cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Population-Based Mathematical Modeling Facilitates the Interpretation of Dynamic Clamp Experiments in Cardiomyocytes

Dynamic clamp (DC) is a powerful method that comprehensively probes how the AP responds to perturbations based on different currents intrinsic to cardiomyocytes. In this closed-loop method, a current is calculated based on the time course of measured voltage, and a scaled version of the calculated current is applied to the cell in real-time. However, since DC currents differ from endogenous currents in several ways, care needs to be taken in interpreting results of these experiments. Since our experiments found significant between-cell heterogeneity in the response to DC perturbations, in order to guide appropriate understanding of these experiments we performed population-based simulations of DC perturbations with different assumptions that reflect how DC currents differ from endogenous currents.DC currents lack the ionic selectivity of endogenous currents. Simulations of DC perturbations with and without ionic selectivity showed that a lack of ionic selectivity leads to overestimation of the effect of the L-type calcium current on APD, but that the effects of other perturbations were largely unaffected. Furthermore, while endogenous currents respond directly to intracellular ionic concentrations, these values are unknown in experiments and must instead be estimated for the calculation of DC currents. We performed simulations where DC currents were calculated using either true ionic concentrations or estimates thereof, and while we found only minor differences in the mean perturbation effect sizes between these two paradigms, the patterns of variability in cell response across a population of models differed significantly, with the latter method producing a closer approximation of experimental results.By illustrating the strengths and shortcomings of how well dynamic clamp perturbations approximate changes in endogenous currents, these simulations allow for more accurate interpretation of dynamic clamp results.
Lack of Caudal-Type Homeobox Transcription Factor 2 Expression as a Prognostic Biomarker in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Abstract Background Although the lack of CDX2 expression has recently been proposed as a potential biomarker for a high risk of relapse in patients with stage II and III colon cancer after complete surgical resection, its prognostic role in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear and warrants investigation. Materials and Methods We identified 145 patients treated at our institution from 2006 to 2016, including 66 patients with CDX2-negative metastatic CRC and a comparison cohort of 79 patients with CDX2-positive metastatic CRC. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for first-line systemic therapy were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The associations of CDX2 expression with survival were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results The prevalence of absent CDX2 expression in our cohort was 5.6%. Patients with CDX2-negative metastatic CRC were significantly more likely to be female, and to have right-sided primary tumors, poorly differentiated histologic features, and distant lymph node metastasis. The median OS for patients with CDX2-negative and -positive metastatic CRC was 8 and 39 months, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 4.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.49-6.54; P P P Conclusion The results of the present study show that a lack of CDX2 expression in metastatic CRC is an adverse prognostic feature and a potential negative predictor of the response to chemotherapy.
Notes on a special feature of greek orthoepy: use of a non-nasal consonant for representing the velar nasal

This study describes the contexts in which the letter gama is used in order to represent the velar nasal, it presents a hypothesis as to the origin of this consonant in Greek, and it considers a problem that results from the inadequate representation of Greek etyma in Roman script, as revealed in data from various dictionaries of Portuguese and other languages.http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/2183-1718_67_4
Measurements of the 235U(n,f) Cross Section in the 3 to 30 MeV Neutron Energy Region

To improve the accuracy of the {sup 235}U(n,f) cross section, measurements have been made of this standard cross section at the target 4 facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The data were obtained at the 20-meter flight path of that facility. The fission reaction rate was determined with a fast parallel plate ionization chamber and the neutron fluence was measured with an annular proton recoil telescope. The measurements provide the shape of the {sup 235}U(n,f) cross section relative to the hydrogen scattering cross section for neutron energies from about 3 to 30 MeV neutron energy. The data have been normalized to the very accurately known value near 14 MeV. The results are in good agreement with the ENDF/B-VI evaluation up to about 15 MeV neutron energy. Above this energy differences as large as 5% are observed.
59 Year old Gentleman with Multiple Extracranial Metastases from Anaplastic Meningioma (P01.108)

OBJECTIVE: We present a rare case of extracranial metastases of an atypical meningioma in a 59-year-old gentleman, that recurred with more invasive features following resection. BACKGROUND: Meningiomas are common, accounting for 20% of all intracranial tumors with the majority being WHO grade I tumors .Atypical meningiomas (WHO II) are more likely to recur but this is commonly adjacent to the site of the original disease. Multiple extracranial metastases are very rare. DESIGN/METHODS: The patient presented with a 6-month history of new-onset headaches with MRI brain revealing a right frontal extra-axial mass infiltrating the right frontal lobe. RESULTS: Pathology showing a WHO grade II/III atypical meningioma with a Ki-67 index of 8.9%.CD44 immunohistochemical staining showed slight focal staining. A year later, the patient9s surveillance MRI revealed a large tumor recurrence. Resected tumor showed a WHO grade III/III anaplastic meningioma with a Ki-67 index of 32%.Four months later, the patient suffered a pathological fracture of his left humerus. Imaging of the chest, abdomen and pelvis showed a large mass in the right gluteus maximus muscle and multiple lytic bone. Biopsy of the gluteal mass, showed a malignant tumor with spindle and epithelioid-appearing cells that were morphologically identical to the patient9s anaplastic meningioma. CD44 staining of the recurrent tumor and gluteal metastasis also showed more diffuse and intense staining compared to the original tumor. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of spread in our patient is rare since the lungs and pleura are quoted in the literature to be the most common site of metastases. To our knowledge this is the first biopsy-proven metastasis of a meningioma to muscle. Reliable indicators of tumor recurrence have not been identified but the Ki-67 and CD44 immunohistochemistry may be useful markers of more aggressive behavior. This case further underscores the importance of immunohistochemical markers of tumor proliferation in the histologic evaluation of meningioma. Disclosure: Dr. Cachia has nothing to disclose. Dr. Alderson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Moser has nothing to disclose. Dr. Smith has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shakeeb has nothing to disclose.
A hybrid geotechnical and geological data-based framework for multiscale regional liquefaction hazard mapping

Regional assessment of liquefaction hazard necessitates not only models for evaluating liquefaction potentials and their spatial extent, but also the means to account for heterogeneous sources of i...
SOLUBLE ST2 LEVELS SHOW PROMISING TREND WITH INCREASING LEFT VENTRICULAR MASS IN AMBULATORY HEART FAILURE COHORT

While ST2 is a novel biomarker valued for its ability to predict adverse outcomes in heart failure (HF), few studies, using distinct populations, have demonstrated that higher soluble ST2 (sST2) levels correlate with echocardiographic indices of hypertrophy and poor ventricular performance. Here we
X-ray measurement model and information-theoretic system metric incorporating material variability (Conference Presentation)

In our prior work, we had employed a fixed photo-absorption, coherent, and incoherent cross-section material model to derive a shot-noise limited description of the X-ray measurements in check-point or a checked baggage threat-detection systems. Using this measurement model, we developed an information-theoretic metric, which provides an upper-bound on the performance of a threat-detection system. However, the fixed cross-section material model does not incorporate material variability arising from inherent variations in its composition and density. In this work, we develop a multi-energy model of material variability based on composition and density variations and combine it with the shot-noise photon detection process to derive a new X-ray measurement model. We derive a computationally scalable analytic approximation of an information-theoretic metric, i.e. Cauchy-Schwarz mutual information, based on this material variability model to quantify the upper-bound on the performance of the threat-detection task. We demonstrate the effect of material variations on the performance bounds of X-ray transmission-based threat detection systems as a function of detector energy resolution and source fluence.
Posttranslational Histone Modifications and the Neurobiology of Psychosis

Schizophrenia and related major psychiatric disease is typically defined by the conspicuous absence of a defining neuropathology and a lack of straightforward identifiable genetic factors in the majority of affected individuals. On the other hand, there is increasing evidence that a distinct set of RNAs, many of which encode proteins of critical importance for myelin regulation and oligodendrocyte function, or GABAergic inhibitory and glutamatergic excitatory neurotransmission are expressed at altered levels in diseased brain. This chapter explores the mechanisms by which epigenetic regulators of gene expression, including covalent histone modifications, could contribute to dysregulation of gene expression in schizophrenia. There is also discussion on the methodological and scientific limitations of histone-focused approaches, as it pertains to the human (postmortem) brain, as well as brief remarks on the topic of epigenetic heritability of chromatin structures potentially altered in schizophrenia. The authors predict that the study of histone modifications, both at defined candidate gene loci and genome-wide, will become an important tool in the investigation of gene expression abnormalities and potential epigenetic dysregulation in the brains of subjects on the psychosis spectrum.
Malpractice liability in private practice of nutrition.

Abstract To date, no dietitian has been successfully sued in a malpractice case. However, as the number of dietitians in private practice increases, the risk of such suits increases proportionally. What is malpractice law and how does it apply to dietitians? What tests do the courts apply to determine whether injuries a patient has suffered were the fault of the health professional caring for that patient? What circumstances might ameliorate the patient's claims and limitthe liability of the dietitian? Even though each case will be decided independently on the basis of the evidence presented in court, general principles and guidelines govern the courts' decision-making process. Among the elements that must be proved by a patient seeking legal redress are actual injury, a relationship of duty between the parties, breach of that duty, and a cause- and-effect relationship between the breach of duty and the injury suffered. Awareness of those principles can assist dietitians in conforming their conduct to practices that minimize their risk of liability. J Am Diet Assoc 88:946, 1988.
Intracellular mechanisms of killing.

One of the principal physiologic functions of “professional” phagocytic cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, and mononuclear phagocytes) is to ingest and destroy microorganisms. Mononuclear phagocytes, however, may also provide a favorable environment for the survival and multiplication of a variety of intracellular pathogens, including many obligate intracellular parasites.
Mammy’s Milk and Absent Black Children

Through an incisive and delicate reading of the figure of the Black mammy in Melanie Klein, Emily Green suggests that we imagine Klein’s processes of reparation as interracial, in that they offer a...
Supporting Muslim students: A guide to understanding the diverse issues of today’s classrooms

While most teachers hope they are serving their Muslim students appropriately, they may not always have the tools to do so. Muslim students may face obstacles ranging from simple ignorance to outri...
Mutations that alter the transmembrane signalling pathway in an ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter.

The maltose transport system of Escherichia coli is a well-characterized member of the ATP binding cassette transporter superfamily. Members of this family share sequence similarity surrounding two short sequences (the Walker A and B sequences) which constitute a nucleotide binding pocket. It is likely that the energy from binding and hydrolysis of ATP is used to accomplish the translocation of substrate from one location to another. Periplasmic binding protein-dependent transport systems, like the maltose transport system of E.coli, possess a water-soluble ligand binding protein that is essential for transport activity. In addition to delivering ligand to the membrane-bound components of the system on the external face of the membrane, the interaction of the binding protein with the membrane complex initiates a signal that is transmitted to the ATP binding subunit on the cytosolic side and stimulates its hydrolytic activity. Mutations that alter the membrane complex so that it transports independently of the periplasmic binding protein also result in constitutive activation of the ATPase. Genetic analysis indicates that, in general, two mutations are required for binding protein-independent transport and constitutive ATPase. The mutations alter residues that cluster to specific regions within the membrane spanning segments of the integral membrane components MalF and MalG. Individually, the mutations perturb the ability of MBP to interact productively with the membrane complex. Genetic alteration of this signalling pathway suggests that other agents might have similar effects. These could be potentially useful for modulating the activities of ABC transporters such as P-glycoprotein or CFTR, that are implicated in disease.
Megaesophagus Is a Major Pathological Condition in Rats With a Large Deletion in the Rbm20 Gene

A spontaneously arising, loss-of-function mutation in the RNA binding motif protein 20 (Rbm20) gene, which encodes a nuclear splicing protein, was previously identified as the underlying reason for expression of an abnormally large TITIN (TTN) protein in a rat model of cardiomyopathy. An outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa led to submission of rats with dyspnea, sneezing, lethargy, nasal discharge, and/or unexpected death for diagnostic evaluation. Necropsy revealed underlying megaesophagus in Rbm20-/- rats. Further phenotyping of this rat strain and determination of the size of esophageal TTN was undertaken. The Rbm20-defective rats developed megaesophagus at an early age (26 weeks) with high frequency (13/32, 41%). They also often exhibited secondary rhinitis (9/32, 28%), aspiration pneumonia (8/32, 25%), and otitis media/interna (6/32, 19%). In addition, these rats had a high prevalence of hydronephrosis (13/32, 41%). RBM20 is involved in splicing multiple RNA transcripts, one of which is the muscle-specific protein TTN. Rbm20 mutations are a significant cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in humans. In Rbm20-defective rats, TTN size was significantly increased in the skeletal muscle of the esophagus. Megaesophagus in this rat strain (maintained on a mixed genetic background) is hypothesized to result from altered TTN stretch signaling in esophageal skeletal muscle. This study describes a novel mechanism for the development of megaesophagus, which may be useful for understanding the pathogenesis of megaesophagus in humans and offers insights into potential myogenic causes of this condition. This is the first report of megaesophagus and other noncardiac pathogenic changes associated with mutation of Rbm20 in any species.
Personnel is Policy: Regulatory Capture at the Federal Trade Commission, 1914–1929

This paper uses the concept of “Personnel is Policy” to extend the theory of regulatory capture to the political appointment of agency commissioners. The “Personnel is Policy” theory provides three important insights. First, it shows that whether or not an interest group benefits from a regulatory agency depends on the particular individuals appointed to run it. Second, the president plays an important role in regulatory capture by nominating individuals to be appointed to the commission. Third, regulatory capture does not follow a pre-determined path because the commissioners continually change. The theory is then used to explain the early years of a prominent regulatory agency created during the Progressive Era: the Federal Trade Commission. From the perspective of the big business “trust” interest group, their success at capturing the FTC to achieve their goals of controlling competition and blocking hostile antitrust actions was largely a result of who was appointed to the commission. The trusts were the most successful during the years of 1915–1916 and 1925–1929.
Rapid activation product separations from fission products and soil matrixes.

A rapid method for the separation and qualitative analysis of several neutron activation products (198Au, 192Ir, 72Ga, 51Cr, 191/195m/197Pt, 54Mn, 57Co, and 59Fe) from fission products and soil matrixes has been developed. Analytes were isolated within 20 h using ion exchange chromatography. After separation, the activation products were characterized by γ-spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. Validation experiments demonstrated versatility of the method, showing that the activation products could be isolated from fresh fission products and other contaminants associated with complex soil matrixes.
Retained Coronary Guidewire Extending to the Right Axillary Artery.

Abstract This is a case of a 56-year-old female who presented with inferior ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), treated with percutaneous intervention (PCI), which was complicated by a retained guidewire extending from left circumflex artery (at location of obtuse marginal (OM) stent) through the ascending aorta, the right brachiocephalic artery and into the right axillary artery. Patient underwent cardiac CT, with maximum intensity projection image showing the course of the retained guidewire. Percutaneous retrieval was deferred due to risk of damaging the stent, and the patient initially deferred coronary artery bypass (CABG) and surgical retrieval as. She was discharged on triple therapy with Aspirin, Clopidogril and Apixaban for 3 months with no bleeding or thromboembolic complications on a 3-month follow up with cardiology clinic, during which rediscussion of risks and benefits of CABG and surgical retrieval or retained wire took place with the patient. Patient agreed to undergo the procedure and guidewire was retrieved surgically and CABG was done. Download : Download high-res image (276KB) Download : Download full-size image
Photocurrent From Single Collision 14-MeV Neutrons in GaN and GaAs

Accurate predictions of device performance in 14-MeV neutron environments rely upon understanding the recoil cascades that may be produced. Recoils from 14-MeV neutrons impinging on both gallium nitride (GaN) and gallium arsenide (GaAs) devices were modeled and compared to the recoil spectra of devices exposed to 14-MeV neutrons. Recoil spectra were generated using nuclear reaction modeling programs and converted into an ionizing energy loss (IEL) spectrum. We measured the recoil IEL spectra by capturing the photocurrent pulses produced by single neutron interactions with the device. Good agreement, with a factor of two, was found between the model and the experiment under strongly depleted conditions. However, this range of agreement between the model and the experiment decreased significantly when the bias was removed, indicating partial energy deposition due to cascades that escape the active volume of the device not captured by the model. Consistent event rates across multiple detectors confirm the reliability of our neutron recoil detection method.
In vitro study of surface alterations to polyetheretherketone and titanium and their effect upon human gingival fibroblasts.

Abstract Statement of problem Soft-tissue attachment to different surfaces may play a pivotal role in the long-term success of dental implants. However, studies on the issue, especially on newer materials, are sparse. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the viability and adhesion of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) on different implant abutment materials with specific surface modifications. Material and methods One hundred and fifty specimens in 6 experimental groups were evaluated: smooth-machined titanium alloy (Ti), laser-modified titanium (TiL), smooth-machined polyetheretherketone (PEEK) (P), laser-modified PEEK (PL), plasma-treated PEEK (PP), laser- and plasma-treated PEEK (PLP). Machined Ti was considered as the control group. Surface roughness (Sa), water contact angle (WCA), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were measured. HGF attachment and proliferation were observed at 1, 3, and 7 days after cell seeding. Comparison of the means among the groups was performed with 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc comparison using the Tukey test (α=.05). Results Sa values of the laser modified groups were significantly higher than those of the nonmodified (smooth-machined) groups (P .05). On the first and third days of proliferation, the plasma sprayed groups (PP, PLP) showed significantly greater proliferation than all experimental groups (P .05). Conclusions Laser-modified titanium and PEEK surfaces led to guided gingival fibroblast attachment. Plasma treatment of PEEK surfaces increased the wettability of this polymer and improved proliferation of HGF.
[Analysis of DOCK6 gene mutation in a child affected with Adams-Oliver syndrome type 2].

Objective To detect pathogenic mutation of DOCK6 gene in a patient with convulsive seizure and refractory epilepsy. Methods CytoScan HD-Array and next generation sequencing were used to detect the potential mutation in the patient. Results The proband has carried compound heterozygous mutations of c. 188C>T (p.Arg63Gln) and c. 5374C>T (p.Glu1792Lys) of the DOCK6 gene, which were respectively inherited from his mother and father. Neither mutation was reported previously. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the two amino acids are highly conserved. According to the ACMG guidelines, the c. 188C>T mutation was predicted as likely pathogenic, while the c. 5374C>T mutation was of uncertain significance. Conclusion The compound heterozygous mutations of c. 188C>T (p.Arg63Gln) and c. 5374C>T (p.Glu1792Lys) of the DOCK6 gene may underlie the disease in this patient. Key words: Adams-Oliver syndrome; DOCK6 gene; Next generation sequencing
Effect of [EMIM][BF4] ionic liquid on the properties of ultrafiltration membranes

Abstract We employ a miscible mixture of an imidazolium based ionic liquid (IL) and dimethylformamide (DMF) as a good solvent of polyethersulfone (PES) for fabrication of membranes by nonsolvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. The addition of IL to the cast solution changes solvent quality, which leads to variation of rheological behavior of polymer solution as well as developed membranes performance. We characterize the prepared membranes in terms of water flux, bovine serum albumin (BSA) rejection, pore size, porosity, and water contact angle. Results show that IL influences the kinetics and thermodynamic of phase separation of PES solution. Viscosity values as well as thermodynamic instability of PES solution increase with IL concentration, which lead to higher porosity and pore size of final membranes. Consequently, 17 wt% IL in formulation leads to an increase of mean pore size from 2.0 to 12.7 nm which improves water flux of final membranes from 0.5 to 77 kg/m2h. The results of fouling measurements show that by increasing IL content, the reversible fouling increases. Additionally, the irreversible fouling ratio reduces from 0.42 to 0.28 for 0 and 17 wt% IL containing formulations, respectively. The newly developed membranes provide 97% rejection of BSA solution and can be used as ultrafiltration membranes for the separation and concentration of macromolecules and proteins.
Comments on “A New Derivation of the Law of the Junctions”

Contribution: This brief comment highlights some crucial assumptions behind the “law of the junction” that are overlooked by the above paper and argues that the proposed derivation is not actually a “new” derivation at all. Background: The “law of the junction” is one of the most significant and useful results within the field of solid-state devices. The above paper is likely to confuse readers, particularly those who are undergraduate electrical engineering students studying semiconductor device physics for the first time. This is especially so because of the abstract nature of the underlying quantum mechanics framework and solid-state physics models (subjects which the typical student at that level lacks a substantial background in) as well as the plethora of tedious equations in the curriculum. Research Questions: What core physical concepts are essential to a fundamental yet intuitive understanding of the law of the junction? Methodology: Several key features of how semiconductor junctions behave under bias are explained. References to well-known textbooks are provided where appropriate. Findings: The above paper’s primary mistake is its assertion that its derivation does not rely on the assumption of thermal equilibrium. However, the law of the junction is equivalent to a calculation of depletion-edge minority carrier concentrations using Maxwell–Boltzmann statistics—a distribution which only holds under thermal equilibrium conditions. More rigorously, in a nondegenerate semiconductor, Fermi–Dirac statistics (which governs electrons) reduces to Boltzmann statistics only when the electrochemical potential is spatially uniform, a condition equivalent to having no net flow of thermal energy—the very definition of thermal equilibrium.
Extreme statistics of superdiffusive Levy flights and every other Levy subordinate Brownian motion

The search for hidden targets is a fundamental problem in many areas of science, engineering, and other fields. Studies of search processes often adopt a probabilistic framework, in which a searcher randomly explores a spatial domain for a randomly located target. There has been significant interest and controversy regarding optimal search strategies, especially for superdiffusive processes. The optimal search strategy is typically defined as the strategy that minimizes the time it takes a given single searcher to find a target, which is called a first hitting time (FHT). However, many systems involve multiple searchers and the important timescale is the time it takes the fastest searcher to find a target, which is called an extreme FHT. In this paper, we study extreme FHTs for any stochastic process that is a random time change of Brownian motion by a Levy subordinator. This class of stochastic processes includes superdiffusive Levy flights in any space dimension, which are processes described by a Fokker-Planck equation with a fractional Laplacian. We find the short-time distribution of a single FHT for any Levy subordinate Brownian motion and use this to find the full distribution and moments of extreme FHTs as the number of searchers grows. We illustrate these rigorous results in several examples and numerical simulations.
Augmented reality in anesthesia, pain medicine and critical care: a narrative review.

Augmented reality (AR) is the integration of computer-generated information with the user's environment in real time. AR is used in many industries, including healthcare, where it has gained significant popularity. Recent strides in hardware and software engineering have reduced the cost of AR, while significantly improving the experience for users and developers. One of the first applications of AR technology in perioperative medicine has been in the identification of anatomical structures for regional blocks and peripheral or central vascular access. AR has also been implemented in pediatric care to reduce periprocedural anxiety. In this narrative review, we summarize the current role of AR in anesthesiology, pain medicine, and critical care.
Using Outlier Analysis to Detect Partisan Gerrymanders: A Survey of Current Approaches and Future Directions

The prospect of convincing courts to intervene in partisan gerrymandering and find it unlawful has inspired a great deal of research and, recently, public attention. But how can neutral parties such as courts and independent redistricting commissions discern when a district map is unfairly gerrymandered? We review the caselaw and the leading measures of substantive fairness, explaining why, alone, they are unlikely to be sufficient for neutral decision makers to ascertain gerrymanders. We then explain the concept of outlier analysis, a particularly promising intervention into the field, but one that is computationally challenging, as it requires generating a sample of reasonable district maps. We review the major approaches to assembling these samples, and we present recommendations for improvement and future research that could help lead to the development of a consensus approach to assessing whether a map is gerrymandered.
Experimental Analysis of Inferential Behavior in Children

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a series of investigations that began with an attempt to use Hull's experimental paradigm to verify his theory of insight. The result was that, while the paradigm provided a useful method for investigating the ability of children to form appropriate novel combinations of habit segments, the theory proved invalid. The results and analyses, taken in conjunction with those obtained by other investigators, differentiate between the kind of insight that requires the adaptation of previously learned behavior sequences to new motivations from the kind that requires novel combination of previously learned behavior segments. The findings are that rats and very young children are not capable of the second kind of “reasoning” but this ability develops in humans as they mature. The chapter offers a theory to the effect that (1) this ability is dependent on covert mediating mechanisms similar to those operating in human concept formation and (2) these mechanisms develop in human beings as they mature. Evidence suggests that these mechanisms have some connection with the labeling function of language along with some suggestions about the relationships between inner and outer speech mechanisms.
Evolutionary Behavioral Genetics of Violent Crime

The goal of this chapter is to provide an overview of the existing literature pertaining to evolutionary behavioral genetics and violent criminal behaviors. In doing so, we provide an introduction to the methodologies that are used to estimate the heritability of violent crime, and we review studies that have estimated the heritability of violent crime. We then offer some background information related to molecular genetics and also examine research that has attempted to isolate the specific genetic polymorphisms that might relate to violent criminal involvement. Finally, we explore the potential role of gene–environment interactions as they relate to the development of violent criminal tendencies and discuss the various explanatory perspectives that are used to explain gene–environment interactions as they relate to crime and violence.
A high affinity, antidote-controllable prothrombin and thrombin-binding RNA aptamer inhibits thrombin generation and thrombin activity

Summary. Background: The conversion of prothrombin to thrombin is one of two non-duplicated enzymatic reactions during coagulation. Thrombin has long been considered an optimal anticoagulant target because it plays a crucial role in fibrin clot formation by catalyzing the cleavage of fibrinogen, upstream coagulation cofactors and platelet receptors. Although a number of anti-thrombin therapeutics exist, it is challenging to use them clinically due to their propensity to induce bleeding. Previously, we isolated a modified RNA aptamer (R9D-14) that binds prothrombin with high affinity and is a potent anticoagulant in vitro. Objectives: We sought to explore the structure of R9D-14 and elucidate its anticoagulant mechanism(s). In addition to designing an optimized aptamer (RNAR9D-14T), we also explored whether complementary antidote oligonucleotides can rapidly modulate the optimized aptamer’s anticoagulant activity. Methods and Results: RNAR9D-14T binds prothrombin and thrombin pro/exosite I with high affinity and inhibits both thrombin generation and thrombin exosite I-mediated activity (i.e. fibrin clot formation, feedback activity and platelet activation). RNAR9D-14T significantly prolongs the aPTT, PT and TCT clotting assays, and is a more potent inhibitor than the thrombin exosite I DNA aptamer ARC-183. Moreover, a complementary oligonucleotide antidote can rapidly ( 2 h) reverse RNAR9D-14T anticoagulation in vitro. Conclusions: Powerful anticoagulation, in conjunction with antidote reversibility, suggests that RNAR9D-14T may be ideal for clinical anticoagulation in settings that require rapid and robust anticoagulation, such as cardiopulmonary bypass, deep vein thrombosis, stroke or percutaneous coronary intervention.
From the Help Desk: Comparing Areas under Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves from Two or more Probit or Logit Models:

Occasionally, there is a need to compare the predictive accuracy of several fitted logit (logistic) or probit models by comparing the areas under the corresponding receiver operating characteristic...
Determination of α-Amino Group pK by Cyanate Reaction APPLICATION TO PEPTIDES AND MYOGLOBINS

Abstract The measurement of the kinetics of the reaction of cyanate with terminal α-amino groups was used to determine the pK of the amino groups and the pH-independent second order rate constants. The technique was applied to two peptides, glycylglycine and l-valyl-l-leucyl-l-seryl-l-glutamylglycine, with good agreement with the known pK values. The technique was also applied to the main component ferrimyoglobins of sperm whale (Physeter catodon), California grey whale (Eschritius gibbosus), pilot whale (Globicephala melaena), Dall porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli dalli), and harbor or common seal (Phoca vitulina). The pK values for the α-amino groups of the ferrimyoblobins, listed in order as above, were 7.96, 7.74, 7.43, 7.22, and 7.66, respectively. The range of rate constants for the ferrimyoglobins was 5 to 17 m-1 s-1. For the dipeptide and pentapeptide the rate constants were 28 and 36 m-1 s-1, respectively. Structural factors presumably control the values for the rate constants for the proteins.
Epidemiologic studies of diet and cancer.

Correlational studies comparing national diets with mortality rates of colon and breast cancer indicate very strong associations, on the order of correlation coefficients = +0.8, between intake of meat or animal fat and rates of both these cancers. However, both case-control and prospective cohort studies have found little positive association between these dietary factors and risk of breast cancer. This lack of a positive association, at least in the largest prospective study, cannot be explained by insufficient variability in diet in the study population or by imprecision in the dietary questionnaire, although it is possible that the latent period between dietary intake and diagnosis of breast cancer is so long that an effect of fat intake could not be seen. However, the normal risk of breast cancer in Seventh-Day Adventists and vegetarian nuns, the small increase in breast cancer rates in Japan since World War II despite a 2.5-fold increase in fat intake, and the lack of correlation between fat intake and risk of breast cancer mortality among rural Chinese populations all suggest that a major association between meat and animal fat intake and risk of breast cancer is unlikely or weak. In contrast, the striking international correlations between intake of meat and animal fat and colon cancer rates are generally supported by case-control and cohort studies. In particular, associations between intake of red meat and colon cancer have been seen in many, although not all, of these studies. Data on fibre intake, a putative preventive factor, are less clear; intake of fruits and vegetables has been quite consistently associated with a lower risk, but consumption of a grain fiber has generally been associated with either an excess or no increase in risk.
Evolution process for legacy system transformation

A legacy system is an application that was developed on older technology and is past its prime use, but is too critical to the business to disrupt. These applications usually run on mainframe computers and represent several millions of dollars and a few decades of investment. These systems are usually not flexible to change and have become deeply-rooted in the functionality of the business itself by housing a lot of important corporate data. The integration, usage and maintenance of legacy systems with emerging technologies, is a growing challenge to many American businesses. Especially now that re-engineering of the corporation has become more and more imperative to many businesses, support systems are needing to migrate to a more flexible, updated computing environment. More existing businesses are also migrating to Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) software as companies downsize mainframe applications to smaller computers. While much of this software will not replace our legacy computing systems, they will be required to interface into these systems. What we need then is a way to integrate COTS with the existing systems.
Religious Social Support and Hypertension Among Older North American Seventh-Day Adventists

Seventh-day Adventists have been noted for their unique lifestyle, religious practices and longevity. However, we know little about how religion is directly related to health in this group. Specifically, we know nothing about how religious social support is related to hypertension. Using data from the Biopsychosocial Religion and Health Study, we carried out a cross-sectional study of 9581 and a prospective study of 5720 North American Seventh-day Adventists examining new 534 cases of hypertension occurring up to 4 years later. We used binary logistic regression analyses to examine study hypotheses. Of the religious social support variables, in both the cross-sectional and prospective study only anticipated support significantly predicted hypertension, but the relationship was mediated by BMI. There were no significant race or gender differences. The favorable relationships between anticipated support and hypertension appear to be mediated by BMI and are an indication of how this dimension of religion combined with lifestyle promotes good health, specifically, reduced risk of hypertension.
Ten-Year Evaluation of Cementless Buechel-Pappas Meniscal Bearing Total Ankle Replacement:

A porous-coated, cementless, congruent-contact, three-piece, meniscal-bearing total ankle replacement was developed and used clinically over a 2- to 10-year period for patients with disabling ankle arthritis. Polished titanium-nitride ceramic-coated Ti6Al4V tibial and talar components with a deep-sulcus trochlear groove and two lateral fixation fins for the talar onlay component were used. The ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPe) meniscal bearing congruently conformed to the flat upper tibial component surface and the deep sulcus and cylindrical geometry of the lower talar component surface. Fifty deep-sulcus (Buechel-Pappas) total ankle replacements were implanted in 49 patients. Diagnoses were 8 osteoarthritis (16%), 7 rheumatoid arthritis (14%), 2 avascular necrosis (4%), and 33 post-traumatic arthritis (66%). Ages ranged from 26 to 71 years (mean 49 years). Clinical results using a strict ankle scoring system demonstrated good/excellent results in 88% of cases. Postoperative ankle motion ranged from 12 degrees to 46 degrees total arc (mean 28 degrees), which was similar to the preoperative motion. Revision for malalignment was necessary in two cases (4%). Mechanical complications included one case of meniscal bearing wear (2%) in a patient with post-traumatic arthritis with component malalignment and one case of talar component subsidence (2%) in a patient with avascular necrosis of the talus. No tibial component loosening was seen. Cumulative survivorship using an end point of revision of any component for any reason was 93.5% at 10 years (confidence interval 61-100%).
Mid-Wave Infrared 3D Integral Imaging at Long Range

Integral imaging is an established method for passive three-dimensional (3D) image formation, visualization, and ranging. The applications of integral imaging include significantly improved scene segmentation and the ability to visualize occluded objects. Past demonstrations of this technique have been mainly conducted over short ranges achievable in the laboratory. In this paper, we demonstrate 3D computational integral imaging for ranges out to 2 km using multiple looks from a single moving mid-wave infrared (MWIR) imager. We also demonstrate 3D visualization of occluded objects at ranges over 200 m. To our knowledge, this paper is the first such demonstration at these ranges and the first example of this technique using a mid wave IR imaging system. In addition to presenting results, we also outline our new approach for overcoming the technical challenges unique to long range applications of integral imaging. Future applications of long range 3D integral imaging may include aerospace, search and rescue, satellite 3D imaging, etc.
Inhibition of human pancreatic elastase 2 by peptide chloromethyl ketones

The inactivation of human pancreatic elastase 2 (EC 3.4.21.11) by a series of peptide chloromethyl ketones has been investigated. Among a series of compounds with the structure X-Ala-Ala-Pro-Y-CH2Cl (where X=acetyl-, succinyl-, methylsuccinyl-, or H-), the kinetic parametrs for inhibition of elastas 2 depend markedly on the amino acid (Y) in the P1 position. Succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Leu-CH2Cl was found to be an extremely effective inhibitor of human elastase 2, qith a first-order rate constant for covalent bond formation (k3) of 0.033s-1 and a dissociation constant, Ki, for the enzyme inhibitor complex of 7.4 . 10(-7) M. The second-order rate constant k3/Ki for inhibition of elastase 2 by the analogous compound containing a free amino group in place of the succinyl moiety is 150 times lower than that found for the succinyl or acetyl derivative, suggesting that the presence of a positive charge at this position reduces the proper binding of the inhibitor to the enzyme.
Zero-divisor graphs, von Neumann regular rings, and Boolean algebras

Abstract For a commutative ring R with set of zero-divisors Z ( R ), the zero-divisor graph of R is Γ ( R )= Z ( R )−{0}, with distinct vertices x and y adjacent if and only if xy =0. In this paper, we show that Γ ( T ( R )) and Γ ( R ) are isomorphic as graphs, where T ( R ) is the total quotient ring of R , and that Γ ( R ) is uniquely complemented if and only if either T ( R ) is von Neumann regular or Γ ( R ) is a star graph. We also investigate which cardinal numbers can arise as orders of equivalence classes (related to annihilator conditions) in a von Neumann regular ring.
The Nature of Civic Involvement and Educational Change in Pittsburgh, Boston, and St. Louis

Urban school systems face many problems and challenges. Policy responses require not only improvement within schools but also a broad structure of civic support. These authors focus on the creation and activation of civic support for public education. Pittsburgh, Boston, and St. Louis provide very different examples of how civic support develops or fails to develop. Our comparative analysis highlights two major elements in this process: institution building to redirect business coalitions from a focus on economic development to a focus on education and leadership in activating civic capacity on behalf of public education.
Trade-offs for the butterflyfish, Chaetodon multicinctus, when feeding on coral prey infected with trematode metacercariae

Predators that feed on prey infected with larval parasites risk parasitic infection and the subsequent costs parasites extract from their hosts. It has been hypothesized that selection could favor predators that feed on infected prey if there were some benefit from feeding on such prey that outweighed the risk of and/or costs associated with parasitic infection. I tested this hypothesis using a parasite–host system involving the coral-feeding butterflyfish, Chaetodon multicinctus, which preferentially feeds on coral polyps infected with trematode metacercariae. Infected polyps appear as obvious, swollen nodules on the coral colony. Coral is a relatively energy-poor food source and so the choice made by C. multicinctus to feed on infected coral might represent a trade-off between benefits gained from feeding on infected prey and the risk of acquiring and/or the costs of harboring the parasite. The rate of establishment of the trematode within C. multicinctus was low, especially compared to the fish's rate of consumption of infected coral. The low intensity of trematode infection, in field-caught fish, suggests that parasite acquisition may not be increasing linearly through time. There was no measurable effect of parasitic infection on the body condition or liver energy reserves of fish. The swollen nature of infected polyps allowed fish to obtain more coral tissue per bite when feeding on infected compared to uninfected coral. It is suggested that the benefits gained from enhanced feeding offset the costs associated with infection and thus may help explain why C. multicinctus chooses to feed on infected coral.
Survey of Management Practices Used for the Highest Producing DHI Herds in the United States

Abstract This study was initiated to identify management practices that characterize the highest producing dairy herds. The top Dairy Herd Improvement herds, based on yearly rolling herd average for milk, were identified, and producers were surveyed to obtain information on nutritional management, reproductive management, herd health management, facilities, implementation incentives, preferred information delivery systems, and future plans. Survey forms were returned from 133 of 250 Holstein and 20 of 47 Jersey farms that were identified as top producing herds. The average production of identified Holstein herds was 13,368 kg/yr of milk, 479.9 kg/yr of fat (3.59%), and 424.5 kg/yr of protein (3.17%). The 47 Jersey herds averaged 8,844 kg/yr of milk, 409.8 kg/yr of fat (4.63%), and 332.2 kg/yr of protein (3.17%). Breeding efficiency of high producing Holstein herds apparently declined since a 1992 survey, with means of 100.2 d to first service, 2.8 services per conception, 163.0 d open, and 14.5 mo calving interval. Feeds primarily used (percentage of respondents) were: corn silage (91.0%), legume haylage (81.2%), legume hay (57.9%), corn grain (83.5%), soybean meal (70.7%), whole cottonseed (70.8%), and roasted soybeans (47.7%). Producers responding to the survey remained optimistic that they can continue to increase production per cow. They express most interest in receiving new information from farm magazines, on-farm demonstrations, farm visits, printed fact sheets, farm field days, and group meetings. Although 87.5% have a computer, these producers strongly resist satellite programs, home study courses, Internet, and computer programs as a means of receiving information.