cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multispecialty retrospective review of the clinical utility of pelvic magnetic resonance imaging in the setting of pelvic pain.

Background: Pelvic pain is a common complaint, and management of it is often difficult. We sought to evaluate the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of male pelvic pain. Though MRIs are commonly ordered to evaluate pelvic pain, there are very few studies obtaining the efficacy of pelvic MRI in determining a definitive diagnosis. The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical utility of pelvic MRI for a diagnosis code that included pain. Methods: After receiving institutional review board approval, a retrospective study was performed of all pelvic MRIs completed at our institution from January 2, 2010 to December 31, 2014. These were further delineated into ordering providers by specialty and urology-specific International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code diagnoses (male pelvic pain, prostatitis, groin pain, scrotal pain, testicular pain, and penile pain). Clinical utility was defined as positive if MRI findings resulted in a change in management. Subanalysis was performed on patients with an ICD-9 co-diagnosis of previous oncologic concern. Results: A total of 2,643 pelvic MRIs were ordered at our institution over a 5-year period. Of these, 597 pelvic MRIs (23%) were ordered for a diagnosis code that included pain (hip pain, rectal pain, joint pain, penile pain, scrotal pain, male pelvic pain and orchitis). Total utility for MRIs to find anatomic abnormalities potentially responsible for the present pain was 34% (205/597). When ordered by urologic providers, utility was 23%. Oncologists represented the highest positivity rate at 57%. Conclusions: Chronic pelvic pain is a multispecialty complaint that is difficult to treat. We were surprised to find the large number of both specialists and generalists invested in the management of pelvic pain. The increasing availability of MRI technology makes it a likely candidate to test for a clinically significant anatomic reason for pain. Though MRI is a test with minimal adverse effect and no increased risk of radiation exposure, the cost on the healthcare system should be offset by a clear clinical utility. We found total utility to be 34% across all ordering providers and an increase in positivity with concern of oncologic disease. Therefore, we would recommend pelvic MRIs in the evaluation of patients with refractory pelvic pain.
The ambiguity of data science team roles and the need for a data science workforce framework

This paper first reviews the benefits of well-defined roles and then discusses the current lack of standardized roles within the data science community, perhaps due to the newness of the field. Specifically, the paper reports on five case studies exploring five different attempts to define a standard set of roles. These case studies explore the usage of roles from an industry perspective as well as from national standard big data committee efforts. The paper then leverages the results of these case studies to explore the use of data science roles within online job postings. While some roles appeared frequently, such as data scientist and data engineer, no role was consistently used across all five case studies. Hence, the paper concludes by noting the need to create a data science workforce framework that could be used by students, employers, and academic institutions. This framework would enable organizations to staff their data science teams more accurately with the desired skillsets.
Synthesis and Characterization of 2D-Graphene Oxide-Metal Hybrid Systems with Increased Solubility

Graphene oxide serves as a precursor to various technologies, which include batteries, biosensors, solar cells, and supercapacitors. Gold nanoparticles exhibit excellent electrochemical and photophysical properties, allowing for electronic absorption and the ability to absorb light energy at the plasmonic wavelength. Palladium nanoparticles are highly sensitive and functional in room temperature, making it an ideal metal for catalytic applications. We report the synthesis of functional graphene oxide from graphite flakes followed by the insertion of gold and palladium nanoparticles through an oleylamine ligand. In this report, the fermi level of graphene oxide (GOx), gold-graphene oxide (Au-GOx), and palladium-graphene oxide (Pd-GOx) was shown to be effectively controlled. Additionally, each system showed complete solubility in ethanol and in the case of Au-GOx, enhanced solubility was seen in tetrahydrofuran as well.
Could Physical Activity Have an Impact on the Incidence or Prevention of Diabetes-Related Complications? A Review of the Evidence

Objective: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is chronic health disease characterized by the body’s inability to produce or use the hormone insulin to regulate blood glucose levels. Individuals with diabetes have an increased risk of medical complications. This review sought to systematically assess if physical activity based on interventions improved health outcomes and reduced the risk for complications in individuals with T2DM. Method: Electronic databases such as MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were searched using a systematic search strategy for randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of physical activity in improving health outcomes or reducing the risk of morbidity and mortality from diabetes related complications in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The inclusion criteria search period was between 2008 to 2018. Result: Of the 300 articles initially identified, only 15 manuscripts met the inclusion criteria. 13 of the studies showed physical activity improved glycemic control and reduced HbA1c to suitable levels in individuals with elevated levels of glycemic resistance. Conclusion: This small number of studies (15 studies) suggests physical activity may improve glycemic control and health outcomes and reduce the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. However, more research is needed for the efficacy of physical activity on co-morbidities.
Zebrafish Nutrition—Moving Forward

Abstract: This chapter provides an overview of the scientific literature related to zebrafish nutrition and the role of specific nutrients in health-related outcomes. The discussion includes contributions of dietary macro- and micro-nutrients and the importance of non-nutritive components such as energy, feed additives, and contaminants. A discussion of live and formulated diets is also provided. In addition, this chapter promotes the role of feed management strategies for increasing rigor and reproducibility in the zebrafish research community. Information regarding feed storage, rationing, frequency, and timing is also included, as they are profoundly important in fish husbandry. We have included a brief discussion on the interaction of diet and microbiota in zebrafish. Finally, this chapter promotes nutritional reporting standards and creation of open source diets for the zebrafish model.
Dense Breast Notification Laws, Education, and Women’s Awareness and Knowledge of Breast Density: a Nationally Representative Survey

To date, 38 states have enacted dense breast notification (DBN) laws mandating that mammogram reports include language informing women of risks related to dense breast tissue. Nationally representative survey to assess the association between residing in a state with a DBN law and women’s awareness and knowledge about breast density, and breast cancer anxiety. Internet survey conducted in 2018 with participants in KnowledgePanel®, an online research panel. English-speaking US women ages 40–59 years without a personal history of breast cancer who had received at least one screening mammogram (N = 1928; survey completion rate 68.2%). (1) Reported history of increased breast density, (2) knowledge of the increased risk of breast cancer with dense breasts, (3) knowledge of the masking effect of dense breasts on mammography, and (4) breast cancer anxiety. Women residing in DBN states were more likely to report increased breast density (43.6%) compared with women residing in non-DBN states (32.7%, p < 0.01, adjusted odds ratio, 1.70, 95% CI,1.34–2.17). Interaction effect between DBN states and education status showed that the impact of DBN on women’s reporting of dense breasts was significant for women with greater than high school education, but not among women with a high school education or less (p value = 0.01 for interaction). Only 23.0% of women overall knew that increased breast density was associated with a higher risk of breast cancer, and 68.0% of women understood that dense breasts decreased the sensitivity of mammography. There were no significant differences between women in DBN states and non-DBN states for these outcomes, or for breast cancer–related anxiety. State DBN laws were not associated with increased understanding of the clinical implications of breast density. DBN laws were associated with a higher likelihood of women reporting increased breast density, though not among women with lower education.
Three-dimensional roof collapse analysis in circular tunnels in rock

Abstract Collapse of a roof in circular cross-section tunnels is analyzed. The kinematic approach of limit analysis is utilized, with strength of the rock described by the Hoek-Brown failure criterion. The parametric form of the Hoek-Brown function is used to avoid introduction of an alternative explicit form of the shear strength criterion. Three measures of safety are considered: stability number, the factor of safety, and the support pressure needed to assure roof stability. The shape of the rock block in the failure mechanism consists of a right elliptic cone with a piece-wise linear generatrix and a prismatic section inserted between the two halves of the cone. The complexity of the cross-section of the block with the tunnel makes for an intricate integration of the rates of the dissipated work and the work of external forces. All three measures of safety are strongly dependent on the quality of rock described in the Geological Strength Index, whereas the dependence on the rock type captured in coefficient mi is less distinct. The length of the roof failure mechanism is subject to a constraint dependent on the spacing of the supporting ribs in the tunnel. All measures of safety (or stability) are distinctly dependent on the length constraint; the shorter the spacing between the ribs, the safer the tunnel against roof collapse. The 2D analysis yields the most conservative outcome.
1 – Definition of Terms

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses some basic definitions and concepts on differential equations. When the parameters of a physical system vary slowly under the effect of an external perturbation, some quantities are constant to any order of the variable describing the slow rate of change. Such a quantity is called an adiabatic invariant. However, this does not mean that these quantities are exactly constant, but rather that their variation goes to zero faster then any power of the small parameter. A function is analytic at a point if the function has a power series expansion valid in some neighborhood of that point. An ordinary differential equation is autonomous if the independent variable does not appear explicitly in the equation. The solution of an equation is said to undergo a bifurcation if at some critical value of a parameter, the number of solutions to the equation changes. The chapter highlights that a hyperbolic partial differential equation can be decomposed into ordinary differential equations along curves known as characteristics. These characteristics are themselves determined to be the solutions of ordinary differential equations.
A High Performing Zn-Ion Battery Cathode Enabled by In Situ Transformation of V 2 O 5 Atomic Layers

Developing high capacity and stable cathodes is a key to successful commercialization of aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs). Pure layered V2 O5 has a high theoretical capacity (585 mAh g-1 ), but it suffers severe capacity decay. Pre-inserting cations into V2 O5 can substantially stabilize the performance, but at an expense of lowered capacity. Here we show that an atomic layer deposition derived V2 O5 can be an excellent ZIB cathode with high capacity and exceptional cycle stability at once. We report a rapid in situ on-site transformation of V2 O5 atomic layers into Zn3 V2 O7 (OH)2 ⋅2 H2 O (ZVO) nanoflake clusters, also a known Zn-ion and proton intercalatable material. High concentration of reactive sites, strong bonding to the conductive substrate, nanosized thickness and binder-free composition facilitate ionic transport and promote the best utilization of the active material. We also provide new insights into the V2 O5 -dissolution mechanisms for different Zn-salt aqueous electrolytes and their implications to the cycle stability.
Hamstrings Neuromuscular Function After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Hamstrings neuromuscular function is a crucial component of functional movement, and changes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury contribute to risk factors for secondary injury and long-term sequelae. To effectively treat muscular impairments, an accurate understanding of hamstrings neuromuscular function in patients with ACL reconstruction (ACLR) is needed. A systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken to describe and quantify hamstrings neuromuscular function in individuals with ACLR compared to controls. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, and EBSCOhost databases in October of 2020 for studies evaluating the difference between hamstrings electromyography (EMG) between individuals with ACLR and controls. Two independent reviewers assessed each paper for inclusion and quality. Means and standard deviations were extracted from each included study to allow random-effect size (ES) meta-analysis calculations for comparison of results. Thirty-four studies were included for final review. From these, 5 categories of neuromuscular outcomes were identified, and studies were grouped accordingly: (1) muscle activation levels (EMG amplitude), (2) co-activation, (3) onset timing, (4) electromechanical delay, and (5) time-to-peak activity. Moderate to strong evidence indicates that individuals with ACLR demonstrate higher hamstrings EMG amplitude (normalized to % maximum voluntary isometric contraction) and hamstrings-to-quadriceps co-activation during gait and stair ambulation compared to controls. In addition, there was moderate evidence of longer electromechanical delay during knee flexion and greater hamstrings-to-quadriceps co-activation during knee extension compared to controls. Greater hamstrings EMG amplitude and co-activation during gait and ambulation tasks and longer electromechanical delay of the hamstrings in individuals with ACLR align with clinical impairments following ACLR and have implications for re-injury risk and long-term joint health, thus warranting attention in rehabilitation.
A Tale of Two Centrifugal-Flow Ventricular Assist Devices As Bridge to Heart Transplant

Abstract Background Use of continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) has increased over the years as a bridge to transplant. The HeartWare HVAD (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) and HeartMate III (HM3, Abbott, Abbott Park, IL) are currently approved centrifugal-flow devices used for bridge to transplant. We sought to evaluate outcomes of the patients listed and who received a transplant after receiving these 2 devices. Methods The United Network of Organ Sharing thoracic transplant database was queried after August 23, 2017, until December 2018 to identify patients aged older than 18 years listed for heart transplant and supported by the HVAD or HM3. Patient characteristics were evaluated at the time of listing and transplant. The primary study end point was 1-year mortality after LVAD implantation. Nonparametric tests were used to evaluate the device groups. Results Of 569 patients listed for heart transplant during the study period, 226 had HM3 and 343 had HVAD. The HM3 group had more men (82% vs 74%, P = .02), patients with diabetes (38% vs 29%, P = .02), and the body mass index was higher (28 vs 27 kg/m2, P = .04) at listing. Between the HM3 and HVAD groups, the 1-year mortality was 20% vs 17%, respectively (log-rank P = .28; Figure 1), and the posttransplant survival at 1 year was 97% and 94%, respectively (P = .1). Conclusions In a relatively well-matched group of patients listed for heart transplant with a centrifugal-flow LVAD, the 6-month and 1-year mortality on the waiting list as well as after transplant were not statistically different. Additional real-world experience or a randomized trial would be needed to determine whether one LVAD is superior.
Nutritional Data Accuracy of West Africa Foods in mHealth Applications

A plethora of mobile health applications have been developed globally to promote self-management behaviors and improve the quality of healthcare delivery services. To realize this potential there is the need for data accuracy and information integrity in Mobile health tools. The delivery of accurate data by Mobile health tools enhances adherence to optimum self-care goals. Self-care is an essential component in the management of health conditions which includes the provision of accurate diet and nutritional information to enable users make informed lifestyle decisions. The provision of inconsistent or inaccurate nutritional data misinforms users and affects the usability of Mobile health interventions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the nutritional data accuracy of several mHealth applications in the market and measure their perceived usefulness and effectiveness. Specifically, this study compares the caloric information of certain West African foods provided by several mHealth applications.
Benchmarking Robustness of Deep Learning Classifiers Using Two-Factor Perturbation

The accuracy of DL classifiers is unstable in that it often changes significantly when retested on adversarial images, imperfect images, or perturbed images. This paper adds to the small but fundamental body of work on benchmarking the robustness of DL classifiers on defective images. Unlike existed single-factor digital perturbation work, we provide state-of-the-art two-factor perturbation that provides two natural perturbations on images applied in different sequences. The two-factor perturbation includes (1) two digital perturbations (Salt & pepper noise and Gaussian noise) applied in both sequences. (2) one digital perturbation (salt & pepper noise) and a geometric perturbation (rotation) applied in different sequences. To measure robust DL classifiers, previous scientists provided 15 types of single-factor corruption. We created 69 benchmarking image sets, including a clean set, sets with single factor perturbations, and sets with two-factor perturbation conditions. To be best of our knowledge, this is the first report that two-factor perturbed images improves both robustness and accuracy of DL classifiers. Previous research evaluating deep learning (DL) classifiers has often used top-1/top-5 accuracy, so researchers have usually offered tables, line diagrams, and bar charts to display accuracy of DL classifiers. But these existed approaches cannot quantitively evaluate robustness of DL classifiers. We innovate a new two-dimensional, statistical visualization tool, including mean accuracy and coefficient of variation (CV), to benchmark the robustness of DL classifiers. All source codes and related image sets are shared on websites (this http URL or this https URL ) to support future academic research and industry projects.
Interfaith Engagement in Milwaukee: A Brief History of Christian-Muslim Dialogue: oleh Irfan A. Omar and Kaitlyn C. Daly (eds.)

This is a book review of Interfaith Engagement in Milwaukee: A Brief History of Christian-Muslim Dialogue
Supporting Teaching and Learning Reform in College Mathematics: Finding Value in Communities of Practice

Improving college STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) student learning outcomes is an ongoing area of focus in Institutions of Higher Education (IHE). This reform includes challenging, changing, and adapting both teaching practices and the learning environment. Communities of practice (CoPs) can support faculty in making these shifts; however, creating large-scale instructional changes in STEM education requires a more careful look at the existing systems and structures in place. In this paper, we investigate a network of regional CoPs composed mainly of mathematics faculty from IHE focused on teaching with inquiry methods. Understanding what faculty need and value to support their instructional changes is important as CoPs and other mechanisms are put in place to increase student success. In this qualitative study, we use the value framework developed by Wenger et al. (2011) to dissect the variety of ways faculty engage and find value in their CoP participation. Faculty participants expressed that CoP participation created unique layers of value in helping them to identify resources to support teaching with inquiry especially during a pandemic, shift their beliefs about teaching, and engage with a network of peers about mathematics and teaching. Findings from this study, conducted during the COVID-19 global pandemic, provide preliminary insights for STEM stakeholders interested in large-scale, ongoing instructional reform to improve student learning outcomes and for networks interested in collectively supporting CoPs with ongoing rather than finite goals.
Development of Thermal-Resistant Rhodium Catalysts

Rhodium supported catalysts capable of withstanding temperatures above 600C under oxidizing conditions while maintaining a resistance to chemical poisons have been developed by reducing the undesirable interaction of rhodium oxide with gamma -alumina support material.
Configuration Interaction Wave Functions

The Hartree-Fock (HF) wave function for a molecule describes each orbital in the self-consistent average field of all the orbitals. This is the best single Slater determinant and forms a useful starting point for developing an accurate wave function. An improved wave function and energy can be obtained by expanding in a series of Slater determinants. Such an expansion is referred to as a configuration interaction (CI) wave function (Shavitt, 1977).
Waithood and Face: Morality and Mobility Among Lower-Class Youth in Iran

Studies of marginalized youth in the Islamic Republic of Iran have focused almost exclusively on how structural constraints operate to thwart these young people’s transition to adulthood. There has been comparatively little work that has examined how disadvantaged youth actually cope with precarious structural conditions. The result has been unbalanced hypotheses that argue that youth become stuck in long stretches of time during which they wait with uncertainty for an autonomous life, all the while neglecting the productive micro quests that youth engage in to resolve this uncertainty. The pursuit of face by lower-class youth in Iran speaks to this gap in existing studies. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in two cities in Iran, this study finds that through their engagement in this face system, some young people create an alternative basis of social differentiation to improve their lives. By following the four moral criteria governing face behavior—self-sufficiency, hard work, purity and appearance—these youth are able to accrue moral capital, which subsequently enables them to win incremental gains in the social and economic spheres. These findings have important implications for research on youth mobility in the Middle East.
Novel nuclear target for thrombin: activation of the Elk1 transcription factor leads to chemokine gene expression.

Thrombin is primarily known for its role in homeostasis and thrombosis. However, this enzyme also plays important roles in wound healing and pathologic situations such as inflammation and tumorigenesis. Among the molecules stimulated by thrombin in these latter processes are the stress response proteins, chemokines. Chemokines are also known for their roles in inflammatory responses and tumor development. These correlative observations strongly suggest that chemokines may be mediators of some of thrombin’s functions in these processes. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of stimulation of chemokines by thrombin may help to unravel the ways in which their expression can be modulated. Up-regulation of the chemokine 9E3/cCAF by thrombin occurs via its proteolytically activated receptor with subsequent transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase. This study shows that stimulation by thrombin very rapidly activates this chemokine at the transcriptional level, that 2 Elk1 binding elements located between 2534 and 2483 bp of the promoter are major thrombin response elements, that activation occurs via the Elk1 transcription factor, and that the latter is directly activated by MEK1/ERK2. The common occurrence of Elk1 binding domains in the promoters of immediate early response genes suggests that it may be characteristically involved in gene activation by stress-inducing agents. (Blood. 2000;96:3696-3706)
Time Course Gene Expression Classification with Time Lagged Recurrent Neural Network

Heterogeneous types of gene expressions may provide a better insight into the biological role of gene interaction with the environment, disease development and drug effect at the molecular level. In this chapter for both exploring and prediction purposes a Time Lagged Recurrent Neural Network with trajectory learning is proposed for identifying and classifying the gene functional patterns from the heterogeneous nonlinear time series microarray experiments. The proposed procedures identify gene functional patterns from the dynamics of a state-trajectory learned in the heterogeneous time series and the gradient information over time. Also, the trajectory learning with Back-propagation through time algorithm can recognize gene expression patterns vary over time. This may reveal much more information about the regulatory network underlying gene expressions. The analyzed data were extracted from spotted DNA microarrays in the budding yeast expression measurements, produced by Eisen et al. The gene matrix contained 79 experiments over a variety of heterogeneous experiment conditions. The number of recognized gene patterns in our study ranged from two to ten and were divided into three cases. Optimal network architectures with different memory structures were selected based on Akaike and Bayesian information criteria using two-way factorial design. The optimal model performance was compared to other popular gene classification algorithms, such as Nearest Neighbor, Support Vector Machine, and Self-Organized Map. The reliability of the performance was verified with multiple iterated runs.
Building web-scale data mining infrastructure for search

The competition in search has been driving great innovation and investment on next generation Internet services, with the goal of providing the computing platform for Internet economies on a global scale. Different from traditional Internet services, search involves myriad offline computations to analyze data at a very large scale, and an infrastructure for "scale" experiments is often required to evaluate the effectiveness of newly invented algorithms in a simulated "real" environment. In this talk, I will first review a variety of new trends in computational economies on the Internet in which search and online advertising have become the driving forces in building underlying computing infrastructure. Then, I will introduce current efforts at Microsoft Research Asia on building this new infrastructure. I will also discuss how these efforts are influencing the design of next-generation search engines from an architecture stand-point. Some advanced search technologies based on the use of this infrastructure and deeper data mining on the Web will also be demonstrated.
COMPARING FEDERAL AND PRIVATE-SECTOR WAGES WITHOUT LOGS

I use Current Population Survey data from 2005 through 2010 to compare the wages of federal employees and workers in the private sector who have similar observable characteristics. The distribution of wages differed drastically between the federal and private sectors. In particular, I find that federal employees with no more than a high school diploma earned 21% more, on average, than their private-sector counterparts, whereas those with a professional degree or doctorate earned 23% less. Overall, the average of federal wages was about 2% higher than the average wage of similar private-sector workers. Other researchers have found larger differences because they used log-linearized models, which result in comparisons of geometric means. I show that arithmetic means are more relevant in the context of the relationship between a government's compensation policy and its budget. The discrepancy between differences in arithmetic and geometric means occurs because the wages of federal employees were much less dispersed than those of employees with similar characteristics in the private sector. (JEL J31, J38, J45)
The Nurture Effect: A Book Review

Reading local, national, and international news may lead to a pervasive sense that we humans are masters at undermining our collective well-being across the globe and inept at organizing our way ou...
Originalism and Natural Law

I am grateful to Judge O’Scannlain for his thoughtful discussion on the role that natural law has played in American legal history. I share Judge O’Scannlain’s understanding that those who wrote and ratified the U.S. Constitution were believers in natural law—by that, I mean they were believers in a body of rules that could be derived by reason, that existed outside the rules enacted by a sovereign government.1
Disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus correlates with expression of the transcription factor AT-rich-interactive domain 3A

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease resulting from breaches in immune tolerance and characterized by antinuclear antibody (ANA) production (reviewed in (1)). Although this disease may affect as many as 1 in 2500 individuals, the underlying causes are unknown (2). Environmental factors, hereditary effects and epigenetic variation have all been implicated in SLE pathogenesis (3–6). Therefore, it has been challenging to find a unifying explanation for the complex molecular abnormalities that arise in these patients. The clinically diverse nature of SLE further complicates the identification of new biomarkers that might lead to better treatments (7). Multiple murine models for lupus exist. In keeping with the complex regulatory mechanisms that control immune responses, these models may involve disruptions in genes expressed in T or B lymphocytes, or may result from combined defects in genes expressed in a variety of immune regulatory cells (reviewed in (8,9)). While each of these models results in ANA production, they all have limitations and differ in the extent to which they mimic the human SLE organ involvement that typically evolves over time within individual patients. We showed that transgenic mice that over-expressed the DNA-binding protein Bright/ARID3a (B cell regulator of immunoglobulin heavy chain transcription/A+T rich interaction domain family protein 3a) in all B lineage cells produced serum ANAs by four weeks of age (10,11). Over-expression also resulted in increased numbers of marginal zone (MZ) B cells which are typically enriched for self-reactive B lymphocytes (11). These data suggest that inappropriate regulation of Bright/ARID3a expression in B lineage cells is sufficient to cause ANA production in these mice. Because constitutive expression of Bright/ARID3a in B cells of transgenic mice resulted in ANA production, a predisposing occurrence for SLE (12), we asked if SLE patients exhibit increased ARID3a expression in their peripheral blood B lymphocytes.
Reversion of Ribosomal Helix Formation in Escherichia coli

After transfer into fresh medium, Escherichia coli cells containing ribosomal helices resume growth without a lag period. The helices disappear within 15 min after transfer, the number of 70S ribosomes decreases, and a steady-state ribosomal profile appears within one cell generation time. Subunits isolated from the helices support in vitro protein synthesis, but efficiency is optimal only when supplemented with an undetermined factor that is contained in the S-100 fraction of log-phase cells. The data suggest a possible role of helices as ribosomal reserve units.
Epidemiology of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the most rapidly lethal cancer; only 7 % of patients survive 5 years. Men are slightly more likely to develop this cancer than women, and African American men have the highest incidence rates. Established risk factors for pancreatic cancer include smoking, long-standing diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, obesity, heavy alcohol intake and family history. Genetic polymorphisms in the ABO gene have also been associated with modest risks of pancreatic cancer, and individuals who have blood type A or B have slightly higher risk than those with type O. Recent research suggests that periodontal infection and gastric ulcers may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, while allergies may decrease risk. With the exception of red meat intake (and cooking practices), dietary factors have not been consistently associated with risk of pancreatic cancer. Studies examining mutations in tumor tissue have not identified clear associations between risk factors and tumor mutations, but few observational studies have had tumor tissue to address these questions.
Board level reliability of tin-lead plated and hot solder coated lead finishes as a function of solderability

The board-level solder joint reliability of plastic surface-mount components was evaluated by temperature cycling plastic leaded chip carrier (PLCC) and plastic quad flatpack (PQFP) components. Reliability was assessed by using T/C 'C' (-65 degrees C to +150 degrees C for a 30-min period) conditions. Acceptable reliability was obtained for all components which met current solderability requirements. Only solderability specimens which would have failed standard visual inspection exhibited unacceptable levels of cracking after exposure to T/C 'C' conditions. Both 85%-tin-15%-lead solder plated finish and 63%-tin-37%-lead hot solder coated components are evaluated. >
Role of the β-amyloid precursor protein in Alzheimer's disease

Deposition of beta-amyloid peptide in the brain is an early event in Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia. Studies of the beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP), which gives rise to beta-amyloid, are rapidly leading to a better understanding of the biochemical basis of the disease--a prerequisite for rational drug development.
Amino acid incorporation in an Escherichia coli cell-free system directed by bromegrass mosaic virus ribonucleic acid.

Abstract Unfractionated bromegrass mosaic virus RNA and each of its three naturally occurring components, of molecular weight 1.0 × 10 6 , 0.7 × 10 6 , and 0.3 × 10 6 , stimulate the incorporation of amino acids into peptides in an E. coli cell-free incorporating system. Analysis of tryptic digests by paper electrophoresis and chromatography indicated that the products induced by the RNA small component of molecular weight 0.3 × 10 6 , and by the unfractionated RNA were similar.
4.75 mm SMA Performance and Cost-Effectiveness for Asphalt Thin Overlays

This paper presents the design of stone matrix asphalt (SMA) with 4.75-mm nominal maximum aggregate size (NMAS) and alternative surfacing cross-section for an asphalt wearing course that may improve pavement performances while controlling costs by using locally available aggregates. The 4.75 -mm NMAS dense-graded mix was previously used in several states to reduce layer thickness and cost. Because of its poor friction and limited performance, however, it was generally used as levelling binder and placed on low-volume roads. The 4.75-mm SMA is proposed for thinner asphalt overlays in this study to improve its performance as well as surface texture. The ultimate goal of this study is to develop the 4.75-mm SMA and evaluate its performance and engineering benefits as a wearing course under laboratory and field conditions. Test pavement sections were constructed in Northern Illinois and on-site performance tests were conducted to evaluate its performance under actual traffic loading. The engineering cost-bene...
Protection of the integrity of polyribosomes against rabbit serum ribonuclease

Abstract 1. 1. Experiments were carried out with rabbit serum to find conditions under which the serum RNase could be inhibited 100% so that the mRNA in polyribosomes exposed to rabbit serum would not be depolymerized. 2. 2. Rabbit serum was titrated with the natural RNase inhibitor of rat liver and it was found that 30% of rabbit serum RNase was refractory to this inhibitor. 3. 3. The effect of the inhibitor on serum RNase was tested between pH 4.0 and 9.0. This study showed that rabbit serum contains an RNase with optimal activity at pH 6.9 but it also contains RNase which is active over a broad pH range from 4.0 and 9.0. The rat liver inhibitor was active against the RNase in the neutral pH range but was inactive against the nuclease that degraded RNA over a wide range of pH values. 4. 4. There was no pH value at which the rat liver inhibitor elicited 100% inhibition of serum RNase. 5. 5. Heparin unlike the rat liver inhibitor was 100% effective at blocking serum nuclease. 6. 6. Polyribosomes incubated with heparin-containing serum was not degraded to monoribosomes indicating that heparin protected the mRNA from being nicked by serum nucleases.
Effects of sodium sulfate on acute N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)succinimide (NDPS) nephrotoxicity in the Fischer 344 rat.

The agricultural fungicide N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)succinimide (NDPS) induces acute polyuric renal failure in rats. Results of previous studies have suggested that NDPS may induce nephrotoxicity via conjugates of NDPS metabolites. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine if administered sodium sulfate could alter NDPS nephrotoxicity. Male Fischer 344 rats (four rats per group) were administered a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of sodium sulfate (0.035, 0.07, 0.35 or 3.5 mmol/kg) or sodium chloride (7.0 mmol/kg) 20 min before NDPS (0.2, 0.4 or 0.8 mmol/kg) or NDPS vehicle (sesame oil, 2.5 ml/kg) and renal function monitored at 24 and 48 h. High dose sodium sulfate (3.5 mmol/kg) markedly attenuated NDPS nephrotoxicity, while sodium chloride had no effect on NDPS-induced renal effects. NDPS nephrotoxicity was also attenuated by a pretreatment dose of 0.35 mmol/kg sodium sulfate, while 0.07 mmol/kg sodium sulfate pretreatment potentiated NDPS 0.2 mmol/kg to produce nephrotoxicity without markedly attenuating NDPS 0.4 mmol/kg to induce renal effects. A dose of 0.035 mmol/kg sodium sulfate did not potentiate NDPS 0.2 mmol/kg to induce nephrotoxicity. These results suggest that sulfate conjugates of NDPS metabolites might contribute to NDPS nephrotoxicity.
Soil Thermal Regime Influence on Water Use and Yield under Variable Irrigation

Soil temperature has been shown to influence the early growth and development of many plants. It is not clear, however, how these findings are related to seasonal field soil water and crop growth dynamics. We conducted a study to investigate the seasonal influence of the field soil thermal regime on soil water depletion and growth of winter wheat and corn under variable irrigation levels, at Logan, UT, during 1987 and 1988. Soil surface mulches and buried heat cables were used to modify soil temperature, and a line-source sprinkler system provided a range of water application levels (...)
Synthesis of 4-{p-[(2-Chloroethyl)-(2-Hydroxyethyl)amino]phenyl}butyric Acid and Its Behavior in the 4-(4-Nitrobenzyl)pyridine Assay Procedure

The synthesis of 4-{p-[(2-chloroethyl)-(2-hydroxyethyl)-amino]phenyl}butyric acid is reported. Investigation of the behavior of this compound in the NBP assay procedure showed that it alkylates NBP in a manner similar to chlorambucil. Therefore the results obtained from the assay of chlorambucil and similar aryl nitrogen mustards by the NBP method must be interpreted with due caution.
Effect of completeness of revascularization on long-term outcome of patients with three-vessel disease undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. A report from the Coronary Artery Surgery Study (CASS) Registry

BACKGROUNDComplete revascularization after coronary artery bypass surgery is a logical goal and improves symptomatic outcome and survival. However, the impact of complete revascularization in patients with three-vessel coronary disease with varying severities of angina and left ventricular dysfunction has not been clearly defined.METHODS AND RESULTSThe study was performed as a retrospective analysis of 3,372 nonrandomized surgical patients from the Coronary Artery Surgery Study (CASS) Registry who had three-vessel coronary disease. Group 1 (894 patients) had class I or II angina (Canadian Cardiovascular Society criteria) and group 2 (2,478 patients) had class III or IV angina. In group 1, adjusted cumulative 4-year survivals according to the number of vessels bypassed were 85% (one vessel), 94% (two vessels), 96% (three vessels), and 96% (more than three vessels) (log rank, p = 0.022). Adjusted event-free survival (death, myocardial infarction, definite angina, or reoperation) was not influenced by the nu...
Behavioral Science---Current Issues in Psychology: Implications for Management Science

I reached two major conclusions from this casual review of convention topics and new textbooks in psychology: First, it is becoming quite clear that multivariate research, involving the interaction of two or more predictors, and, quite possibly, two or more interacting criteria, is becoming the rule rather than the exception. More appropriate, and explicit, theoretical models are being offered in order to organize this research. Secondly, even though current economic conditions have not seriously eroded the market for behavioral scientists, they are aware of changing demands by their clients and are paying more attention to contemporary societal issues. Thus, there seems to be some reconsideration and adjustment of traditional personnel practices.
Clinical Significance of Low Cytomegalovirus DNA Levels in Human Plasma

The clinical significance of the detection of low copy numbers of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in immune-suppressed patients remains unclear. In this study, we compared the artus CMV Rotor-Gene PCR, utilizing an automated nucleic acid extraction and assay setup (the artus CMV protocol), with the COBAS Amplicor CMV Monitor test (our reference protocol). We then analyzed the results of all CMV PCR tests ordered following the implementation of the artus CMV protocol at our institution and followed 91 adult patients with positive test results. The artus CMV protocol had a linear range extending from 2.0 to 7.0 log(10) copies/ml and had a lower limit of 95% detection of 57 copies/ml. With archived plasma samples, this protocol demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 94% specificity for the detection of CMV DNA. Following implementation of the artus CMV protocol, 320 of 1,403 (22.8%) plasma samples tested positive (compared with 323/3,579 [9.0%] samples in the preceding 6 months), and 227 (16.2%) samples had copy numbers of <400/ml. Ninety-one adult patients had at least one positive test. The data were analyzed using a threshold of 200 copies/ml, and in 22 episodes, the viral load increased from <200 copies/ml to ≥ 200 copies/ml on sequential tests. In 21 of these 22 episodes, either the viral load continued to increase or antiviral treatment was initiated in response to the repeat value. In summary, we evaluate the performance characteristics of a protocol utilizing the artus CMV PCR and identify clinically meaningful changes in CMV DNA copy numbers even when they are initially detected at a low level.
Single point optical calibration of accelerometers at NIST

Typical accelerometer calibrations by laser interferometer are performed by measuring displacement at three places on the shaker table. Each of these measurements, made along the perimeter of the accelerometer, requires repositioning and realigning of the interferometer. This is done to approximate the actual displacement of the accelerometer. Using a dual-coil shaker with a small moving element and two coaxially-located and rigidly-attached mounting tables allows placing the accelerometer on one table and measuring displacement directly on the center axis of the second table. This was found to work effectively at lower frequencies, up to about 5 kHz, with mounting tables of conventional materials such as stainless steel. However, for higher frequencies the use of steel results in unwanted relative motion between the two mounting tables. Mounting tables of beryllium with nickel coating have been used at NIST to overcome this difficulty. This paper shows the calibration results of single point, on-axis measurements, using fringe counting and sine-approximation methods. The results compare favorably with three point measurements made by fringe disappearance using a conventional piezo-electric shaker at frequencies up to 15 kHz.
Effects of Shear and Temperature on Wax Deposition: Coldfinger Investigation with a Gulf of Mexico Crude Oil†

The ability to determine the severity of wax deposition is an extremely important issue for the petroleum industry, particularly in the design and development of deepwater fields. Unfortunately, wax deposition is a complex process for which the mechanism is not fully understood. Furthermore, although much progress has been made in the last few decades in better understanding this complex process, the ability to accurately account for all the factors that affect deposition does not currently exist in the wax deposition simulators used in industry today. This paper examines the effects of two factors on the deposition process: shear and temperature. The effects are illustrated through results from coldfinger experiments, which are often used as a simple means to approximate the deposition process in flow lines. Shown are the effects in influencing both the amount of deposition occurring and nature of deposits formed from a medium-gravity Gulf of Mexico crude oil. Although the results do not directly repres...
A Comparison of Reorder Point and Material Requirements Planning Inventory Control Logic

This paper reports the results of simulation experiments that compared the inventory efficiency (i.e., the customer service level provided by a given level of inventory) for two different inventory policies. One of these policies uses time-phased information on future demands like that found in material requirements planning (MRP) systems, while the other (the reorder point or ROP policy) relies on forecasts implicitly based on average past demands. After establishing that the MRP policies dominate for reasonable conditions, the uncertainty of the forecasts was manipulated until the policy preference was reversed. It requires a very perverse relationship between the forecast and actual demand before ROP beats MRP on inventory efficiency.
An Analysis of Finger Pinch Strength in Children

This study examined 3 types of pinch strength and handgrip strength among children between the ages of 5.3 and 7.9 years. Maximal strength of four pulp pinches, the chuck pinch and the lateral pinch were measured as well as maximal handgrip strength. Data analysis showed that the chuck and lateral pinched were the strongest while the pulp pinch with the little finger was the weakest. The pulp pincnes with the index and with the middle finger were stronger than that with the ring finger. Males were slightly stronger than females, the difference being only 13%. The right hand pinches were not significantly stronger than left hand pinches, the difference being only 5%. The major hand of subjects with dominant left hand was only 84% as strong as the major hand of subjects with dominant right hand. Pinch strength increased with age by 50% for a 2.6 year difference.