cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preliminary evaluation of a decision support tool for biochar amendment

Meta-analyses have shown that only about half of biochar addition studies report improved plant growth. To improve yield response, here we describe a decision support tool (DST) for selecting a biochar type and amendment rate to meet soil and crop management goals, based on soil and biochar tests values and crop requirements as reported by regional extension recommendations. Using data from a greenhouse wheat trial, we assessed whether this approach could predict changes in soil chemistry and whether it could identify soils in which amendment would stimulate crop yield. These data indicated that the DST could provide semi-quantitative predictions of biochar amendment rates needed to meet target soil pH levels, with recommended rates averaging 25% higher than were needed. The DST was better at predicting biochar application rates to provision P and K. Across six soil types, post-harvest measurements of extractable-K showed an average 104% recovery of the quantities estimated to be provisioned by conifer wood or wheat straw biochars. Extractable-P recovery averaged 101% in two sandy soils with low P-retention but was considerably lower in four soils with higher P-retention capacity. Greenhouse data also showed that wheat growth improved only when biochar alleviated pH that was substantially below critical thresholds for plant growth, and supported the principle of using crop-specific pH requirements as part of an approach for biochar decision-support. Future field trials that evaluate yield responses in several nutrient-deficient or acidified soils will be needed to provide a robust evaluation of this DST.
Hydroelectric Power: The First 30 Years [History]

A bulletin of the edison Electric Light Company dated 20 December 1882 reported that three residences in Appleton, Wisconsin, were lit by an Edison system driven by water power (Figure 1). In 1933, the Appleton chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution installed a commemorative plaque that declared, "Near this site the world's first hydroelectric central station was erected in 1882." In fact, the history of single-user hydroelectric power began in 1878 in Northumberland, England, and the history of continuous multiuser commercial hydroelectric power began in 1880 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Photodetector Flicker Noise Optimization for Ultralow Noise Optical-to-Electrical Conversion

We examine the optical pulse width and illumination spot size dependence on the flicker phase noise of a photodiode, resulting in a 10 dB noise reduction to −143/f dBc/Hz on a 1 GHz carrier.
Abstract P149: Germ-free Rats Reveal An Obligatory Role Of Microbiota In Blood Pressure

Elevated blood pressure or hypertension is the single largest risk factor for cardiovascular diseases which are the leading cause of human deaths. Current clinical management of blood pressure is f...
Novel Therapies in the Treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma

Patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) can achieve excellent response and survival rates following frontline combination chemo- and radiation therapy. However, about 10–15% of patients will experience disease relapse which is associated with poor outcomes. Recent breakthroughs in understanding the mechanisms of oncogenicity and interactions within the tumor microenvironment have resulted in development of novel drugs for treatment of patients with HL. Utilizing this information, treatment of newly diagnosed and relapsed HL has become a rapidly evolving field with multiple clinical trials evaluating novel treatment approaches incorporating targeted immunotherapy. In the frontline setting, the use of novel drugs may allow for de-escalation of therapy to avoid long-term complications associated with bleomycin and consolidation radiation therapy. Patients with early-stage, non-bulky disease are candidates for omitting radiation therapy using treatment combinations that include upfront use of brentuximab vedotin or nivolumab. In patients with advanced disease, the addition of brentuximab vedotin to a chemotherapy backbone is currently the standard of care in our practice, particularly in patients with a contraindication for receiving bleomycin. Future investigations in patients with advanced-stage HL will focus on establishing a new standard of care by comparing brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab in combination with chemotherapy (BV-AVD vs. N-AVD) and decreasing the risk of relapse by exploring consolidation therapy in patients with high-risk disease. In patients who have relapsed or are refractory to first-line therapy, salvage treatment has incorporated brentuximab vedotin or PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors to improve response rates of cytotoxic chemotherapy thereby improving the probability of a successful stem cell transplant. Post-transplant consolidation with brentuximab is currently standard of care in patients with high-risk disease. Patients who relapse following autologous stem cell transplant now have an expanded armamentarium of chemo- and immunotherapy options. However, the challenge is to determine the sequence of therapy after prior brentuximab or checkpoint inhibitor exposure.
Reducing Fall-Related Revisits for Elderly Diabetes Patients in Emergency Departments: A Transition Flow Model

This letter introduces a transition flow model to study fall-related emergency department (ED) revisits for elderly patients with diabetes. Five diabetes classes are used to classify patients at discharge, within 7-day revisits, and between 8 and 30-day revisits. Analytical formulas to evaluate patient revisiting risks are derived. To reduce revisits, sensitivity analysis is introduced to identify the most critical, i.e., dominant, factors whose changes can lead to the largest reduction in revisits. In addition, a case study at University of Wisconsin (UW) Hospital ED is described to illustrate the applicability of the model.
A qualitative assessment of barriers and facilitators associated with addressing social determinants of health among members of a health collaborative in the rural Midwest.

PURPOSE Rural communities have unique economic and social structures, different disease burdens, and a more patchworked healthcare delivery system compared to urban counterparts. Yet research into addressing social determinants of health has focused on larger, urban, integrated health systems. Our study sought to understand capacities, facilitators, and barriers related to addressing social health needs across a collaborative of independent provider organizations in rural Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin. METHODS We conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 37 key informants from collaborative members including 4 stand-alone critical access hospitals, 3 critical access hospitals affiliated with primary care, 1 multi-clinic system, and 1 integrated regional health system. FINDINGS Barriers were abundant and occurred at the organizational, community and policy levels. Rural providers described a lack of financial, labor, Internet, and community-based social services resources, a limited capacity to partner with other organizations, and workflows that were less than optimal for addressing SDOH. State Medicaid and other payer policies posed challenges that made it more difficult to use available resources, as did misaligned incentives between partners. While specific payer programs and organizational innovations helped facilitate their work, nothing was systemic. Relationships within the collaborative that allowed sharing of innovations and information were helpful, as was the role leadership played in promoting value-based care. CONCLUSIONS Policy change is needed to support rural providers in this work. Collaboration among rural health systems should be fostered to develop common protocols, promote value-based care, and offer economies of scale to leverage value-based payment. States can help align incentives and performance metrics across rural health care entities, engage payers in promoting value-based care, and bolster social service capacity.
Isolation and Characterization of an Endonuclease from Escherichia coli Specific for Ribonucleic Acid in Ribonucleic Acid·Deoxyribonucleic Acid Hybrid Structures

A ribonuclease which degrades RNA specifically in RNA·DNA hybrid structures has been purified 1500-fold from Escherichia coli B and 200-fold from E. coli strain D110 pol A1, endo I-, thy-). For maximal activity, the enzyme requires Mg2+ and the presence of a sulfhydryl reagent. The enzyme is capable of digesting more than 95% of the RNA in RNA·DNA hybrids to acid-soluble products. The products are oligonucleotides with 5′-phosphate and 3′-hydroxyl termini. The enzyme acts as an endonuclease and does not require free 3′ or 5′ termini for activity. However, it cannot cleave the phosphodiester bond covalently linking ribonucleotides to DNA. With circular single stranded DNA templates deoxynucleotide incorporation catalyzed by DNA polymerase II is dependent on RNA synthesis. This reaction can be stimulated by RNase H. During these studies an additional ribonuclease H activity was detected in E. coli B and purified 160-fold. Unlike RNase H, this activity is N-ethylmaleimide-resistant and sensitive to antiserum prepared against DNA polymerase I and attacks [3′-3H,5′-32P]poly(A)·poly(dT) in the 5′ → 3′ direction.
A Weighted Voting Model of Associative Memory: Experimental Analysis

In a related paper (X. Mu et al., 2004), a weighted voting RAM-based associative memory model was proposed, and a theoretical analysis of its performance on binary and random memory sets was given. In this paper, we give an experimental analysis of the weighted voting memory using both binary-random memory sets and more practical memory sets consisting of gray scale face images. The results show that the weighted voting memory offers higher performance over the voting memory on both types of memory sets
Open Access and the Association Publisher, Summary of a Presentation by Dr. Martin Blume

The American Physical Society (APS) publishes eight titles along with Physical Review Focus (a free service that provides lay-person explanations of selected articles from the other APS journals) and two open access journals, Physical Review Special Topics: Accelerators and Beams (funded with institutional sponsorship) and Physical Review Special Topics: Physics Education Research (funded by author charges). ...
Second harmonic generation phase measurements of Cr(VI) at a buried interface.

Surface second harmonic generation (SHG) phase measurements are carried out on methyl ester-functionalized fused quartz/water interfaces in the presence and absence of Cr(VI). The experiments are performed at pH 7, room temperature, and a chromate concentration of 10-4 M, which corresponds to monolayer Cr(VI) coverage. The liquid/solid interface is probed from the fused quartz side by directing the probe light field at 580 nm onto the interface together with an SHG reference signal at 290 nm that is collinear with the fundamental. The phase difference of the SHG signals generated at the interface in the presence and absence of Cr(VI) is 85 degrees, which is consistent with SHG resonance enhancement observed for the surface-bound Cr(VI) near 290 nm. The optical arrangement discussed here does not require vacuum technology or optics that compensate for the dispersion of the fundamental and the second harmonic E-fields in the two condensed-phase media. This approach is general and can be applied for analyzin...
Reliability of Subjective Fever in Triage of Adult Patients

Abstract Study objective: To determine whether a historical complaint of fever is predictive of fever on emergency department triage. Methods: We prospectively questioned 651 ambulatory adult patients in a military tertiary care emergency department as to whether they had fever before oral temperature was taken. Fever was defined as a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or greater. Results: Sensitivity and specificity were 83% (95% confidence interval [CI], 71% to 95%) and 83% (95% CI, 80% to 86%), respectively. The prevalence of objective fever was 6.4%, yielding positive and negative predictive values of 25% (95% CI, 18% to 32%) and 99% (95% CI, 93% to 100%), respectively. Overall accuracy was 83% (95% CI, 80% to 86%). Conclusion: In this study, outpatients were fairly accurate in predicting fever. However, in an outpatient population with a low overall prevalence of objective fever, the predictive value of a complaint of fever representing an objective fever remained low. Therefore the complaint of subjective fever should be interpreted with caution when it is used to support a given diagnosis in an ambulatory care setting. [Buckley RG, Conine M: Reliability of subjective fever in triage of adult patients. Ann Emerg Med June 1996;27:693-695.]
Effects of Loss of Lunar Mass by Meteoritic Impact

Abstract Lyttleton has considered the possibility that accretion of meteoritic mass by the Moon and Earth has acted to decrease the relative separation of these bodies, to oppose the separation induced by tidal friction. Contrary to Lyttleton's view, it is shown that meteoritic impact on a moon without an atmosphere results in a net loss of mass from that body, reversing the sign of the dominant contribution to the effect at present, as assumed. The possible magnitude of the mass loss is discussed on the bais of empirical evidence. Since the Earth accretes mass by meteoritic infall, this effect acts to oppose the tendency of the Moon to recede from the Earth through meteoritic action; an effort is made to assess the relative importance of the two factors quantitatively. It is pointed out that the mechanism discussed by Lyttleton may have been the dominant one in changing the Earth-Moon distance in the early period of the history of the system.
Applications of Absorption Spectroelectrochemistry in Artificial Blood Research

Abstract Large, multimeric heme proteins are currently being used as models for therapeutic oxygen carriers (the major function of “artificial blood”). Accurate measurements of formal reduction potentials for hemoglobin related oxygen carriers are crucial since oxidation of heme‐iron results in loss of oxygen binding. To investigate possible structure‐function differences between intracellular and extracellular oxygen transport proteins, the formal reduction potential for a series of oxygen binding proteins was determined. Monomeric horse heart myoglobin (Mb), tetrameric normal adult human hemoglobin (HbA), tetrameric human sickle cell hemoglobin (HbS), polymeric Lumbricus terrestris hemoglobin (LtHb), and polymeric Callinectes sapidus hemocyanin (Hc) were investigated using absorption spectroelectrochemistry with mediated electron transfer. Data were evaluated using Nernst plots and yielded the following E°′ results: +73 (±5) mV for LtHb, −50 (±8) mV for HbA, −52 (±7) mV for HbS, −100 (±25) mV for Hc, an...
Quantification of microcracking in brittle-matrix composites

The mechanical properties of brittle-matrix composites are often closely coupled to the generation and propagation of many small cracks. However, the role of microcracking is complex and not well understood on a quantitative basis. Better understanding will require an ability to quantify the crack morphology and how that structure evolves. This paper describes techniques to classify, count and measure the length, spacing and orientation of microcracks. Digital image processing is applied to make the measurements, thereby providing time-effective, reproducible, statistically significant estimates of crack morphology. A key feature of the image processing strategy is to abstract the crack structure to a set of medial axis lines. Proper interpretation of the data requires an understanding of the measurement limitations which are related to size resolution, choice of processing parameters, specimen preparation, and use of sectional views. The techniques are illustrated by data drawn from a carbon-carbon composite laminate. The methods are adaptable to a wide range of materials, and can provide a rich, readily accessible, quantitative description of microcrack structure.
GENFILES: a computerized medical genetics information network. II. MEDGEN: the clinical genetics system.

MEDGEN, a clinical genetics information storage and retrieval system, facilitates the handling of medical records for the central genetics clinic and satellite clinics conducted by the University of California, San Francisco. The system is part of the GENFILES genetics network, which handles all of the genetics data generated by a comprehensive medical genetics center. The clinical data stored on each patient include 1) diagnoses, which utilize McKusick catalog numbers as well as our own diagnostic codes; 2) relevant medical, gestational, and pregnancy history; 3) clinical manifestations (functional and structural); 4) karyotype information through a crosslink to the cytogenetics file; 5) ethnic origin of the patients; 6) physical status and sex of the patient; 7) laboratory studies, including results of metabolic tests; and 8) any additional remarks deemed necessary for complete understanding. The date, staff member attending, and physical location of each visit also are recorded.
Least squares metric, unidimensional scaling of multivariate linear models

The squared error loss function for the unidimensional metric scaling problem has a special geometry. It is possible to efficiently find the global minimum for every coordinate conditioned on every other coordinate being held fixed. This approach is generalized to the case in which the coordinates are polynomial functions of exogenous variables. The algorithms shown in the paper are linear in the number of parameters. They always descend and, at convergence, every coefficient of every polynomial is at its global minimum conditioned on every other parameter being held fixed. Convergence is very rapid and Monte Carlo tests show the basic procedure almost always converges to the overall global minimum.
The five offshore drilling rig markets

The offshore drilling industry is composed of five markets engaged in the trade of a unique service or good. Mobile offshore drilling units are owned and operated in the contract drilling services market, supplied by the newbuild and secondhand markets, maintained and enhanced in the upgrade market, and complete their lifecycle in the scrap market. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the players, prices, activity and cash flows in each of the five offshore rig markets circa 2010–2011. Contract drilling and newbuilding are large transparent markets and activity is closely followed throughout the industry. From 2005 to 2012, contract drilling and newbuilding generated between $25–$50 billion and $10–$20 billion in transactions per year, respectively. Maintenance and upgrade activities are performed by a number of shipyards throughout the world, but because of the sporadic nature of the activities and limited record keeping, the market is difficult to track. The secondhand and upgrade markets are estimated to be worth between $2–$10 billion and $1–$5 billion annually. The scrap market is the smallest of the five markets and is poorly documented and worth less than $50 million during most years.
MRG1 expression in fibroblasts is regulated by Sp1/Sp3 and an Ets transcription factor.

MRG1 (melanocyte-specific gene 1 (MSG1)-related gene), a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor that interacts with p300/CBP, TATA-binding protein and Lhx2, is the founding member of a new family of transcription factors. Initial characterization of this newly discovered transcription factor has underscored its potential involvement in many important cellular processes through transcriptional modulation. We previously demonstrated that MRG1 can be induced by various biological stimuli (Sun, H. B., Zhu, Y. X., Yin, T., Sledge, G., and Yang, Y. C. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 95, 13555–13560). As a first step in understanding its role in different biological processes, we investigated mechanisms that regulate transcription of the mouse MRG1 gene in fibroblasts. Transient transfection of Rat1 fibroblast cells with sequential 5′-deletions of mouse MRG1 promoter-luciferase fusion constructs indicated that the −104 to +121 region contains the full promoter activity. Deletion and site-directed mutations within this region revealed that the Ets-1 site at −97 to −94 and the Sp1 site at −51 to −46 are critical for MRG1 expression in fibroblasts. Gel mobility shift and supershift assays performed with Rat1 nuclear extracts identified nucleoprotein complexes binding to the Ets-1 site and the Sp1 site. In Drosophila SL2 cells, which lack the Sp and Ets family of transcription factors, expression of Sp1, Sp3, and Ets-1 or Elf-1 functionally stimulated MRG1 promoter activity in a synergistic manner. These results suggest that multiple transcription factors acting in synergy are responsible for MRG1 expression and the responsiveness of cells to different biological stimuli.
Blunt Cones at Angle of Attack in Supersonic Nonuniform Freestreams

A = velocity defect parameter [see Eq. (1)] Ab = local cone cross-sectional area B = wake width parameter [see Eq. (1)] CD = drag coefficient, drag/qnAb CL = lift coefficient, \ift/qnAb CMQ = nose pitching moment coefficient, nose momQnt/qnAbL (positive nose up) CLa = lift coefficient slope, dCJdx CM* = pitching moment coefficient slope, dCMQldoL Cp = pressure coefficient, (p — pn)lqn L = reference length equal to nose radius qn = dynamic pressure based on wake centerline conditions, ' PnVn/2 S' = nondimensional surface distance measured from the apex of a sharp cone, S/L § = nondimensional surface distance measured from the forward stagnation point on a blunt cone, S/L
Ventilation system to minimize airborne bacteria, dust, humidity, and ammonia in calf nurseries

We installed a ventilation system that minimizes airborne bacteria, dust, humidity, and ammonia levels; conserves animal heat during the winter months by precise control of the amount of fresh air admitted to the calf nursery; and prevents cross transfer of airborne pathogens between neighboring calves by providing uniform air distribution throughout the calf nursery. Because of the effectiveness of air filtration and uniform air distribution within the nurseries, respiratory problems of calves were reduced greatly. Airborne dust and bacteria as small as .5 mu were filtered from the air.
Precedence and autocracy in breathing control.

the meandering paths followed by the evolutionary pressure produced by chance and necessity ([32][1]) have shaped the structures and functions of the respiratory control system through the slow process of natural selection ([7][2], [8][3], [35][4]). The resulting complexity of the respiratory
Estimation of instantaneous blood flow through a rigid, coronary artery stenosis in anaesthetised domestic swine

This study tested the hypothesis that instantaneous coronary flow rate (Q) through a severe rigid coronary artery stenosis of known dimensions can be reliably estimated by measuring the instantaneous pressure gradient (ΔP) across the stenosis. A non-linear model for stenosis ΔP was employed (Δ P=RQ+SQ2, where R and S are constants describing stenosis geometry). Flow rate was determined by solving for the positive root of the quadratic equation, Q=(−R+√R2+4S (ΔP))/2S. Four open chest, anaesthetised, domestic swine were studied. A 7.0 mm long rigid stenosis (82% reduction in vessel diameter) was placed in the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. Pressure distal to the stenosis was obtained with a fluid filled catheter (ID=1.4 mm) the distal end of which was secured within and open to the distal end of the stenosis. Aortic pressure corrected for phase delay in the time domain was taken as pressure proximal to the stenosis. An electromagnetic (EMF) flow probe positioned just proximal to the stenosis measured instantaneous flow. All pressure wave forms and the EMF flow signal were digitised on line and transmitted to a computer for analysis. Simultaneous computed and EMF flows for an average cardiac cycle were obtained in each animal: 1) at control; 2) after 10 min of adenosine infusion into the distal LAD; and 3) at a second control period. Computed and measured flow signals were compared on a point by point basis (5 ms resolution). The correlation coefficient (r) was 0.94±0.04 (mean±1SD) for the entire cycle (P<0.0001), 0.86±0.09 for systole (P<0.001) and 0.97±0.04 for diastole (P<0.0001). The absolute value of mean flow rate computed (0.50±0.15, cm3·s−1) correlated well (r=0.95, P<0.001), with mean flow rate measured (0.53±0.22). Computed mean diastolic flow rate (0.64±0.15) also correlated well (r=0.79, P<0.002) with measured mean diastolic flow rate (0.69±0.21). Thus, instantaneous coronary blood flow through a severe, rigid stenosis of known dimensions can be reliably estimated from instantaneous measurement of stenosis pressure gradient and a non-linear, quadratic model of stenosis pressure-flow relations.
VARIABILITY IN TENSE MARKING: A CASE FOR THE OBVIOUS

The recent focus on the discourse level as the primary basis for explaining alternation in interlanguage tense marking is challenged on the basis of an analysis of tense marking for 16 Vietnamese speakers learning English as a second language. The subjects represent four different age levels (10–12, 15–18, 20–25, and 35–55) and two different length of residency groups (1–3 and 4–7 years). The analysis reveals that there are a number of surface-level constraints that systematically affect the incidence of tense marking, including the distinction between regular and irregular verbs, the shape of the suffix on the regular verb, the following phonological environment, the type of irregular formation, and the relative frequency of the verb form. It is demonstrated that the analysis of tense marking in terms of higher-level language organization must take into account these kinds of surface constraints if it hopes to provide a valid, empirically based account of tense marking alternation in interlanguage.
Pindolol for ventricular arrhythmia

Abstract The role of pindolol in treating ventricular arrhythmia was studied in 43 patients with this disorder. Of these patients, 23 had coronary heart disease, 5 had valvular disease, and 15 had no demonstrable heart disease. Patients underwent acute drug testing with 20 mg pindolol (phase 1) followed by maintenance therapy (phase 2) for 3 days (20 to 80 mg daily). Efficacy during both phases was evaluated by ambulatory monitoring and treadmill exercise testing. During acute drug testing, 50% of the patients responded. A concordant response between acute drug testing and phase 2 monitoring was seen in 81% (p
Testing the Charge Difference Hypothesis for the Assembly of a Eucaryotic Multispanning Membrane Protein

The Glut1 glucose transporter is a glycoprotein whose membrane topology has been verified by a number of experimental observations, all of which are consistent with a 12-transmembrane helix model originally based on hydrophobicity analysis. We used Glut1 as a model multispanning membrane protein to test the Charge Difference Hypothesis (Hartmann, E., Rapoport, T. A., and Lodish, H. F. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 86, 5786-5790), which asserts that the topology of a eucaryotic multispanning membrane protein is determined solely by the amino acid charge difference across the first transmembrane segment. The charge difference across the first transmembrane segment of Glut1 was progressively inverted in two independent series of mutants, one series in which only the number of positively charged amino acid residues in the two flanking domains was altered and the other in which only the number of negatively charged residues in the two flanking domains was changed. The results indicate that the charge difference across the first transmembrane segment does affect the topology of the protein, but that contrary to the hypothesis, it only dictates the orientation of the first transmembrane segment and the disposition of the amino terminus and the first linker domain. Charge inversion resulted in the formation of aberrant molecules in which either the first or second transmembrane segment failed to insert into the membrane. The topology of downstream regions of Glut1 was unaffected by charge inversion across the first transmembrane segment, indicating that downstream sequences are important in determining the local topological disposition of the molecule.
Cholecystectomy for the Treatment of Mycobacterial Cholecystitis in a Pacific Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer)

Abstract A captive 19-yr-old female Pacific gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer) presented for evaluation after keeper staff noticed a midbody swelling. Physical examination revealed a 6.6 × 3 × 3-cm slightly mobile mass approximately midway between the head and tail. Distension of the gallbladder was diagnosed using radiographs, ultrasonography, and fine needle aspiration. Pre-operative coelomic ultrasound revealed close association between the gallbladder, aorta, and vena cava. Repeated cholecystocentesis failed to resolve the distension and a cholecystectomy was performed. Mycobacterium chelonae was isolated from the removed gallbladder and the snake was treated with azithromycin 10 mg/kg PO every 7 days for 6 months. Acid fast organisms were identified on a fecal smear during the peri-operative period. None of the usual clinical signs of mycobacteriosis in reptiles, such as respiratory disease, weight loss, or lethargy, were observed in the present case and the patient continues to thrive. Cholecystecto...
Medical Therapy for Chronic Gastrointestinal Bleeding of Obscure Origin

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combined hormonal therapy in patients with recurring occult gastrointestinal bleeding of obscure origin. Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal observational study. The setting was an outpatient private practice affiliated with a large university-based hospital. A total of 43 patients, comprising 14 men and 29 women with a mean age of 74 yr (range 48–86 yr), were included. They had a history of recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding of unknown origin for a period of >1 yr and had required multiple hospitalizations and transfusions. Patients were initially treated with one Enovid 5-mg tablet containing 5 mg norethynodrel and 75 μg of mestranol. Enovid became commercially unavailable and treatment was changed to Ortho-Novum 1/50, containing 1 mg norethindrone and 0.05 milligrams of mestranol, given one tablet b.i.d. Patients were treated and followed for a mean time of 535 days (range 25–1551 days). All patients acted as their own controls and were followed for compliant behavior with periodic hematocrit, serial stool hemoccults, medication counts, and clinical histories regarding transfusion requirements or hospitalization for bleeding or anemia. Results: Of 43 patients who initially entered the study, 38 were treated with combination hormonal therapy. The remaining five patients were treated with estrogen alone. In 25 patients, initial enteroscopy revealed AVMs in the stomach or proximal small bowel and these were cauterized. In the remaining 18 patients no source of bleeding was found. None of the 38 patients who were treated with combination hormonal therapy rebled as long as they continued their prescribed dosage. All five of the patients treated with estrogen alone had rebleeding episodes. There was no statistical difference with respect to AVM cauterization in the rebleeding rate between those patients who underwent cauterization of their AVMs and those who did not. Side effects of combination hormonal therapy occurred in 11 patients and all were considered to be mild. Seven of these 11 patients (64%) elected to continue treatment. Conclusion: In this long-term observational study, combination hormonal therapy was shown to stop rebleeding in patients with occult gastrointestinal bleeding of obscure origin.
Factor VIII inhibitor epitopes and an enigma

In this issue of Blood, Walter et al provide an x-ray crystallographic structure of the factor VIII C2 domain in complex with 2 antibodies that illuminates how inhibitory antibodies complicate hemophilia A therapy.
Computer simulations of physical adsorption: a historical review

Computer simulations of two-dimensional (2D) fluids are discussed in connection with their use in determining the isotherms and thermodynamic properties of monolayers adsorbed on model surfaces. The use of powerful algorithms such as the Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) to simulate a greatly expanded range of adsorption systems is then discussed in connection with computations of multilayer adsorption, adsorption on heterogeneous surfaces and in pores.
EPR detectable electron acceptors in submitochondrial particles from beef heart with special reference to the iron-sulfur components of DPNH-ubiquinone reductase.

Abstract An attempt is made to identify and assign, for sonic fragments from beef heart mitochondria at various oxidation states, all electron magnetic resonances which have been resolved thus far at observation temperatures ≥4.2° K. Novel features of this work are the resolution of four different iron sulfur centers of the DPNH-ubiquinone reductase fragment and the observation of an unidentified electron acceptor — maximally evident at intermediate oxidation states — which is concentrated in the DPNH-cytochrome c reductase fraction.
Fundamentals of plasticating extrusion. I. A theoretical model for melting

A steady state model for melting in a screw extruder has been developed based on the assumption that a stable solid bed of polymer granules is melted by heat that is conducted from a hot barrel and heat that is generated by viscous dissipation in the film that separates the solid bed and the surface of the barrel. The solid bed gradually decreases in width, as it proceeds in the channel, until it disappears at which point the melting is terminated. The model predicts the solid bed width profile and the required length of melting in terms of physical properties, operating conditions, and geometry of the screw. The model has been tested based on experimental data.
A Probabilistic Micromechanics Model for Damaged Composites

The generalized method of cells, an interfacial constitutive model and a probabilistic model are combined to yield an approach for modeling the stress-strain response of fibrous composites with fiber/matrix interfacial damage. It has been shown that the limitations of a single repeating cell in representing the response of a composite with debonding interfaces can be overcome through the introduction of a probabilistic modelling approach based upon an effective interfacial strength. This approach is used to recover the transverse tensile and axial shear response of unidirectional silicon-carbide/titanium as measured in the laboratory.
Rapid measurement of cotton fiber maturity and fineness by image analysis microscopy using the Cottonscope

Two of the important cotton fiber quality and processing parameters are fiber maturity and fineness. Fiber maturity is the degree of development of the fiber’s secondary wall, and fiber fineness is...
Pallidal and caudate volumes correlate with walking function in multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Background Walking dysfunction is common in multiple sclerosis (MS). The thalamus and basal ganglia seemingly have important associations with walking performance. The contribution of these subcortical gray matter (SGM) structures for walking dysfunction is poorly understood in MS. Purpose This study examined associations among volumes of the thalamus and basal ganglia with walking outcomes in MS. Method We enrolled 61 MS patients who underwent brain MRI and completed the 6-minute walk (6 MW) and timed 25-foot walk (T25FW). Volumes of the thalamus, caudate, putamen, and pallidum as well as whole-brain white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) were calculated from 3D T1-weighted structural brain images. We examined associations using bivariate correlations ( r ) and partial correlations ( pr ) that controlled for age, MS clinical course, and whole-brain WM and GM volumes. We further performed hierarchical linear regression (HLR) for identifying the strongest SGM correlate of walking performance. Results The 6 MW and T25FW correlated significantly with volumes of the thalamus ( r 's = .382 & .383), caudate ( r 's = .388 & .416), pallidum ( r 's = .457 & .457), and putamen ( r 's = .258 & .293) in bivariate correlations. The 6 MW and T25FW remained significantly correlated with caudate ( pr 's = .243 & .312) and pallidum ( pr 's = .321 & .345) volumes in partial correlations. Pallidum volume was the strongest SGM correlate of 6 MW ( β = .39) and T25FW ( β = .40) performance in HLR. Conclusion We provide novel evidence of possible SGM structures, particularly the pallidum and perhaps caudate, as correlates of walking performance in MS.
Mutations within a human IgG2 antibody form distinct and homogeneous disulfide isomers but do not affect Fc gamma receptor or C1q binding

Human IgG2 antibodies may exist in at least three distinct structural isomers due to disulfide shuffling within the upper hinge region. Antibody interactions with Fc gamma receptors and the complement component C1q contribute to immune effector functions. These interactions could be impacted by the accessibility and structure of the hinge region. To examine the role structural isomers may have on effector functions, a series of cysteine to serine mutations were made on a human IgG2 backbone. We observed structural homogeneity with these mutants and mapped the locations of their disulfide bonds. Importantly, there was no observed difference in binding to any of the Fc gamma receptors or C1q between the mutants and the wild-type IgG2. However, differences were seen in the apparent binding affinity of these antibodies that were dependent on the selection of the secondary detection antibody used.
Fluorinated siloxane amine oligomers

Fluorine-containing siloxane oligomers were made from bis(aminopropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane and trimethyltris(trifluoropropyl)cyclotrisiloxane. These materials were characterized by IR spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography, nonaqueous colorimetric end group titration, and 1H-NMR. The end groups of one oligomer were chemically modified for an increased NMR signal for molecular weight determination. The cyclic trimeric siloxane starting material was additionally studied via 13C-, 29Si-, and 19F-NMR. Two forms of it were used: a white solid obtained at room temperature, and a colorless liquid isolated at low temperature. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 1315–1320, 2000
Regiochemical effects of sulfur oxidation on the electronic and solid-state properties of planarized oligothiophenes containing thieno[3,2-b]thiophene units.

The effect of position and degree of sulfur oxidation on the fundamental properties of a series of planarized thieno[3,2-b]thiophene S,S-dioxides derivatives was studied. The optical data reveal a red shift in the longest wavelength of absorption relative to the nonoxidized analogues that is indicative of a reduced HOMO−LUMO gap. The position of oxidation rather than the extent of oxidation is the most critical factor in controlling electronic properties. Single-crystal analysis reveals that some of the oligothiophene S,S-dioxides studied present π−π interactions which are completely absent in the nonoxidized analogue.
Ideal state reconstructor for deterministic digital control systems

A state reconstructor for deterministic digital systems is presented which is ideal in the following sense: if the plant parameters are known exactly, the output of the state reconstructor will exactly equal the true state of the plant, not just approximate it. Furthermore, this ideal state reconstructor adds no additional states or eigenvalues to the system. Nor does it affect the plant equation for the system in any way; it affects only the measurement equation. While there are countless ways of choosing the ideal state reconstructor parameters, two distinct methods are described here. An example is presented which illustrates the procedures to completely design the ideal state reconstructor using both methods.
Human nature and culture: A trait perspective

Abstract The relation of the individual to society has always been a central concern of personality psychologists. Building on recent empirical and conceptual advances in trait psychology, I propose a new approach to personality and culture. The fact that trait structure, age and gender differences, and cross-observer agreement are all universal supports the view that traits are biologically based characteristics of the human species. After discussing ethical and scientific issues, I provide preliminary data consistent with the view that aggregate levels of traits may lead to features of cultures, such as Individualism/Collectivism. I discuss alternative interpretations and future directions for research and conclude that the trait perspective holds exceptional promise for understanding human nature and culture.
Photochemical reactions of trans-stilbene and 1,1-diphenylethylene on silica gel: mechanisms of oxidation and dimerization

Abstract The photochemical reactions of trans -stilbene and 1,1-diphenylethylene have been studied at a silica gel–air interface. Irradiation of trans -stilbene leads to the formation of a substantial amount of two dimers, along with the formation of cis -stilbene, phenanthrene and a small amount of benzaldehyde. Photochemical dimer formation from trans -stilbene on silica is promoted by inhomogeneous surface loading and slow surface diffusion. Benzaldehyde arises from a Type II oxidation mechanism. Irradiation of 1,1-diphenylethylene at a silica gel–air interface leads primarily to the formation of benzophenone. The oxidation of 1,1-diphenylethylene occurs by a Type I mechanism, as previously proposed [J. Org. Chem. 50 (1985) 149]. The differences in observed photochemistry for these two substituted phenylethylenes on silica is attributed to two factors. Isomerization of trans -stilbene competes efficiently with oxidation, whereas this pathway appears not to be important for 1,1-diphenylethylene. Singlet molecular oxygen is shown to be quenched in solution and at the silica gel–air interface at a faster rate by cis -stilbene than by trans -stilbene or 1,1-diphenylethylene, thus providing an enhanced Type II oxidation pathway for stilbene.
Ribozyme Targeting Demonstrates That the Nuclear Receptor Coactivator AIB1 Is a Rate-limiting Factor for Estrogen-dependent Growth of Human MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Human breast tumorigenesis is promoted by the estrogen receptor pathway, and nuclear receptor coactivators are thought to participate in this process. Here we studied whether one of these coactivators, AIB1 (amplified in breast cancer 1), was rate-limiting for hormone-dependent growth of human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. We developed MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines in which the expression of AIB1 can be modulated by regulatable ribozymes directed against AIB1 mRNA. We found that depletion of endogenous AIB1 levels reduced steroid hormone signaling via the estrogen receptor alpha or progesterone receptor beta on transiently transfected reporter templates. Down-regulation of AIB1 levels in MCF-7 cells did not affect estrogen-stimulated cell cycle progression but reduced estrogen-mediated inhibition of apoptosis and cell growth. Finally, upon reduction of endogenous AIB1 expression, estrogen-dependent colony formation in soft agar and tumor growth of MCF-7 cells in nude mice was decreased. From these findings we conclude that, despite the presence of different estrogen receptor coactivators in breast cancer cells, AIB1 exerts a rate-limiting role for hormone-dependent human breast tumor growth.
Lotus-Eaters, Pilgrims, Seekers, and Accidental Tourists: How Different Travelers Consume the Sacred and the Profane

Travelers visit destinations that are associated with organized religion for a variety of reasons. Building on Cohen's (2003) work, we categorize visitors to “religious” travel destinations as: (1) seekers who intend to visit both religious and secular tourist sites, (2) lotus-eaters who intend to visit only secular tourist sites, (3) pilgrims who intend to visit only religious tourist sites, and (4) accidental tourists who intend to visit neither type of tourist site. We use these four types of tourists to accomplish three aims: (1) explain each type of traveler, (2) explain the interaction between religious and secular elements at travel sites, and (3) provide guidelines for attracting each type of traveler.
Clustering Categorical Data: An Approach Based on Dynamical Systems

We describe a novel approach for clustering collections of sets, and its application to the analysis and mining of categorical data. By “categorical data,” we mean tables with fields that cannot be naturally ordered by a metric – e.g., the names of producers of automobiles, or the names of products offered by a manufacturer. Our approach is based on an iterative method for assigning and propagating weights on the categorical values in a table; this facilitates a type of similarity measure arising from the co-occurrence of values in the dataset. Our techniques can be studied analytically in terms of certain types of non-linear dynamical systems.
Introduction to Special Issue on Advances in Question Answering

This special issue on advanced topics in question answering is devoted to two critically important areas of annotation and reasoning in support of this task: recognizing opinions, speculations, and emotions in text; and identifying temporally sensitive expressions in text. This issue contains four articles addressing “these” two problems: Annotating Expressions of Opinions and Emotions in Language , by Janyce Wiebe, Theresa Wilson, and Claire Cardie; Temporal and Event Information in Natural Language Text, by James Pustejovsky, Robert Knippen, Jessica Littman, and Roser Sauri; Temporal Closure in an Annotation Environment, by Marc Verhagen; and The Role of Inference in the Temporal annotation and Analysis of Text, by Andrea Setzer, Robert Gaizauskas, and Mark Hepple. In this introduction, we situate this work in the larger context of question answering systems, and describe briefly the content of each article. Research in the area of question answering has recently become one of the fastest growing and most challenging topics in computational linguistics and information access. It has been the topic of numerous workshops, seminars, and conferences over the past few years. Some of the recent activities in question answering include a TREC QA track, two phases of ARDA-funded research into question answering, i.e., AQUAINT, and three NRRC summer workshops in 2002 and 2003. It is the results of these latter workshops that are reported on, in part, in this special issue. These workshops focused on the temporal and multiple perspective aspects of question answering, and the difficulties of annotating complex relational information in natural language texts.
Combined modality treatment of head and neck cancer with cisplatin, bleomycin, methotrexate-leucovorin chemotherapy.

The multidisciplinary treatment results of 114 patients with advanced, untreated Stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region are reported. Induction chemotherapy with two cycles of cisplatin 20 mg/m2/day intravenous bolus days 1 through 5, bleomycin 10 mg/m2/day as a continuous infusion days 3 through 7, and methotrexate 200 mg/m2 intravenous bolus on days 15 and 22 with leucovorin rescue was utilized before definitive surgery and/or radiation therapy. The total response rate was 78% with 30 (26%) patients achieving complete response and 59 (52%) patients achieving partial response. Patient age, performance status, histologic grade of tumor, and tumor site did not predict response to chemotherapy. Induction chemotherapy was well tolerated with myelosup-pression and nephrotoxicity being dose-limiting in a few patients. The toxicity of subsequent local treatment with surgery and/or radiation is reported with an analysis of local treatment failures. A strong correlation was noted between local control of tumor and postchemotherapy tumor size before local treatment.