cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preoperative corticosteroid joint injections within 2 weeks of shoulder arthroscopies increase postoperative infection risk.

Background There is currently no consensus regarding the safe timing interval between corticosteroid shoulder injections and future shoulder arthroscopies. Our study assessed the relationship between preoperative corticosteroid injection timing and shoulder arthroscopy infectious outcomes. Methods We used an insurance database to identify and sort all shoulder arthroscopy patients by corticosteroid shoulder injection history within 6 months before surgery. Patients who received injections were stratified by the timing of their most recent preoperative injection. The overall infection rate and rate of severe infections requiring treatment through intravenous antibiotics or surgical debridement in the 6-month postoperative period were compared using χ2 tests between the injection cohorts and a control group of patients defined as those with no injection history. Results We identified 50,478 shoulder arthroscopy patients, of whom 4115 received injections in the 6-month preoperative period. We found a significant increase in both the overall infection rate (P Conclusions Our results suggest that in patients who have received corticosteroid injections, shoulder arthroscopic procedures may be safely performed after at least 2 weeks has passed since the most recent injection to minimize the risk of postoperative infection. In addition, procedures performed within 2 weeks of an injection may increase the risk of postoperative infection.
Evaluation of toxicity of carmustine with or without bevacizumab in patients with recurrent or progressive high grade gliomas

An increased incidence in hematologic toxicity has been reported with the addition of bevacizumab to lomustine for patients with recurrent or progressive high grade gliomas (HGG). Data regarding incidence of toxicity with combination bevacizumab and carmustine is limited. The purpose of this study is to compare toxicity of single agent carmustine and carmustine plus bevacizumab for patients with HGGs. This single center retrospective study at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center included pathologically confirmed HGG with age ≥ 18 years who received carmustine between January 2003 and May 2017. Sixty-five patients with HGGs collectively received 110 doses of BCNU during the specified time period. Sixteen patients received single agent BCNU (30 doses); 49 patients received combination bevacizumab with BCNU (80 doses). There was no significant difference in incidence or grade of toxicity between single agent and combination therapy with respect to hepatotoxicity, leukopenia, lymphopenia, neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Rates of grade 3 and 4 neutropenia (20% vs 13.8%, p = 0.55) and thrombocytopenia (23.3% vs 23.8%, p = 1) did not differ between single agent BCNU versus combination therapy. When stratified based on dose ( 150 mg/m2), there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to grade 3 and 4 neutropenia or thrombocytopenia. This is the first study to report the toxicity of carmustine with or without bevacizumab for the treatment of recurrent and refractory HGG. The addition of bevacizumab to carmustine did not increase incidence or grade of hematologic toxicity when compared to single agent carmustine.
Teaching Textbook Story Problems

Jane and Ruth have the same hobby, raising guppies. One day Jane told Ruth she had 38 guppies. Ruth said, "I have 53!" How many more guppies does Ruth have than Jane? Story problems have been a part of elementary-school mathematics for generations, and for generations story problems have presented difficulty both for children solving them and for teachers teaching them. "Students can't understand the problems because they can't read them." "Students can't solve the problems because they can't compute." "There is no proven way to teach problem solving, so just provide practice." "Give the students problems and let them learn to solve them on their own." Each of these statements has been made by teachers experiencing some frustration in teaching problem solving. Yet none of these oft-repeated statements is true. In particular, one can teach problem solving if one analyzes the problem-solving process. George Polya has analyzed the problem-solving process and has described four steps. Others have adapted Polya' s steps and have used them (or variations of them) in developing instructional sequences for teaching problem solving. The four steps are -
Brassinin compounds exhibit anti-cancer activity mediated through inhibition of the immunotolerogenic enzyme Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)

224 Tumors benefit greatly from a local inflammatory environment but must escape immune-mediated rejection. Indoleamine 2.3-dioxygenase (IDO) suppresses T cell activation by catalyzing the breakdown of the essential amino acid tryptophan. Increased IDO activity has been associated with a broad spectrum of cancers and is implicated in the pathophysiological process of tumoral immune escape. Using the small molecule IDO inhibitory compound 1-methyl-tryptophan (1MT) in transgenic MMTV-Neu mice, we have previously shown that inhibiting the IDO enzyme can leverage the efficacy of cytotoxic chemotherapy in this autochthonous breast cancer model. Further preclinical evaluation of 1MT has indicated that the D and L stereoisomers show marked cell type variation in their ability to inhibit IDO activity with clear biological consequences. Here we report on a novel structural class IDO inhibitory compounds based on the core lead structure brassinin. Brassinin is a naturally occurring, indole-containing phytoalexin with chemopreventative activity in preclinical models. Identification of brassinin as a competitive IDO inhibitor led us to develop a pharmacologic formulation of brassinin, along with the more potent derivative 5-Br-brassinin, that achieves sufficient systemic exposure to evaluate these compounds for therapeutic efficacy in mice. We will present data in both autochthonous and isograft tumor models demonstrating the anti-tumor properties of these compounds. Follow-up studies in nude mice and IDO knockout mice directly support inhibition of both T cell function and IDO activity as necessary to the mechanism of action. We will also present data in a mouse carcinogenesis model evaluating the relevance of IDO inhibition to the ability of brassinin to act as a chemopreventative agent. Derivatization around the brassinin core structure has led to the identification of more potent compounds, providing the basis for structure activity relationship analysis that will inform future IDO inhibitor development.
What’s So Hard About Leadership? Stress, Crisis, Trauma, and the Resilience Factor

After a summary of the most recent examples of leadership failure, this chapter invites the reader to consider the realities of leadership fatigue. Leadership not only involves decision-making and problem-solving but also consists of the leader stepping into the emotional, relational, and psychological complexities of the follower. These internal and external pressures are a recipe for moral failure unless one learns how to develop the resilience to bounce back. This chapter sets the stage for the book by presenting the Bible and, individually, six biblical leaders as exemplars for how to overcome the pressures of leading in a variety of contexts.
Securities Regulation and Social Media

Federal securities regulation originally divided corporate finance into two neat categories, public and private. In 1933, private financing was limited to “sophisticated” investors but otherwise lightly regulated. Public financing became heavily regulated. In 1982, the SEC introduced Reg D, which introduced the concept of “general solicitation” to clarify the distinction between public and private offerings. Reg D is well understood to prohibit newspaper advertisements and permit direct solicitations to venture capital investors. This enabled great wealth consolidation in regions like Silicon Valley while effectively banning general solicitations in private offerings. Now, social media communication challenges the definition of “general solicitation.” Although social media comes in a multitude of forms, there is no guidance as to whether a single post or tweet might violate securities regulations. Confusion and fear of violating the ban on general solicitation chills online investment, even though online investment technology offers new and better means of protecting investors from fraud and undue risk. Meanwhile, society has grown wary of regulations that tend to concentrate immense wealth amid a privileged few. Movements like Occupy Wall Street demanded that ordinary Americans gain equal access to financial markets, and legislators adopted equal access to capital as the national entrepreneurship policy. In today’s interconnected age, the general solicitation ban has a disparate impact on young, rural, poor, and otherwise less established entrepreneurs. It systematically advantages established, urban, wealthy, and other well- connected businesspeople. The unintended consequence of the general solicitation ban is a disparate impact upon the members of society who could benefit the most from entrepreneurial opportunities. The general solicitation ban helps the rich and well connected get richer while excluding new entrepreneurs and diverse investors from capital markets. The ban is technologically and socially out of date. Accordingly, the ban carries the heavy burden of proving that it prevents enough fraud to be worth its cost. It has not met this heavy burden. Therefore, the general solicitation ban should be abolished.
3 – The Problem of Unemployment

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the problem of unemployment. The severity of the unemployment problem is measured by the unemployment rate. The unemployment rate is a measure of unemployment calculated by dividing the number of unemployed individuals by the size of the labor force. A person is considered to be an unemployed worker when he is willing and able to work, and actively seeking work, but is unable to find a job at the going wage rate. Labor force denotes all those people involved in the labor market; those working plus those actively seeking work. There are, mathematically, two ways for the unemployment rate to rise. The first is if some people who are currently employed get fired or laid off. In the second instance, the unemployment rate goes up if people who were previously not in the labor force decide to start looking for work. This increases both the size of the labor force and the number of people unemployed, causing the unemployment statistics to get worse.
The Impact of School Finance Reforms on Local Tax Revenues

For many applications in public finance, it is difficult to find a source of exogeneous variation in local taxes. In this paper we use an event study design to show that the school finance reforms are one potential source of exogenous variation in taxes. This new instrument enlarges the tool kit for applied economists and other social scientists studying public finance and education.
Cinegraphic versus Combined Static and Cinegraphic Imaging for Initial Cranial Ultrasound Screening in Premature Infants.

Background Cranial ultrasound is an essential screening and diagnostic tool in the care of neonates and is especially useful in the premature population for evaluation of potential germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage (GM/IVH). There are typically two screening examinations, with the initial cranial sonography performed between 3 days and 14 days after birth, usually consisting of a series of static images plus several cinegraphic sweeps.
Miliary Fibromas in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Background Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a hamartoma syndrome characterized by multiple skin lesions, such as angiofibromas, shagreen patch and miliary fibromas (MiF). Objective To determine the clinical and histological features of MiF. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 133 adults with TSC. Photography was used to characterize the appearance and location of MiF. Histological features in five skin samples from four individuals were evaluated by a board-certified dermatopathologist. Results MiF were observed in 19 of 133 (14%) individuals with TSC. MiF were 1- to 3-mm skin-coloured, sessile papules scattered on the back and rarely buttocks or thighs. Most were scattered in a bilaterally symmetric distribution, but others were asymmetric or associated with a shagreen patch. Histological features of MiF included expansion of the papillary and periadnexal dermis with variable hamartomatous abnormalities involving adjacent epithelial components. Conclusions MiF are distinct from other cutaneous lesions in TSC such as shagreen patches and angiofibromas. Recognition of this entity is important in defining the spectrum of TSC disease and reassuring individuals with TSC that these lesions are benign.
Initial Choice of Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain Leads to Reduced Long-term Risk of Adverse Drug Events Among Older Medicare Beneficiaries.

Study design Retrospective observational study. Objective Opioid Analgesic Therapy (OAT) and Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) are evidence-based strategies for treatment of chronic low back pain (cLBP), but the long-term safety of these therapies is uncertain. The objective of this study was to compare OAT versus SMT with regard to risk of adverse drug events (ADEs) among older adults with cLBP. Summary of background data We examined Medicare claims data spanning a 5-year period on fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 to 84 years, continuously enrolled under Medicare Parts A, B, and D for a 60-month study period, and with an episode of cLBP in 2013. We excluded patients with a diagnosis of cancer or use of hospice care. Methods All included patients received long-term management of cLBP with SMT or OAT. We assembled cohorts of patients who received SMT or OAT only, and cohorts of patients who crossed over from OAT to SMT or from SMT to OAT. We used Poisson regression to estimate the adjusted incidence rate ratio for outpatient ADE among patients who initially chose OAT as compared with SMT. Results With controlling for patient characteristics, health status, and propensity score, the adjusted rate of ADE was more than 42 times higher for initial choice of OAT versus initial choice of SMT (rate ratio 42.85, 95% CI 34.16-53.76, P Conclusion Among older Medicare beneficiaries who received long-term care for cLBP the adjusted rate of ADE for patients who initially chose OAT was substantially higher than those who initially chose SMT.Level of Evidence: 2.
Production characters of straightbred, F1 and F2 cows: birth and weaning characters of terminal-cross calves.

Records of 2,449 births and 2,120 weanings of terminal-cross calves were used to characterize maternal productivity of first- and second-generation cows from a diallel of Angus, Brahman, Hereford, Holstein and Jersey when mated to third-breed sires. Third- and later-parity cows were randomly assigned after each parturition to Charolais and Red Poll bulls in multiple-sire pastures. Calves were weaned at approximately 7 mo of age; males were not castrated. A mixed model was assumed for data analysis. Effects included in the model were breed-type of dam, cow within breed-type of dam (random), breed of sire of calf, season of record, year of record, age of dam group, sex of calf and age of calf (covariate). Age of dam groups were 4- and 5-yr-olds, 6- and 7-yr-olds, 8-, 9- and 10-yr-olds, and those greater than 10 yr of age. Dependent variables were calf weight, shoulder width and hip width at birth, weaning weight, weaning height and survival to weaning. Holstein and Holstein crosses tended to produce the largest calves at birth and weaning. Among straightbred dams, the smallest calves were born to Brahman, whereas Hereford weaned the smallest calves. Brahman-Jersey dams produced the smallest calves at birth among crossbreds; Angus-Hereford cows weaned the smallest calves. Average maternal heterosis estimates for birth weight were small and non-significant. Calves of F1 crossbred dams were 17.4 kg heavier (P less than .01) and 1.70 cm taller (P less than .01) at weaning than calves of first-generation straightbred dams.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Using geometric diffusions for recognition-primed multi-agent decision making

Several areas of multi-agent research, such as large-scale agent organization and experience-based decision making, demand novel perspectives and efficient approaches for multiscale information analysis. A recent breakthrough in harmonic analysis is diffusion geometry and diffusion wavelets, which offers a general framework for multiscale analysis of massive data sets. In this paper, we introduce the "diffusion" concept into the MAS field, and investigate the impacts of using diffusion distance on the performance of solution synthesis in experience-based multi-agent decision making. In particular, we take a two-dimensional perspective to explore the use of diffusion distance and Euclidean distance in identifying 'similar' experiences--a key activity in the process of recognition-primed decision making. An experiment has been conducted on a data set including a large collection of battlefield decision experiences. It is shown that the performance of using diffusion distance can be significantly better than using Euclidean distance in the original experience space. This study allows us to generalize an anytime algorithm for multi-agent decision making, and it also opens the door to the application of diffusion geometry to multiagent research involving massive data analysis.
Mendelian randomization of serum urate and parkinson disease progression.

Objective Higher serum urate concentrations predict more favorable prognosis in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD). The purpose of this study was to test the causality of this association using a Mendelian randomization approach. Methods The study was conducted among participants in DATATOP and PRECEPT, 2 randomized trials among patients with early PD. The 808 patients with available DNA were genotyped for 3 SLC2A9 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that identify an allele associated with lower urate concentrations, and for selected SNPs in other genes encoding urate transporters that have modest or no effect on serum urate levels. An SLC2A9 score was created based on the total number of minor alleles at the 3 SLC2A9 loci. Primary outcome was disability requiring dopaminergic treatment. Results Serum urate concentrations were 0.69mg/dl lower among individuals with ≥4 SLC2A9 minor alleles as compared to those with ≤2 (p = 0.0002). The hazard ratio (HR) for progression to disability requiring dopaminergic treatment increased with increasing SLC2A9 score (HR = 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00–1.35, p = 0.056). In a comparative analysis, the HR was 1.27 (95% CI = 1.00–1.61, p = 0.0497) for a 0.5mg/dl genetically conferred decrease in serum urate, and 1.05 (95% CI = 1.01–1.10, p = 0.0133) for a 0.5mg/dl decrease in measured serum urate. No associations were found between polymorphisms in other genes associated with urate that do not affect serum urate and PD progression. Interpretation This Mendelian randomization analysis adds to the evidence of a causal protective effect of high urate levels. Ann Neurol 2014;76:862–868
Regulatory Mechanisms in the Biosynthesis of Isoleucine and Valine III. Map Order of the Structural Genes and Operator Genes

Ramakrishnan, T. (Yale University, New Haven, Conn.), and Edward A. Adelberg. Regulatory mechanisms in the biosynthesis of isoleucine and valine. III. Map order of the structural genes and operator genes. J. Bacteriol. 89:661–664. 1965.—A new method has been employed to determine the map order of the structural genes and operator genes governing the enzymes of the isoleucine-valine biosynthetic pathway. This method relies on the observation that phage transduction of markers carried on an F-genote leads to the establishment in the recipient of F-genotes of various lengths. Using this method, we have established that the order of loci is the following: F/ilvE ilvD ilvA oprA/ilvC/ilvB oprB. The operator locus, oprA, regulates the activity of structural genes ilvE (transaminase B), ilvD (dehydrase), and ilvA (threonine deaminase). The operator locus, oprB, regulates the activity of ilvB (condensing enzyme). An operator for ilvC (reductoisomerase) can be inferred to exist, but has not yet been detected genetically. The loci ilvB and oprB have been shown to be at the extreme right end of the sequence, but their positions relative to each other remain to be established.
Experimental Renal Hypertension in the Dog Following Renal Ischemia.

SummaryThe effect of preliminary renal ischemia produced by bilateral renal artery occlusion for 2, 4, 5 and 6 hours on subsequent experimental renal hypertension production on 19 dogs has been studied. In general the results suggest that previous renal damage of both a mild and severe degree has an effect on experimental renal hypertension. Seven dogs receiving mild renal injury showed a very high rise in mean arterial pressure in the first month following bilateral renal artery constriction, and a subsequent fall in pressure to near normotensive levels. The 4 dogs that survived more severe renal damage showed slight to no rise in mean arterial pressure during the first 3 or more months following bilateral renal artery constriction. The dogs of this group which were observed for more than three months showed an abrupt rise in mean arterial pressure, one 3 months and the other 51/2 months after bilateral renal artery constriction.
Glutathione reductase-dependent metabolism of cysteine-S-sulfate by Penicillium chrysogenum

Abstract A study of the metabolism of cysteine S -sulfate by Penicillium chrysogenum revealed that (a) cysteine- S -sulfate can serve as the sole sulfur source for the organism, (b) a sulfur-regulated permease mediates the transport of cysteine- S -sulfate into the cell and (c) a series of chemical exchange reactions coupled to glutathione reductase (NADPH: glutathione oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.4.2) (to regenerate reduced glutathione) could account for any net cysteine- S -sulfate utilization observable in vivo and in crude extracts. The proposed reactions are: and/or:
Factors Affecting Viscosity of Slurries of Oat Groat Flours

ABSTRACT Oat grain is routinely kilned and steamed before milling to develop flavor and to inactivate lipid-degrading enzymes. Heat treatments can significantly affect viscous properties, which have functional and nutritional importance. Oat flour slurries (23%, w/w, solids dry basis) made from steamed (for 20 min) or autoclaved (at 121°C, 15 psi, for 10 min) grain developed high viscosities, whereas flour slurries made from raw or kilned (105°C for 90 min) oats did not. Flour slurries made from raw groats, surface-sterilized by 1% hypochlorite, were more viscous than untreated raw groat flour slurries, suggesting that β-glucan hydrolases on the surface of the groat caused the viscosity losses observed in raw or kilned groats. However, because viscosities developed by surface-sterilized groats were not as great as in steamed oat-flour slurries and because some roasting treatments also inactivated enzymes without enhancing viscosity, it appears steaming might also affect the β-glucan polymer, resulting in ...
Development of an Anxiety Sensitivity (AS) Intervention for High-AS Individuals in Substance Use Disorders Treatment

Substance use disorders (SUDs) and anxiety disorders commonly co-occur, yet to date no empirically-supported treatments for this combination of disorders has been developed. One potential way of treating these issues simultaneously may be to target anxiety sensitivity (AS), which is a risk factor for development of both SUDs and problematic anxiety. The objectives of the current study were to develop and pilot test a brief treatment aimed at reducing AS and substance use. Twenty-one individuals concurrently participating in a community-based intensive outpatient SUD treatment program received six 1.5-h sessions of an AS-targeted intervention, primarily utilizing interoceptive exposures, cognitive challenging, and psychoeducation about the relationship between substance use and anxiety. At post-treatment, participants had significant reductions in AS as measured by the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (d = 1.62; ASI; Reiss et al. in Behav Res Ther 24(1):1–8, 1986), and significant decreases in percent days abstinent from substances (Cohen’s d = 1.35). Average scores on the ASI at pre-treatment were in the clinical range (M = 41.5, SD = 9.97) but had moved to the nonclinical range on the ASI at 3 months follow-up (M = 20.8, SD = 9.39; intent to treat analysis). Participants had large reductions in the Depression–Anxiety–Stress Scale (Lovibond and Lovibond in Manual for the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. Psychology Foundation Monograph, Sydney, 1995) anxiety subscale scores but remained in the moderate range on this subscale at follow-up. Subjective reports of both participants and therapists described the intervention as tolerable, effective, and desired. Results of the current open trial suggest that a relatively brief (<9 h) anxiety sensitivity intervention may be promising for reducing both anxiety sensitivity and in turn, frequency of substance use and anxiety symptoms.
Anti-angiogenic Agents in Ovarian Cancer: Dawn of a New Era?

Epithelial ovarian cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death for women both in the United States and worldwide, and the effectiveness of cytotoxic chemotherapy has plateaued. Angiogenesis plays an important role in ovarian cancer biology, and exploration of anti-angiogenic agents in this disease has demonstrated anti-tumor activity both as monotherapy and in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, key questions remain regarding the use of these drugs in ovarian cancer, such as where in treatment should they be used, should these drugs be used as single agents or combined with chemotherapy, can and which biomarkers predict efficacy, are there efficacy and toxicity differences amongst the various agents, what are the cost-benefit ratios of these therapies, and are the patient outcome improvements observed in completed studies significant enough to warrant widespread use of these drugs? Here, we review recent progress and discuss ongoing controversies regarding the use of anti-angiogenic therapies in ovarian cancer.
Students fall for Fall Meeting

From Boston to Beijing, thousands of students traveled to San Francisco for the 2011 AGU Fall Meeting. Of those who participated, 183 students were able to attend thanks to AGU's student travel grant program, which assists students with travel costs and seeks to enrich the meeting through ethnic and gender diversity. Students at Fall Meeting enjoyed a variety of programs and activities designed to help them better network with their peers, learn about new fields, and disseminate their research to the interested public. More than 800 students attended AGU's first annual student mixer, sharing drinks and ideas with fellow student members and future colleagues as well as forging new friendships and intellectual relationships.
Decentralized Control via Gröbner Bases and Variable Elimination

We consider the problem of optimal decentralized controller synthesis. There are several classes of such problems for which effective solution methods are known, including the quadratically invariant one. In this technical note, we use Grobner bases and elimination theory to characterize all closed-loop maps achievable by forming a feedback loop with decentralized controllers. We show that this approach allows solution of a wide class of optimal decentralized control problems; it includes not only quadratically invariant problems under a technical condition but also some other problems which are not quadratically invariant.
Theoretical determination of the structure of acetylene on Pt(111)

Abstract An atom superposition and electron delocalization technique applied to acetylene chemisorption on small cluster models for the Pt(111) surface shows preference for the triangular site as deduced from electron energy loss analyses by Ibach and Lehwald. This confirms the applicability of Badger's and related rules in this instance. Calculations on CCH 3 produce a structure in agreement with a dynamic LEED analysis at 400 K by Kesmodel, Dubois and Somorjai. Structures of CCH 2 and CHCH 2 are calculated and these species are found to be less stable than acetylene and CCH 3 , respectively, when chemisorbed on Pt(111).
Remission of giant lymph node hyperplasia with anemia after radiotherapy

We have described a 51-year-old patient with unresectable mesenteric giant lymph node hyperplasia of the plasma cell type, severe systemic manifestations, and profound anemia. Supression of erythropoiesis may have been related to the presence of a circulating erythropoietic inhibitor produced by the lymphoid tumor. Markedly elevated titers to Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen suggest that this virus may be important in the etiology of the abnormal lymphoid proliferation. The marked clinical response and decrease in the size of the tumor following irradiation suggests that radiation therapy may be an alternative form of treatment for similar patients with unresectable lesions. Cancer 44:457-462, 1979.
The multidomain structure of Orc1 p reveals similarity to regulators of DNA replication and transcriptional silencing

The origin recognition complex (ORC) is a six protein assembly that binds S. cerevisiae origins of replication and directs DNA replication throughout the genome and transcriptional silencing at the yeast mating-type loci. Here we report the cloning of the genes encoding the 120 kDa (ORC1), 62 kDa (ORC3), and 56 kDa (ORC4) subunits of ORC and the reconstitution of the complete complex after expression of all six subunits in insect cells. Orc1p is related to Cdc6p and Cdc18p, which regulate DNA replication and mitosis, and to Sir3p, a regulator of transcriptional silencing. The N-terminal region of Orc1p is highly related to Sir3p, and studies of Orc1p/Sir3p chimeric proteins indicate that this domain is dedicated to the transcriptional silencing function of ORC.
A system-of-systems framework for the improved capability of insurgent tracking missions involving unmanned aerial vehicles

Unmanned aerial vehicles are increasingly being used in a variety of military missions. One such mission is that of Intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Surveillance. In these missions, unmanned aerial vehicles collect sensor data and communicate it to ground, air, and space assets to support decision-making. The ultimate purpose of the research reported in this paper is to define the requirements for a new unmanned aerial vehicle that improves the existing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance System-of-Systems. This paper describes the modeling approach, validation, and sensitivity results for performance of a single new unmanned aerial vehicle supported by other assets, as well as reliability, robustness, and baseline performance for an entire set of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Dominant tracking signals

Abstract The objective of this research is to find the best methods of automatically monitoring an exponentially smoothed forecast. Three conclusions are drawn. First, previously used performance measures are inadequate. As a consequence, currently available control limits can give false alarm rates that are substantially different than advertised. Second, two commonly used tracking signals can be substantially improved by choice of smoothing parameters. Finally, when measured by the new criteria proposed in this paper, the smoothed error tracking signal is substantially better than the unweighted sum of errors (CUSUM) method.
Self-Control Theory, Race, and Delinquency

Abstract Although the literature examining Gottfredson and Hirschi's theory is growing, an understudied area of inquiry concerns the role that race plays in the theory. Thus, this study examines the role that race plays in self-control theory. Using a random sample of juveniles from the Gang Resistance and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) evaluation, the findings show that low self-control has a link with delinquency for each race. However, the findings partially support Gottfredson and Hirschi's theory, with respect to race. Specifically, the findings show that low self-control has a link with delinquency for whites, but not for blacks.
Systematic planning to optimize investments in hydrogen infrastructure deployment

Abstract The introduction of hydrogen infrastructure and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) to gradually replace gasoline internal combustion engine vehicles can provide environment and energy security benefits. The deployment of hydrogen fueling infrastructure to support the demonstration and commercialization of FCVs remains a critical barrier to transitioning to hydrogen as a transportation fuel. This study utilizes an engineering methodology referred to as the Spatially and Temporally Resolved Energy and Environment Tool (STREET) to demonstrate how systematic planning can optimize early investments in hydrogen infrastructure in a way that supports and encourages growth in the deployment of FCVs while ensuring that the associated environment and energy security benefits are fully realized. Specifically, a case study is performed for the City of Irvine, California – a target area for FCV deployment – to determine the optimized number and location of hydrogen fueling stations required to provide a bridge to FCV commercialization, the preferred rollout strategy for those stations, and the environmental impact associated with three near-term scenarios for hydrogen production and distribution associated with local and regional sources of hydrogen available to the City. Furthermore, because the State of California has adopted legislation imposing environmental standards for hydrogen production, results of the environmental impact assessment for hydrogen production and distribution scenarios are measured against the California standards. The results show that significantly fewer hydrogen fueling stations are required to provide comparable service to the existing gasoline infrastructure, and that key community statistics are needed to inform the preferred rollout strategy for the stations. Well-to-wheel (WTW) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, urban criteria pollutants, energy use, and water use associated with hydrogen and FCVs can be significantly reduced in comparison to the average parc of gasoline vehicles regardless of whether hydrogen is produced and distributed with an emphasis on conventional resources (e.g., natural gas), or on local, renewable resources. An emphasis on local renewable resources to produce hydrogen further reduces emissions, energy use, and water use associated with hydrogen and FCVs compared to an emphasis on conventional resources. All three hydrogen production and distribution scenarios considered in the study meet California's standards for well-to-wheel GHG emissions, and well-to-tank emissions of urban ROG and NOX. Two of the three scenarios also meet California's standard that 33% of hydrogen must be produced from renewable feedstocks. Overall, systematic planning optimizes both the economic and environmental impact associated with the deployment of hydrogen infrastructure and FCVs.
Hypothesis testing in smoothing spline models

Nonparametric regression models are often used to check or suggest a parametric model. Several methods have been proposed to test the hypothesis of a parametric regression function against an alternative smoothing spline model. Some tests such as the locally most powerful (LMP) test by Cox et al. (Cox, D., Koh, E., Wahba, G. and Yandell, B. (1988). Testing the (parametric) null model hypothesis in (semiparametric) partial and generalized spline models. Ann. Stat., 16, 113–119.), the generalized maximum likelihood (GML) ratio test and the generalized cross validation (GCV) test by Wahba (Wahba, G. (1990). Spline models for observational data. CBMS-NSF Regional Conference Series in Applied Mathematics, SIAM.) were developed from the corresponding Bayesian models. Their frequentist properties have not been studied. We conduct simulations to evaluate and compare finite sample performances. Simulation results show that the performances of these tests depend on the shape of the true function. The LMP and GML te...
The Nephrotic Syndrome

1. Roberto Gordillo, MD* 2. Adrian Spitzer, MD† 1. *Postdoctoral Fellow 2. †Professor of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Bronx, NY After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Explain the mechanism and the consequences of proteinuria. 2. Make a presumptive diagnosis of minimal-change nephrotic syndrome. 3. Interpret the signs associated with steroid resistance. 4. Ascertain the timing and the indications for a kidney biopsy. 5. Gauge the indications for referral to a pediatric nephrologist. 6. Determine the adequacy of the therapy. 7. Predict the disease course. The word “nephrosis” was introduced in the medical literature at the beginning of the 20th century in an attempt to distinguish diseases of the kidney characterized by exudation and proliferation from those characterized by inflammation (nephritis). As it became apparent that this is not a single disease, not even a group of related diseases, the term “nephrosis” was supplanted by “nephrotic syndrome.” The clinical features that characterize the nephrotic syndrome result from alterations of the glomerular capillary wall and consist of heavy proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia, often associated with edema and generalized hyperlipidemia. ### Proteinuria and Hypoalbuminemia Proteinuria is the result of alterations in the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier. This barrier is composed of three layers in series: the fenestrated endothelium, the glomerular basement membrane, and the visceral glomerular epithelium, comprised of podocytes and their slit diaphragms. Podocyte is the name of the epithelial cell, and foot process is the segment of the cell that extends into the urinary space. (In the nephrotic syndrome, there is effacement of the foot process, but the rest of the cell usually is preserved.) Endothelial cells have numerous openings that are 70 to 100 nm in diameter, called fenestrae, which form a physical barrier for passage of macromolecules from plasma into the renal tubule. Electron microscopic studies led to the identification of negatively charged particles (heparan sulfate proteoglycans) in the glomerular basement membrane, which preclude the passage of anionic macromolecules, such as albumin. Removal of these …
An Updated Review of Published Simulation Evaluation Instruments

Abstract Interest in simulation as a teaching and evaluation strategy in nursing education continues to grow. Mirroring this growth, we have seen a proliferation of instruments designed to evaluate simulation participant performance. This article describes two frameworks for categorizing simulation evaluation strategies and provides a review of recent simulation evaluation instruments. The review focuses on four instruments that have been used extensively in the literature, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE's) including four OSCE instruments, and an extensive list of new instruments for simulation evaluation.
Dynamic Acceleration Effects in Explosions of Laser-Irradiated Heteronuclear Clusters

Intense, femtosecond irradiation of atomic and molecular clusters can initiate Coulomb explosions, generating particle energies sufficient to drive nuclear fusion. Last and Jortner have proposed, based on particle dynamics simulations, that heteronuclear clusters with a mixture of heavy and light ions will not explode by the simple, equilibrium Coulomb model but that dynamic effects can lead to a boosting of energy of the lighter ejected ions [Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 033401 (2001)]. We present experimental confirmation of this theoretically predicted ion energy enhancement in methane clusters.
Notes: Physiological Responses and Mortality of Striped Bass Angled in Freshwater

Abstract The effect of playing time on physiological responses and mortality of striped bass Morone saxatilis (<36.0 cm total length) captured by hook and line was evaluated in summer (26–32°C water temperature) and fall (16–19°C water temperature). Elevated plasma cortisol concentrations were observed in fish angled in summer only, and the response occurred only in fish played more than 2.5 min. Hyperglycemia was evident in fish angled in summer only and was proportional to playing time. Plasma osmolality and lactate concentrations increased with playing time during both seasons and were proportional to playing time. Mortality of fish recovered 31–42 d after hooking was 11.7% in summer and 5.7% in fall, and it was not related to playing time in either season.
User mobility oriented predictive call admission control and resource reservation for next-generation mobile networks

This paper addresses the problem of resource reservation (RR) and call admission control (CAC) in wireless mobile networks. A new user mobility oriented predictive scheme called PCAC-RR is proposed for call admission control and resource reservation. The main goal is to reduce the call dropping probability and the call blocking probability, and to maximize the bandwidth utilization. By analyzing the previous movements of the mobile users, we generate local and global mobility profiles for mobile users, which are utilized effectively in the prediction of the future path of a mobile user. Extensive simulation is used to study the performance of the proposed technique and to compare its performance with other two techniques: FR-CAT2 and PR-CAT4. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme has a significantly better performance compared to the other two schemes.
The effect of monooleoylglycerol on insulin secretion from isolated perifused rat islets

The effect of monooleoylglycerol on cholecystokinin-and tolbutamide-induced insulin secretion was examined in isolated perifused rat islets. In the presence of 5.5 mmol/l glucose, addition of 10 nmol/l cholecystokinin or 50 μmol/l tolbutamide had practically no effect on insulin secretion. Combined tolbutamide and cholecystokinin led to a biphasic insulin secretory response which was significantly enhanced by addition of 50 μmol/l monooleoylglycerol, an inhibitor of diacylglycerol kinase. Monooleoylglycerol (50 μmol/l) alone had a minimal stimulatory effect on insulin release in the presence of 5.5 mmol/l glucose. Perifusion of islets with 1 μmol/l forskolin had no significant effect on basal insulin secretion in the presence of 5.5 mmol/l glucose, but markedly enhanced the responses to both cholecystokinin plus tolbutamide, and to the combination of cholecystokinin, tolbutamide and monooleoylglycerol. Lowering the glucose level to 2.75 mmol/l abolished the profound stimulatory effect to these agonist combinations on insulin release. Finally, monooleoylglycerol also enhanced the first and second phase insulin secretory responses induced by 20 mmol/l glucose. These results are discussed in relationship to the possible role of protein kinase C in mediating insulin secretion.
Environmental factors affecting pregnancy: Endocrine disrupters, nutrients and metabolic pathways

Uterine adenogenesis, a unique post-natal event in mammals, is vulnerable to endocrine disruption by estrogens and progestins resulting in infertility or reduced prolificacy. The absence of uterine glands results in insufficient transport of nutrients into the uterine lumen to support conceptus development. Arginine, a component of histotroph, is substrate for production of nitric oxide, polyamines and agmatine and, with secreted phosphoprotein 1, it affects cytoskeletal organization of trophectoderm. Arginine is critical for development of the conceptus, pregnancy recognition signaling, implantation and placentation. Conceptuses of ungulates and cetaceans convert glucose to fructose which is metabolized via multiple pathways to support growth and development. However, high fructose corn syrup in soft drinks and foods may increase risks for metabolic disorders and increase insulin resistance in adults. Understanding endocrine disrupters and dietary substances, and novel pathways for nutrient metabolism during pregnancy can improve survival and growth, and prevent chronic metabolic diseases in offspring.
Neovascular glaucoma after intracapsular and extracapsular cataract extraction in diabetic patients.

A retrospective study of the rate of development of neovascular glaucoma after cataract extraction in 242 eyes of 186 diabetic patients identified neovascular glaucoma in 13 of 146 eyes (8.9%) after intracapsular extraction, in two of 17 eyes (11.8%) after extracapsular extraction with primary capsulotomy, and in zero of 53 eyes after extracapsular extraction without capsulotomy. The incidence of neovascular glaucoma was significantly lower in patients who underwent extracapsular extraction with preservation of an intact posterior capsule than in those undergoing intracapsular cataract extraction (P
Is neuromyelitis optica with advanced age of onset a paraneoplastic disorder

Background: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) antibodies are commonly found in patients with NMO, a relapsing CNS inflammatory disorder. Recent evidence suggests that the NMO antibody may be a paraneoplastic marker. We evaluated this possibility using a health system-wide electronic medical record (EMR), allowing assessment of neoplasm both before and after the assessment of NMO seropositivity. Design/Methods: An automated search of the Cleveland Clinic EMR was performed to identify patients with NMO serology testing (since 2006). Demographic, clinical, and imaging data were collected, including malignancy history. Results: A total of 41 patients NMO seropositive subjects were found. Average age at first clinical symptom was 38.7 years (SD 15.1), and 33 (80.5%) patients met formal criteria for NMO. Six malignancies were identified in five NMO seropositive patients (12.2%; age 48.7 years [SD 12.4] at presentation of NMO). Cancers included breast carcinoma (three cases), lymphoma, cervical carcinoma and leiomyosar...
Intersections of matching spectra: Applications

Results of the preceding article are used to develop (1) a “characteristic” SPD of a light; (2) a method of spectral correction to remove the simple color difference in a pair of lights or reflectances that embody both metamerism and simple color difference; (3) characterization of typical spectral differences between SPDs of lights that match; and (4) a definition and procedure for specifying “degree of metamerism” of a pair of matching lights or reflectances. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Mathematical models, reality and results

Abstract Current literature of biology contains many examples of mathematical models. The quest for thorough, quantitative descriptions of phenomena has led to great emphasis on the numerical exploitation of mathematical models, with consequent neglect of certain of their general, fundamental features, and little documentation is available concerning the basic, conceptual matters involved. This paper discusses the relationship of mathematical models to the real world reflected and the relationship of mathematical models to mathematics. Important in the former relationship are validity, generality and prediction ability; in the latter, consistency, tradition and computability. The use of alternative models and alternative real representations is noted in connection with verification of models and derivation of both qualitative and quantitative results. The paper distinguishes between and indicates the appropriateness of deterministic and stochastic as well as parametric models and suggests the subtle deception of nude models.