cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying representative trees from ensembles

Tree-based methods have become popular for analyzing complex data structures where the primary goal is risk stratification of patients. Ensemble techniques improve the accuracy in prediction and address the instability in a single tree by growing an ensemble of trees and aggregating. However, in the process, individual trees get lost. In this paper, we propose a methodology for identifying the most representative trees in an ensemble on the basis of several tree distance metrics. Although our focus is on binary outcomes, the methods are applicable to censored data as well. For any two trees, the distance metrics are chosen to (1) measure similarity of the covariates used to split the trees; (2) reflect similar clustering of patients in the terminal nodes of the trees; and (3) measure similarity in predictions from the two trees. Whereas the latter focuses on prediction, the first two metrics focus on the architectural similarity between two trees. The most representative trees in the ensemble are chosen on the basis of the average distance between a tree and all other trees in the ensemble. Out-of-bag estimate of error rate is obtained using neighborhoods of representative trees. Simulations and data examples show gains in predictive accuracy when averaging over such neighborhoods. We illustrate our methods using a dataset of kidney cancer treatment receipt (binary outcome) and a second dataset of breast cancer survival (censored outcome).
Simulation of the Mechanism of Gas Sorption in a Metal–Organic Framework with Open Metal Sites: Molecular Hydrogen in PCN-61

Grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations were performed to investigate hydrogen sorption in an rht-type metal–organic framework (MOF), PCN-61. The MOF was shown to have a large hydrogen uptake, and this was studied using three different hydrogen potentials, effective for bulk hydrogen, but of varying sophistication: a model that includes only repulsion/dispersion parameters, one augmented with charge-quadrupole interactions, and one supplemented with many-body polarization interactions. Calculated hydrogen uptake isotherms and isosteric heats of adsorption, Qst, were in quantitative agreement with experiment only for the model with explicit polarization. This success in reproducing empirical measurements suggests that modeling MOFs that have open metal sites is feasible, though it is often not considered to be well described via a classical potential function; here it is shown that such systems may be accurately described by explicitly including polarization effects in an otherwise traditional empir...
Stepping outside the big box high school: A partnership influenced by goals, capital, and decision making

This chapter describes a partnership among a K–12 school district, a community college, and a four-year university. It focuses on the role that capital in various forms plays in the partnership.
cis-acting elements and trans-acting proteins in the transcription of chorionic gonadotropin/luteinizing hormone receptor gene in human choriocarcinoma cells and placenta.

We investigated the cis-acting elements and trans-acting proteins responsible for a higher basal rate of transcription of hCG/LH receptor gene in human choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cells compared with normal term pregnancy placenta. Sequential deletion of the 5'-flanking region of the gene revealed that there are three negative control regions (NCRs) designated NCR1 (-1457 to -1373 bp), NCR2 (-1051 to -835 bp), and NCR3 (-480 to -184 bp), and a promoter (-184 to -1 bp). NCR3 was more inhibitory than the other two; nearly 60-70% of the inhibitory activity resides in a sequence between -480 to -276 bp, and the rest resides in the sequence between -276 to -184 bp. Gel mobility shift assays showed that the nuclear extracts from JEG-3 cells contained proteins that form three complexes with NCR1, two with NCR2, and six with NCR3. Many of the proteins that form the complexes in NCR3 are shared with the other two NCRs. Most of the proteins that form these complexes are less abundant in nuclear extracts from JEG-3 cells ...
Television realism measures: The influence of program salience on global judgments

Five versions (four experimental and one control) of a questionnaire were randomly distributed to 190 participants as part of an experiment investigating whether judgments of global television realism are influence by the salience of program genre. Questionnaires contained items asking respondents how often they watch either 1) news programs, 2) reality‐based crime programs, 3) crime drama programs, or 4) day and evening soap operas, followed by perceived realism and demographic items. Global measures of television realism were influenced by the viewing questions that preceded them, such that questions about more realistic programming prompted judgments that television programming in general is more realistic. Except for one condition, questions measuring the perceived realism of a specific genre, rather than television in general, were not influenced by the salience manipulation. These results call into question the utility of global television realism items.
Electroconvulsive Treatment Induces a Rapid and Transient Increase in Tyrosine Phosphorylatin of a 40‐Kilodalton Protein Associated with Microtubule‐Associated Protein 2 Kinase Activity

: Recent studies have identified protein tyrosine phosphorylation as a major intracellular signaling pathway. However, little is known about regulation of this signaling pathway in neuronal systems. To help identify changes in levels of protein tyrosine phosphorylation in brain, we have utilized specific anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies to detect phosphotyrosine-containing proteins by immunoblotting techniques. We have found that electroconvulsive treatment induces a selective increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of a soluble 40-kDa protein. The rise is rapid and transient, reaching maximal levels at 1–2 min and returning to basal levels by 8 min. The phosphotyrosine-containing 40-kDa protein is most prominent in hippocampus, smaller in neocortex, and not detected in brainstem or cerebellum. A phosphotyrosine-containing 42-kDa protein present in several cell types has recently been identified as a serine/threonine phosphotransferase, referred to as microtubule-associated protein 2 kinase. Comparison of the levels of tyrosine phosphorylation of the 40-kDa protein and microtubule-associated protein 2 kinase activity during column chromatography of hippocampal extracts demonstrates that the phosphotyrosine-containing 40-kDa protein and microtubule-associated protein 2 co-purify. Moreover, the tyrosine phosphorylation of the 40-kDa protein and microtubule-associated protein 2 kinase activity are increased to a similar extent following electroconvulsive treatment. These findings suggest that the phosphotyrosine-containing 40-kDa protein identified in brain is closely related to microtubule-associated protein 2 kinase.
Algorithma 98: an algorithm animation project

This paper describes Algorithma 98 which has three fundamental features: walkthroughs, animations, and availability of source code and documentation. The first two features allow the user to exercise the algorithm in a step-by-step manner while viewing its animation. The third feature makes Algorithma 98 an open system that can be improved and extended by another developer. This paper also describes the object-oriented software process that was used in developing Algorithma 98 to support its extensibility and reusability.
Visually Guided Reaching in Infant Monkeys after Restricted Rearing

Infant macaques were reared from birth in an apparatus which pre cluded sight of their body parts. At 35 days postpartum one hand was exposed to view. Visual fixation of this hand was insistent and prolonged; visually guided reaching was poor, but it improved during ten succeeding hours of exposure. Little concomitant improvement occurred in the reaching of the unexposed hand.
Rats with lesions of the vestibular system require a visual landmark for spatial navigation.

Abstract The role of the vestibular system in acquisition and performance of a spatial navigation task was examined in rats. Male Long-Evans rats received sham or bilateral sodium arsanilate-induced vestibular lesions. After postoperative recovery, under partial water-deprivation, rats were trained (16 trials/day) to find a water reward in one corner of a black square enclosure. A cue card fixed to one wall of the enclosure served as a stable landmark cue. The orientation of the rat at the start of each trial was pseudo-randomized such that the task could not be solved by an egocentric response strategy. Rats with vestibular lesions acquired the task in fewer trials than the sham treated control rats. Vestibular lesions did not influence the motivation or motor function necessary to perform the task. Performance of sham rats was maintained during probe trials in which the cue card was removed from the enclosure, while lesioned rats were markedly impaired. Rotation of the cue card (±90°) caused an equivalent shift in corner choice behavior of the lesioned rats. However, sham rats often disregarded the rotated cue card and made place responses. These results suggest that the vestibular lesions disrupt idiothetic navigation or path integration and render navigational behavior critically dependent upon external landmarks. These results are consistent with the navigational abilities of humans with bilateral vestibular dysfunction.
Structure–function relationships in the catalytic and starch binding domains of glucoamylase

Sixteen primary sequences from five sub-families of fungal, yeast and bacterial glucoamylases were related to structural information from the model of the catalytic domain of Aspergillus awamori var. X100 glucoamylase obtained by protein crystallography. This domain is composed of thirteen alpha-helices, with five conserved regions defining the active site. Interactions between methyl alpha-maltoside and active site residues were modelled, and the importance of these residues on the catalytic action of different glucoamylases was shown by their presence in each primary sequence. The overall structure of the starch binding domain of some fungal glucoamylases was determined based on homology to the C-terminal domains of Bacillus cyclodextrin glucosyl-transferases. Crystallography indicated that this domain contains 6-8 beta-strands and homology allowed the attribution of a disulfide bridge in the glucoamylase starch binding domain. Glucoamylase residues Thr525, Asn530 and Trp560, homologous to Bacillus stearothermophilus cyclodextrin glucosyltransferase residues binding to maltose in the C-terminal domain, could be involved in raw-starch binding. The structure and length of the linker region between the catalytic and starch binding domains in fungal glucoamylases can vary substantially, a further indication of the functional independence of the two domains.
Transient and dynamic average-value modeling of synchronous machine fed load-commutated converters

A new average-value model of a synchronous machine fed load-commutated converter is set forth in which the stator dynamics are combined with the DC link dynamics. This model is shown to he extremely accurate in predicting system transients and in predicting frequency-domain characteristics such as the impedance looking into the synchronous machine fed load-commutated converter. The model is verified against a detailed computer simulation and against a hardware test system, thus providing a three-way comparison. The proposed model is shown to be much more accurate than models in which the stator dynamics are neglected.
Racial disparity in the 30-day morbidity and mortality after surgery for endometrial cancer

Abstract Objectives To examine postoperative 30-day morbidity and mortality in African American (AA) compared to white patients (W) with endometrial cancer (EC). Methods Patients with EC were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program from 2005 to 2011. AA and W subgroups were studied. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed. Results Of 3248 patients, 2899 (89%) W and 349 (11%) AA were identified. AA were more likely to have diabetes, hypertension, ascites, neurologic morbidities, weight loss, non-independent functional status, higher ASA class, higher serum creatinine ≥2mg/dl, hypoalbuminemia and anemia. Laparoscopic surgery was performed less frequently in AA than W (41.4% vs. 50.3%, p Conclusions AA patients with EC have more preoperative morbidities, postoperative complications and were less likely to undergo minimally invasive surgery. However, AA race was not an independent predictor of poor 30-day outcomes after controlling for other confounders.
The Absorption Mean Free Path of Large Hard Showers in Air

In this report an experiment is described in which altitude curves of hard showers of various sizes produced in a lead block were obtained. The sizes were determined by means of a hodoscope; for the largest hard shower group a minimum energy of 260 Bev was estimated by extrapolation to the top of the atmosphere. All altitude curves show an exponential absorption in the atmosphere with a mean free path of \ensuremath{\sim}125 g ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. It appears that these large attenuation lengths are difficult to reconcile with a geometric collision mean free path for a nucleon-nucleus collision.
Micro-level teaching strategies for linguistically diverse learners

Abstract Language instruction in secondary education is dominated by standard language ideology—a view of language that sanctions one (“standard”) variety at the expense of other (“nonstandard”) ones. While it is clear that students need access to privileged rhetorical forms, it is similarly clear that most current pedagogies do not facilitate such access for many students, and, in fact, may work to alienate some students from academic processes. Some instructional approaches have been proposed in the past (i.e., linguistically informed instruction and genre) that offer strategies for more effectively teaching linguistically diverse learners. What is needed is not only a synthesis of the strengths of such approaches, but also an understanding of the fluencies students already possess. Language curricula in secondary schools should intentionally build from the micro- to the macro-level, from the existing linguistic knowledge of students to increased facility with academic and other privileged genres and registers.
Associations of Risk Factors With Segment-Specific Intimal-Medial Thickness of the Extracranial Carotid Artery

Background and Purpose—It is generally assumed that risk factors affect extracranial carotid intimal-medial thickness similarly among all arterial segments. This assumption underlies use of single segments or walls of segments as outcome variables for risk factor studies and clinical trials. However, if the impact of risk factors was unequal for various segments or circumferentially asymmetrical within segments, then inferences drawn from a single segment or wall might not be generalizable; furthermore, since individual segments and walls have unique histological characteristics and are differentially exposed to turbulent flow, risk factor relationships with a particular segment or wall may provide inferences regarding pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Methods—We evaluated associations of risk factors with intimal-medial thickness at the near and far walls of the common carotid artery, bifurcation, and internal carotid artery in 280 individuals older than 45 years equally divided between coronary artery di...
A Case Of Unrealistic Expectations: The Impact Of Rape Reform Legislation In Illinois

Concerns about the treatment of rape victims and attrition in rape cases prompted states to reform their rape laws. Reformers expected the statutory changes to produce an increase in the number of reports of rape and to enhance the likelihood of arrest, prosecution, and conviction in rape cases. In this study we evaluate the impact of rape law reform in Illinois. We use time-series analysis to examine the reforms' effects on reports of rape and on the outcomes of nearly 6,000 rape cases filed in Cook County Circuit Court from 1970 to 1985. We find that the reforms did not produce the types of instrumental effects anticipated by reformers.
Robert David Steele on OSINT

Open source intelligence (OSINT) represents a new, public, transparent, and constitutionally friendly approach to intelligence gathering. As such it should be of considerable interest to technologists, journalists, and civil libertarians.
Generalized multivariate lens model analysis for complex human inference tasks

Abstract A generalized multivariate lens model is presented which will permit the analysis of complex human inference tasks. Such tasks, occurring in their natural ecology, may involve judgments or decisions on multiple criteria and/ or where the influence of theoretically interesting partitions or augmentations of cue profiles needs to be systematically delineated. The generalized model incorporates the standard, hierarchical, and fully partialed lens models, the initial elaborations of which were made by N. J. Castellan (1972, Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 8, 242–261) and T. R. Stewart (1976, Psychometrika, 41, 101–120). Both multivariate and univariate lens model equations are presented within a common notational system. An example which demonstrates some aspects of the generalized model is discussed in detail. Other potential applications for the model are outlined.
Symmetry rules for predicting the course of chemical reactions

Rules are given for a reaction of any molecularity which show whether it is allowed or forbidden by orbital symmetry properties. The rules are based on a rigorous treatment, but correspond to simple concepts in practice. A rough MO sequence for the reactants is all that is needed.
Self-compensation in niobium-doped TiO2

Abstract Gravimetric measurements on pure and niobium-doped TiO2 have shown that the reversible change of oxygen content, between specified states of oxidation and reduction, is proportional to the dopant concentration. These measurements indicate that the donor-dopants are electronically compensated by additional oxygen uptake in the oxidized state. The range of this reversible change in oxygen stoichiometry is up to more than an order of magnitude larger than the oxygen nonstoichiometry of the undoped oxides. Self-compensation has been measured in TiO2 with donor-dopant concentrations of up to 8 at% Nb+5 over the oxygen partial pressure range 100–10−15 atm. For the case of Nb+5-doped TiO2 the monoclinic phase “TiNb2O7” was found to exsolve under oxidizing conditions for Nb+5 concentrations >8 at%. The exsolved phase transformed into niobium-doped rutile under reducing conditions. The gravimetric measurements for Nb+5 concentrations
Electrocatalyst for non-enzymatic oxidation of glucose in neutral saline solutions

An electroactive coating was deposited on the surface of carbon microelectrodes from solutions containing Pb(NO3)2, Na2IrCl6 and KNO3 by scanning their potentials from 0.0 to 1.15 V. The coating, believed to be IrO2 entrapped inside a PbO2 matrix, catalyzes oxidation of glucose, and other carbohydrates (e.g. mannose), in a phosphate buffered saline solution at pH 7.4. The microelectrodes coated with iridium and lead were used as amperometric detectors at 0.75 V (versus a sodium saturated calomel electrode) for flow injection analysis of glucose samples. The linear dynamic range extended from 0.1 mM up to at least 20 mM, and the detection limit was 50 μM for glucose. The stability and selectivity of the oxide-modified electrodes were improved by application of Nafion® coating. The response of the Nafion®-coated electrode to 15 mM glucose was stable for four days.
Micropuncture Study of Albumin Transfer in Aminonucleoside Nephrosis in the Rat

Extract: Albumin concentration in the proximal tubules of normal rats and rats with aminonucleoside nephrosis (AMN) was estimated by means of a sensitive radioimmunoassay. Nephrotic animals were studied at the onset of proteinuria and when the nephrotic syndrome was fully established. Albumin concentration in the proximal tubule of normal male rats averaged 2.5 ± 0.3 mg/100 ml, whereas in early nephrotic rats it averaged 4.9 ± 1.3 mg/100 ml and in normal sized tubules of heavily proteinuric rats, 15.7 ± 3.3 mg/100 ml. Control and early AMN animals appeared to have a relatively homogeneous population of surface convolutions, whereas the fully nephrotic rats had markedly increased heterogeneity. A population of dilated proximal tubules with an albumin concentration of 233.8 ± 35.4 mg/100 ml was found in this group. Albumin concentrations were randomly distributed throughout the proximal convolution of all three groups with no clear pattern of changing concentration along the nephron. The data demonstrate that enhanced glomerular permeability to albumin occurs in the experimental nephrotic syndrome in the rat. Speculation: Early proximal tubular albumin concentrations are increased in aminonucleoside nephrosis in the rat, which indicates that there is an increased glomerular permeability to albumin in this disease. Absolute amounts of albumin leaving the end of the proximal convolution are increased over controls. Increased albumin excretion in these animals may be accounted for, in part, by increased glomerular permeability for albumin.
The Action of Insulin, Growth Hormone, and Epinephrine on Cell Growth in Liver, Muscle, and Brain of the Hypophysectomized Rat [39]

Extract: This study explores changes in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), protein, and water content of muscle, liver, and cerebrum in hypophysectomized rats and the effects of injecting growth hormone, insulin, or growth hormone with epinephrine conjointly over an eleven-day period. Male hypophysectomized rats, 26 to 49 days of age, fed an ad libitum diet were studied. At 38 days of age they were injected with insulin, 0.4 to 1.8 units per day, with bovine growth hormone (250 μUg/day) or with the same amount of growth hormone and epinephrine, 5 to 20 μUg/day, concomitantly, or were untreated until the 49th day of age. Control rats of the same age were either pair-fed to untreated hypophysectomized rats or given an ad libitum diet. Untreated hypophysectomized rats showed poor body weight gain per unit food intake and reduced skeletal growth. The nucleic acid and protein content of liver, muscle, and cerebrum was reduced when compared with controls of the same age. The ratio of protein: DNA (cell size) was increased for body size but reduced for age. Administration of insulin caused hypertrophy of liver cells and increased the protein content of liver, but did not affect muscle and cerebrum. DNA content of liver or cerebrum did not increase, and the gain in DNA content of muscle was not remarkable. There was a definite increase in RNA content of muscle, liver, and cerebrum and in the ratios of RNA: DNA and protein: DNA of liver. Injections of growth hormone caused an increase in DNA (cell number), RNA, and protein content in liver, muscle, and cerebrum. There was a reduction in the ratio of cytoplasm to nucleus. The protein increment was nullified by the injection of epinephrine in conjunction with growth hormone. DNA content of muscle and liver was increased, but not to the level produced by growth hormone alone. The increase in RNA content of liver, muscle, and cerebrum was again significant; the ratio of RNA: DNA increased only in liver. Caloric intake of untreated hypophysectomized rats and those treated with growth hormone or insulin was comparable. Rats injected with epinephrine showed a significant increase in caloric intake. The results indicate that insulin is involved with growth in cell size, while growth hormone is active with respect to the increase in cell number. Both hormones are required for optimal growth. Speculation: The present study indicates that both growth hormone and insulin are required for optimum cell growth. Epinephrine administration retards the increase in cell number that normally occurs in hypophysectomized rats receiving growth hormone. This suggests that overactivity of the sympathetic pathways may retard growth and produce effects that simulate hypopituitarism.
Governments should implement energy-efficiency standards and labels—cautiously

Energy-efficiency standards and labels can be the most effective long-term energy-efficiency policy any government can implement. This paper describes: (1) the benefits that can be obtained through this policy, (2) which countries are implementing standards and labels and for which products, (3) the processes they are using at each step along the way including the reasons why each step must be done carefully and thoroughly, and (4) the relationship of standard-setting and labeling to other energy-efficiency policies.
L1 adaptive output feedback augmentation of Model Reference Control

This paper presents an L 1 adaptive output feedback augmentation of a Model Reference Controller for a class of unknown single-input single-output, linear time-invariant systems. Similar to prior solutions in L 1 adaptive control theory, the feedback structure consists of a predictor, adaptation laws and a low-pass filter. The closed-loop system achieves arbitrarily close tracking of the input and the output signals of the reference system. The proposed control strategy has been implemented and simulated on a longitudinal autopilot for a missile model. Simulation results show the performance of the adaptive control law in the presence of parameter uncertainties and input disturbance.
USE OF DISSOCIATIVE ANESTHETICS FOR THE IMMOBILIZATION OF CAPTIVE BEARS: BLOOD GAS, HEMATOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY VALUES

Nineteen bears, representing five species (Helarctos malayanus, Ursus americanus, Ursus arctos, Tremarctos ornatus, Melursus ursinus) were immobilized a total of 52 times using either phencyclidine-promazine or tiletamine-zolazepam. Blood gas, hematology, and serum biochemistry values were determined during the immobilizations. Immobilizations conducted with tiletamine-zolazepam were characterized by rapid induction and recovery times, good muscle relaxation, and relative freedom from convulsions. Bears immobilized with phencyclidine-promazine had longer induction and recovery times and showed convulsive activity in 29% of the trials with that combination.
Blinding effectiveness and association of pretreatment expectations with pain improvement in a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Patient, provider, and clinical investigator expectations concerning treatments are believed to play important roles in patient response. This study examined the association of patient and research nurse/physician pretreatment expectations of pain relief with actual pain relief, the accuracy of patient and research nurse guesses about patient medication assignment, and changes in research nurse and patient pain relief expectations over the course of a randomized double-blind trial of amitriptyline versus an active placebo for patients with chronic pain and spinal cord injuries (SCI). Patient expectations of pain relief with amitriptyline were associated significantly with actual pain decrease for patients in the amitriptyline, but not placebo, condition. Research nurse/physician expectations did not predict patient pain relief. Both patients and the research nurse were able to guess patient medication assignment at a rate significantly greater than chance. The research nurse's, but not the patients', expectations of pain relief with amitriptyline decreased significantly over the course of the study. These findings have implications for future randomized controlled trials. Fully double-blind conditions are very difficult to achieve, and it is informative to assess patient and research clinician expectations and guesses regarding medication assignment.
Sub-two nanometer single crystal Au nanowires

Ultrathin single crystal Au nanowires with diameter of approximately 1.6 nm and length of few micrometers were synthesized with high yield by simply mixing HAuCl 4 and oleylamine at room temperature. High resolution transmission electron microscopy studies revealed that all of these nanowires are single crystalline and grew along the [111] direction. The valency evolution of the gold species during the synthesis was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which showed a clear Au (3+) --> Au (+) --> Au stepwise reduction at different reaction stages. Small angle X-ray scattering and small-angle X-ray diffraction suggest mesostructure formation upon HAuCl 4 and oleylamine mixing. The slow in situ reduction of this mesostructure leads to the formation of ultrathin nanowires in solution. This novel nanowire growth mechanism relies on cooperative interaction, organization, and reaction between inorganic precursor salts and oleylamine.
Serum hormones in response to estradiol and (OR) progesterone in ovariectomized cows after thyroidectomy

Abstract To evaluate the effect of gonadal steroid treatment and thyroidectomy on concentrations of gonadotropins and thyroid-stimulating hormone in the bovine, nonlactating Holstein cows were either thyroidectomized and ovariectomized (THYOVEX; n=6) or ovariectomized only (OVEX; n=4), and subsequently treated with no gonadal steroids (control), estradiol-17β (E 2 ), progesterone (P 4 ), or P 4 +E 2 in a 2 × 4 factorial experiment. Averaged across steroid treatments, baseline concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH; P 2 and P 4 decreased (P 4 +E 2 increased (P 4 +E 2 decreased (P 2 and P 4 +E 2 treatments, but concentrations of TSH were higher (P = .06) after P 4 +E 2 than after E 2 . Secretion of TSH showed a diurnal variation, with the lowest concentrations in the morning and highest in the afternoon. These results indicate that thyroidectomy influenced secretion of gonadotropins in OVEX cows.
Fatty liver is associated with dyslipidemia and dysglycemia independent of visceral fat: The Framingham heart study†

Obesity is not uniformly associated with the development of metabolic sequelae. Specific patterns of body fat distribution, in particular fatty liver, may preferentially predispose at-risk individuals to disease. In this study, we characterize the metabolic correlates of fat in the liver in a large community-based sample with and without respect to visceral fat. Fatty liver was measured by way of multidetector computed tomography of the abdomen in 2,589 individuals from the community-based Framingham Heart Study. Logistic and linear regression were used to determine the associations of fatty liver with cardio-metabolic risk factors adjusted for covariates with and without adjustment for other fat depots (body mass index, waist circumference, and visceral adipose tissue). The prevalence of fatty liver was 17%. Compared with participants without fatty liver, individuals with fatty liver had a higher adjusted odds ratio (OR) of diabetes (OR 2.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.12-4.21), metabolic syndrome (OR 5.22, 95% CI 4.15-6.57), hypertension (OR 2.73, 95% CI 2.16-3.44), impaired fasting glucose (OR 2.95, 95% CI 2.32-3.75), insulin resistance (OR 6.16, 95% CI 4.90-7.76); higher triglycerides, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP); and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and adiponectin levels (P 0.05). Conclusion: Fatty liver is a prevalent condition and is characterized by dysglycemia and dyslipidemia independent of visceral adipose tissue and other obesity measures. This work begins to dissect the specific links between fat depots and metabolic disease. (HEPATOLOGY 2010;)
A review of monitoring strategies and assessments of estuarine pollution

Abstract A thorough, critical review of the literature shows that over two decades ago international and domestic symposia resulted in preliminary recommendations for establishing formalized monitoring programs in marine and estuarine habitats. Early on, enforcement and management agencies emphasized the need for development of techniques that would be useful in compliance monitoring. Efforts were initiated to insure that management and pollution abatement programs resulted in reduction of contaminant loading. In the early 1970s managers concerned with aquatic life, especially important commercial species, emphasized the need for biological effects monitoring, which was designed to indicate contaminant effects, and changes in degree of effects with time, on living resources. Strategies subsequently were developed for long-term effects monitoring to demonstrate how changes in contaminant distribution and abundance might affect aquatic life. At about the same time various agencies began to stress the importance of tracing sources and fates as well as the effects of contaminants as they are introduced into aquatic ecosystems, especially estuaries where effects have been most strongly observed. High priority was placed on understanding the fates of contaminants and the consequences of physical degradation as tidal waters moved materials from riverine systems through estuaries to coastal zones. The NOAA National Status and Trends Program (NS&TP) and the Northeast Monitoring Program (NEMP) are examples of the most recent strategies. More recently, the U.S. EPA, FDA, FWS and NOAA have stressed the development of hazard or risk assessments in regard to inorganic and organic contaminants and gross categories of complex wastes. To manage effectively aquatic resources and their habitats in the future will require an ability to relate results from laboratory research and field experiments to data from monitoring of contaminants and effects on fisheries and other resources. Several preliminary strategies have evolved which permit scientists to measure, through time, change in contaminant loading, fates of contaminants as these pass into estuarine and marine ecosystems, and consequences as contaminants enter biological systems. These are discussed in this paper. The most pressing need now is to develop an interagency consensus in regard to standard procedures and criteria whereby habitat change can be measured, effects assessed, and actions taken to stop or reverse aquatic habitat degradation in coastal waters.
Use of Mitochondrial Antioxidant Defenses for Rescue of Cells With a Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy–Causing Mutation

Objective To explore a treatment paradigm for Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), we augmented mitochondrial antioxidant defenses to rescue cells with the G11778A mutation in mitochondrial DNA. Methods Cells homoplasmic for the G11778A mutation in mitochondrial DNA were infected with an adeno-associated viral vector containing the human mitochondrial superoxide dismutase ( SOD2 ) gene. Control cells were infected with an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector expressing the green fluorescent protein (GFP). Two days later, the high-glucose culture medium was exchanged for a glucose-free medium containing galactose. After 1 or 2days, cellular production of superoxide was assessed using the fluorescent probe dihydroethidium, and we used TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated biotin–deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling) staining to detect apoptotic nuclei. The effect of SOD2 on LHON cell survival was quantitated after 2 or 3 days. Results Comparisons of AAV- SOD2 –infected LHON cells relative to control cells infected with AAV–green fluorescent protein showed increased expression of mitochondrial SOD that attenuated superoxide-induced fluorescence by 26% ( P = .003) and suppressed TUNEL-induced fluorescence by 21% ( P = .048)after 2 days of growth in galactose medium, when cell survival increased by 25% ( P =.05). After 3 days in galactose medium, SOD2 increased LHON survival by 89% ( P = .006) relative to controls. Conclusion Protection against mitochondrial oxidative stress may be useful for treatment of LHON. Clinical Relevance Gene therapy with antioxidant genes may protect patients with LHON against visual loss.
Parallel architecture for multidimensional image processing

In order to deliver the computational power required by real-time manipulation and display of multidimensional objects, we present a massively parallel octree architecture, based on a new Interconnection Network, the Partitionable Spanning Multibus Hypercube (PSMH). Its goal is, to use one Processing Element per obel (object element), as opposed to one Processing Element per voxel (volume element). The underlying idea of the PSMH, is to take advantage of the data hierarchical ordering to reduce the computational cost. As a basic tool, we first derive a routing algorithm for the case of an object shift. Its running time is of order O(max(n3, m)), for an 8n PSMH, where m is the message length in bits. As we do not consider voxels but obels, we design a compaction algorithm, which meets the routing requirements. We get a compression ratio of O(2n). This is followed by a parallel neighbor finding technique, to account for the compaction in the routing operations.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Incidence of port-site incisional hernia after single-incision laparoscopic surgery.

Background and objectives Single-incision laparoscopic surgery is gaining popularity among minimally invasive surgeons and is now being applied to a broad number of surgical procedures. Although this technique uses only 1 port, the diameter of the incision is larger than in standard laparoscopic surgery. The long-term incidence of port-site hernias after single-incision laparoscopic surgery has yet to be determined. Methods All patients who underwent a single-incision laparoscopic surgical procedure from May 2008 through May 2009 were included in the study. Single-incision laparoscopic surgical operations were performed either by a multiport technique or with a 3-trocar single-incision laparoscopic surgery port. The patients were seen at 30 to 36 months' follow-up, at which time they were examined for any evidence of port-site incisional hernia. Patients found to have hernias on clinical examination underwent repairs with mesh. Results A total of 211 patients met the criteria for inclusion in the study. The types of operations included were cholecystectomy, appendectomy, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric banding, Nissen fundoplication, colectomy, and gastrojejunostomy. We found a port-site hernia rate of 2.9% at 30 to 36 months' follow-up. Conclusion Port-site incisional hernia after single-incision laparoscopic surgical procedures remains a major setback for patients. The true incidence remains largely unknown because most patients are asymptomatic and therefore do not seek surgical aid.
Early Historical Development of the Centrifugal Impeller

The centrifugal impeller has been in existence for over two hundred years but its perfection and rapid development occurred only in the last sixty years. This paper deals with the early development of the centrifugal impeller in the last and early this century.The centrifugal impeller is found in centrifugal pumps and compressors. Next to the electric motor, centrifugal pumps and compressors are believed to be the most widely used machines of our time. The field of application of these rotary machines has been continually widening, as they are developed for handling a wider range of liquids and gases at higher pressure and greater temperatures, and whole industries become more and more dependent on them.The first centrifugal impeller with ten wooden double curved blades and dating back to the fifth century was found in 1772 in an abandoned Portuguese copper mine in San Dominigos. Centrifugal fans had been used for mine ventilation as early as in the sixteenth century.The invention of the centrifugal impeller is a disputed issue whether the credit goes to Leonardo Da Vinci (1452–1519), who suggested the idea of using centrifugal force for lifting liquid, or to Johann Jordan about 1680. Most place the origin of the centrifugal impeller with Denis Papin in 1689. The importance of Papin’s contribution lies in his understanding of the concept of creating a forced vortex within a circular, or spiral casing by means of blades. Following Papin, Kernelien Le Demour in 1732 and Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in 1736 described other designs for centrifugal impellers, but there is no evidence of their practical use.Euler presented in his 1754 memoir an idealized theoretical application of Newton’s law to centrifugal impellers, based on a conceptualization of his tubular turbine run backwards and now universally known as the “Euler equation”. His publication caused a great development of hydraulic turbines in the eighteenth century, but did little to influence the development of centrifugal impellers, which had to gradually develop through tedious cut-and-try methods. The one thing Euler contributed was to initiate a true mathematical inquiry into the employment of centrifugal force as a means of raising fluid. About the same time as Euler, John Smeaton introduced in 1752 the study of turbomachinery by models. He also defined power as equivalent to the rate of lifting of a weight, a concept that is still fundamental in thermo-fluids.Today both centrifugal pumps and compressors have reached efficiency levels above 90% and are built in sizes from a few Watts to Megawatts. This paper traces the early historical development of the centrifugal impeller. Factors that promoted and hindered the early development are also discussed.© 1998 ASME
Stability of the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities over a One-Year Period for Mexican-American Children.

In the test-retest stability investigation of the McCarthy Scales of Children’s Abilities (MSCA) (McCarthy, 1972) by Valencia (1983), the observed stability coefficients were corrected for restriction of range (re). In making the corrections, the author inadvertently made a computational error when using the correction formula by Guilford (1954, p.392). The re values for the MSCA scales have been recalculated and are now accurate. In Valencia (1983), the re column in Table 1 should now read as follows for the English-speaking sample: Verbal (.go), Perceptual-Performance (.9 l), Quantitative (.92), Memory ( .86) , and GCI ( .86). In Table 2, the re column should read as follows for the Spanish-speaking sample: Verbal (.89), Perceptual-Performance ( .85), Quantitative (.88), Memory (.91), and GCI (.79). The revised results are that the properly corrected stability coefficients yield different conclusions. Using a .85 magnitude for acceptable level of stability, all the MSCA scales for the English-speaking group indicate sound stability. For the Spanishspeaking group, four ofjive scales indicate sound stability. In short, the MSCA is a considerably more stable instrument than initially suggested in Valencia (1983).
Restricted expression of the homeobox gene prox 1 in developing zebrafish.

Prox 1 is a vertebrate homeobox gene which is homologous to the Drosophila transcription factor, prospero. We have isolated a prox 1 cDNA from zebrafish, which encodes a protein that has 82%, 84% and 83% amino acid identity with chicken, mouse and human Prox 1, respectively. Antibodies raised against human Prox 1 cross-react with zebrafish Prox 1 and are used here to determine the expression patterns of Prox 1 during zebrafish embryogenesis by whole-mount immunohistochemistry. In the 10-somite embryo, Prox 1 is expressed over the prospective lens placode and over a broad region of epithelium extending from the eye to the otic vesicle. As embryogenesis proceeds, Prox 1 expression in the eye lens becomes intense, and is detected in maturing muscle pioneer cells and superficial muscle cells. In the CNS, Prox 1 is expressed in a stripe along the forebrain–midbrain boundary, in a segmented pattern in the ventral hindbrain, and in selected cells of the ventral spinal cord. Additional sites of Prox 1 expression include the lateral line primordium, the trigeminal ganglia, the otic vesicle and occasional endodermal cells.
Resonant two-magnon Raman scattering at high pressures in the layered antiferromagnetic NiPS 3

We have measured the Raman spectra of ${\mathrm{NiPS}}_{3}$ for pressures up to 27 GPa at 120 K and room temperature using various lines from an argon ion laser. ${\mathrm{NiPS}}_{3}$ is an $S=1,$ insulating, two-dimensional antiferromagnet which shows an anomalously broad two-magnon excitation. At high pressures, we observe a strong dependence of the intensity, line shape, and frequency of the magnetic spectrum as a function of laser wavelength, reflecting pressure tuning of electronic transitions. ${\mathrm{NiPS}}_{3}$ is the only material exhibiting resonant two-magnon scattering other than the parent compounds of the cuprate superconductors.
Aerobic actinomycetes that masquerade as pulmonary tuberculosis

Background: There is an increasing recognition of organisms in the order Actinomycetales including Nocardia sp. causing lung infections that mimic pulmonary tuberculosis or fungal pneumonias. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated a cohort of patients in the southeastern United States in whom a presumptive diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was initially entertained but who eventually were found to have infection caused by Rhodococcus sp. or Tsukamurella sp. Results: Among a cohort of 52 individuals diagnosed as case suspects for pulmonary tuberculosis, we identifi ed six patients who were infected with either Rhodococcus sp. or Tsukamurella sp. Of these six patients, two had co-infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Conclusions: Infection with aerobic actinomycetes may mimic pulmonary tuberculosis or may cause concomitant disease in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.
Galaxy Formation: Was There A Big Bang Shell?

The tight correlation of galactic velocity distribution to both luminosity and its black hole mass and the relation of halo parameters to luminous mass distribution, can not be due to collapse dynamics. A big bang shell can solve galaxy formation problems by forming the supermassive black holes necessary to capture the initial blast wave in a coordinated pattern.
Cholinergic-Adrenergic Receptor Interactions in Cerebral Microvessels

Enriched capillary preparations isolated from rat cerebral cortex were used to evaluate cholinergic-adrenergic receptor interactions in cerebral endothelium. Possible receptor interactions were determined by measuring an intracellular mediator, cyclic AMP and alterations in GTP-sensitive agonist binding. Unstimulated microvessel homogenates generate 66 +/- 16 pmol/mg/10 min of cyclic AMP. Adrenergic agonists norepinephrine and isoproterenol increase cyclic AMP to 147 +/- 31 and 149 +/- 23 pmol/mg/10 min, respectively. Addition of the muscarinic agonist carbachol has no effect on basal cyclic AMP but it completely blocks the stimulation elicited by adrenergic agonists. The displacement of quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) by carbachol yields an IC50 of 1.5 +/- 0.45 X 10(-4) M and a Hill coefficient of 0.54 +/- 0.07, indicating a heterogeneous population of binding sites. Guanine nucleotides shift the displacement curve to the right (IC50, 4.7 +/- 0.16 X 10(-4) M) and convert the binding site population to greater homogeneity (0.76 +/- 0.18). Isoproterenol prevents both the affinity shift and binding site conversion evoked by guanine nucleotides. These data suggest that cholinergic-adrenergic interactions occur at both the level of receptor binding and the generation of an intracellular messenger. Since cyclic AMP has been purported to play a role in regulation of blood-brain barrier permeability, the existence of adrenergic-cholinergic, i.e., excitatory-inhibitory modulators of adenylate cyclase in cerebral endothelium, suggests that these receptors may mediate physiological and/or pathological alterations of cerebrovascular permeability.