cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Memories of Victor McKusick

Victor McKusick and I were appointed as departmental directors at Johns Hopkins 1 year apart. Thus, we were presented to the Biennial Alumni Meeting together as the newest chairs at Johns Hopkins. As would be typical for neurosurgeons, I was delayed in the operating room and reached the biennial banquet too late to be seated at the table in the front without disrupting the proceedings. I found myself with a group of internists celebrating a class reunion. They really did not know who I was, so when Victor was announced as the new chair of the great Department of Medicine at Johns Hopkins, they were free with their comments. All commented on what a fine choice he was. There was a general approval of his choice as the new chair, but it was colored by a reservation. One member of the group summarized the general feeling by saying Victor McKusick is a wonderful person and a wonderful choice. It is just too bad that his clinical interests are genetics and not something important like cardiology. It would be interesting to know what comments they might have today after Victor’s accomplishments are recognized worldwide, and his seminal contributions to medical genetics, the greatest evolution in medicine of the past half-century, are world famous.
Novel Pre-Compensation Schemes for Low-Cost Nonlinear Tera-Hertz Transmitters

Tera-Hertz (THz) transmission can offer several attractive applications, yet developing low-cost energy-efficient THz devices is at an early stage. The most promising low-cost THz transmitter architecture in the literature is the so-called frequency-multiplier-last architecture but it is incapable of transmitting quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) due to the architecture's inherent nonlinear distortions. We study such nonlinear THz communication systems by incorporating the nonlinearity aspects of the low- cost THz devices into the signal model. Then we propose novel pre-compensation schemes to compensate the nonlinearity effect, thus enabling QAM-capable frequency-multiplier-last architecture for THz systems. Numerical results show that the proposed pre-compensation schemes overcome the prominent problems experienced in the existing scheme, namely severe nonlinear distortions of the modulation symbols as well as spectral spreading and/or large spectrum sidelobes.
Abstract A063: Identification of an integrated stress response-inducing agent (NH125) that modulates DR5-dependent TRAIL synergy and ATF3-driven cell death in gliomaspheres

Purpose: The high incidence of glioblastoma recurrence necessitates additional therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes. One potential strategy targets treatment resistant cells via the integrated stress response (ISR) pathway as a means of sensitizing these cells to TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). Methods: We generated a novel cell-based death receptor assay and used this assay to screen compounds from three commercially available libraries (total of 223 compounds) at 2 or 10 μM (Z prime = 0.64). A single hit was identified that was further characterized by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. A compound dilution series was applied to a panel of cell lines including patient-derived glioma stem cells (GSC). IC50 values were calculated by fitting normalized viability data to a modified Hill Equation. TRAIL synergy was assessed using the combination index method following treatment with compound and TRAIL. Knockout of C/EBP Homologous Protein (CHOP) was used to determine the role of integrated stress in TRAIL synergy. GSC were also treated with temozolomide followed by assessment of cell viability. RNA-seq analysis was performed on compound treated GSC, U251, and Normal Human Astrocytes. Short hairpin RNAs were used to establish the role of ATF3 in compound-treated GSC. Results: Using a novel cell-based death receptor we identified 1-Benzyl-3-cetyl-2-methylimidazolium iodide (NH125) as a potent inducer of DR5 expression. NH125 signals through the EIF2α-ATF4-CHOP axis, culminating in DR5 expression at low micromolar doses. CHOP is required for NH125-mediated TRAIL synergy. Compared to other cancer cell lines, GSC demonstrate an increased sensitivity to NH125 treatment, and synergize with TRAIL at lower doses than U251. NH125 produced a significant decrease in GSC viability when compared to temozolomide treatment (p < 0.05). This enhanced sensitivity of GSC is partially due to increased expression of ATF3 following NH125 treatment. Conclusions: NH125 generates an integrated stress response leading to CHOP-mediated TRAIL synergy. Patient-derived glioma stem cells demonstrate increased sensitivity to NH125 treatment that is partially driven by increased ATF3 expression. Engaging the ISR to enhance the efficacy of TRAIL represents a promising strategy to target the treatment refractory GSC that have been implicated in glioblastoma recurrence. Citation Format: Saad Sheikh, Xiaobing Tian, Deeksha Saxena, Xiangsheng Xu, Gary Kao, Jay F. Dorsey. Identification of an integrated stress response-inducing agent (NH125) that modulates DR5-dependent TRAIL synergy and ATF3-driven cell death in gliomaspheres [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2017 Oct 26-30; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2018;17(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A063.
Machine learning and artificial neural network prediction of interfacial thermal resistance between graphene and hexagonal boron nitride.

High-performance thermal interface materials (TIMs) have attracted persistent attention for the design and development of miniaturized nanoelectronic devices; however, a large number of potential new materials exist to form these heterostructures and the explorations of their thermal properties are time consuming and expensive. In this work, we train several supervised machine learning (ML) and artificial neural network (ANN) models to predict the interfacial thermal resistance (R) between graphene and hexagonal boron–nitride (hBN) with only the knowledge of the system temperature, coupling strength between two layers, and in-plane tensile strains. The training data were obtained by high-throughput computations (HTCs) of R using classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Four different ML models, i.e., linear regression, polynomial regression, decision tree and random forest, are explored. A pair of one dense layer ANNs and another pair of two dense layer deep neural networks (DNNs) are also investigated. It is reported that the DNN models provide better R prediction results compared to the ML models. The thermal property predictions using HTC and ML/ANN models are applicable to a wide range of materials and open up new perspectives in the explorations of TIMs.
Total Synthesis of the Reported Structure of Stresgenin B Enabled by the Diastereoselective Cyanation of an Oxocarbenium.

We report the first total synthesis of the reported structure of the heat shock protein expression inhibitor stresgenin B. The synthesis features (1) diastereoselective cyanation of an oxocarbenium intermediate en route to the synthetically challenging α-amido dioxolane, (2) Pd-catalyzed hydration of an unstable nitrile, and (3) late-stage Au-catalyzed Meyer–Schuster rearrangement or Ce-mediated Peterson olefination to furnish the exocyclic α,β-unsaturated ester. Our synthetic endeavors allowed us to conclude that the structure of stresgenin B requires revision.
A data driven artificial neural network model for predicting radiative properties of metallic packed beds

Abstract In this work, we demonstrate that machine learning methods can be reliably used to predict radiative properties of dispersed media, i.e. packed beds, as a function of packed bed geometry and material properties. The computationally expensive Monte Carlo ray tracing (MCRT) method, which is widely used in this context, is replaced by Neural Networks (NN). We demonstrate that the data-driven surrogate prediction works accurately and generally. The results of both MCRT and NN models agree well with each other and with previously measured literature results. We also measure the uncertainty of the NN results using statistical methods. It is recommended that the developed model be used for efficient inverse problems and optimizations in relevant future work.
Impact of colonizing organism in the respiratory tract on the incidence, duration, and time between subsequent hospitalizations among patients with cystic fibrosis.

Background This study aimed to examine the association between colonizing respiratory tract organism and frequency, duration, and time between subsequent hospitalizations among hospitalized patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods This retrospective cohort study of 312 CF patients from 2 New York City hospitals (2006-2016) examined the effects of colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) or methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA), co-colonization on incidence of hospitalization, time to next hospitalization, and total length of stay (LOS). Results Annual rate of subsequent hospitalizations was highest in patients with P aeruginosa: adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) were 2.75 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.72-4.41) for P aeruginosa versus MSSA, 2.57 (95% CI, 1.52-4.31) for co-colonization versus MSSA, and 1.77 (95% CI, 1.04-3.01) for P aeruginosa versus MRSA. Time to readmission was shortest for P aeruginosa: aIRRs were 1.75 (95% CI, 1.05-2.94) for MRSA versus P aeruginosa, 1.64 (95% CI, 1.03-2.59) for MSSA versus P aeruginosa, and 1.61 (95% CI, 1.04-2.47) for co-colonization versus P aeruginosa. LOS was longest for P aeruginosa: aIRRs were 3.41 (95% CI, 2.19-5.32) for P aeruginosa versus MSSA, 1.66 (95% CI, 1.01-2.75) for co-colonization versus MSSA, 2.50 (95% CI, 1.58-3.93) for P aeruginosa versus MRSA, and 2.05 (95% CI, 1.32-3.18) for P aeruginosa versus co-colonization. Conclusions CF patients with P aeruginosa alone experienced more hospitalizations, longer LOS, and shorter time to readmission versus patients with S aureus or both organisms.
Healthcare Cost of Stargardt Disease

Abstract Importance Stargardt disease (SD) is the most common juvenile macular degeneration and a leading cause of uncorrectable childhood blindness. The progressive and incurable nature of this chronic condition entails a long-term financial burden on affected individuals. The economic costs of SD have not been characterized in detail. Objective To estimate the direct healthcare cost of SD. Design Cross-sectional analysis of healthcare claims. Participants Patients with an ICD-9 diagnosis code of SD, non-exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), or bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SHL). Methods Outpatient administrative claims data from the IBM® MarketScan® Commercial Claims and Encounters Database from 2010 to 2014 were analyzed. Main Outcome Measure Annual per-patient direct healthcare cost. Results A total of 472,428 patients were analyzed (5,015 SD, 369,750 SHL and 97,663 AMD patients respectively). The payment per year of insurance coverage for SD (median: $105.58, IQR: $50.53-$218.71) was higher than that of SHL (median: $51.01, IQR: $25.66-$121.66, p Conclusions and Relevance There is a significant direct healthcare cost associated with SD. The annual per-patient cost of SD was higher than SHL, another condition that causes sensory impairment in people of all ages, and nonexudative AMD which causes a similar pattern of visual loss that typically begins later in life. The total lifetime per-patient cost of SD may exceed that of nonexudative AMD.
Israel and Lebanon: Relations Under Stress:

AbstractThis article provides an analysis of the course of Israeli-Lebanese relations and its purpose is to shed light on the contacts between the Maronites in Lebanon and the State of Israel. It a...
Daily acute intermittent hypoxia to improve walking function in persons with subacute spinal cord injury: a randomized clinical trial study protocol.

Restoring community walking remains a highly valued goal for persons recovering from traumatic incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Recently, studies report that brief episodes of low-oxygen breathing (acute intermittent hypoxia, AIH) may serve as an effective plasticity-inducing primer that enhances the effects of walking therapy in persons with chronic (> 1 year) SCI. More persistent walking recovery may occur following repetitive (weeks) AIH treatment involving persons with more acute SCI, but this possibility remains unknown. Here we present our clinical trial protocol, designed to examine the distinct influences of repetitive AIH, with and without walking practice, on walking recovery in persons with sub-acute SCI (< 12 months) SCI. Our overarching hypothesis is that daily exposure (10 sessions, 2 weeks) to AIH will enhance walking recovery in ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons with subacute (< 12 months) SCI, presumably by harnessing endogenous mechanisms of plasticity that occur soon after injury. To test our hypothesis, we are conducting a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial on 85 study participants who we stratify into two groups according to walking ability; those unable to walk (non-ambulatory group) and those able to walk (ambulatory group). The non-ambulatory group receives either daily AIH (15, 90s episodes at 10.0% O2 with 60s intervals at 20.9% O2) or daily SHAM (15, 90s episodes at 20.9% O2 with 60s intervals at 20.9% O2) intervention. The ambulatory group receives either 60-min walking practice (WALK), daily AIH + WALK, or daily SHAM+WALK intervention. Our primary outcome measures assess overground walking speed (10-Meter Walk Test), endurance (6-Minute Walk Test), and balance (Timed Up & Go Test). For safety, we also measure levels of pain, spasticity, systemic hypertension, and autonomic dysreflexia. We record outcome measures at baseline, days 5 and 10, and follow-ups at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months post-treatment. The goal of this clinical trial is to reveal the extent to which daily AIH, alone or in combination with task-specific walking practice, safely promotes persistent recovery of walking in persons with traumatic, subacute SCI. Outcomes from this study may provide new insight into ways to enhance walking recovery in persons with SCI. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02632422 . Registered 16 December 2015,
Interpretation of the Free Exercise Clause and the Disparate Effect on Faith-Based Organizations in a Time of Crisis

In late December of 2019 a novel strain of coronavirus was discovered in the Wuhan Province of China. This novel strain, SARS-Cov-2 which causes the disease commonly known as COVID-19 began to spread across the world. In March of 2020, the United States declared a state of emergency in order to combat what had become a pandemic. Following the state of emergency declaration, state governors began to issue stay at home orders to prevent the spread of the virus within the community. These Executive Orders raised constitutional questions. Many challenges to these Orders stemmed from houses of worship. Based on the concept of neutral and generally applicable laws, the Supreme Court has upheld these Executives Orders. Not only do these Orders not specifically target faith-based organizations, but in some cases, there have been religious exemptions carved out of the restrictions for houses of worship. This comment presents an overview of some of the most prominent free exercise case law and examines how free exercise jurisprudence has been applied to this new situation. This comment posits that the Executive Orders as well as the religious exemptions carved out of said Executive Orders have had a disparate impact on minority communities. In order to combat this disparity, this comment proposes a hybrid claim against a violation of equal protection rights combined with religious rights infringement. Alone, an equal protection claim is difficult to succeed on without a showing of intentional discrimination, however, combined with religion, it may be enough to overcome this threshold.
Negative Binomial Regression: Handling endogeneity and latent class models

This chapter takes us into areas that have been primarily addressed in the econometric literature. However, the methods discussed are just as appropriate for research in biostatistics and medical health, and in social and political analysis. Recall that hurdle, zero-inflated, and selection models all partition the response distribution into two components. Zero-inflated models explain excessive zero counts using a binary generating process, which is mixed with a Poisson generating process, including zero. Hurdle models, on the other hand, are also partitioned into binary and count components, but the counts are generated by two separate processes with no overlapping mixture. Zero versus positive counts are formatted into a binary model and a zero-truncated count model generating the positive counts. We found that zero-inflated models employ traditional binary models such as logit and probit regression for understanding the zero counts, whereas the binary component of the hurdle model may be a right censored at 1 count model or a traditional binary model. The finite mixture models discussed in Section 11.1 extend hurdle models in such a manner that processes generating disparate types of counts may be identified. We follow an examination of finite mixture models with an overview of the methods used to deal with the problem of endogenous predictors. Actually, endogeneity touches on finite mixture models, as well as on count models with unexplained heterogeneity in general, e.g. generalized Waring regression.
Culture in Clinical Care: Strategies For Competence, Second Edition (2013)

The rich cultural diversity in the United States presents a rewarding challenge for health care practitioners. Integral to the effective delivery of healthcare services is cultural competency, as h...
A Failure to Repair Self-Proteins Leads to T Cell Hyperproliferation and Autoantibody Production

It is clear that many factors can perturb T cell homeostasis that is critical in the maintenance of immune tolerance. Defects in the molecules that regulate homeostasis can lead to autoimmune pathology. This simple immunologic concept is complicated by the fact that many self-proteins undergo spontaneous posttranslational modifications that affect their biological functions. This is the case in the spontaneous conversion of aspartyl residues to isoaspartyl residues, a modification occurring at physiological pH and under conditions of cell stress and aging. We have examined the effect of isoaspartyl modifications on the effector functions of T lymphocytes in vivo using mice lacking the isoaspartyl repair enzyme protein carboxyl methyltransferase (PCMT). PCMT(-/-) CD4(+) T cells exhibit increased proliferation in response to mitogen and Ag receptor stimulation as compared with wild-type CD4(+) T cells. Hyperproliferation is marked by increased phosphorylation of members of both the TCR and CD28 signaling pathways. Wild-type mice reconstituted with PCMT(-/-) bone marrow develop high titers of anti-DNA autoantibodies and kidney pathology typical of that found in systemic lupus erythematosus. These observations, coupled with the fact that humans have polymorphisms in the pcmt gene, suggest that isoaspartyl self-proteins may alter the maintenance of peripheral immune tolerance.
Approximation Algorithms for Degree-Constrained Bipartite Network Flow

We consider a tool- and setup-constrained short-term capacity allocation problem that arises in operational level planning at a semiconductor wafer fabrication facility. We formulate this problem as a degree-constrained network flow problem on a bipartite graph. We show that the problem is NP-hard and propose the first constant factor (1/2) approximation algorithms. Experimental study demonstrates that, in practice, our algorithms give solutions that are on the average less than 1.5% away from the optimal solution in less than a second.
Dynamics of ellipses inscribed in quadrilaterals

Let Q be a convex quadrilateral in the xy plane and let int(Q) denote the interior of Q. Let D_1 and D_2 denote the diagonals of Q and let P denote their point of intersection. For (i)-(iii), let P_0 = (x_0,y_0) be a point in the interior of Q. We prove the following: (i) If P_0 does not lie on D_1 or on D_2, then there are exactly two ellipses inscribed in Q which pass through P_0. (ii) If P_0 does lie on D_1 or on D_2, but does not equal P, then there is exactly one ellipse inscribed in Q which passes through P_0. (iii) There is no ellipse inscribed in Q which passes through P. (iv) If P_0 lies on the boundary of Q, but P_0 is not one of the vertices of Q, then there is exactly one ellipse inscribed in Q which passes through P_0(and is thus tangent to Q at one of its sides).
Crystallography of decahedral and icosahedral particles. II - High symmetry orientations

Based on the exact crystal structure of decahedral and icosahedral particles, high energy electron diffraction patterns and image profiles have been derived for various high symmetry orientations of the particles with respect to the incident beam. These results form a basis for the identification of small metal particle structures with advanced methods of transmission electron microscopy.
Linux Certification for the Software Professional

A discussion of the need for certification and a proposal from Sair, Inc. for a Linux certificate program
Estimation of net traction for differential-steered wheeled robots

Abstract We present a method for estimating the net traction and resistive wheel torques for a suspensionless, differential-steered robot on rigid or deformable terrain. The method, based on extended Kalman–Bucy filtering (EKBF), determines time histories of net traction and resistive wheel torques and wheel slips during steady or transient maneuvers. This method assumes good knowledge of the vehicle dynamics and treats the unknown forces and moments due to terrain response as random variables to be estimated. A proprioceptive sensor suite renders a subset of the unknown forces and associated wheel slip and slip angles observable. This methodology decouples semi-empirical terramechanics models from the net effect of the vehicle–terrain interaction, namely the net traction developed by the vehicle on the terrain. By collecting sensor data and processing data off-line, force–slip characteristics are identified irrespective of the underlying terramechanics. These characteristics can in turn support development or validation of terramechanics models for the vehicle–terrain system. For autonomous robots, real-time estimates of force–slip characteristics can provide setpoints for traction and steering control, increasing vehicle performance, speed, and maneuverability. Finally, force–slip estimation is the first step in identifying terrain parameters during normal maneuvering. The methodology is demonstrated through both simulation and physical testing using a 13-kg robot.
Social Play in the Domestic Cat

The social play of domestic cats in the laboratory and at home was examined. Categories and sequences of motor patterns were identified and analyzed. The developmental period during which social play was most frequent was established to be from 4 weeks to 4 months. The results suggest that social play functions to provide specific forms of exercise and as a means of developing and maintaining social relations among littermates. The decline in social play appears to be related to dispersal of the young and to a decrease in preference for social contact.
Intervertebral Disc Cell Response to Dynamic Compression Is Age and Frequency Dependent

The maintenance of the intervertebral disc extracellular matrix is regulated by mechanical loading, nutrition, and the accumulation of matrix proteins and cytokines that are affected by both aging and degeneration. Evidence suggests that cellular aging may lead to alterations in the quantity and quality of extracellular matrix produced. The aims of this study were to examine the role of loading and maturation (a subset of aging), and the interaction between these two factors in intervertebral disc cell gene expression and biosynthesis in a controlled 3D culture environment. Cells were isolated from young (4-6 months) and mature (18-24 months) bovine caudal annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus tissue. Isolated cells were seeded into alginate and dynamically compressed for 7 days at either 0.1, 1, or 3 Hz or maintained as a free-swelling control. After 7 days, DNA and sulfated glycosaminoglycan contents were analyzed along with real time, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis for collagen types I and II, aggrecan, and matrix metalloproteinase-3 gene expression. Results suggest that maturation plays an important role in intervertebral disc homeostasis and influences the cell response to mechanical loading. While isolated intervertebral disc cells responded to mechanical compression in 3D culture, the effect of loading frequency was minimal. Altered cellular phenotype and biosynthesis rates appear to be an attribute of the cell maturation process, potentially independent of changes in cellular microenvironment associated with lost nutrition and disc degeneration. Mature cells may have a decreased capacity to create or retain extracellular matrix components in response to mechanical loading compared to young cells.
The Relationship Among Heart Rate, Carotid dP/dt, and Blood Pressure in Humans as a Function of the Type of Stress

In three experiments involving young adult males, beta-adrenergic influences on heart rate and carotid dP/dt were evaluated as a function of the degree of individual control over stressful events. Beta-adrenergic effects were more pronounced under conditions in which the subjects were either led to believe they had control or where some control was actually provided, i.e., a shock avoidance task. Beta-adrenergic influences were either minimal or rapidly dissipated under conditions where no control was possible, i.e., the cold pressor, a pornographic film, inescapable shocks, or conditions which provided ready mastery of the task. Where beta-adrenergic effects were maximal, systolic blood pressure was more appreciably elevated while diastolic blood pressure was less elevated than when beta-adrenergic effects were minimal. A pharmacological blocking agent (propranolol) was used in one experiment to specify the extent the various cardiovascular changes were influenced by beta-adrenergic activity. The results are discussed with respect to issues concerning stimulus parameters, blood pressure control mechanisms, individual differences in cardiovascular reactivity, and some methodological problems of the current study.
Progressively consolidating historical visual explorations for new discoveries

A significant task within data mining is to identify data models of interest. While facilitating the exploration tasks, most visualization systems do not make use of all the data models that are generated during the exploration. In this paper, we introduce a system that allows the user to gain insights from the data space progressively by forming data models and consolidating the generated models on the fly. Each model can be a a computationally extracted or user-defined subset that contains a certain degree of interest and might lead to some discoveries. When the user generates more and more data models, the degree of interest of some portion of some models will either grow (indicating higher occurrence) or will fluctuate or decrease (corresponding to lower occurrence). Our system maintains a collection of such models and accumulates the interestingness of each model into a consolidated model. In order to consolidate the models, the system summarizes the associations between the models in the collection and identifies support (models reinforce each other), complementary (models complement each other), and overlap of the models. The accumulated interestingness keeps track of historical exploration and helps the user summarize their findings which can lead to new discoveries. This mechanism for integrating results from multiple models can be applied to a wide range of decision support systems. We demonstrate our system in a case study involving the financial status of US companies.
Effects of the G(-656)A variant on CREB1 promoter activity in a neuronal cell line: interactions with gonadal steroids and stress.

Effects of the G(−656)A variant on CREB1 promoter activity in a neuronal cell line: Interactions with gonadal steroids and stress
Uptake patterns and transport enhancements in cultures of hamster cells deprived of carbohydrates

Abstract Dense cell cultures of the hamster lines, NIL, and polyoma transformed NIL were exposed to culture media containing various sugars (or no sugar). Various responses to these culture conditions were observed as changes in the uptake of galactose and its subsequent metabolism. Cells deprived of sugar have higher uptake rates for galactose and markedly different accumulation products from identical cells treated with sugar. A persistent increase in the transport of the amino acid, cycloleucine, was also observed as a response to culture conditions devoid of sugar
Efficiency and Equality in a Simple Model of Efficient Unemployment Insurance

Abstract This paper describes the efficient allocation of consumption and work effort in an economy in which workers face idiosyncratic employment risk and considerations of moral hazard prevent full insurance. We impose a lower bound on the expected discounted utility that can be assigned to any agent from any date onward and show, with this feature added, that the efficient unemployment insurance scheme induces an invariant cross-sectional distribution of individual entitlements to utility. The paper thus provides a simple prototype model suited to the study of the normative question: what is the trade-off between equality and efficiency in resource allocation? Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: D31, D63, D82, J65.
Isolation of 3β,20α-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase from sheep fetal blood

Abstract 3β,20α-Hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase has been isolated from ovine fetal blood by a 2,370-fold purification scheme of ammonium sulfate fractionation, calcium phosphate gel adsorption, affinity chromatography, and fast performance liquid chromatography. A new high performance liquid chromatography-based assay for measuring 20α-reductase activity is described. The enzyme is a monomer with a molecular weight of 35, 000 and uses NADPH as a cofactor for reductase activity. It reduces progesterone to 4-pregnen-20α-ol-3-one or 5α-dihydrotestosterone to 5α-androstan-3β,17β-diol with kinetic characteristics of Km = 30.8 μ M and Vmax = 0.7 nmol min−1 (nmol of enzyme)−1 or Km = 74 μ M and Vmax = 1.3 nmol min−1 (nmol of enzyme)−1, respectively. 5α-Dihydro-testosterone competitively inhibits 20α-reductase activity with a Ki value of 102 μM.
On the use of heterogeneous thresholds ordinal regression models to account for individual differences in response style

This paper proposes a general approach to accounting for individual differences in the extreme response style in statistical models for ordered response categories. This approach uses a hierarchical ordinal regression modeling framework with heterogeneous thresholds structures to account for individual differences in the response style. Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms for Bayesian inference for models with heterogeneous thresholds structures are discussed in detail. A simulation and two examples based on ordinal probit models are given to illustrate the proposed methodology. The simulation and examples also demonstrate that failing to account for individual differences in the extreme response style can have adverse consequences for statistical inferences.
Fusicoccin Activity and Binding in Arabidopsis thaliana

I have examined the activity and specific binding of the phytotoxin fusicoccin using Arabidopsis thaliana L. Col-O. Fusicoccin (10 micromolar) stimulates both proton extrusion and enlargement in isolated Arabidopsis leaf discs. Radiolabeled fusicoccin specifically binds to membranes (13,000 to 100,000g subcellular fraction) from cultured cells of Arabidopsis. The specific binding of this phytotoxin to putative receptor sites in Arabidopsis membranes is both pH-sensitive (pH optimum = 5.5 to 6.0) and heat-labile (10 min at 70 degrees C). The apparent dissociation constant for the specific binding at 20 degrees C is approximately 1.3 x 10(-8) molar. The results of this study are in general agreement with previous reports of fusicoccin binding and activity in other plant species.
Motivational deficit in childhood depression and hyperactivity

A recent theory states that the immediate cause of adult depression is low motivation, where motivation is the multiplicative product of a person's expectation for a reward times his value for that reward. The present experiment supported the extension of this theory to childhood depression. The expectations, values, and motivations of three groups of children (Ns = 18; mean ages = 10) were measured: A depressed group and a hyperactive control group were selected from a population of clinically disturbed children, while normal controls were selected from regular classrooms. As predicted, the depressed children exhibited reduced motivation, primarily because their expectations were pessimistic. Unexpected findings were that the depressives' expectations were not abnormally irrational; and that hyperactives exhibited optimistic expectations, inflated values, and, hence, inflated motivation--especially for tangible rewards. Cognitive therapy techniques that focus upon expectations were recommended for the treatment of both depressed and hyperactive children.
Atomic resonances of hydrogen near aluminum surfaces:mAdiabatic evolution of the ground state

Complex adiabatic potential curves are an essential input to atomic surface scattering calculations employing the coupled-states method. We present calculations for the ground state of hydrogen near a jellium surface with the density of aluminum. Two complementary techniques have been implemented: the complex rotation method and the stabilization method. We employ large-scale matrix diagonalization and realistic effective single-particle potentials. The influence of the surface potential on the adiabatic evolution of the wave function and the resonance parameters as a function of the distance d from the surface have been investigated. Application to the ground state H(1s) yields significant differences for the position and width of the resonance compared to previously available data. The applicability of semiclassical theory for resonance parameters is tested and the role of over-barrier transitions is highlighted. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Compressed representations of macromolecular structures and properties

We introduce a new and unified, compressed volumetric representation for macromolecular structures at varying feature resolutions, as well as for many computed associated properties. Important caveats of this compressed representation are fast random data access and decompression operations. Many computational tasks for manipulating large structures, including those requiring interactivity such as real-time visualization, are greatly enhanced by utilizing this compact representation. The compression scheme is obtained by using a custom designed hierarchical wavelet basis construction. Due to the continuity offered by these wavelets, we retain very good accuracy of molecular surfaces, at very high compression ratios, for macromolecular structures at multiple resolutions.
Gene profile analysis of osteoblast genes differentially regulated by histone deacetylase inhibitors

Osteoblast differentiation requires the coordinated stepwise expression of multiple genes. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) accelerate the osteoblast differentiation process by blocking the activity of histone deacetylases (HDACs), which alter gene expression by modifying chromatin structure. We previously demonstrated that HDIs and HDAC3 shRNAs accelerate matrix mineralization and the expression of osteoblast maturation genes (e.g. alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin). Identifying other genes that are differentially regulated by HDIs might identify new pathways that contribute to osteoblast differentiation. To identify other osteoblast genes that are altered early by HDIs, we incubated MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts with HDIs (trichostatin A, MS-275, or valproic acid) for 18 hours in osteogenic conditions. The promotion of osteoblast differentiation by HDIs in this experiment was confirmed by osteogenic assays. Gene expression profiles relative to vehicle-treated cells were assessed by microarray analysis with Affymetrix GeneChip 430 2.0 arrays. The regulation of several genes by HDIs in MC3T3-E1 cells and primary osteoblasts was verified by quantitative real-time PCR. Nine genes were differentially regulated by at least two-fold after exposure to each of the three HDIs and six were verified by PCR in osteoblasts. Four of the verified genes (solute carrier family 9 isoform 3 regulator 1 (Slc9a3r1), sorbitol dehydrogenase 1, a kinase anchor protein, and glutathione S-transferase alpha 4) were induced. Two genes (proteasome subunit, beta type 10 and adaptor-related protein complex AP-4 sigma 1) were suppressed. We also identified eight growth factors and growth factor receptor genes that are significantly altered by each of the HDIs, including Frizzled related proteins 1 and 4, which modulate the Wnt signaling pathway. This study identifies osteoblast genes that are regulated early by HDIs and indicates pathways that might promote osteoblast maturation following HDI exposure. One gene whose upregulation following HDI treatment is consistent with this notion is Slc9a3r1. Also known as NHERF1, Slc9a3r1 is required for optimal bone density. Similarly, the regulation of Wnt receptor genes indicates that this crucial pathway in osteoblast development is also affected by HDIs. These data support the hypothesis that HDIs regulate the expression of genes that promote osteoblast differentiation and maturation.
Simulating fuel treatment effects in dry forests of the western United States: testing the principles of a fire-safe forest

We used the Fire and Fuels Extension to the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FFE-FVS) to simulate fuel treatment effects on 45 162 stands in low- to midelevation dry forests (e.g., ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex. P. & C. Laws.) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii ( Mirb.) Franco) of the western United States. We evaluated treatment effects on predicted post-treatment fire behavior (fire type) and fire hazard (torching index). FFE-FVS predicts that thinning and surface fuel treatmen ts reduced crown fire behavior relative to no treatment; a large proportion of stands were predicted to transition from active crown fire pre-treatment to surface fire post-treatment. Intense thinning treatments (125 and 250 resid- ual treesha -1 ) were predicted to be more effective than light thinning treatments (500 and 750 residual treesha -1 ). Pre- scribed fire was predicted to be the most effective surface fuel treatment, whereas FFE-FVS predicted no difference between no surface fuel treatment and extraction of fuels. This inability to discriminate the effects of certain fuel treatments illumi- nates the consequence of a documented limitation in how FFE-FVS incorporates fuel models and we suggest improvements. The concurrence of results from modeling and empirical studies provides quantitative support for "fire-safe" principles of forest fuel reduction (sensu Agee and Skinner 2005. For. Ecol. Manag. 211: 83-96).
Neutrino Heating in Supernovae

I argue that standard descriptions of stellar collapse omit the primary mechanism for dissipative neutrino reactions in nuclear matter, nuclear excitation by neutral-current scattering. The nuclear heating rate, due to primarily to muon- and tauon-neutrino excitation of giant resonance states, is on the order of 90 MeV/nucleon sec at a radius of 100 km. I discuss possible effects of both neutral- and charged-current neutrino heating in models of stellar collapse.
Endoscopic band ligation for treatment of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding

An endoscopic band ligation method was successful in achieving hemostasis in two patients who had severe coagulopathy and profuse gastrointestinal bleeding from a visible vessel in the stomach. Bleeding was not controlled by multiple epinephrine injections or BICAP electrocoagulation. The technique of band ligation was easy to perform and may provide an alternative treatment for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in selected cases.
Occurrence of a Rare Adult Mud Shrimp, Naushonia Crangonoides Kingsley, 1897, in the Chesapeake Bay Region (Decapoda, Thalassinidea)

Naushonia crangonoides is a rare thalassinid mud shrimp which is reported to occur in Massachusetts where adult specimens have been collected from Bass River, in Vineyard Sound, and the Elizabeth Islands (Williams, 1974), but larval stages have been found as far south as the Beaufort area of North Carolina (Williams, personal communications, 1977). It was originally described by Dr. J. S. Kingsley who founded the genus and species based on a single adult male specimen that had been collected by Dr. H. C. Bumpus in the sand on Naushon Island, near Woods Hole, Massachusetts (Kingsley, 1897). A second adult, a female, was collected by G. M. Gray (1900) from a burrow ten inches deep in the sand on Ram Island, in Great Harbor, Woods Hole. Thompson (1904) obtained some Naushonia zoeae from plankton tows in the Woods Hole region during the summer of 1901 and managed to rear the earlier adolescent stages. Thompson's paper includes a com plete description of these stages and redescribes the adult form based on an examination of the two adult specimens mentioned above. Subsequent published reports on the occurrence of N. crangonoides are limited to a review of the genus by Chace (1939) and reports on larval distribution (see Sandifer, 1973). At least six additional adult specimens are known to exist. Two of these are in the Gray Museum, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, and the other four are in the National Museum of Natural History collection, together with some larval and juvenile specimens. During the course of an ongoing study of the food habits of marine fish three specimens of Naushonia crangonoides were found in the stomach of a 166 cm female roughtail stingray, Dasyatis centroura (Mitchill). The specimens of Nau shonia were in reasonable condition and were readily distinguishable from other thalassinid shrimp because of the large subchelate claw on the cheliped of the one animal and also because of the structure of the carapace. The rostrum is flat with the tip broad and triangular, extending slightly in front of the eyes. The eyes them selves, are not readily visible and contain little pigment. No distinctive coloration was observed on our specimens or the two animals from the Gray Museum but all of them were generally a tawny to fleshy brown. The most complete of the three animals was identified as a male with a total length of 27.5 mm, measured as the straight line distance when the animal was laid flat, from the tip of the rostrum to the tip of the telson. Other measurements were as follows: carapace length, 11.1 mm; dactyl, 5.1 mm; propodus, 7.9 mm; carpus, 2.2 mm; merus 4.4 mm; and
Defect sampling methodology for yield learning during 22nm process development

During early semiconductor process development, the demand for wafer inspection and scanning electron microscope (SEM) review is very high. This is because learning from other metrics such as functional test and even in-line test structures is limited as they require good functionality from multiple modules. Therefore it is critical to be very efficient in the use of wafer inspection and SEM review resources. SEM review is necessary for determining the Pareto of defects detected with brightfield (BF) inspection because BF images are not sufficient for classification. Typically, a selection of defects from the BF inspection are sampled for SEM review and the SEM classifications of these defects are then used to infer the defect types from the entire data set in a progress called normalization. In this paper, a number of pitfalls in the defect selection and normalization processes are reviewed. Best practices based on a number of studies at IBM for how to select the review sample and how many defects to sample are recommended.
Distribution of multiple centrospheres determines migration of BHK syncitia.

After fusion of BHK cells with polyethylene glycol, the resulting syncitia contained in 77% of the cases multiple microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs), which were aggregated into a common centrosphere. Based on the observation of phagokinetic tracks, we found that the syncitia were able to locomote if (1) the MTOCs aggregated into a common centrosphere cluster, and (2) the clustered centrospheres were excluded from the cluster of nuclei of the syncitium. The results suggest that each individual pair of one nucleus and one centrosphere contributes, in a process of vectorial addition, its individual polarity to the polarity of the syneitium. Thus the widely accepted idea that the centrosphere is involved in the determinatinn of cell polarity can be generalized beyond the case of single cells.
Plasma Ghrelin Concentrations Are Decreased in Insulin-Resistant Obese Adults Relative to Equally Obese Insulin-Sensitive Controls

Ghrelin, an orexigenic hormone that may play a role in body weight regulation, is reduced in states of obesity. Because obesity is associated with insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia, we determined whether these metabolic characteristics were independently associated with suppressed ghrelin concentrations. To investigate this hypothesis, using steady-state plasma glucose concentrations, we identified 20 insulin-resistant (IR) and 20 insulin-sensitive (IS) individuals who were equally obese. The mean body mass indexes were 32.5 +/- 0.4 and 32.0 +/- 0.4 kg/m(2) for the IR and IS groups, respectively. Fasting insulin concentrations were 19.5 and 7.4 micro U/ml (P < 0.001), respectively. Ghrelin concentrations were suppressed in the IR group (252 +/- 19 pg/ml) relative to the IS group (412 +/- 35 pg/ml; P < 0.001). Ghrelin correlated inversely with both insulin resistance (r = -0.64; P < 0.001) and fasting insulin concentration (r = -0.58; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that both insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia independently predicted low ghrelin concentrations. Our results demonstrate that in obese individuals, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are inversely associated with ghrelin concentrations. Thus, insulin resistance or related metabolic abnormalities may constitute part of a feedback mechanism by which body weight is regulated in humans.