cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular basis for primary and secondary tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance in gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Small molecule kinase inhibitors have irrevocably altered cancer treatment. March 2010 marks the 10th anniversary of using imatinib in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), a cardinal example of the utility of such targeted therapy in a solid tumor. Before imatinib, metastatic GIST was frustrating to treat due to its resistance to standard cytotoxic chemotherapy. Median survival for patients with metastatic GIST improved from 19 to 60 months with imatinib. In treating patients with GIST, two patterns of tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance have been observed. In the first, ~9–14% of patients have progression within 3 months of starting imatinib. These patients are classified as having primary or early resistance. Median progression-free survival (PFS) on imatinib is approximately 24 months; patients with later progression are classified as having secondary or acquired resistance. Primary studies and a meta-analysis of studies of imatinib in GIST patients have identified prognostic features that contribute to treatment failure. One of the strongest predictors for success of therapy is KIT or PDGFRA mutational status. Patients with KIT exon 11 mutant GIST have better response rates, PFS, and overall survival compared to other mutations. A great deal has been learned in the last decade about sensitivity and resistance of GIST to imatinib; however, many unanswered questions remain about secondary resistance mechanisms and clinical management in the third- and fourth-line setting. This review will discuss the role of dose effects, and early and late resistance to imatinib and their clinical implications. Patients intolerant to imatinib (5%) and those who progress on imatinib are treated with sunitinib. The mechanism of resistance to sunitinib is unknown at this time but is also appears related to growth of clones with secondary mutations in KIT. Third- and fourth-line treatments of GIST and with future treatment strategies are also discussed.
International survey of knowledge of indications for EUS

Background The knowledge level for EUS indications among gastroenterologists across different locations and practices is not known. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge of EUS indications among a diverse group of gastroenterologists, both nationally and internationally. Methods A web-based survey was designed to assess knowledge of EUS with respect to 4 organ systems: esophagus, gastroduodenum, hepatopancreatobiliary, and colorectum. The survey was distributed by electronic mail (e-mail) to members of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Results The survey was distributed to 3848 physicians, of whom 2848 had an active e-mail address. There were 323 respondents (11.3%), of whom 210 were U.S. members and 113 international. Overall, the mean score for the different organ systems for all respondents was highest for gastroduodenum (93% correct) and lowest for colorectum (71%) compared with esophagus (79%) and hepatopancreatobiliary (83%) systems. The mean total score was higher for U.S. respondents (84% correct) compared with international respondents (79%, p Conclusions Knowledge levels of colorectal applications of EUS are poorest among the 4 organ systems studied. Future educational initiatives should focus on applications of EUS in this category. Studies are required to assess the impact of this education on the appropriateness of EUS referral patterns.
Tools for discovery: experimenting with simulations

The methodology of experimental simulation is illustrated with examples of discoveries made during the course of a long research career The discoveries resulted from experiments performed in such simulated settings as collective bargaining, the Inter-Nation Simulation, political decision making, ecumenical councils, international environmental negotiations, and peace conferences. Some of these discoveries have been generated through the design process: for example, the way that values and interests interact during the political decision-making process. Other discoveries were findings that served to arbitrate among competing hypotheses, for example, the relative importance of alternative approaches to resolving conflicts of interest. The insights gained through the years demonstrate the value of simulation as a tool for experimentation. Whether these insights generalize widely to similar settings and populations remains an issue. Both the findings and the issues are summarized.
Insect Body Temperatures Determined with Microthermoelectric Thermometry

The body temperatures of larvae of bollworms, Heliothis zea (Boddie), and adults of house flies, Musca domestica L.; boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis Boheman; American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana (L.) ; and brown soft scale, Coccus hesperidum L., were determined with microthermocouples and continuously recorded on a 24-point strip chart potentiometer. Peak body temperature for scales was 121°F, for cockroaches 124°F, for bollworm larvae 118°F, for house flies 112°F, and for boll weevils 106°F. Ambient air of the microenvironment and at 5 ft above ground was checked for comparison.
Reduction of glucose intolerance with high fat feeding is associated with anti-inflammatory effects of thioredoxin 1 overexpression in mice

Aging is associated with reduced ability to maintain normal glucose homeostasis. It has been suggested that an age-associated increase in chronic pro-inflammatory state could drive this reduction in glucoregulatory function. Thioredoxins (Trx) are oxido-reductase enzymes that play an important role in the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation. In this study, we tested whether overexpression of Trx1 in mice [Tg( TRX1 ) +/0 ] could protect from glucose metabolism dysfunction caused by high fat diet feeding. Body weight and fat mass gains with high fat feeding were similar in Tg( TRX1 ) +/0 and wild-type mice; however, high fat diet induced glucose intolerance was reduced in Tg( TRX1 ) +/0 mice relative to wild-type mice. In addition, expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α was reduced in adipose tissue of Tg( TRX1 ) +/0 mice compared to wild-type mice. These findings suggest that activation of thioredoxins may be a potential therapeutic target for maintenance of glucose metabolism with obesity or aging. Keywords: oxidative stress; diabetes; obesity; glucose homeostasis; aging (Published: 17 May 2012) Citation: Pathobiology of Aging & Age-related Diseases 2012, 2 : 17101 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/pba.v2i0.17101
Evolvability and robustness in populations of RNA virus Φ6

Microbes can respond quickly to environmental disturbances through adaptation. However, processes determining the constraints on this adaptation are not well understood. One process that could affect the rate of adaptation to environmental perturbations is genetic robustness, the ability to maintain phenotype despite mutation. Genetic robustness has been theoretically linked to evolvability but rarely tested empirically using evolving populations. We used populations of the RNA bacteriophage ϕ6 previously characterized as differing in robustness, and passaged them through a repeated environmental disturbance: periodic 45°C heat shock. The robust populations evolved faster to withstand the disturbance, relative to the less robust (brittle) populations. The robust populations also achieved relatively greater thermotolerance by the end of the experimental evolution. Sequencing revealed that thermotolerance occurred via a key mutation in gene P5 (viral lysis protein), previously shown to be associated with heat shock survival in the virus. Whereas this identical mutation fixed in all of the independently evolving robust populations, it was absent in some brittle populations, which instead fixed a less beneficial mutation. We concluded that robust populations adapted faster to the environmental change, and more easily accessed mutations of large benefit. Our study shows that genetic robustness can play a role in determining the relative ability for microbes to adapt to changing environments.
Relation between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol

Concentrations of free 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid are highly correlated, but concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid are always higher than those in plasma, even when large amounts of the catecholamine metabolite are derived from a tumor of the adrenal medulla. This is explained by considering the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid as a two-compartment system in which the rate constants for entry into and exit from the cerebrospinal fluid compartment are similar. 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol that is synthesized, but not catabolized, in the central nervous system maintains cerebrospinal fluid levels at an increment over those in plasma. This increment can be used to provide the best available index of formation of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in the central nervous system.
Construct validity of the EQ-5D in low-income Chinese American primary care patients.

Objectives: Although the EQ-5D has been used with increasing frequency to measure health-related quality of life, to date, the measure's validity has not been examined in Chinese American immigrants. We evaluated the construct validity of the EQ-5D by testing its performance with respect to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the population and comparing responses on the EQ dimensions with the SF-36 subscales. Methods: The study surveyed low-income Chinese patients attending a community health center in New York City's Chinatown. Participants received self-administered versions of the EQ-5D and SF-36 and additional questions regarding demographic and clinical information. Results: 856 patients were approached and data were collected from 523 patients (61%). Analysis of the EQ-5D responses by sociodemographic and clinical variables found significant differences among categories of age, gender, marital status, number of medical problems, self-rated health, and specific medical problems. Correlations between similar dimensions and subscale scores were stronger between the two measures than dissimilar ones. Patients without impairments on a given EQ dimension tended to have higher SF-36 subscale scores than patients reporting "any" impairment (i.e. some/moderate or severe). Conclusions: The results provide initial support for the construct validity of the EQ-5D in our sample. Further studies should compare the performance of the EQ-5D with other preference-based measures in Chinese persons and examine the valuations that both low-income and Chinese persons place on core aspects of health.
Remembering Neal Miller

Abstract The author describes two encounters with Neal Miller, including a discussion of the pioneering curare/visceral learning experiments and of Miller's perspective on the biofeedback training paradigm.
Fundamental studies of Schottkybarrier infrared detectors by ballistic-electron-emission microscopy

Here, we report on our studies of ballistic electron transport across metal layers and metal/semiconductor interfaces using ballistic-electron-emission microscopy (BEEM). This new technique, which uses a scanning tunneling microscope to inject electrons with a controlled energy into a thin metal film, allows measurements (with spatial resolution approaching 1 nm) of (1) the local Schottky barrier height, (2) ballistic mean free paths of energetic electrons (or holes), and (3) transmission probability of hot carriers across the metal/semiconductor interface. We have measured the attenuation length of hot electrons (1.5 eV above the Fermi level) in PtSi to be approximately 4 nm. This should be compared with an attenuation length of 13 nm for similar energy electrons in Au layers. BEEM images of the Au/Si interface show features on a very small length scale suggesting that the inelastic mean free path of electrons in Au is close to the attenuation length. The SB height (as determined by BEEM) is 0.87 eV in good agreement with optical measurements. We have also used BEEM to observe the sharp onset of inelastic scattering mechanisms in Au/Si and in PtSi/Si. It is our belief that these studies of ballistic carrier transport will allow a fundamental determination of how to achieve higher quantum efficiencies in SBIRDs.
Teaching COBOL in computer information systems programs: Problems, a proposal and an experiment

The COBOL component in four-year computer information systems programs is crucial to the rest of the program, and should be handled with special care. Particularly in CIS programs modeled after ACM's recommendations for computer information systems, students who have become reasonably proficient in a high level programming language find a course on introductory COBOL rather unmotivating. Furthermore, experience has shown that COBOL is not an ideal language as the first procedural language in CIS programs.It is our conviction that COBOL should be taught in CIS programs as a file processing language, using a data structures approach, as suggested by the ACM's IS2 component. In this paper, we propose a course description and topics sequence, and describe an implementation experiment based on the proposal. Following a brief survey of the elementary features of the language, the proposed course has aimed to teach advanced COBOL features, data and file structures, and fundamental concepts of software engineering in an integrated fashion. The experiment has been highly successful, and the course has been incorporated in our CIS curriculum at Miami University, Systems Analysis Department.
Assessment of anxiety in social interaction and being observed by others: The social interaction anxiety scale and the Social Phobia Scale

Social phobia has become a focus of increased research since its inclusion in DSM-III. However, assessment of social phobia has remained an underdeveloped area, especially self-report assessment. Clinical researchers have relied on measures that were developed on college populations, and these measures may not provide sufficient coverage of the range of situations feared by social phobic individuals. There is a need for additional instruments that consider differences in the types of situations (social interaction vs. situations involving observation by others) that may be feared by social phobics and between subgroups of social phobic patients. This study provides validational data on two instruments developed by Mattick and Clarke (1989): the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS), a measure of anxiety in social interactional situations, and the Social Phobia Scale (SPS), a measure of anxiety in situations involving observation by others. These data support the use of the SIAS and SPS in the assessment of individuals with social phobia.
ACM SIGPLAN history of programming languages conference SNOBOL language summary

The SNOBOL programming languages introduced or popularized most of the concepts of character string processing. The original SNOBOL had just one data type: a string of characters. It could appear in a program as a literal delimited by quotation marks, or as a value assigned to a variable:PET = “MY CALICO CAT”Concatenation, a basic string operation, forms a new string from two or more strings placed end to end:MYPET = “HERE Is” PET “. ”
Six complementation classes of conditionally lethal protein synthesis mutants of CHO cells selected by3H-amino acid

Using a tritiated amino acid suicide procedure designed specifically to select conditional protein synthesis mutants, we have isolated and characterized a large number of such mutants of Chinese hamster ovary cells. All of the mutants are genetically stable and behave as recessives in somatic cell hybrids. Most of the new mutants are phenotypically dependent on the concentration of a specific amino acid as well as on temperature. In addition to identifying many additional leucyl- and asparagyl-tRNA synthetase mutants, complementation analysis has distinguished four new genetic classes representing methionine-, glutamine-, histidine-, and arginine-dependent mutants. Biochemical characterization of representative mutants from each of these six classes has identified the primary lesions as being defective aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Our selection results further demonstrate the high specificity of the3H-amino acid procedure for isolating protein synthesis mutants. Reconstruction experiments performed with two representative mutants indicated a selection efficiency of approximately 10% under standard conditions.
5-Fluorouracil nucleoside analogs having acyclic-sugar chains derived from the four D-aldopentoses☆☆☆

Abstract Fusion of 5-fluoro-2,4-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)pyrimidine ( 1 ) with 2,3,4,5-tetra- O -acetyl-1-bromo-1- S -ethyl-1-thio- d -arabinitol ( 2 ) gave 59% of crystalline 2,3,4,5- tetra- O -acetyl-1- S -ethyl-1-(5-fluorouracil-1-yl)-1 -thio- d - gluco -pentitol [(1 R )-2,3,4,5- tetra- O -acetyl-1-S-ethyl-1-(5-fluorouracil-1-yl)-1-thio- d -arabinitol] ( 6 ), converted by methanolic ammonia into the corresponding, crystalline, free tetrol 10 ; X-ray crystallography, chiroptical data, and n.m.r. spectroscopy established the C-1' stereochemistry of 6 and 10 , and showed that the compounds favor an extended conformation with the ethylthio group antiparallel to the planar, zigzag, carbon chain. The d - xylo analog (3) of the bromide 2 condensed with 1 to give a mixture from which 35% of the crystalline (1S) nucleoside derivative ( 7 ) was isolated, and converted into the crystalline tetrol; the conformation of 7 in solution was non-extended (sickle). A similar sequence from the d - lyxo bromide (3) gave a syrupy, (1 R ,1S) mixture of protected nucleosides that afforded the corresponding tetrols, also as an amorphous mixture. The d - ribo bromide gave a 1:2 (1 R ,1 S ) mixed adduct; de-esterification produced the corresponding mixed tetrols ( 13 + 14 ) as a glass from which the (1S) isomer 13 could be obtained crystalline.
Reproduction by the Endangered Cui-ui in the Lower Truckee River

Abstract Adult spawning behavior and emigration of larvae of the endangered cui-ui Chasmistes cujus were studied in a natural side channel of the lower Truckee River. External radio-tags placed on eight apparently did not affect spawning behavior. Cui-uis spawned in clusters of two to seven fish; usually a single female was flanked by two males. Each spawning act lasted 3–6 seconds, and individual fish spawned numerous times. The most active tagged male and female spawned at least 294 times and 114 times, respectively. Individual females broadcast eggs over an area of up to 50 m2. Males spawned over a 4–5-day period, and females over 2.5–4 days. Most spawning occurred at night in water depths ranging from 9 to 43 cm, water velocities ranging from 23 to 87 cm/second, and temperatures of 12–17 C. The preferred spawning substrate was gravel. Peak emergence and out-migration of cui-ui larvae occurred 14 days after peak spawning. Received September 7, 1982 Accepted August 5, 1983
STRUCTURE OF HUMAN SERIAL LEARNING IN STYLUS MAZE PERFORMANCE

A stylus multiple-T maze was learned by 69 male and 52 female college sophomores. Since discriminant analysis indicated no male-female performance differences, the part scores (time per trial, reve...
Sorption and transport studies of water in Kapton polymide. I

Sorption isotherms and diffusion coefficients of water in a 0.3-mil Kapton polyimide film at 30, 45, and 60°C are reported. The data are well described by the dual mode sorption and transport models at low activities. At high penetrant activities, clustering of water is suggested by a Zimm–Lundberg analysis of the sorption data and the fact that the diffusion coefficient for water decreases with increasing external vapor activity. The effect of temperature on the diffusion coefficients at infinite dilution and the dual mode sorption parameters kD, b, and C are presented and discussed. The magnitude of the activation energy of the diffusion coefficient at infinite dilution, 5.4 kcal/mol, is smaller than the corresponding activation energy in more flexible chain polymers, perhaps suggesting that rather small backbone motions are associated with diffusion of water through the Kapton matrix. The predictions for the isosteric enthalpy of sorption from the dual mode model are presented and compared with the values determined from graphical analysis of the sorption isotherms performed independently without reference to the dual mode sorption model.
Integrating communications theory, cognitive style and computer simulation as an aid to research on implementation of operations research

Abstract A continuing problem in implementing OR is a lack of understanding and appreciation of OR by the intended user and a misunderstanding of the individual differences of users by OR researchers and practitioners. This paper heeds a recent call for a “soft” approach to OR. An integrated descriptive model comprised of elements from communication theory and decision-making style combined with computer simulation is used to explore more effective means for communication with OR users. Communication between user and model builder occurs at several levels. The level of interest in the present study is that of the user-computer interface whereby the OR practitioner chooses the appropriate presentation format to communicate results to a user of a certain cognitive type. In the study we find that presentation format choice does indeed influence user performance.
Commitment and performance of nonprofit board members

Boards of nonprofit organizations are entrusted to oversee and ensure that the organization remains true to its mission, functions within the confines of state and federal laws, and operates in a financially responsible manner. This critically important oversight is carried out by volunteers. This study examined the relationships between board member commitment and individual performance. Commitment was assessed using Meyer and Allen's Three-Component Model of Commitment: Affective, Continuance, and Normative (1991). The population in this study was volunteer board members of midsized, social service nonprofit organizations in the Orange County, California, area. The strongest findings were between affective commitment and performance in board roles. Committed board members reported more involvement and are perceived by the executive to be more engaged and valuable. Analysis revealed that executive judgments of participation are based on both board member behavior and Affective commitment expressed by the board member.
Informed lending as a deterrent to predation

Abstract Predatory practices have been rationalized by positing some information problem between entrant firms and their financiers. We argue that an effective way to deter product market predation is to obtain credit from an informed source, who can disentangle a firm’s expected profitability from its realized profits. Bank finance is often seen as a way of obtaining informed financing. We thus offer a rationale for choosing between bank financing and public debt financing based on its implications for competition in the product market.
Gas phase hydrogen permeation in a Ni-Fe-Co superalloy

Hydrogen permeation measurements have been conducted for the Incoloy 909 Ni-Fe-Co superalloy via the 'membrane' technique, in which the gaseous hydrogen at the entrance of a thin membrane is transposed through the bulk to the exit side of the membrane, at 400-810 C; the pressure range explored was 2.7 x 10 exp 3 to 1.3 x 10 exp 5 N/sq m. The lattice hydrogen solubility of Incoloy 909 is found to be only weakly temperature-dependent. These results are compared with those obtained for Incoloy 903.
Differential loss of thalamostriatal and corticostriatal input to striatal projection neuron types prior to overt motor symptoms in the Q140 knock-in mouse model of Huntington's disease.

Motor slowing and forebrain white matter loss have been reported in premanifest Huntington’s disease (HD) prior to substantial striatal neuron loss. These findings raise the possibility that early motor defects in HD may be related to loss of excitatory input to striatum. In a prior study, we showed that in the heterozygous Q140 knock-in mouse model of HD that loss of thalamostriatal axospinous terminals is evident by 4 months, and loss of corticostriatal axospinous terminals is evident at 12 months, before striatal projection neuron pathology. In the present study, we specifically characterized the loss of thalamostriatal and corticostriatal terminals on direct (dSPN) and indirect (iSPN) pathway striatal projection neurons, using immunolabeling to identify thalamostriatal (VGLUT2+) and corticostriatal (VGLUT1+) axospinous terminals, and D1 receptor immunolabeling to distinguish dSPN (D1+) and iSPN (D1-) synaptic targets. We found that the loss of corticostriatal terminals at 12 months of age was preferential for D1+ spines, and especially involved smaller terminals, presumptively of the intratelencephalically projecting (IT) type. By contrast, indirect pathway D1- spines showed little loss of axospinous terminals at the same age. Thalamostriatal terminal loss was comparable for D1+ and D1- spines at both 4 months and 12 months. Regression analysis showed that the loss of VGLUT1+ terminals on D1+ spines was correlated with a slight decline in open field motor parameters at 12 months. Our overall results raise the possibility that differential thalamic and cortical input loss to SPNs is an early event in human HD, with cortical loss to dSPNs in particular contributing to premanifest motor slowing.
Tanner-Whitehouse and Greulich-Pyle skeletal age velocity comparisons.

Longitudinal velocity measurements of Tanner-Whitehouse (TW) and Greulich-Pyle (GP) skeletal ages have been determined for 233 Hong Kong Chinese orphanage children. When skeletal age is compared to chronological age (CA) the resulting ratio TW/CA or GP/CA has been titled a Tanner. Tanner values range from 0.74 to 1.26 for the GP/CA calculations and from 0.73 to 1.45 for the TW/CA calculations. The mean Tanner value was much higher for TW velocities (X = 1.19). Age to age variability in velocity is large by either system and generally girls vary more than boys.
Predictors of hyperglycemia after cardiac surgery in nondiabetic patients

Objective Postoperative hyperglycemia is associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, some experts consider hyperglycemia to be an epiphenomenon related to acute stress. We investigated whether preoperative patient characteristics can predict hyperglycemia after cardiac surgery in nondiabetic patients. Methods This is a retrospective study of nondiabetic patients undergoing cardiac surgery at a single center during the years 2004 to 2009. Hyperglycemia was defined as 2 consecutive blood glucose readings of 150 mg/dL or greater during the 72 hours after cardiac surgery. Results This study included 1453 patients with hyperglycemia and 2205 patients without hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemic patients were older, were more likely to be men, had higher body mass index, were more likely to be hypertensive and hypercholesterolemic, and had lower left ventricular ejection fractions; in addition, a greater proportion had a history of cardiovascular disease and renal failure. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed age, gender, body mass index, preoperative serum creatinine, left ventricular ejection fraction, previous cardiac surgery, and preoperative cardiogenic shock to be independently associated with hyperglycemia ( P Conclusions Preoperative patient characteristics are associated with hyperglycemia after cardiac surgery.
The use of recombinant luteinizing hormone in patients undergoing assisted reproductive techniques with advanced reproductive age: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective To evaluate the effect of recombinant LH in assisted reproduction technology (ART) cycles in patients of advanced reproductive age. Design A systematic review and meta-analysis. Setting Published randomized controlled clinical trials comparing recombinant LH plus recombinant FSH versus recombinant FSH only in patients of advanced reproductive age. Patient(s) Patients 35 years and older undergoing assisted reproduction. Intervention(s) Recombinant LH plus recombinant FSH controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) versus recombinant FSH stimulation only in assisted reproduction cycles. Main Outcome Measure(s) Implantation and clinical pregnancy. Result(s) Seven trials were identified that met inclusion criteria and comprised 902 assisted reproduction technology cycles. No differences in serum E 2 on the day of hCG administration were reported in any trials. Two trials reported lower oocyte yield and one trial reported lower metaphase II oocyte yield in the recombinant LH-supplemented group. One trial reported higher fertilization rates in the recombinant LH-supplemented group. In a fixed effect model, implantation was higher in the recombinant LH-supplemented group (odds ratio 1.36, 95% confidence interval 1.05–1.78). Similarly, clinical pregnancy was increased in the recombinant LH-supplemented group (odds ratio 1.37, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.83). Conclusion(s) The addition of recombinant LH to ART cycles may improve implantation and clinical pregnancy in patients of advanced reproductive age.
Relationship between numbers of beta adrenergic receptors in lymphocytes and disease severity in asthma.

Abstract In order to assess the status of beta adrenergic receptors in bronchial asthma, binding studies using (−) [ 3 H] dihydroalprenolol (DHA) were performed on lymphocytes of 10 control subjects and 11 stable asthmatic patients. Specific DHA binding was generally lower at all DHA concentrations in asthmatics. At 12 nM DHA concentration, specific DHA binding was 391 ± 40 fM/mg protein in controls and 263 ± 35 fM/mg protein for asthmatic subjects (p
Topic Model Analysis of Metaphor Frequency for Psycholinguistic Stimuli

Psycholinguistic studies of metaphor processing must control their stimuli not just for word frequency but also for the frequency with which a term is used metaphorically. Thus, we consider the task of metaphor frequency estimation, which predicts how often target words will be used metaphorically. We develop metaphor classifiers which represent metaphorical domains through Latent Dirichlet Allocation, and apply these classifiers to the target words, aggregating their decisions to estimate the metaphorical frequencies. Training on only 400 sentences, our models are able to achieve 61.3% accuracy on metaphor classification and 77.8% accuracy on High vs. Low metaphorical frequency estimation.
Is epidural anesthesia truly the best pain management strategy after minimally invasive pectus excavatum repair

Abstract Objective The repair of pectus excavatum with bar placement is associated with substantial postoperative pain. Optimal pain control strategy has not been addressed with level 1 or substantial level 2 evidence. Many institutions operate under the assumption that a thoracic epidural offers the best pain control for these patients. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective evaluation to examine the validity of this assumption. Methods A retrospective review of patients undergoing pectus excavatum repair with bar placement from January 2000 to February 2006 was conducted. The demographic variables collected included age, sex, weight, and Haller's index scores. Outcome variables included total operating room time, number of calls to the anesthesiologist, hours of urinary catheterization, hours until complete transition to oral pain medication, length of hospitalization, and maximum pain scores for each of the first 5 postoperative days. Results There were a total of 203 patients, of which 188 had an epidural, compared with 15 with intravenous narcotic therapy. Of the 188 patients committed to an epidural, 65 had a failed attempt in the operating room or a dysfunctional catheter removed within 24 hours. Patients without an epidural had a shorter operating room time, less time of urinary catheterization, decreased time to complete transition to oral medication, and decreased length of hospitalization with lower maximum scores. Conclusions Our data challenge the assumption that routine epidural catheter placement on all patients undergoing pectus excavatum repair with bar placement offers the best pain management strategy. There is clearly a role for a prospective randomized trial to clarify the best management for these patients.
Father-Child Relationships from the Preschool Years Through Mid-Adolescence

In this study, we examined variations in fathering and father-child relationships from the children's preschool years through mid-adolescence. One hundred seventy-seven fathers with first-born children ages 4, 8, 12, and 16 years responded to five sets of questionnaires tapping four domains of childrearing: practices, attitudes, parental role involvement, and role satisfaction. A multivariate analysis of variance identified significant variability among the four age groups in fathers' use of acceptance in childrearing practices, role involvement (frequency and task sharing), satisfaction with paternal role performance, and attitudes about the modifiability of child behavior. The results contribute new information about the nature of fathering throughout the childhood years and adolescence and provide additional support for the view of parenting as dynamic and responsive to the developmental level and gender-related characteristics of the child.
Application of three interferometric techniques to the NDE of composite materials

This paper examines the application of Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI), Electronic Shearography (ES), and Laser Doppler Vibrometry (LDV) to the detection of damage in fiber reinforced composite materials. Each of these techniques is sensitive to a different displacement parameter. ESPI detects changes in the out-of-plane displacement, ES indicates the change in the surface slope and LDV provides dynamic information on the structure (dynamic stiffness and loss factor). Experiments were done to evaluate the potential of each of these techniques for detecting impact damage in fiber reinforced composite materials. The results indicated that the three methods provide complimentary information. LDV is a fast screening procedure while ESPI and ES can provide information on the extent and location of the damage.
Zebrafish pronephros tubulogenesis and epithelial identity maintenance are reliant on the polarity proteins Prkc iota and zeta

The zebrafish pronephros provides an excellent in vivo system to study the mechanisms of vertebrate nephron development. When and how renal progenitors in the zebrafish embryo undergo tubulogenesis to form nephrons is poorly understood, but is known to involve a mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) and the acquisition of polarity. Here, we determined the precise timing of these events in pronephros tubulogenesis. As the ternary polarity complex is an essential regulator of epithelial cell polarity across tissues, we performed gene knockdown studies to assess the roles of the related factors atypical protein kinase C iota and zeta (prkcι, prkcζ). We found that prkcι and prkcζ serve partially redundant functions to establish pronephros tubule epithelium polarity. Further, the loss of prkcι or the combined knockdown of prkcι/ζ disrupted proximal tubule morphogenesis and podocyte migration due to cardiac defects that prevented normal fluid flow to the kidney. Surprisingly, tubule cells in prkcι/ζ morphants displayed ectopic expression of the transcription factor pax2a and the podocyte-associated genes wt1a, wt1b, and podxl, suggesting that prkcι/ζ are needed to maintain renal epithelial identity. Knockdown of genes essential for cardiac contractility and vascular flow to the kidney, such as tnnt2a, or elimination of pronephros fluid output through knockdown of the intraflagellar transport gene ift88, was not associated with ectopic pronephros gene expression, thus suggesting a unique role for prkcι/ζ in maintaining tubule epithelial identity separate from the consequence of disruptions to renal fluid flow. Interestingly, knockdown of pax2a, but not wt1a, was sufficient to rescue ectopic tubule gene expression in prkcι/ζ morphants. These data suggest a model in which the redundant activities of prkcι and prkcζ are essential to establish tubule epithelial polarity and also serve to maintain proper epithelial cell type identity in the tubule by inhibiting pax2a expression. These studies provide a valuable foundation for further analysis of MET during nephrogenesis, and have implications for understanding the pathways that affect nephron epithelial cells during kidney disease and regeneration.
Some potential deadlocks in layered communications architectures

Since their introduction in the early 1970s, layered communications architectures have become widely used. Unfortunately, the limitations of these architectures have not been generally recognized. Specifically, if caution is not exercised in their design, deadlocks can occur. This paper presents several examples of such errors.
Chlordecone inhibition of calmodulin activated calcium ATPase in rat brain synaptosomes.

The effect of chlordecone on Ca2+‐ATPase of rat brain synaptosomes in the absence and presence of calmodulin was determined in vitro and in vivo. A 50% activation of Ca2+‐ATPase was obtained at 5 μg calmodulin per 1.5 ml reaction mixture containing 50 μg synaptosomal protein. Chlordecone inhibited Ca2+‐ATPase in the absence of calmodulin with an IC 50 of 10 μM, whereas chlordecone at 1.0 μM, which had no effect on the basal enzyme activity, completely inhibited the calmodulin activated Ca2+‐ATPase. Chlordecone‐treated rats showed a significant reduction in calmodulin levels in brain P2 fraction. Brain synaptosomal Ca2+‐ATPase in chlordecone‐treated rats showed a 50% reduction, which was restored by exogenously added calmodulin. These results suggest that chlordecone may be altering calmodulin‐regulated synaptic processes in the brain.
Measuring Distance, Pointing Address: The Textual Geography of the 'Poem to Coleridge' and 'To W. Wordsworth'

This article seeks to revise our understanding of the development of The Prelude by showing how it emerged from a literary exchange that depended on absence. It was not so much a poem prompted by the closeness of Wordsworth and Coleridge as one born of their distance—one that forged a relationship between selves across a temporal and spatial divide by a series of textual devices. These devices, I show, originated in prose and verse sent by mail—in letters that inscribed and sought to overcome distance by using particular forms of address and marks of emphasis: a shared code elaborated on paper rather than in speech. Among these forms of address, the invocation of the “Friend!” (complete with exclamation point) was of particular importance: taken over from the letters, it became a vital part of the poem’s formal, thematic and textual development. It is thus especially unfortunate that the editors of the most popular standard edition of the poem in the twentieth century chose to remove the exclamation point from this and other phrases throughout the 1805 poem, obscuring a crucial aspect of the origination in writing—as a textual address—of what was called the “poem to Coleridge.”
Evidence of crustal contamination, sediment, and fluid components in the campanian volcanic rocks

Abstract The Campanian Volcanic Subprovince is part of the classic western potassic volcanic province of the Italian Peninsula. The Campanian volcanic products show the effects of shallow assimilation and fractional crystallisation, and the contribution of regional crustal sources (e.g., Hercynian basement–Calabrian crust). The Roccamonfina, Campi Flegrei, and Ventotene volcanic rocks are characterised by wide isotopic and geochemical variations. Such variations appear to reflect both AFC processes and chemical heterogeneity in the upper mantle that may be linked to subduction processes. Mixing curves (Th/Ce–, Ba/K– and Eu/Eu*–143Nd/144Nd) linking sediments and mantle end-members account for the variations in the Campanian Subprovince volcanic rocks with a sediment contribution of 2-10%. The upper mantle sources for the low- and high-K rocks at Roccamonfina have been constrained on the basis of a multi-element normalised diagram. The two sources require different amounts of sediment in the mantle wedge (LK∼2% versus HK∼10%) and a fluid component probably from altered ocean crust to explain the fluid mobile elements. Low-K Roccamonfina rocks are geochemically similar to those from Campi Flegrei, Ventotene, and Somma-Vesuvius, suggesting a similar proportion of sediment in their upper mantle source regions.
Development of large-scale applications in organic solvent nanofiltration and pervaporation for chemical and refining processes

Abstract New membrane, modules, and systems are under development for large-scale organic/organic separations. Practical applications are envisioned in the refining, chemical, pharmaceutical, and polymer industries. A large-scale organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) process is MAX-DEWAX™ for solvent recovery in lube dewaxing. A commercial installation has been in operation since 1998 at a feed rate of 5800 m 3 /day (36,000 barrels/day). A pervaporation process, S-Brane™, is also available for comparable large-scale operations. S-Brane selectively removes sulfur containing hydrocarbon molecules from fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) and other naphtha streams. A 300 barrels/day demonstration plant has been run on-stream using FCC light and intermediate cat naphthas. S-Brane reduces the overall capital and operating cost for clean fuel compliance, and also provides a means for preserving octane value in hydrotreating based technology. There are several key steps in the development of a robust membrane process that can be moved from lab-scale to pilot plant trials to a demonstration unit on-line at a refinery. These steps expand in complexity and size as process development moves forward. Both MAX-DEWAX and S-Brane are presented as examples of applications that have moved through this progression. Since these processes are large-scale and relatively low capital cost compared to conventional technologies, gains in yield, quality, or energy savings are found to offer significant economic benefits. Experimentally, it appears that high-pressure nanofiltration and low-pressure pervaporation are governed by the principles found in solution-diffusion models. Data taken in OSN mode is used to estimate pervaporation performance. Choice of membrane operating systems is dependent on the composition of the feed stream and the required product quality. In some cases, the high throughput for OSN outweighs the higher selectivities gained in pervaporation, since OSN is inherently a lower cost process to operate. Further investigations of new applications include toluene recovery from a toluene disproportionation unit, lowering benzene levels in gasoline feedstocks to
A general approach for the generation of orthogonal tRNAs.

Abstract Background: The addition of new amino acids to the genetic code of Escherichia coli requires an orthogonal suppressor tRNA that is uniquely acylated with a desired unnatural amino acid by an orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. A tRNA Tyr CUA –tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase pair imported from Methanococcus jannaschii can be used to generate such a pair. In vivo selections have been developed for selecting mutant suppressor tRNAs with enhanced orthogonality, which can be used to site-specifically incorporate unnatural amino acids into proteins in E. coli . Results: A library of amber suppressor tRNAs derived from M. jannaschii tRNA Tyr was generated. tRNA Tyr CUA s that are substrates for endogenous E. coli aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases were deleted from the pool by a negative selection based on suppression of amber nonsense mutations in the barnase gene. The remaining tRNA Tyr CUA s were then selected for their ability to suppress amber nonsense codons in the β-lactamase gene in the presence of the cognate M. jannaschii tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS). Four mutant suppressor tRNAs were selected that are poorer substrates for E. coli synthetases than M. jannaschii tRNA Tyr CUA , but still can be charged efficiently by M. jannaschii TyrRS. Conclusions: The mutant suppressor tRNA Tyr CUA together with the M. jannaschii TyrRS is an excellent orthogonal tRNA–synthetase pair for the in vivo incorporation of unnatural amino acids into proteins. This general approach may be expanded to generate additional orthogonal tRNA–synthetase pairs as well as probe the interactions between tRNAs and their cognate synthetases.
Carotid Artery Occlusion Following Ingestion of LSD

A 20-year-old white woman developed a left hemiplegia following the ingestion of LSD. Initial angiography revealed marked constriction of the internal carotid artery at the level of the siphon which, in a few days, was converted to occlusion of the carotid artery at that level. It is suggested that LSD, an amine derivative of the ergot alkaloids, was responsible for the initial vasoconstriction and subsequent occlusion.
Word learning in deaf children with cochlear implants: effects of early auditory experience

Word-learning skills were tested in normal-hearing 12- to 40-month-olds and in deaf 22- to 40-month-olds 12 to 18 months after cochlear implantation. Using the Intermodal Preferential Looking Paradigm (IPLP), children were tested for their ability to learn two novel-word/novel-object pairings. Normal-hearing children demonstrated learning on this task at approximately 18 months of age and older. For deaf children, performance on this task was significantly correlated with early auditory experience: Children whose cochlear implants were switched on by 14 months of age or who had relatively more hearing before implantation demonstrated learning in this task, but later implanted profoundly deaf children did not. Performance on this task also correlated with later measures of vocabulary size. Taken together, these findings suggest that early auditory experience facilitates word learning and that the IPLP may be useful for identifying children who may be at high risk for poor vocabulary development.
Software wrappers for rapid prototyping JAUS-based systems

Recent experiences with robots in Iraq have proven that robotic technology is useful to the warfighter, but tools are needed to rapidly respond to evolving missions. This paper details a methodology for generation of software wrappers using JAUS to simplify prototyping and development of robotic systems (distributed, embedded and real-time system software modules). Software wrappers will allow insertion of modules into a visual prototyping environment. The wrappers will intercept module functions and bind them with functions needed to exercise the modules outside of the native environment. Generation of JAUS wrappers will enhance the development environment by reducing rote work and producing consistently behaving module interfaces. The resulting methodology will provide a rapid prototyping environment for use in sensor integration, Operator Control Unit (OCU) development and autonomous vehicle control.