cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Additional Contribution of Emerging Risk Factors to the Prediction of the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Evidence From the Western New York Study

Objective: To examine whether several biomarkers of endothelial function and inflammation improve prediction of type 2 diabetes over 5.9 years of follow-up, independent of traditional risk factors. Methods and Procedures: A total of 1,455 participants from the Western New York Study, free of type 2 diabetes at baseline, were selected. Incident type 2 diabetes was defined as fasting glucose exceeding 125 mg/dl or on antidiabetic medication at the follow-up visit. Sixty-one people who met the case definition ( 8/1,000 person years) were identified and individually matched with up to three controls on gender, race, year of study enrollment, and baseline fasting glucose (<110 or 110-125 mg/dl). Biomarkers were measured from frozen baseline samples. Results: In conditional logistic regression analyses accounting for traditional risk factors ( age, family history of diabetes, smoking, drinking status, and BMI), E-selectin was positively related (3rd vs. 1st tertile: odds ratio 2.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-6.79, P for linear trend = 0.023) and serum albumin was inversely related ( 3rd vs. 1st tertile: odds ratio 0.36, 95% CI 0.14-0.93, P for linear trend = 0.032) to type 2 diabetes incidence. The addition of E-selectin, serum albumin, and leukocyte count to a basic risk factor model including only traditional risk factors significantly increased the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) ( from 0.646 to 0.726, P value = 0.04). Discussion: These results support the role of endothelial dysfunction and subclinical inflammation as important mechanisms in the etiopathogenesis of type 2 diabetes; moreover, they indicate that novel biomarkers may improve the prediction of type 2 diabetes beyond the use of traditional risk factors alone.
Efficient and scalable demand response for the smart power grid

A demand response setup is considered entailing a set of appliances with deferrable and non-interruptible tasks. A mixed-integer linear programming model for scheduling the operational periods and power levels of the appliances is formulated in response to known dynamic pricing information with the objective of minimizing the total electricity cost and consumer dissatisfaction. A scalable algorithm yielding a near-optimal solution is developed by enforcing a separable structure, and using Lagrangian relaxation. Thus, the original problem is decomposed to per-appliance subproblems, which can be solved exactly based on dynamic programming. The proximal bundle method is employed to obtain a solution to the convexified version, which helps recovery of a primal feasible solution. Numerical tests validate the proposed approach.
Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in Wegener's granulomatosis and other diseases: clinical issues.

BACKGROUND An association between antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) and nonimmune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis was first reported over 10 years ago. In Wegener9s granulomatosis, the antibody usually binds proteinase 3. Antibodies to a variety of other antigens have been identified in a broad range of diseases. SUMMARY The typical coarse, granular cytoplasmic ANCA pattern on indirect immunofluorescence almost always indicates reactivity with proteinase 3, whereas the perinuclear ANCA pattern may reflect reactivity with a host of different antigens. Antibodies to proteinase 3 are overwhelmingly associated with Wegener9s granulomatosis (specificity > 90%). In a significant number of patients, however, disease activity is not linked to an ANCA titer. ANCA may play a role in the pathogenesis of many types of inflammatory conditions. Antibodies to proteinase 3 may be important in predisposing to Wegener9s granulomatosis, but definitive in vivo proof of their role is not yet available. KEY POINTS The presence of cytoplasmic ANCA in a patient who is suspected to have Wegener9s granulomatosis is strong circumstantial evidence in support of that diagnosis. However, it does not represent absolute proof and should be viewed with skepticism if the clinical presentation is atypical. Conversely, a negative ANCA in the setting of a typical presentation should not rule out Wegener9s granulomatosis. Because ANCA titers may not always vary in tandem with disease activity, the decision to modify therapy for Wegener9s granulomatosis should continue to be based on clinical judgment.
In vivo rheology of dog blood after infusions of low molecular-weight dextran or saline

Abstract The effects of hemodilution with either low molecular-weight dextran (LMWD) or isotonic saline on the rheology of dog blood have been studied using an in vivo capillary viscometer of special design. When comparisons are made at equal hematocrits, our results indicate an increased apparent viscosity of blood when using LMWD vis-a-vis saline; generally lower values of apparent relative viscosity were obtained for LMWD. This reversal appears to be related to the deformable nature of the erythrocytes and to changes in plasma viscosity.
Particulate and dissolved amino acids in the lower Mississippi and Pearl Rivers (USA)

Abstract In this study, we present seasonal changes (monthly samples from September 2001 to August 2003) in the abundance and composition of dissolved and particulate amino acids, at one station in the lower Mississippi and Pearl Rivers (LA, MS: USA). Spatial changes over a 4-day transmit from river km 390 to river mouth (Head of Passes, LA) in the Mississippi River, and a two-day downstream sampling from Jackson (MS) to Stennis Space Center (MS) were also determined. Temporal data in the lower Mississippi River showed significantly lower concentrations of dissolved combined amino acids (DCAA, 0.8 to 2.2 μM) and dissolved amino acids in high molecular weight fraction (HMW DAA, 0.2–0.4 μM) than in the Pearl River (DCAA, 1.4–4.3 μM; HMW DAA, 0.4–1.4 μM). Dissolved free amino acids (DFAA) were significantly lower than DCAA in both rivers, and displayed minimal seasonal variability. DCAA, HMW DAA, and particulate amino acids (PAA) were generally higher during high-flow periods, which may have suggested dominance in terrestrial sources. Carbon-normalized yield of PAA (%C-PAA) was generally higher during low-flow conditions and positively correlated with chlorophyll-a (chl-a), reflective of in situ sources. Downstream variability in the lower Mississippi River showed stable DCAA concentrations, a decline in PAA (from 1.06 to 0.43 μM), and a gradual increase in mole percent of non-protein amino acids (%NPAA). This likely reflected bacterial degradation of phytoplankton biomass during falling discharge. Nitrogen-normalized yield of PAA (%N-PAA) was inversely correlated with PAA (R = − 0.7, n = 48), indicative of short-term sedimentation and resuspension events. Conversely, downstream decreases in DCAA and middle-reach peaks of PAA and %N-PAA in the Pearl River, likely resulted from photochemical degradation of DOM as well as algal production during base-flow conditions. The comparisons in abundance and composition of DAA and PAA in these different river systems provides important information on in situ nitrogen and carbon cycling as related to riverine inputs of organic matter to coastal ocean.
Drug-Eluting or Bare-Metal Stents for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Can Observational Data Balance the Risk Benefit Equation?

The randomized clinical trials leading to initial approval of drug-eluting stents (DES) by the United States Food and Drug Administration were conducted by design in a homogeneous group of lower risk patients with mostly noncomplex coronary lesions.1,2 These studies demonstrated a clear benefit in the reduction of restenosis without any evidence of a safety concern during 1 year follow-up. Shortly after approval of the sirolimus and paclitaxel-eluting stents, safety and effectiveness was reported from small nonrandomized studies in a variety of more complex patient and lesion subgroups and resulted in a large proportion of so-called off-label usage.3,4 Article see p 176 Increased concern over the safety of acute DES implantation during primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST elevation myocardial infarction (MI) left this indication as one of the last to gain widespread usage in favor of bare-metal stents (BMS). A study from Rotterdam comparing 186 consecutive patients receiving a DES from April 2002 to January 2003 with 183 patients receiving a BMS during an immediately preceding time interval demonstrated no increase in subacute stent thrombosis (0% versus 1.6%, P =0.10) and a significantly lower risk for major adverse cardiac events at 300 days (9.4% versus 17.0%, P =0.02) due to a markedly lower risk for target lesion revascularization (TLR) (1.1% versus 8.2%, P 80% penetration of DES among all percutaneous coronary intervention procedures by early 2006.6 Two small randomized trials of DES versus BMS conducted in Europe and published in September 2006, also showed no increase in stent thrombosis for DES within 1 year.7,8 In the summer of 2006, there were new concerns regarding late safety of DES with …
Robust and Efficient Methods for Credibility When Claims Are Approximately Gamma-Distributed

Abstract As is well known in actuarial practice, excess claims (outliers) have a disturbing effect on the ratemaking process. To obtain better estimators of premiums, which are based on credibility theory, Kunsch and Gisler and Reinhard suggested using robust methods. The estimators proposed by these authors are indeed resistant to outliers and serve as an excellent example of how useful robust models can be for insurance pricing. In this article we further refine these procedures by reducing the degree of heuristic arguments they involve. Specifically we develop a class of robust estimators for the credibility premium when claims are approximately gamma-distributed and thoroughly study their robustness-efficiency trade-offs in large and small samples. Under specific datagenerating scenarios, this approach yields quantitative indices of estimators’ strength and weakness, and it allows the actuary (who is typically equipped with information beyond the statistical model) to choose a procedure from a full me...
High-resolution electron microscopy of disordered lithium ferrites

Abstract The disordered phase of lithium ferrite (α-LiFeO2) shows characteristic circular short-range order (SRO) diffuse scattering around the 110 and the equivalent reciprocal lattice points in the diffraction pattern with the [001] incidence. The origin of the diffuse scattering has been explained by the SRO arrangement of lithium and iron ions inside an octahedron as the unit of the sodium chloride derivative structure (cluster model). In the present study, the local structure of the specimen is directly observed by high-resolution electron microscopy and microdiffraction to clarify the origin of the SRO diffuse scattering. The results obtained from the micrographs show that the SRO state of the specimen consists of regular arrangements of iron-rich regions with total size of 1.5 to 2.0 nm in the [001] and [0 1 1] projections. It is confirmed from the optical diffraction patterns of the micrographs and the microdiffraction patterns that the arrangements, as the results by the projections, explain the loci in the 001 and 0 1 1 sections of the characteristic SRO diffuse scattering. These results show that a part of the origin of the SRO diffuse scattering arises from ordering in the regions larger than the octahedral unit.
The maize mitochondrial genome: dynamic, yet functional

The organization of the mitochondrial genome of higher plants is complex. It has two striking features: a large size that can vary among plant species; and the ability to undergo homologous recombination that results in variation within species. From cosmid clone mapping studies, the total genetic information of the plant mitochondrial genome can be arranged into a single circular molecule that is referred to as the master chromosome. This circular DNA molecule contains repeated sequences that can generate, via intramolecular recombination, either isomeric forms of the master chromosome or smaller subgenomic circular DNA molecules. The maize mitochondrial genome is the most complex and largest mitochondrial genome for which a physical map is presently available. Its organization varies considerably among the different maize cytotypes. In an attempt to understand the numerous different mitochondrial DNA rearrangements encountered among those cytotypes, we have proposed a general model of genome evolution that can explain a multitude of genomic rearrangements, not only for the maize mitochondrial DNA but also for other higher plant mitochondrial genomes as well.
Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide (GHRP) binding to porcine anterior pituitary and hypothalamic membranes

The synthetic hexapeptide, His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 (GHRP, Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide), has no structural similarities with any of the GH-releasing peptides known and its action in releasing GH is by a complementary but yet not clearly defined action on the pituitary as well as hypothalamus. Therefore, in vitro studies have been performed to demonstrate and characterize GHRP binding sites on peripheral membranes of both porcine pituitary and hypothalamus. The membrane binding sites were specific, reversible, saturable and time, temperature, pH and concentration dependent under optimum binding assay conditions. The maximum specific binding was observed between pH 5.0 and 6.0. In the presence of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions, with or without chelating agents there was a significant reduction in the specific binding. Scatchard analysis of these binding sites using increasing doses of unlabeled GHRP revealed a single low affinity site with a 2.1 x 10(-5) M and 1.7 x 10(-5) M and a maximum number of sites of 10 nmol/mg protein and 5 nmol/mg protein for pituitary and hypothalamus, respectively. It is also observed that (D-Lys3)-GHRP, substance P antagonists and growth hormone-releasing factor analog were potent inhibitors of GHRP binding in both tissues.
Parity predictor for shifting-output adders

A parity scheme for an adder that chooses either the most or least significant bits of the result (shifting-output adder) depending on instruction is presented. The hardware required to implement the parity predictor, and the delay associated with its critical path, are of the same order of magnitude as parity predictors for nonshifting output adders.
PILOT PLANT EVALUATION OF INDIVIDUAL QUICK BLANCHING (IQB) FOR VEGETABLES

A pilot plant IQB blancher was field tested at a California freezing plant. The system included: a warming and drying preconditioning unit, a steam chamber for single layer belt heating, a deep moving-bed holding chamber for temperature equilibration and enzyme inactivation and an air-water spray cooling unit. IQB with and without preconditioning were compared to conventional, steam blanching at equivalent levels of enzyme inactivation in green beans, lima beans, Brussels sprouts and green peas. Effluent volume and total-solids concentration were measured. Product yields were determined by measuring residual peroxidase activity, chlorophyll conversion and ascorbic acid content as well as by sensory panel testing for color and flavor. Results showed that vegetables blanched with IQB and IQB with preconditioning were essentially the same in quality as those blanched at commercial conditions. Solids loss in the effluent was substantially less with IQB and preconditioning than with conventional steam blanching
Quasi-zero lattice mismatch and band alignment of BaTiO3 on epitaxial (110)Ge

Growth, structural, and band alignment properties of pulsed laser deposited amorphous BaTiO3 on epitaxial molecular beam epitaxy grown (110)Ge layer, as well as their utilization in low power transistor are reported. High-resolution x-ray diffraction demonstrated quasi-zero lattice mismatch of BaTiO3 on (110)Ge. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy micrograph confirms the amorphous nature of BaTiO3 layer as well as shows a sharp heterointerface between BaTiO3 and Ge with no traceable interfacial layer. The valence band offset, ΔEv, of 1.99 ± 0.05 eV at the BaTiO3/(110)Ge heterointerface is measured using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The conduction band offset, ΔEc, of 1.14 ± 0.1 eV is calculated using the bandgap energies of BaTiO3 of 3.8 eV and Ge of 0.67 eV. These band offset parameters for carrier confinement and the interface chemical properties of the BaTiO3/(110)Ge system are significant advancement towards designing Ge-based p-and n-channel metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors for low-power application.
A Mixed-TEHD Model for Journal-Bearing Conformal Contacts—Part I: Model Formulation and Approximation of Heat Transfer Considering Asperity Contact

A mixed- TEHD (thermal elastohydrodynamic) model was developed for journal bearings working at large eccentricity ratios in order to facilitate a better understanding of mixed-lubrication phenomena for conformal-contact elements. The model consists of a mixed-lubrication process that considers the roughness effect and asperity contact, a thermal process for temperature analyses, and a thermal-elastic process for deformation calculations. In this model, the interactive journal, lubricant, and bearing were treated as an integrated system. Finite-element, finite-difference, and influence-function methods were utilized in the numerical process. The overall solution was achieved by the iteration method. Analyses of a simulated bearing-lubricant-journal system working under mixed-lubrication conditions were conducted, and the influence of the changes of lubricant flows as a result of the asperity contact on the system heat transfer and temperature distributions was numerically investigated.
Synthesis of carbohydrates and lipids on kaolinite

Abstract In the presence of kaolinite and at temperatures not exceeding 80°C, polysaccharides were synthesized from aqueous solutions of paraformaldehyde; pentoses and hexoses were preferentially formed. Kaolinite is also instrumental in esterification reactions of fatty acids in water to form glycerides. Addition of calcium phosphate to an aqueous mixture of kaolinite, glycerol and palmitic acid produces compounds which appear by electron micrographs to be phospholipid monolayers which are deposited in epitaxial order with a 40 A periodicity on the crystal surface of kaolinite.
The role of α‐, 310‐, and π‐helix in helix→coil transitions

The conformational equilibrium between 3(10)- and alpha-helical structure has been studied via high-resolution NMR spectroscopy by Millhauser and coworkers using the MW peptide Ac-AMAAKAWAAKA AAARA-NH2. Their 750-MHz nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) spectra were interpreted to reflect appreciable populations of 3(10)-helix throughout the peptide, with the greatest contribution at the N and C termini. The presence of simultaneous alphaN(i,i + 2) and alphaN(i,i + 4) NOE cross-peaks was proposed to represent conformational averaging between 3(10)- and alpha-helical structures. In this study, we describe 25-nsec molecular dynamics simulations of the MW peptide at 298 K, using both an 8 A and a 10 A force-shifted nonbonded cutoff. The ensemble averages of both simulations are in reasonable agreement with the experimental helical content from circular dichroism (CD), the (3)J(HNalpha) coupling constants, and the 57 observed NOEs. Analysis of the structures from both simulations revealed very little formation of contiguous i --> i + 3 hydrogen bonds (3(10)-helix); however, there was a large population of bifurcated i --> i + 3 and i --> i + 4 alpha-helical hydrogen bonds. In addition, both simulations contained considerable populations of pi-helix (i --> i + 5 hydrogen bonds). Individual turns formed over residues 1-9, which we predict contribute to the intensities of the experimentally observed alphaN(i,i + 2) NOEs. Here we show how sampling of both folded and unfolded structures can provide a structural framework for deconvolution of the conformational contributions to experimental ensemble averages.
Chromosome-substituted rat strains provide insights into the genetics of placentation

The rat possesses a hemochorial form of placentation. Pronounced intrauterine trophoblast cell invasion and vascular remodeling characterize this type of placentation. Strain-specific patterns of p...
Lipid Dynamics of Cardiolipin/DMPC and Cardiolipin/DOPC in Nanodiscs

Cardiolipin is a negatively charged phospholipid that comprises roughly 20% of the lipids in the inner mitochondrial membrane. The dynamics of this membrane can influence interactions between cytochrome c and cardiolipin, which have been shown to initiate the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. This investigation studies how the dynamics of a model membrane system of varying composition will behave in the presence and absence of cardiolipin. Nanodiscs are composed of varying concentrations of 18:1 cardiolipin and DOPC or DMPC, doped with either NBD-PE or TMA-DPH. (18:1 cardiolipin: 1′,3′-bis[1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho]-sn-glycerol DMPC: 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine DOPC: (Δ9-Cis) PC 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine NBD-PE: 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-(7-nitro-2-1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl) TMA-DPH: trimethylammonium diphenylhexatriene). Time-Resolved Emission Spectra (TRES) of NBD-PE doped nanodiscs are used to report on head group relaxation and Time-Resolved Fluorescence Anisotropy of TMA-DPH doped nanodiscs are used to report on acyl chain motions. These methods are combined to provide insight into how cardiolipin affects lipid membrane dynamics.
The competition between the shears mechanism and core rotation in a classical particles-plus-rotor model

Abstract We present a model study of the competition between the shears mechanism and the rotation of the core. This is done in the framework of a classical solution of a Particles-plus-Rotor Model. The competition is governed by the relative strength of the residual interaction between the blades in the shears and the rotational energy of the core. The results are summarized in terms of a “phase-diagram” of these two modes of rotation that is applicable for all mass regions. We find that in order for the shears mechanism to dominate, the deformation of the core has to be ϵ ≲0.12.
The role of family communication in individual health attitudes and behaviors concerning diet and physical activity.

This study explored associations among family communication patterns (conversation and conformity orientations), health-specific communication variables, health attitudes, and health behaviors in a sample of 433 family dyads (N = 866). As expected, results of multilevel models revealed that individuals’ health attitudes were strongly associated with their self-reported health behaviors. Findings also suggested that perceived confirmation from a family member during health-specific conversations (a) directly influenced health attitudes, (b) partially accounted for the positive relationship between family conversation orientation and health attitudes, and (c) partially accounted for the inverse relationship between family conformity orientation and health attitudes. Similarly, frequency of health-specific communication (a) directly influenced health attitudes, (b) partially accounted for the positive relationship between family conversation orientation and health attitudes, and (c) directly associated with ...
Discontinuous coarsening of lamellar cellular precipitate in an austenitic Fe-30 wt.%Ni-6 wt.%Ti alloy—II. Growth kinetics

Abstract The growth kinetics of discontinuous coarsening of lamellar cellular precipitate in an austenitic Fe-30 wt.%Ni-6 wt.%Ti Alloy aged at temperatures ranging from 400 to 900°C have been studied by light and electron microscopy measurements of cell growth rate and lamellar spacing. Analysis of the growth kinetics shows that the Livingston-Cahn [1] model is not obeyed with the reason being that not all of the available volume free energy is used in the first reaction. A theory which considers the volume free energy remaining after the first reaction is presented. According to this theory, the growth rate of the coarsening reaction in this system is controlled by grain boundary diffusivity, Db. and depends on the growth rate, V1, and lamellar spacing, λ1, of the first cellular precipitation reaction according to the following equation: V 2 = − V 1 λ 1 2 λ 2 2 + 8D b δ RTλ 2 2 (ΔF 0 + 2σv λ 2 ) .
Bridges to Employment: Bringing Workplace Literacy into an Academic Setting.

Leaning Communities at Craven Community College provide unique avenues for student growth. Using quality learning and brain research, we have developed environments that engage students and instructors in continuous improvement, teach academic accountability, and offer students the opportunity to learn and practice employment skills in academic classes.
Displacement analysis of the RCRCR five-link spatial mechanism

Abstract Using the method of line coordinates, the input-output displacement equation of the RCRCR five-link spatial mechanism is obtained as a fourth-order algebraic equation. For each set of the input and output angles obtained from the equation, all other variable parameters of the mechanism are uniquely determined. A numerical example is presented, and the accuracy of each set of solutions is verified.
Generality of black spruce biomass estimation equations.

We developed a set of equations to estimate biomass of black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), based on data from trees from bogs in Minnesota. The equation for total biomass, based on diameter alone, was similar to most other equations for black spruce in the literature. This relationship appears to have wide generality. Estimates of foliage biomass, arrived at by using the same tree diameter and height but various equations from the literature, differed greatly. These comparisons indicate that stand conditions, such as stocking, are apparently very important in determining mass of black spruce foliage.
Mitochondrial Protein Thiol Modifications in Acetaminophen Hepatotoxicity: Effect on HMG-CoA Synthase

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is the leading cause of drug related liver failure in many countries. N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) is a reactive metabolite that is formed by the metabolism of APAP. NAPQI preferentially binds to glutathione and then cellular proteins. NAPQI binding is considered an upstream event in the pathophysiology, especially when binding to mitochondrial proteins and therefore leads to mitochondrial toxicity. APAP caused a significant increase in liver toxicity 3h post-APAP administration as measured by increased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Using high-resolution mitochondrial proteomics techniques to measure thiol and protein changes, no significant change in global thiol levels was observed. However, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthase 2 (HMG-CoA synthase) had significantly decreased levels of reduced thiols and activity after APAP treatment. HMG-CoA synthase is a key regulatory enzyme in ketogenesis and possesses a number of critical cysteines in the active site. Similarly, catalase, a key enzyme in hydrogen peroxide metabolism, also showed modification in protein thiol content. These data indicate post-translational modifications of a few selected proteins involved in mitochondrial and cellular regulation of metabolism during liver toxicity after APAP overdose. The pathophysiological relevance of these limited changes in protein thiols remains to be investigated.
Males increase serum estrogen and estrogen receptor binding in brain of female voles

Sexual development of female prairie voles does not occur unless females are exposed to stimuli from an unfamiliar male. Three experiments were conducted to determine whether a saturable high-affinity estradiol binding site (ERN) is present in cell nuclei of brain tissue from females exposed to male stimuli and whether serum estradiol and brain ERN are correlated with the duration of male exposure. Brain ERN were detected and found to be correlated with serum estradiol levels. Significant increases in brain ERN were observed within 18 hours after females were exposed to a male for either a continuous (uninterrupted) or transient (1 1/4 hour) period. A significant increase in serum estradiol was observed for females given continuous male exposure. The rate of increase of ERN in brain was significantly higher for females given continuous as opposed to transient male exposure. The results suggest that the continued presence of a male can accelerate the rate of increase of ERN in the brain, presumably through increases in circulating estradiol.
Obituary: Donald Frederick Hoffmeister: 1916–2011

Donald F. Hoffmeister was born in San Bernardino, California, on 21 March 1916, the only child of Julia Hillgarten and Percival Hoffmeister. He died at the age of 94 in his sleep at 5:20 PM on Sunday, 6 February 2011, at the Champaign-Urbana Regional Rehabilitation Center in Savoy, Illinois. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living mammalogist. He is survived by 2 sons, Dr. Ronald Hoffmeister, who is a professor at Arizona State University in Tempe, and Dr. Robert Hoffmeister, who is a physician in Bellingham, Washington, and 2 grandchildren. Growing up, his parents had slated him for a medical college education, following in the footsteps of his paternal grandfather, who had gone to California in the gold rush of 1849. However, his father, an astute observer of nature, opened Don's mind to natural history at a young age by demonstrating to him how the talons of a hawk's feet open and release, how the lid of a trapdoor spider's burrow works, and how to make a figure-four box trap for catching squirrels (Hoffmeister 2005). After graduation from San Bernardino High School with highest honors in 1933, young Hoffmeister attended San Bernardino State College for 2 years. While there, he took a course in zoology and came under the influence of Dr. Elton R. Edge, who had just finished a summer session in Nevada with E. Raymond Hall's field crew collecting mammals. Edge introduced him to the art of making study skins and cleaning skulls. Soon he had a bag of Museum Specials (the standard mouse-sized snap-kill trap designed for collecting small mammal specimens with minimum skeletal damage) and his dad eagerly accompanied him in collecting. After 2 years at State College, he went off to the University of California at Berkeley to get a bachelor's …
Sir2 Regulates Histone H3 Lysine 9 Methylation and Heterochromatin Assembly in Fission Yeast

Hypoacetylated histones are a hallmark of heterochromatin in organisms ranging from yeast to humans. Histone deacetylation is carried out by both NAD(+)-dependent and NAD(+)-independent enzymes. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, deacetylation of histones in heterochromatic chromosomal domains requires Sir2, a phylogenetically conserved NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, NAD(+)-independent histone deacetylases are required for the formation of heterochromatin, but the role of Sir2-like deacetylases in this process has not been evaluated. Here, we show that spSir2, the S. pombe Sir2-like protein that is the most closely related to the S. cerevisiae Sir2, is an NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase that efficiently deacetylates histone H3 lysine 9 (K9) and histone H4 lysine 16 (K16) in vitro. In sir2 Delta cells, silencing at the donor mating-type loci, telomeres, and the inner centromeric repeats (imr) is abolished, while silencing at the outer centromeric repeats (otr) and rDNA is weakly reduced. Furthermore, Sir2 is required for hypoacetylation and methylation of H3-K9 and for the association of Swi6 with the above loci in vivo. Our findings suggest that the NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase Sir2 plays an important and conserved role in heterochromatin assembly in eukaryotes.
Reactions of 3-ethoxy-2-oxobutyraldehyde bis(N4-dimethylthiosemicarbazonato) cadmium with tumor cells.

The cytotoxic properties of a bis(thiosemicarbazonato) cadmium complex are studied. Preincubation of Ehrlich cells with the complex prevents growth of the ascites tumor in mice. Although the complex inhibits tumor growth without undue initial toxicity, longer-term side effects limit the use of the compound. The complex inhibits incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA and the respiration of tumor cells. It is shown in the principal correlation that the complex is more inhibitory of the above biochemical processes than cadmium ion at equal cellular concentrations of the metal. In addition the cellular reactions of the cadmium, zinc, and copper bis(thiosemicarbazonato) complexes are compared. It is shown that subtle chemical differences in their chelate structures appear to be responsible for their marked differences in cellular reactivity.
Understanding How Different Recruitment Strategies Impact Parent Engagement With an iPad-Based Intervention to Provide Personalized Information About Adolescent Vaccines

Abstract Purpose Inadequate provider time for addressing parents' questions and concerns about adolescent vaccines is a barrier to vaccine utilization. We sought to determine how different recruitment strategies impact the degree of engagement with an intervention that provided this information via an iPad placed in a clinical setting. Methods We provided to three pediatric practices in the Denver area the "Teen VaxScene" web site that generates individually customized information for parents about adolescent vaccines. Three recruitment strategies were assessed for their impact on parental use of the intervention as follows: passive recruitment using posters to advertise a "kiosk" version of the intervention; posters plus a $10 incentive for using the kiosk; and posters plus a $10 incentive plus decoupling the iPad from the kiosks to enable "roving." We assessed the engagement with the intervention at multiple levels including log in, consent, and completion of a baseline survey and viewing individually tailored web pages. Surveys were used to assess barriers to using the intervention. Results During the 14-month study period, 693 people had contact with the iPad, 199 consented, and 48 completed the survey to enable creation of tailored content; and 42 used the tailored site. Five times as many parents (n = 40) consented to participation during the 2 months when the intervention was "roving" than during the 10-month "passive" recruitment period. Engagement with the tailored material was low, with most users viewing only the "table of contents" pages. Utilizers and nonutilizers of the intervention had similar demographic characteristics. Conclusions Enabling the iPad to "rove" in the clinic greatly increased the proportion of parents consenting to use the intervention. However, meaningful engagement with the material was low. Further research is needed to understand the most effective and time efficient ways to provide vaccine-related educational information to parents of adolescents.
Re-entry research and training: Methods and implications

Abstract This article reviews the literature on the process of re-entry or “going home” from an overseas sojourn. Its special focus is on student and business returnees, although the experiences of other types of returning sojourners are also examined. Drawing upon the review of the empirical literature base, the author suggests several hypotheses regarding the relationship between the initial overseas adaptation and the subsequent re-entry adaptation. The article also suggests a general content outline for re-entry training programs and workshops. If concludes with an examination of current re-entry training models for student and business repatriates.
Retroactive price regulation and the fair rate of return

Abstract Excess profits taxes sometimes are used to prevent accumulation of monopolistic rent. We show that current operation of such taxes for property liability insurance does not. except by coincidence. result in an ex ante fair return on equity. Derivation of the tax threshold required to deliver a fair return is illustrated using capital asset pricing models. Implicit solutions are derived for non-insurance and insurance firms and a possible closed form solution also is presented. This tax creates incentives for avoidance by reducing the variance of the tax flows. This is a classic moral hazard problem. However adverse incentives may be reversed in a multiperiod context. We suggest that use of EPT and direct price regulation results in a system of ‘double taxation’, which likely will cause deficient returns to constituent firms.
Use of the unanesthetized piglet for quantitative evaluation of renal function in the newborn

Abstract Standard methods used in the investigation of renal function have had limited application in the study of renal function of newborn mammals. This work describes a new model for the study of kidney function in newborns, the unanesthetized piglet. Use of the piglet allows measurement of renal clearances in the neonate without the complications introduced by anesthetics. Respiratory and renal parameters were constant and stable for over 2.5 hr. Quantification of renal blood flow by distribution of microspheres was reproducible and did not adversely affect glomerular filtration or electrolyte excretion. Usefulness of this preparation for the study of diuretic drugs is illustrated. Although the use of the unanesthetized piglet for evaluation of renal function is emphasized in this paper, the model should provide an effective tool for pharmacologic and physiological studies of other organ systems as well.
The effect of aggregation on the output multipliers in input-output models

This paper compares the output multipliers of the 1967 National input output model (367 industries) with the multipliers of the aggregated version (81 industries). The results show that, generally, the set of industries in the “full” model that were aggregated together for the “reduced” model, display a wide range of output multiplier values. Therefore, the output multiplier of an aggregated industry may not be truly representative of any of the industries that were joined together. Finally we show how information for a particular firm or disaggregated industry can be incorporated in an aggregated input-output model to obtain a close estimate of the actual output multiplier for that firm or industry.
Commuter welfare approach to high occupancy vehicle lane evaluation: An exploratory analysis

Abstract Exclusive high occupancy vehicle lanes, which have become a popular method of addressing the problem of urban traffic congestion, are often justified on the basis of inappropriate measures of effectiveness, and limited analyses. This paper demonstrates a theoretically consistent and defensible approach of high occupancy vehicle lane evaluation based on consumer welfare theory. The potential suitability of this welfare approach is illustrated in the context of a dynamic traffic equilibrium model.
Possible sources of error in solvent extraction procedures for catecholamines

Abstract Evidence has been presented that several naturally-occuring reducing agents may be the source of errors in solvent extraction procedures for endogenous catecholamines. By the use of the sulfhydryl inhibitor, p-chloromercuriphenyl sulfonic acid and carrying out the extraction with a pH 7.8 phosphate buffer, interference by the reducing agents was circumvented. This modified solvent extraction procedure was highly reproducible and gave the same norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine and dopa values as our Al 2 O 3 -trihydroxyindole procedure with a variety of tissues from several laboratory animals.
Pathogenesis of a double rupture (septal and free wall rupture) after acute myocardial infarction.

Rupture of both the ventricular septum and free wall (double rupture) is an unusual and, typically fatal, post-myocardial infarction complication. We report here the sequence of events leading to the formation of a double rupture.
Linear posterior capsule opacification with the AcrySof intraocular lens

Abstract Intraoperative capsule striae are commonly seen after implantation of the AcrySof® model MA60BM posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL). Although the striae generally have no visual significance and tend to disappear with remodeling of the capsule-haptic interface, we report a series of patients who developed linear posterior capsule opacification (PCO) along persistent striae. The striae appear to create a channel that allows endothelial cells to bypass the barrier created by the squared-edge design of the IOL and migrate posteriorly in a linear pattern. The observation of linear PCO along channels created by capsule striae provide strong support for the theory that a sharp-edge design creates a barrier to posterior epithelial cell migration.
Risk factors for acute chest syndrome in children with sickle cell disease undergoing abdominal surgery.

Abstract Background/purpose The reported incidence of acute chest syndrome (ACS) in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) is 15% to 20%. Our current objective was to assess risk factors and morbidity associated with ACS. Methods The authors reviewed the outcome of children with SCD undergoing abdominal surgery over a 10-year period. Results From 1991 to 2003, 60 children underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC; n=29), laparoscopic splenectomy (LS; n=28), or both (LB; n=3). Mean age was 8.6 (0.7 to 20) years, and 35 (58%) were boys. Fifty-four (90%) had a preoperative hemoglobin greater than 10 g/dL, but only 22 (37%) received routine oxygen after surgery. No surgery was converted to an open procedure. Four children (6.6%), all of whom underwent either LS or LB, had ACS associated with an increased length of stay (7.4 ± 2.4 days) but no mortality. Factors associated with the development of ACS were age (3.0 ± 1.7 v 9.4 ± 5.7 years; P=.03), weight (12.1 ± 3.0 v 32.6 ± 18.2 kg; P=.04), operative blood loss (3.2 ± 0.5 v 1.4 ± 1.2 mL/kg; P=.03), and final temperature in the operating room (OR; 36.2 ± 0.4 v 37.6 ± 0.4 °C; P=.01). ACS was not significantly related to duration of surgery, OR fluids, or oxygen usage. Conclusions Younger children with greater blood and heat loss during surgery appear more prone to ACS. Splenectomy also seems to increase the risk of ACS. The authors' current incidence (6.6%) of ACS in children with SCD undergoing abdominal surgery is much lower than previously reported. This may be explained by the aggressive use of preoperative blood transfusion or more routine use of laparoscopy.
The influence of topology selection on the design of EV/HEV propulsion systems

The adoption of the 42 V Powernet standard has focused substantial research effort into the design of electric machines for hybrid vehicles. This letter investigates the potential performance benefits afforded by adopting a cascaded inverter topology on the overall system and motor performance. As a particular design example, this letter shows that a cascaded inverter driving an open winding motor can increase the high-speed power density of an induction motor by 73%. For an interior permanent magnet motor, the cascaded topology can increase low-speed torque by 9% and high-speed power by up to 300%. In all cases, the power increase is achieved without increasing the phase current over a more traditional system.
A feeling-of-recognition without identification☆

Abstract In a series of four experiments, subjects studied a list of words and then tried to complete fragments of these words as well as fragments of nonstudied words. They also indicated on a rating scale whether the word specified by each fragment was a list word or not, regardless of whether they were able to complete the fragment and identify the word. When ratings for only those fragments that could not be completed were considered, a higher mean rating was obtained for list words than for lure words. This was the case with both two-letter and four-letter fragments, with both 10 s and 20 s allowed for working on each fragment, and with both Turkish and English words. Thus, a curious finding, a feeling-of-knowing for the inclusion of certain words in a previously studied list even when such words could not be identified, was demonstrated.
The changing structure of the medical profession in urban and suburban settings

Abstract Recent data on physician location and types of practice in New York City indicate a marked shift into hospital based practice, and into office based practice in the suburbs with a sharp decline of office based practitioners within the inner city. As a result of these trends, and the changed relationship between private practitioners and teaching hospitals. the medical profession in the metropolitan area is moving toward greater differentiation. Three new types of practice are growing rapidly that have little interchange of knowledge, personnel or direct patient referrals.
Optimization of Linear Recursive Queries in SQL

Recursion is a fundamental computation mechanism which has been incorporated into the SQL language. This work focuses on the optimization of linear recursive queries in SQL. Query optimization is studied with two important graph problems: computing the transitive closure of a graph and getting the power matrix of its adjacency matrix. We present SQL implementations for two fundamental algorithms: seminaive and direct. Five query optimizations are studied: 1) storage and indexing; 2) early selection; 3) early evaluation of nonrecursive joins; 4) pushing duplicate elimination; and 5) pushing aggregation. Experiments compare both evaluation algorithms and systematically evaluate the impact of optimizations with large input tables. Optimizations are evaluated on four types of graphs: binary trees, lists, cyclic graphs, and complete graphs, going from the best to worst case. In general, Seminaive is faster than direct, except for complete graphs. Storing and indexing rows by vertex and pushing aggregation work well on trees, lists, and cyclic graphs. Pushing duplicate elimination is essential for complete graphs, but slows computation for acyclic graphs. Early selection with equality predicates significantly accelerates computation for all types of graphs.
Nano-Underfills for High-Reliability Applications in Extreme Environments

Silica particles are used as a filler material in electronic underfills to reduce coefficient of thermal expansion of the underfill-epoxy matrix. In traditional underfills, the size of silica particles is in the micrometer range. Reduction in particle sizes into the nanometer range has the potential of attaining higher volume fraction particle loading in the underfills and greater control over underfill properties for higher reliability applications. Presently, no-flow underfills have very low or no filler content because micron-size filler particles hinder solder joint formation. Nano-silica underfills have the potential of attaining higher filler loading in no-flow underfills without hindering solder interconnect formation. In this paper, property prediction models based on representative volume element (RVE) and modified random spatial adsortion have been developed. The models can be used for development of nano-silica underfills with desirable thermo-mechanical properties. Temperature dependent thermo-mechanical properties of nano-underfills have been evaluated and correlated with models in a temperature range of -175degC to 150degC. Properties investigated include, temperature dependent stress-strain, creep and stress relaxation behavior. Nano-underfills on 63Sn37Pb eutectic and 95.5Sn3.5Ag1.0Cu leadfree flip-chip devices have been subjected to thermal shock tests in the range of -55degC to 125degC and -55degC to 150degC, respectively. The trade-offs between using nano-fillers instead of micron-fillers on thermo-mechanical properties and reliability has been benchmarked.