cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence-based Medicine and Patient-centered Care: Cross-Disciplinary Challenges and Healthcare Information Technology-enabled Solutions

Despite considerable promise, the pursuit of evidence-based medicine in a patient-centered care context faces special challenges stemming from the cross-disciplinary nature of this context; these challenges have thus far remained underexplored. This paper reports an in-depth qualitative research study in a large urban hospital system to investigate and characterize these challenges and to identify ways in which healthcare information technologies can help overcome and characterize them. The findings show that healthcare providers spanning different professions and hierarchical levels in the organization have varied views of what evidence-based medicine is and the value they expect it to provide in patient-centered care. These perceptive differences create problems in interdisciplinary collaboration when evidence-based medicine is pursued in patient-centered care contexts. Healthcare information technologies, such as electronic medical records and associated decision support technologies, help alleviate these challenges by fulfilling multiple roles, such as enabling compliance monitoring and behavior modification, patient-centric education and cross-functional communication. Challenges arising from healthcare information technologies in the pursuit of evidence-based medicine in patient-centered care contexts are also uncovered. Several implications, emerging from this study, for improving the use of evidence-based medicine in patient-centered care, are discussed.
Protection of human health from mixtures of radionuclides and chemicals in drinking water

This study was undertaken to develop a common scale for evaluating health risks from contaminated drinking water. For different agents, many unrealistic models of risk have been used. By intent, regulatory toxicology depends on “data-sparse, model-intensive” analogies from exotic animal genetics and novel exposures (NCRP 1989). The question is, does a risk evaluation so derived have any predictive validity? Absence of data prevents answer because regulatory toxicology rationalizes in step-by-step logic, which we callabsolute (i.e., predicts cases of disease in a population). Absolute models ensure safety, but do so at the cost of realism. In contrast, we makerelative comparisons in the manner of horsepower or RBE from radiation biology. All pollutants are assumed to contribute to toxic injury. Next, relative potencies are linked to the most credible standards. Thus, experience is transferred from well-studied chemicals to the new chemical by “data-intensive, model-sparse” methods. This logos provides much relative precision. Then, pollutants are compared with: (1) common foodstuffs, (2) ambient radiation background, or (3) utility-pure drinking water. Finally, an assessment is made for a waste disposal area.
Deconstructing obesity: the face of fatness before and after the discovery of leptin

The prevalence and severity of obesity have increased to epidemic proportions around the globe, and over two-thirds of the US population grapples with either being overweight or obese. Obesity and its comorbidities not only subtract from quality of overall life, but also claim a substantial cost to life. In this edition of ‘Then and now’, two seminal papers by D.L. Coleman, ‘The influence of genetic background on the expression of the obese (ob) gene in the mouse’ and ‘Effects of parabiosis of obese with diabetes and normal mice’, which featured in Diabetologia in 1973, are appraised for their merit and foresight regarding the present eruption of research into what has consequently been labelled ‘the metabolic syndrome’. These two studies determined that a then-unknown circulating factor was responsible for the obese/diabetic state of the ob/ob mouse by using a parabiosis model. This circulating factor was later dubbed ‘leptin’. The present commentary juxtaposes the astute deduction and simple methods used over 35 years ago and modern research methods as we go forth in our effort to successfully treat and prevent obesity, diabetes and their co-morbidities.
COMPARATIVE ANATOMY OF THE WOODS OF THE MELIACEAE

A study of the correlation between the gross morphological and anatomical characters of certain families has as yet received little consideration. Systematic botanists have disregarded almost entirely the anatomical characters of the stem in their present schemes of classification. This may be due to the fact that wood samples are rather difficult to obtain and prepare for study, or to the general consensus of opinion that no correlation exists between morphological and anatomical characters. There is no doubt, however, that anatomical study will bring to light many important facts which will be of value to the systematic botanist in clearing up doubtful points. In the study of the comparative anatomy of the woods of the Juglandaceae by the author (9), for example, several facts of this sort were discovered, namely: (i) that the woods of Apocarya and Eucarya are easily separable; (2) that the woods of Juglans are divided into two distinct groups which correspond with the two groups separated by the structure of the nut; (3) that there is a difference in wood structure between the two sections Oreomitnnea and Pterilema of the genus Engelhardtia; and (4) that Alfaroa belongs with the Oreomunnea section of Engelhardtia. Similar examples could be cited from other families. In cases where investigators have been unable to find anatomical characters of taxonomic value they have usually either been working with groups which were more or less artificial and heterogeneous (like the Magnoliaceae in the earlier sense) or have endeavored to use for diagnostic purposes single isolated characters rather than a particular combination of characters. The present investigation was undertaken in an endeavor to throw light on the classification of the Meliaceae by a study of the comparative anatomy of the wood of its species, supplementing data from this source by facts from gross morphology. One hundred and twelve species of the family, representing 36 genera, were studied.
A symmetric family of Yang-Mills fields

We examine a family of finite energySO(3) Yang-Mills connections overS4, indexed by two real parameters. This family includes both smooth connections (when both parameters are odd integers), and connections with a holonomy singularity around 1 or 2 copies ofRP2. These singular YM connections interpolate between the smooth solutions. Depending on the parameters, the curvature may be self-dual, anti-self-dual, or neither. For the (anti)self-dual connections, we compute the formal dimension of the moduli space. For the non-self-dual connections we examine the second variation of the Yang-Mills functional, and count the negative and zero eigenvalues. Each component of the non-self-dual moduli space appears to consist only of conformal copies of a single solution.
Politics and Teacher Education Reform

Changing schools and teacher prepara tion programs involves political, economic, social, and educational reform. The rationale for a multifaceted approach to reform is simple according to Corrigan:...
Sa1469 Impact of Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage in Patients Receiving Percutaneous Coronary Stents for Acute Myocardial Infarction in the United States

hemorrhage (GIB) is an unfortunate byproduct of efforts to reduce the risk of ischemic complications during management of acute myocardial infarction. This study aims to evaluate the impact of GIB on outcomes for patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction and those who subsequently received PCI. Methods: An analysis was performed on the 2008 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), the largest all-payer inpatient care database which covers 1051 hospitals across 45 States. Cases were identified using multi-level diagnoses from the Healthcare Utilization Project Clinical Classification Software, including acute myocardial infarction [100], the principle diagnosis, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage [153.]. National estimates were obtained by multiplying by NIS-sample weights. Univariate analysis was performed to assess the impact of GIB on median length of stay and costs per hospitalization calculated using CMS cost-to-charge ratios. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate the impact of GIB on mortality adjusted for age, gender and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) mortality risk index. A subgroup analysis was performed on the impact of GIB in patients who received PCI. Results: In 2008, there were a total of 644,657 (standard error 21,988) admissions with the principle diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. The mean age of those admitted was 71 years old (interquartile range 59, 81). Men compromised the majority of the cohort, 366,165 (56.8%). All-cause gastrointestinal hemorrhage was seen in 29,010 patients (4.5%). Length of stay was longer for patients with gastrointestinal hemorrhage, median 7 days (4, 13) versus 4 days (2, 8) (Wilcoxon p 0.0001). Total cost per hospitalization was also significantly higher in admissions with gastrointestinal hemorrhage, $18,291 (IRQ $10905, $34305) versus $14,170 ($7877, $23189) (Wilcoxon p 0.0001). In multivariable logistic regression, all-cause GIB was an independent risk factor for increased mortality (OR 1.177, CI 1.111-1.247) after adjusting for age, gender and AHRQ mortality risk index. Percutaneous coronary intervention was associated with decreased mortality (OR 0.518, CI 0.491-0.547). Conclusions: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage remains a significant complication in the setting of acute myocardial infarction. The development of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in the setting of acute myocardial infarction is associated with a significantly increased length of stay, overall cost and mortality.
Immunology and ocular manifestations of giant cell arteritis.

(1997). Immunology and ocular manifestations of giant cell arteritis. Ocular Immunology and Inflammation: Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 141-146.
Retrospective analysis of missed polyps and adenomas on colonoscopy at Dayton Veteran Affairs Medical Center

Retrospective analysis of missed polyps and adenomas on colonoscopy at Dayton Veteran Affairs Medical Center
Myeloperoxidase-catalyzed redox-cycling of phenol promotes lipid peroxidation and thiol oxidation in HL-60 cells.

Abstract Various types of cancer occur in peroxidase-rich target tissues of animals exposed to aryl alcohols and amines. Unlike biotransformation by cytochrome P450 enzymes, peroxidases activate most substrates by one-electron oxidation via radical intermediates. This work analyzed the peroxidase-dependent formation of phenoxyl radicals in HL-60 cells and its contribution to cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. The results showed that myeloperoxidase-catalyzed redox cycling of phenol in HL-60 cells led to intracellular formation of glutathionyl radicals detected as GS-DMPO nitrone. Formation of thiyl radicals was accompanied by rapid oxidation of glutathione and protein-thiols. Analysis of protein sulfhydryls by SDS-PAGE revealed a significant oxidation of protein SH-groups in HL-60 cells incubated in the presence of phenol/H2O2 that was inhibited by cyanide and azide. Additionally, cyanide- and azide-sensitive generation of EPR-detectable ascorbate radicals was observed during incubation of HL-60 cell homogenates in the presence of ascorbate and H2O2. Oxidation of thiols required addition of H2O2 and was inhibited by pretreatment of cells with the inhibitor of heme synthesis, succinylacetone. Radical-driven oxidation of thiols was accompanied by a trend toward increased content of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine in the DNA of HL-60 cells. Membrane phospholipids were also sensitive to radical-driven oxidation as evidenced by a sensitive fluorescence HPLC-assay based on metabolic labeling of phospholipids with oxidation-sensitive cis-parinaric acid. Phenol enhanced H2O2-dependent oxidation of all classes of phospholipids including cardiolipin, but did not oxidize parinaric acid–labeled lipids without addition of H2O2. Induction of a significant hypodiploid cell population, an indication of apoptosis, was detected after exposure to H2O2 and was slightly but consistently and significantly higher after exposure to H2O2/phenol. The clonogenicity of HL-60 cells decreased to the same extent after exposure to H2O2 or H2O2/phenol. Treatment of HL-60 cells with either H2O2 or H2O2/phenol at concentrations adequate for lipid peroxidation did not cause a detectable increase in chromosomal breaks. Detection of thiyl radicals as well as rapid oxidation of thiols and phospholipids in viable HL-60 cells provide strong evidence for redox cycling of phenol in this bone marrow-derived cell line.
The effects of maternal plasma dobutamine levels on fetal oxygenation in anaesthetized sheep.

Abstract Objective To measure the effects of dobutamine infusion on fetal oxygenation during isoflurane anaesthesia in pregnant ewes. Study design Prospective randomized experimental study. Animals Seven clinically normal adult pregnant Rambouillet-Dorset cross ewes with fetuses of 117–122 days gestational age. Methods The ewes were anaesthetized with ketamine (2 mg kg −1 ) IM, and isoflurane (F E′ISO 2.0%) in oxygen. After instrumentation and stabilization, dobutamine was infused at 4 µg kg −1 minute −1 for 60 minutes and 10 µg kg −1 minute −1 for 60 minutes in random order, separated by a 20-minute washout period. Catheters were placed in the maternal and fetal carotid arteries; these were used for continuous blood pressure measurement and intermittent blood sampling. Results Maternal mean systemic carotid arterial pressure was 60 mm Hg prior to dobutamine infusion. After 5 minutes of dobutamine infusion, fetal oxygen saturation increased ( p −1 minute −1 and to 0.70 (0.20–0.73) at a dose of 10 µg kg −1 minute −1 . These increases were maintained during the infusion and were not significantly different between doses. Maternal oxygen saturation remained constant at 1.0 before and during all infusions. Although maternal heart rate and blood pressure increased ( p p Conclusions Dobutamine at 4 µg kg −1 minute −1 increases fetal oxygenation that is not improved by a dose of 10 µg kg −1 minute −1 . This increase is largely due to an increase in maternal haemoglobin concentration that, in turn, increases oxygen delivery to the placenta. Clinical relevance The use of dobutamine to treat hypotension in pregnant sheep during isoflurane anaesthesia improves fetal oxygenation. This may be true in other species.
The Changing Urban Landscapes of Media Consumption and Production

A b s t r A c t j Questions of change have always been at the forefront of the social sciences. The article addresses the question of the adequacy of media and communication studies theories through looking at change in both a concrete environment and more generally in terms of linking this example with wider debates concerning social changes in the world of work. The example stems from a study on Wi-Fi cafe environments, in which work does play an important role. To introduce this topic, the article begins by discussing cafe environments overall and Wi-Fi cafes in particular, as well as the seemingly old-fashioned concept of telework. It then briefly presents the study as such, before discussing possible frameworks: the question of the public sphere on the one hand and of concpets such as ‘digital boheme’ to describe emerging work forms on the other hand. The latter is taken to be the more appropriate framework. This is also the answer to the question of which media and communication studies theories appear to be adequate for analysing such changes. j
Unusual intron conservation near tissue-regulated exons found by splicing microarrays.

Alternative splicing contributes to both gene regulation and protein diversity. To discover broad relationships between regulation of alternative splicing and sequence conservation, we applied a systems approach, using oligonucleotide microarrays designed to capture splicing information across the mouse genome. In a set of 22 adult tissues, we observe differential expression of RNA containing at least two alternative splice junctions for about 40% of the 6,216 alternative events we could detect. Statistical comparisons identify 171 cassette exons whose inclusion or skipping is different in brain relative to other tissues and another 28 exons whose splicing is different in muscle. A subset of these exons is associated with unusual blocks of intron sequence whose conservation in vertebrates rivals that of protein-coding exons. By focusing on sets of exons with similar regulatory patterns, we have identified new sequence motifs implicated in brain and muscle splicing regulation. Of note is a motif that is strikingly similar to the branchpoint consensus but is located downstream of the 5′ splice site of exons included in muscle. Analysis of three paralogous membrane-associated guanylate kinase genes reveals that each contains a paralogous tissue-regulated exon with a similar tissue inclusion pattern. While the intron sequences flanking these exons remain highly conserved among mammalian orthologs, the paralogous flanking intron sequences have diverged considerably, suggesting unusually complex evolution of the regulation of alternative splicing in multigene families.
Den selection by the spiny lobster Panulirus argus : testing attraction to conspecific odors in the field

The spiny lobster Panulirus argus is a model organism in laboratory studies of olfaction, but little is known about how these animals use odor cues in the field. Juvenile spiny lobsters aggre- gate in dens, a behavior that may be mediated via chemical attraction to conspecific odor cues. To test this hypothesis, we developed a submersible system capable of perfusing odors of live spiny lobsters into experimental den sites within a natural reef setting. Using this system, we tested the effect of conspecific odor on aggregative behavior by measuring the frequency of attraction of lobsters to den sites perfused with either conspecific odor or natural seawater. We found that juvenile spiny lobsters were attracted preferentially to dens perfused with conspecific odor: scented dens captured an aver- age of 2.0 lobsters den -1 wk -1 and control dens captured an average of 0.60 lobsters den -1 wk -1 . How- ever, the distribution of the numbers of lobsters attracted to dens each day did not depart significantly from that predicted by a Poisson distribution, indicating that each capture was independent of all oth- ers. Our data thus suggest that the odor of conspecifics can act as an aggregation cue by spiny lob- sters under field conditions, even in the absence of other sensory cues.
Mechanism-based disease progression modeling of type 2 diabetes in Goto-Kakizaki rats

The dynamics of aging and type 2 diabetes (T2D) disease progression were investigated in normal [Wistar-Kyoto (WKY)] and diabetic [Goto-Kakizaki (GK)] rats and a mechanistic disease progression model was developed for glucose, insulin, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) changes over time. The study included 30 WKY and 30 GK rats. Plasma glucose and insulin, blood glucose and HbA1c concentrations and hematological measurements were taken at ages 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks. A mathematical model described the development of insulin resistance (IR) and β-cell function with age/growth and diabetes progression. The model utilized transit compartments and an indirect response model to quantitate biomarker changes over time. Glucose, insulin and HbA1c concentrations in WKY rats increased to a steady-state at 8 weeks due to developmental changes. Glucose concentrations at 4 weeks in GK rats were almost twice those of controls, and increased to a steady-state after 8 weeks. Insulin concentrations at 4 weeks in GK rats were similar to controls, and then hyperinsulinemia occurred until 12–16 weeks of age indicating IR. Subsequently, insulin concentrations in GK rats declined to slightly below WKY controls due to β-cell failure. HbA1c showed a delayed increase relative to glucose. Modeling of HbA1c was complicated by age-related changes in hematology in rats. The diabetes model quantitatively described the glucose/insulin inter-regulation and HbA1c production and reflected the underlying pathogenic factors of T2D—IR and β-cell dysfunction. The model could be extended to incorporate other biomarkers and effects of various anti-diabetic drugs.
Non-human Primate and Rat Cardiac Fibroblasts Show Similar Extracellular Matrix-related and Cellular Adhesion Gene Responses to Substance P

Background The sensory nerve neuropeptide substance P (SP) regulates cardiac fibrosis in rodents under pressure overload conditions. Interestingly, SP induces transient increased expression of specific genes in isolated rat cardiac fibroblasts, without resultant changes in cell function. This suggests that SP ‘primes’ fibroblasts, but does not directly activate them. We investigated whether these unusual findings are specific to rodent fibroblasts or are translatable to a larger animal model more closely related to humans. Methods We compared the effects of SP on genes associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) regulation, cell-cell adhesion, cell-matrix adhesion and ECM in cardiac fibroblasts isolated from a non-human primate and Sprague-Dawley rats. Results We found that rodent and non-human primate cardiac fibroblasts showed similar responses in genes that relate to ECM regulation and cell adhesion in response to SP. There were large discrepancies in ECM component genes, however, this did not result in collagen or laminin synthesis in rat or non-human primate fibroblasts in response to SP. Conclusions This study further supports the notion that SP serves as a ‘primer’ for fibroblasts rather than initiating direct effects and suggests that rodent fibroblasts are a suitable model for studying gene and functional responses to SP in the absence of human or non-human primate fibroblasts.
Ab initio study of ZnSe and CdTe semiconductor quantum dots

We apply first principles density functional and time dependent density functional computational methods to study the structures, densities of states, absorption spectra, and optical gaps of spherical ZnSe and CdTe semiconductor quantum dots in the size range 0.3–2.2 nm. Our calculations are performed in real space without an explicit basis. The surfaces of the quantum dots are passivated with partially charged hydrogen atoms. We find that this passivation technique effectively removes the electronic states associated with the surface atoms from the gaps of ZnSe and CdTe nanocrystals, but does not affect the energies of the quantum-confined electronic states. Our study shows that the absorption gaps of ZnSe and CdTe quantum dots decrease with increasing dot diameter. The size-dependent variations of the computed optical gaps in surface-passivated ZnSe and CdTe quantum dots are found to be consistent with the effects of quantum confinement observed in group IV and group III–V semiconductor nanocrystals.
Fuzzy-inferenced decisionmaking under uncertainty and incompleteness

An outstanding problem is how to make decisions with uncertain and incomplete data from disparate sources without NP-hard algorithms. Here we introduce a new reasoning methodology, fuzzy-inferenced decisionmaking (FIND), to solve this problem in polynomial time. In this methodology, a fuzzy-belief-state base (FBSB) is created from historical data of the states of a system by clustering the set of values for each state variable into three clusters upon whose center fuzzy set membership functions LOW, MEDIUM and HIGH are defined. The FBSB is mined for fuzzy association rules using the fuzzy set memberships to infer values for the missing data via these rules. When given an incomplete and uncertain observation of the system state, the observed state is completed via fuzzy association rules. Then each case in the FBSB is matched against the inference-completed observation to retrieve the best matching fuzzy belief state record that contains a decision as an extra variable. The process is analogous to case-based reasoning, but it uses fuzzification to ameliorate uncertainty and to complete missing data. The test results on real world data prove the effectiveness of this methodology.
New Space Shift Keying Modulation with Hamming Code-Aided Constellation Design

A modulation scheme that maps the information onto the antenna indices, such as space shift keying (SSK) and its generalized form (namely, generalized SSK or GSSK), presents an attractive option for the emerging large-scale MIMO system due to the reduced algorithm and hardware cost. In this letter, we present a new modulation scheme in this category, where we propose use of the Hamming code construction technique to systematically design the constellation. An illustrative example and experimental studies demonstrate that the proposed scheme introduces rich design flexibility and achieves better transmission rate, performance, and power tradeoffs with comparable hardware costs as compared with existing schemes.
IDENTIFICATION AND CLONING OF HUMAN PLACENTAL BIKUNIN, A NOVEL SERINE PROTEASE INHIBITOR CONTAINING TWO KUNITZ DOMAINS

Interrogation of the public expressed sequence tag (EST) data base with the sequence of preproaprotinin identified ESTs encoding two potential new members of the Kunitz family of serine protease inhibitors. Through reiterative interrogation, an EST contig was obtained, the consensus sequence from which encoded both of the novel Kunitz domains in a single open reading frame. This consensus sequence was used to direct the isolation of a full-length cDNA clone from a placental library. The resulting cDNA sequence predicted a 252-residue protein containing a putative NH2-terminal signal peptide followed sequentially by each of the two Kunitz domains within a 170-residue ectodomain, a putative transmembrane domain, and a 31-residue hydrophilic COOH terminus. The gene for this putative novel protein was mapped by use of a radiation hybrid panel to chromosome 19q13, and Northern analysis showed that the corresponding mRNA was expressed at high levels in human placenta and pancreas and at lower levels in brain, lung, and kidney. An endogenous soluble form of this protein, which was designated as placental bikunin, was highly purified from human placenta by sequential kallikrein-Sepharose affinity, gel filtration, and C18 reverse-phase chromatography. The natural protein exhibited the same NH2 terminus as predicted from the cloned cDNA and inhibited trypsin, plasma kallikrein, and plasmin with IC50 values in the nanomolar range.
INCREASING ENGAGEMENT IN DAILY ACTIVITIES BY OLDER ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA

This study analyzed the effects of nursing assistants' use of prompts and praise to increase the engagement of older adults with dementia in daily living activities. The multiple baseline design across morning and afternoon work shifts showed consistent increases in engagement by each of the 5 residents during the intervention. These results suggest that increasing prompts and praise by nursing assistants may, in turn, increase the rate of engagement of older adults with dementia.
Increased Insertion of Glutamate Receptor 2-Lacking α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole Propionic Acid (AMPA) Receptors at Hippocampal Synapses upon Repeated Morphine Administration

Evidence suggests that the long-term adaptations in the hippocampus after repeated drug treatment may parallel its role during memory formation. The neuroplasticity that subserves learning and memory is also believed to underlie addictive processes. We have reported previously that repeated morphine administration alters local distribution of endocytic proteins at hippocampal synapses, which could in turn affect expression of glutamate receptors. Glutamatergic systems, including α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptors (AMPARs), are believed to be involved in opiate-induced neuronal and behavioral plasticity, although the mechanisms underlying these effects are only beginning to be understood. The present study further examines the effects of repeated morphine administration on the expression and composition of AMPARs and the functional ramifications. Twelve hours after the last morphine injection, we observed an increased expression of AMPARs lacking glutamate receptor (GluR) 2 in hippocampal synaptic fractions. Immunoblotting studies show that 12 h after morphine treatment, GluR1 subunits are increased at the postsynaptic density (PSD) and at extrasynaptic sites, whereas GluR3 subunits are only increased at the PSD, and they show how this alters receptor subunit composition. In addition, we provide electrophysiological evidence that AMPARs are switched to Ca2+-permeable (GluR2-lacking) at the synapse 12 h after repeated morphine treatment, affecting the magnitude of long-term depression at hippocampal neurons. We propose that morphine-induced changes in glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the hippocampus may play an important role in the neuroadaptations induced by repeated morphine administration.
Transposon-Mediated Transgenesis in the Short-Lived African Killifish Nothobranchius furzeri, a Vertebrate Model for Aging

The African killifish Nothobranchius furzeri is the shortest-lived vertebrate that can be bred in captivity. N. furzeri comprises several wild-derived strains with striking differences in longevity ranging from 3 to 9 months, which makes it a powerful vertebrate model for aging research. The short life cycle of N. furzeri should also facilitate studies on adult traits that are specific to vertebrates. Although progress has been made to generate a genetic linkage map and to start sequencing the genome of N. furzeri, tools to genetically manipulate this species of fish have not yet been developed. Here, we report the first establishment of transgenesis in N. furzeri. We use the Tol2 transposase system to generate transgenic N. furzeri that express green fluorescent protein driven by the Xenopus cytoskeletal actin promoter or the zebrafish heat-shock protein 70 promoter. We successfully generate stable transgenic lines of N. furzeri with germline transmission of integrated transgene. The development of transgenesis in N. furzeri provides a powerful tool to investigate the mechanisms underlying aging and longevity in a short-lived vertebrate model. Transgenesis in this fish will also facilitate the study of other phenotypes, including adult tissue regeneration and cognitive behavior.
How (not) to write research papers in agroforestry

Communication of research results is an integral part of research. The most recognized way of doing that is through well-presented publications. In order to get published, papers should be written well; but many writers, especially early-career professionals, have difficulty with that. This paper presents some of the common problems the author has come across in his capacity as the Editor-in-Chief of Agroforestry Systems and suggests ways for alleviating them. Journal articles are the most important type of scientific publication; others include book chapters, reviews, research notes, books, and monographs. Most journal articles are presented in the IMRAD format: Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, and Discussion; other sections such as title, abstract, and references are also important. Each has specific norms and do’s and don’ t’s to follow. Different journals and disciplines have different norms and styles, but the bottom line for all is that scientific writing should be clear, concise, and coherent. Various style manuals and books are available. Additionally, each journal has its own Instructions to Authors, which should be followed while preparing the manuscript. The manuscript should be got reviewed by as many colleagues as possible and scrutinized by a science editor before it is submitted to the journal.
Successful epidural anesthesia for cesarean section in a parturient with severe aortic stenosis and a recent history of pulmonary edema—a case report

We report a 24-year-old 36-week gestation parturient with severe aortic stenosis who developed pulmonary edema during amniocentesis and subsequently underwent a successful cesarean section under epidural anesthesia. Anesthetic management and some pertinent points are discussed.
Generalized Data Transformations for Enhancing Cache Behavior

The performance gap between processors and off-chip memories has widened in the last years and is expected to widen even more. Today, it is widely accepted that caches improve significantly the performance of programs, since most of the programs exhibit temporal and/or spatial locality in their memory reference patterns. However, conflict misses can be a major obstacle preventing an application from utilizing the data cache effectively. While array padding can reduce conflict misses it can also increase the data space requirements significantly. In this paper, we present a compiler-based data transformation strategy, called the "generalized data transformations," for reducing inter-array conflict misses in embedded applications. We present the theory behind the generalized data transformations and discuss how they can be integrated with compiler-based loop transformations. Our experimental results demonstrate that the generalized data transformations are very effective in improving data cache behavior of embedded applications.
Augment SCTP multi-streaming with pluggable scheduling

Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) introduces the multi-streaming feature to avoid the head-of-line (HOL) blocking problem of TCP and facilitate the transport of signaling messages over the Internet. However, the current protocol specification does not define how multiple streams should be scheduled and implementations are different across platforms. They typically choose either round-robin or first-come-first-served. Such fixed choices may not satisfy the demands of different applications and limit the flexibility of the protocol. In this paper, we propose to augment the multi-streaming feature of SCTP with pluggable scheduling so that users can customize the multi-stream scheduling algorithm of SCTP to satisfy their application-specific demands. We implement our proposal in the Linux kernel and show that this extension greatly increases the flexibility of SCTP and brings visible performance enhancements. This is the first work that demonstrates the effectiveness of pluggable SCTP multi-stream scheduling through real implementations and testbed experiments. Our proposal requires modifications only on the sender side and incurs no interoperability or fairness problems. Hence, it is safe and convenient to be deployed in the current Internet.
International Trade In Forest Products

The 21st century continues a trend of rapid growth in both international trade of forest products and a concern for forests. These two trends are connected. Forces causing trade growth are linked to the loss of native forest resources in some countries and the accumulation of nonnative forest resources in other countries. Factors increasing trade include relaxation of trade barriers, income growth, and improvements in wood growing, harvest, and manufacturing technologies. But environmental concerns are increasing as consumer preferences change, and as native forests recede and plantation forests become more prominent.
COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON RESPIRATION : XIX. A PRELIMINARY STAGE IN THE PROGRESS OF ETHER ANESTHESIA.

Using these concentrations of ether (1 per cent, 3.65 per cent, 7.3 per cent), the following conclusions may be drawn. 1. The first effect of ether is to cause a depression in the rate of respiration. This is followed by a rapid rise above normal, which in turn is succeeded by a fall. 2. With all these concentrations the respiration is ultimately reduced to approximately the same level; the stronger the ether, the less time required to produce this result. 3. Even when the respiration has been reduced below normal, recovery is possible on removal from the ether, and appears to be complete, if sufficient time is allowed. If, however, the rate has been too far depressed, no recovery is possible. 4. These results extend those of Irwin on frog eggs and Fundulus embryos.
Structure of a Depression Measure among American Indian Elders: Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the CES-D Scale:

This research examines differences in depressive symptomology among urban, rural off-reservation, and reservation-residing American Indians, age 55 years or older, of the eastern Great Lakes region. It analyzes the measurement structure of one commonly used depression scale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and tests alternative models for the full sample (N = 277) as well as the three residential strata. Findings show that a 12-item version developed by Liang et al. for use with Mexican Americans provided a superior fit over the original 20-item version. The shortened scale included items more conceptually valid for this American Indian population. Furthermore, tests of invariance revealed that only the 12-item version had similar factor structures and factor loadings across the three residential strata.
Online time delay estimation of pulsar signals for relative navigation using adaptive filters

Relative navigation of spacecrafts may be accomplished by observing X-ray sources and indirectly determining the spacecraftspsila relative position. In this approach, two spacecrafts lock on a known pulsar which irradiates X-ray waveforms that reach them with a differential time delay that is proportional to the distance between the spacecrafts. By observing different pulsar sources geometrically distributed over the galactic disc, it is possible to determine the spacecraftspsila relative inertial position. Our goal is to estimate their relative position by Time Delay Estimation (TDE) between the detected signals. Although there are several off-line TDE methods, like the basic cross-correlation (BCC) and the generalized cross-correlation (GCC) techniques, in this work we formulate TDE as a channel estimation problem and apply adaptive filtering techniques to estimate the time delay online. There are certain benefits in using adaptive filters, especially when the underlying parameters like signalspsila statistics are unknown or change over time. We study different adaptive algorithms and show how they are able to efficiently deliver accurate delay estimates at reduced computational complexity and in real time.
Emittance growth study using 3DE code for the ERL injector cavities with various coupler configurations

We compute emittance growth in electron bunches in high gradient accelerating cavities due to field nonlinearities and phase dependence associated with the finite bunch length. The determination of the emittance is based on tracking of individual particles through tabulated, 3-dimensional, electromagnetic fields. No symmetry is assumed. The fields for the structure, including input coupler, are calculated using MAFIA or MWS[CST Microwave Studio, User Guide, CSTGmbH, Budinger Str. D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany]. We examine particle trajectories RF focusing and emittance growth of injector cavities with various coupler configurations under study for Cornell Energy-Recovery-Linac proposal [V.Shemelin, SRF notes 021028-08].
West Nile Virus Entry Requires Cholesterol-Rich Membrane Microdomains and Is Independent of αvβ3 Integrin

West Nile virus (WNV) has been the leading cause of viral encephalitis in the United States since 1999. The endocytic processes involved in the internalization of infectious WNV by various cell types are not well characterized, and the involvement of cholesterol-rich membrane microdomains, or lipid rafts, in the life cycle of WNV has not been investigated previously. In this study, we found that the depletion of cellular cholesterol levels by brief treatment with methyl-β-cyclodextrin resulted in a 100-fold reduction of the titers of infectious WNV released into the culture supernatant, as well as a reduction in the number of WNV genome copies in the cholesterol-depleted cells. The addition of exogenous cholesterol to cholesterol-depleted cells reversed this effect. Cholesterol depletion postinfection did not affect WNV growth, suggesting that the effect occurs at the level of WNV entry. We also showed that while WNV entry did not require αvβ3 integrin and focal adhesion kinase, WNV particles failed to be internalized by cholesterol-depleted cells. Finally, we showed the colocalization of the WNV envelope protein and cholera toxin B, which is internalized in a lipid raft-dependent pathway, in microdomain clusters at the plasma membrane. These data suggest that WNV utilizes lipid rafts during initial stages of internalization and that the lipid rafts may contain a factor(s) that may enhance WNV endocytosis.
Two Visualization Tools for Analyzing Agent-Based Simulations in Political Science

Agent-based modeling has become a key technique for modeling and simulating dynamic, complicated behaviors in the social and political sciences. Although many robust toolkits for developing and running these simulations exist, systems that support analysis of their results are few and tend to be overly general. So, social scientists have had difficulty interpreting the results of their increasingly complex simulations. To help bridge this gap between data generation and interpretation, researchers collaborated with political science analysts to design two tools for interactive data exploration and domain-specific data analysis. Testing by the analysts validated that these tools provided an efficient framework to explore individual trajectories and the relationships between variables. The tools also supported hypothesis generation by enabling analysts to group simulations according to multidimensional similarity and drill down to investigate further.
Cutting Edge: Secondary Lymphoid Organs Are Essential for Maintaining the CD4, But Not CD8, Naive T Cell Pool

Despite declining thymic output with age, the peripheral naive T cell pool of an adult animal remains remarkably stable. Therefore, a central question in immunology is how the naive T cell pool is maintained. Here we show that the maintenance of the naive CD4, but not CD8, T cell population in the thymectomized adult mouse is dependent on the presence of secondary lymphoid tissues. This finding is explained by the inability of naive CD4 T cells to sustain normal levels of the survival molecule Bcl-2 or to undergo homeostatic proliferation in the absence of secondary lymphoid organs. Thus, naive CD4 T cells must traffic through secondary lymphoid organs to maintain a stable CD4 pool while naive CD8 T cells encounter their survival and proliferation signals outside the organized structures of secondary lymphoid tissues.
Design and study of homogeneous catalysts for the selective, low temperature oxidation of hydrocarbons

The direct, low temperature conversion of hydrocarbons to functionalized products using novel, single site catalysts could lead to technological advances that redefine the landscape of the current materials and energy industries. Natural gas continues to represent a vast source of untapped hydrocarbons around the globe that has the potential to replace or augment petroleum as the raw material for materials and energy. Its abundance has garnered much interest in the scientific community as groups have focused on the catalytic conversion of its major component, methane, to functionalized products. The key requirements is to design new catalysts for the oxidative functionalization of methane that operate at lower temperatures and that also meet the basic requirements of selectivity, rate, and lifetime that characterize useful catalysts. Recent advances in the field of hydrocarbon CH activation have shown the potential for transition metal based coordination catalysts to meet these requirements. Described herein are recent advances in designing catalysts based on the CH activation reaction that address the basic requirements for practical systems with emphasis on the issues that have prevented promising reported systems from becoming commercially viable.
Group-specific small-subunit rRNA hybridization probes to characterize filamentous foaming in activated sludge systems

Foaming in activated sludge systems is characterized by the formation of a thick, chocolate brown-colored scum that floats on the surface of aeration basins and secondary clarifiers. These viscous foams have been associated with the presence of filamentous mycolic acid-containing actinomycetes. To aid in evaluating the microbial representation in foam, we developed and characterized group-, genus-, and species-specific oligonucleotide probes targeting the small subunit rRNA of the Mycobacterium complex, Gordona spp., and Gordona (Nocardia) amarae, respectively. The use of a universal base analog, 5-nitroindole, in oligonucleotide probe design was evaluated by comparing the characteristics of two different versions of the Mycobacterium complex probe. The temperature of dissociation of each probe was determined. Probe specificity studies with a diverse collection of 67 target and nontarget rRNAs demonstrated the specificity of the probes to the target groups. Whole-cell hybridizations with fluorescein- and rhodamine-labeled probes were performed with pure cultures of various members of the Mycobacterium complex as well as with environmental samples from a full-scale activated sludge plant which experienced foaming. Quantitative membrane hybridizations with activated sludge and anaerobic digester foam showed that 15.0 to 18.3% of the total small-subunit rRNAs could be attributed to members of the Mycobacterium complex, of which a vast majority consisted of Gordona rRNA. Several G. amarae strains made up only a very small percentage of the Gordona strains present. We demonstrated that group-specific rRNA probes are useful tools for the in situ monitoring and identification of filamentous bacteria in activated sludge systems.
Perceptions of Leadership Skills as an Indicator of a Community's Social Capital

The leaders of two local and regional organizations, Cooperative Extension Service (CES) and Workforce Development Board (WDB), were surveyed to determine their perceptions of the leadership skills of each other as an indicator of the social capital within the community. Results showed the majority of both groups did not know if their counterparts possessed basic leadership abilities that included communication skills, task and maintenance skills, conflict management, etc. However, neither group gave the other low ratings on any of the skills. The implications of these findings are that there is little interaction between these two groups on local and regional projects and programs. This suggests the social capital that results when local leaders interact and influence other parts of the community is not being realized and thus is not utilized for local and regional initiatives to the extent that it could be.
Modeling and feedforward control of a large-range, piezo nano-stepper

This article aims to improve the positioning performance of piezo-based nano-steppers, which have both large range and high-precision. The main contribution of this article is to show that model-based feedforward input can improve the performance of piezo-based nano-steppers by enabling operation at higher frequencies.