cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bile Salt Binding Properties of Commonly Used Gastrointestinal Drugs: Maalox, Carafate, and Questran

We have validated a method to measure bile salt binding by Maalox (aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide), Carafate (sucralfate), and Questran (cholestyramine) in vitro. The method used in this study involves a correction for adherent water volume and thus provides a correct measure of bile salt binding. With this approach, we described the binding properties of Maalox, Carafate, and Questran. The bile salt binding capacities of Carafate and Maalox are limited and do not have physiological or pharmacological significance. On the other hand, we found that Questran has substantial bile salt binding capacity. At the recommended dosage, Questran could deplete the total bile salt pool. We also found that Carafate, although not used as an antacid, has buffering capacity (maintaining a pH of solution in the range 4.2–4.8) which might contribute to its effectiveness as an ulcer treatment drug.
Intravenous Dextrose for Children With Gastroenteritis and Dehydration: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Study objective We seek to determine whether an initial intravenous bolus of 5% dextrose in normal saline solution compared with normal saline solution will lead to a lower proportion of hospitalized patients and a greater reduction in serum ketone levels in children with gastroenteritis and dehydration. Methods We enrolled children aged 6 months to 6 years in a double-blind, randomized controlled trial of patients presenting to a pediatric emergency department. Subjects were randomized to receive a 20 mL/kg infusion of either 5% dextrose in normal saline solution or normal saline solution. Serum ketone levels were measured before and at 1- and 2-hour intervals after the initial study fluid bolus administration. Primary outcome was the proportion of children hospitalized. Secondary outcome was change in serum ketone levels over time. Results One hundred eighty-eight children were enrolled. The proportion of children hospitalized did not differ between groups (35% in the 5% dextrose in normal saline solution group versus 44% in the normal saline solution group; risk difference 9%; 95% confidence interval [CI] −5% to 22%). Compared with children who received normal saline solution, those who received 5% dextrose in normal saline solution had a greater reduction in mean serum ketone levels at both 1 hour (mean Δ 1.2 versus 0.1 mmol/L; mean difference 1.1 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.4 to 1.9 mmol/L) and 2 hours (mean Δ 1.9 versus 0.3 mmol/L; mean difference 1.6 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.9 to 2.3 mmol/L). Conclusion Administration of a dextrose-containing bolus compared with normal saline did not lead to a lower rate of hospitalization for children with gastroenteritis and dehydration. There was, however, a greater reduction in serum ketone levels in patients who received 5% dextrose in normal saline solution.
Stretchy Proteins on Stretchy Substrates: The Important Elements of Integrin-Mediated Rigidity Sensing

Matrix and tissue rigidity guides many cellular processes, including the differentiation of stem cells and the migration of cells in health and disease. Cells actively and transiently test rigidity using mechanisms limited by inherent physical parameters that include the strength of extracellular attachments, the pulling capacity on these attachments, and the sensitivity of the mechanotransduction system. Here, we focus on rigidity sensing mediated through the integrin family of extracellular matrix receptors and linked proteins and discuss the evidence supporting these proteins as mechanosensors.
Diurnal-to-seasonal characteristics of surface energy balance and temperature in East Asian summer monsoon simulations

We used regional climate model simulations of the East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM) to study diurnal-to-seasonal characteristics of the surface energy balance and temperature, and their relationships to clouds and surface soil moisture. Simulations were performed for the period May through September 1988 and 1989, 2 years with significant differences in observed surface air temperature, radiation, and clouds over the Yangtze-Huai River Valley (YHRV), which are realistically reproduced by the model. Differences in daytime evolutions of the YHRV surface net radiation, heat fluxes, and surface air temperature between 2-year summers result mainly from fluctuation of shortwave cloud radiative forcing. Clouds dominate daily variability of the YHRV surface net solar radiation, surface net radiation, and latent heat, generally accounting for above 80% of the total variances. Consequently, they are more effective in damping the diurnal temperature range by reducing daytime maximum temperature as compared to surface soil moisture. Both clouds and soil moisture exhibit small effects on nighttime minimum temperature, which is largely controlled by the greenhouse effect of the atmospheric water vapor. Surface energy balance components and temperature evolve with the march of EASM, which is quite different between 2 years. The comparative analyses of observations and other available data can generally validate the major conclusions from the simulations.
Two Dimensional Mass Distributions from Gravity Anomalies: a Computer Method *

Qureshi and Mula have suggested a computer method for the calculation of the shape of a two dimensional body from the gravity anomaly profile associated with it. The application of the method, however, was restricted to those bodies which have their top or base horizontal and end sides vertical. In this paper study has been made to investigate the possibility of eliminating the above mentioned restrictions and has arrived at the affirmative conclusion.
Syntheses, Structure, and Photoluminescence Properties of the 1-Dimensional Chain Compounds [(TPA)2Au][Au(CN)2] and (TPA)AuCl (TPA = 1,3,5-Triaza-7-phosphaadamantane)

The structures and temperature-dependent photoluminescence properties of the one-dimensional compounds [(TPA)(2)Au][Au(CN)(2)], 1, and (TPA)AuCl, 2, are reported. An extended linear chain with weak Au.Au interactions along the c-axis is evident in the structure of 1, and a helical chain with a pitch of 3.271 A is seen for 2. The intrachain Au...Au separation is 3.457(1) and 3.396(2) A in 1 and 2, respectively. As a result of this weak Au...Au interaction, the physical properties of these compounds are anisotropic. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies indicate that single crystals of both compounds are noninsulating. Single crystals of 1 do not luminesce visibly, but grinding the crystals finely initiates a strong green emission under UV irradiation at room temperature. Further interesting optical properties include the dependence of the emission profile of the powder on the exciting wavelength and luminescence thermochromism. When excited at wavelengths < 360 nm, the powder exhibits a blue emission at 425 nm while excitation with longer wavelengths leads to a green emission near 500 nm. While the green emission dominates at ambient temperature, cooling to cryogenic temperatures leads to the dominance of the blue emission. Fibers of 2 are luminescent at 78 K with an emission band centered at 580 nm. Compound 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cccm (No. 66), with Z = 2, a = 6.011(1) A, b = 23.877(6) A, c = 6.914(1) A, V = 992.3(3) A(3), and R = 0.0337. Compound 2 crystallizes in the trigonal space group R3 (No. 148), with Z = 18, a = 22.587(2) A, b = 22.587(2) A, c = 9.814(2) A, V = 4336 A(3), and R = 0.0283.
X-ray-edge problem in metals. I. Universal scaling in alkali-alkali alloys.

We report outer-core excitation spectra of alkali-alkali alloys. The results are obtained by differential reflectance methods using synchrotron radiation on quench-condensed samples. Striking changes of line shape take place with changing composition. All available threshold profiles for alkali-metal alloys and pure metals conform to a universal scaling relationship defined by parameters related to the electronic structure of the excited configuration. The sharp ``x-ray edges'' with an overshoot at threshold occur only when the excited alkali-metal-atom valence orbitals localize at or below the band bottom and other atoms of the same type neighboring the active core in the Periodic Table. A linear absorption profile rising from zero absorption at threshold is observed when the excited orbitals mix strongly with conduction-band states.
Building and Sustaining a Culture of Assessment: Best Practices for Change Leadership

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the idea of using Kotter's eight‐step model for change leadership to create a culture of assessment that is embedded in the organizational culture of an academic library.Design/methodology/approach – This is a conceptual paper that examines the potential application of a business change model to an academic library change context. Each step of Kotter's model is described within the context of building a culture of assessment, supported by examples and suggestions from the literature of libraries, higher education, organizational behavior and change leadership.Findings – While building a culture of assessment is critical for libraries in the current environment, it is a difficult and complex process that requires grassroots initiative, top‐down support and strong leadership. Kotter's model for change management provides a pragmatic structure for culture change through behavioral change and change leadership regardless of positional authority.Practical impli...
Tutorial on indifference-zone normal means ranking and selection procedures

This tutorial concerns the ranking and selection problem of choosing that one of k normal populations (with common known variance) which has the largest mean. We discuss a number of procedures which guarantee a specified probability of selecting the correct population. We concentrate on so-called indifference-zone procedures.
Merle Curti and the Development of Peace History

Although the late Merle Curti is best known for his contributions to the fields of American intellectual and social history, he was also the leading figure in the development of peace history. Committed to the attainment of world peace, he was the first prominent American historian to orient his scholarship toward this goal and to encourage others to undertake peace research. He and his associates played a key role in the founding of the Conference on Peace Research in History, an organization which he subsequently led and to which he continued to lend his support. In this fashion, Curti became the most important intellectual to mobilize historians for a world without war.
Towards optimization of a pyroelectric energy converter for harvesting waste heat

This paper reports numerical simulations of a prototypical pyroelectric energy converter as a novel approach for directly converting waste heat into electricity. The two-dimensional mass, momentum, and energy equations were solved to predict the local time-dependent pressure, velocity, and temperature. Then, heat input, pumping power, and electrical power generated were estimated, along with the thermodynamic energy efficiency and power density of the device. It was established that reducing the length of the device and/or the viscosity of the working fluid improved the energy efficiency and power density of the device by increasing the optimum operating frequency. Results show that a maximum efficiency of 5.2% at 0.5 Hz corresponding to 55.4% of the Carnot efficiency between 145 and 185 °C can be achieved with commercial 1.5 cst silicone oil as the working fluid and PZST as the pyroelectric material. The associated power density was found to be 38.4 W/L of material.
Does attitude certainty beget self-certainty?

Abstract This research explores the possibility that changes in attitude certainty can affect general self-certainty and, thus, have consequences that extend beyond the attitude domain. Across two studies, attitude certainty is manipulated using repeated attitude expression and attitude consensus paradigms. The implications of these manipulations are tested for feelings of general self-uncertainty (Study 1) and global self-doubt about one’s abilities (Study 2). In each study, it is demonstrated that participants feel greater self-certainty under conditions of high rather than low attitude certainty, but only when they view aspects of the attitude as central to their self-concept.
Effects of toluene inhalation on fixed‐ratio liquid‐reinforced behavior in rats

The effect of toluene inhalation was studied on an operant behavior maintained by a fixed-ratio (FR-24) schedule of liquid reinforcement in rats. A dynamic (flow-through) inhalational behavioral chamber was used to expose rats to toluene vapor. Rats were exposed successively to three graded concentrations (105, 214, 382 ppm) of toluene vapor each for 2 hr in range-finding experiments during 6 1/4-hr sessions. The reinforcement rate was not altered at hours 1 and 2 but was decreased at hours 3 and 5 of exposure. However, at hours 4 and 6 the reinforcement rate showed recovery from depression. In 2-hr exposure experiments with four different concentrations of toluene on separate days, the reinforcement rate was decreased at hour 1 during exposure to 142, 211, and 496 ppm, but exposure to 121 ppm had no effect. There was also no effect when rats were exposed to 115 ppm of toluene during a 5-hr session. The experiment with 2-hr daily exposures to 212 ppm of toluene for 5 consecutive days indicated the development of tolerance to the decreased reinforcement rate during 4th and 5th days of exposure. This study thus shows a minimum effective concentration of 142 ppm of toluene, which would produce no effect on FR liquid-reinforced behavior, and indicates that tolerance develops to the behavioral effect of toluene.
Content dimensions of self-statements in assertive situations: A factor analysis of two measures

The individual and combined factor structures of two assertive self-statement inventories, the Assertive Self-Statement Test (ASST) and the Subjective Probability of Consequences Inventory (SPCI), were investigated. Both measures showed adequate internal reliability coefficients. Factor loadings for the ASST suggest that this scale may be more multidimensional in its negative and positive self-statement content than originally assumed, while loadings for the SPCI corresponded closely with Fiedler and Beach's (1978) original intentions. A second-order analysis performed on factor scores from the ASST and SPCI revealed two conceptual dimensions common to both inventories. These second-order factors were felt to reflect “externally oriented” concerns and “internally oriented” concerns when refusing unreasonable requests. Multiple regression analyses indicated that both separate scale factors and second-order factors were differentially predictive of subjects' degree of ability to formulate effective refusal responses. Results are discussed in terms of the increased clarity of assertive self-statement content afforded by the current methods.
Gender, early alcohol use, and suicide ideation and attempts: findings from the 2005 youth risk behavior survey.

Abstract Purpose To examine the cross-sectional associations between preteen alcohol use initiation and subsequent suicide ideation and attempts for boys and girls in a nationally representative sample of high school students. Methods Analyses are computed using data from the 2005 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which includes a representative sample (n = 13,639) of high-school students in grades 9–12 in the United States. Cross-sectional logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the associations between early alcohol use and reports of suicide ideation and suicide attempts for boys and girls while controlling for demographic characteristics, substance use, involvement in physical fights, weapon carrying, physical abuse by dating partner, sexual assault, and sadness. Results Among study participants, 25.4% reported drinking before age 13 years. Preteen alcohol use initiation was statistically significantly associated with suicidal ideation (adjusted OR=1.89, 95% CI=1.46–2.44) and suicide attempts (adjusted OR=2.71, 95% CI=1.82–4.02) relative to nondrinkers. Preteen alcohol use initiation was statistically significantly associated with suicidal ideation and attempts relative to nondrinkers for both boys and girls. Conclusions Alcohol use among adolescents, particularly preteen alcohol use initiation, is an important risk factor for both suicide ideation and suicide attempts among boys and girls. Increased efforts to delay and reduce early alcohol use are needed, and may reduce suicide attempts.
Spontaneous Use of Mnemonics by Elderly Individuals.

Abstract This study was prompted by the confusion that exists in the literature concerning the effectiveness of mnemonic training programs for elderly adults. Our purpose was to understand what kinds of mnemonic activities might occur spontaneously in standard (or “do‐nothing") control groups of older individuals. Elderly adults in two studies were asked to: (1) predict how successful they might be in a simple memorization task; (2) memorize a short list of common words; (3) report how they actually carried out the memory task. In the second study, reports of strategy usage were also given before the memorization task and compared with reports of strategies actually used. Summaries of the reported mnemonic strategies are presented. The relationships between strategy reports, memory performance, and predicted memory performance are examined. Predicted memory performance and actual memory performance were not strongly related. Reports of using imagery were relatively rare. Persons using deep processing stra...
Obesity and Left Ventricular Dilatation in Young Adulthood: The Bogalusa Heart Study

Background: Cardiac enlargement is an important predictor of adverse cardiovascular (CV) events. Left ventricular (LV) dilatation is a precursor both of LV dysfunction and clinical heart failure. The present study examines risk factors for LV dilatation among 832 young adults (341 male, 491 female) who participated in the Bogalusa Heart Study. Hypothesis: A unique set of risk factors predicts LV dilatation among young adults. Methods: Standard ventricular dimensions were determined by M-mode echocardiography and indexed to height using a standard method. LV dilatation was considered as the top 20th percentile of LV end-diastolic dimension indexed to height. Logistic regression models were used, stratified by race and sex, to assess the relationship of CV risk factors with quintile of LV end-diastolic dimension indexed to height. Results: The mean age (standard deviation) of men and women in the population was 36.4 years (3.9 years) and 35.9 years (4.6 years), respectively. In sex-specific models adjusted for age, race, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and glycosylated hemoglobin, body mass index (BMI) was a significant predictor of LV dilatation in both men and women. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for a 1-unit change in BMI was 1.12 (1.02–1.19) in men and 1.09 (1.05–1.13) in women. Among men, triglyceride level was also significantly associated with LV dilatation (P = 0.03), whereas among women there was no such association. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that obesity is the most consistent predictor of LV dilatation in both men and women, whereas triglyceride level was a significant predictor among men only. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The Bogalusa Heart Study is supported by a grant from the National Institute of Aging (5R01AG016592). Dr. Bazzano was supported by grant no. K08HL091108 from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The authors have no other funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Deletion of Prostaglandin E2 EP2 Receptor Protects against Ultraviolet-Induced Carcinogenesis, but Increases Tumor Aggressiveness

Ultraviolet (UV) light is a complete carcinogen inducing and promoting squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin. Recent work has shown that SCC initiation and promotion are enhanced by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). PGE2 interacts with specific EP receptors to regulate cellular functions. Previous work from our group has shown that the prostaglandin E2 EP2 receptor is a powerful regulator of keratinocyte growth. SKH-1 hairless mice lacking the EP2 receptor were therefore studied to understand how this growth signaling pathway contributes to photocarcinogenesis. Our data indicate that UV-irradiated mice lacking EP2 receptors exhibit decreased proliferation and a poor capacity for epidermal hypertrophy in response to UV injury. In a chronic irradiation model, these animals were protected from tumor formation, developing 50% fewer tumors than wild-type controls. Despite this capacity to protect against tumorigenesis, animals lacking EP2 receptors grew tumors that were larger in size, with a more aggressive phenotype. Further study suggested that this susceptibility may be associated with synthesis of active metalloproteinase enzymes in greater quantities than keratinocytes expressing the EP2 receptor, thereby enhancing the invasive potential of EP2−/− cells.
Resonant inelastic scattering in localized solid system by soft X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

An insertion device beamline, BL 8.0 at the ALS, utilizes the radiation from a 5.0 cm period undulator to cover the 100 – 1500 eV photon energy range. In a number of solid systems with localized conduction band states and excitonic states by tuning the energy of the monochromatic x-rays near core level absorption edges of cation atoms, a resonant inelastic scattering feature is observed. We have carried out careful studies in various systems. As an example, we present resonant X-ray inelastic scattering spectra from CaF2, CaSi and CaSi2 with distinctive localized empty 3d states, to give a general overview of resonant inelastics scattering observations in these systems. When a corelectrtron is excited into a localized state, it stays there long enough eventuall to recombine with the core hole, resulting in resonant elastic peaks. For the inelastic process, the energy loss observed indicates an electronic transition of the valence electron to the localized states in the conduction band accompanying the excitation.
Automated gain control and internal calibration with external ion accumulation capillary liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance.

When combined with capillary LC separations, electrospray ionization-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICR MS) has demonstrated capabilities for advanced characterization of proteomes based upon analyses of proteolytic digests. Incorporation of external (to the ICR cell) multipole devices with FTICR for ion selection and ion accumulation has enhanced the dynamic range, sensitivity, and duty cycle of measurements. However, the highly variable ion production rate from an LC separation can result in “overfilling” of the external trap during the elution of major peaks and result in m/z discrimination and fragmentation of peptide ions. Excessive space charge trapped in the ICR cell also causes significant shifts in the detected ion cyclotron frequencies, reducing the achievable mass measurement accuracy (MMA) and making protein identification less effective. To eliminate m/z discrimination in the external ion trap, further increase duty cycle, and improve MMA, we have developed...
Nonlinear dynamics and stability of analog neural networks

Abstract We review a number of recent results on the dynamics and stability of networks of analog (graded-response) neurons. Topics are motivated by practical issues of implementation, especially concerning the use of electronic circuits and multiprocessor computers to build fast, stable neural networks. Stability criteria for symmetrically connected networks are presented which generalize the famous result “symmetric connections ⇒ fixed points only” to include neurons with time-delayed response as well as discrete-time dynamics with parallel updating. Example applications include long-range and nearest-neighbor 2D lattices with delayed lateral inhibition and analog associative memories with iterated-map dynamics. We also describe a small (3-neuron) electronic analog network that exhibits delay-induced chaos. Finally, analytical and numerical results are presented showing how lowering neuron gain can dramatically reduce the number of spurious attractors and thus improve the performance of an analog network.
Phospholipid-deacylating enzymes of rat stomach mucosa.

Abstract 1. 1. Rat stomach mucosa exhibited three distinguishable phospholipid-deacylating enzyme activities: lysophospholipase, phospholipase A 1 and phospholipase A 2 . 2. 2. The lysophospholipase hydrolyzed 1-palmitoyl lysophosphatidylcholine to free fatty acid and glycerophosphorylcholine. This enzyme had an optimum pH of 8.0, was heat labile, did not require Ca 2+ for maximum activity and was not inhibited by bile salts or buffers of high ionic strength. 3. 3. Phospholipase A 2 and phospholipase A 1 deacylated dipalmitoyl phophatidylcholine to the corresponding lyso compound and free fatty acid. The specific activity of phospholipase A 2 was 2–4-fold higher than that of phospholipase A 1 under all the conditions tested. Both activities were enhanced 4–7.5-fold in the presence of bile salts at alkaline pH and 11–18-fold at acidic pH. 4. 4. In the absence of bile salts, phospholipase A 1 exhibited pH optima at 6.5 and 9.5 and phospholipase A 2 at pH 6.5, 8.0 and 9.5. The pH optima for phospholipase A 1 were shifted to pH 3.0, 6.0 and 9.0 in presence of sodium taurocholate; the activity was detected only at a single pH of 9.5 in the presence of sodium deoxycholate and at pH 10.0 in the presence of sodium glycocholate. Phospholipase A 2 optimum activity was displayed at pH 3.0, 6.0 and 8.0 in presence of taurocholate, pH 7.5 and 9.0, in presence of glycocholate and only at pH 9.0 in presence of deoxycholate. 5. 5. Ca 2+ was essential for optimum activity of phospholipases A 1 and A 2 . But phospholipase A 1 lost complete activity in presence of 0.5 mM ethyleneglycolbis-(β-aminoethylether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) at pH 6.0, whereas phospholipase A 2 lost only 50%. 6. 6. Phospholipases A 1 and A 2 retained about 50% of their activities by heating at 75° for 10 min. At 100°, phospholipase A 1 retained 22% of its activity, whereas phospholipase A 2 retained only 7%.
Sequential Contraction and Exchange of Apical Junctions Drives Zippering and Neural Tube Closure in a Simple Chordate

Summary Unidirectional zippering is a key step in neural tube closure that remains poorly understood. Here, we combine experimental and computational approaches to identify the mechanism for zippering in a basal chordate, Ciona intestinalis . We show that myosin II is activated sequentially from posterior to anterior along the neural/epidermal (Ne/Epi) boundary just ahead of the advancing zipper. This promotes rapid shortening of Ne/Epi junctions, driving the zipper forward and drawing the neural folds together. Cell contact rearrangements (Ne/Epi + Ne/Epi → Ne/Ne + Epi/Epi) just behind the zipper lower tissue resistance to zipper progression by allowing transiently stretched cells to detach and relax toward isodiametric shapes. Computer simulations show that measured differences in junction tension, timing of primary contractions, and delay before cell detachment are sufficient to explain the speed and direction of zipper progression and highlight key advantages of a sequential contraction mechanism for robust efficient zippering.
The thermodynamic properties of 9-methylcarbazole and of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-methylcarbazole

Measurements leading to the calculation of the standard thermodynamic properties of the gases are reported for 9-methylcarbazole and for 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-methylcarbazole. For studies on 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-methylcarbazole experimental methods included combustion calorimetry, adiabatic heat-capacity calorimetry, vibrating-tube densitometry, comparative ebulliometry, inclined-piston-gauge manometry, and differential-scanning calorimetry (d.s.c.). Adiabatic heat-capacity and combustion-calorimetric studies were reported previously for 9-methylcarbazole; vapor pressures by comparative ebulliometry and inclined-piston-gauge manometry, and heat-capacities for the liquid phase by d.s.c., are reported here. Standard molar entropies, enthalpies, and Gibbs energies of formation were derived for the gaseous state for each compound for selected temperatures between 298.15 K and near 700 K.
Invariants of simple algebras

We determine the group of invariants with values in Galois cohomology with coefficients \({\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z}}\) of central simple algebras of degree at most 8 and exponent dividing 2.
On empirical Bayes tests in a positive exponential family

We study empirical Bayes tests for testing the hypotheses H0:θ⩽θ0 against H1:θ>θ0 in a positive exponential family having probability density u(x)c(θ)exp(−θx),θ>0, using a linear error loss. Under the assumption that the critical point aG of a Bayes test is within some known compact interval [C1,C2], where 0<C1<C2<∞, we are able to construct an empirical Bayes test δn∗ possessing asymptotic optimality, with regret converging to zero at a rate of order O(n−s/(s+3)), where s is an arbitrary positive integer. This rate of convergence has improved the earlier existing rate of convergence of empirical Bayes tests regarding the underlying testing problem in the literature.
Orthopaedic management of spina bifida—part II: foot and ankle deformities

Both congenital and acquired orthopaedic deformities are common in patients with spina bifida. Examples of congenital deformities, which are present at birth, include clubfoot and vertical talus. Acquired developmental deformities are related to the level of neurologic involvement and include calcaneus and cavovarus. Orthopaedic deformities may also result from postoperative tethered cord syndrome. The previously published Part I reviewed the overall orthopaedic care of a patient with spina bifida, with a focused review of hip, knee, and rotational deformities. This paper will cover foot and ankle deformities associated with spina bifida, including clubfoot, equinus, vertical talus, calcaneus and calcaneovalgus, ankle and hindfoot valgus, and cavovarus. In addition, this paper will address the issues surrounding skin breakdown in patients with spina bifida.
Multicomponent reactive transport in discrete fractures: I. Controls on reaction front geometry

A multicomponent reactive transport model with mixed equilibrium and kinetic reactions is presented for a dual porosity system. The model is used to analyze alteration front geometry in discrete fractures and adjacent rock matrix. An analytical solution for a dual porosity system is used to verify the numerical model and to obtain an expression for mineral reaction front geometry under quasi-stationary state conditions. Both the analytical solution and numerical results suggest that the geometry of reaction fronts in a dual porosity system can be characterized by the sum of two dimensionless parameters: φD′/δv (φ=porosity, D′=effective diffusion coefficient in rock matrix, δ=fracture aperture, and v=fluid velocity in the fracture) and λm/λ0f (λm=equilibration length scale in rock matrix and λ0f=equilibration length scale in the fracture in the absence of matrix diffusion). In the case where the system is surface reaction-controlled, the first dimensionless parameter, which is independent of the reaction rate constants, dominates. From an analysis of a system described by linear reaction rates, this parameter can be used to predict quasi-stationary state concentration profiles and the distribution of minerals along the length of a fracture based on the one-dimensional diffusion-reaction profile in the rock matrix bordering the fracture. Numerical simulations of a multi-component problem involving dedolomitization resulting from the infiltration of hyperalkaline groundwater demonstrate that the dimensionless parameter φD′/δv applies in more complicated multicomponent systems as well. This result suggests that field observations of matrix alteration perpendicular to the fracture may be used to predict mineralization along the fracture itself.
Unsaturated hyporheic zone flow in stream/aquifer conjunctive systems

Abstract Saturated flow is typically assumed for seepage from a stream underlain by an alluvial aquifer. However, if the water table falls a sufficient distance below a semipervious streambed, the head losses in this less conductive layer will cause the region beneath the stream, or hyporheic zone, to become unsaturated. Hyporheic zone flow is defined loosely in this research as the flow that occurs underneath the streambed. Unsaturated flow transforms streams from constant head boundaries to constant flux boundaries, impacting the biogeochemistry in the hyporheic zone. The objective of this paper is to discuss the development and implications of unsaturated flow beneath the streambed. Conditions under which saturated or unsaturated flow occurs and the characteristics of each flow regime are discussed. Next, the effect of unsaturated flow is illustrated for the case of stream leakage induced by a well pumping from an aquifer that is hydraulically interacting with a partially penetrating stream. Prior analytical solutions for alluvial well depletions fail to model unsaturated flow between the streambed and water table. An approximating solution is proposed to estimate aquifer drawdown and stream depletion under saturated/unsaturated hyporheic zone flow conditions.
Effects of antenatal corticosteroids on regional brain and non-neural tissue water content in the ovine fetus.

We examined the effects of maternal corticosteroid administration on water content in regional tissue in ovine fetuses at 60%, 80%, and 90% of gestation. After catheters were placed in the fetuses, the ewes were given four 6-mg doses of dexamethasone or placebo injections 12 hours apart over 48 hours. Water conent of fetal tissue was determined 18 hours after the last injection was given to the ewes. Tissue water ws determined by wet-to-dry weight ratio in brain (cerebral cortex, caudate nucleus, cerebellum, midbrain, and medulla) and non-neural tissues (kidney, liver, muscle, and skin) at each gestational age. Water content (P < .05) in brain regions was lower in fetuses from dexamethasone-treated than placebo-treated ewes at 60% but not 80% or 90% of gestation and in non-neural tissues at each gestational age. Maternal treatmet with a contricosteroid regimen similar to that used in the clinical setting was associated with small decreases in brain water content early but not later in gestation. This corticosteroid treatment regimen was also associated with decreased regional non-neural tissue water content at 60%, 80%, and 90% of gestation.
Life with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy: child and parental perspectives and predictors of metabolic control.

: Objective: The purpose of this study was twofold (i): to evaluate metabolic control in patients receiving CSII therapy in a routine pediatric diabetes clinic by describing reasons for initiating therapy and daily management issues, including needle fear; and (ii) to assess the change in parental involvement and anxiety once their child initiated CSII therapy. Research design and methods: The study included 52 subjects (aged 7.6–23.6 yr) from a general pediatric diabetes clinic. Management issues were defined as diet, exercise, home blood glucose monitoring (HBGM) frequency, and self/staff assessment of needle fear. Characteristics were analyzed both according to a 0.5% change in HbA1c status (decreased vs. stable vs. increased) compared with pre-CSII therapy, and final HbA1c achieved (≤ 8.1 vs. > 8.1%). Results: The primary recommendation source for CSII use was most often the physician/diabetes team (48.1%), followed by a combination of the former with a personal referral source (32.7%). The most common reason (71.2%) for CSII initiation was a combination of wanting to achieve better metabolic control, dislike of insulin injections, and/or increased flexibility in daily living. Over one-quarter (26.9%) of subjects were identified as being needle-fearful, and this characteristic was predictive of final metabolic control (3/25 subjects ≤ 8.1% vs. 11/27 subjects > 8.1%, p = 0.03). On CSII therapy, dietary carbohydrate consistency was highly variable, and most subjects (65.3%) exclusively used an insulin to carbohydrate ratio for insulin bolus dosage calculation. The most common adjustment strategy (63.5%) for exercise was a combination of decreasing the insulin basal rate, disconnecting the pump, and/or eating extra carbohydrates. For the total cohort, the frequency of HBGM significantly increased on CSII therapy (4.31–4.85 tests/day, p = 0.02). Females did not have a significant change in HBGM frequency, while the youngest subjects had the highest HBGM frequency. Parental involvement and anxiety primarily stayed the same or decreased, regardless of the child's age (≤ 18 vs. > 18 yr) or metabolic control. Conclusions: Analyses of the various characteristics identified only needle fearfulness as being predictive of poor metabolic control. Interestingly, poor control with CSII therapy did not result in a significant increase in parental involvement and/or anxiety.
Anterior hypothalamic-preoptic lesions impair normal thermoregulation in house sparrows.

Abstract 1. Cloacal temperature was monitored via a thermocouple in unrestrained house sparrows before and after lesions were placed in and near the anterior hypothalamic/preoptic area (AH/POA). 2. Bilateral lesions in the AH/POA of house sparrows significantly impaired maintenance of constant body temperature below the thermoneutral zone. 3. Since this thermoresponsive area is required for thermoregulation, some degree of homology between the AH/POA of birds and mammals must exist.
Removal of RFI in wideband radars

The least-mean-square (LMS) adaptive filter is applied to suppress narrow-band radiofrequency interference (RFI) in wideband synthetic aperture radar (SAR) signals. Simulation is used to show the working principles of the adaptive filter and to obtain the optimum filter's parameters. The algorithm is tested with P-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data collected by the NASA/JPL airborne SAR (AIRSAR) in different noisy environments.
Expression characteristics of prostate-derived Ets factor support a role in breast and prostate cancer progression

The purpose of this study was to understand the characteristics of prostate-derived Ets factor (PDEF) protein expression in breast and prostate cancer progression. A polyclonal antibody specific to PDEF was raised and reacted with tissue microarrays consisting of benign breast, in situ ductal, invasive ductal, and invasive lobular breast carcinomas. The antibody was also reacted with tissue microarrays, including benign prostate, prostate intraepithelial neoplasias (PINs), and prostate carcinomas. Increased expression of PDEF was identified in 18%, 50%, 46%, and 51% of benign breast tissues, intraductal, invasive ductal, and invasive lobular carcinomas, respectively. Importantly, in matched samples of benign breast vs tumor, 90% showed higher expression of PDEF in the tumor tissue. Moreover, in invasive breast carcinomas, increased PDEF expression tended to correlate with Her2/neu overexpression. Increased expression of PDEF was also found in 27%, 33%, and 40% of benign prostate tissues, PIN samples, and prostate adenocarcinomas, respectively. Again, in matching samples of cancer vs benign and cancer vs PIN, 68% and 70%, respectively, showed increased expression in the malignant tissue. Moreover, PDEF was found to be more highly expressed in tumors with intermediate or high Gleason score compared with low-grade tumors (P < .01). In addition, R1881 treatment induced PDEF expression in the LNCaP prostate tumor cell line, suggesting regulation of PDEF by androgens in vivo. Together, these results for the first time show frequent increased expression of PDEF protein in breast and prostate tumors and support a role for PDEF in breast and prostate cancer progression.
A UHF Mobile RFID Reader IC with Self-Leakage Canceller

A UHF mobile single chip RFID reader is implemented in 0.18 mum CMOS process. Developed IC achieves DA output power of 3 dBm, OIP3 of 14.8 dBm, phase noise of -100 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset, noise figure of 35.5 dB for talk mode, 6.2 dB for listen before talk (LBT) mode, and current consumption of 108 mA from a 1.8 V supply. With an external PA, Tx output generates output power of 27 dBm with OIP3 of 42.5 dBm. A leakage signal cancellation scheme is employed to suppress inevitable Tx leakage into Rx input. At a distance of 90 cm between antenna and tag the average recognition ratio is increased from 0% to 42.8% by the leakage canceller.
Using association rule mining to discover temporal relations of daily activities

The increasing aging population has inspired many machine learning researchers to find innovative solutions for assisted living. A problem often encountered in assisted living settings is activity recognition. Although activity recognition has been vastly studied by many researchers, the temporal features that constitute an activity usually have been ignored by researchers. Temporal features can provide useful insights for building predictive activity models and for recognizing activities. In this paper, we explore the use of temporal features for activity recognition in assisted living settings. We discover temporal relations such as order of activities, as well as their corresponding start time and duration features. To validate our method, we used four months of real data collected from a smart home.
Strategies for Selecting Effective Patient Nutrition Education Materials

Nutrition and diet therapy are at the center of health promotion activities and self-management of chronic diseases. To assist an individual in making informed decisions regarding his or her diet and increase adherence to dietary recommendations or treatments, healthcare professionals must select health information that is appropriate to the client's level of understanding. A systematic approach in the evaluation of patient education material, whether in print or on the World Wide Web, must focus on the information's content, literacy level, graphical displays, layout and typography, motivating principles, cultural relevance, and feasibility. Additional criteria should be evaluated when accessing Web sites and include source, site credibility, conflict of interest, disclaimer, disclosure, navigation, and interactivity information.
Stand Conditions Associated with Tree Regeneration in Sierran Mixed- Conifer Forests

Fire suppression has significantly increased canopy cover, litter depth, and stem density in many western forests, altering microsite conditions that affect tree seedling establishment. We conducted studies in a mixed-conifer forest in the Sierra Nevada, California, to determine relationships between established understory trees and microsite quality, and to examine the effect of fire intensity and shrub cover on seedling establishment. Most of the conifer species were found on microsites with relatively high soil moisture and relatively low direct solar radiation. All species had greater frequency under shadier conditions except for Jeffrey pine, which was found on drier, more open microsites. Although seedlings were more abundant on mineral soil than expected, intact litter and forest floor was not a barrier to establishment. Mortality of planted seedlings was high, particularly in exposed areas. Although shrub cover may initially aid survival, few conifer saplings were present in shrub-dominated patches, possibly because shrubs can be aggressive competitors for soil moisture. The lack of regeneration, logs, or snags in many openings suggest that large gaps are hostile environments for tree seedlings. Results suggest that reductions in shrub cover may benefit tree establishment, but increasing understory light and decreasing surface soil moisture through canopy cover reductions may not. FOR .S CI. 51(3):198-210.
Worksite-Based Weight Loss Programs: A Systematic Review of Recent Literature:

Abstract Objective To update a previous systematic review on the effectiveness of worksite-based weight loss programs. Data Source The following databases were searched: Medline, PsychINFO, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and LexisNexis. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Studies were limited to those published in English from 1995 to 2006 to which the following inclusion criteria were applied: (1) worksite intervention, (2) body weight assessed before and after intervention, and (3) study duration of at least 8 weeks. Data Extraction Data were extracted on the following: study design; funding source; purpose of evaluation; participant and worksite characteristics; type, intensity and duration of intervention; primary and secondary outcomes; and methodological quality. Data Synthesis Heterogeneity of study designs precluded quantitative data synthesis. Results We identified 11 randomized controlled trials, most of which focused on education and counseling to improve diet and increase physical activity. Follow-up...
Two-Photon Calcium Imaging Reveals an Odor-Evoked Map of Activity in the Fly Brain

An understanding of the logic of odor perception requires a functional analysis of odor-evoked patterns of activity in neural assemblies in the brain. We have developed a sensitive imaging system in the Drosophila brain that couples two-photon microscopy with the specific expression of the calcium-sensitive fluorescent protein, G-CaMP. At natural odor concentration, each odor elicits a distinct and sparse spatial pattern of activity in the antennal lobe that is conserved in different flies. Patterns of glomerular activity are similar upon imaging of sensory and projection neurons, suggesting the faithful transmission of sensory input to higher brain centers. Finally, we demonstrate that the response pattern of a given glomerulus is a function of the specificity of a single odorant receptor. The development of this imaging system affords an opportunity to monitor activity in defined neurons throughout the fly brain with high sensitivity and excellent spatial resolution.
Imputation of confidential data sets with spatial locations using disease mapping models.

Data that include fine geographic information, such as census tract or street block identifiers, can be difficult to release as public use files. Fine geography provides information that ill-intentioned data users can use to identify individuals.We propose to release data with simulated geographies, so as to enable spatial analyses while reducing disclosure risks.We fit disease mapping models that predict areal-level counts from attributes in the file, and sample new locations based on the estimated models. We illustrate this approach using data on causes of death in North Carolina, including evaluations of the disclosure risks and analytic validity that can result from releasing synthetic geographies.
The Global Water Cycle Geochemistry, and Environment

In the preface the authors state, as reasons for producing this book, the need for an appropriate undergraduate-level text on water chemistry and the desire to provide broader coverage of atmospheric and environmental chemistry than is found in other existing books on this topic. They have attempted to write a book that could be understood by almost anyone with an elementarv knowledge of science, yet could still serve as a source of geochemical and environmental data for researchers in a variety of fields. The authors have succeeded admirably in achieving these difficult goals.