cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prostatitis: predictive value of post-massage urine leukocyte count for AIP.

An article in The Journal of Urology addresses a frustrating feature of PSA-based prostate cancer screening, namely the fact that PSA is a fairly nonspecific marker for cancer. The authors provide a potential diagnostic test for the most common non-cancer diagnosis on prostate biopsy—asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis (AIP)—and recommend its use as a means of avoiding unnecessary prostate biopsies.
Coordination mechanisms with hybrid local policies

Abstract We study coordination mechanisms for scheduling n jobs on m parallel machines where agents representing the jobs interact to generate a schedule. Each agent acts selfishly to minimize the completion time of his/her own job, without considering the overall system performance that is measured by a central objective. The performance deterioration due to the lack of a central coordination, the so-called price of anarchy, is determined by the maximum ratio of the central objective function value of an equilibrium schedule divided by the optimal value. In the first part of the paper, we consider a mixed local policy with some machines using the SPT rule and other machines using the LPT rule. We obtain the exact price of anarchy for the problem of minimizing the makespan and some bounds for the problem of minimizing the total completion time. In the second part of the paper, we consider parallel machine scheduling subject to eligibility constraints. We devise new local policies based on the flexibilities and the processing times of the jobs. We show that the newly devised local policies outperform both the SPT and the LPT rules.
Self Concept and Delinquency: The On-Going Debate.

The Tennessee Self Concept Scale was adminsitered to 243 insitutionalized delinquent males and females to determine (1) if there were significant differences between the self concepts of non-delinquents and confined delinquents and (2) if there are significant differences in the self concepts of the subjects according to months of institutional confinement, age, and sex. Analyses indicated that the subjects have abnormally lower self concepts than non-delinquents and that females and the youngest subjects have significantly lower self concepts than their male and older counter-parts. Subjects confined from 13 through 24 months are significantly more critical of themselves indicating a willingness to recognize what they perceive as negative attributes. Age and sex were the only significant predictors of Total Self Concept, and age was also a significant predictor of perceived Behavior. Sex was a significant predictor of Personal and Family Self scores. Scores indicated that most of the subjects held themse...
Characterization of surface charge and mechanical properties of chitosan/alginate based biomaterials

Abstract This study aims to examine mechanical properties and surface charge characteristics of chitosan/alginate-based films for biomedical applications. By varying the concentrations of chitosan and alginate, we have developed films with varying surface charge densities and mechanical characteristics. The surface charge densities of these films were determined by applying an analytical model on force curves derived from an atomic force microscope (AFM). The average surface charge densities of films containing 60% chitosan and 80% chitosan were found to be − 0.46 mC/m 2 and − 0.32 mC/m 2 , respectively. The surface charge density of 90% chitosan containing films was found to be neutral. The elastic moduli and the water content were found to be decreasing with increasing chitosan concentration. The films with 60%, 80% and 90% chitosan gained 93.5 ± 6.6%, 217.1 ± 22.1% and 396.8 ± 67.5% of their initial weight, respectively. Their elastic moduli were found to be 2.6 ± 0.14 MPa, 1.9 ± 0.27 MPa and 0.93 ± 0.12 MPa, respectively. The trend observed in the mechanical response of these films has been attributed to the combined effect of the concentration of polyelectrolyte complexes (PEC) and the amount of water absorbed. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy experiments indicate the presence of higher alginate on the surface of the films compared to the bulk in all films. The presence of higher alginate on surface is consistent with negative surface charge densities of these films, determined from AFM experiments.
Using query transformation to improve Gnutella search performance

Gnutella peers independently choose the way in which objects are named as well as queried. Using a long term analysis of the files shared and queries issued, we show that this flexibility leads to a mismatch between the way that objects were named and the way that users were issuing search queries. Thirty percent of the failed queries contained keywords that were not present in any file name while the remaining queries failed because no file name contained all the keywords in a particular query. Our earlier analysis of files shared in the popular iTunes music file sharing system showed that standardizing the file names to make them easier to search is not a viable alternative. Instead, we transform the queries to better match the objects available in the system. We investigated spell correction (using file name information from the neighborhood) as well as remove query keywords. We consider the results from the transformed query to be relevant to the intent of the original query if the transformed query used many of the original keywords and the number of matching files closely matched the number of matches for typical successful queries. Our approach is practical and uses information available within the immediate neighborhood of an ultra-peer. An overlay agnostic analysis shows that our transformation improves success rates from 45% to between 72.5% and 91.2%. Using our Hybrid mechanism as a Gnutella middleware, our transformation produced relevant results for about 61% of the failed queries.
How the UN's anti-biotech policies worsen global warming

Numerous United Nations policies and programmes inhibit the development and use of important tools that could help both to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and to conserve water, especially in poorer regions of the world. A prime example is the UN's unscientific, anti-innovative approach to regulating recombinant DNA-modified (or gene-spliced, or ‘genetically modified (GM)’) plants that could both lessen agriculture's ‘carbon footprint’ and help farmers adapt to droughts and water shortages (a predicted outcome of warming). Like much of what transpires within UN agencies and programmes, the regulation of GM organisms and food derived from them defies scientific consensus and common sense. The result is vastly inflated research and development costs, less innovation, and diminished exploitation of superior techniques and products that could promote adaptation to environmental and public health challenges.
Methods in herpetological forensic work — clinical techniques

Biologists, law enforcement officials and veterinarians are routinely called upon to investigate reptile cases for abuse, neglect, illegal importation, and abandonment. While pursuing these situations, it is important that evidence is collected in an organized and systematic way to ensure successful prosecution or to mount a defense. There are different types of evidence that can be amassed to diagnose a disease/condition in a reptile case. Antemortem clinical investigations can be conducted for those cases where the animals are alive, while postmortem examinations should be pursued for animals that have expired. The purpose of this article is to review the common antemortem clinical techniques that can be used for forensic cases. There are a number of clinical diagnostics available for the forensic case, including the physical examination, clinical pathology, parasite diagnostics, infectious disease diagnostics, clinical toxicology, and diagnostic imaging. In addition to the clinical techniques, it is important to review and document the methods used to house and care for the animals. For this, a thorough review of the husbandry practices provided for the animal is needed.
Regulation of IMP3 by EGFR signaling and repression by ERβ: implications for triple-negative breast cancer

Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) mRNA-binding protein 3 (IMP3) is emerging as a useful indicator of the progression and outcome of several cancers. IMP3 expression is associated with triple-negative breast carcinomas (TNBCs), which are aggressive tumors associated with poor outcome. In this study, we addressed the hypothesis that signaling pathways, which are characteristic of TNBCs, impact the expression of IMP3 and that IMP3 contributes to the function of TNBCs. The data obtained reveal that IMP3 expression is repressed specifically by estrogen receptor β (ERβ) and its ligand 3βA-diol but not by ERα. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling and consequent activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway induce IMP3 transcription and expression. Interestingly, we discovered that the EGFR promoter contains an imperfect estrogen response element and that ERβ represses EGFR transcription. These data support a mechanism in which ERβ inhibits IMP3 expression indirectly by repressing the EGFR. This mechanism relates to the biology of TNBC, which is characterized by diminished ERβ and increased EGFR expression. We also demonstrate that IMP3 contributes to the migration and invasion of breast carcinoma cells. Given that IMP3 is an mRNA-binding protein, we determined that it binds several key mRNAs that could contribute to migration and invasion, including CD164 (endolyn) and MMP9. Moreover, expression of these mRNAs is repressed by ERβ and enhanced by EGFR signaling, consistent with our proposed mechanism for the regulation of IMP3 expression in breast cancer cells. Our findings show that IMP3 is an effector of EGFR-mediated migration and invasion and they provide the first indication of how this important mRNA-binding protein is regulated in cancer.
Estimated dTc⧸dP and dTc⧸dσij for the Y1Ba2Cu3O7 superconductor

Abstract For Y 1 Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7 , we estimated the critical-temperature pressure derivative d T c /d P and the three principal uniaxial compressive-stress derivatives d T c /dσ a , d T c /dσ b , d T c /dσ c . These estimates are useful because the measured values, especially d T c /dσ ij , show such strong disagreement. To estimate these thermodynamic quantities, we extended a model of Ohta and coworkers that relates T c to Δ V A , the difference in Madelung energy at the two oxygen sites, apical and planar. We found that d T c /d P is positive, but small: 0.09 K/GPa. For uniaxial-stress, we found that d T c /dσ c : 0.09 K/GPa. Thus, uniaxial compression along the c -axis (bringing together the CuO 2 planes) produces no remarkable change in T c . We found a negative d T c /dσ b : -0.06 K/GPa. This negative value agrees with results derived by Millis and Rabe, and it agrees with T c increasing with an increasing b unit-cell dimension. Plane compressive stress in the a – c plane produces the largest effect: 0.17 K/GPa, twice that for hydrostatic compression.
Selective Thyroid Hormone Receptor Modulators

Thyroid hormone regulates many important processes in vertebrates. Analysis of the symptoms that accompany hypo- and hyperthyroidism, the most common disorders of the thyroid, suggests that there are certain desirable biological effects brought about by an excess or deficiency of thyroid hormone, and that selective thyroid hormone receptor modulators (STRMs) would be potentially useful therapeutic agents. This review will provide an introduction to thyroid hormone biology, and will discuss the chemistry and pharmacology of the first generation STRMs.
Polychlorinated Biphenyl Concentration in Raw and Cooked North Atlantic Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) Fillets

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured before and after fillets of six bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) were cooked. Six cooking treatments were used with one fish per treatment. PCB concentrations ranged between 0.114 and 0.748 mg/kg in raw fish and between 0.102 and 0.315 mg/kg in cooked fish. The average for the raw fish was 0.31 and for the cooked fish was 0.19 mg/kg. PCB concentrations in both raw and cooked fillets were well below levels reported for raw fillets from fish tested in the mid-to-late 1980s and FDA health advisories. A decrease in PCB concentration in four of the six cooking treatments was observed. They included, in order of greatest decrease, smoking > microwave > chrabroiling (skin off) > charbroiling (skin on). There was no change with convection oven baking and pan frying. When adjusted for weight loss during cooking, all cooking methods showed PCB loss (average = 46%). The most effective cooking methods for removing PCBs from bluefish included smoking and microwave baking. T...
Methodological considerations from a Kinsey Institute mixed methods pilot project

Despite the growth of mixed methods, little attention has focused on the specific challenges of conducting mixed methods research on sexual experience and perceptions of sexuality. This paper's purpose is to discuss the exploratory sequential design of, and methodological considerations originally arising from, a mixed methods pilot project that explored the possibility of updating components of Alfred Kinsey's mid-20th century research on US men and women. This pilot project consisted of three phases: (1) cognitive interviews, (2) two modalities of computer-based surveys conducted in two settings with two samples, and (3) debriefing interviews with selected survey participants from phase two coupled with ethnographic observations. We describe the phases, focusing on how multiple methods facilitated the design and assessment of our pilot project. We end by highlighting methodological considerations relevant to our mixed methods approach--phase timing, research environment, longitudinal design, data security and privacy, and cost--and their implications for sexuality researchers.
Bilateral Keratitis in Lyme Disease

Lyme disease, caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, has ophthalmic manifestations. The authors describe two cases of Lyme keratitis characterized by multiple focal, nebular opacities at varying levels of the stroma which may progress to edema, neovascularization, and scarring. Close observation, in addition to systemic antibiotic therapy, may be sufficient if the visual axis is not involved, and the patient is asymptomatic.
The Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II (SAGE II) design and in-orbit performance

The design and in-orbit performance data are presented for the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II (SAGE II) instrument which was launched by Shuttle on the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite. SAGE II is a sun photometer that measures the extinction of solar radiation caused by the earth's atmosphere in seven spectral channels ranging in center wavelength from 0.385 to 1.02 micrometers. These measurements, which occur twice each orbit during satellite sunrise and sunset, are inverted to yield vertical distributions of stratospheric aerosols, ozone, water vapor, and nitrogen dioxide. The SAGE II instrument consists of a Cassegrain telescope with a two axis gimbal mounting, a grating spectrometer, and a 12 bit data system. The instrument tracks the solar centroid in the azimuth plane and vertically scans the instrument's instantaneous field of view across the sun for tangent altitudes ranging from the earth's horizon to 150 km. SAGE II is a third generation instrument following the highly successful Stratospheric Aerosol Measurement II (SAM II) and SAGE I programs.
A bond market timing model

model based paper develops a relative valuation on a market-implied excess risk premium measure relating longto short-term fixed-income yields. A positive excess risk premium favors longover short-term bonds or cash and should result in higher realized total returns. Conversely, a negative excess risk premium favors short-term bonds. This implies an asset allocation skewed toward either longor short-term bonds. This approach is similar to the approach developed in an earlier paper on asset allocation between stocks and bonds, in which I developed a relative valuation model that does not rely on explicit forecasts. Rather, the model uses only current information to indicate when a portfolio should be weighted in favor of stocks or bonds.’ I based my relative valuation approach on two propositions: 1) that investors systematically overor underdiscount future surprises, and 2) that economic environments persist on average for extended periods of time. This model compares a market-implied risk premium measure relating stocks and bonds (which in part reflects their current yield spread) to the corporate/government bond yield spread to gauge whether the former is currently high for stocks relative to bonds favoring stocks or low favoring bonds. If the risk premium embodied in the current yield spread between stocks and bonds is comparable to that reflected in the corporate/government bond yield spread, then stock and bond total returns should also be comparable. Simulations based on historical total rates of return using this asset allocation algorithm supported the model.
Aneuploidy in mammalian somatic cells in vivo.

Abstract Aneuploidy is an important potential source of human disease and of reproductive failure. Nevertheless, the ability of chemical agents to induce aneuploidy has been investigated only sporadically in intact (whole-animal) mammalian systems. A search of the available literature from the EMCT Aneuploidy File (for years 1970–1983) provided 112 papers that dealt with aneuploidy in mammalian somatic cells in vivo. 59 of these papers did not meet minimal criteria for analysis and were rejected from subsequent review. Of the remaining 53 papers that dealt with aneuploidy induction by chemical agents in mammalian somatic cells in vivo, only 3 (6%) contained data that were considered to be supported conclusively by adequate study designs, execution, and reporting. These 3 papers dealt with 2 chemicals, one of which, mercury, was negative for aneuploidy induction in humans, and the other, pyrimethamine, was positive in an experimental rodent study. The majority of papers (94%) were considered inconclusive for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons for calling a study inconclusive were (a) combining data on hyperploidy with those on hypoploidy and/or polyploidy, (b) an inadequate or unspecified number of animals and/or cells per animal scored per treatment group, and (c) poor data presentation such that animal-to-animal variability could not be assessed. Suggestions for protocol development are made, and the future directions of research into aneuploidy induction are discussed.
ISOMER SHIFT AND HYPERFINE SPLITTINGS OF THE 59.6-keV MOESSBAUER RESONANCE IN $sup 237$Np.

The M\"ossbauer resonance of the 59.6-keV transition in $^{237}\mathrm{Np}$ was observed in a variety of chemical compounds, using the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decay of $^{241}\mathrm{Am}$ as a source. The shift of the resonance as a function of the charge state of neptunium, coupled with atomic self-consistent-field calculations for the electron densities at the nucleus, leads to a change in the nuclear charge radius $\frac{\ensuremath{\Delta}〈{r}^{2}〉}{〈{r}^{2}〉}=\ensuremath{-}3.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$. Using the collective nuclear model, this number can be expressed as a change in the nuclear deformation of $\frac{\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\beta}}{{\ensuremath{\beta}}_{0}}=\ensuremath{-}6.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$. All compounds investigated exhibited electric quadrupole or magnetic hyperfine splitting, or both. These data confirmed the earlier results of the ratios of the nuclear moments as $\frac{{g}^{*}}{g}=0.533\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.005$ and $\frac{{Q}^{*}}{Q}=1.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1$.
Six cases of reliability study of Pb-free solder joints in electronic packaging technology

Abstract Solder is widely used to connect chips to their packaging substrates in flip chip technology as well as in surface mount technology. At present, the electronic packaging industry is actively searching for Pb-free solders due to environmental concern of Pb-based solders. Concerning the reliability of Pb-free solders, some electronic companies are reluctant to adopt them into their high-end products. Hence, a review of the reliability behavior of Pb-free solders is timely. We use the format of “case study” to review six reliability problems of Pb-free solders in electronic packaging technology. We conducted analysis of these cases on the basis of thermodynamic driving force, time-dependent kinetic processes, and morphology and microstructure changes. We made a direct comparison to the similar problem in SnPb solder whenever it is available. Specifically, we reviewed: (1) interfacial reactions between Pb-free solder and thick metalliztion of bond-pad on the substrate-side, (2) interfacial reactions between Pb-free solder and thin-film under-bump metallization on the chip-side, (3) the growth of a layered intermetallic compound (IMC) by ripening in solid state aging of solder joints, (4) a long range interaction between chip-side and substrate-side metallizations across a solder joint, (5) electromigration in flip chip solder joints, and finally (6) Sn whisker growth on Pb-free finish on Cu leadframe. Perhaps, these cases may serve as helpful references to the understanding of other reliability behaviors of Pb-free solders.
Integration of pevs and PV-DG in power distribution systems using distributed energy storage — Dynamic analyses

Growing numbers of utilities are experiencing proliferation of Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEV) and Photovoltaic Distributed Generation (PV-DG) in their distribution systems. Charging patterns of PEVs tend to increase the original day-time and evening peak demands of distribution feeders, while PV-DG units are highly intermittent energy sources. Therefore, the integration of large amount of PEVs and PV-DGs represents a significant challenge for distribution planning and operations. As an emerging technology, Distributed Energy Storage (DES) is a promising alternative to improve the reliability and efficiency of distribution systems. DES serves as an energy buffer to manage demand and supply fluctuations. Through proper control algorithms, DES has the potential to facilitate the integration of both, PEVs and PV-DG units. Previous works have studied the mitigation of steady state impacts of PEVs and PV-DG units by using DES systems. However, this topic has not been fully investigated from a dynamic analysis perspective. This paper discusses the utilization of DES to alleviate dynamic impacts of PEVs and PV-DG units on power distribution systems. This alternative is analyzed by using models of PV-DGs, PEV and DES developed in PSCAD. Results of dynamic simulations, including voltage profiles at critical points on a test distribution feeder and operations of Load Tap Changer (LTC) are presented and discussed. Simulation results show the potential of DES for improving dynamic performance of distribution feeders with PEVs and PV-DGs proliferation.
Channel Flow Cell For UV/Visible Spectroelectrochemistry

A channel-type spectroelectrochemical cell has been designed and constructed for conduction in situ transmission UV/visible spectroscopic measurements of solution phase electrogenerated species. Excellent agreement between theory and experiments was obtained using the oxidation of ferrocyanide in aqueous electrolytes as a probe system. In particular, plots of the (relative) absorbance of the solution at 420 nm (the adsorption maximum of ferricyanide in the visible region) measured along the axis normal to the fluid flow downstream from the electrode edge, versus V -1/3 , where V is the flow rate, yielded a straight line with a close to zero intercept
A reformulation of thermionic theory for vacuum diodes

Abstract Methods for predicting thermionic diode current–voltage characteristics have been in wide use for decades; however, serious limitations have been identified in the conventional formulations of thermionic theory. A reformulation of thermionic theory for vacuum diodes has been developed to improve predictive accuracy, to broaden the scope of application, and to establish a more consistent approach. Electron reflection effects and temperature dependent work functions are shown to be important considerations for thermionic diodes; consequently, the revised formulation focuses on proper treatment of these considerations. Revised equations are derived for predicting current densities, space charge, and electron cooling. In addition, equations are developed that provide energy–angle dependent current density spectra used to compute average transmission coefficients. An approach for computing space charge reflection parameters is also provided. Methods are given that permit application of the revised approach to inhomogeneous (patchy) electrode surfaces. A preliminary comparison shows that the predicted current–voltage characteristics using the revised formulations are in good agreement with test results for a prototype microminiature thermionic converter; whereas, more conventional formulations do not provide accurate predictions. Several new parameters are recommended to take advantage of the more precise methodology provided by the reformulation.
Penicillin-Tobramycin Synergism Against Enterococci: a Comparison with Penicillin and Gentamicin

Combinations of penicillin plus tobramycin have been compared with penicillin plus gentamicin against 27 strains of enterococci isolated from blood cultures. Penicillin plus gentamicin was synergistic against all strains. The combination of penicillin plus tobramycin was equally effective against strains of Streptococcus facalis, but was ineffective against all four strains of S. faecium tested.
Close Encounters With the Midwest: Forming Identity in a Bicultural Context

This study uses semi-structured interviews to examine how 16 people of Latvian heritage negotiated their cultural identities in high school (retrospectively) and at midlife (concurrently). Participants' high school and midlife cultural identity patterns were coded as marginalized, separated, assimilated, alternating integrated, or blended integrated. Although eleven participants were found to have had marginalized, separated, or alternating integrated patterns in high school, all 16 had either assimilated or blended integrated patterns at midlife. Further, there is evidence that the contexts in which identity negotiation occurred-specifically, the rigidity of the participants' Latvian and American contexts in high school and their relative openness at midlife-influenced these changes in pattern. The findings also underscore the importance of taking into account within-group differences when studying how people negotiate their cultural identities.
The place of chiropractors in health care delivery: a case study of North Carolina.

Abstract Three perspectives on the place of DCs in the United States health care delivery system were derived from the social science literature; system status, cultural congruence, and utilization patterns. North Carolina was used as a case study site to examine these perspectives from a geographical point of view. It was found that DCs were located in smaller places than MDs. DC/population ratios were associated with white populations and higher incomes, but were not associated with those aged 18–64, rural populations, and religious groups that used touch in healing. DCs were located in more rural and lower income areas than were MDs.
Device Context Discovery System for Context-Aware Services in Ubiquitous Device Collaboration Environment

This paper describes a system for obtaining and describing device context information such as device capabilities and user preferences for context-aware services in the ubiquitous device collaboration framework called Celadon. The proposed system is designed to gather and manage device properties and user profiles from devices, and to provide generalized access methods for manipulating static and dynamic properties of the devices. We present the architecture of the proposed system within the overall Celadon framework and describe the functions of each component in more detail and present our current prototypes.
Role of dietary iron in lipid metabolism

Abstract This paper briefly reviews the effects of iron deficiency on various aspects of lipid metabolism. It focuses on the inconsistencies in several observations made and discusses the difficulties in making generalized conclusions. Several of the reported effects on lipid metabolism appear to be related to the experimental conditions.
Studies of thyroid hormone binding in dog brain chromatin and cytosol

Abstract Intravenous infusion of labeled T3 to adult dogs followed by analysis of gradient-dialyzed 0.4 m KCl extracts of chromatin from nuclei of cerebral cortex gave in vivo evidence of soluble chromatin-associated thyroid hormone-binding proteins. Subsequent in vitro Sepharose 4B column chromatography of soluble brain chromatin extract and cytosol proteins provided evidence of specific binding of both labeled T3 and T4. Kinetic analysis of in vitro T3 and T4 binding to chromatin extract and to a Sepharose-purified cytosol fraction showed specific binding in each which appeared of low-affinity, high-capacity type. It is suggested that the soluble-binding activity demonstrated may be characterized as a relatively large, slowly equilibrating pool of intracellular thyroid hormone-binding protein.
Improving density estimation by incorporating spatial information

Given discrete event data, we wish to produce a probability density that can model the relative probability of events occurring in a spatial region. Common methods of density estimation, such as Kernel Density Estimation, do not incorporate geographical information. Using these methods could result in nonnegligible portions of the support of the density in unrealistic geographic locations. For example, crime density estimation models that do not take geographic information into account may predict events in unlikely places such as oceans, mountains, and so forth. We propose a set of Maximum Penalized Likelihood Estimation methods based on Total Variation and H1 Sobolev normregularizers in conjunction with a priori high resolution spatial data to obtain more geographically accurate density estimates. We apply this method to a residential burglary data set of the San Fernando Valley using geographic features obtained from satellite images of the region and housing density information.
Synthesis and Antifungal Studies on Sorbic Acid Derivatives

Nine esters, one amide, and two amine salts of sorbic acid were prepared and tested against four pathogenic fungi by two methods. Of the twelve compounds, o -hydroxyphenyl sorbate, chlorothymol sorbate, isobutylamine sorbate, and morpholine sorbate exhibited the greatest activity.
Developmental regulation of transforming growth factor β-mediated collagen synthesis in human intestinal muscle cells

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: The intestinal wall is formed by smooth muscle and the regulated deposition of specific collagen types. This study is the first to examine transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) in human fetal intestinal muscle. Studies localized TGF-beta within the muscularis propria, identified the cellular source, measured TGF-beta, and determined effects on collagen synthesis from 10 to 21 weeks of gestation. METHODS: Localization of TGF-beta within the intestinal wall and in cultured cells was determined immunohistochemically. TGF-beta was measured by the CCL-64 cell growth inhibition assay. Collagen production was assayed as the uptake of 3H-proline into collagenase- digestible protein. Collagen types were identified by polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis and quantitated by densitometry. Experiments were performed in TGF-beta (50-200 pg/mL) or anti-TGF-beta (50-200 micrograms/mL). RESULTS: TGF-beta 1 was localized in muscle cells of the muscularis propria and in culture. Muscle cells produced 340% more TGF-beta at 11 weeks of gestation than at 20 weeks. At 10 weeks of gestation, TGF-beta inhibited collagen production by 38%, but stimulated collagen synthesis by 70% at 21 weeks of gestation. TGF-beta altered the expression of individual collagen chains in an age-specific manner. CONCLUSIONS: Smooth muscle cells secrete TGF-beta during human fetal intestinal development. TGF-beta stimulates or inhibits the expression of specific collagen chains depending on gestational age. (Gastroenterology 1996 Jan;110(1):92-101)
Pancreas and beta-cell development: from the actual to the possible

The development of insulin-producing pancreatic beta (beta)-cells represents the culmination of a complex developmental program. Cells of the posterior foregut assume a pancreatic identity, cells within the expanding pancreatic primordia adopt an endocrine fate, and a subset of these precursors becomes competent to generate beta-cells. Postnatally, beta-cells are primarily maintained by self-duplication rather than new differentiation. Although major gaps in our knowledge still persist, experiments across several organisms have shed increasing light on the steps of beta-cell specification and differentiation. Increasing our understanding of the extrinsic, as well as intrinsic, mechanisms that control these processes should facilitate efforts to regenerate this important cell type in humans.
Long-Term Potential of Angiotensin Receptor Blockade for Cardiovascular Protection in Hypertension: The VALUE Trial

The recent decrease of cardiovascular mortality in the USA is less pronounced than it has been in the preceding three decades. Elsewhere, cardiovascular mortality decreased and in some countries it in
A Nonerythroid Isoform of Protein 4.1R Interacts with Components of the Contractile Apparatus in Skeletal Myofibers

The ∼80-kDa erythroid 4.1R protein is a major component of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton, where it links transmembrane proteins to the underlying spectrin/actin complexes. A diverse collection of 4....
A Constraint-Based Systems Approach To Line Yield Improvement

This paper adopts a "systems thinking" approach, in confluence with "theory of constraints", to develop line yield improvement tools for semiconductor fabrication. Systems Thinking emphasizes the underlying structure driving line yield behavior, thus uncovering high leverage strategies for line yield. A Constraints approach helps to focus improvement efforts on those line yield problems having the most revenue impact. Thus, after identifying fundamental issues that contribute to line yield performance, this paper recommends key changes to management systems, structure, and policies, to achieve higher line yields in semiconductor fabrication.
Texture-Based Infrared Image Segmentation by Combined Merging and Partitioning

This paper describes a method of image segmentation using recursive splitting and merging based on texture similarity measures. This technique addresses the problem of segmenting image regions of varying texture with limited intensity edges. The proposed technique provides a framework for texture based image segmentation that is shown to be applicable across a wide variety of image content. The primary motivation for this work is the segmentation of infrared images. Infrared imagery is characterized by narrow histograms corresponding to ambient scene temperature. Results illustrate that using texture signatures for infrared imagery yields enhanced segmentation performance over luminance features. Additional benefit for infrared imagery and better generality to other images types is obtained when luminance and texture are both applied to the segmentation criteria. A method for the quantitative comparison of segmentation results is presented and benchmarks are provided against several recent segmentation algorithms.
Galactose promotes fat mobilization in obese lactating and nonlactating women

Background: Galactose consumption as the only carbohydrate source results in little increase in plasma glucose and insulin concentrations when compared with fasting. Lower insulin might promote endogenous lipolysis during meal absorption, which may facilitate fat loss. Objective: The objective was to test the hypothesis that consumption of an isocaloric, isonitrogenous galactose drink will result in higher rates of lipolysis and fat oxidation than consumption of a glucose drink in obese lactating and nonlactating women. Design: Seven healthy, obese, exclusively breastfeeding women and 7 healthy, obese, nonlactating women were studied on 2 occasions according to a randomized, crossover, single-blinded design. Subjects received drinks providing ≈70% of the daily estimated energy requirement, of which 60% was either glucose or galactose. The primary outcomes were the rate of appearance (Ra) of glycerol and palmitate, and the secondary outcomes were glucose Ra, milk production, energy expenditure, and substrate oxidation. Results: Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were lower (P < 0.05) and those of glycerol, palmitate, free fatty acids, and triglycerides were higher (P < 0.05) during galactose than during glucose feeding in both nonlactating and lactating women. During galactose feeding, glucose Ra was lower (P < 0.01) and glycerol, palmitate, and free fatty acid Ra were higher (P < 0.01) in both groups. During galactose feeding in all women combined, fat oxidation was higher (P = 0.01) and protein oxidation was lower (P < 0.01). Milk production, energy expenditure, and carbohydrate oxidation were similar between glucose and galactose feeding. Conclusions: Galactose consumption is associated with higher endogenous fat mobilization and oxidation during meal absorption. Long-term studies are required to determine whether galactose as an exclusive carbohydrate source would promote body fat loss in obese subjects.
Bioorthogonal Imaging of Aurora Kinase A in Live Cells

Small molecule imaging: Aurora kinase A (AKA) was imaged in live cells using an in cellulo bioorthogonal two-step reaction with a small molecule and a fluorescent reporter. The small molecule was localized to spindle poles and microtubules during metaphase, consistent with the localization of both endogenous and GFP-/RFP-tagged AKA. Using this approach, changes in AKA distribution during mitosis were also observed.
Renal transplantation for type II diabetic patients compared with type I diabetic patients and patients over 50 years old: a single-center experience.

Introduction. Transplantation of renal allografts for Type II diabetic patients has become increasingly common. Like Type I diabetics and patients over age 50, Type II diabetics are in a high-risk category for renal transplantation. Some investigators argue that the scarce resources of the valuable donor pool should not be allocated to these high-risk, older individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who often have significant comorbidity. We studied the outcome of renal transplantation for 90 Type II diabetics and compared it with the outcome for Type I diabetics and patients over age 50 with other primary diseases. Methods. We conducted a retrospective review of data on all renal transplants performed at the University of Minnesota since September 1984 for Type II diabetics. We analyzed both patient and graft survival rates and compared them with the outcome for Type I diabetics and separately for all nondiabetics over age 50. We grouped recipients by donor source (living vs. cadaver) and age at transplant ( 50). We studied reasons for graft loss, patient death, pre-operative morbidity, and post-operative complications. Results. We found that recipient age and donor source did not affect outcome. Overall 5-yr patient survival for Type II diabetics was 61%; graft survival, 53%. Type II diabetics had significantly worse patient and graft survival than Type I diabetics and than nondiabetics over age 50. However, death-censored graft survival was not different between these groups, suggesting little difference in immunologic graft loss. Conclusions. Renal transplantation is a relatively safe, viable option for Type II diabetics with ESRD and significant comorbidity. Although their overall graft survival is less than for Type I diabetics and for nondiabetics over age 50, the immunologic graft failure rate is the same in all three groups.
III.—Idatiella China: Two new species, with a key (Hemiptera, Miridæ)

(1938). III.—Idatiella China: Two new species, with a key (Hemiptera, Miridae) Annals and Magazine of Natural History: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 25-27.
Air cargo load planning

For a multiple-segment flight of passenger aircraft, air cargo load planning is the trade-off between operation time, mishandling ratio, and load factor. A rule-based optimization approach is adopted by us to model the complex business logic. In the load planning, there are several atomic actions, which is relatively stable and linked together by rule flow. This paper discusses the optimization algorithms behind these actions. The system has been successfully applied in a North American airline company.
Alu repeats increase local recombination rates

Recombination rates vary widely across the human genome, but little of that variation is correlated with known DNA sequence features. The genome contains more than one million Alu mobile element insertions, and these insertions have been implicated in non-homologous recombination, modulation of DNA methylation, and transcriptional regulation. If individual Alu insertions have even modest effects on local recombination rates, they could collectively have a significant impact on the pattern of linkage disequilibrium in the human genome and on the evolution of the Alu family itself. We carried out sequencing, SNP identification, and SNP genotyping around 19 AluY insertion loci in 347 individuals sampled from diverse populations, then used the SNP genotypes to estimate local recombination rates around the AluY loci. The loci and SNPs were chosen so as to minimize other factors (such as SNP ascertainment bias and SNP density) that could influence recombination rate estimates. We detected a significant increase in recombination rate within ~2 kb of the AluY insertions in our African population sample. To test this observation against a larger set of AluY insertions, we applied our locus- and SNP-selection design and analyses to the HapMap Phase II data. In that data set, we observed a significantly increased recombination rate near AluY insertions in both the CEU and YRI populations. We show that the presence of a fixed AluY insertion is significantly predictive of an elevated local recombination rate within 2 kb of the insertion, independent of other known predictors. The magnitude of this effect, approximately a 6% increase, is comparable to the effects of some recombinogenic DNA sequence motifs identified via their association with recombination hot spots.
Extended Suicide With a Pet

The combination of the killing of a pet and a suicide is a perplexing scenario that is largely unexplored in the literature. Many forensic psychiatrists and psychologists may be unaccustomed to considering the significance of the killing of a pet. The subject is important, however, because many people regard their pets as members of their family. A case is presented of a woman who killed her pet dog and herself by carbon monoxide poisoning. The purpose of this article is to provide an initial exploration of the topic of extended suicide with a pet. Forensic mental health evaluations may have a role in understanding the etiology of this event and in opining as to the culpability of individuals who attempt to or successfully kill a pet and then commit suicide. Because the scientific literature is lacking, there is a need to understand this act from a variety of perspectives. First, a social and anthropological perspective will be presented that summarizes the history of the practice of killing of one's pet, with a focus on the ancient Egyptians. A clinical context will examine what relationship animals have to mental illness. A vast body of existing scientific data showing the relevance of human attachment to pets suggests that conclusions from the phenomena of homicide-suicide and filicide-suicide are applicable to extended suicide with a pet. Finally, recommendations will be proposed for both clinical and forensic psychiatrists faced with similar cases.
Fostering students' reflection about bias in healthcare: cognitive dissonance and the role of personal and normative standards.

Background: To reduce cognitive dissonance about one’s beliefs or behavior, individuals may compare their behavior to personal and/or normative standards. The details of this reflection process are unclear. Aims: We examined how medical students compare their behavior or beliefs to standards in discussions about implicit bias, and explored if and how different reflective pathways ( preserving vs. reconciling) are associated with each standard. Methods: Third-year students engaged in a small-group discussion about bias. Some students and group facilitators also participated in a debriefing about the experience. Using qualitative methods, the transcripts from these 11 sessions were analyzed for evidence of student comparison to a standard and of reflection pathways. Results: Of 557 text units, 75.8% could be coded with a standard and/or a path of reflection. Students referenced personal and normative standards about equally, and preserved or reconciled existing beliefs about equally. Uses of normative standards were associated with preservation-type reflection, and uses of personal standards with reconciliation-type reflection. Conclusions: Normative expectations of physicians are sometimes used to provoke students’ consideration of implicit biases about patients. To encourage critical reflection and reconciliation of biased beliefs or behavior, educators should frame reflective activities as a personal exercise rather than as a requirement.
Renormalization of vector fields and Diophantine invariant tori

We extend the renormalization group techniques that were developed originally for Hamiltonian flows to more general vector fields on 𝕋d×ℝl. Each Diophantine vector ω∈ℝd determines an analytic manifold 𝒲 of infinitely renormalizable vector fields, and each vector field on 𝒲 is shown to have an elliptic invariant d-torus with frequencies ω1,ω2,…,ωd. Analogous manifolds for particular classes of vector fields (Hamiltonian, divergence-free, symmetric, reversible) are obtained simply by restricting 𝒲 to the corresponding subspace. We also discuss non-degeneracy conditions, and the resulting reduction in the number of parameters needed in parametrized families to guarantee the existence of invariant tori.
Achieving coordination through dynamic construction of open workflows

Workflow middleware executes tasks orchestrated by rules defined in a carefully handcrafted static graph. Workflow management systems have proved effective for service-oriented business automation in stable, wired infrastructures. We introduce a radically new paradigm for workflow construction and execution called open workflow to support goal-directed coordination among physically mobile people and devices that form a transient community over an ad hoc wireless network. The quintessential feature of the open workflow paradigm is dynamic construction of custom, context-specific workflows in response to unpredictable and evolving circumstances by exploiting the knowledge and services available within a given spatiotemporal context. This paper introduces the open workflow approach, surveys open research challenges in this promising new field, and presents algorithmic, architectural, and evaluation results for the first practical realization of an open workflow management system.