cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alternative Splicing Events Identified in Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Neural Progenitors

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and neural progenitor (NP) cells are excellent models for recapitulating early neuronal development in vitro, and are key to establishing strategies for the treatment of degenerative disorders. While much effort had been undertaken to analyze transcriptional and epigenetic differences during the transition of hESC to NP, very little work has been performed to understand post-transcriptional changes during neuronal differentiation. Alternative RNA splicing (AS), a major form of post-transcriptional gene regulation, is important in mammalian development and neuronal function. Human ESC, hESC-derived NP, and human central nervous system stem cells were compared using Affymetrix exon arrays. We introduced an outlier detection approach, REAP (Regression-based Exon Array Protocol), to identify 1,737 internal exons that are predicted to undergo AS in NP compared to hESC. Experimental validation of REAP-predicted AS events indicated a threshold-dependent sensitivity ranging from 56% to 69%, at a specificity of 77% to 96%. REAP predictions significantly overlapped sets of alternative events identified using expressed sequence tags and evolutionarily conserved AS events. Our results also reveal that focusing on differentially expressed genes between hESC and NP will overlook 14% of potential AS genes. In addition, we found that REAP predictions are enriched in genes encoding serine/threonine kinase and helicase activities. An example is a REAP-predicted alternative exon in the SLK (serine/threonine kinase 2) gene that is differentially included in hESC, but skipped in NP as well as in other differentiated tissues. Lastly, comparative sequence analysis revealed conserved intronic cis-regulatory elements such as the FOX1/2 binding site GCAUG as being proximal to candidate AS exons, suggesting that FOX1/2 may participate in the regulation of AS in NP and hESC. In summary, a new methodology for exon array analysis was introduced, leading to new insights into the complexity of AS in human embryonic stem cells and their transition to neural stem cells.
Piecing together a puzzling pathway: new insights into C-signaling.

Abstract Myxococcus xanthus is remarkable among the prokaryotes because it has a developmental cycle that produces fruiting bodies. Many extracellular signals (A–E) orchestrate fruiting body formation. This update highlights recent work that has contributed to our current understanding of the C-signal and its role in fruiting body formation and morphogenesis.
Superficial Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor

We reviewed the clinicopathologic features of 5 cases of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) manifesting in superficial locations associated with cutaneous neurofibromas (4 cases) or superficial peripheral nerve (1 case). Four cases had spindle cell morphologic features and were at least focally positive for S-100 protein, whereas the associated benign neural elements had more extensive S-100 immunoreactivity. The single epithelioid case was diffusely and strongly positive for S-100 protein. Melanoma markers, epithelial membrane antigen, glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilament, pancytokeratin (AE1/AE3), CD34, smooth muscle actin, and desmin were negative in all cases. There were no local recurrences, but 3 patients died of metastatic disease within 2 to 30 months (median, 21 months). MPNSTs can occur in a superficial location and may have an aggressive clinical course. Immunohistochemical markers are helpful in excluding other lesions in the differential diagnosis. However, identification of a benign precursor or origin from a nerve may be the most definitive way to properly classify these rare lesions.
An algorithm for solving fixed-charge problems using surrogate constraints

Abstract In recent years, many researchers have shown that surrogate constraints can be used to reduce the computational requirements of integer and mixed-integer programming problems. In this paper, we develop an algorithm that uses surrogate constraints io solve fixed-charge problems. This algorithm generates a candidate solution for the fixed-charge problem by solving a set covering problem. If the candidate solution is infeasible in the fixed-charge problem a surrogate constraint is generated and added to the set covering problem to cut this solution from the feasible region. This process is repeated until a feasible solution to the fixed-charge problem is found. This solution is then used as an incumbent solution in a branch-and-bound procedure, which solves the problem to optimality. In those cases where the problem has only fixed-charges, the optimal solution can be found without the branch-and-bound procedure. Computational results for various types of problems are given. These results indicate that this algorithm tends to perform better than existing branch-and-bound solution procedures.
To Go or Not to Go: On Energy-Aware and Communication-Aware Robotic Operation

We consider the scenario where a mobile robot needs to visit a number of points of interest (POIs) in a workspace, gathers its generated bits of information, and successfully transmits them to a remote station, while operating in a realistic communication environment, minimizing its total energy consumption (including both motion and communication costs), and under time and reception quality constraints. We are interested in the co-optimization of the communication and motion strategies of the robot such that it finds the optimal trajectory (the order in which it visits all of the POIs) and optimally co-plans its communication and motion strategies, including motion speed, stop times, communication transmission rate, and power. By co-optimizing the usage of both communication and motion energy costs and using realistic probabilistic link metrics that go beyond the commonly used disk models, we show how the overall problem can be posed as a mixed integer linear program (MILP) and characterize several properties of the co-optimized solution. For instance, we derive conditions under which the optimal trajectory becomes the minimum-length trajectory as well as conditions under which the trajectory deviates from the minimum length one to visit areas with very high connectivity. We further characterize if/when it is beneficial for the robot to incur motion energy to find a better spot for communication. Moreover, we derive conditions that relate the co-optimized communication and motion strategies and clearly show the interplay between the two. Finally, our simulation results with real channel and motion parameters confirm the analysis and show considerable energy savings.
Changes in [125I]Labeled Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Binding to Porcine Granulosa Cells During Follicle Development and Cell Culture

The specific binding of [125I]iodo human chorionic gonadotropin to porcine granulosa cells isolated at two stages of follicle maturation was quantitated immediately after harvest and following 6–7 days of culture. Both porcine LH (pLH, LER 786–3) and hCG inhibited 125I]iodo hCG binding, while pFSH (LER-1132) did not compete for hCG binding sites. The incubation of labeled hCG with granulosa cells for 24–48 hours at 37 C did not alter its subsequent ability to bind to fresh cells. The binding of [125I]iodo hCG was a rapid process which was not readily reversible. Scatchard analysis of the equilibrium binding data resulted in linear plots showing the hCG binding capacity of highly differentiated (HD) cells, harvested from large preovulatory follicles, to be significantly greater than that of moderately differentiated (MD) cells isolated from smaller luteal phase follicles, both before (794vs 93 pmoles/g; P < 0.001) and after (157 vs 5 pmoles/g; P < 0.001) culture. A decline in binding capacity occurred in b...
An Evaluation of Blood Nitrate Levels

The lack of a suitable objective yardstick to measure the effect of anti-anginal drugs has led to confusion in their clinical evaluation. A method of quantitating the nitrate level in the serum has furnished a means of correlating the subjective relief with this group of drugs. Representative samplings of serum from noncardiac and cardiac patients were analyzed to establish control nitrate levels. The cardiac patients were selected for their good responses to nitroglycerin and pentaerythritol tetranitrate. A good subjective response to the drugs correlated with the increased blood nitrate levels.
Approximation by weighted polynomials

It is proven that if xQ'(x) is increasing on (0, + ∞) and w(x) = exp(-Q(x)) is the corresponding weight on [0, + ∞), then every continuous function that vanishes outside the support of the extremal measure associated with w can be uniformly approximated by weighted polynomials of the form wnPn. This problem was raised by Totik, who proved a similar result (the Borwein-Saff conjecture) for convex Q. A general criterion is introduced, too, which guarantees that the support of the extremal measure is an interval. With this criterion we generalize the above approximation theorem as well as that one, where Q is supposed to be convex.
GAS-PARTICLE TWO-PHASE TURBULENT FLOW IN A VERTICAL DUCT

Abstract Two-phase gas-phase turbulent flows at various loadings between the two vertical parallel plates are analyzed. A thermodynamically consistent turbulent two-phase flow model that accounts for the phase fluctuation energy transport and interaction is used. The governing equation of the gas-phase is upgraded to a two-equation low Reynolds number turbulence closure model that can be integrated directly to the wall. A no-slip boundary condition for the gas-phase and slip-boundary condition for the particulate phase are used. The computational model is first applied to dilute gas-particle turbulent flow between two parallel vertical walls. The predicted mean velocity and turbulence intensity profiles are compared with the experimental data of Tsuji et al. (1984) for vertical pipe flows, and good agreement is observed. Examples of additional flow properties such as the phasic fluctuation energy, phasic fluctuation energy production and dissipation, as well as interaction momentum and energy supply terms are also presented and discussed. Applications to the relatively dense gas-particle turbulent flows in a vertical channel are also studied. The model predictions are compared with the experimental data of Miller & Gidaspow and reasonable agreement is observed. It is shown that flow behavior is strongly affected by the phasic fluctuation energy, and the momentum and energy transfer between the particulate and the fluid constituents.
Plastic Surface Strain Mapping of Bent Sheets by Image Correlation

A technique using a single CCD camera, a precision rotation/translation stage, a telecentric zoom lens, and digital image correlation software is described for measuring surface profiles and surface plastic strain distributions of a bent thin sheet. The measurement principles, based on both parallel and pinhole perspective projections, are outlined and the relevant mathematical equations for computing the profiles and displacement fields on a curved surface are presented. The typical optical setup as well as the experimental measurement and digital image correlation analysis procedure are described. The maximum errors in the in-plane and out-of-plane coordinates or displacements are about ±5 and ±25 μm, respectively, and the maximum errors in surface strain mapping are about 0.1% or less based on a series of evaluation tests on flat and curved sample surfaces over a physical field of view of 15.2 × 11.4 mm2. As an application example, the shape and surface plastic strain distribution example, the shape and surface plastic strain distributions around a bent apex of a flat 2 mm thick automotive aluminum AA5182-O sheet, which underwent a 90° bend with three bend ratios of 2t, 1t, and 0.6t, are determined using the proposed technique.
Use of a pediatric colonoscope improves the success of total colonoscopy in selected adult patients

Abstract Background: Colonoscopy using a standard adult colonoscope can be difficult or impossible when there is a fixed, angulated sigmoid colon or stricture. It is sometimes possible to traverse such segments using a smaller-diameter, more flexible pediatric colonoscope. Methods: For this prospective study, one endoscopist started 645 consecutive, elective colonoscopies with a standard adult Olympus CF-100L colonoscope (52% women, 48% men). There were 36 examinations (5.6%) in which the adult colonoscope could not be passed through a fixed, angulated sigmoid colon (n = 34) or a sigmoid colonic stricture (n = 2). In such instances (33 women and 3 men), the endoscopist switched to a pediatric colonoscope. Results: The pediatric colonoscope successfully reached the cecum in 21 of the 36 cases (58.3%). The figure was 38.5% for the older Olympus CF-P20L fiberoptic colonoscope (n = 13) and 69.6% for the newer Olympus PCF-100 videocolonoscope (n = 23). Concomitant conditions in the 34 patients in whom the pediatric colonoscope was used because of a fixed, angulated sigmoid included previous pelvic surgery in 22, pelvic radiation therapy in 2, pelvic endometriosis in 3, and two with previous sigmoid diverticulitis. Conclusions: The pediatric colonoscope, and particularly the newer Olympus PCF-100 colonoscope, is very useful in adult patients in whom it is not possible to traverse a fixed, angulated sigmoid colon or stricture using the standard adult colonoscope. This is predominantly a problem of female patients. Previous pelvic surgery may be an important causative factor in this regard. (Gastrointest Endosc 1996;44:675-8.)
Urban Dispersion Modeling: Comparison with Single-Building Measurements

Abstract Two models have been developed to predict airflow and dispersion in urban environments. The first model, the Realistic Urban Spread and Transport of Intrusive Contaminants (RUSTIC) model, is a fast-running urban airflow code that rapidly converges to a numerical solution of a modified set of the compressible Navier–Stokes equations. RUSTIC uses the k–ω turbulence model with a buoyancy production term to handle atmospheric stability effects. The second model, “MESO,” is a Lagrangian particle transport and dispersion code that predicts concentrations of a released chemical or biological agent in urban or rural areas. As a preliminary validation of the models, concentrations simulated by MESO are compared with experimental data from wind-tunnel testing of dispersion around both a multistory rectangular building and a single-story L-shaped building. For the rectangular building, trace gas is forced out at the base of the downwind side, whereas for the L-shaped building, trace gas is forced out of a s...
Combined adjuvant radiation and interferon-alpha 2B therapy in high-risk melanoma patients: the potential for increased radiation toxicity.

Abstract Purpose: Surgically resected melanoma patients with high-risk features commonly receive adjuvant therapy with interferon-alpha 2b combined with radiation therapy; the purpose of our study was to evaluate the potential enhancement of radiation toxicity by interferon. Methods and Materials: Patients at LDS Hospital and the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City treated with interferon during radiotherapy or within 1 month of its completion were retrospectively identified, and their charts were reviewed. If possible, the patients were asked to return to the LDS Hospital radiation therapy department for follow-up. Results: Five of 10 patients receiving interferon-alpha 2b therapy during radiation therapy or within 1 month of its completion experienced severe subacute/late complications of therapy. Severe subacute/late complications included two patients with peripheral neuropathy, one patient with radiation necrosis in the brain, and two patients with radiation necrosis in the s.c. tissue. One patient with peripheral neuropathy and one patient with radiation necrosis also developed lymphedema. Conclusions: In vitro studies have identified a radiosensitizing effect by interferon-alpha on certain cell lines, which suggests the possibility that patients treated with interferon and radiation therapy may experience more severe radiation toxicities. We have observed severe subacute/late complications in five of 10 patients treated with interferon-alpha 2b during radiation therapy or within 1 month of its completion. Although an observational study of 10 patients lacks the statistic power to reach conclusions regarding the safety and complication rates of combined interferon and radiation therapy, it is sufficient to raise concerns and suggest the need for prospective studies.
The Stigmatized Patient With AIDS in the Intensive Care Unit: The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse

As the incidence of HIV infection rises, so will cases of HIV positive intensive care unit admissions. Factors affecting nurses' care of these patients include fear of contagion, homophobia, and lack of knowledge. A multidimensional approach must be taken by the advanced practice nurse to decrease stigmatization by changing knowledge and attitudes of intensive care unit nurses.
EDD Inhibits ATM-mediated Phosphorylation of p53

The EDD (E3 identified by differential display) gene, first identified as a progestin-induced gene in T-47D breast cancer cells, encodes an E3 ubiquitin ligase with a HECT domain. It was reported that EDD is involved in the G2/M progression through ubiquitination of phospho-katanin p60. Previous study has also shown that EDD can act as a transcription cofactor independently of its E3 ligase activity. In this study, we uncover a new role for EDD during cell cycle progression in an E3 ligase-independent manner. We demonstrate that EDD can physically interact with p53 and that this interaction blocks the phosphorylation of p53 by ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM). Silencing of EDD induces phosphorylation of p53 at Ser15 and activates p53 target genes in fibroblasts and some transformed cells without activation of DNA damage response. The G1/S arrest induced by EDD depletion depends on p53. On the other hand, overexpression of EDD inhibits p53-Ser15 phosphorylation and suppresses the induction of p53 target genes during DNA damage, and this effect does not require its E3 ligase activity. Thus, through binding to p53, EDD actively inhibits p53 phosphorylation by ATM and plays a role in ensuring smooth G1/S progression.
Quantitation of HCV RNA with the microwell plate and COBAS Amplicor HCV Monitor assays.

Abstract Background: We performed the Roche Amplicor Monitor hepatitis C virus (HCV) v2.0 microwell plate (MWP) assay for 2 years prior to bringing a COBAS instrument into the lab. Before reporting any results from the automated COBAS Amplicor Monitor HCV v2.0, we compared quantitative data with results on the same specimens from the manual Amplicor Monitor HCV. Objective: To determine if the COBAS Amplicor Monitor assay yielded quantitative results that were comparable with those given by the manual Amplicor Monitor HCV. Study design: We tested 145 specimens with both assays. Specimens were chosen on the basis of having fallen within the linear range of the first assay. Results: The log10 mean (±standard deviation) for all 145 specimens was 5.976 (±0.597) for the COBAS and 6.142 (±0.597) for the MWP assay. When plotted as 145 pairs of numbers (log MWP result vs. log COBAS result), the linear regression line was displaced slightly downward from the line of equivalence by 0.1 log at the lower end and by 0.2 log at the upper end indicating the COBAS result was somewhat lower than the MWP result across the full range of the assay. The mean of the difference of the manual method and the COBAS for all 145 specimens was 0.166 log10. A subset of 45 specimens for which we had HCV genotype data was analyzed separately. This set of specimens (of which 33 were genotype 1) also showed excellent concordance between the automated and manual methods. The two trendlines, one for genotype 1 and the other for genotypes 2, 3 and 4, were superimposable and thus the quantitative results were apparently not influenced by the genotypes, although the numbers were small (six HCV genotype 2, five HCV genotype 3 and one HCV genotype 4). Conclusions: We conclude that the automated Roche COBAS Amplicor Monitor v2.0 yields results that are comparable with the manual Amplicor Monitor assay for HCV genotype 1 and possibly also for genotypes 2, 3 and 4.
Chain Flexibility and Bonding Kinetics of Zdol-TX Perfluoropolyether Lubricant Films Supported on Amorphous Carbon Surfaces

The bonding kinetics of 11 A films of the perfluoropolyether Zdol-TX, supported on amorphous hydrogenated (CHx) and nitrogenated (CNx) carbon surfaces, is investigated. The bonding rate for Zdol-TX...
Doubling of Weak Gauge Bosons in an Extension of the Standard Model

The standard SU(2) \ensuremath{\bigotimes} U(1) model is extended to include two $W$ and two $Z$ bosons without changing the structure of its low-energy phenomenology. The experimental implications of this model regarding the existence of a light $W$ and a light $Z$ are discussed.
Quantitative studies of blue tongue virus in mice.

The California BT8 strain of egg-propagated blue tongue virus was adapted to the suckling mouse brain and its growth curve in this host studied.
Self-rated health, objective health, and racial discrimination among African-Americans: Explaining inconsistent findings and testing health pessimism.

African-Americans sometimes rate their health as Poor/Fair in the absence of chronic diseases. Theoretically, this lack of correspondence between self-rated health and objective health is due to ra...
Amphetamine actions in dorsolateral tegmental rats: hypodipsia, anorexia, and central nervous system permeation to [14C] amphetamine.

Electrolytic lesions of the dorsolateral tegmentum produced hyperdipsia, enhanced amphetamine-induced hypodipsia, yet attenuated amphetamine-induced anorexia. Central nervous system permeation by [ 14 C]amphetamine was comparable in control, operated control, and tegmental rats. These data suggest that (a) a common motivational process, such as malaise, cannot explain the anorexic and hypodipsic properties of amphetamine and (b) that the influence of tegmental damage on amphetamine actions did not result from differences in brain amphetamine levels.
Dust formation by failed supernovae

We consider dust formation during the ejection of the hydrogen envelope of a red supergiant during a failed supernova (SN) creating a black hole. While the dense, slow moving ejecta are very efficient at forming dust, only the very last phases of the predicted visual transient will be obscured. The net grain production consists of ~0.01 solar masses of very large grains (10 to 1000 microns). This means that failed SNe could be the source of the very large extrasolar dust grains identified by Ulysses, Galileo and radar studies of meteoroid re-entry trails rather than their coming from an ejection process associated with protoplanetary or other disks.
Relation between the coupling constant and three-particle production in S-matrix theory

Abstract Three particle production in the high angular momentum limit is related to the residue at the pole of the elastic amplitude. If there is no three particle production there can be no pole. Unitarity forces the coupling constant to be real. The results depend only on unitarity, crossing, and Mandelstam analyticity.
Laser Induced Porosity and Crystallinity Modification of a Bioactive Glass Coating on Titanium Substrates

Functionally graded bioactive glass coatings on bioinert metallic substrates were produced by using continuous-wave (CW) laser irradiation. The aim is to achieve strong adhesion on the substrates and high bioactivity on the top surface of a coating material for load-bearing implants in biomedical applications. The morphology and microstructure of the bioactive glass from the laser coating process were investigated as functions of processing parameters. Laser sintering mechanisms were discussed with respect to the resulting morphology and microstructure. It has been shown that double layer laser coating results in a dense bond coat layer and a porous top coat layer with lower degree of crystallinity than an enameling coating sample. The dense bond coat strongly attached to the titanium substrate with a ten microns wide mixed interfacial layer. A highly bioactive porous structure of the top coat layer is beneficial for early formation of a bone-bonding HCA layer. The numerical model developed in this work also allows for prediction of porosity and crystallinity in top coat layers of bioactive glass developed through laser induced sintering and crystallization.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Specific dimensions of impulsivity are differentially associated with daily and non-daily cigarette smoking in young adults

Young adults are at risk for initiation of tobacco use and progression to tobacco dependence. Not every person who smokes cigarettes becomes tobacco dependent, however, and non-daily smoking is becoming more prevalent among those who use tobacco. It is likely that individual differences in psychosocial and behavioral factors influence risk for engaging in non-daily and daily cigarette smoking. The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between impulsivity and smoking status in young adults who vary in frequency of cigarette smoking. Young adult first-year college students between the ages of 18-24 (512) were classified to one of three groups: non-smokers, non-daily smokers, or daily smokers, and impulsivity was assessed using the UPPS-P (negative and positive urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, sensation seeking). When all impulsivity dimensions were used simultaneously to predict smoking status, negative urgency predicted increased risk of membership in the daily smoking group and lack of premeditation predicted increased risk of membership in the non-daily smoking group. These results suggest that dimensions of impulsivity may contribute differentially to forms of smoking behavior in young adults.
Toward further expansion of the organ pool for adult liver recipients: splitting the cadaveric liver into right and left lobes.

Background. Current methods of living donor right lobe transplantation can be expanded for use in the cadaveric setting. The aim of this study is to discuss alternative methods for the management of large-for-size cadaveric livers and determine the feasibility of splitting these organs into left and right hemi-livers using similar techniques to those used in the living donor setting. Methods. The indication for an in situ right-left split procedure was an offer of a large liver for a small recipient with a recipient-donor ratio of greater than 1.5. A total of three livers were split. Mean donor age was 33.3 (range, 22–40) years. Mean weight was 118 (range, 90–150) kg. All donors were without significant medical history and were hemodynamically stable, with normal liver function and short hospital stay. Mean duration of the procurement procedure was 235 (range, 210–270) min. Mean cold ischemia time was 8.5 hr. Mean recipient weight was 58.3 kg, and mean donor to recipient weight ratio was 2.0 (1.6–2.6). United Network for Organ Sharing statuses at the time of transplantation were 1 (n=1), 2A (n=1), and 2B (n=4). Results. Immediate graft function was seen in five recipients. Delayed nonfunction was identified in one recipient of a left lobe, who did not undergo transplantation because of sepsis that resulted in death at 30 days. A second mortality occurred in a left lobe recipient, from a fungal brain abscess at 90 days. Complications related to the split included bile leaks in two patients, one necessitating operative revision. Conclusions. Splitting of livers from appropriate brain-dead donors into right and left lobes is technically and logistically feasible. The large-for-size organ provides a more substantial amount of liver tissue to each of the adult recipients, which may result in a greater graft to recipient weight ratio than the current standard that is used in the living donor grafting. The importance of this variable will need to be studied, because it may positively impact on the ability of the reduced-size graft to withstand donor-related organ system stress and injury, which is associated with brain death and the inevitable longer period of cold preservation.
Bounds and heuristics for assembly-like queues

We consider an assembly system with exponential service times, and derive bounds for its average throughput and inventories. We also present an easily computed approximation for the throughput, and compare it to an existing approximation.
Furlow palatoplasty to restore velopharyngeal competence following tonsillectomy avulsion of a pharyngeal flap.

Abstract Objective: We report the successful use of a Furlow palatoplasty to salvage velopharyngeal competence following iatrogenic avulsion of a pharyngeal flap that had been previously established to treat velopharyngeal insufficiency associated with a submucous cleft palate. Intervention: A tonsillectomy, conducted by a surgeon unaffiliated with a cleft palate team, was used to remove enlarged tonsils that had developed after pharyngeal flap surgery and extended into the lateral ports causing nasal obstruction and hypernasality because of mechanical interference with port closure. A posttonsillectomy evaluation revealed avulsion of the pharyngeal flap, which was successfully treated using a Furlow palatoplasty. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of iatrogenic avulsion of a pharyngeal flap caused by tonsillectomy. Based on a review of the literature and this case experience, we would conclude that tonsillectomy should not be regarded as a routine procedure in patients previously tre...
Laser-induced fluorescence imaging system for protein separations in microfluidic devices

This paper describes a laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection system for imaging proteins separated in a microfluidic device. The diameter of a laser beam is first increased through a beam expander, and subsequently focused into a line using a cylindrical lens. The resultant laser line is used to image an entire capillary or channel in which protein separation took place. The fluorescence emission is collected with a cooled, scientific grade charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. The detection limit was determined using a series of concentrations of fluorescein solutions. The temporal and spatial effects of photobleaching from laser irradiation were analyzed and the parameters to reduce the effect of photobleaching are discussed. We used the imaging system to demonstrate rapid analysis of proteins using isoelectric focusing.
Enhanced pseudoephedrine absorption by concurrent administration of aluminum hydroxide gel in humans

Abstract Effects of the nonsystemic antacid aluminum hydroxide gel, the adsorbent kaolin, and the systemic antacid sodium bicarbonate were tested on the absorption of the basic drug pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, administered in tablet form to six young adult males. The absorption rate of pseudoephedrine, measured by its urinary excretion rate, was reliably increased by the aluminum hydroxide gel, probably because the antacid raised the GI pH, thereby increasing the amount of pseudoephedrine available in the nonionized form, which is more readily absorbable. On the other hand, the absorption rate of pseudoephedrine was decreased by kaolin, probably because adsorption competed with absorption. Sodium bicarbonate had no reliable effect, but pseudoephedrine absorption may have been underestimated because the pH was above 5.5 in most urine collections, thus possibly permitting tubular reabsorption of the pseudoephedrine. These drug interactions may provide helpful information for achieving more precise control of the effects of pseudoephedrine.
Fractal cycle turning points: A theory of human social progression

Abstract Throughout history, rare, influential, unexpected, catastrophic events with widespread significant long-term effects such as societal collapse, wars, revolutions, natural disasters, disease pandemics, droughts, famines, and financial crises have impacted humanity at large. These events seem to occur infrequently in a random manner that makes their prediction difficult. I examined closely the seemingly “random” occurrence of these events and observed a peculiar pattern: they occur at Fibonacci intervals and exhibit the irregular regularity of fractal phenomena. I identify three unique sets of patterns, to which I refer as cycles: (1) the Kuwae Cycle, (2) the Tambora Cycle, and (3) the Deflationary Cycle. They closely align with significant historical events, disease pandemics, famines, revolutions and warfare in England and the United States, and link to anomalous weather patterns induced by volcanism, heat, cold, rain and drought, all of which influence harvests dating back to the 6th century. These patterns also correlate with commodity price changes for which we have good data to study their behavior. Using commodities data, I show that, not only are commodity price changes closely associated with large historical events, but that they also occur at Fibonacci intervals in a complex cyclical and fractal manner. Short-term price cycles are part of larger fractal price waves which are themselves part of higher order fractals that measure the rise and fall of civilizations. I develop an algorithm that defines the cyclical nature and importance of Fibonacci intervals and advance a “Fractal Cycle Turning Point Theory” that explains historical price patterns and makes predictions about future price cycles, disease pandemics, warfare, financial crises and other influential events.
Dynamic reactions along a rigid-smooth wall in an elastic half-space with a moving boundary load

Abstract This paper studies the dynamic forces exerted along the sides of a rigid-smooth wall which separates an elastic half-space into two quarter-spaces. The boundary of the half-space is subjected to a pressure wave of arbitrary shape moving with constant velocity. Both the shape and velocity of the wave may change as it passes the wall. The problems for each quarter-space are analyzed exactly using the method of images in conjunction with previously established techniques for dynamic half-space problems. Explicit results for the total force and moment exerted on the wall are presented. These reactions are proportional to the convolution of the load history with unity and time, respectively. The proportionality constants are evaluated numerically over a wide range of pressure wave velocities.
Gender and Racial Bias in Design Juries

This study assesses the participation and interaction of various participants in the design jury process, that is, male and female jurors, male and female students, and racial minority students. Se...
Aggregate Vote Functions for the U.S. Presidency, Senate, and House

In this paper, we estimate vote functions for presidential, House, and Senate elections in the United States using a seemingly unrelated regressions technique adapted to the case of unequal numbers of observations across equations. Our method facilitates rigorous comparisons of voting behavior across election types and provides efficiency gains over ordinary least squares. Our analysis focuses on comparisons across vote functions. We find that: (1) economic variables appear to influence outcomes in all election types, but they are more important in presidential elections than in House or Senate elections; (2) the hypothesis that voters attach equal relative weights to inflation and growth across election types cannot be rejected; (3) incumbency power affects both Senate and House elections but is more important in the House; (4) mid-term effects in House and Senate elections represent a penalty for the party controlling the presidency.
Tests of Mendelian segregation and linkage-group relationships among 31 microsatellite loci in red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus

Two families (parents and full-sibling progeny) of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) were assayed for genotypes at 31 nuclear-encoded microsatellites. Tests of expected Mendelian segregation at 29 of the microsatellites were non-significant following Bonferroni correction; occurrence of null alleles was inferred at the remaining two microsatellites. Nine of the 24 possible linkage groups (range 2–5 microsatellites per linkage group) were identified. Significant differences in recombination rates were found both between sexes and between families. The microsatellite linkage groups generated in this study represent the beginning of a genetic map for red drum, an economically important marine fish in the southeastern region of the United States of America.
Plan recognition and generalization in command languages with application to telerobotics

A method for pragmatic inference as a necessary accompaniment to command languages is proposed. The approach taken focuses on the modeling and recognition of the human operator's intent, which relates sequences of domain actions ('plans') to changes in some model of the task environment. The salient feature of this module is that it captures some of the physical and linguistic contextual aspects of an instruction. This provides a basis for generalization and reinterpretation of the instruction in different task environments. The theoretical development is founded on previous work in computational linguistics and some models in the theory of action and intention. To illustrate these ideas, an experimental command language to a telerobot is implemented. The program consists of three different components: a robot graphic simulation, the command language itself, and the domain-independent pragmatic inference module. Examples of task instruction processes are provided to demonstrate the benefits of this approach. >
Children's conceptions of death

Children's understanding of death is mediated by their experience, feelings, and cognitive capability.
End Points and Outcomes in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: From Clinical Trials to Clinical Practice

New therapeutic approaches for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) introduce new treatment dilemmas: how best to sequence these options to maximally benefit patients, what tests to perform before and after treatment to assess disease status, and how to interpret the test results and use them to guide treatment. New and specific end points for different classes of drugs are needed to provide the information to guide these treatment decisions. In 2008, the Prostate Cancer Working Group 2 consensus criteria for early-phase clinical trials redefined clinical trial end points as first, to control, relieve, or eliminate disease manifestations present when treatment is started and second, to prevent or delay future disease manifestations. Disease manifestations include prostate-specific antigen (PSA), soft-tissue disease (nodes and/or viscera), bone disease (most common site of spread), and symptoms. Recent US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals for CRPC therapies have been based on the prevent/delay end points that reflect unequivocal benefit to a patient: prolongation of life or reduction in skeletal-related events (SREs). For the practicing oncologist, the control/relieve/eliminate outcomes should serve primarily to inform the decision of whether to continue therapy. In this review, we consider individual end points such as PSA, imaging, and patient-reported outcomes in the context of the control/relieve/eliminate and prevent/delay framework. We address the time-to-event end points of metastasis prevention, SRE, time to progression, and overall survival in the context of regulatory approvals. We also discuss circulating tumor cells measured with the CellSearch assay, recently cleared by the FDA for monitoring CRPC.
Optimal Power Control and Relay Capacity for PLC-Embedded Cooperative Systems

In cooperative communication single antenna mobiles can share their antennas to improve communication links and increase channel capacity. Node cooperation generates a virtual mUltiple-antenna system which attains close to optimal multiple input multiple output (MIMO) gains. At the same time, power line communication (PLC) offers stable high data rate for indoor communications, and also benefits from cooperative communication scheme since power lines can be used between relays. Thus it is of interest to investigate a hybrid PLC/wireless relying network. Towards that goal, in this paper, we derive analytic forms of single-user and multiuser MIMO channel capacities. We then evaluate relay channel capacities for two relevant cases. One when the channel is perfectly known to the transmitter, i.e. full channel state information (CSI) is known, and the other when the channel state is unknown (no CSI). We propose adaptive communication scheme which involves the decode-and-forward (DF) relaying and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). We investigate optimal allocation of transmit powers for the scheme at both source and relay nodes under total power constraints. For a realistic scenario our numerical tests indicate that PLC/wireless link performs better then a typical wireless link.
Sequential maintenance therapy with cyclosporin A and mycophenolate mofetil for sustained remission of childhood steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome

Background. There is currently no established standard for maintenance therapy of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). We report the long-term clinical course, medication, pharmacokinetic data, and renal function of 23 children with primary, non-familial SRNS with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Methods. To achieve initial remission, patients were treated with high-dose intravenous (i. v.) methylprednisolone and oral cyclosporin A (CsA). Maintenance therapy included transient alternate day oral prednisolone, CsA and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor blockers. In 18 patients, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (adjusted to achieve blood mycophenolic acid trough concentrations > 2 lg/mL) was sequentially added, and 16 patients were converted to MMF monotherapy. Results. During a mean follow-up time of 7.0 years (1.7–16.5 years; cumulative observation time 161 patientyears), sustained remission could be achieved in all patients. Five of 23 patients (21%) experienced 10 relapses; all responded to relapse therapy. Maintenance therapy could be permanently discontinued in seven patients (30%). After conversion from CsA to MMF, renal function improved significantly; the eGFR at last follow-up was 137 (range 106–198) mL/min 3 1.73 m 2 . The mean number of antihypertensive drugs decreased from 1.86 per patient after initial remission to 0.57 on MMF monotherapy (P < 0.002). Conclusions. The data of this uncontrolled retrospective study indicate that in children with SRNS/FSGS achieving initial remission, a sequential steroid-free therapy consisting of a combination of CsA and MMF followed by MMF alone (with the addition of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers), can provide sustained long-term remission, preservation of renal function and better control of blood pressure.
Practical Vessel Imaging by Computed Tomography in Live Transgenic Mouse Models for Human Tumors

Contrast-enhanced small-animal computed tomography is an economical and highly quantitative tool for serially examining tumor development in situ, for analyzing the network of blood vessels that nourish them, and for following the response of tumors to preclinical therapeutic intervention(s). We present practical considerations for visualizing the vascular network of transgenic mouse tumors. Using a long-acting iodinated triglyceride blood-pool contrast agent, we present optimized scanner acquisition parameters and volume-rendering techniques for examining the intermediate and large vessels of complex spontaneous tumors (e.g., alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas) in transgenic mice. Our findings indicate that multiple-frame, 360–720 view acquisitions were mandatory for clarifying bone and soft tissue from vessel contrast. This finding was consistent in visualizations using a one-dimensional transfer function where voxel color and opacity was assigned in proportion to CT value and a two-dimensional transfer function where voxel color and opacity was assigned in proportion to CT value and gradient magnitude. This study lays a groundwork for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of anti-angiogenesis preclinical studies using transgenic mice. Mol Imaging (2005) 4, 417–424.
Comparative analysis and relationships of six important crop species chloroplast genomes using whole genome web-based informatics tools

Using informatics tools to compare important species is now feasible as structural genomics continue in importance and establishment of structure-function relationships become a common way of comparative analysis. Currently, many of the technical issues involved in sequencing complete genomes have been solved. The smallness in size of chloroplast genomes facilitates being used for the discovery of disease resistance genes, introgression of important traits in transgenic plants, quantitative trait analysis and phylogenetic studies. Knowledge from this can be extrapolated to important crops like sorghum, millet, taro, and cassava that have not been fully sequenced. This study compared six important crop species using GeneOrder3.0 and CoreGenes2.0 web-based informatics tools using complete chloroplast genomes. Results obtained depict cases of major genome rearrangements, translocation, duplication, inversion and deletion of genes. Members of the poaceae family indicate a close relationship in the nature of conserved sequences while Oryza sativa and Chlorella vulgaris , which are not members of poaceae indicate no synteny. Gene content indicates that there are common sets of putative orthologs across the different species. Zea mays, O. sativa, Nicotiana tabacum, Spinacea oleracea, Triticum aestivum had 71 rows of putative orthologs (355 total) with one hypothetical protein (GI:11465969) in N. tabacum , which is homologous to cemA and ORF230 protein in O. sativa and Z. mays , respectively. There was a clear indication from these sets of putative orthologs that maturase-encoding genes were found only in the terrestrial plants and not in the unicellular organisms. Key Words: Chloroplast genomes; comparative analysis; informatics tools; whole genome; synteny. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 3 (4), 2004: 210-214
Fixed Order Dynamic Optimal Control Design for Robust Stability of Discrete Systems

This paper presents a fixed order dynamic optimal controller design method for robust stability of linear discrete systems. The controller determination includes a stability robustness component in addition to the standard quadratic state and control terms in the performance criterion. The controller design is based on the parameter optimization technique. The resulting controller involves the solution of three algebraic matrix equations, two of which are discrete-time Lyapunov matrix equations.
DEVELOPMENTAL DYSPLASIA OF THE HIP

The essential points regarding screening for and detection of developmental dysplasia of the hip are emphasized. Background information is provided to understand why this entity presents in a variable fashion. This article is not intended to comprehensively cover treatment methodology for the orthopedic surgeon. Instead, the information provided is meant to aid the primary care practitioner in identification of the problem and in supporting the family during the treatment process when an abnormality is detected.