cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An effective oral vitamin D replacement therapy in persons with spinal cord injury

Background/objective: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). A 3-month course of oral vitamin D3 to ‘normalize’ serum vitamin D levels was investigated. Design: Prospective drug-intervention study. Setting: VA Medical Center; private rehabilitation facility. Methods: Seven individuals with chronic SCI and vitamin D deficiency completed 3 months of oral vitamin D3 (i.e. cholecalciferol) supplementation. At screening, baseline, and months 1 and 3, blood was collected for serum calcium, 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and N-telopeptide (NTx); 24-hour urine for calcium, creatinine, and NTx was performed. Oral vitamin D3 (2000 IU daily) and elemental calcium (1.3 g daily) were prescribed for 90 days. The results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Analysis of variance with a Fisher’s post-hoc analysis was performed to test for differences between study visits. Subjects were classified as deficient ( 30 ng/ml) in 25(OH)D. Results: Serum 25(OH)D levels were greater at months 1 and 3 than at baseline (26± 6 and 48± 17 vs. 14 ± 2n g/ml; P = 0.005). Six of seven subjects were no longer deficient [25(OH)D >30 ng/ml] by month 3. Serum iPTH levels were significantly decreased at month 1 and month 3; serum NTx levels were significantly lower at month 3 than at baseline. Serum and urinary calcium levels remained within the normal range. Conclusion: A daily prescription of 2000 IU of oral vitamin D3 for 3 months safely raised serum 25(OH)D levels into the normal range in persons with chronic SCI on calcium supplementation.
Effects of the artificial sweetener sucralose on Daphnia magna and Americamysis bahia survival, growth and reproduction

The artificial sweetener sucralose has been detected in municipal wastewater effluent and surface waters at concentrations ranging from ng/L to low μg/L. Few chronic ecotoxicological data are available in the peer reviewed literature with respect to sucralose. To address this data gap, 21 d Daphnia magna and 28 d Americamysis bahia (mysid shrimp) studies were conducted to assess the effects of sucralose on the survival, growth and reproduction of these organisms. Concentrations ⩽1800mg/L resulted in no statistically significant reduction in D. magna survival or reproduction. Survival, growth and reproduction of mysid shrimp were unaffected by ⩽93mg/L sucralose. The no observable effect concentration (NOEC) and lowest observable effect concentration (LOEC) for the D. magna study were 1800 and >1800mg/L, respectively. The NOEC and LOEC for the mysid study were 93 and >93mg/L, respectively. Collectively, these data suggest that the concentrations of sucralose detected in the environment are well below those required to elicit chronic effects in freshwater or marine invertebrates.
A calibration approach to glandular tissue composition estimation in digital mammography.

The healthy breast is almost entirely composed of a mixture of fatty, epithelial, and stromal tissues which can be grouped into two distinctly attenuating tissue types: fatty and glandular. Further, the amount of glandular tissue is linked to breast cancer risk, so an objective quantitative analysis of glandular tissue can aid in risk estimation. Highnam and Brady have measured glandular tissue composition objectively. However, they argue that their work should only be used for “relative” tissue measurements unless a careful calibration has been performed. In this work, we perform such a “careful calibration” on a digital mammography system and use it to estimate breast tissue composition of patient breasts. We imaged 0%, 50%, and 100% glandular-equivalent phantoms of varying thicknesses for a number of clinically relevant x-ray techniques on a digital mammography system. From these images, we extracted mean signal and noise levels and computed calibration curves that can be used for quantitative tissue composition estimation. In this way, we calculate the percent glandular composition of a patient breast on a pixelwise basis. This tissue composition estimation method was applied to 23 digital mammograms. We estimated the quantitative impact of different error sources on the estimates of tissue composition. These error sources include compressed breast height estimation error, residual scattered radiation, quantum noise, and beam hardening. Errors in the compressed breast height estimate contribute the most error in tissue composition—on the order of ±7% for a 4 cm compressed breast height. The spatially varying scattered radiation will contribute quantitatively less error overall, but may be significant in regions near the skinline. It is calculated that for a 4 cm compressed breast height, a residual scatter signal error is mitigated by approximately sixfold in the composition estimate. The error in composition due to the quantum noise, which is the limiting noise source in the system, is shown to be less than 1% glandular for most breasts.
Public sector transition in post‐communist economies: the struggle for fiscal decentralisation in the Czech and Slovak Republics

Studies of economic transition often focus on the private sector, but successful transition also requires devolution in the public sector. This study compares fiscal decentralisation in the Czech and Slovak Republics, whose institutions began to diverge only after their 1993 ‘velvet divorce’. This article reviews challenges confronted in this fiscal decentralisation. Local finance problems are related to revenue generation, the use of the property tax and the transfer of funds to municipalities. Local political autonomy includes the ability to exercise some autonomy in resource use. Little can be expected where sub‐national governments generate little revenue independently. Potential moral hazard problems are associated with central generation of property tax revenues, as occurs in the Czech case. The EU has not promoted fiscal decentralisation in these republics, although it has encouraged ‘reforms of public administration’ to devolve power. But fiscal decentralisation and public administration reform ar...
Calculations and applications of the complex band structure for carbon nanotube field-effect transistors

Using a tight binding transfer matrix method, we calculated the complex band structure for armchair and zigzag carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The imaginary part of the complex band structure connecting the conduction and valence band forms a loop, which can profoundly affect the characteristics of nanoscale electronic devices made with CNTs. We then study the quantum transport in carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNTFETs) with the complex band structure effects. A complete picture of the complex band structure effect on the performance of semiconductor zigzag CNTFETs is drawn.
Dynamic Modeling of Community Energy Storage for Lifetime Estimation During Islanding

With the rapid development of electrochemical energy storage and the ongoing implementation of smart-grid metering and automation technologies, retail electric providers have started exploring applications for community-level battery energy storage systems [1]. Energy storage located at the distribution transformer level can provide vital control services, isolate and island during grid anomalies, and reduce utility costs associated with peak-demand periods [2]. In order to “island” a residential community during an electric outage, community energy storage (CES) must carefully follow downstream loads and discharge at a power level that is exactly equal to local electric demand at every moment in time. Our objective is to model the state of a CES unit during islanding to show how long a standard CES unit can power downstream loads at various times of day.
Conjugated linoleic acid content of milk and cheese from cows fed extruded oilseeds.

Abstract Extruded oilseeds were fed to 24 dairy cows to study the influence on the conjugated linoleic acid content of milk and cheese. Cows were fed one of three diets that contained forage and grain in a ratio of 47:53. A control diet containing 13.5% soybean meal was compared with diets containing 12% full fat extruded soybeans or 12% full fat extruded cotton-seed. The control, extruded soybean, and extruded cottonseed diets contained 2.73, 4.89, and 4.56% fatty acids, respectively. Measurements were made during the last 5 wk of the 8-wk experiment. The DM intakes and 3.5% fat-corrected milk yields were higher for cows fed the extruded soybean and extruded cotton-seed diets than for cows fed the control diet. A tendency for lower fat and protein contents in the milk of cows fed the extruded soybean and extruded cotton-seed diets was detected. Most of the C 18 fatty acids were increased in the milk and cheese when extruded soybeans and cottonseeds were fed. The conjugated linoleic acid content in milk and cheese increased a mean of 109% when full fat extruded soybeans were fed and increased 77% when cottonseeds were fed compared with the conjugated linoleic acid content when the control diet was fed. Processing the milk into cheese did not alter the conjugated linoleic acid content. The conjugated linoleic acid content of milk and cheese can be increased by the inclusion of full fat extruded soybeans and full fat extruded cottonseeds in the diets of dairy cows.
Design and Analysis of a Hardware-Efficient Compressed Sensing Architecture for Data Compression in Wireless Sensors

This work introduces the use of compressed sensing (CS) algorithms for data compression in wireless sensors to address the energy and telemetry bandwidth constraints common to wireless sensor nodes. Circuit models of both analog and digital implementations of the CS system are presented that enable analysis of the power/performance costs associated with the design space for any potential CS application, including analog-to-information converters (AIC). Results of the analysis show that a digital implementation is significantly more energy-efficient for the wireless sensor space where signals require high gain and medium to high resolutions. The resulting circuit architecture is implemented in a 90 nm CMOS process. Measured power results correlate well with the circuit models, and the test system demonstrates continuous, on-the-fly data processing, resulting in more than an order of magnitude compression for electroencephalography (EEG) signals while consuming only 1.9 μW at 0.6 V for sub-20 kS/s sampling rates. The design and measurement of the proposed architecture is presented in the context of medical sensors, however the tools and insights are generally applicable to any sparse data acquisition.
Impact on Short-Range Precipitation Forecasts from Assimilation of Ground-Based GPS Zenith Total Delay and Rain Gauge Precipitation Observations

This paper assesses the impact on short-range quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs) of assimilating zenith total delay (ZTD) and rainfall observations associated with a winter storm that occurred from 5-6 December 1997 in southern California. Assimilation of hourly rainfall improves the threat score by more than 300% within the assimilation window, but such an improvement drops quickly to 30% or lower beyond this window. The assimilation of ZTD observations does not produce a rainfall distribution as close to the observations as does the assimilation of rainfall within the assimilation window (only a 34% improvement). However, improvement in the QPFs beyond the window from the ZTD experiment is comparable to that from the rainfall experiment. Assimilation of ZTD and rainfall observations modifies the thermodynamic structures of the atmosphere, favoring development of precipitation in the observed rainy areas. The horizontal and vertical wind velocities are also adjusted consistent with the precipitation process. A spectral analysis of observed and simulated hourly rainfall, as well as the model forecast difference with and without data assimilation, indicates that rainfall assimilation adjusts the model variables on smaller scales (25 to 50 km) while the ZTD assimilation adjusts the model variables mainly on larger scales (> 50 km).
Functional consequences of mutational analysis of norovirus protease

Norovirus protease has been subjected to an extensive mutagenesis study. Ala-scanning mutation at 13 different positions (Trp6, Trp19, Thr27, Leu86, Leu95, Leu97, Met101, Gln117, Leu121, Thr134, Tyr143, Val144, and Val167) led to loss of function and/or stability. Considering the crystal structure of the protease, it was revealed that a hydroxyl group of Thr134 and an aromatic ring of Tyr143 were important for substrate recognition along with His157. It was notable that several of the residues identified were in close proximity to each other, suggesting their importance for the integrity and stability of the protease.
Myotonic Protein Kinase Expression in Human and Bovine Lenses

Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is an autosomal dominant trait closely associated with CGT repeat expansions in the same locus on human chromosome 19q13.3. The expansions occur in the 3'untranslated region of a transcription unit encoding a serine-threonine kinase (DM kinase) of a new class based upon structure and function. Lens cataracts are a prominent finding in myotonic dystrophy. DM kinase was shown to be expressed in human and bovine lenses at the RNA level and in human lenses at the protein level. Sequencing of PCR products of RNA extracted from normal human lenses demonstrated an exact match to published genomic and cDNA 3' UTR sequences. Northern blots of bovine lens RNA showed that the transcript is similar in size to the transcript detected in other tissues that are affected in myotonic dystrophy. A polyclonal antibody (DM-2) was produced against recombinant DM protein kinase in rabbits. Development of Western blots with DM-2 showed a single reactive band of 67 kDa. Immunofluorescent studies of formalin-fixed human lens sections detected the DM kinase in the perinuclear cytoplasm of normal human lens epithelial cells and more diffusely in superficial subcapsular cortical fibers. In contrast, the same antibody labeled the nucleus most prominently in a single DM lens.
Design of low jitter sensitive beam expander

Beam expander optical and structural characteristics can be utilized to desensitize line of sight (LOS) jitter. The overall LOS jitter for a given disturbance spectrum is largely dependent on the optical alignment sensitivity and the resonance mode shapes of the beam expander. By properly selecting the beam expander configuration design, "nodes" can be generated in terms of the LOS where no, or minimum, participation can be expected for certain frequency bands. By adopting such a design approach, the overall LOS jitter for a given disturbance can be reduced significantly.
Malignolipin and malignant tumours.

KOSAKI et al.1–3 have recently reported the isolation of a new specific phospholipid, malignolipin, from malignant human and experimental tumours. They have described its role as a promoter of carcinogenesis4 and have claimed to have evolved a histological test for the identification of malignolipin5 and a diagnostic test for cancer6,7 based on the detection of this phospholipid in blood. Anti-malignolipin sera have been reported8 to reduce the viability of Yoshida sarcoma cells in vitro. These results await confirmation from other laboratories. The following therefore represents an attempt at isolating malignolipin from malignant tumours.
Experiments on the diapause dynamics of Papilio polyxenes

Abstract The influence of the environmental parameters of photophase and temperature on the induction and termination of pupal diapause was investigated in Papilio polyxenes. Some data for other species and hybrids are added for comparison. Diapause can be induced by rearing larvae under a short daily photophase regime. Diapause termination in the apparent absence of environmental stimuli occurs after a highly variable length of time. Long daily photophase has a significant terminating effect. Exposure of pupae to a cold stimulus caused diapause termination, and the length of the development time after removal from cold is inversely related to the duration of cold exposure. The adaptive significance is discussed of these effects in natural populations.
Carcinogenicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the Syrian golden hamster.

The carcinogenic potential of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) was examined in Syrian golden hamsters, at different dose levels. Twenty-one percent of the hamsters that received a total of 600 micrograms/kg body weight of TCDD either by the s.c. or i.p. route developed squamous cell carcinomas of the skin of facial region within 12-13 months from the beginning of the experiment. Neoplasms were not observed in any other organs. These studies suggest that TCDD may be a complete carcinogen in hamsters, the species most resistant to the toxic effect of this compound.
Variation with age of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activity in rat liver.

N-ACETYL-β-glucosaminidase is a lysosomal enzyme found in a variety of mammalian tissues. Its distribution and localization have been described by several workers1–4. Like many of the recently described lysosomal enzymes, its biological function is not yet known. During attempts in our laboratory to induce this enzyme in rat liver, a marked variation in the amount of enzyme in normal rat livers was found. This variation seemed to have a constant relationship with the age of the animal and liver weight, higher levels of enzyme being obtained in the younger animals and smaller livers.
Comparison of Monte Carlo and continuous slowing‐down approximation treatments of 1‐keV proton energy deposition in N2

Monte Carlo (MC) and continuous slowing‐down approximation (CSDA) calculations of proton energy deposition are compared for the same set of detailed atomic cross sections (DACS). It is found that the MC and CSDA results for the gross features of energy deposition, such as the eV/ion pair, and efficiency for excitation of a given state, are in reasonably good agreement. The spatial apportionment of energy shows disparities, particularly for particles which have degraded to energies less than about 100 eV. Energy spreading of the proton beam is found to be appreciable in the MC calculation, but appears to have a relatively small influence on the spatial distributions of excitation in comparison with CSDA, especially for high‐lying states. Range straggling is found in the MC calculations, but it also appears to have only a small influence on the final results when compared with CSDA. Significant differences appear in the mean proton and hydrogen beam fraction obtained from MC and from CSDA. For the convenien...
Necessity of latency period in craniofacial distraction: Investigations with in vitro microdistractor and clinical outcomes☆

Summary Background To determine the need for latency period in membranous bone distraction, we performed 1) in vitro comparison of preosteoblasts suspended in a 3D microdistraction model and 2) a clinical study comparing mandibular distraction cases with/without latency. Methods In the In Vitro study, Preosteoblasts polymerized in 3D-collagen gel were placed in a microdistractor and separated into three groups: 1) distraction with latency, 2) distraction without latency, and 3) static. After 2, 4, 6, and 8 days, cell proliferation, total protein levels, alkaline phosphatase activity, and osteogenic gene expression were assessed through RT-PCR. In the clinical study, patients underwent mandibular distraction in two groups: 1) latency and 2) no latency (n = 45). The rest of the distraction protocol was identical. Outcome was based on clinical examination, radiographs at six months, and 3D CT scans. Results In the In Vitro study, The distraction without latency group compared to the latency group had delays in: proliferation, total protein count, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteogenic gene expression in CBFA-1 (fourfold vs. eighteenfold), and in osteocalcin (twofold vs. sixfold). The distraction without latency group had higher apoptotic levels during the first four days compared to the latency group (68% vs. 14%). For the clinical study, similar perioperative complications (5% vs. 6%), X-ray mineralization (93% vs. 94%), bone volume, (8.6 vs. 9.1 cc) and bone density of central distraction zone (78% vs. 81%) were observed with or without latency. Conclusions In vitro studies showed poorer results in cell survival, proliferation and osteogenic activity compared to distraction with latency; yet, clinically, there were no differences in distraction with latency versus without.
General environment model for micromixing

Abstract This paper proposes the use of an angle of mixedness θ to characterize the full range of micromixing. By use of the general environment model with a constant θ, it is found that the conversion for a state of intermediate mixedness could be higher than the conversions incurred in the two extreme limits of micromixing, namely, complete segregation and maximum mixedness. This applies to all reactions, including unimolecular first order reactions, with zero order reactions as the only exception.
National approaches to technology standards for mobile telecommunications

The standards' acceptance process is not an easy path to navigate and is littered with successes and failures. Today's mobile communication standards emerged through different processes: some through collaboration between government and business and others from businesses alone. Mobile technology is evolving at a rapid pace and the way in which standards are created is evolving as well. The purpose of this paper is to discuss standardization processes utilizing examples from American, European, Asian models. The background of technology standards will be discussed along with the impacts of different national models. The paper closes with a discussion focusing on the Chinese approach to telecommunication standards and the future of telecommunications standards.
A modification to augmentation cystoplasty with catheterizable stoma for neurogenic patients: technique and long-term results.

Objective To evaluate the use of a modified Indiana continent urinary reservoir, the Indiana augmentation cystoplasty (IAC), for patients with neurogenic bladder (NGB). NGB with incontinence can be devastating for patients with neurologic illness. Augmentation cystoplasty with a continent catheterizable stoma creates a continent, low-pressure storage system, with catheterizable cutaneous stoma, leading to decreased urinary tract morbidity and increased quality of life. Methods Retrospective chart review of the IAC procedure in a single center from 1993 to 2010 was performed and included subjects with NGB and minimum 1-year follow up. Patients' demographics, NGB diagnosis, surgery details, urodynamic findings, concurrent operations, complications, and continence outcomes were recorded. Results Thirty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean age at time of surgery was 39.8 years. Neurologic diagnoses included multiple sclerosis (n = 12), spina bifida (n = 9), and spinal cord injury (n = 14). Concurrent surgeries included: bladder neck closure (n = 3), pubovaginal sling (n = 4), hysterectomy (n = 3), artificial urinary sphincter (n = 1), and cystolithotomy (n = 1). Mean estimated blood loss was 461.8 mL. Short-term postoperative complications were prolonged ileus (n = 2), wound infection (n = 1), and transfusion (n = 1). Median follow-up was 31 months. Long-term complications occurred in 15 (44.1%) patients: recurrent urinary tract infections (n = 4), pyelonephritis (n = 1), pelvic abscess (n = 1), seroma (n = 1), bladder stones (n = 2), and stomal revision in (n = 4). All patients were continent at latest follow-up. Conclusion This modification of the Indiana continent urinary reservoir is an excellent surgical option providing a low-pressure reservoir with a reliable continence mechanism and easily catheterizable stoma, with few complications or need for reoperation.
Head restraint device for chronic recording of neural activity in the awake monkey

An adjustable, stainless steel, head restraining device and small screw-tightened skull clips are described which enable us to record single unit neuronal activity chronically from awake, behaving primates of various sizes. We have used this method of head restraint over the past 4 years on 8 primates, for periods up to 18 months without any mechanical failures. This equipment reduces problems stemming from bone necrosis and is well tolerated.
Giant Cell Interstitial Pneumonia (GIP)

Three cases of an unusual interstitial pneumonia, designated by Liebow as giant cell interstitial pneumonia, were encountered by us. Dyspnea, weight loss, cough, chest pain, rales in the lungs and clubbing of the fingers were the frequently observed clinical features. Roentgenographically, there were bilateral, patchy, nodular infiltrates of varying density, more prominent in the midlung fields. Histologic features are quite striking, characterized by predominant lymphocytic interstitial infiltrate along with numerous, bizarre, multinucleated giant cells in the alveoli as well as varying numbers of alveolar pneumocytes. The intra-alveolar cells showed a positive reaction with PAS and iron stains. Extensive etiologic studies undertaken in one case were negative. The clinical, radiologic and functional improvement seen in our first case indicates that corticosteroids may induce a rewarding remission. The alteration of histologic features after steroid therapy, suggests a possible relationship between giant cell interstitial pneumonia and desquamative interstitial pneumonia.
Parp inhibition prevents ten eleven translocase enzyme activation and hyperglycemia induced DNA demethylation

Studies from human cells, rats, and zebrafish have documented that hyperglycemia (HG) induces the demethylation of specific cytosines throughout the genome. We previously documented that a subset of these changes become permanent and may provide, in part, a mechanism for the persistence of complications referred to as the metabolic memory phenomenon. In this report, we present studies aimed at elucidating the molecular machinery that is responsible for the HG-induced DNA demethylation observed. To this end, RNA expression and enzymatic activity assays indicate that the ten-eleven translocation (Tet) family of enzymes are activated by HG. Furthermore, through the detection of intermediates generated via conversion of 5-methyl-cytosine back to the unmethylated form, the data were consistent with the use of the Tet-dependent iterative oxidation pathway. In addition, evidence is provided that the activity of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (Parp) enzyme is required for activation of Tet activity because the use of a Parp inhibitor prevented demethylation of specific loci and the accumulation of Tet-induced intermediates. Remarkably, this inhibition was accompanied by a complete restoration of the tissue regeneration deficit that is also induced by HG. The ultimate goal of this work is to provide potential new avenues for therapeutic discovery.
Applying noise handling techniques to genomic data: a case study

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a genetic collagenous disease associated with mutations in one or both of the genes COLIA1 and COLIA2. There are at least four known phenotypes of OI, of which type II is the severest and often lethal. We identified three approaches to noise handling, namely, robust algorithms, filtering, and polishing, and evaluated their effectiveness when applied to the problem of classifying the disease OI based on a data set of amino acid sequences and associated information of point mutations of COLIA1. Preliminary results suggest that each noise handling mechanism is useful under different circumstances. Filtering is stable across all cases. Pruning with robust c4.5 increased the classification accuracy in some cases, and polishing gave rise to some additional improvement in classifying the lethal OI phenotype.
Self-incompatibility studies in guayule. II. Inheritance.

incompatibility which differs basically from the widespread scheme found in Nicotiana alata and from those of almost all other investigated species (reviewed by STOUT 1938), as will be shown in the following. This became clear at the onset of the present study when it turned out that certain mother-progeny pairs, then available, were reciprocally cross-incompatible. Because these findings could not be reconciled with a system of a single series of oppositional alleles of the nature found in Nicotiana, Trifolium and others, the problem was studied in detail. METHODS AND MATERIALS
Marital Rape History, Research, and Practice

Despite the increased recognition that the topic of marital rape has generated in the past 2 decades, the literature in this area remains sparse. This article provides a comprehensive review of the current state of the marital rape literature. First, the lengthy history of legal, cultural, and professional invalidation of marital rape victims, and the resulting negative treatment implications, is discussed. Second, marital rape research is reviewed, including prevalence, descriptive, and comparison studies. This review highlights the seriousness of marital rape, in terms of prevalence and posttrauma distress, as well as the limitations of extant research. Finally, barriers to treatment and recommendations for professionals are discussed.
A feasibility study in the development of biological markers for ovarian cancer

As a primary feasibility study for the selection of biomarkers for more extended clinical evaluation, 17 potential biomarker candidates were measured in the body fluids of patients with ovarian carcinoma. For comparative purposes, patients were staged and separated into three groups: those considered completely free of disease, those with residual but minimal tumor, and those with advanced disease. Individual markers included plasma carcinoembryonic antigen, serum human chorionic gonadotrophin, urinary beta-aminoisobutyric acid, serum UDP-galactosyltransferase, and urinary hydroxyproline. Structurally related groups of biomarkers included six modified nucleosides and three polyamines analyzed in urine, and three serum protein-bound neutral carbohydrates. The respective chromatographic methods developed for these latter biochemical materials enabled all the individual compounds in each group to be quantitated simultaneously in one analytical run. The general frequency and degree of elevation for the total number of biomarkers was directly proportional to increasing tumor burden with specific exceptions, human chorionic gonadotropin and beta-aminoisobutyric acid. Galactosyltransferase was the most frequently elevated in the limited disease categories. Several of the biomarkers were elevated in the majority of patients with advanced disease and appeared potentially superior to carcinoembryonic antigen or human chorionic gonadotrophin.
Revolution or evolution? The rise of the UAVs

Less than fifteen years after Orville Wright took flight in December of 1903, the army signal corps flew its first unmanned air (or aerial) vehicle (UAV): the Kettering Bug flying bomb. Since UAV are often included in the ongoing revolution in military affairs, they are seen as a new concept, created for the age of "information warfare" and "net-centric operations". Many identity changes over the course of almost a century contribute to this impression, so this paper lays out a history of pilotless aircraft in the United States military to put current developments in a context that stretches back to the beginning of powered flight. Certain aspects of UAV operations, like reconnaissance platforms that fit in a backpack, are new and possibly revolutionary. They will be included here along with those items that are derived from previous incarnations of autonomous aircraft. By examining the history of UAV development we can identify which aspects of this technology fall under existing paradigms, and which are revolutionary enough that more attention is warranted. Common assertions about the consequences of employing larger numbers of UAV in combat are also explored as examples of applying the historical trend to current issues.
Are there Errors in Error Analysis

This study examined (a) developmental changes from the end of kindergarten to the end of first grade and achievement group differences (top, middle, low) in errors on visual language tests (which involve letters or word-like stimuli, but do not require reading or spelling) and on auditory language tests; (b) relationships between these visual and auditory errors and spelling errors on a computerized test of written reproduction at the end of first grade; and (c) relationships between achievement group, stimulus type (phonically regular and irregular words, nonsense words, letter strings), and error types (omissions, substitutions, transpositions) on the computerized test (N = 27). Of 56 coded visual and auditory errors, 21 showed significant developmental changes and 11 showed significant achievement group differences. Only one error type - reversals - was correlated across two different tasks. Level of performance on visual and auditory language tests was correlated with level of performance on spelling ...
Bacteriophage Ecology in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Mixed-Biofilm Communities

Phage therapy is being reexamined as a strategy for bacterial control in medical and other environments. As microorganisms often live in mixed populations, we examined the effect of Escherichia coli bacteriophage λW60 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage PB-1 infection on the viability of monoculture and mixed-species biofilm and planktonic cultures. In mixed-species biofilm communities, E. coli and P. aeruginosa maintained stable cell populations in the presence of one or both phages. In contrast, E. coli planktonic populations were severely depleted in coculture in the presence of λW60. Both E. coli and P. aeruginosa developed phage resistance in planktonic culture; however, reduced resistance was observed in biofilm communities. Increased phage titers and reduced resistance in biofilms suggest that phage can replicate on susceptible cells in biofilms. Infectious phage could be released from mixed-culture biofilms upon treatment with Tween 20 but not upon treatment with chloroform. Tween 20 and chloroform treatments had no effect on phage associated with planktonic cells, suggesting that planktonic phage were not cell or matrix associated. Transmission electron microscopy showed bacteriophage particles to be enmeshed in the extracellular polymeric substance component of biofilms and that this substance could be removed by Tween 20 treatment. Overall, this study demonstrates how mixed-culture biofilms can maintain a reservoir of viable phage and bacterial populations in the environment.
Characterizing Storm Hydrograph Rise and Fall Dynamics With Stream Stage Data1

Storm-flow transients (i.e., hydrograph rise and fall dynamics) may represent an important aspect of understanding streamflow dynamics. However, little is known about how temporal resolution of transient data and climate variability may color these potential indicators of hydrologic pattern or condition. Warm-season stream stage and rainfall were monitored continuously (5 min) during the 2002 water year in eight tributaries of the Little Miami River (Ohio), which drain 17-58 km 2 catchments. Rise rates generated using 5-min data were different than those generated with mean daily data [calculated with the Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration (IHA) software], though fall rates were similar for fine and coarse temporal data. This result suggests that data with low temporal resolution may not be adequate to fully represent the dynamics of storm rise rates. Conversely, fall rates based on daily stage data (via IHA) were similar to those based on the 5-min data, and so daily mean data may be appropriate for characterizing fall rates. We next analyzed the possible correlations between rainfall variability and storm-flow stage dynamics. We derived rise and recession rates from storm stage hydrographs by assuming exponential rise and decay of a runoff peak. We found that raw rise rates (R raw ) were correlated with both the maximum rainfall rate and the time to the centroid of a rain event. We subsequently removed the trend based on these rainfall characteristics, which yielded new representations of rise rates abbreviated as R rate and R tcent , respectively, and that had lower variability than the uncorrected (raw) data. Fall rates were found to be independent of rainfall characteristics. Due to the predominant influence of stream hydrology upon aquatic biota and nutrient fluxes, our work suggests that these stage data analysis protocols can refine or otherwise reduce variability in these indices by accounting for relevant factors such as rainfall forcing. These protocols for derivation of transient indices should be tested for their potential to improve correlations between stream hydrology and temporally aligned biotic data and dissolved nutrient fluxes in streams.
Superior accuracy of anatomic positioning with echocardiographic- over fluoroscopic-guided endomyocardial biopsy

To assess the superior anatomic positioning of echocardiographic-guided endomyocardial biopsy compared to traditional fluoroscopic-guided technique, these two modalities were compared in a blinded fashion during femoral sheath endomyocardial biopsy in 21 patients, 19 being evaluated after orthotopic cardiac transplantation. The simultaneous fluoroscopic and echocardiographic imaging indicated that traditional fluoroscopic positioning of the bioptome against the septum is inaccurate in over half of patients undergoing biopsy. This finding should be considered in cardiomyopathy patients or those at high risk for biopsy-related complications. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Alternative Way To Derive Equivalent PI Circuit Model of Transmission Lines

The equivalent pi circuit of a transmission line based on distributed parameter line model has traditionally been derived based on differential equations governing the relationship between voltage and current along the line. This paper presents an alternative method for deducing the model by dividing the long line into an infinite number of segments and modeling each segment using nominal pi circuit.
Perceived A Gentic and Communal Behavior in Mixed-Sex Group Interactions

Twenty-six male and 26 female undergraduates participated in four-person mixed-sex group discussions. After each of three discussions in which a consensus was required, each person in the group rated the other members on their degree of talkativeness, on the quality of their expressed ideas, and on the degree of their concern for other's feelings. Results showed that sex role orientation alone predicted task-orientation; individuals of both sexes who had high masculinity scores on the BSRI were perceived to have talked more and to have had good ideas. Gender and sex role orientation predicted warm socioemotional behavior: Females and individuals with high femininity scores were judged to have been more concerned about group members' feelings. The prediction that androgynous individuals would exhibit the greatest behavioral flexibility (perform both task and socioemotional behaviors) was marginally supported.
HAIR AND SYSTEMATIC DISEASE

Hair loss (alopecia) occurs as a manifestation of numerous systemic diseases, but usually can be categorized into one of five general groups: telogen effluvium, anagen arrest, follicular destruction, hair miniaturization, and hair shaft defects. An excess of hair also can be evidence of internal disease, and there are two general categories of increased hair density: hypertrichosis and hirsutism. The basic categories of hair disease and the systemic conditions associated with them are discussed. The history, physical examination, and histopathologic data usually are sufficient to categorize the form of hair disorder and may provide a clue to the nature of the underlying systemic disease.
Adolescent Syndromes of Risk for HIV Infection

For a representative sample of adolescents, this article estimates the odds of various HIV risk behaviors for two groups: The General Risk Group reports behaviors indirectly related to HIV infection, and the HIV Risk Group engages in a variety of activities directly related to HIV infection. Multinomial logistic regression predicting risk group membership on the basis of demographic variables indicates heterogeneity in the combinations of risky behaviors relevant to HIV infection and the characteristics of adolescents engaging in these behaviors. The results highlight the weaknesses of behavioral risk factor studies and call into question the meaningfulness of risk groups in public health assessments of social conditions. Finally, the article identifies the analytical process of decontextualization that operates to reduce our theoretical understanding of adolescent risk taking while also diminishing our practical ability to model and control the social causes of HIV infection.
Histone deacetylase inhibitors trichostatin A and valproic acid induce cell cycle arrest and p21 expression in immortalized human endometrial stromal cells.

Abstract Objective Following our observation that histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) trichostatin A (TSA) and valproic acid (VPA) can suppress proliferation of endometrial stromal cells, we sought to determine whether TSA and VPA do so by inducing cell cycle arrest and p21 expression. Study design A recently established immortalized endometrial stromal cell line was treated with TSA, VPA, and/or all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and the consequent cell cycle progression was measured by flow cytometry and p21 protein expression by Western blot analysis. Results Both TSA and VPA induced cell cycle arrest and p21 expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Treatment with ATRA alone also induced cell cycle arrest and moderate increase in p21 expression but joint treatment of ATRA and TSA/VPA did not further enhance cell cycle arrest as compared with TSA/VPA treatment alone. Conclusions HDACIs suppress proliferation of endometrial stromal cells through induction of cell cycle arrest and possibly also through apoptosis as well. RA also induces cell cycle arrest but it does not synergize with HDACIs in inducing cell cycle arrest. HDACIs may be promising compounds for treating endometriosis.
Functional specificity of a Hox protein mediated by the recognition of minor groove structure

The recognition of specific DNA-binding sites by transcription factors is a critical yet poorly understood step in the control of gene expression. Members of the Hox family of transcription factors bind DNA by making nearly identical major groove contacts via the recognition helices of their homeodomains. In vivo specificity, however, often depends on extended and unstructured regions that link Hox homeodomains to a DNA-bound cofactor, Extradenticle (Exd). Using a combination of structure determination, computational analysis, and in vitro and in vivo assays, we show that Hox proteins recognize specific Hox-Exd binding sites via residues located in these extended regions that insert into the minor groove but only when presented with the correct DNA sequence. Our results suggest that these residues, which are conserved in a paralog-specific manner, confer specificity by recognizing a sequence-dependent DNA structure instead of directly reading a specific DNA sequence.
A software engineering perspective on environmental modeling framework design

The environmental modeling community has historically been concerned with the proliferation of models and the effort associated with collective model development tasks (e.g., code generation, data transformation, etc.). Environmental modeling frameworks (EMFs) have been developed to address this problem, but much work remains before EMFs are adopted as mainstream modeling tools. Environmental model development requires both scientific understanding of environmental phenomena and software developer proficiency. EMFs support the modeling process through streamlining model code development, allowing seamless access to data, and supporting data analysis and visualization. EMFs also support aggregation of model components into functional units, component interaction and communication, temporal-spatial stepping, scaling of spatial data, multi-threading/multi-processor support, and cross-language interoperability. Some EMFs additionally focus on high-performance computing and are tailored for particular modeling domains such as ecosystem, socio-economic, or climate change research. The Object Modeling System Version 3 (OMS3) EMF employs new advances in software framework design to better support the environmental model development process. This paper discusses key EMF design goals/constraints and addresses software engineering aspects that have made OMS3 framework development efficacious and its application practical, as demonstrated by leveraging software engineering efforts outside of the modeling community and lessons learned from over a decade of EMF development. Software engineering approaches employed in OMS3 are highlighted including a non-invasive lightweight framework design supporting component-based model development, use of implicit parallelism in system design, use of domain specific language design patterns, and cloud-based support for computational scalability. The key advancements in EMF design presented herein may be applicable and beneficial for other EMF developers seeking to better support environmental model development through improved framework design.
Interaction forces between hydrophobic and hydrophilic self-assembled monolayers

Abstract An investigation is presented of the interaction of charged self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with a monoprotic ionizable acid functional group (–COOH) and uncharged SAMs with a methyl terminated functional group (–CH3). The strength of the interactions are determined using an atomic force microscope. For all electrolyte conditions investigated the interactions are not well described by a summation of van der Waals attractions and electrostatic repulsions in a manner suggesting that van der Waals attractions are screened. The repulsions are accurately described as corresponding to two surfaces of different charge interacting with surface charges that are independent of separation (i.e., the constant charge model). A small adhesion force was observed under all conditions and its magnitude increased with NaCl concentration.
Second Amendment Plumbing After McDonald Exploring the Contradiction in the Second Amendment

These essays were written for a debate with Professor Joyce Lee Malcolm appearing in the Northwestern University Law Review concerning the standard of scrutiny to be applied to gun control laws in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision in McDonald v. City of Chicago. The opening essay argues that the text of the Second Amendment, the history of gun-control regulation, and the approach taken by the Supreme Court in McDonald and District of Columbia v. Heller argue for some form of intermediate scrutiny capable of coming to grips with the fact that the populace capable of bearing arms, that is, the "militia" in originalist parlance, may require far more comprehensive regulation in contemporary urban American than was necessary in the framing era. The reply essay responds to Professor Malcolm's praise for Justice Thomas's opinion in McDonald and her advocacy of strict scrutiny. It argues that the historical record is far more complicated than acknowledged by Justice Thomas, and that strict scrutiny cannot be reconciled with key aspects of the Heller opinion, and overlooks critical differences between the framing era and today's urban crime.