cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract B24: Untangling the interplay of lung cancer biomarkers and preanalytic variability with SOMAmer proteomic technology

Biomarker discovery studies may fail to validate because the clinical population does not represent the intended clinical use or because hidden preanalytic variability in the discovery samples contaminates the apparent disease specific information in the biomarkers. This preanalytic variability can arise from differences in blood sample processing between study sites, or worse, introduce case/control bias in samples collected differently at the same study site. To better understand the effect of different blood sample processing procedures, we evaluated protein measurement bias in a large multi-center lung cancer study. These analyses revealed that perturbations in serum protocols result in changes to many proteins in a coordinated fashion. We subsequently developed protein biomarker signatures of processes such as cell lysis, platelet activation and complement activation and assembled these preanalytic signatures into quantitative multidimensional Sample Mapping Vectors (SMV) scores. The SMV score provides critical evaluation of both the quality of every blood sample used in discovery, and also enables the evaluation of candidate protein biomarkers for resistance to preanalytic variability. The underlying platform technology uses SOMAmers (Slow Off-rate Modified Aptamers) as affinity reagents to quantify proteins. Following analytic validation of the assay, which simultaneously measured approximately 850 proteins with sub-pM limits of detection and intra and inter-assay CV of To eliminate this effect, we used the SMV score to define an unbiased fraction of the original sample set, including samples from the Pittsburgh Lung Screening Study (PLuSS, supported by NCI SPORE in Lung Cancer grant P50 090440), and re-assayed the unaffected samples using a new version of the assay with 1033 analytes. The new 7-marker classifier had an AUC of 0.86 and contained several new markers that were not available in the prior version of the assay, which in turn enabled the elimination of some markers that were partly contaminated with case/control bias. The modest loss in performance was an acceptable price for avoiding dependence on hidden case/control information. Applying quantitative measures of preanalytic variability, we identified preanalytic sample bias across 4 large study centers, revealing unintentional differences inherent in how biological samples are obtained, processed and stored for different study populations. This study highlights the consistency of cohort studies and provides a tool for evaluating bias in case/control studies before proceeding to biomarker discovery. Choosing biomarkers with not just the best case/control discrimination but that are also resistant to sample processing bias increases the likelihood that a robust biomarker panel will perform well in the clinic.
Ulcer risk factors: interactions between Helicobacter pylori infection, nonsteroidal use, and age.

Abstract purpose: To evaluate the influence of Helicobacter pylori , nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAED) use, tobacco and alcohol use, age, gender, ethnic group, and the indication for endoscopy on the frequency of gastric and duodenal ulcers in patients referred for upper endoscopy. patients and methods: One thousand eighty-eight consecutive patients without prior antrectomy or active bleeding at endoscopy who were able to provide a history were interviewed prior to endoscopy, and antral biopsies were performed for H. pylori at endoscopy. Variables were tested for univariate association with duodenal or gastric ulcer and those variables with p results: One hundred seven patients had duodenal ulcer, 97 had gastric ulcers, and 5 had both. Significant risk factors in the final model for duodenal ulcer were H. pylori, history of previous ulcer, male gender, bleeding, and pain at presentation (p H. pylori presence (p = 0.011), aspirin use (p = 0.009), and bleeding (p = 0.012) were associated with gastric ulcer in the final model; esophageal symptoms were associated with decreased risk of gastric ulcer (p = 0.003). NSAID use was associated with gastric ulcers only in those over 55 (p H. pylori and NSAEDs. conclusions: H. pylori was associated with an increased risk of duodenal and gastric ulcers. Aspirin increases the risk for gastric ulcer in patients of all ages, whereas nonaspirin, nonsteroidal use increases the risk for gastric ulcers to varying degrees in patients over age 55, depending on race and history of ulcer.
Measuring the Hierarchy of Molecular Events During Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis

A well-orchestrated hierarchy of molecular events is required for successful initiation and maturation of clathrin-coated pits (CCPs). Nevertheless, CCPs display a broad range of lifetimes. This dynamic heterogeneity could either reflect differences in the temporal hierarchy of molecular events, or similar CCP maturation processes with variable kinetics. To address this question, we have used multi-channel image acquisition and automated analysis of CCP dynamics in combination with a new method to quantify the time courses of recruitment of endocytic factors to CCPs of different lifetimes. Using this approach we have extracted the kinetics of recruitment and disassembly of fluorescently labeled clathrin and/or AP-2 throughout the entire lifetime of temporally defined CCP cohorts. On the basis of these analyses, we can (i) directly correlate recruitment profiles of these two proteins; (ii) define five distinct CCP maturation phases, i.e. initiation, growth, maturation, separation and departure; (iii) distinguish events with absolute versus fractional timing and (iv) provide information on the spatial distribution of fluorophores during CCP maturation. Emerging from these analyses is a more clearly defined role for AP-2 in determining the temporal hierarchy for clathrin recruitment and CCP maturation. This method provides a new means to identify other such hierarchies during CCP maturation.
Don't Be Such a Downer: Using Positive Psychology to Enhance the Value of Negative Feedback

Effective developmental feedback promotes a balanced and authentic view of employees' current state, thereby addressing strengths and weaknesses of employees. The authors address how organizations' increased emphasis on positivity can be reconciled with the delivery of negative feedback. Drawing on principles from positive psychology, the authors outline strategies managers can implement to increase the likelihood that negative feedback interventions will yield improved performance while promoting employee well-being.
Nasal colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus : Clinical implications and treatment

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become an increasingly important pathogen during the past 30 years, and infections due to MRSA are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Despite intensive infection control measures, the prevalence of MRSA has increased significantly, and the organism has become endemic in many hospitals worldwide. Asymptomatic nasal carriage of MRSA has been identified as a major risk factor for subsequent S. aureus infection in multiple settings and populations. As a result, considerable interest exists in developing decolonization strategies, with the ultimate goal of reducing the incidence of MRSA infection. Approaches to decolonization have included the use of systemic and inhalation antibiotics, antiseptic washes, and topical antimicrobials.
Improved Raman sensitivity using polarization analysis

Raman spectroscopy is a very powerful technique for molecular identification, and small Raman instruments have been used successfully to identify toxic substances. The sensitivity of the technique, however, can be limited by fluorescence interference arising from the analyte itself or sample impurities. In the case of surface detection, the Raman signature and/or fluorescence from the surface can also interfere with identification of the target chemical. We take advantage of the polarization characteristics of the Raman scattering to reduce the broadband fluorescence background and surface Raman features. Using a custom fiber optic probe with excitation at 785 nm, we have demonstrated real-time polarization analysis. The spectrum obtained by ratioing the parallel and perpendicular polarization components of the Raman scattering, reduces the surface signature and has a better spectral correlation to the target analyte.
Scintillation measurements for large integrated-path turbulence.

Scintillation measurements are described for a very-large integrated-path turbulence. Measurements were made with simultaneous, coincident beams at 10.6 μm and 4880 A over a 6-km uniform path. The experimental results include (i) the (log amplitude) variance at 10.6 μm showed saturation at a level comparable to that for shorter wavelengths; (ii) the variance beyond saturation at 4880 A decreased for increasing turbulence (Cn2), with an exponent of (−0.48) and no apparent asymptote; (iii) the covariance functions, Cl(r), exhibited the emergence of two scale sizes, as manifested by a rapid initial drop vs (r), and a residual correlation out to large separations; (iv) a corresponding effect was revealed by the spectra of scintillations; (v) receiver-aperture smoothing at 4880 A was very poor, owing to the large residual correlation sizes; and (vi) the amplitude statistics at both wavelengths approximated log-normal distributions.
The stimulatory effects of diethylstilbestrol and diethylstilbestrol diphosphate on the reticuloendothelial cells of the rat spleen

The effects of the estrogenic compounds, diethylstilbestrol (DS) and diethylstilbestrol diphosphate (DSP) on morphologically demonstrable characteristics of reticuloendothelial (RE) cells were studied in rat spleen. These included metalophilia, acid phosphatase, nonspecific esterase and phagocytosis. Routine histological and histochemical techniques were used to determine the distribution of metalophilic cells, hydrolytic enzymes, the presence of intracytoplasmic PAS-positive material, hemosiderin sequestration, and the ability to phagocytose injected carbon particles and bacterial organisms. Changes in these parameters associated with increased RE function were observed in several regions of spleens of DS or DSP-treated animals. The marginal metalophils at the periphery of the nodule, normally not phagocytic in animals of the age studied, became phagocytic and demonstrated increased metalophilic and enzymatic activity. The red pulp was characterized by increased densities of cells in pulp cords demonstrating metalophilia, hydrolytic enzyme activity, PAS positivity and hemosiderin. Phagocytosed material was limited to cells in the pulp cord. The reactions of the sinus-lining cells were not affected by this treatment. Results indicated that the marginal metalophils have the capacity to become fully functional RE cells under the influence of these drugs.
Changes in Scores on the Mental Rotations Test during the Menstrual Cycle

The purpose of the study was to examine changes in performance on Vandenberg's Mental Rotations Test during the menstrual cycles of college women. Participants were 12 male and 34 female students recruited from undergraduate educational psychology and nursing classes at a large southeastern university. Each woman was tested once during the menstrual phase and once during the luteal phase of her menstrual cycle. Phases in which the testings occurred were counterbalanced. Men were also tested twice. For all participants, the two testing sessions were held exactly 14 days apart. Women who were contraceptive pill users did not perform significantly differently during either phase from women who were nonusers, and there was no interaction for pill use by phase. Therefore, users and nonusers were combined for a paired-sample t test which indicated that women scored significantly higher during the menstrual phase (Days 2-7) than during the luteal phase (Days 16-22 for 31 women and Days 24-26 for three women with longer cycles). The 12 men scored significantly higher than the 34 women during the initial testing; but not significantly higher than the 17 women who were in the menstrual phase during the first testing. Therefore, that the effect of the phase of menstrual cycle influences the sex difference in performance on the Mental Rotations Test was supported.
Phase Behavior and Morphological Characteristics of Compositionally Symmetric Diblock Copolymer Blends

Recent experimental and theoretical efforts suggest that ordered diblock copolymer blends can be approximated as single-component systems of average composition or molecular weight (or both) if the...
WaveMap: interactively discovering features from protein flexibility matrices usingwavelet-based visual analytics

The knowledge gained from biology datasets can streamline and speed-up pharmaceutical development. However, computational models generate so much information regarding protein behavior that large-scale analysis by traditional methods is almost impossible. The volume of data produced makes the transition from data to knowledge difficult and hinders biomedical advances. In this work, we present a novel visual analytics approach named WaveMap for exploring data generated by a protein flexibility model. WaveMap integrates wavelet analysis, visualizations, and interactions to facilitate the browsing, feature identification, and comparison of protein attributes represented by two-dimensional plots. We have implemented a fully working prototype of WaveMap and illustrate its usefulness through expert evaluation and an example scenario.
Determination of moisture content of mushrooms by Vis—NIR spectroscopy

Feasibility of the determination of the moisture content of intact individual mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) by visible and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (Vis–NIR) was studied. The convection drying method was found to be suitable to obtain reference values for the calibration equation. The standard error of the laboratory procedure ranged from 0·16 to 0·42%. Modified partial least square regression was used to develop the calibration equations. The importance of different segments of wavelength, the effect of light scattering and the use of data processing on the prediction of moisture content were evaluated. The equation obtained using the wavelength segment 600–2200 nm with first derivative and scatter correction had the best performance with a standard error of cross-validation of 0·64%. This equation performed very well when validated using a separate set of mushrooms of the same kind as those in calibration set. This equation, however, did not perform well when using mushrooms from a different treatment. Accuracy of prediction was re-established by adding typical spectra from the second group of mushrooms to the calibration set and performing recalibration.
The interface of race and accounting: a reply to Burrows

We appreciate the opportunity to reply to the response of Geoff Burrows (GB henceforth) to our article (F&T, 2000) and we commend him for extending our study of Hawaiian sugar-plantation accounting to other venues (Florida and Queensland) and time periods (mid-late twentieth century). This rejoinder is divided into two sections. First, we address issues GB raises in which he suggests that the labour structures of the sugar industry make it inappropriate for the generation of efficiency data on individual workers. Second, and more significantly from our perspective, we address the weightier question of the interface between accounting and racism.
Amino Acid Availability and Availability-Corrected Amino Acid Score of Red Kidney Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Thermal effect on availability of individual amino acids (AIAA) of red kidney beans was evaluated. Sulfur amino acids (SAA), methionine and cystine (Met + Cys), are the limiting amino acids (AA) an...
Carboxypeptidase M, a Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored Protein, Is Localized on Both the Apical and Basolateral Domains of Polarized Madin-Darby Canine Kidney Cells

Carboxypeptidase M, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane glycoprotein, is highly expressed in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, where it was previously shown that the glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor andN-linked carbohydrate are apical targeting signals. Here, we show that carboxypeptidase M has an unusual, non-polarized distribution, with up to 44% on the basolateral domain of polarized MDCK cells grown on semipermeable inserts. Alkaline phosphatase, as well as five other glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins, and transmembrane γ-glutamyl transpeptidase exhibited the expected apical localization. Basolateral carboxypeptidase M was readily released by exogenous phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, showing it is glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored, whereas apical carboxypeptidase M was more resistant to release. In contrast, the spontaneous release of carboxypeptidase M into the medium was much higher on the apical than the basolateral domain. In pulse-chase studies, newly synthesized carboxypeptidase M arrived in equal amounts within 30 min on both domains, indicating direct sorting. After 4–8 h of chase, the steady-state distribution was attained, possibly due to transcytosis from the basolateral to the apical domain. These data suggest the presence of a unique basolateral targeting signal in carboxypeptidase M that competes with its apical targeting signals, resulting in a non-polarized distribution in MDCK cells.
Micro-XAS Using Tapered Capillary Concentrating Optics

Tapered capillary optics are a promising choice for producing micro-beams at third generation sources. The reproducible energy dependence of their X-ray transmission, and fixed output beam position make them well suited for micro-XAS applications. Fiber optics techniques have been developed to produce long (1 m) capillaries which provide a good match to the low divergence undulator beams at third generation sources. The results of X-ray tests made at the NSLS indicate the performance of many of the capillaries closely match theoretical values. Currently these provide a monochromatic beam of about 106 ph/sec/μm 2 at an unfocused bending magnet beamline. High quality X-ray images and micro-XAFS have been obtained at the NSLS with better than 3 μm resolution. The same capillaries should provide more than 10 10 ph/sec/μm 2 at an APS undulator, indicating that sub-μm XAS is possible.
Boolean network model of oxidative stress response pathways

Oxidative stress is a consequence of normal cellular metabolism. The effective functioning of the pathway responding to oxidative stress protects the cellular DNA against oxidative damage and its failure can induce aberrant cellular behaviour leading to diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. Thus, understanding the normal signalling present in oxidative stress response pathways and determining possible signalling alterations leading to disease could provide us with useful pointers for therapeutic purposes. Using knowledge of oxidative stress response pathways from the literature, a Boolean network model is developed whose simulated behaviour is consistent with earlier experimental observations from the literature.
Contextual Influences on Work and Family Roles: Gender, Culture, and Socioeconomic Factors

Multiple factors influence the ways in which men and women combine work and family roles. Career counselors and other career development professionals must be cognizant of the cultural shifts in gender roles and the unique perspectives of younger generations regarding work–family interface. Workplace characteristics, economic trends, and personal values converge to influence decisions related to career, family, and other life roles. Much of the existing literature addressing work–family interface has been conducted in the United States and may not generalize to international populations. In this conceptual article, the authors examine current empirical knowledge and culturally sensitive frameworks for understanding work–family interface across countries and cultures. The authors discuss implications and recommendations for practice based on an integrated conceptualization of the literature.
Carrying angle of the human elbow joint

Previous elbow kinematic studies have created some controversy because of conflicting and contradictory results. The lack of consistent results may be traced to the limitations and definitions of the specific measurement techniques, as well as individual variations in the specimens. To resolve this issue, a rigorous theoretical analysis of elbow kinematics was performed based on available anatomic and geometric data of the skeleton with consideration of anthropometric variations. Three definitions have been adopted previously for the measurement of the carrying angle of the elbow joint. The relationships of these three definitions of the carrying angle as a function of the elbow joint flexion angle were evaluated. Clinically, the dynamic change of carrying angle may have little practical significance. However, the variation is reflected in differences in design criteria of the resurfacing and semiconstrained elbow replacement implants.
Panlobular pulmonary emphysema caused by i.v. injection of methylphenidate (Ritalin): findings on chest radiographs and CT scans.

Recent reports have described severe precocious pulmonary emphysema in persons who inject methylphenidate (crushed Ritalin tablets) i.v. We retrospectively evaluated the plain radiographic and CT features in 21 such patients.The chest radiographs, available CT scans, and clinical and pathologic data were reviewed in 21 cases of i.v. Ritalin use. The patients were from 35 to 54 years old. Twelve patients were men, and nine were women. Emphysema was graded on the basis of findings on chest radiographs, by consensus, on a four-point scale as absent, mild, moderate, or severe. CT scans were available for three patients, including one imaged after a single lung transplantation. Autopsy results were available for four patients. Fixed inflated lung specimens and corresponding high-resolution CT scans were available in three cases.Radiographs showed pulmonary emphysema in all cases. The distribution of disease was basilar and symmetric. Small apical bullae were suggested in only one case. Basilar emphysema was ra...
Rayleigh coefficients for series infrastructure systems with multiple damping properties

The Rayleigh damping matrix formulation is a commonly implemented means for the representation of intrinsic damping in many finite element programs. However, methods for specifying the Rayleigh mas...
Utility of cytology microarray constructed from effusion cell blocks for immunomarker validation.

BACKGROUND. Tissue microarray allows rapid and efficient evaluation of gene expression at the protein level and of immunochemical markers. To our knowledge, there has been no report of constructing cytology microarray using effusion cell blocks and testing its utility in immunochemical marker validation. METHODS. A total of 23 malignant effusions (primary tumor of breast [5], GI tract [5], lung [5] and ovary [8]) were used to construct a cytology microarray so that 3 cores of 0.6 mm in diameter were taken from the original cell blocks. Antibodies including AE1/AE3, EMA, and Ki-67 were applied to all cases, and CK7, CK20, TTF-1, WT-1, ER, and PR antibodies were used for selected cases. The cellularity, composition of cells, the staining pattern, and the intensity of each antibody were compared between corresponding cell block sections and CMA cores. RESULTS. The composition of tumor cells in the original block and the cores (including Sections 1 and 45) on cytology microarray were similar, ranging from 5% to 90%. Immunostains of AE1/AE3 and EMA were all positive and 100% concordant between the originals and cytology microarray. Similarly, CK7, CK20, ER, PR, TTF-1, and WT-1 stained both original blocks and cytology microarray with a high level of agreement with respect to percentage of positive cells, staining pattern (cytoplasm or nuclear), and intensity. Ki-67 stain showed slightly lower concordance (84%) with a few cases not in agreement because of low tumor burden in the original block coupled with low percentage of staining by antibody. CONCLUSIONS. Three 0.6 mm cores of cytology microarray are representative of the original cell block with cellularity and antibody staining pattern, intensity, and percentage. Therefore, CMA has a great potential in clinical research and practice as it allows rapid validation of immunocytochemical markers. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Sex ratio determination by queens and workers in the ant Pheidole desertorum.

Because workers in colonies of eusocial Hymenoptera are more closely related to sisters than to brothers, theory predicts workers should bias investment in reproductive broods to favour reproductive females over males. However, conflict between queens and workers is predicted. Queens are equally related to daughters and sons, and should act to prevent workers from biasing investment. Previous study of the ant Pheidole desertorum showed that workers are nearly three times more closely related to reproductive females than males; however, the investment sex ratio is very near equal, consistent with substantial queen control of workers. Near-equal investment is produced by an equal frequency of colonies whose reproductive broods consist of only females (female specialists) and colonies whose reproductive broods consist of only males or whose sex ratios are extremely male biased (male specialists). Because natural selection should act on P. desertorum workers to bias investment in favour of reproductive females, why do workers in male-specialist colonies rear only (or mostly) males? We tested the hypothesis that queens prevent workers from rearing reproductive females by experimentally providing workers with immature reproductive broods of both sexes. Workers reared available reproductive females, while failing to rear available males. Worker preference for rearing reproductive females is consistent with queens preventing their occurrence in colonies of male specialists. These results provide evidence that queens and workers will act in opposition to determine the sex ratio, a fundamental prediction of queen–worker conflict theory.  2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Nicaragua: Self Determination and Survival

Elections and democracy the first Nicaraguans the Anglo-US struggle for Nicaragua Sandino and the Sandinistas zero hour building democracy and socialism meeting basic needs workers and mothers re-defining the national identity at war with the economy a flexible strategy of alliance.
Landscape as medium and method for synthesis in urban ecological design

Abstract “Landscape” refers both to a conceptual field that examines how humans affect geographic space and to real places, and the word has both analytical and experiential implications. Pairing the analytical and the experiential enables landscape to be a catalyst for synthesis in science and for insight in urban ecological design. Emphasizing that science is fundamental to ecological design, this essay broadly interprets urban ecological design to include intentional change of landscapes in cities, their megaregions, and resource hinterlands. The essay offers two laws and two related principles for employing landscape as a medium and a method for urban ecological design. The laws observe that landscapes integrate environmental processes and that landscapes are visible. Two related principles explain how these inherent characteristics can be used to effect sustain ability by using landscape as a medium for synthesis and in a method that invites creative invention.
Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischemia Differentially Upregulates MAGUKs and Associated Proteins in PSD-93–Deficient Mouse Brain

Background and Purpose— Postsynaptic density (PSD)-93 and PSD-95 are the major membrane-associated guanylate kinases (MAGUKs) at excitatory synapses of the brain linking the N -methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) with neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), which contributes to cell death after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI). We investigated whether deletion of PSD-93 would dissociate the NMDAR from nNOS and be neuroprotective. Methods— Postnatal day 7 wild-type (+/+), heterozygous (+/−), and homozygous (−/−) PSD-93 knockout mice were subjected to HI by permanent ligation of the right carotid artery, followed by exposure to 8% O 2 /92% N 2 for 1 hour. Brains were scored 5 days later for damage with cresyl violet and iron stains. Western blot and coimmunoprecipitation were used to determine the expression and association of the major PSD proteins. Results— There was no significant difference between PSD-93 (−/−) and (+/+) mice in mortality or degree of brain injury. In the absence of PSD-93, PSD-95 still interacted with NR2B and nNOS. Under physiological conditions, PSD-95, nNOS, NR2A, and NR2B were unaltered in the (−/−) pups. However, at 24 hours after HI, protein expression of PSD-95, nNOS, and NR2A but not NR2B was markedly higher in the (−/−) than in the (+/+) pups. In (+/+) pups, HI resulted in decreased expression of NR2A but not NR2B in cortex and decreased NR2A and NR2B expression in hippocampus, but this reduction was not observed in (−/−) pups. Conclusions— PSD-93 is not essential for baseline synaptic function but may participate in regulation of NMDAR-associated signaling pathways after HI injury. Deletion of PSD-93 alone does not provide neuroprotection after neonatal HI, possibly a result, in part, of upregulation of PSD-95. MAGUKs may substitute for one another, allowing normal NMDAR function in the postnatal period.
Regional radiochemotherapy using in situ hydrogel.

Purpose. To evaluate the feasibility of regional radiochemotherapy of mammary tumors using in situ hydrogel loaded with cisplatin (CDDP) and rhenium-188 (188Re).
Stability over time of heart period variability in patients with previous myocardial infarction and ventricular arrhythmias

To determine the reproducibility of frequency domain measures of heart period variability in patients with previous myocardial infarction, 2 random samples of 40 patients each (1 from the Cardiac Arrhythmia Pilot Study [CAPS] [unsustained ventricular arrhythmias], and 1 from the Electrophysiologic Studies Versus Electrocardiographic Monitoring [ESVEM] [sustained ventricular arrhythmias] trial) were studied. For each patient, two 24-hour continuous electrocardiographic recordings were analyzed, and the average normal RR interval, total power and 4 components of total power were calculated. Group means and standard deviations for each sample were virtually identical for the pairs of 24-hour recordings. Furthermore, measurements for individual patients were stable from day to day, as measured by the intraclass correlation coefficients and the standard errors of measurement. Reproducibility of heart period variability measurements is excellent in patients with previous myocardial infarction and ventricular arrhythmias, and is comparable to the high stability previously found in a small group of normal subjects. The stability of measures of heart period variability facilitates distinguishing real changes due to progression or regression of cardiac disease or to drug effects from apparent changes due to random variation.
A Note on Death and Dying

This study examines the apparent greater concern for death among Mexican Americans than Anglo Americans and the rela tionship between death concern and psychological adjustment. The sample consisted of Mexican American and Anglo college students. Subjects were administered the Death Concern Scale (Dickstein, 1972) and a modified version of the Adjective Check List (Gough & Heilbrun, 1965). A significant finding corrobo rated previous research on the greater concern for death by Mexican Americans; however, no correlation was found in either group on death concern and adjustment. An interpreta tion is offered suggesting that death concern as a measure of "adjustment" or "maladjustment" may be contingent upon the population being studied and its perception of reality. Impli cations for psychotherapy with Mexican Americans are also discussed.
Metabolism of Ribosomal RNA in Mutants of ESCHERICHIA COLI Doubly Defective in Ribonuclease III and the Transcription Termination Factor Rho

To determine if proteins RNase III and rho, both of which can determine the 3' ends of RNA molecules, can complement each other, double mutants defective in these two factors were constructed. In all cases (four rho mutations tested) the double mutants were viable at lower temperatures, but were unable to grow at higher temperatures at which both of the parental strains grew. Genetic analyses suggested that the combination of the rnc rho (RNase III–Rho-) mutations was necessary and probably sufficient to confer temperature sensitivity on carrier strains. Physiological studies showed that synthesis and maturation of rRNA, which is greatly affected by RNase III, as well as other RNAs, was indistinguishable in rnc rho strains as compared to rnc rho+ strains, thus suggesting that RNase III and rho do not complement one another in determining the 3' ends of RNA molecules. In rnc rho strains, however, the newly synthesized rRNA failed to accumulate. Thus, decay of rRNA could be the reason for the temperature sensitivity of the double mutant strains. These experiments suggest that RNase III and rho can both protect rRNA from degradation by cellular ribonucleases. They also point to the possibility that the nucleotide sequences involved in the determination of the 3' ends of RNA molecules by these two factors are not identical.
Adaptive hydrostatic blood pressure calibration: Development of a wearable, autonomous pulse wave velocity blood pressure monitor

A technique for calibrating non-invasive peripheral arterial sensor signals to peripheral arterial blood pressure (BP) is proposed. The adaptive system identification method utilizes a measurable intra-arterial hydrostatic pressure change in the sensor outfitted appendage to identify the transduction dynamics relating the peripheral arterial blood pressure and the measured arterial sensor signal. The proposed algorithm allows identification of the calibration dynamics despite unknown physiologic fluctuations in arterial pressure during the calibration period under certain prescribed conditions. By employing unique wearable sensor architecture to estimate pulse wave velocity (PWV), this technique is used to calibrate peripheral pulse transit time measurements to arterial blood pressure. This sensor architecture is comprised of two inline photoplethysmograph sensors one in the form of a wristwatch measuring the pulse waveform in the ulnar artery and one in the form of a ring measuring the pulse waveform from the digital artery along the base of the little finger. Experimental results using the proposed algorithm to calibrate PTT to BP on human subjects will be presented.
Nanotechnology: Improving Clinical Testing?

The modern-day clinical laboratory has evolved in response to clinical demands and a need to adopt a steady stream of new technologies. Among the technological innovations that have had a large impact are computing and informatics, automation, antibody-based analytical methods, nucleic acid sequencing and probing techniques, sensor technology, and luminescence-based sensing techniques, such as chemiluminescence and fluorescence. The changing landscape of healthcare provides a continuing stimulus to the evolution of clinical testing, both in central laboratories and at the point of care. Progress in miniaturization has created devices with micrometer-sized features designed to perform a range of assays and that integrate all of the steps in an assay onto a single small device—the so-called lab-on-a-chip. The next step in miniaturization is the descent from the micrometer scale to the nanometer scale and the exploitation of nanotechnology—nanosized structures in the interval from 1 to 100 nm. Nanotechnology is now a major area of research and development. Many applications for nanosized materials (e.g., nanoparticles) have emerged in in vitro diagnostics, imaging, and therapeutics. In common with many types of new development, the arrival of nanotechnology has been heralded by considerable hype about its potential and future promise, but these high expectations have been tempered by concerns over the technology's safety (1). This new technological area is multifaceted and already has found extensive applications in >1000 consumer products (http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/enviro/nanotechnology.html; http://www.nanotechproject.org/inventories/consumer/). In clinical testing, 2 avenues of exploitation that have emerged are the use of nanoscale materials as reagents (e.g., nanoparticle labels and therapeutic agents) (2, 3) and the development of nanoscale devices (e.g., nanopores) (4). The latter is a distant prospect, and most work has centered on the former application. In this Q&A, Dawn Bonnell, Amit Kulkarni, Joseph Wang, Yuri Miyahara, and David Ure, experts in the field of nanotechnology, answer …
A Phase-Decomposition-Based PSInSAR Processing Method

A phase-decomposition-based persistent scatterer (PS) InSAR (PD-PSInSAR) method is developed in this paper to improve coherence and spatial density of measurement points (MPs). In order to improve PS network density, a distributed scatterer (DS) has been utilized in some advanced PSInSAR process, such as SqueeSAR. In addition to the conventional DS that consists of independent small scatterers with a uniform scattering mechanism, processing the DSs dominated by two or more scattering mechanisms is a promising way to improve MP density. Estimating phases from DS with multiple scattering mechanisms is difficult for many DS algorithms because of the interference between different scattering mechanisms. Recently, a covariance-matrix-decomposition-based method, which is named Component extrAction and sElection SAR (CAESAR), is proposed to extract different scattering components from the analysis of the covariance matrix. Instead of using a covariance matrix, the PD-PSInSAR in this study is developed to perform eigendecomposition on a coherence matrix, in order to estimate the phases corresponding to the different scattering mechanisms, and then to implement these estimated phases in a conventional PSInSAR process. The major benefit of using a coherence matrix rather than a covariance matrix is to compensate the amplitude unbalances among SAR images. A detailed study of comparison among SqueeSAR, CAESAR, and PD-PSInSAR is also performed in this study. It has been found that these three methods share very similar mathematic forms with different weight values. The PD-PSInSAR method is implemented to estimate land deformation over the greater Houston area using Envisat ASAR images, which verifies that the proposed method can detect more MPs and provide better coherences.
Assessment of the Birds of Swains Island, American Samoa

ABSTRACT Swains Island is an uninhabited 210 ha former copra plantation 360 km North of American Samoa. The island, dominated with coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), was last surveyed in 1976. The goal of this 17–26 September 2012 survey was to identify the bird species present, and document relative abundance, distribution, and breeding activity across the island. Two shoreline surveys recorded a seabird community dominated by Black Noddy (Anous minutus), White Tern (Gygis alba), and Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus), while the reef flat community was dominated by Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva) and Wandering Tattler (Tringa incana). Inland surveys revealed four roosting or breeding species, including Black Noddy, White Tern, Brown Noddy, and Red-footed Booby (Sula sula). Seabird densities were highest in the northwest section of the island, furthest from former settlements. Although feral pigs (Sus scrofa) were recently eradicated, feral cats (Felis cattus) remain present, and Pacific rats (Rattus exulan...
Cost-benefit Analysis of China Comprehensive AIDS Response Project in Shimen County from 2003 to 2007

Objective To evaluate the cost-benefit of China Comprehensive AIDS Response Project in Shimen County,and to provide the reference for allocation of HIV/AIDS prevention resources in future. Methods With the cost-benefit analysis method,the cost-effectiveness of policy development,technical training,epidemic surveillance,health education,behavioral intervention(intervention of FSW and STD,VCT),treatment care,supervision and management of project was analyzed. Results The project showed the characteristics of high-cost technical training and health education,low-cost treatment care and behavior intervention.The results of cost-benefit analysis also showed that the cost of department coordination meeting in the county was 5,736.84 per time.The cost of experience exchange meeting was 6,370.37 per time.The cost of personnel training was 64.33 per capita and per time.The cost of health education was 1.14 per capita and per time.The costs of HIV/AIDS awareness rate and changing attitude toward AIDS patients were 15,539.45/percent and 13,323.58/percent.The cost of HIV surveillance was 1.61 per capita and per time,and the cost of discovering a HIV-positive was 6,668.92 per capita.The cost of VCT was 20.79 per capita and per time,and the cost of discovering a HIV-positive among VCT was 2,682.5 per capita.The cost of FSW intervention was 93.41 per capita and per year,the cost of increased condom using rate of FSW was 2,024.89/percent.The cost of intervention for STD patients was 48.52 per capita and per year.The cost of followup and management of HIV antiretroviral therapy was 1,521.84 per capita and per year. Conclusions With the project fund,the mechanism on AIDS prevention and control was established and improved,and moreover,it achieved the goal of the project and showed a significant cost-benefit.But with the depth development of the work,the focus of the work will shift to epidemic surveillance,intervention of high-risk population,and care and follow-up of AIDS patients.With the increased workload in the three areas,the related fund should be provided by the state.
DiffEq, 3D Views

This program draws three-dimensional graphs and relevant planar graphs for either of the following: An autonomous system of differential equations of the form $$\frac{\text{dx}}{\text{dt}}=f\text{(x,y,z)}, \;\;\;\ \frac{\text{dy}}{\text{dt}}=g\text{(x,y,z)},\;\;\;\text{and}\;\;\;\frac{\text{dz}}{\text{dt}}=h\text{(x,y,z)}$$ In this case the trajectories are drawn in xyz-space and the planar views are xy, xz, yz. The program also locates and analyzes singularities in xyz-space. (Three more planar views: xt, yt, and zt are not visible on the screen, but you can ask for the printouts to show them.) A nonautonomous system of differential equations of the form $$\frac{\text{dx}}{\text{dt}}=f\text{(t,x,y)} \;\;\;\text{and}\;\;\; \frac{\text{dy}}{\text{dt}}=g\text{(t,x,y)}$$ Here the trajectories are drawn in txy-space and the planar views are xy, tx, ty. In this case the program does not locate and analyze singularities since it is setting z = t ( hence dz/dt = 1 and there can be no 3D singularities). However it allows you the choice of investigating Poincare sections provided the nonautonomous 2D differential equations are periodic in t. This will be explained at the end of this section.
Annie and the Shaman: Exploring Data Via Provocative Artifacts

Designed as a "provocative artifact," the multimedia piece Annie and the Shaman raises questions about how information is collected, archived and employed. The work connects two contexts with notable data histories: Nevada's aboveground atomic testing and its Basin and Range region. To highlight an empirical engagement with location, audio and visual data from the famous 1953 Annie test was visually integrated into a relevant context on location, rather than composing visuals post hoc. The project proposes onsite data visualizations as a method to encourage researcher and public engagement, especially when original data and process information is included with the exhibit.
Hip Dislocation (Total Hip Arthroplasty)

Various common injuries in the pelvis and lower extremity are investigated in this chapter. Significant attention is paid not only to proper diagnostic examination and imaging, but also to optimal nonoperative and operative treatment options to manage these conditions.
The oxidative TCA cycle operates during methanotrophic growth of the Type I methanotroph Methylomicrobium buryatense 5GB1

Methanotrophs are a group of bacteria that use methane as sole carbon and energy source. Type I methanotrophs are gamma-proteobacterial methanotrophs using the ribulose monophosphate cycle (RuMP) cycle for methane assimilation. In order to facilitate metabolic engineering in the industrially promising Type I methanotroph Methylomicrobium buryatense 5GB1, flux analysis of cellular metabolism is needed and 13C tracer analysis is a foundational tool for such work. This biological system has a single-carbon input and a special network topology that together pose challenges to the current well-established methodology for 13C tracer analysis using a multi-carbon input such as glucose, and to date, no 13C tracer analysis of flux in a Type I methanotroph has been reported. In this study, we showed that by monitoring labeling patterns of several key intermediate metabolites in core metabolism, it is possible to quantitate the relative flux ratios for important branch points, such as the malate node. In addition, it is possible to assess the operation of the TCA cycle, which has been thought to be incomplete in Type I methanotrophs. Surprisingly, our analysis provides direct evidence of a complete, oxidative TCA cycle operating in M. buryatense 5GB1 using methane as sole carbon and energy substrate, contributing about 45% of the total flux for de novo malate production. Combined with mutant analysis, this method was able to identify fumA (METBUDRAFT_1453/MBURv2__60244) as the primary fumarase involved in the oxidative TCA cycle, among 2 predicted fumarases, supported by 13C tracer analysis on both fumA and fumC single knockouts. Interrupting the oxidative TCA cycle leads to a severe growth defect, suggesting that the oxidative TCA cycle functions to not only provide precursors for de novo biomass synthesis, but also to provide reducing power to the system. This information provides new opportunities for metabolic engineering of M. buryatense for the production of industrially relevant products.
Photon-pair generation in a lossy microring resonator. I. Theory

We investigate entangled photon-pair generation in a lossy microring resonator using an input-output formalism based on the work of M. G. Raymer and C. J. McKinstrie [Phys. Rev. A 88, 043819 (2013)] and P. M. Alsing et al. [Phys. Rev. A 95, 053828 (2017)] that incorporates circulation factors that account for the multiple round-trips of the fields within the cavity. We consider the nonlinear processes of spontaneous parametric down-conversion and spontaneous four-wave mixing, and we compute the generated biphoton signal-idler state from a single-bus microring resonator, along with the generation, coincidence-to-accidental, and heralding efficiency rates. We compare these generalized results to those obtained by previous works employing the standard Langevin input-output formalism.