cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bootstrap construction of the upper confidence limit for unreliability

Abstract A computer-intensive statistical method known as bootstrap is proposed for the problem of estimating the failure probability for a stress-strength system. This method requires fewer assumptions for valid practical applications and proves particularly useful when sample sizes are small. A brief account of the frequently used methods is presented and their drawbacks are discussed. Application of the proposed method is illustrated using a set of published data.
Crossed Cerebellar Diaschisis in Acute Stroke Detected by Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast MR Perfusion Imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD), the decrease in blood flow and metabolism in the cerebellar hemisphere contralateral to a supratentorial stroke, is frequently reported on positron-emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission CT (SPECT) but is rarely described with MR perfusion techniques. This study was undertaken to determine the frequency of CCD observed in acute stroke by retrospective review of a research data base of patients with acute stroke evaluated by diffusion-weighted (DWI) and dynamic contrast susceptibility perfusion MR imaging (PWI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: PWI scans of 301 consecutive patients with acute stroke and positive DWI abnormality from a research data base were reviewed. Contralateral cerebellar hypoperfusion was identified by inspection of time-to-peak (TTP) maps for asymmetry with an absence of cerebellar abnormalities on T2-weighted scans, DWI, or disease of the vertebrobasilar system on MR angiography. In a subset of the cases, quantitative analysis of perfusion scans was performed using an arterial input function and singular value decomposition (SVD) to generate cerebral blood flow (CBF) maps. RESULTS: A total of 47 of 301 cases (15.61%) met the criteria of CCD by asymmetry of cerebellar perfusion on TTP maps. On quantitative analysis, there was corresponding reduction of CBF by 22.75 ± 10.94% (range, 7.45% to 52.13%) of the unaffected cerebellar hemisphere). CONCLUSIONS: MR perfusion techniques can be used to detect CCD, though the frequency presented in this series is lower than that commonly reported in the PET/SPECT literature. Nevertheless, with its role in acute stroke and noninvasive nature, MR perfusion may be a viable alternative to PET or SPECT to study the phenomenon and clinical consequences of supratentorial stroke with CCD.
Physician knowledge of child sexual abuse

This study was undertaken to describe the knowledge about child sexual abuse, and factors that affect the knowledge of a statewide sample of physicians. A survey of physicians (n = 113) participating in a statewide program for child abuse evaluations was made in Summer 1993, with 78% participation. Knowledge scores were derived from the survey based on comparison to the responses of a panel of five experts. Several areas of inadequate knowledge were found including assessment of chlamydia infection, Tanner staging, and documentation of historical and physical exam findings. Factors associated with better knowledge scores were physician participation in continuing medical education and specialization in pediatrics. In addition, variations in presentation of the data affected physician judgement. We conclude that knowledge of physicians about child sexual abuse shows some deficiencies, is generally better among pediatricians, and may be improved by continuing medical education.
A C-Type Lectin Collaborates with a CD45 Phosphatase Homolog to Facilitate West Nile Virus Infection of Mosquitoes

West Nile virus (WNV) is the most common arthropod-borne flavivirus in the United States; however, the vector ligand(s) that participate in infection are not known. We now show that an Aedes aegypti C-type lectin, mosGCTL-1, is induced by WNV, interacts with WNV in a calcium-dependent manner, and facilitates infection in vivo and in vitro. A mosquito homolog of human CD45 in A. aegypti, designated mosPTP-1, recruits mosGCTL-1 to enable viral attachment to cells and to enhance viral entry. In vivo experiments show that mosGCTL-1 and mosPTP-1 function as part of the same pathway and are critical for WNV infection of mosquitoes. A similar phenomenon was also observed in Culex quinquefasciatus, a natural vector of WNV, further demonstrating that these genes participate in WNV infection. During the mosquito blood-feeding process, WNV infection was blocked in vivo with mosGCTL-1 antibodies. A molecular understanding of flaviviral-arthropod interactions may lead to strategies to control viral dissemination in nature.
American Indian college student suicide: risk, beliefs, and help-seeking preferences

We examined American Indian students’ suicidality, their awareness of tribal beliefs concerning suicide, and the likelihood of them seeking help, if suicidal, from a variety of sources. The rate of suicidal ideation among students in our sample was comparable to the general college student population. Only 10% of sample was aware of traditional tribal suicide beliefs. Respondents who were committed to tribal culture were more likely to prefer counseling from American Indian persons.
Socioeconomic status and cultural influences on language.

Abstract Two studies track connections from the distal variables of socioeconomic status (SES) and culture to properties of the interactions children experience and to the rate of children's language development. The first study is an investigation of the relations among family SES, properties of maternal child-directed speech, and child vocabulary growth in a sample of 2-year-olds in the United States. The second study is an investigation of the relations among maternal education, maternal “language teaching practices,” and child vocabulary and grammatical development in a sample of 2–4-year-olds in China. Together these findings reveal some of the ways in which the social and cultural contexts in which children live affect the course of their language development. Learning outcomes: The reader will become aware of how the social and cultural milieu in which children live shapes their language experiences and consequent language development.
SPC with correlated observations for the chemical and process industries

In the use of statistical control charts, violating the basic assumption of independent or uncorrelated data results in a chart that exhibits poor statistical performance, resulting in an increased number of false alarms. Autocorrelated data requires modifications to traditional control chart techniques. A method based on the exponentially weighted moving average that uses variable control limits is presented. Using simulation, we explore the shift detection properties of this moving centre-line technique and will show how the detection capability of the procedure can be enhanced using supplemental tracking signal tests. Guidelines and conditions for use are also presented.
Laparoscopic evaluation for a contralateral patent processus vaginalis

Between May 1, 1992 and March 1, 1993, 221 consecutively treated children under 10 years of age evaluated by the authors for a known inguinal hernia were involved in a prospective protocol to determine whether diagnostic laparoscopy has a place for evaluation of the contralateral inguinal region. Twenty-six had known bilateral inguinal hernias and did not require diagnostic laparoscopy. Of the other 195 children who underwent laparoscopy before hernia repair, 86 had a unilateral hernia with a contralateral patent processus vaginalis (CPPV), and 109 had only a unilateral hernia. After anesthesia, it was suspected on prelaparoscopic clinical examination that 55 patients had a CPPV. During laparoscopy, it was noted that 31 (56%) had patent processus vaginalis and 24 (44%) did not. Of the 140 patients believed to have a CPPV on prelaparoscopic clinical examination, 60 (43%) did and 80 (57%) did not. Insufflation alone was not diagnostic of CPPV; of the 195 patients undergoing laparoscopy, insufflation resulted in a positive finding on the known side in only 129 (66%) and on the contralateral side in 23 of the 86 patients (27%) found to have a CPPV. There were no complications related to the laparoscopy or the hernia repair.
Organ-sparing surgery for testicular tumours

Purpose of reviewTesticular cancer represents the majority of testicular masses, and radical orchiectomy is still considered the standard-of-care. Testis-sparing surgery (TSS) can be an alternative to radical surgery in patients with small testicular tumours, bilateral or solitary testis masses. The
Selectivity loss of Pt/CeO2 PROX catalysts at low CO concentrations: mechanism and active site study

CO and H{sub 2} oxidation were studied over a series of Pt/CeO{sub 2} catalysts with differing Pt loadings and dispersions. Kinetic rate analysis confirms the presence of dual Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) and Mars and van Krevelen (M-vK) pathways and is used to explain the loss in CO oxidation selectivity at low CO concentrations. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) shows the strong CO coverage dependence on both CO and O{sub 2} concentrations and explains the transition from L-H to M-vK reaction character. Redox site measurements are performed on Pt/CeO{sub 2} catalysts by anaerobic titrations under conditions where the M-vK pathway dominates the reaction rate. Similar redox site densities per interfacial Pt atom suggest that interfacial Pt-O-Ce sites are responsible for M-vK redox activity.
Multifractals from Hamiltonian many-body molecular dynamics

Nonequilibrium simulations with time-reversible thennostats provide multifractal phase-space structures. But alternative stochastic approaches to temperature control rule out such fine-grained structures. Thus, the validity of the fractals has been questioned. [ detail here the construction of the fully-Hamiltonian many-body problems which produce fractal structures isomorphic to those of the nonequilibrium simulations. © 1997 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
Directed Kinetic Model Building: Seeding as a Model Reduction Tool

The need for detailed molecular information from kinetic models has given rise to the practice of modeling the chemistry at either the molecular or mechanistic level. These models are often used to...
BreaKmer: detection of structural variation in targeted massively parallel sequencing data using kmers

Genomic structural variation (SV), a common hallmark of cancer, has important predictive and therapeutic implications. However, accurately detecting SV using high-throughput sequencing data remains challenging, especially for ‘targeted’ resequencing efforts. This is critically important in the clinical setting where targeted resequencing is frequently being applied to rapidly assess clinically actionable mutations in tumor biopsies in a cost-effective manner. We present BreaKmer, a novel approach that uses a ‘kmer’ strategy to assemble misaligned sequence reads for predicting insertions, deletions, inversions, tandem duplications and translocations at base-pair resolution in targeted resequencing data. Variants are predicted by realigning an assembled consensussequence createdfromsequence readsthatwere abnormally aligned to the reference genome. Using targeted resequencing data from tumor specimens with orthogonally validated SV, non-tumor samples and whole-genome sequencing data, BreaKmer had a 97.4% overall sensitivity for known events and predicted 17 positively validated, novel variants. Relative to four publically available algorithms, BreaKmer detected SV with increased sensitivity and limited calls in non-tumor samples, key features for variant analysis of tumor specimens in both the clinical and research settings.
Sequence Composition and Context Effects on the Generation and Repair of Frameshift Intermediates in Mononucleotide Runs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

DNA polymerase slippage occurs frequently in tracts of a tandemly repeated nucleotide, and such slippage events can be genetically detected as frameshift mutations. In long mononucleotide runs, most frameshift intermediates are repaired by the postreplicative mismatch repair (MMR) machinery, rather than by the exonucleolytic proofreading activity of DNA polymerase. Although mononucleotide runs are hotspots for polymerase slippage events, it is not known whether the composition of a run and the surrounding context affect the frequency of slippage or the efficiency of MMR. To address these issues, 10-nucleotide (10N) runs were inserted into the yeast LYS2 gene to create +1 frameshift alleles. Slippage events within these runs were detected as Lys+ revertants. 10G or 10C runs were found to be more unstable than 10A or 10T runs, but neither the frequency of polymerase slippage nor the overall efficiency of MMR was greatly influenced by sequence context. Although complete elimination of MMR activity ( msh2 mutants) affected all runs similarly, analyses of reversion rates in msh3 and msh6 mutants revealed distinct specificities of the yeast Msh2p-Msh3p and Msh2p-Msh6p mismatch binding complexes in the repair of frameshift intermediates in different sequence contexts.
Wall-pressure fluctuations beneath turbulent boundary layers on a flat plate and a cylinder

Measurements of the turbulent pressure field on the outer surface of a 3 in. diameter cylinder aligned with the flow were made at a point approximately 24 ft. downstream of the origin of the turbulent boundary layer in an air stream of 145 ft./sec. The boundary-layer thickness was 2·78 in. and the Reynolds number based on momentum thickness was 2·62 × 104. The wall-pressure measurements were made with pressure transducers constructed from 0·06 in. diameter lead–zirconate–titanate disks mounted flush with the wall. The measurements including root-mean-square, power spectrum, and correlations of the wall pressure are compared with the existing experimental results for the turbulent pressure field beneath a plane boundary layer. The streamwise convection speed deduced from longitudinal space-time correlation measurements was almost identical to that obtained in the plane boundary layer. The rate of decay of the maxima of the space-time correlation of the pressure produced by the convected eddies was double that in a plane boundary layer. The longitudinal and transverse scales of the pressure correlation were approximately equal (in a plane boundary layer the transverse scale is larger than longitudinal scale) and were one-half or less than the longitudinal scale in the plane boundary layer. It is concluded that the effect of the transverse curvature of the wall is an overall reduction in size of pressure-producing eddies. The reduction in transverse scale of the larger eddies is greater than that of the smaller eddies. In general, the smaller eddies decay more rapidly and produce greater spectral densities at high frequencies owing to the unchanged convection speed.
Neutrino energy loss from the plasma process at all temperatures and densities

We present a unified approach which is accurate at all temperatures and densities for calculating the energy loss from a stellar plasma due to the plasma process\char22{}the decay of photons and plasmons into neutrino pairs. To allow efficient numerical calculations, an analytic approximation to the dispersion equations for photons and plasmons is developed. It is correct to order $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ in the classical, degenerate, and relativistic limits for all momenta $k$ and is correct at small $k$ for all temperatures and electron densities. Within the same approximations, concise expressions are derived for the transverse, longitudinal, and axial-vector components of the neutrino emissivity.
Getting to the heart of the problem in treating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

In this issue of Leukemia and Lymphoma, Dell'Olio and colleagues demonstrate encouraging tolerability as well as early efficacy when substituting non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin into the otherw...
THE CHARACTERIZATION OF CONOTOXINS

Conotoxins are peptide toxins synthesized by marine cone snails for both prey entrapment and defense. The peptides, when injected into the prey, cause immobilization and death. Cone snails are widely distributed in tropical waters, their prey includes fish, worms and other marine snails. The peptide toxins have very high specificity and selectivity for a variety of neuro receptors and ion channels. This makes the toxins very useful in studies aimed at identifying receptors and their ligands, as well as in drug development studies. Conotoxins are notable at the level of primary amino acid sequence for their high percentage of cysteine residues and other post-translational modifications including hydroxylation of proline, γ-carboxylation of glutamate, pyroglutamic acid formation, bromination of tryptophan and C-terminal amidation. This review describes traditional and more novel techniques for the characterization of conotoxins. In particular, the identification of the nature and the site of post-translatio...
Ductal carcinoma in situ with basal-like phenotype: a possible precursor to invasive basal-like breast cancer

Basal-like carcinomas have recently been identified in gene expression profiling studies as a subtype of invasive breast cancer. These lesions are estrogen receptor (ER)-negative, progesterone receptor (PR)-negative, and HER2-negative (triple negative), and typically express basal cytokeratins, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and/or c-kit. As poorly differentiated invasive ductal carcinomas, they presumably have a ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) precursor with similar cytologic and immunophenotypic features. However, the frequency and even the existence of a DCIS lesion with an immunophenotype analogous to that of invasive basal-like carcinomas have not been previously evaluated. We studied 66 cases of high nuclear grade DCIS using antibodies to ER, PR, HER2, three basal cytokeratins, EGFR, and c-kit to determine the frequency of the triple negative phenotype, and to determine the relationship between the triple negative phenotype and expression of basal cytokeratins and other biomarkers characteristically expressed by invasive basal-like carcinomas. Four cases (6%) exhibited the triple negative phenotype; the remaining cases showed other combinations of ER, PR, and HER2 expression (nontriple negative). Basal cytokeratins, EGFR, or both were expressed by all four triple negative lesions, but by only 21 of 51 (42%) nontriple negative cases (P = 0.04). We conclude that a small proportion of high-grade ductal carcinomas in situ exhibit an ER-negative/PR-negative/HER2-negative (triple negative) phenotype, and these lesions more commonly show expression of basal cytokeratins and/or EGFR than nontriple negative high-grade DCIS. Given that invasive breast cancers typically share immunophenotypic features with the ductal carcinoma in situ from which they arise, our findings raise the possibility that the triple-negative, basal cytokeratin and/or EGFR-positive DCIS lesions we identified represent a precursor lesion to invasive basal-like carcinomas.
Modeling experiences with full-wave time-domain modeling software

When evaluating electromagnetic modeling software, there is usually a significant focus on the ldquoaccuracyrdquo of the software. Differences between the results generated by the software and the ldquocorrectrdquo solution are the result of several potential sources of error including: approximations made in order to represent the actual configuration as a structure that the software can understand; approximations made during the discretization and solution of Maxwellpsilas equations; and differences between what the modeler wants to analyze and what the software is actually modeling. Of these three potential error sources, the last one is usually the greatest source of error even when the analysis is being done by experienced modelers. In this paper, three full-wave time-domain EM modeling codes are evaluated by analyzing three simple canonical problems. These codes employ the three most common time-domain modeling techniques: the transmission line matrix method (TLM), the finite integration technique (FIT) and the finite difference time domain technique (FDTD). The three canonical problems are a center-driven dipole, a circuit board power-bus structure, and a power-bus structure with a cable attached. All of the codes are capable of yielding accurate results, but the differences in the specific technique employed and the user interface have a significant effect on the simulation time and the likelihood of getting the correct answer.
In vivo androgen treatment shortens the QT interval and increases the densities of inward and delayed rectifier potassium currents in orchiectomized male rabbits

Objectives: Women have longer rate-corrected QT intervals (QTc) and are at higher risk for developing life-threatening torsades de pointes ventricular arrhythmias than men, especially after taking medications that block cardiac human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG)-encoded K+ channels. The purpose of the present study was to determine if the male sex steroid hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), influences QT intervals in orchiectomized (Orch) male rabbits. Methods: ECG and whole-cell patch-clamp analyses were employed to evaluate cardiac repolarization and K+ currents in hearts isolated from orchiectomized (Orch) male New Zealand White rabbits receiving subcutaneous sustained release pellets for either dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or placebo. The efficacy of the treatment paradigm was monitored by measuring plasma DHT concentrations before and after the treatment period (10–14 days). Results: The results show that rate- and drug-induced QT-lengthening is attenuated in hearts from DHT-treated rabbits relative to placebo-treated controls. No significant changes in QRS were observed in response to DHT, thereby indicating that DHT influences QT primarily through an effect on ventricular repolarization. In addition, hearts from DHT-treated rabbits displayed significantly less QT lengthening in response to quinidine challenge compared to placebo controls. Current densities for two important cardiac repolarizing K+ currents, I K1 and I Kr, were found to be significantly increased in ventricular myocardium of DHT-treated rabbits. Further, the half-maximal voltage of activation ( V 1/2) for I Kr was significantly shifted to more negative potentials in myocytes from DHT vs. placebo hearts (21.2±1.2 vs. 30.2±1.4 mV, respectively, n =12, P <0.001). Corresponding changes in rabbit ether-a-go-go-related gene (RERG) mRNA were not found when examined by Northern blot hybridization. Conclusions: These results suggest that the presence of male sex steroid hormones in male rabbits helps to suppress rate- and drug-induced delays in cardiac repolarization. DHT action produces increased current densities for I K1 and I Kr and a left-shift in the V 1/2 for I Kr that could account, at least in part, for the observed QTc differences between males and females. Since little change was seen in ventricular RERG gene expression, DHT action in the heart may influence I Kr via post-transcriptional and/or post-translational mechanisms.
Modeling broad-scale patterns of avian species richness across the Midwestern United States with measures of satellite image texture

article i nfo Avian biodiversity is threatened, and in order to prioritize limited conservation resources and conduct effec- tive conservation planning a better understanding of avian species richness patterns is needed. The use of image texture measures, as a proxy for the spatial structure of land cover and vegetation, has proven useful in explaining patterns of avian abundance and species richness. However, prior studies that modeled habitat with texture measures were conducted over small geographical extents and typically focused on a single habitat type. Our goal was to evaluate the performance of texture measures over broad spatial extents and across multiple habitat types with varying levels of vertical habitat structure. We calculated a suite of texture measures from 114 Landsat images over a study area of 1,498,000 km 2 in the Midwestern United States, which included habitats ranging from grassland to forest. Avian species richness was modeled for several functional guilds as a function of image texture. We subsequently compared the explanatory power of texture-only models with models fitted using landscape composition metrics derived from the National Land Cover Dataset, as well as models fitted using both texture and composition metrics. Measures of image texture were effective in modeling spatial patterns of avian species richness in multiple habitat types, explaining up to 51% of the variability in species richness of permanent resident birds. In comparison, landscape composition metrics explained up to 56% of the variability in permanent resident species richness. In the most heavily forested ecoregion, texture-measures outperformed landscape metrics, and the two types of measurements were complementary in multivariate models. However, in two out of three ecoregions examined, landscape composition metrics consistently performed slightly better than texture measures, and the variance explained by the two types of measures overlapped considerably. These results show that image texture measures derived from satellite imagery can be an important tool for modeling patterns of avian species richness at broad spatial extents, and thus assist in conservation planning. However, texture measures were slightly inferior to landscape composition metrics in about three-fourths of our models. Therefore texture measures are best considered in conjunction with landscape metrics (if available) and are best used when they show explanatory ability that is complementarity to landscape metrics.
Dehydrogenation of benzene on liquid Al100(

The reactions of benzene on Al100+ have been investigated as a function of cluster temperature (300–1100 K) and relative kinetic energy (1–14 eV) by low-energy ion-beam methods and mass spectrometry. Benzene chemisorbs on both solid and liquid aluminum clusters to generate Al100C6D6+. A series of Al100–n+ (n = 1, 2, 3, ...) products was also observed. As the cluster temperature was raised above the melting temperature of Al100+, the Al100C6D6+ product dehydrogenates to form Al100C6D4+, Al100C6D2+, and Al100C6+. The degree of dehydrogenation was measured as a function of temperature. Very little Al100C6D2+ was observed, suggesting that the losses of the second and third D2 molecules are coordinated.
Customer Involvement Catalog Builder Based on Internet/Intranet in OKP

Catalog book is the main and efficient means for a manufacturer to demonstrate its products, description and related prices during the whole year. With the evolution of the business and new technology, it is time to address the need of producing printed annual price catalogs in a new way. In order to facilitate customer involvement in the product process, a framework of extended supply chain is introduced; particularly a web-based catalog builder for One-of-a-Kind Production (OKP) is presented. A customized window & doors catalog is used as an application to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Auditory clicks in extinction of stroboscope-induced seizures.

SUMMARY A patient with photic induced epilepsy was given extinction trials using the differential light intensity technique. This did not afford significant clinical improvement. The light extinction was coupled to sound stimuli and this proved feasible, special hearing aid eye-glasses were modified and adapted so that intermittent light stimuli occurring in the environment produced sound stimuli. Extinction studies using these glasses significantly decreased the patient's seizures. REASUMEA Un patient souffrant d'eApilepsie photo-induite fut soumis, sans succeGs, aG une proceAdure d'extinction utilisant une technique d'intensiteA lumineuse diffeArencielle. Devant cet eAchec, l'extinction par la lumieGre fut coupleAe aG des stimuli auditifs et le sujet porta des lunettes ameAnageAes de telle sorte qu'une lumieGre intermittente survenant dans son environnement provoquait une stimulation sonore. Les eAtudes d'extinction effectueAes avec l'aide de ces lunettes montreGrent une reAduction significative des crises de ce sujet.
Kirk Hazen. Identity and ethnicity in the rural South: A sociolinguistic view through past and present Be. Durham, NC: Duke University Press for the American Dialect Society, 2000. Pp. xii, 178. Pb $20.00.

This book is the revised version of Hazen's 1997 Ph.D. dissertation at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill). In it, Hazen investigates the linguistic behavior of three ethnic groups in Warren County, North Carolina, both individually and collectively, with respect to copula absence and leveling of past be , with the aim of ascertaining the linguistic boundaries that delineate the ethnic groups. These ethnic groups are African Americans (comprising 57% of the overall population in the 1990 Census), European Americans (38%), and Native Americans (4%). In addition to ethnicity, Hazen considers the influence of age, sex, and cultural identity. He situates his data and findings in the broader sociolinguistic context by discussing, for example, the contributions that they make to the origins debate and the divergence/convergence debate surrounding African American Vernacular English (AAVE). Perhaps the two most significant contributions of the study, however, are the discussion of wont as an innovative variant descended from wasn't , a past-tense corollary of present tense ain't (cf. Hazen 1998), and the discussion of the influence of cultural identity on sociolinguistic variation (cf. Hazen 2002).
Friction modeling in dynamic robot simulation

The importance of appropriately modeling friction for the simulation and control of high-performance robot systems is discussed. Incorporating Coulomb-type friction in the dynamic equations introduces two difficulties in the forward dynamic solution. It is shown that the differential equations become discontinuous in the highest-order derivative terms. In addition, the load dependency of this type of friction generally causes the equations to be implicit in the joint accelerations. For the important case of load-dependent transmission friction, the equations are shown to be explicit. Techniques for the forward solution are described through the example of a roller screw transmission. Experimental and simulation results are used to show the importance of load-dependent friction in a particular robot. Implementational issues are discussed as well as implications for robot control. >
The Apology of Aristides — A Re-examination

The legend of Barlaam and Ioasaph, one of the most popular and influential of medieval romances, entered the western world by way of a Greek version, which fathered, directly or indirectly, translations into almost every European language, and inspired an entire cycle of literary influences. This Greek version was itself descended from a long line of Asiatic redactions, harking back through Georgian and Arabic to Pehlevi and to the Sanskrit prototype (now lost). Thus the Greek version occupies, so to speak, a focal position. It is at once the source of the European, and the culmination of the Asiatic, traditions. Its hero, Prince Ioasaph, can look backward to his earliest incarnation as the Buddha of the Lalita Vistara, and forward to his latest — as a saint of Rome and Byzantium; while many of the tales told him by the monk Barlaam to convert him to Christianity change little on their long journey from some such work as the Pantchatantra, via the Greek Barlaam, to the Exempla of Jacques de Vitry, or the Gesta Romanorum.
Interactive public sound art: a case study

Physically situated public art poses significant challenges for the design and realization of interactive, electronic sound works. Consideration of diverse audiences, environmental sensitivity, exhibition conditions, and logistics must guide the artwork. We describe our work in this area, using a recently installed public piece, Transition Soundings, as a case study that reveals a specialized interface and open-ended approach to interactive music making. This case study serves as a vehicle for examination of the real world challenges posed by public art and its outcomes.
Towards object-based heuristics

A survey and critique of previous work is given, and two object-based heuristics are developed. The structured nature of objects is the motivation for the nonaccidental alignment criterion; parallel lines within the object's bounding contour are related to the object-centered coordinate system. The regularity and symmetry inherent in many man-made objects is the motivation for the orthogonal basis constraint, an oblique set of coordinate axes in the image is presumed to be the projection of an orthogonal set of 3D coordinate axes in the scene. These heuristics are demonstrated on real and synthetic image contours. >
Gonadal steroid hormone regulation of human and mouse follicle stimulating hormone beta-subunit gene expression in vivo.

Transgenic mice that express a 10-kilobase human FSH beta (hFSH beta) gene exclusively in pituitary gonadotropes were used to study the regulation of hFSH beta gene expression by gonadal steroids. For comparison, the mouse FSH beta (mFSH beta) gene was studied in parallel in nontransgenic sibling (normal) mice. The hFSH beta gene showed a sexually dimorphic expression pattern, identical to mFSH beta, in the mouse environment. Intact normal and transgenic male mice had elevated (P < 0.05) levels of serum [16 +/- 2 ng/ml (normal); 38 +/- 6 (transgenic)] and pituitary FSH content [2 +/- 0.3 micrograms/mg protein (normal); 36 +/- 6 (transgenic)] and FSH beta mRNA [1.47 +/- 0.10 arbitrary density units (normal); 1.00 +/- 0.23 (transgenic)] compared to the corresponding female mice ([< 2.0 ng/ml (normal and transgenic)] [0.1 +/- 0.01 microgram/mg protein (normal); 0.2 +/- 0.03 (transgenic)] [< 0.03 arbitrary density units (normal and transgenic)]). Serum FSH levels were increased (P < 0.05) 2 weeks after castra...
Number, activation, and differentiation of circulating fibrocytes correlate with asthma severity.

Background A biomarker that predicts poor asthma control would be clinically useful. Fibrocytes are bone marrow–derived circulating progenitor cells that have been implicated in tissue fibrosis and T H 2 responses in asthmatic patients. Objective We sought to test the hypothesis that the concentration and activation state of peripheral blood fibrocytes correlates with asthma severity. Methods By using fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, fibrocytes (CD45 + and collagen 1 [Col1] + ) were enumerated and characterized in the buffy coats of fresh peripheral blood samples from 15 control subjects and 40 asthmatic patients. Results Concentrations of peripheral blood total (CD45 + Col1 + ), activated (the TGF-β transducing protein phosphorylated SMAD2/3 [p-SMAD2/3] + or phosphorylated AKT [p-AKT] + ), and differentiated (α-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA] + ) fibrocytes were increased in asthmatic patients compared with control subjects. The increase in total and CD45 + Col1 + CXCR4 + fibrocytes was primarily seen in patients with severe asthma (Global Initiative for Asthma steps 4-5) as opposed to those with milder asthma (Global Initiative for Asthma steps 1-3). In addition, numbers of circulating α-SMA + and α-SMA + CXCR4 + fibrocytes were increased in asthmatic patients experiencing an asthma exacerbation in the preceding 12 months. A significant correlation ( P + Col1 + CXCR4 + fibrocytes and the activation phenotypes CD45 + Col1 + p-SMAD2/3 + and CD45 + Col1 + p-AKT + . Conclusion There was correlation between circulating fibrocyte subsets and asthma severity, and there was an increased number of activated/differentiated fibrocytes in circulating blood of asthmatic patients experiencing an exacerbation in the preceding 12 months.
The effects of gastric surgery on systemic ghrelin levels in the morbidly obese.

Hypothesis Circulating ghrelin, produced primarily in the stomach, is a powerful orexigen. Ghrelin levels are elevated in states of hunger, but rapidly decline postprandially. Early alterations in ghrelin levels in morbidly obese patients undergoing weight reduction surgery may be attributed to gastric partitioning. Design and Patients Thirty-four patients underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with a completely divided gastroplasty to create a 15-mL vertically oriented gastric pouch. Eight other patients underwent other gastric procedures that did not involve complete division of the stomach, including 4 vertical banded gastroplasties and 4 antireflux surgical procedures. Six additional patients undergoing antireflux surgery served as lean control subjects. Plasma samples were obtained before surgery and immediately after surgery. In a substudy, plasma was collected after Roux-en-Y limb formation and after dividing the stomach to identify any changes in plasma ghrelin levels. Setting Tertiary university medical center. Main Outcome Measures Ghrelin levels at different stages of surgical intervention. Results Mean ± SEM preoperative and postoperative ghrelin levels in the gastric bypass group were 355 ± 20 and 246 ± 13 pg/mL, respectively ( P Conclusions Compared with morbidly obese humans, lean controls had significantly higher plasma ghrelin levels at baseline. A divided gastroplasty creating a small proximal gastric pouch results in significant early declines in circulating ghrelin levels that are not observed with other gastric procedures. This may explain, in part, the loss of hunger sensation and rapid weight loss observed following gastric bypass surgery.
An automated analysis program for the evaluation of cardiac PET studies : initial results in the detection and localization of coronary artery disease using nitrogen-13-ammonia

Positron emission tomography (PET), in combination with myocardial blood flow tracers, allows highly accurate diagnosis of coronary artery disease using visual data interpretation. To increase the objectivity of data analysis and to reduce interobserver variability, we developed an automated analysis method for the three-dimensional definition of myocardial activity, which includes true volumetric data extraction and mathematical constraints of activity sampling to the expected shape of the left ventricle. Data are displayed in a standardized polar map or three-dimensional format for comparison with a normal database. The first clinical evaluation of this method in 52 patients using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for detection as well as localization of coronary artery stenosis in predefined vascular territories. The interobserver and intraobserver agreement for localization of disease was excellent, with correlation coefficients varying from 0.85 to 0.99 for individual vascular territories. Thus, this automated quantitative analysis program provides highly accurate and reproducible evaluation of cardiac PET flow studies. Definite determination of its diagnostic accuracy requires a prospective multicenter trial in a larger patient population employing the criteria for abnormality established in this initial clinical evaluation.
Syringe Caps: An Aspiration Hazard

The accurate administration of medications to infants and young children is often a difficult task. Patient resistance to medications as well as parental compliance factors are best met by utilizing the most convenient means to deliver medication. For infants, the oral dosing syringe is considered the best device for delivery of liquid medications.1 When used properly, syringes provide the most accurate measured doses and reduce the risk of choking and of aspirating medication.2 Oral medication syringes may be dispensed by a pharmacist or may be available directly to the consumer. These syringes are dispensed with a plastic cap or "shield" to seal the end of the container.
New Frontiers in Medical Education Simulation Technology at Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine is using a variety of medical simulation systems in the training of its medical students. The simulators allow students to learn and practice skills in a controlled environment, and they enable faculty to challenge students with a broader range of conditions than might ordinarily be encountered during medical training.
Regression-Based Normative Formulae for the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status for Older Adults

The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) has become a popular cognitive screening instrument, particularly in elderly patients. Prior studies presented lookup tables for RBANS normative data based on age, gender, education, and race using a group of 718 community-dwelling older adults. However, regression-based normative formulae that simultaneously correct for all demographic variables may be more sensitive for detecting late life cognitive decline. Using data from the prior studies, linear regression was used to generate such formulae in the Indexes and subtests of the RBANS. Results indicated that ∼11% of the variance of Index scores was accounted for by these demographic variables, and 13% of variance in subtest scores. Although some differences were present between the lookup and regression-based norms, it is expected that these current results will present more accurate demographic corrections that allow clinicians and researchers to better interpret individual performances on the RBANS.
Bigelow: The Ninth Circuit on FLPs

The article discusses the Ninth Circuit's recent Bigelow case. The issues on appeal were: 1) whether the Tax Court erred in its finding that there was an implied agreement of income retention from the property the decedent transferred to her FLP, and 2) whether the Tax Court erred in its holding that the transfer did not constitute a bona fide sale for adequate and full consideration,exempting it from section 2036.
Abstract LB-241: Silencing of microRNA-31 prevents esophageal neoplasia in zinc deficient rats.

Dietary zinc deficiency (ZD) is implicated in the pathogenesis of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). microRNA-31 (miR-31) is overexpressed in human ESCC. In the rat a ZD diet promotes esophageal carcinogenesis by inducing cellular proliferation and changes in the expression of microRNA and mRNA, including overexpression of miR-31 and cancer-related proinflammation genes. Here we report that treatment of ZD rats with locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified inhibitor of miR-31 (LNA-antimiR) prevents the development of a precancerous esophageal phenotype. Weanling rats were fed ZD or zinc-sufficient (ZS) diet for 5 weeks. Simultaneously, ZD rats were administered intravenously (twice a week) LNA-antimiR, LNA-scramble miR-31 or the vehicle saline. ZS rats received saline. Compared to ZS rats, LNA-scramble miR-31-treated or saline-treated ZD rats overexpressed miR-31 and displayed a highly proliferative and inflammatory esophageal phenotype. Treatment of ZD rats with LNA-antimiR reduced miR-31 expression in esophageal epithelia and circulating blood by ~60% and reversed the ZD-induced esophageal pathology, as evidenced by a thinned esophageal epithelium with reduced cell proliferation by PCNA immunohistochemistry and increased apoptosis by caspase-3/7 activity. Transcriptome analyses of esophageal epithelia demonstrated derepression of target mRNAs with miR-31 seed sites. In particular, Stk40 (a negative regulator of NF-κ? signaling) was demonstrated to be a bona fide miR-31 target. Using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, miR-31 overexpression in ZD esophageal sections correlated with downregulation of STK40 protein, as well as with upregulation of an NF-κ? p65 - RAGE-S100A9 inflammatory pathway that in turn, was normalized by miR-31 silencing. Thus, silencing miR-31 prevents esophageal neoplasia. Overexpression of miR-31 promotes ESCC initiation by enhancing inflammation via STK40 - NF-κ? signaling. The data indicate that miR-31 may be a promising therapeutic target for improved ESCC diagnosis and prevention. Funding: National Institutes of Health grants U01 CA152758 to CMC and R01CA118560 & R21CA152505 to LYYF. Citation Format: Cristian Taccioli, Hongping Chen, Michela Garofalo, Yubao Jiang, Gianpiero Di Leva, Hansjuerg Alder, Justin Middleton, Karl J. Smalley, Arianna Bottoni, Stefan Costinean, John L. Farber, Carlo M. Croce, Louise Y Y Fong. Silencing of microRNA-31 prevents esophageal neoplasia in zinc deficient rats. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-241. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-LB-241
Reversible ageusia associated with romidepsin therapy.

Purpose The case of a patient who reported the complete loss of his sense of taste after about 3.5 months of romidepsin therapy is presented. Summary A man with a 12-year history of treatment-refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) developed taste disturbances progressing to ageusia (the absence of taste perception) while receiving romidepsin therapy. He reported a metallic taste during the first round of romidepsin therapy (14 mg/m2 given as a four-hour infusion on days 1, 8, and 15 of each four-week cycle); during the ninth infusion, he reported the complete loss of taste sensations. The patient chose to continue romidepsin therapy because of a favorable overall response but requested a reduced frequency of infusions due to unabated ageusia. After implementation of a revised administration schedule (infusions only on days 1 and 8 of each cycle), the man gradually regained his sense of taste, with complete reversal of ageusia once romidepsin use was discontinued after two more cycles. The application of the algorithm of Naranjo et al. to this case yielded a score of 6, indicating a probable association between the taste disturbances and romidepsin use. A literature search identified no other reports of romidepsin-associated ageusia. Conclusion A 67-year-old man reported ageusia during the third cycle of romidepsin therapy for CTCL. Taste sensation began to slowly recover following a reduction in the frequency of romidepsin administration, but therapy was ultimately discontinued partly due to the impact of this adverse reaction on the patient’s quality of life.