cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ELEVATED SERUM MANGANESE (Mn) IN TOTAL PARENTERAL NUTRITION (TPN) CHOLESTATIC LIVER DISEASE

Mn, like copper, is an essential trace element that is excreted almost entirely via the bilary tract. Copper accumulation occurs when bile flow is compromised but similar data for Mn are not available. The objective of this study was to determine serum Mn concentrations in a patient with cholestatic liver disease who was receiving TPN. The subject was a 16 month old female, weighing 10.5 kg, with intractable diarrhea who had been receiving TPN since 1 week of age. Despite repeated attempts at partial enteral feeding, she developed progressive cholestatic liver disease. At the time of this study, liver function tests included: bilirubin 10.4 mg/dl, AST 424 IU/l, alk phos 264 IU/l. She had been receiving 2.4 mcgMn/day added to her TPN infusate. The table gives serum Mn levels determined by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry before and at progressive intervals after Mn was withheld from the infusate: Two additional patients, aged 9 and 15 months, who had also been receiving Mn in long-term TPN but had not developed significant cholestasis both had serum Mn of 1.0 ng/ml. It is suggested that intravenous Mn, as a component of TPN, be administered in reduced quantities to children with cholestatic liver disease.
Magnetotail stability and dynamics: Progress 1991–1993

The progress in investigations of magnetotail stability and dynamics is reviewed for the years 1991–1993. Major advances have been made in understanding magnetotail convection, near-tail properties relevant for substorm onset, the change of thermal plasma properties during substorms, and ion acceleration. Also, attempts have been made to integrate different aspects of substorms and different substorm models. Major outstanding problems concern the onset mechanism, electron energization, and substorm recovery.
Utilization of Allelopathy for Weed Management in Agroecosystems

Biorational alternatives are gaining increased attention for weed control because of concerns related to pesticide usage and dwindling numbers of labeled products, particularly for minor-use crops. Allelopathy offers potential for biorational weed control through the production and release of allelochemics from leaves, flowers, seeds, stems, and roots of living or decomposing plant materials. Under appropriate conditions, allelochemics may be released in quantities suppressive to developing weed seedlings. Allelochemics often exhibit selectivity, similar to synthetic herbicides. Two main approaches have been investigated for allelopathic weed suppression. One is use of living rotational crops or mulches that interfere with the growth of surrounding weeds [e.g., tall red fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb.; creeping red fescue, F. rubra L. subsp. commutata; asparagus, Asparagus officinalis L. var. altilis); sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench; alfalfa, Medicago saliva L.; black mustard, Brassica nigra (L.) Koch; and oat, Avena saliva L.]. Attempts to select germplasm with enhanced suppressive ability have been limited. The second is use of cover crop residues or living mulches to suppress weed growth for variable lengths of time (e.g., winter rye, Secale cereale L.; winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L.; and sorghum). Cover crop residues may selectively provide weed suppression through their physical presence on the soil surface and by release of allelochemics or microbially altered allelochemics. The ability to understand the physiological basis for allelopathy in a crop plant may allow the weed scientist or ecologist to work closely with molecular biologists or traditional plant breeders to selectively enhance the traits responsible for weed suppression.
Self-help manuals for the control of nervous habits: A comparative investigation*

This study evaluated the effectiveness of two commercially published manuals for the control of fingernail biting ( Azrin & Nunn, 1977 ; Perkins & Perkins, 1976 ) against a self-observation control condition. The three treatments were crossed with two conditions of administration (self-administered and therapist administered) in a 3×2 factorial design. Forty-one adults from the community, with an average nailbiting history of 21 years participated in 3-week treatment programs and a 6-week follow-up. Subjects in all conditions were able to modify their naibiting habit substantially, as indicated by nail length, nail appearance, and self-monitored frequency of nailbiting measures. Posttreatment improvements were maintained during the follow-up period. There were no differential effects of either type of treatment or condition of administration; thus the self-administered conditions proved to be more cost-effective.
Distributed fault detection in interconnected nonlinear uncertain systems

In this paper, a distributed fault detection method is developed for a class of interconnected nonlinear uncertain systems. The interconnection between neighboring subsystems is unknown, but assumed to be bounded by a function of system states, inputs and outputs. A fault detection component is designed for each subsystem in the interconnected system by utilizing local measurements and certain communicated information from neighboring fault detection components associated with subsystems that are directly interconnected to the particular subsystem under consideration. Under certain assumptions, adaptive thresholds for distributed fault detection in each subsystem are derived, ensuring robustness with respect to interconnections among subsystems and system modeling uncertainty. Moreover, the fault detectability condition is rigorously investigated, characterizing the class of faults in each subsystem that are detectable by the proposed method. A multimachine power system simulation example is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the method.
Gold Nanoparticle-Based Biodetection for Chip-Based Portable Diagnosis Systems

We review the past development of highly sensitive and selective gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based assays of protein and DNA biomarkers for chip-based detection systems. The microfluidic systems, various assays, and preliminary laboratory results are shown. AuNP-based biodetection assays provide low detection threshold, offering promises for multiplexed diagnostics of many forms of disease markers.
An improved flow evaluation scheme in orifices of different aspect ratios

An accurate and reliable method of regurgitant flow calculation is currently unavailable. The goal of this study was to define a new general method of flow calculation for orifices of different aspect ratios. The success of the method relies on matching the imaged flow field distribution obtained by color flow mapping (CFM) to a three-dimensional (3D) numerical flow field distribution of known geometry. The flow field in three orifices of identical cross-sectional area with aspect ratios of 1 (circular), 2 and 4 (elliptical) was evaluated by: (a) CFM, (b) 3D echocardiographic imaging, and (c) 3D finite element modeling (FEM). The orifice shape and size were accurately estimated by 3D echocardiographic imaging. FEM showed that the normalized centerline velocity profile of the flow field depends on the orifice aspect ratio. CFM provided a good description of the centerline profile for each case. For a given distance from the orifice center, the equivelocity contour surface area increases with increasing aspect ratio. A simple flow calculation scheme was developed to calculate regurgitant flow independent of orifice shape. This improved method showed better results than previous studies and may prove to be advantageous when analyzing in vivo flow fields with complex geometries.
Molecular Determinants of the Caspase-promoting Activity of Smac/DIABLO and Its Role in the Death Receptor Pathway

Smac/DIABLO is a mitochondrial protein that is released along with cytochrome c during apoptosis and promotes cytochrome c-dependent caspase activation by neutralizing inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). We provide evidence that Smac/DIABLO functions at the levels of both the Apaf-1-caspase-9 apoptosome and effector caspases. The N terminus of Smac/DIABLO is absolutely required for its ability to interact with the baculovirus IAP repeat (BIR3) of XIAP and to promote cytochrome c-dependent caspase activation. However, it is less critical for its ability to interact with BIR1/BIR2 of XIAP and to promote the activity of the effector caspases. Consistent with the ability of Smac/DIABLO to function at the level of the effector caspases, expression of a cytosolic Smac/DIABLO in Type II cells allowed TRAIL to bypass Bcl-xL inhibition of death receptor-induced apoptosis. Combined, these data suggest that Smac/DIABLO plays a critical role in neutralizing IAP inhibition of the effector caspases in the death receptor pathway of Type II cells.
Components of the heme biosynthetic pathway and mixed function oxidase activity in human fetal tissues.

Abstract Components of the enzyme systems involved in heme biosynthesis and mixed function oxidase activity were examined in tissues from human fetuses between the ages of 10.8 and 17.5 weeks, aborted by hysterotomy. The activity of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase (ALAS) was highest in liver, and successively lower in adrenal, placenta, kidney and lung. The mean level of ALAS activity in fetal liver [61.9 ± 13.4(S.E.)nmoles ALA/g/hr] was three times higher than the level reported in human adult liver. ALAS activity was directly correlated with the concentrations of porphyrins in liver, lung and placenta ( r = 0.96). Protoporphyrin predominated in liver, while coproporphyrin predominated in lung and kidney. Ferrochelatase measured in livers from two fetuses (47.5 and 60.2 nmoles heme/g/hr) was sufficient to account for complete conversion to heme of the ALA produced by ALAS. As with other species, ALAS and ferrochelatase were found mainly in the mitochondrial subfraction of cells. Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylation (AHH) could be measured in liver, adrenal, lung, kidney, intestine and placenta, but aminopyrine demethylation could not. In the adrenal, the concentration of cytochrome P-450 (1.92 nmoles/mg of microsomal protein) and mean AHH activity [258.2 ± 36.6 (S.E.) pmoles 3-OH benzo(a)pyrene/mg of protein/hr] were both four times higher than in the liver. In the fetal liver, the mean concentration of P-450 was within the range reported for human adult liver, but the activity of AHH [55.1 ± 17.3 (S.E.) pmoles/mg of protein/hr] was only 2 per cent of the activity reported for the adult. Cytochrome P-450 could not be detected in kidney or lung, though low levels of AHH were found (7.1 and 7.2 pmoles/mg of protein/hr). The presence of higher levels of ALAS and lower levels of cytochrome P-450 and AHH in the fetal liver than in the adrenal indicates that the activity of the heme biosynthetic pathway is not the main determinant of hemoprotein concentration and the extent of mixed function oxidase activity in human fetal tissues. The data also suggest that limitations in heme and hemoprotein synthesis may contribute to the very low mixed function oxidase activity in human fetal lung and kidney, but that other factors must account for the disparity in hepatic mixed function oxidase activity between the human fetus and adult.
Effect of maturation on loblolly pine breeding and seed orchards

Abstract Since virtually all loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda L.) seed production and breeding orchards are established by grafting, and since advanced generation breeding of this species is being accelerated, the ability of scions from young trees to flower must be considered. The results of experiments on the effect of scion age on flowering are discussed. One-year-old scions are initially almost incompetent reproductively, but reproductive competence increases rapidly between ages 1 and 4. More rapid vegetative growth by young scions will result in larger tree size, which might offset lack of early flowering in a long-lived seed production orchard. But scions from young ortets could result in a substantial delay in breeding progress. Flower stimulation treatments may only partially offset reproductive incompetence due to juvenility.
Vanadium-Induced κ B-Dependent Transcription Depends upon Peroxide-Induced Activation of the p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase

Activation of nuclear factor (NF)- κ B and subsequent proinflammatory gene expression in human airway epithelial cells can be evoked by oxidative stress. In this study we examined signal transduction pathways activated by vanadyl sulfate (VIV)–induced oxidative stress in normal human bronchial epithelial cells. Both nuclear translocation of NF- κ B and enhanced κ B-dependent transcription induced by VIV were inhibited by overexpression of catalase, but not Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), indicating that peroxides rather than superoxides initiated signaling. Catalase selectively blocked the response to VIV because it inhibited neither NF- κ B translocation nor κ B-dependent transcription evoked by the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α . The VIV-induced κ B-dependent transcription was dependent upon activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase because overexpression of dominant-negative mutants of the p38 MAPK pathway inhibited VIV-induced κ B-dependent transcription....
Update On The University Of Arizona's Advanced X-Ray Imager

A novel x-ray imaging device is under development for use in high resolution imaging applications such as coronary angiography. It consists of a six inch diameter, external CsI x-ray sensor, coupled fiber optically to a proximity focussed image intensifier. The image intensifier is coupled through a coplanar fiber optic taper assembly to six CCD's for readout. Analog and digital electronics have been developed to combine the six individual images to a composite image of 1152 by 1152 pixels and display that image in full resolution on a physician's workstation. Distortions as caused by the fiber optic taper assembly are minimal (mostly less than 2% and often less than 1%) and can be corrected in software. The light output of the external sensors is lower than expected. The proximity focussed image intensifiers show field emission points and black ("dead") spots of non-response of the photocathode and are virtually useless.
A Low-Loss Double-Tuned Transformer

In this letter, we present a state-of-the-art, planar double-tuned transformer using high-, micromachined spiral inductors and integrated capacitors. This circuit provides a 4:1 impedance transformation over a 30% bandwidth centered at 4.06 GHz, with a minimum insertion loss of 1.50 dB. The fabricated circuit occupies a total area of 440 times 500 mum2and finds application in power amplifier and other matching applications. An accurate lumped-element circuit model and design tradeoffs are presented. We believe this is the first implementation of a planar microwave double-tuned transformer.
Masking of Nontumorous Antigens for Development of Human Tumor Nucleolar Antibodies with Improved Specificity

Nucleoli purified from HeLa cells were spread by homogenization in low ionic strength buffer and by chelation of divalent cations. The antigenic determinants of these tumor nucleoli that are shared by normal liver nucleoli were masked by addition of rabbit anti-liver nucleolar antisera to form immune complexes. New Zealand White rabbits were immunized with these antibody-nucleolar complexes. The resulting antisera produced nucleolar fluorescence in HeLa cells but not in normal human liver or human kidney cells. One- and two-dimensional immunoblots identified a major Mr 58,000/pl 5.8 antigen in HeLa cells, which was not detected on corresponding immunoblots of normal human liver nucleoli. This method offers an improved approach to selection of tumor-associated antigens.
Visual and olfactory disruption of orientation by the western pine beetle to attractant-baited traps

Olfactory deterrents have been proposed as tree protectants against attack by bark beetles, but their development has been hindered by a lack of knowledge of host selection behavior. Among the primary tree-killing (aggressive) Dendroctonus, vision appears to be an integral part of the host selection process. We evaluated the importance of vision in host finding by D. brevicomis LeConte, and our ability to affect it by modifying the visual stimulus provided by attractant-baited multiple-funnel traps. White-painted traps caught ∼42% fewer D. brevicomis than black traps in California, USA (P 0.05). Our results demonstrate that the visual component of D. brevicomis host finding behavior can be manipulated, but that D. brevicomis may be more affected by olfactory than visual disruptants. In contrast, visual disruption is more pronounced in the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, suggesting that non-insecticidal tree protection strategies for these related species should differ.
Assessing the Mediation of a Fuller Social Learning Model on Low Self-Control’s Influence on Software Piracy

Researchers have explored the empirical validity of linking key concepts from Gottfredson and Hirschi’s general theory of crime and Akers’ social learning theory. Much of this research, however, has neither included measures of differential reinforcement and imitation nor operationalized the social learning process as a second-order latent construct as supported by Akers and other scholars. Thus, in this study, the authors used structural equation modeling to examine both the direct effect of low self-control and its indirect effect via a fuller measure of the social learning process on software piracy to improve our understanding of this specific phenomenon and to also provide further insight on the empirical validity of linking concepts from these two theories. They found that the indirect effect of self-control via the social learning process on piracy was greater than its direct effect. In addition, as levels of low self-control increased, the probability of software piracy actually decreased when con...
Control of ethylene‐mediated processes in tomato at the level of receptors

The plant hormone ethylene controls many aspects of development and response to the environment. In tomato, ethylene is an essential component of flower senescence, organ abscission, adventitious root initiation, and fruit ripening. Responses to ethylene are also critical for aspects of biotic and abiotic stress responses. Clearly, much of the control of these events occurs at the level of hormone synthesis. However, it is becoming apparent that levels of the ethylene receptors are also highly regulated. The tomato ethylene receptors are encoded by a family of six genes. Levels of expression of these genes are spatially and temporally controlled throughout development. Further, a subset of the receptor genes respond to external stimuli. Genetic and biochemical evidence supports a model in which the ethylene receptors act as negative regulators of downstream responses; in the absence of ethylene, receptors actively suppress expression of ethylene responsive genes. Consistent with this model, a reduction in the overall level of receptor increases ethylene responsiveness of a tissue while higher expression of receptor decreases ethylene sensitivity. Evidence to support this model will be presented.
Non-Mendelian inheritance of macronuclear mutations is gene specific in Paramecium tetraurelia

Paramecium tetraurelia contains two types of nuclei, a diploid germinal micronucleus and a large transcriptionally active macronucleus. The macronuclear genome is formed from the micronuclear DNA during sexual reproduction. Previous studies have shown that the processing of the A-type variable surface protein gene during formation of a new macronucleus is dependent on the presence of the A gene in the old macronucleus. It is not clear if this is a general feature that controls the formation of the Paramecium macronuclear genome or a unique feature of the A locus. Using micronuclear transplantation, we have constructed a strain that has a wild-type micronucleus but has macronuclear deletions of the A- and B-type surface protein genes. Neither the A nor the B gene is incorporated into the new macronucleus after sexual reproduction. Macronuclear transformation of this strain with the B gene rescues the B-gene deletion after formation of the next macronucleus but has not effect on the A deletion. Similarly, transformation with the A gene shows gene-specific rescue for A but not B. The effect of the old macronucleus on the processing of the new macronucleus results in a pattern of non-Mendelian inheritance of both macronuclear deletions. Progeny from the wild-type exconjugant are all wild type, and progeny from the A- B- exconjugant are mutant. The features of this A- B- non-Mendelian mutant demonstrate that the regulation of macronuclear DNA processing is gene specific, and our results open the possibility that this type of regulation affects many regions of the Paramecium genome.
Growth Inhibitory Effect of Certain Polysaccharides for Chickens

Abstract IT IS well-known that the growth of chickens is inhibited if their diet contains either linseed meal (Kratzer and Williams, 1948; MacGregor and McGinnis, 1948), or ground carobs (Kratzer and Williams, 1951; Bornstein et al., 1963), or guar meal (Borcher and Ackerson, 1950; Vohra and Kratzer, 1964). In each case, the feces of the chickens were extremely sticky and tended to paste up the vent. Linseed meal loses its growth-inhibitory properties if it is given a preliminary water treatment; or if the pyridoxine content of the diet is increased (Kratzer and Williams, 1948; MacGregor and McGinnis, 1948). Similar treatment of ground carobs gave either very slight but significant (Kratzer and Williams, 1951), or no growth improvement (Bornstein et al., 1963) of chicks. Our unpublished studies indicate that guar meal is not improved either by treatment with water or by the addition of pyridoxine. Linseed meal, carob and guar seeds are…
Creating a Regional Pediatric Medical Disaster Preparedness Network: Imperative and Issues

Over the past few decades, the number of disasters, both natural and human initiated has increased. As a result, since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, there has been a new emphasis on disaster preparedness. However, the preparedness emphasis has been primarily directed toward adults and little attention has been specifically given to the needs of children.
A Bidirectional Regulation between the TR2/TR4 Orphan Receptors (TR2/TR4) and the Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF) Signaling Pathway*

Previously, we reported that the nuclear orphan receptor TR4 could induce transcriptional activity via the 5th intron of the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) alpha receptor gene (CNTFR-I5). Here we show CNTF could increase TR4 expression and enhance the DNA-binding capacity of TR4. Interestingly, the expression of TR2, a close family member of TR4, could also be induced by CNTF. In return, TR2 induced CNTFRalpha transcriptional activity through binding to a direct repeat response element of AGGTCA within CNTFR-I5. The possibility of this mutual influence between TR2 and the CNTF signaling was further strengthened by in situ hybridization. Similar expression patterns of TR2 and CNTFRalpha were observed in most of the developing neural structures such as the ganglia, neural epithelia, spinal cord, and the periventricular areas of brain. Together, our data suggest that an interaction between TR2/TR4 and the CNTF signaling pathway may occur, supporting the hypothesis that TR2/TR4 may play important roles in neurogenesis.
Temperature and Magnetic Field Dependence of Critical Current Density of YBCO With Varying Flux Pinning Additions

The critical current density (Jc) of YBa2Cu3O7-z films doped with varying flux pinning nanoparticle additions was systematically studied, for applied magnetic fields of H = 0-9 T and operation temperatures T = 20-77 K. Films were prepared with pulsed laser deposition by (M/YBCO)N multilayer or (YBCO)1-xMx single-target methods, for different M phases including Y2O3, Y2BaCuO5 (Y211) green-phase, and BaZrO3. Very significant differences of Jc(H//c,20-77 K) were measured for optimized M phase additions, that are difficult to model or predict at present. Multilayer films with Y211 and Y2O3 nanoparticle additions had the highest Jc (20-77 K) for H 4 T and 65-77 K, however not for T 2 T) had the strongest properties increasing 70% compared to YBCO+nanoaddition films and increasing 400% compared to YBCO.
The rise and fall of rosiglitazone.

This editorial refers to ‘Heart failure events with rosiglitazone in type 2 diabetes: data from the RECORD clinical trial’[†][1], by M. Komajda et al. on page 824 Komajda et al. have described the increased incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF) in patients treated with rosiglitazone in the RECORD Trial (Rosiglitazone Evaluated for Cardiac Outcomes and Regulation of Glycaemia in Diabetes).1 This study is the latest chapter in the tortured saga of rosiglitazone, a drug that was once the largest selling diabetes therapy in the world.2 The rise and fall of rosiglitazone raises critical scientific and ethical questions about drug development and marketing, with profound consequences, including the recent decision by US regulatory authorities to require cardiovascular outcome studies for all new diabetes drugs.3 Rosiglitazone and related thiazolidindiones (TZDs) are modulators of nuclear receptor proteins known as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) that function as transcription factors regulating expression of genes. Of the many subclasses of PPAR modulators, two types have been marketed, PPARα agents, such as fenofibrate, that affect lipid metabolism, and PPARγ agents, such as rosiglitazone, that act as insulin sensitizers. One marketed TZD, pioglitazone, is considered a dual PPAR agonist, with modest α effects and strong γ effects. PPARs influence a large number of genes, perhaps 100 or more, most of which have unknown biological effects. Accordingly, the effects of these agents are unpredictable and can result in unusual toxicities. Indeed, during the past decade, >50 PPAR agonists have failed during clinical development, some due to cardiotoxicity,4 although few publications have detailed the precise toxicity encountered. One agent, muraglitazar, was recommended for approval by a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel, but ultimately not approved after a meta-analysis of clinical trials obtained from FDA documents revealed an approximate doubling of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. … *Corresponding author: Tel: +1 216 445 6852, Fax: +1 216 445 6855, Email: Nissens{at}ccf.org [1]: #fn-2
The antiviral spectrum of Listerine antiseptic

The mechanism of activity and the antiviral spectrum of Listerine antiseptic have not been examined thoroughly. We therefore tested its effect on laboratory strains of herpes simplex type 1 and type 2 (enveloped DNA viruses), influenza A virus (enveloped RNA virus), rotavirus (nonenveloped RNA virus), and adenovirus type 5 (nonenveloped DNA virus). Each virus was mixed with an equal volume of Listerine for 30 seconds to 5 minutes, and the residual infectivity of the virus was assessed. An antiviral effect was defined as greater than 95% reduction of infectivity. Exposure to Listerine for 30 seconds had an antiviral effect against herpes simplex type-1 and type-2 (96.3% and 100% reduction in infectious virus, respectively) and influenza A (100% reduction). In contrast, rotavirus-induced plaque formation was reduced by 12.2% after 30 seconds of exposure to Listerine, whereas 5 minutes of exposure to Listerine resulted in a 21.5% increase in plaque formation. Exposure of adenovirus to Listerine had a minimal effect on the cytopathocity of the virus, with a 33.4% reduction in virus levels after 5 minutes. The antiviral activity of Listerine is thus not related to the viral genome but is probably directed to the viral envelope.
Robust Sparse Principal Component Regression under the High Dimensional Elliptical Model

In this paper we focus on the principal component regression and its application to high dimension non-Gaussian data. The major contributions are two folds. First, in low dimensions and under the Gaussian model, by borrowing the strength from recent development in minimax optimal principal component estimation, we first time sharply characterize the potential advantage of classical principal component regression over least square estimation. Secondly, we propose and analyze a new robust sparse principal component regression on high dimensional elliptically distributed data. The elliptical distribution is a semiparametric generalization of the Gaussian, including many well known distributions such as multivariate Gaussian, rank-deficient Gaussian, t, Cauchy, and logistic. It allows the random vector to be heavy tailed and have tail dependence. These extra flexibilities make it very suitable for modeling finance and biomedical imaging data. Under the elliptical model, we prove that our method can estimate the regression coefficients in the optimal parametric rate and therefore is a good alternative to the Gaussian based methods. Experiments on synthetic and real world data are conducted to illustrate the empirical usefulness of the proposed method.
Increasing Use of Advanced Radiation Therapy Technologies in the Last 30 Days of Life Among Patients Dying As a Result of Cancer in the United States

Among patients receiving radiation therapy (RT) in the last month of life, there was a shift away from the simplest technique toward more advanced RT technologies.
INDEPENDENT DISCOVERIES IN GRAPH THEORY

I am very honored to have been designated the “Scientist-in-Residence” of the New York Academy of Sciences for the current week. This is an honor comparable to any of those which I have already enjoyed. By definition, an independent discovery in graph theory occurs when two people or groups of people working independently discover essentially the same result. Usually these discoveries occur at about the same time, but they can be separated by periods of many years, as you will see from some of our examples. I should make it clear at the outset that I really mean independent discoveries in graph theory, not independent discoveries of graph theory. The latter, of course, refers to
Spatial autocorrelation and autoregressive models in ecology

Recognition and analysis of spatial autocorrelation has defined a new par- adigm in ecology. Attention to spatial pattern can lead to insights that would have been otherwise overlooked, while ignoring space may lead to false conclusions about ecological relationships. We used Gaussian spatial autoregressive models, fit with widely available software, to examine breeding habitat relationships for three common Neotropical migrant songbirds in the southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, USA. In preliminary models that ignored space, the abundance of all three species was cor- related with both local- and landscape-scale habitat variables. These models were then modified to account for broadscale spatial trend (via trend surface analysis) and fine-scale autocorrelation (via an autoregressive spatial covariance matrix). Residuals from ordinary least squares regression models were autocorrelated, indicating that the assumption of independent errors was violated. In contrast, residuals from autoregressive models showed little spatial pattern, suggesting that these models were appropriate. The magnitude of habitat effects tended to decrease, and the relative importance of different habitat variables shifted when we incorporated broadscale and then fine-scale space into the analysis. The degree to which habitat effects changed when space was added to the models was roughly correlated with the amount of spatial structure in the habitat variables. Spatial pattern in the residuals from ordinary least squares models may result from failure to include or adequately measure autocorrelated habitat variables. In addition, con- tagious processes, such as conspecific attraction, may generate spatial patterns in species abundance that cannot be explained by habitat models. For our study species, spatial patterns in the ordinary least squares residuals suggest that a scale of 500-1000 m would be ap- propriate for investigating possible contagious processes.
BOUNDS ON ARITHMETIC PROJECTIONS, AND APPLICATIONS TO THE KAKEYA CONJECTURE

Let A, B, be finite subsets of a torsion-free abelian group, and let G ⊂ A × B be suchth at # A, #B,#{a + b :( a, b) ∈ G }≤ N. We consider the question of estimating the quantity #{a − b :( a, b) ∈ G}. In (2) Bourgain obtained the bound of N 2− 1 13 , and applied this to the Kakeya conjecture. We improve Bourgain's estimate to N 2− 1 6 , and obtain the further improvement of
Crossing Boundaries: African American Teachers in Suburban Schools

Cet article presente une analyse descriptive des experiences professionnelles des enseignants issus de la communaute afro-americaine dans les ecoles suburbaines dites desegregationee. L'etude servant de base a cet article examine les tensions entre les groupes dans ces ecoles et l'impact de ces tensions sur les experiences professionnelles des enseignants afro-americains. L'article insiste sur les facteurs qui tendent a creer un climat de travail difficile, des conditions d'exercice defavorables pour les enseignants afro-americains, qui peuvent entraver l'evolution de leur carriere.
Nonlinear feedback auxiliary signals for system interrogation and damage detection

Recently, a sensitivity-enhancement technique for system interrogation using linear controllers and eigenstructure assignment has been extended from linear to nonlinear systems. Nonlinearities have...
Parameter Adaptation by Parameter Signature Isolation in the Time-Scale Domain

It is shown that delineation of output sensitivities with respect to model parameters in dynamic models can be enhanced in the time-scale domain. This enhanced differentiation of output sensitivities then provides the capacity to isolate regions of the time-scale plane wherein a single output sensitivity dominates the others. Due to this dominance, the prediction error can be attributed to the error of a single parameter at these regions so as to estimate each model parameter error separately. The proposed Parameter Signature Isolation Method (PARSIM) that uses these parameter error estimates for parameter adaptation has been found to have an adaptation precision comparable to that of the Gauss-Newton method for noise-free cases. PARSIM, however, appears to be less sensitive to input conditions, while offering the promise of more effective noise suppression by the capabilities available in the time-scale domain.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
New species and records of Neotropical Sisyridae with special reference to Sisyra (Insecta: Neuroptera)

ABSTRACT New figures of the male genitalia and wings of Sisyra elongata Penny & Rafael are shown and the species is newly reported from Peru. Additional distributional data are given for S. amazonica (Brazil, Guyana, Paraguay), S. apicalis (Peru, Panama), S. minuta (Brazil), and S. panama (Brazil, Bolivia). A new Brazilian species of spongilla fly, Climacia punctulata is described and figured. New records of C. amalla (Peru), C. carpenteri (Brazil), C. insolita (Brazil), and C. townesi (Brazil) are presented. Climacia basalis Navas, 1933, is synonymized with C. basalis Banks, 1913.
Urinary urge incontinence

Urinary incontinence, the involuntary loss of urine, is a prevalent medical condition that affects men, women and children of all ages. However, the incidence of incontinence tends to increase with age and it is particularly widespread in the elderly. Four major categories of incontinence have been defined: urge incontinence, stress incontinence, overflow incontinence and functional incontinence. Urinary urge incontinence (UUI) is the largest category affecting both men and women and is also the most amenable to pharmacological intervention. A large number of patients suffer from this condition (ca. 20 million). However, existing pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of UUI either lack efficacy or are poorly tolerated and, consequently, the condition is poorly controlled. Thus, there is a high medical need for efficacious, well-tolerated drugs to treat this condition. The commercial potential for novel, effective agents is considerable, given the number of patients involved and the growth associated wit...
Symbolic Representation of Object Models

An approach which combines symbolic and numerical methods for the solution of systems of geometric constraints is described. Such constraints arise from the description of parameterized object models as well as the geometric relationships between objects, cameras and light sources. Typical applications are environmental modeling for photointerpretation and autonomous navigation. The representation of object models in terms of algebraic constraint equations is described. A symbolic triangulation method for reducing systems of polynomial constraint equations is presented. The use of such triangular systems in the solution of constraint equations is discussed in the context of nonlinear programming.
Dithered-edge sampling of terahertz pulses: fast detection using slow photoconductive receivers

We introduce dithered-edge sampling (DES) as a new technique for ultra-wideband measurement of terahertz pulses using photoconductive antennas. The terahertz pulse is sampled by first passing it through a photoconductive gate whose fast attenuation edge (limited only by the duration of the optical gating pulse) is dithered in time. A slow photoconductive receiver then measures the component of the terahertz electric field that is modulated at the dither frequency. When used alone, the receiver blurs the measured terahertz pulse width to 1.3 ps. However, the increased time resolution of the DES system (gate + receiver) allows one to measure source-limited terahertz pulse widths (400-fs in this case) [D.You et. al, Opt. Lett. 18, 290 (1993)]. In addition, we have used the DES technique to make what we believe to be the first direct measurement of a photoconductive receiver’s temporal response.
REMEASURING DELINQUENCY: A REPLICALTION AND CRITIQUE

Almost ten years ago Sellin and Wolfgang wrote The Measurement of Delinquency. Since then the ratio scale they composed in the book has been used by criminologists in studying delinquency and its causes. The scale was replicated using a sample of 563 students at several universities in New England. In the process of replication several major deficiencies were found in the scale itself Internal consistency of the scale was determined by comparisons of gross statistics between groups of raters rather than by comparison of the ratios themselves. Also, it appears questionable whether "seriousness" is scalable at all and, if it is scalable, whether it is a unidimensional phenomenon.
Generating Operationally-Acceptable Reroutes Using Simulated Annealing

*† A heuristic optimization method is proposed for generating operationally-acceptable reroutes for air traffic management when a weather event is encountered. A decision support system that dynamically creates flight specific reroutes would aid traffic managers in efficiently maneuvering flights, but only if the reroutes provided were acceptable alternatives. This research extends previous work on route generation methods to reduce the computation requirements for real time decision support applications. As such, a brief review of the overall methodology for dynamic rerouting is presented as well as an explanation of the specific implementation of Simulated Annealing for this problem. A simple example is implemented to compare the performance of the Simulated Annealing algorithm with the k-shortest path optimization presented in previous research. The results show that under the proper objective function weightings, Simulated Annealing provides competitive solution quality while significantly reducing the computation time.
Skin-Coupled Personal Wearable Ambulatory Pulse Wave Velocity Monitoring System Using Microelectromechanical Sensors

A prototype skin-coupled personal wearable ambulatory pulse wave velocity (PWV) monitoring system is proposed and demonstrated. The system employs two packaged silicone-coated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) pressure sensors for detecting blood pressure waveforms through skin surface contact in a non-invasive and continuous manner. The sensors are placed at two adjacent measurement points of the body, for example, the wrist or the neck, to measure blood pressure waveforms simultaneously. The measured waveforms are recorded by a data acquisition unit for signal processing and analysis. Analyzing the two waveforms can obtain the delay time between them, thus determining the local PWV. An application-specific signal processing algorithm is developed to accurately obtain the PWV. The PWV and detailed blood pressure waveforms are critical for monitoring human health condition. The prototype personal wearable monitoring system demonstrated its capability of detecting PWV of approximately 5.3 m/s at the wrist and 5.1 m/s at the neck from a volunteer. Similar tests were performed on two additional volunteers, obtaining PWV of 5.9 and 6.7 m/s, respectively, measured at the wrist.
Worth the Weight: Using Inverse Probability Weighted Cox Models in AIDS Research

In an observational study with a time-to-event outcome, the standard analytical approach is the Cox proportional hazards regression model. As an alternative to the standard Cox model, in this article we present a method that uses inverse probability (IP) weights to estimate the effect of a baseline exposure on a time-to-event outcome. IP weighting can be used to adjust for multiple measured confounders of a baseline exposure in order to estimate marginal effects, which compare the distribution of outcomes when the entire population is exposed versus when the entire population is unexposed. For example, IP-weighted Cox models allow for estimation of the marginal hazard ratio and marginal survival curves. IP weights can also be employed to adjust for selection bias due to loss to follow-up. This approach is illustrated using an example that estimates the effect of injection drug use on time until AIDS or death among HIV-infected women.
The Scientific and Historic Bases of Genethics: Who Watches the Geneticists and by What Principles?

Genethics has been built on foundations of scientific standards and respect for individual autonomy. Both have been violated, such that it has been found necessary to operationalize protections in the form of laws such as the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) and a bureaucratic process for review and oversight of human research. This book proposes a neurogenetic foundation for ethical behavior.
Peer Reputations and Gender Differences in Academic Self-Concept

This study explores the extent and nature of academic peer reputation effects upon children’s academic self-concept in a sample of 151 children (average age 11 years 9 months). Peer and self-perceptions of academic ability and affect (liking) were assessed for the subject domains of English, math, and science in order to investigate the generality of peer reputation influences across academic subject areas, and to determine the extent to which gender differences might be evident. Multiple regression analyses provided some support for this stereotype-based gender-congruency hypothesis, as it was primarily children’s academic ability reputation in the gender-stereotype-congruent areas that was predictive of ability self-concept, and, influential with respect to self-perceived ability in gender-stereotypical and counter-stereotypical domains. Contrary to expectations, peer affective reputation was more predictive with respect to traditionally counter stereotypic, (gender-stereotype-incongruent) domains. Results tend to suggest the dominance of gender-stereotype consistency effects in relation to ability perceptions, but contrast effects in relation to school affect.
Challenges of development and implementation of point of care pharmacogenetic testing

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Just as technology was the underlying driver of the sequencing of the human genome and subsequent generation of volumes of genome sequence data from healthy and affected individuals, animal, plant, and microbial species alike, so too will technology revolutionize diagnostic testing. One area of intense interest is the use of genetic data to inform decisions regarding drug selection and drug dosing, known as pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing, to improve likelihood of successful treatment outcomes with minimal risks.Areas covered: This commentary will provide an overview of implementation research of PGx testing, the benefits of point-of-care (POC) testing and overview of POC testing platforms, available PGx tests, and barriers and facilitators to the development and integration of POC-PGx testing into clinical settings. Sources include the published literature, and databases from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, Food and Drug Administration.Expert commentary: The utilizatio...
Access, Inclusion, and Heterogeneity in Pre-University Engineering Education

In the realm of education, the concepts of access, inclusion and heterogeneity have gained acceptance because of both changing educational philosophies and increased sensitivity to the demographic and personal diversity of students and their classrooms, which necessitates strategies to meet the needs of students (Idol, 2006). Traditionally, STEM fields in the USA have struggled with inclusion and to overcome the reality and image of being male-dominated domains – with associated concepts of machoism, perceived inability of women to perform technical jobs and infrastructure lacking flexibilities for engendered needs.