers and their extracts significantly reduced A. fragariae numbers in potting medium as compared to the control within 15, 30, and 45 DAT in both years. Preventively applied cadavers also significantly reduced A. fragariae numbers in leaves compared to the control in 2001 but not in 2002. In both years, the numbers of A. fragariae infected leaves per plant decreased in the preventive cadaver treatment compared with the control. Preventively applied cadavers significantly reduced A. fragariae numbers in the potting medium compared to the control at 30 DAT in 2002 and 150 DAT in 2001. Dead (crushed or autoclaved) S. carpocapsae caused significant mortality at 4 and 8 DAT but live S. carpocapsae had no detrimental effect on A. fragariae in water suspension. Both S. carpocapsae infected cadavers and their extracts were toxic, causing over 75% A. fragariae mortality within 2–8 DAT. Toxicity of intact cadavers to A. fragariae increased with exposure time. We conclude that both curative and preventive applications of S. carpocapsae infected host cadavers can suppress A. fragariae populations on hosta. This suppressive effect can result from toxic metabolites produced by the nematodes or their symbiotic bacteria.