cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Future glycemic control of children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus at toddler and preschool/school age.

Background The main objective of this study was to compare future glycemic control in children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) at toddler age and preschool/school age. In addition, we aimed to examine risk factors known to be associated with future glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in children diagnosed with T1DM. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of 85 patients diagnosed with T1DM at toddler age (group 1; 0-2.9 years; n = 36) or preschool/school age (group 2; 5-6.9 years; n = 49) who were followed up at the University Children's Hospital in Zurich for at least 10 consecutive years or until the age of 15 years. Results The mean HbA1c level in the first year after diagnosis had a highly predictive value about glycemic control in the following 6 years. In addition, a longer duration of T1DM was associated with higher HbA1c values. HbA1c values did not differ significantly within 11 years after diagnosis between children in the two age groups. Neither was a difference found when comparing the two groups in respect to their chronological age, although a trend was noted (p = 0.09). This trend is very likely due to a longer duration of diabetes in group 1. Conclusions HbA1c level in the first year predicts glycemic control for the next 6 years and deterioration of HbA1c values can be noted with longer duration of T1DM. Moreover, our study demonstrated similar future glycemic control in patients diagnosed with T1DM at toddler age and preschool/school age.
Observability quantification of public transportation systems with heterogeneous data sources: An information-space projection approach based on discretized space-time network flow models

Abstract Focusing on how to quantify system observability in terms of different interested states, this paper proposes a modeling framework to systemically account for the multi-source sensor information in public transportation systems. By developing a system of linear equations and inequalities, an information space is generated based on the available data from heterogeneous sensor sources. Then, a number of projection functions are introduced to match the relation between the unique information space and different system states of interest, such as, the passenger flow/density on the platform or in the vehicle at specific time intervals, the path flow of each origin-destination pair, the earning collected from the tickets to different operation companies etc., in urban rail transit systems as our study object. Their corresponding observability represented by state estimate uncertainties is further quantified by calculating its maximum feasible state range in proposed space-time network flow models. All of proposed models are solved as linear programming models by Dantzig–Wolfe decomposition, and a k-shortest-path-based approximation approach is also proposed to solve our models in large-scale networks. Finally, numerical experiments are conducted to demonstrate our proposed methodology and algorithms.
Modeling irregular boundaries using isoparametric elements in the Material Point Method

The Material Point Method (MPM) is a hybrid Eulerian-Lagrangian approach capable of simulating large deformation problems of history-dependent materials. While the MPM can represent complex and evolving material domains by using Lagrangian points, boundary conditions are often applied to the Eulerian nodes of the background mesh nodes. Hence, the use of a structured mesh may become prohibitively restrictive for modeling complex boundaries such as a landslide topography. We study the suitability of unstructured background mesh with isoparametric elements to model irregular boundaries in the MPM. An inverse mapping algorithm is used to transform the material points from the global coordinates to the local natural coordinates. Dirichlet velocity and frictional boundary conditions are applied in the local coordinate system at each boundary node. This approach of modeling complex boundary conditions is validated by modeling the dynamics of a gravity-driven rigid block sliding on an inclined plane. This method is later applied to a flume test of controlled debris flow on an inclined plane conducted by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Association between patient psychosocial characteristics and receipt of in‐center nocturnal hemodialysis among prevalent dialysis patients

INTRODUCTION Compared to traditional in-center hemodialysis (HD), in-center nocturnal dialysis (INHD) is characterized by longer sessions and nighttime administration, which may lead to better outcomes for some patients. Given the importance of patient choice in the decision to initiate INHD, we explored associations between patients' psychosocial characteristics and their receipt of INHD. METHODS Among hemodialysis patients at a medium-sized dialysis organization, we identified INHD patients as those for whom ≥80% of dialysis sessions were INHD sessions-starting at 6:30 pm or later and lasting ≥5 hours-over the 3 months (≥20 sessions total) after their first INHD session. We extracted dialysis session data from electronic medical records and psychosocial data from social worker assessments. We tested associations of patients' psychosocial characteristics-as well as demographic and clinical characteristics-with INHD receipt among all hemodialysis patients (INHD and HD) in bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression models. FINDINGS Among 759 patients with complete data, we identified 47 (6.2%) as INHD patients. On average, these patients were more likely than HD patients to be employed (full-time 10.6% vs. 5.2%; part-time 17.0% vs. 4.2%; P < 0.001), and they were significantly less likely to require ambulatory assistance (14.9% vs. 39.6%, P < 0.001). In multivariable regressions, we found that part-time employment (versus being unemployed) was associated with a 7.1 percentage-point higher likelihood of being an INHD patient (P = 0.01), and the negative association with ambulatory assistance needs approached statistical significance (P = 0.056). No other psychosocial factors included in this main regression analysis were statistically significantly associated with INHD patient status. DISCUSSION Researchers comparing the outcomes of patients undergoing INHD versus other treatment modalities will need to account for differences in employment status-and other factors like requiring ambulatory assistance and age which may predict the ability to work-between INHD users and comparison patients to avoid bias in estimates.
Landau theory of metal-insulator transition in VO$_\text{2}$ doped with metal ions

Metal-ion doping can effectively regulate the metal-insulator transition temperature in $\mathrm{VO}_2$. Experiments found that the pentavalent and hexavalent ion doping dramatically reduces the transition temperature while the trivalent ion doping increases the transition temperature and induces intermediate phases. Based on the phase-field model of the metal-insulator transition in $\mathrm{VO}_2$ we developed previously, we formulate a Landau potential of the metal-ion-doped $\mathrm{VO}_2$ taking account of the effects of doping on the electron correlation and lattice structure. The effect of metal-ion doping on the lattice structure is accounted for in a phenomenological way. Using the Landau potential, we calculate the temperature-dopant-concentration phase diagrams of $\mathrm{VO}_2$ doped with various metal ions consistent with the experiments and provide explanation to the different behaviors of different metal-ion doping. The phenomenological theory can provide estimations of phase diagrams of $\mathrm{VO}_2$ doped with other metal ions.
Complications associated with tracheoesophageal voice prostheses from 2010 to 2020: A MAUDE study.

Abstract Purpose Tracheoesophageal puncture with voice prosthesis placement remains the gold standard for voice restoration following total laryngectomy, but may cause various complications. This study aims to summarize patient-related and device-related adverse events associated with tracheoesophageal puncture and voice prosthesis placement. Materials and methods The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database was queried for reports of adverse events related to tracheoesophageal puncture with voice prosthesis placement from January 1, 2010, to April 30, 2020. Data were extracted from reports pertaining to tracheoesophageal prostheses. Results Seventy-seven reports involving tracheoesophageal voice prostheses were identified, from which 111 adverse events were extracted. Of these, 58 (52.3%) were patient-related, while 53 (47.7%) were device-related. The most frequently reported patient-related adverse events were aspirated prosthesis (24 [41.4%]), foreign body during placement (11 [19.0%]), aspiration pneumonia (9 [15.5%]), and aspirated brush tip (8 [13.8%]). The most common device-related adverse events were detached brush tip (15 [28.3%]), leak (14 [26.4%]), and torn esophageal flange (11 [20.8%]). Conclusions While tracheoesophageal puncture with voice prosthesis placement has revolutionized voice rehabilitation following total laryngectomy, the procedure may be associated with adverse events both at the time of placement and later. Interventions aimed at improving both physician and patient education may help reduce adverse events attributed to improper use. Further research is needed to clarify optimal approaches to education.
Enhanced dimethylarginine degradation improves coronary flow reserve and exercise tolerance in Duchenne muscular dystrophy carrier mice

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked disease caused by null mutations in dystrophin and characterized by muscle degeneration. Cardiomyopathy is common and often prevalent at similar frequency in female DMD carriers irrespective of whether they manifest skeletal muscle disease. Impaired muscle nitric oxide (NO) production in DMD disrupts muscle blood flow regulation and exaggerates postexercise fatigue. We show that circulating levels of endogenous methylated arginines including asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), which act as NO synthase inhibitors, are elevated by acute necrotic muscle damage and in chronically necrotic dystrophin-deficient mice. We therefore hypothesized that excessive ADMA impairs muscle NO production and diminishes exercise tolerance in DMD. We used transgenic expression of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 (DDAH), which degrades methylated arginines, to investigate their contribution to exercise-induced fatigue in DMD. Although infusion of exogenous ADMA was sufficient to impair exercise performance in wild-type mice, transgenic DDAH expression did not rescue exercise-induced fatigue in dystrophin-deficient male mdx mice. Surprisingly, DDAH transgene expression did attenuate exercise-induced fatigue in dystrophin-heterozygous female mdx carrier mice. Improved exercise tolerance was associated with reduced heart weight and improved cardiac β-adrenergic responsiveness in DDAH-transgenic mdx carriers. We conclude that DDAH overexpression increases exercise tolerance in female DMD carriers, possibly by limiting cardiac pathology and preserving the heart's responses to changes in physiological demand. Methylated arginine metabolism may be a new target to improve exercise tolerance and cardiac function in DMD carriers or act as an adjuvant to promote NO signaling alongside therapies that partially restore dystrophin expression in patients with DMD.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) carriers are at risk for cardiomyopathy. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is released from damaged muscle in DMD and impairs exercise performance. Transgenic expression of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase to degrade ADMA prevents cardiac hypertrophy, improves cardiac function, and improves exercise tolerance in DMD carrier mice. These findings highlight the relevance of ADMA to muscular dystrophy and have important implications for therapies targeting nitric oxide in patients with DMD and DMD carriers.
Abstract IA49: New Perspectives on Training Complex Communication

Effective, empathic communication is a cardinal skill in healthcare, and is particularly important in the setting of cancer. What may be less apparent is the complexity of empathic communication, which involves cognitive, affective and behavioral components. Current training methods do not address all these elements; this can cause mismatches in verbal, paraverbal and nonverbal communication behaviors, resulting in conversation failure and adverse outcomes. Further, traditional training methods alone do not produce conversational skill development and maintenance. Considering that problems such as implicit bias and health disparities are, to some degree, smaller conversational failures writ large, underscores the crucial need for improved communication training. Blending current methods with new technologies can fills the gap between available methods and actual training needs to produce significantly better outcomes over a variety of challenging communication topics. Citation Format: Frederick W. Kron. New Perspectives on Training Complex Communication [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr IA49.
Transitioning Roles from Residency to Attending Physician in Radiation Oncology

Moving from the role of resident into that of a young attending is one of the most anticipated transitions in a medical trainee's career path. Radiation oncology residency training is typically apprentice-style focused in the outpatient setting, which carries additional unique challenges. Twenty-seven junior attendings at academic institutions within their first 5 years of practice were sent an online open-ended questionnaire in 2018 regarding aspects of their practice using a snowball sampling method. Responses were collected, and a thematic analysis was conducted in which two independent reviewers coded the responses. Nineteen junior attendings (70%) from 18 institutions completed the questionnaire. General themes included the importance of cultivating relationships for peer support and to be professional and polite as confidence was gained to enable them to be seen as an attending. All respondents felt that bringing an open mind, balance, and adaptability was crucial in their transition. Respondents stayed up to date on literature and practices by subscribing to journals, courses, and participation in resident education. Forty-two percent of young attendings were matched with a mentor at their new institution through a formal mentor-mentee relationship. Respondents wished that they had more autonomy during residency to prepare for independent practice. Transitioning from residency to a junior attending provides unique stressors and challenges. Allowing for residents to have more autonomy during their training, such as a senior resident clinic, may help improve this transition by providing an opportunity for independent decision-making with guidance as appropriate.
Introduction to Migration Curriculum in Women’s Human Rights Teaching and Advocacy Resource

This essay provides an introduction and link to the Migration Curriculum in the Women’s Human Rights Teaching and Advocacy Resource.
Evidence that oxidative challenges promote neuronal sprouting and cell cycle re-entry.

The non-renewing nature of neurons means that their death can have a massive impact upon the function and the survival of the organism. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Alzheimers disease (AD), where the loss of large hippocampal neurons leads to a progressive loss in memory. Thus it would be surprising if higher multicellular organisms had not developed a number of mechanisms to prevent synaptic loss and neuronal cell death following trauma, infection and other insults that occur throughout life and that result in physical and oxidative damage. From an evolutionary perspective, the mechanisms required to deal with these stressors in the insular brain compartment are likely to be different to the mechanisms that deal with these stresses in organs where cellular renewal is ever present. The apparent redundancy and plasticity of neurons is one mechanism that enables organisms to compensate for neuron loss and remain functional. Another compensatory mechanism may involve a tight regulation of cellular damage and signaling by reactive oxygen species (ROS), since oxidative mechanisms can damage vital cellular components, promote the apoptotic cascade as well as play critical roles in regulating cellular function. However, the production of ROS in excess of antioxidant defense mechanisms results in oxidative stress. Due to the
VisualDSolve: Visualizing Differential Equations with Mathematica®

This title presents new ideas on the visualization of differential equations with user-configurable tools. The authors use the widely-used computer algebra system, Mathematica, to provide an integrated environment for programming, visualizing graphics, and running commentary for learning and working with differential equations.
Transcatheter balloon dilation for recurrent right ventricular outflow tract obstruction following valve-sparing repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

Background Valve-sparing repair in patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) carries the risk of residual or recurrent right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction, which is often treated with transcatheter balloon dilation (BD). The outcomes and associated complications of BD of the RVOT in this scenario remain unknown. Methods Retrospective review of the records of the Department of Cardiology at Boston Children's Hospital from 2000 to 2013 was performed. Results 34 patients had initial valve-sparing repair of tetralogy of Fallot followed by BD of the RVOT during the study period. Following BD, the RVOT gradient decreased from a median of 43 mm Hg (range 13 to 79 mm Hg) to 28 mm Hg (range 0 to 73 mm Hg) (P 1 and a final RVOT gradient of ≥40 post-BD were associated with shorter freedom from reintervention (P < 0.001). Conclusion BD in patients with recurrent RVOT obstruction following valve-sparing repair of TOF acutely reduces the RVOT gradient, but commonly results in increased PR and is associated with a high reintervention rate. Patients with stenosis solely at the level of the valve had a better response to this type of intervention. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Using circuits and systems-level research to drive nanotechnology

This paper details nano-scale devices being researched by physical scientists to build computational systems. It also reviews some existing system design work that uses the devices to be discussed. It concludes with a discussion of how the authors believe system-level research can best be used to positively affect actual device development. This work has led to a more thorough design methodology that address whether or not computationally interesting and buildable circuits are possible with the quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA), while also providing significant wins over end-of-the-roadmap CMOS.
A Brief Reflection on the Problem of Person-Altering Consequences

Many social policies require substantial sacrifices by existing persons in order to benefit the yet-unborn members of future generations. There is a substantial consensus that we do have ethical obligations to consider the interests of those future persons in our decisions. However, the questions of whether we do in fact have such ethical obligations, and if so then how to properly balance those obligations with our obligations to existing persons, are greatly complicated by the often-overlooked "problem of person-altering consequences." This brief essay is intended to communicate to a broad readership the nature and scope of this problem and its dramatic implications for addressing these ethical and policy assessment questions.
TCP transmission over a reconfigurable optical access network

In this paper, we discuss TCP (transport control protocol data transfers over a reconfigurable optical network. We find the throughput to be diminished by false detection of congestion by TCP congestion control and avoidance mechanisms.
Pattern visual evoked potential in the diagnosis of functional visual loss

Abstract Objective To study the pattern visual evoked potential (P-VEP) in the diagnosis of functional visual loss. Study design Retrospective study of observational case series. Participants Seventy-two subjects whose best corrected visual acuity (VA) was 20/50 or worse, with or without visual field defect, and whose visual abnormalities could not be explained by the findings of ophthalmologic and neurologic examination were included in this study. Main outcome measures To compare the P-VEP estimated acuity to the initial subjective VA and to the best-performed VA. Results Seventy-two subjects with functional visual loss had normal P-VEPs. The initial subjective VA was 20/50 in 9 subjects and ≤20/200 in 42 subjects. After clinical examination and reassurance, the best-performed VA was ≥20/50 in 53 subjects and ≤20/200 in 8 subjects. The discrepancy between the P-VEP estimated acuity and the best-performed VA was less than 3 lines of Snellen acuity in 63 of 72 (87.5%) subjects and more than 4 lines in 6 subjects. These six subjects were three women with loss of vision of unknown origin and three men with injury-related visual loss. Conclusions P-VEP has the advantage of objectively predicting VA and is a useful test in the diagnosis of functional visual loss.
Micro/nano liter droplet formation and dispensing by capacitance metering and electrowetting actuation

In this work, a method is presented for dispensing droplets. The method exploits the built-in capacitance of an electrowetting device to meter the droplet volume and control the dispensing process dynamically. A fully automated droplet dispensing device is developed and used to load liquid samples or couple continuous flow to electro-wetting droplet handling. The reproducibility of the dispensing process is tested against dispensing parameters including dispensing volume, production rate, fluid viscosity, channel geometry and needle diameter. The relative independence of the reproducibility on those parameters indicates the wide applicability of the device in biological and chemical sample dispensing. Meanwhile, as low as 1.2% error in reproducibility is demonstrated and up to 120 droplets per minute production rate is possible. The dispensing process has been demonstrated for droplet volumes between 60 nl and 1900 nl or above while maintain reproducibility in an acceptable range of 10%.
Sodium space and electrolyte excretion during the menstrual cycle.

Abstract Exchangeable sodium spaces were measured at intervals during the menstrual cycle in normotensive subjects under controlled sodium intake. Urinary excretion of sodium, potassium, and creatinine was also measured daily, along with daily weights and basal body temperature. The time of ovulation was determined based upon basal temperatures and urinary excretion of pregnanediol. The results were compared to those of hypertensive subjects. No significant change was noted in sodium space during the phases of the menstrual cycle. The aldosterone secretion rates and plasma renin activity in hypertensive patients of an earlier study are also discussed.
Domination and Closure

An expansive, monotone operator is dominating; if it is also idempotent it is a closure operator. Although they have distinct properties, these two kinds of discrete operators are also intertwined. Every closure operator is dominating; every dominating operator embodies a closure. Both can be the basis of continuous set transformations. Dominating operators that exhibit categorical pull-back constitute a Galois connection and must be antimatroid closure operators. Applications involving social networks and learning spaces are suggested
Class Acts Indian American High School Students Negotiate Professional and Ethnic Identities

This article examines how class, race, ethnicity, and identity interact at the macro and micro levels to reify the model minority stereotype of Asian American students. Specifically, data from a qu...
Impact of in vivo triazole and echinocandin combination therapy for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis: enhanced efficacy against Cyp51 mutant isolates.

ABSTRACT Previous studies examining combination therapy for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) have revealed conflicting results, including antagonism, indifference, and enhanced effects. The most commonly employed combination for this infection includes a mold-active triazole and echinocandin. Few studies have evaluated combination therapy from a pharmacodynamic (PD) perspective, and even fewer have examined combination therapy against both wild-type and azole-resistant Cyp51 mutant isolates. The current studies aim to fill this gap in knowledge. Four Aspergillus fumigatus isolates were utilized, including a wild-type strain, an Fks1 mutant (posaconazole susceptible and caspofungin resistant), and two Cyp51 mutants (posaconazole resistant). A neutropenic murine model of IPA was used for the treatment studies. The dosing design included monotherapy with posaconazole, monotherapy with caspofungin, and combination therapy with both. Efficacy was determined using quantitative PCR, and results were normalized to known quantities of conidia (conidial equivalents [CE]). The static dose, 1-log kill dose, and associated PD target area under the curve (AUC)/MIC ratio were determined for monotherapy and combination therapy. Monotherapy experiments revealed potent activity for posaconazole, with reductions of 3 to 4 log 10 Aspergillus CE/ml with the two “low”-MIC isolates. Posaconazole alone was less effective for the two isolates with higher MICs. Caspofungin monotherapy did not produce a significant decrease in fungal burden for any strain. Combination therapy with the two antifungals did not enhance efficacy for the two posaconazole-susceptible isolates. However, the drug combination produced synergistic activity against both posaconazole-resistant isolates. Specifically, the combination resulted in a 1- to 2-log 10 decline in burden that would not have been predicted based on the monotherapy results for each drug. This corresponded to a reduction in the free-drug posaconazole AUC/MIC ratio needed for stasis of up to 17-fold. The data suggest that combination therapy using a triazole and an echinocandin may be a beneficial treatment strategy for triazole-resistant isolates.
Saccharification of explosively dried corn.

Very rapid or explosive drying of grains such as corn leads to obvious physical changes in the macrostructure of the grain kernel, probable alteration in starch molecular structure, and reduction in starch average molecular weight. These changes lead to greater susceptibility to attack by liquefying and saccharifying enzymes. Rates of formation of nonreducing and reducing sugars by liquefying and saccharifying enzymes applied to explosively dried and milled yellow dent corn and small-kernel flint corn were 3.3–10.6 times greater than rates for the normally milled grains. The enzymatic conversion of explosively dried flint corn containing absorbed ethyl alcohol, as would be the case if it had been used as an adsorbent to dewater aqueous ethyl alcohol, was not significantly different from that of ethyl-alcohol-free flint corn.
Coherence Loss Due To Thin Film Interface Roughness

Using a surface roughness model consisting of narrow columns of differing heights, the spectral transmittance and front and backside reflectance have been derived for a single layer on a smooth substrate. The effects of various amounts of surface roughness have been compared to various amounts of layer absorption. Surface roughness causes a more rapid loss of modulation with wavelength in transmission than absorption. It begins to act like incoherent light, which shows no wavelength fringing.
hp-version finite elements for the space-time domain

A bilinear formulation of elasto-dynamics is offered which includes, as a special case, “Hamilton's law of varying action”. However, the more general bilinear formulation has several advantages over Hamilton's law. First, it admits a larger class of initial-value and boundary-value problems. Second, in its variational form, it offers physical insight into the so-called “trailing terms” of Hamilton's law. Third, numerical applications (i.e., finite elements in time) can be proven to be convergent under correct application of the bilinear formulation, whereas they can be demonstrated to diverge for specific problems under Hamilton's law. Fourth, the bilinear formulation offers automatic convergence of the “natural” velocity end conditions; while these must be constrained in present applications of Hamilton's law. Fifth, the bilinear formulation can be implemented in terms of a Larange multiplier that gives an order of magnitude improvement in the convergence of velocity. This implies that, in this form, the method is a hybrid finite-element approach.
A Comparison of Shallow Water Model Results for Three Estimates of a Composite El Niño Forcing.

Un modele lineaire en eau peu profonde sur un plan beta equatorial, a tourne pour 3 valeurs de la perturbation du taux de rechauffement, au cours de 7 saisons de l'El Nino composite (c'est-a-dire impliquant non seulement les anomalies de t de surface marine, mais aussi la moyenne climatologique de cette t). Dans deux cas, la perturbation de rechauffement pour ce modele, est supposee etroitement liee a la forme des anomalies de t de surface marine; dans le troisieme, le rechauffement est relie aux estimations directes des ecarts de precipitation. Les vents, deduits du modele, et reposant sur ces 3 valeurs, sont compares entre eux ainsi qu'aux donnees disponibles. Resultats: une analyse du vent moyenne en surface, du flux de chaleur latente a la surface, et de la convergence d'humidite a la surface, est en accord avec les observations au cours des saisons d'El Nino composite; les resultats utilisant les estimations directes de la precipitation sont generalement les plus pauvres; une seconde analyse explore la similitude des proprietes a petite echelle du modele, avec des observations: on trouve que le rechauffement parametrise simple, utilisant les estimations de la t de surface marine fournit la solution qui identifie correctement les variations de petite echelle
Granularity of locks in a shared data base

This paper proposes a locking protocol which associates locks with sets of resources. This protocol allows simultaneous locking at various granularities by different transactions. It is based on the introduction of additional lock modes besides the conventional share mode and exclusive mode. The protocol is generalized from simple hierarchies of locks to directed acyclic graphs of locks and to dynamic graphs of locks. The issues of scheduling and granting conflicting requests for the same resource are then discussed. Lastly, these ideas are compared with the lock mechanisms provided by existing data management systems.
Effects of Pharmacologic Agents on Bone in Childhood: An Editorial Overview

On April 14, 2005, a workshop on the skeletal effects of pharmacologic agents in children was held at the National Institutes of Health. Jointly sponsored by the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the meeting was organized in response to suggestions from the Pediatric Bone Initiative of the ASBMR.1 Previous discussions at the 2003 ASBMR symposium on the state of pediatric bone research1 led to the conclusion that there was a lack of information on the effects of Food and Drug Administration–approved therapeutic agents on bone in children. Advances in pediatric medicine have produced a new population of children who are able to live into adulthood with chronic illnesses and were previously thought to have a poor prognosis for survival beyond their childhood years. Medications and direct effects of illness may compromise normal bone mineralization, leading to skeletal deformities and osteopenia at a relatively young age. Several topics discussed at the 2003 ASBMR symposium were further examined and developed in the recent National Institutes of Health workshop, such as the limitations of currently available pediatric bone density–reference data, the challenges of measuring bone mass and strength in children, clinical-trial design, chronic drug effects on growing bone, and therapeutic agents for pediatric bone disorders. The following is a summary of all the presentations from the National Institutes of Health workshop on pediatric bone. Detailed summaries of selected talks are provided as well. The first session provided basic background on normal bone accrual in children, the regulation of skeletal growth, and the effects of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D on growing bone. Dr Jeffrey Baron and his co-workers2,3 reviewed the role of the growth plate in linear skeletal growth and work from his own laboratory … Address correspondence to Gordon L. Klein, MD, MPH, University of Texas Medical Branch, Department of Pediatrics, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555-0352. E-mail: gklein{at}utmb.edu
Pathophysiologic features of episodic gonadotropin secretion in man

Abstract Endocrine glands typically signal their remote target tissues by an intermittent, rather than an invariant, pattern of hormone secretion. This pulsatile mode of hormone release is believed to convey significant information to the target cells. This review focuses on the luteinizing hormone pulse signal in man as a paradigm for endocrine glandular signaling in general. In particular, recent developments in our understanding of the pathophysiology of luteinizing hormone secretion in men and women is examined, and illustrate how specific disturbances in neuroendocrine physiology can result in altered reproductive states are illustrated. New models of pituitary-secretory dynamics that are likely to help clarify more subtle defects in fertility regulation in man and experimental animals are suggested.
A BIOSYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE POLYGONUM HYDROPIPEROIDES (POLYGONACEAE) COMPLEX

The Polygonum hydropiperoides complex includes P. hydropiperoides Michx., P. opelousanum Riddell ex Small, P. setaceum Baldwin ex Ell., and P. hisutum Walter. Studies of morphology, cytology, and crossing compatibility were conducted with specimens from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. A multivariate cluster analysis using 212 specimens and 34 characters indicated that P. hirsutum and P. setaceum are each morphologically distinct while P. hydropiperoides and P. opelousanum are morphologically indistinct from one another. The chromosome counts of 2n = 20 for P. setaceum and P. hirsutum, and 2n = 40 for P. hydropiperoides and P. opelousanum are the first reported for the respective species. Experimental hybridizations produced the fertile hybrids P. hydropiperoides x opelousanum and P. setaceum x hirsutum. Results of these studies and population structure, habitat, and pollination studies suggest that P. hydropiperoides, P. setaceum, and P. hirsutum are each distinct species while P. opelousanum is indistinct and should be merged with P. hydropipe-
The effect of nitrous oxide-induced vitamin B12 deficiency on invivo folate metabolism

Abstract The effect of N2O-induced vitamin B12 deficiency on in vivo folate metabolism was studied in an animal model previously developed for studies of the folate enterohepatic cycle, and in rats with localized, subcutaneous tumor nodules. While N2O inhibited liver folate polyglutamate formation, it did not affect the absorption of (3H)PteGlu1 from the gut, its reduction, methylation, and transport to the liver, or the subsequent secretion of CH3H4(3H)PteGlu1 into bile—the folate enterohepatic cyle. In addition, N2O did not impair folate polyglutamate formation in the fibrosarcoma tumor nodule suggesting that tumor tissue can either demethylate CH3H4PteGlu1 by an alternate pathway or can utilize it as a substrate for polyglutamate formation without demethylation.
A Francisella mutant in lipid A carbohydrate modification elicits protective immunity.

Francisella tularensis (Ft) is a highly infectious gram-negative bacterium and the causative agent of the human disease tularemia. Ft is designated a class A select agent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Human clinical isolates of Ft produce lipid A of similar structure to Ft subspecies novicida (Fn), a pathogen of mice. We identified three enzymes required for Fn lipid A carbohydrate modifications, specifically the presence of mannose (flmF1), galactosamine (flmF2), or both carbohydrates (flmK). Mutants lacking either galactosamine (flmF2) or galactosamine/mannose (flmK) addition to their lipid A were attenuated in mice by both pulmonary and subcutaneous routes of infection. In addition, aerosolization of the mutants (flmF2 and flmK) provided protection against challenge with wild-type (WT) Fn, whereas subcutaneous administration of only the flmK mutant provided protection from challenge with WT Fn. Furthermore, infection of an alveolar macrophage cell line by the flmK mutant induced higher levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and macrophage inhibitory protein-2 (MIP-2) when compared to infection with WT Fn. Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMo) from Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and TLR2/4 knockout mice infected with the flmK mutant also produced significantly higher amounts of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and MIP-2 than BMMo infected with WT Fn. However, production of IL-6 and MIP-2 was undetectable in BMMo from MyD88(-/-) mice infected with either strain. MyD88(-/-) mice were also susceptible to flmK mutant infection. We hypothesize that the ability of the flmK mutant to activate pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine production and innate immune responses mediated by the MyD88 signaling pathway may be responsible for its attenuation, leading to the induction of protective immunity by this mutant.
Induction of DNA-protein crosslinks in human cells by ultraviolet and visible radiations: action spectrum

DNA-protein crosslinking was induced in cultured human P3 teratocarcinoma cells by irradiation with monochromatic radiation with wavelengths in the range 254-434 nm (far-UV, near-UV, and blue light). Wavelength 545 nm green light did not induce these crosslinks, using the method of alkaline elution of the DNA from membrane filters. The action spectrum for the formation of DNA-protein crosslinks revealed two maxima, one in the far-UV spectrum that closely coincided with the relative spectrum of DNA at 254 and 290 nm, and one in the visible light spectrum at 405 nm, which has no counterpart in the DNA spectrum. The primary events for the formation of DNA-protein crosslinks by such long-wavelength radiation probably involve photosensitizers. This dual mechanism for DNA-protein crosslink formation is in strong contrast to the single mechanism for pyrimidine dimer formation in DNA, which apparently has no component in the visible light spectrum.
Synthesis of 1,4,7-Triphenyl-1,4,7-triphosphacyclononane: The First Metal-Free Synthesis of a [9]-aneP3R3 Ring

The 1,4,7-triphenyl-1,4,7-triphosphacyclononane ([9]-aneP3Ph3) macrocycle was synthesized through the reaction of lithium bis(2-phenylphosphidoethyl)phenylphosphine with 1,2-dichloroethane. [9]-aneP3Ph3 was subsequently coordinated to a Mo0 metal center and isolated as the fac-Mo([9]-aneP3Ph3)(CO)3 metal complex.
Unintended invitation: organizational wi-fi use by external roaming users

Unauthorized users risk civil and criminal liability; Wi-Fi network providers risk system intrusion and disruption.
Skeletal muscle protein content and synthesis after voluntary running and subsequent unweighting

The effects of exercise training with or without subsequent unweighting on wet weight, protein content, and in vivo fractional protein synthesis were studied in soleus and plantaris muscles of juvenile female Sprague-Dawley rats under the following four conditions: normal weight bearing (N), voluntary-activity wheel running (WR) for up to 4 weeks, mechanical unweighting for 7 days via hindlimb suspension (HS), or wheel running followed by 7 days of hindlimb suspension (WR-HS). Fractional protein synthesis was determined by the 3H-phenylalanine flooding method. Increases (P < .05) in wet weight and protein content were detected in the soleus after just 1 week of running, with no increase in fractional protein synthesis. Two weeks of running were required for an increase in protein synthesis in this muscle. Significant increases in these parameters were first observed in the plantaris after 2 weeks of running. Maximal increases occurred by 3 weeks in both muscles. Reductions (P < .05) in soleus and plantaris parameters were observed in both HS and WR-HS groups compared with N and WR groups, respectively. However, protein content and fractional synthesis were maintained at significantly higher levels in WR-HS muscles compared with HS muscles. These results indicate that (1) wheel training represents a noninvasive method for inducing rapid hypertrophy of the skeletal muscles studied, in part by increasing fractional protein synthesis; (2) unweighting decreases protein content and synthesis to the same extent whether the muscles are trained; and (3) previously hypertrophied muscles display higher protein contents and fractional protein synthesis following unweighting compared with unweighted muscles of untrained animals.
CCK stimulates growth of six human pancreatic cancer cell lines in serum-free medium.

Abstract The growth responses of six human pancreatic cancer cell lines (SW-1990, PANC-1, MIA PaCa-2, BxPC-3, RWP-2 and CAPAN-2) to cholecystokinin (CCK) were evaluated in serum-free medium (SFM). In each experiment cells were initially plated in media containing fetal calf serum (FCS) grown for 48–72 h, and then washed with saline. Cells were incubated for an additional 72 to 96 h in medium devoid of FCS in the absence (control) or presence of synthetic CCK analogue (Thr 4 ,Nle 7 )CCK9 (10 −13 to 10 −9 M), or CCK8 (10 −12 to 10 −9 M), or CCK39 (10 −12 to 10 −9 M). Viable cell counts were performed with a hemocytometer. Growth of each cell line was stimulated in the presence of CCK in serum-free medium, although the magnitude of responses differed. The concentrations of (Thr 4 ,Nle 7 )CCK9 which stimulated the greatest increase in cell counts as compared to controls for each cell line were: SW-1990, 39% (10 −12 M, P −9 M, P −12 M, P −13 M, P −11 M, P −9 M dose for each cell line: MIA PaCa-2, 40% ( P P P P −11 or 10 −10 M. CCK8 in SFM also stimulated cell growth as well as or better than FCS alone in three out of four pancreatic cell lines. Lastly, growth of SW-1990 cells was increased up to 93% by the addition of (Thr 4 ,Nle 7 )CCK9 at 10 −9 M and 10 −8 M to serum-free media for 12 consecutive days.
Atomistic computer simulation of dynamic crack propagation by finite element technique

Abstract The finite element technique was used to trace the sequence of bond breakages in a precracked ideal MgO crystal under dynamic loading. The crack velocity was then calculated from the time interval between the breaking of successive bonds. There was a time difference between the load application and the crack initiation. The time was found to depend on the magnitude of the applied load. The minimum value of the time delay was found to be equal to the time taken by the stress wave to reach the crack tip for a very high value of the load.
Board game project ideas for CS 1 and CS 2 (abstract only)

Participants will have fun learning and playing relatively unknown board games that are especially suitable for programming projects. We will present games where (1) all players can view the same screen, (2) the board is reasonably simple to program, and (3) there are several elements of the game that relate strongly to a common CS 1, CS 2, or discrete math topic. After we explain the rules and highlight the CS-related elements of the games, participants will have the opportunity to play the games, ask questions, and suggest rule variations that will improve the resulting programming project. See http://www.cis.gvsu.edu/~kurmasz/GamesWorkshop/ for more details and a list of games that may be presented. Laptop Optional.
Extremely simple device for measuring 1.5-microm ultrashort laser pulses.

We have demonstrated an experimentally very simple and sensitive GRENOUILLE device for measuring the intensity and phase vs. time and spatio-temporal distortions of 100-fs to few-ps 1.5-μm pulses using the nonlinear-optical crystal Proustite. We show that the dispersive and nonlinear-optical characteristics of Proustite are critical for achieving very simple and reliable measurements of such pulses from fiber lasers and optical parametric amplifiers.
Acute administration of cocaine reduces metabotropic glutamate receptor 8 protein expression in the rat striatum in vivo.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are densely expressed in the limbic system of the mammalian brain. Increasing evidence suggests a critical role of mGluRs in the pathogenesis of various mental illnesses, including drug abuse and addiction. In this study, we investigated the effect of psychostimulant, cocaine, on protein expression of a specific mGluR subtype, mGluR8, in the rat forebrain in vivo. A rabbit antibody against the extracellular N-terminus of mGluR8 was developed to detect changes in mGluR8 proteins in immunoblot assays. With this antibody, we found that acute systemic injection of cocaine reduced mGluR8 protein levels in the striatum. The reduction of mGluR8 proteins was rapid and transient as it was induced 25 min after cocaine injection and returned to the normal level by 6 h. No significant change in mGluR8 protein levels in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus was observed following cocaine administration. These data demonstrate that protein expression of mGluR8 is subject to the modulation by dopamine stimulation. Acute exposure to cocaine results in a dynamic and region-specific downregulation of mGluR8 expression in the striatum. © 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
A novel mutation in KVLQT1 is the molecular basis of inherited long QT syndrome in a near-drowning patient's family

After identifying a 10-year-old boy with inherited long QT syndrome (LQTS) after a near-drowning that required defibrillation from torsades de pointes, evaluation of first degree relatives revealed a four-generation kindred comprising 26 individuals with four additional symptomatic and eight asymptomatic members harboring an abnormally prolonged QTc (defined as≥0.46 s1/2). We set out to determine the molecular basis of their LQTS. The inherited LQTS represents a collection of genetically distinct ion channelopathies with over 40 mutations in four fundamental cardiac ion channels identified. Molecular studies, including linkage analysis and identification of the disease-associated mutation, were performed on genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood samples from 29 available family members. Genetic linkage analysis excluded the regions for LQT2, LQT3, and LQT5. However, the chromosome 11p15.5 region (LQT1) showed evidence of linkage with a maximum lod score of 3.36. Examination of the KVLQT1 gene revealed a novel 3-bp deletion resulting in an in-frame ΔF339 (phenylalanine) deletion in the proband. This ΔF339 mutation was confirmed in nine additional family members who shared both an assigned affected phenotype and the disease-associated linked haplotype. Importantly, three asymptomatic family members, with a tentative clinical diagnosis based on their QTc, did not have this mutation and could be reclassified as unaffected. It is noteworthy that the proband's ECG suggested the sodium channel-based LQT3 genotype. These findings show the potential importance of establishing a molecular diagnosis rather than initiating genotype-specific interventions based upon inspection of a patient's ECG.