cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Overlapping positive and negative GATA factor binding sites mediate inducible DAL7 gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract Allantoin pathway gene expression inSaccharomyces cerevisiae responds to two different environmental stimuli. The expression of these genes is induced in the presence of allantoin or its degradative metabolites and repressed when a good nitrogen source (e.g. asparagine or glutamine) is provided. Three types of cis-acting sites and trans-acting factors are required for allantoin pathway gene transcription as follows: (i)UAS NTR element associated with the transcriptional activators Gln3p and Gat1p, (ii)URS GATA element associated with the repressor Dal80p, and (iii) UIS ALL element associated with the Dal82 and Dal81 proteins required for inducer-dependent transcription. Most of the work leading to the above conclusions has employed inducer-independent allantoin pathway genes (e.g. DAL5 and DAL3). The purpose of this work is to extend our understanding of these elements and their roles to inducible allantoin pathway genes using theDAL7 (encoding malate synthase) as a model. We show that eight distinct cis-acting sites participate in the process as follows: a newly identified GC-rich element, two UAS NTR, two UIS ALL, and threeURS GATA elements. The two GATA-containingUAS NTR elements are coincident with two of the three GATA sequences that make up the URS GATAelements. The remaining URS GATA GATA sequence, however, is not a UAS NTR element but appears to function only in repression. The data provide insights into how these cis- and trans-acting factors function together to accomplish the regulated expression of the DAL7 gene that is observedin vivo.
Strategies for anticipating risk in heterogeneous system design

Heterogeneous design presents an opportunity to improve energy efficiency but raises a challenge in resource management. Prior design methodologies aim for performance and efficiency, yet a deployed system may miss these targets due to run-time effects, which we denote as risk. We propose design strategies that explicitly aim to mitigate risk. We introduce new processor selection criteria, such as the coefficient of variation in performance, to produce heterogeneous configurations that balance performance risks and efficiency rewards. Out of the tens of strategies we consider, risk-aware approaches account for more than 70% of the strategies that produce systems with the best service quality. Applying these risk-mitigating strategies to heterogeneous datacenter design can produce a system that violates response time targets 50% less often.
The Green's function for the convection-diffusion equation in an analytic lung model

The method of Green's functions is applied to the convection-diffusion equation describing gas transport in the human lung. Explicit analytic solutions are found for the zeroth approximation to the value of steady state alveolar oxygen concentration, given the frequency of breathing, tidal volume, oxygen consumption, alveolar volume, volume of the bronchial tree, and two modelling parameters describing the geometry. The results of the calculation are compared favorably with some experimental data.
Drug injection rates and needle-exchange use in New York City, 1991-1996.

Objectives included (1) to develop methods for identifying injection drug users with accelerating injection habits so they might be referred to counseling and treatment and (2) to investigate behavioral correlates of accelerating injection habits, including syringe-exchange program utilization. Data on drug use, enrollment in methadone maintenance, and demographic variables were obtained from 328 subjects who were seronegative for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who attended anywhere from 4 to 11 quarterly study visits for interview, HIV pretest counseling and risk reduction couseling, and blood donation for HIV antibody testing. Subjects were recalled 2 weeks after each study visit to receive their results and post-test counseling. We characterized subjects according to their patterns of drug injection as accelerating, decelerating, or stable, using intraindividual regression analyses and categorization rules, and by syringe-exchange use as consistent users, sporadic users, or nonusers. The present subjects included 52% with decelerating, 29% with stable, and 19% with accelerating rates of drug injection. There were 128 subjects (39%) who were categorized as consistent users of syringe-exchange programs, 84 (25%) were categorized as sporadic users, and 116 (35%) were categorized as nonusers. All syringe-exchange groups showed significantly decelerating drug injection. Rates of decline were significantly less, however, among consistent syringe-exchange users than sporadic or nonusers of syringe exchanges. Categorical analysis also showed significant differences among groups, with 30% of consistent syringe-exchange program users having accelerating rates of drug injection compared to 9% of nonusers and 17% of sporadic users. That consistent syringe-exchange users included a larger proportion of individuals whose drug habits were accelerating than did sporadic users or nonusers of syringe exchanges suggests a need for improved identification and counseling of such subjects by syringe-exchange program staff. The present statistical approaches may be of value in targeting such efforts. The ability of a syringe-exchange program to attract a disproportionate share of drug users with accelerating rates of drug injection underscores the importance of these programs to HIV prevention efforts.
Intracardiac electrode catheter recordings of atrioventricular bypass tracts in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: Techniques, electrophysiologic characteristics and demonstration of concealed and decremental propagation

Atrioventricular bypass tract deflections were recorded in five patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome using standard, closely spaced (5 mm) electrode catheters. Three right paraseptal and two left-sided Kent bundles were recorded at the level of the tricuspid valve on the His bundle catheter and in the coronary sinus, respectively. Characteristics of the bypass tracts were studied during atrial pacing, programmed premature atrial stimulation, induction of supraventricular tachycardias and programmed ventricular stimulation. During atrial pacing, as pre-excitation increased, the stimulus to bypass tract deflection time remained unchanged. In five patients normalization of the QRS complex coincided with loss of the bypass tract deflection during incremental atrial pacing. Two patients demonstrated fragmentation of the bypass tract deflection before block. In one patient fragmentation of the bypass deflection coincided with normalization of the QRS complex. The effective refractory periods of the bypass tracts coincided with loss of bypass tract deflections in three of the five patients. In one patient, the effective refractory period of the bypass tract at its ventricular insertion preceded that at its atrial insertion, whereas in the remaining patient, the effective refractory period of the bypass tract was not attained because of atrial refractoriness. During orthodromic supraventricular tachycardia, the bypass tract deflections disappeared in the anterograde limb in all patients. In one patient, the bypass tract deflection was recorded during atrial fibrillation with pre-excitation. In conclusion: 1) Bypass tract deflections can be recorded with a closely spaced electrode catheter. 2) Right paraseptal bypass tracts are located close to the His bundle. 3) The anterograde effective refractory period of the bypass tract usually reflects its atrial insertion, but concealment through the bypass tract can occur with block at the ventricular insertion. 4) Decremental conduction within the bypass tract can occur before block, suggesting concealed and overt Wenckebach block within the bypass tract. 5) Recordings of bypass tract deflections increase the potential of closed chest ablation of right paraseptal and left-sided bypass tracts.
Preparation and properties of potassium pentafluorodioxo-tungstate (VI) K3WO2F5 and potassium octafluoropentaoxo-ditungstate (VI) K6W2O5F8

Abstract The potassium salts of two new hepta coordinated oxyfluoro anions of tungsten (VI) are reported in this paper. The monomer, K 3 WO 2 F 5 was obtained from the aqueous solution while the dimer, K 6 W 2 O 5 F 8 was isolated from alcohol. The absorption peak of K 6 W 2 O 5 F 8 at 830 cm -1 has been attributed to W-O-W link. The W-O-W angle is found to be 155° and the force constant is 4.44 mdyn/A°. The d values obtained from x-ray powder diffraction studies are given.
Observations of shear-coupled P waves

Teleseismic SV waves couple to P waves in the lithosphere in several ways. P waves converted from discontinuities in the lithosphere precede the main SV arrival as small amplitude Sp precursors. Large amplitude P waves follow the main SV arrival after conversion by reflection at the free surface, and post-critical reflection from a discontinuity in the lithosphere. SPdiff denotes a converted P wave diffracted along the underside of the crust when a teleseismic SV wave strikes it from below near the critical angle of incidence. We observed several of these shear-coupled P waves on seismograms of deep earthquakes recorded at broadband seismic stations (RSTN) in North America. For these paths, large amplitudes relative to SV characterize the lithospheric multiple near 50°, with amplitudes decreasing rapidly beyond 60°. Calculation of synthetic seismograms indicate that a post-critical reflection from a discontinuity at 70-80 km depth where compressional velocity increases abruptly to about 8.5 km/s produce the largest amplitude P arrival. The observations of these shear-coupled P waves presents a previously untapped source of information about the fine structure of the upper mantle.
Hydrocarbon-Stapled Peptides: Principles, Practice, and Progress

Protein structure underlies essential biological processes and provides a blueprint for molecular mimicry that drives drug discovery. Although small molecules represent the lion’s share of agents that target proteins for therapeutic benefit, there remains no substitute for the natural properties of proteins and their peptide subunits in the majority of biological contexts. The peptide α-helix represents a common structural motif that mediates communication between signaling proteins. Because peptides can lose their shape when taken out of context, developing chemical interventions to stabilize their bioactive structure remains an active area of research. The all-hydrocarbon staple has emerged as one such solution, conferring α-helical structure, protease resistance, cellular penetrance, and biological activity upon successful incorporation of a series of design and application principles. Here, we describe our more than decade-long experience in developing stapled peptides as biomedical research tools and...
Genetic causes and mechanisms of distal renal tubular acidosis

The primary or hereditary forms of distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) have received increased attention because of advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanism, whereby mutations in the main proteins involved in acid-base transport result in impaired acid excretion. Dysfunction of intercalated cells in the collecting tubules accounts for all the known genetic causes of dRTA. These cells secrete protons into the tubular lumen through H(+)-ATPases functionally coupled to the basolateral anion exchanger 1 (AE1). The substrate for both transporters is provided by the catalytic activity of the cytosolic carbonic anhydrase II (CA II), an enzyme which is also present in the proximal tubular cells and osteoclasts. Mutations in ATP6V1B1, encoding the B-subtype unit of the apical H(+) ATPase, and ATP6V0A4, encoding the a-subtype unit, lead to the loss of function of the apical H(+) ATPase and are usually responsible for patients with autosomal recessive dRTA often associated with early or late sensorineural deafness. Mutations in the gene encoding the cytosolic CA II are associated with the autosomal recessive syndrome of osteopetrosis, mixed distal and proximal RTA and cerebral calcification. Mutations in the AE1, the gene that encodes the Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger, usually present as dominant dRTA, but a recessive pattern has been recently described. Several studies have shown trafficking defects in the mutant protein rather than the lack of function as the major mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of dRTA from AE1 mutations.
MAGI: Methylation analysis using genome information

By incorporating annotation information into the analysis of next-generation sequencing DNA methylation data, we provide an improvement in performance over current testing procedures. Methylation analysis using genome information (MAGI) is applicable for both unreplicated and replicated data, and provides an effective analysis for studies with low sequencing depth. When compared with current tests, the annotation-informed tests provide an increase in statistical power and offer a significance-based interpretation of differential methylation.
A Profile of Older Adult Ecotourists in Australia

Abstract A survey of 1,140 ecolodge patrons in the Lamington National Park district of Queensland, Australia, found that the older adult (65+) component was similar to their younger counterparts in adhering to the basic ecotourism criteria of preferring natural environments, learning experiences, and sustainable practice. However, older adults differed with respect to the facilitation of these experiences, preferring a higher level of comfort and less risk. Significant differences were also noted in gender, income, motivations, activities and group composition. The study suggests that older adults constitute a distinctive ecotourist market for which targeted marketing and product development Strategies are warranted.
Parameter dependence of emittance growth due to space charge effects

Abstract We studied parameter dependence of emittance growth due to space charge effects in a low energy proton synchrotron. The Low Energy Booster (LEB) of the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) was examined as a test lattice and semi self consistent multi-particle tracking was performed. Beam intensity, initial emittance, injection energy, and lattice superperiodicity were taken as parameters and asymptotic emittance was calculated. The brightness limit is found, which is independent of beam intensity and initial emittance once injection energy is fixed.
Molecular modeling of ionic liquid tribology: Semi-empirical bonding and molecular structure

Abstract The interactions between selected ionic liquids and either an aluminum oxide or a silicon nitride surface are modeled in this report using semi-empirical methods. The ionic liquids include a series of seven cationic imidazolium derivatives with PF 6 − as the anion. The tribological properties of these ionic liquids and their interactions with aluminum and Al–steel alloys are modeled using a smooth aluminum oxygen surface. The ionic liquids are allowed to form a complex with this surface and the enthalpies of complex formation are seen to correlate with the tribological properties of the seven ionic liquids. The seven ionic liquids are also complexed with a hexagonal silicon nitride surface and their tribological properties are predicted on the basis of complex formation enthalpies.
Postnatal development of excitatory synaptic input to the rat neostriatum: An electron microscopic study

Abstract The distribution and density of asymmetric synapses including biocytin-labelled corticostriatal synapses of the rat neostriatum were examined at postnatal day 10 (P10), P15, P21 and in adults. The density of asymmetric synapses in the adult neostriatum (28.0 synapses/100 μm 2 ) was significantly greater than that in neonates at P15 (14.4 synapses/100 gm 2 ) and P10 (11.5 synapses/100 μm 2 ), but not at P21 (24.2 ± 1.5 synapses/ 100 μm 2 ). The increased density of asymmetric synapses in the adult neostriatum was due primarily to an increase in the number of axospinous synapses. The density of axospinous synapses was greatest in adults (22.3 synapses/100 μm 2 ) and significantly less at P21 (15.3 synapses/100 μm 2 ), P15 (5.9 synapses/100 μm 2 ), and P10 (2.0 synapses/100 gmm 2 ). The density of axodendritic synapses, however, remained similar at all ages (adult, 3.9 ± 1.1 synapses/100 μm 2 ; P21, 6.0±1.2 synapses/ 100 μm 2 ; P15, 5.7 ± 0.8 synapses/100 μm 2 or P10, 7.2± 1.3 synapses/100 μm 2 ). Iontophoretic injection of biocytin into the lateral frontal agranular cortex produced labelling of corticostriatal afferents which formed asymmetric synapses in the neostriatum. The distribution of termination sites of biocytin-labelled corticostriatal boutons showed a pattern of development similar to the unlabelled asymmetric synapses. The present study shows that the increase in the overall number of asymmetric synapses over the first three postnatal weeks can be attributed to an increase in the density of asymmetric axospinous synapses. During the same period little change is noted in the number or density of asymmetric axodendritic synapses. These changes in excitatory synaptic input to medium spiny neurons may explain some of the previously described electrophysiological differences noted between the neonatal and adult neostriatum.
Interleukin-1β converting enzyme (caspase-1) in intestinal inflammation

An imbalance of T helper cell type 1 (Th1) versus type 2 (Th2) polarization in favor of Th1 cell subsets appears to be a key pathogenic mechanism in chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), in particular in Crohn's disease. The interferon gamma-inducing factor interleukin (IL)-18 acts in strong synergism with the Th1 polarizing cytokine IL-12. Recent studies provide evidence for the participation of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of IBD: IL-18 expression is increased in inflamed lesions of Crohn's disease patients and neutralization of IL-18 in different models of experimental colitis resulted in a dramatic amelioration of disease severity. IL-18 and IL-1beta are cleaved and thereby activated by the interleukin-1beta converting enzyme (ICE). Activation of ICE also occurs during different types of infectious colitis, and ICE expression and subsequent release of IL-1beta and IL-18 significantly contribute to intestinal inflammation. ICE knockout mice as well as mice treated with the ICE inhibitor pralnacasan are protected against experimental mucosal inflammation. Thus, inhibition of ICE represents an intriguing new target that requires further investigation in animal models.
Reaching for the Stars with Python

The author describes how Python has helped scientists calibrate and analyze data from the Hubble Space Telescope, first as a means of scripting legacy applications, and, more recently, as a way of developing new applications in Python itself.
Hidden in plain sight: mixed methods and the marble orchards of the Vlach Rom (Gypsies) in Toledo, Ohio

While American Romanies live a remarkably secretive cultural existence, their grave locations and memorial stones offer accessible evidence about their history and active, on-going communities. This article elaborates a less-intrusive ethnographic method that uses Romani cemetery data to explore and map the distributions and social networks of American Romani communities. This case study identifies Vlach Rom memorial sites located in Toledo, Ohio's Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Data were gathered on the memorials and spatially cataloged using a global positioning system (GPS). Additionally, genealogical data on the families were collected whenever available in order to construct and map family networks. Conjectures explaining the spatial distribution were tested by empirically investigating geographic information system (GIS) maps of different gravesite attributes. Land availability was the most likely factor determining the distribution. Evidence of Toledo Rom history and cultural practices were also gather...
Resource Utilization and Stage of Illness: A Study of an Outpatient AIDS Clinic

Since the early 1990s, the trend in AIDS patient care has been to increase utilization of outpatient services, resulting in less frequent aggressive and lengthy hospital stays. This study retrospectively analyzes financial and sociodemographic data of 240 HIV/AIDS patients in a large, infectious disease program in Atlanta, GA. The results indicated the total cost of care per year for AIDS patients (alive or recently deceased) was $24,108 per year. Approximately 58% of this cost was attributable to inpatient care, 34% to outpatient care, and 8% to physician services. African-American race and IV drug use were negatively related to outpatient costs during the healthiest stage of illness. These demographics gave no prediction to the amount of cost consumed during clinical AIDS. On the other hand, males and patients on Medicaid were positive predictors of inpatient services, while homosexual patients were associated with fewer inpatient services. This study complements other projects, yet some questions remai...
Do small visual angles produce a word superiority effect or differential lateral masking

Purcell, Stanovich, and Spector 119781 report that recognition of the center letter of the words APE, ARE, ACE, and AGE is superior to recognition of the same targets in the nonwords formed by the context letters V_H. Since a small set of predesignated targets was used and there was complete certainty about the location of the target letter, these results pose serious problems for three otherwise viable accounts for why word superiority effects (WSEs) are obtained in a variety of other paradigms. This series of experiments explores the possibility that the word advantages reported by Purcell et al. have nothing to do with the lexical properties of the A_E display or the general phenomenon of word superiority, but they result from a fortuitous case of differential lateral masking. This reinterpretation is supported by five experiments. Experiments 1 and 2 show that the A_E word advantages are anomalous in that the magnitude of the WSE obtained with these particular words is not contingent upon the presence of a patterned mask. Experiment 3 provides direct evidence for differential lateral masking by showing that digit recognition is poorer in the V_H than in the A_E frame. Experiments 4 and 5 show that the WSE obtained under these conditions does not generalize to a new set of words and nonwords that produce the same amount of lateral masking. It was concluded that a genuine WSE does not occur under the conditions tested by Purcell et al., and that, therefore, the WSE has not been shown to depend on visual angle.
Deficient thiamine pyrophosphate and blood alpha-ketoglutarate-pyruvate relationships during febrile human infections.

Abstract Utilizing erythrocytic transketolase, deficient thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) was observed in 23 of 48 febrile infected patients. Deficiencies as severe (46–56%) as those reported by others in Werniche's and beriberi heart diseases were observed in this study. Twelve patients were free of underlying diseases which indicated that infection per se could induce this deficiency. Deficiencies occurred in patients who were anorexic and febrile for one week or longer and in those infected patients who were debilitated by other diseases. Patients such as these, probably should receive supplemental thiamine, as the deficiency of TPP is a reversible biochemical lesion. Blood alpha-ketoglutarate frequently was increased during infections and it was a good metabolic indicator of the resolving infected state. The spontaneous decrease of alphaketoglutarate (and pyruvate) negated attempts to demonstrate an in-vivo metabolic block via thiamine-responsive reductions of these metabolites. Nonetheless, alpha-ketoglutarate-pyruvate relationships during infections were of interest.
Effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Therapy on Cardiovascular Disease

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is exceedingly prevalent in the United States. It occurs when the upper airway collapses during sleep resulting in a cycle of hypoxemia, increased respiratory effort, frequent arousals, and increased sympathetic activity. OSA syndrome (OSAS) is clinically defined as an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) greater than or equal to five per hour in the presence of daytime sleepiness. However, sleep medicine has not determined precise definitions for this terminology and often OSA and OSAS are used interchangeably. It is estimated that among the western population, 24% of men and 9% of women have OSA (AHI 5). OSA has been associated with numerous cardiovascular conditions including hypertension,
Leukotrienes in ulcerative colitis: Results of a multicenter trial of a leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitor, MK-591

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Leukotrienes (LTs) are believed to be important in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of this study was to determine whether inhibition of LT biosynthesis with a 5- lipoxygenase inhibitor (MK-591) induces remission in patients with mild to moderate UC. METHODS: One hundred eighty-three patients with mild to moderately active UC enrolled in this randomized parallel group, double- blind study. Patients received placebo or MK-591 at a dose of 12.5, 50, or 100 mg twice daily for 8 weeks. A subset of patients underwent rectal dialysis to determine LTB4 concentration. RESULTS: MK-591 reduced LTB4 concentrations in rectal dialysate at the final determination. The median percent of baseline LTB4 concentration for 100 mg taken twice daily was 1.4% (n = 4); for 50 mg taken twice daily, 16.5% (n = 6); for 12.5 mg taken twice daily, 12% (n = 6); and for placebo, 78% (n = 6). There was no correlation between reduction of LTB4 and remission. Patients in remission at week 8 were as follows: placebo, 9 of 44 (20.5%); 100 mg taken twice daily, 11 of 43 (25.6%); 50 mg taken twice daily, 8 of 49 (16.3%); and 12.5 mg taken twice daily, 4 of 47 (8.5%) (P > 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: MK-591 markedly inhibited LT biosynthesis, but it did not differ significantly from placebo in clinical efficacy. Inhibition of LT biosynthesis was not effective as a single therapeutic modality in active UC. (Gastroenterology 1997 Mar;112(3):725-32)
Balance sheet identity and Walras' Law☆

Abstract The balance sheet identity is interpreted to imply that if n − 1 of n assets are in stock equilibrium, so is the remaining asset. Under the notion of the end-of-period equilibrium, the following are shown. (1) This interpretation leads to the contradiction that the system does not allow enough independent equilibrium relations to determine uniquely the equilibrium values of its endogenous variables. (2) The balance sheet identity is equivalent to Walras' Law in flow form. Thus, Foley's methodological precept is verified; transforming a period model into its continuous time analogue does not lead to different outcomes from period analysis.
Leucine modulates peptide transport system-1 across the blood-brain barrier at the stereospecific site within the central nervous system.

Previous results have shown that leucine injected into a cerebral ventricle (i.c.v.) can act as an allosteric regulator of peptide transport system-1 (PTS-1), the system that transports Tyr-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 (Tyr-MIF-1) and the enkephalins out of the central nervous system (CNS). D-Leucine appeared more potent than L-leucine. In the current study, dose-response curves were constructed for each compound after both intravenous (i.v.) and i.c.v. injection. Based on ED50 values after i.c.v. injection, D-leucine was about 200 times more potent than L-leucine in its inhibition of PTS-1, thereby confirming stereospecificity of the allosteric site. D- and L-Leucine were also more potent when given i.c.v. than when given i.v., suggesting that the site is located on the CNS side of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The finding that D-leucine was less potent than L-leucine when given i.v. is also consistent with a CNS site of action because the L-isomer of leucine has been shown to be preferentially transported into the brain. These findings agree with the previous suggestion that some of the neurotoxic effects of leucine may be mediated through PTS-1 and could help explain how D-amino acids can exert opiate-related effects on the CNS.
Capital and income breeding traits differentiate trophic match–mismatch dynamics in large herbivores

For some species, climate change has altered environmental conditions away from those in which life-history strategies evolved. In such cases, if adaptation does not keep pace with these changes, existing life-history strategies may become maladaptive and lead to population declines. We use life-history theory, with a specific emphasis on breeding strategies, in the context of the trophic match–mismatch framework to form generalizable hypotheses about population-level consumer responses to climate-driven perturbations in resource availability. We first characterize the income and breeding traits of sympatric caribou and muskoxen populations in western Greenland, and then test trait-based hypotheses about the expected reproductive performance of each population during a period of high resource variability at that site. The immediate reproductive performance of income breeding caribou decreased with trophic mismatch. In contrast, capital breeding muskoxen were relatively unaffected by current breeding season resource variability, but their reproductive performance was sensitive to resource conditions from previous years. These responses matched our expectations about how capital and income breeding strategies should influence population susceptibility to phenological mismatch. We argue for a taxon-independent assessment of trophic mismatch vulnerability based on a life-history strategy perspective in the context of prevailing environmental conditions.
Carotid Endarterectomy Among Medicare Beneficiaries A Statewide Evaluation of Appropriateness and Outcome

Background and Purpose—We sought to examine the appropriateness and the surgical outcomes of carotid endarterectomy (CE) in unselected community hospitals to identify opportunities for improvement. Methods—We performed a retrospective review of all CEs performed on Medicare beneficiaries in Georgia in 1993 (n=1945). Conclusions regarding appropriateness were based on current guidelines as interpreted by a physician reviewer and were supported by the aggregate results of structured, blinded overreading by clinicians with relevant expertise. Adverse outcomes were confirmed and rated as to severity by a physician. Outcomes were correlated with demography, vascular anatomic findings, comorbidity, surgical techniques, and hospital characteristics. Results—The majority of the patients (51%) were asymptomatic at presentation. CEs were performed appropriately in 96.1% of the cases in accordance with current guidelines. There was no significant difference in the rate of appropriateness between the symptomatic (96%...
ASF design considerations for Radarsat/ERS-2

The paper examines the requirements and the design considerations of the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) ground data system for the Alaska SAR Facility (ASF) at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks (UAF) for the new era of Radarsat/ERS-2 missions. These include a new data acquisition planning capability to manage more satellites with global planning and to manage more than one instrument mode; a new archive strategy that is cheaper, faster, and better; a product generation system to produce data on demand and to produce data for the varied instruments and modes, and a product verification ability for the new and old products. In response to these new functional requirements, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is using a design approach that emphasizes an open systems, client/server architecture based on industry standards and commercial off-the-shelf technology. This approach will provide room for growth and flexibility in meeting future mission requirements. In addition, the paper discusses the performance issues and product specifications. >
Trends in reference usage statistics in an academic health sciences library

Purpose: To examine reference questions asked through traditional means at an academic health sciences library and place this data within the context of larger trends in reference services. Methodology: Detailed data on the types of reference questions asked were collected during two one-month periods in 2003 and 2004. General statistics documenting broad categories of questions were compiled over a fifteen-year period. Results: Administrative data show a steady increase in questions from 1990 to 1997/98 (23,848 to 48,037, followed by a decline through 2004/05 to 10,031. The distribution of reference questions asked over the years has changed—including a reduction in mediated searches 2,157 in 1990/91 to 18 in 2004/05, an increase in instruction 1,284 in 1993/94 to 1,897 in 2004/05 and an increase in digital reference interactions 0 in 1999/2000 to 581 in 2004/05. The most commonly asked questions at the current reference desk are about journal holdings 19%, book holdings 12%, and directional issues 12%. Conclusions: This study provides a unique snapshot of reference services in the contemporary library, where both online and offline services are commonplace. Changes in questions have impacted the way the library provides services, but traditional reference remains the core of information services in this health sciences library.
The effects of stabilizing selection on the time of development in Drosophila melanogaster

The length of time of development, from oviposition to emergence in Drosophila melanogaster was subjected to stabilizing selection. In each generation only the individuals emerging close to the mean development time were used as parents of the next generation. This line was designated the ‘S’ line. In a parallel line disruptive selection was practised; where in each generation the earliest flies to emerge were mated to the flies last to emerge; those emerging at intermediate times were discarded. This line was designated the ‘D’ line. Two control lines were also carried, where the flies were mated at random with respect to time of emergence. The experiment extended for 40 generations and produced the following results:(1) The variance of development time decreased in the S line and increased in the D line, relative to the control lines.(2) The mean development time decreased in the S line and increased in the D line.(3) The coefficients of variation decreased in the S line and increased in the D line.(4) The viability, measured as per cent flies emerging, decreased in the D line.Toward the end of the experiment the amount of additive genetic variance in the selected lines and in the control lines was estimated from the response to directional selection. The estimates showed that (i) the loss of total variance in the S line can be accounted for completely by a loss in additive genetic variance, and (ii) the increase in the total variance of the D line cannot be ascribed to an increase in the additive genetic variance. It was probably due to an increase in the environmental component of variance, i.e. to a loss of ‘buffering capacity’.
A mathematical and computational framework for reliable real-time solution of parametrized partial differential equations

We present in this article two components: these components can in fact serve various goals independently, though we consider them here as an ensemble. The first component is a technique for the rapid and reliable evaluation prediction of linear functional outputs of elliptic (and parabolic) partial differential equations with affine parameter dependence. The essential features are (i )( prov- ably) rapidly convergent global reduced-basis approximations — Galerkin projection onto a space WN spanned by solutions of the governing partial differential equation at N selected points in parameter space; (ii) a posteriori error estimation — relaxations of the error-residual equation that provide inex- pensive yet sharp and rigorous bounds for the error in the outputs of interest; and (iii) off-line/on-line computational procedures — methods which decouple the generation and projection stages of the ap- proximation process. This component is ideally suited — considering the operation count of the online stage — for the repeated and rapid evaluation required in the context of parameter estimation, design, optimization, and real-time control. The second component is a framework for distributed simulations. This framework comprises a library providing the necessary abstractions/concepts for distributed sim- ulations and a small set of tools — namely SimTEX and SimLaB— allowing an easy manipulation of those simulations. While the library is the backbone of the framework and is therefore general, the various interfaces answer specific needs. We shall describe both components and present how they interact.
Understanding Anti-Semitism and its Impact: A New Framework for Conceptualizing Jewish Identity

While a great deal of research has been done on identity development around awareness of racism and heterosexism, little has been conducted on understanding how Jews come to make sense of the impact of anti-Semitism (anti-Jewish oppression) on their lives. This article, based on my qualitative dissertation (MacDonald-Dennis, 2005) that explores the unique racial, ethnic, and ethnoreligious positionality of Jewish undergraduates, examines the developmental processes that Jewish undergraduates go through as they begin to understand and, hopefully, overcome anti-Semitism. I discuss the Jewish ethno-religious target development model that arose from the results of the study. Implications for social justice education are offered.
Formation of platelet aggregate emboli in a prototype hollow fiber membrane oxygenator.

We examined the formation of platelet aggregate emboli and factors that affect platelet aggregate formation and embolization in prototype hollow-fiber membrane oxygenators used to perfuse dogs. Platelet aggregates formed on the inlet surface of the oxygenator. Many aggregates subsequently formed emboli which passed through the fibers and sometimes lodges in them. Aggregates also developed on the outlet surface. Aggregates that adhered to the oxygenator surfaces contained tightly packed platelets having multiple pseudopodia extracellular granules, and occassional fibrin strands and white cells. The number of platelet aggregate emboli found downstream to the oxygenator varied between 0 and 4 emboli/ml blood. These emboli did not contain fibrin and extracellular granules. Platelet aggregate formation and embolization was reduced or eliminated by increasing the dose of heparin or by using a circuit with a large priming volume of albumin solution and a large surface area oxygenator.
Olfactory mechanisms in Drosophila melanogaster

Genetic approaches are beginning to provide valuable insights into the function of specific gene products in olfaction. Analysis of Drosophila mutants that affect olfactory responses are defining components of the olfactory signaling mechanisms. Mutations in the genes paralytic and Scutoid cause olfactory defects, as do mutations in genes encoding products that mediate visual responses. In addition, members of the family of invertebrate odorant-binding proteins have been identified in Drosophila and may play an important role in the olfactory process.
Genome-Wide Characterization of the Phosphate Starvation Response in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Inorganic phosphate is an essential nutrient required by organisms for growth. During phosphate starvation, Saccharomyces cerevisiae activates the phosphate signal transduction (PHO) pathway, leading to expression of the secreted acid phosphatase, PHO5. The fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, regulates expression of the ScPHO5 homolog (pho1 + ) via a non-orthologous PHO pathway involving genetically identified positive (pho7 + ) and negative (csk1+) regulators. The genes induced by phosphate limitation and the molecular mechanism by which pho7 + and csk1+ function are unknown. Here we use a combination of molecular biology, expression microarrays, and chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-Seq) to characterize the role of pho7 + and csk1 + in the PHO response. We define the set of genes that comprise the initial response to phosphate starvation in S. pombe. We identify a conserved PHO response that contains the ScPHO5 (pho1 + ), ScPHO84 (SPBC8E4.01c), and ScGIT1 (SPBC1271.09) orthologs. We identify members of the Pho7 regulon and characterize Pho7 binding in response to phosphate-limitation and Csk1 activity. We demonstrate that activation of pho1 + requires Pho7 binding to a UAS in the pho1 + promoter and that Csk1 repression does not regulate Pho7 enrichment. Further, we find that Pho7-dependent activation is not limited to phosphate-starvation, as additional environmental stress response pathways require pho7 + for maximal induction. We provide a global analysis of the transcriptional response to phosphate limitation in S. pombe. Our results elucidate the conserved core regulon induced in response to phosphate starvation in this ascomycete distantly related to S. cerevisiae and provide a better understanding of flexibility in environmental stress response networks.
An electromagnetic technique for packaging problem analysis

A new three-dimensional electromagnetic packaging analysis is developed for shielded configurations containing arbitrarily shaped, homogeneous, isotropic regions. Computer implementation uses and extends routines from a computational engine for electromagnetic scattering. The packaging analysis is validated using rectangular waveguide configurations. Preliminary analysis is performed on a filtering structure.
Reliability of metallized ceramic packages

Thin-film circuitization on a dry-pressed alumina ceramic substrate has been a popular approach to developing low-cost ceramic quad flat pack (CQFP) and pin grid array (PGA) packages in the industry. Such material/process sets have also been suggested for simply designed low-cost ball grid array (BGA) packages. Due to the nature of processes involved in manufacturing, and due to handling, these metallized ceramic packages can occasionally possess circuit-line abnormalities. At the present time, all modules with such circuit-line abnormalities are eliminated since they are believed to affect the long-term reliability of the product. The goal of this paper is to understand what impact the circuit-line abnormalities have on the reliability of the metallized ceramic packages. The reliability assessment is carried-out through environmental stress tests correlated with elastic-plastic three-dimensional (3-D) finite element (FE) analyses of idealized circuit line abnormalities. Ninety-three parts with circuit-line abnormalities were thermally cycled between 0/spl deg/C and 100/spl deg/C. Ninety one of these parts survived over 5000 cycles of the test. The FE models showed that the stresses in the circuit lines with abnormalities were mostly elastic over the test temperature range, and so the failure of these circuit lines with abnormalities was governed more by the physics of high-cycle fatigue than by low-cycle fatigue. The tests and models indicate that metallized ceramic substrates are robust under thermal cycling and circuit-line abnormalities caused by manufacturing processes do not reduce the useful life of the product.
The Study of Affect and Romanticism

What follows is a review essay in two parts: the first, a consideration of the general problem affect poses for literary criticism and for romantic studies in particular; the second a review of some recent, outstanding work on affect and its significance to Romanticism. The problem of affect derives primarily from the difficulty of defining or locating affect and from its equivocal relationship to modern science ‐ as both an object of scientific scrutiny and as an emblem of the pseudoor even unscientific. The articles and books discussed in the second half of this review handle this problem in sophisticated and surprising ways, unlocking the critical possibilities available when we read affect with less skepticism and more self-reflection. I. Any survey of the recent upsurge in interest in affect has to begin on the slippery ground of the term itself. Indeed, its unsettled nature may explain part of the appeal of affect. In contemporary discussion, affect is often bundled with a cluster of related terms: feeling, mood, sense or sensation, emotion, and ‐ acknowledging an intellectual debt to 18thcentury moral philosophy ‐ passion. Some scholars respond to this elusiveness by striving for a technical, almost clinical definition. Exemplary in this regard, and in its borrowings from cognitive scientists, Brian Massumi’s Parables for the Virtual: Movement, Affect, Sensation presents affect as an autonomic system, functioning alongside but independent of cognition and understood separately, as it were, by the body: by skin, pulse, sweat glands, neurological impulses, etc. Cognition (like the critic) may seize upon these autonomic responses, ‘qualify’ or name them, but in doing so it ‘dampens’ their force or ‘resonance’ (Massumi 25‐6). Massumi clearly distinguishes affect from emotion: emotion is too easily named; it is affect ‘owned and recognized’; it translates affect into ‘conventional, consensual’ form, where it can be given ‘function and meaning’ (Massumi 28). William Reddy supports this thought, quoting from psychologist Phoebe Ellsworth: ‘The [emotional] process almost always begins before the name and almost always continues after it. The realization of the name [of the emotion] undoubtedly changes the feeling, simplifying and clarifying’ (Reddy xii). 1 Hence the apparent mystique of affect: it ‘is not ownable and recognizable and therefore resistant to critique’ (Massumi 28). That resistance to critique, moreover, suggests why affect has replaced ‘sentiment’ in critical currency, the latter term perhaps worn out by years of ideological critique. Massumi’s rigor, we might note, leads him to insist all the more on affect’s resistance to naming, its pre- or extra-discursive nature. Other scholars treat affect more loosely, its vagrant nature allowing it to be used opportunistically to cover a range of needs. A recent article on ‘The Affective Revolution in 1790s Britain’, for instance, opens with a relatively standard definition: ‘the term ‘‘affective’’ conveys better than any other the combination of internal (emotional) state
Improving SSL Warnings: Comprehension and Adherence

Browsers warn users when the privacy of an SSL/TLS connection might be at risk. An ideal SSL warning would empower users to make informed decisions and, failing that, guide confused users to safety. Unfortunately, users struggle to understand and often disregard real SSL warnings. We report on the task of designing a new SSL warning, with the goal of improving comprehension and adherence. We designed a new SSL warning based on recommendations from warning literature and tested our proposal with microsurveys and a field experiment. We ultimately failed at our goal of a well-understood warning. However, nearly 30% more total users chose to remain safe after seeing our warning. We attribute this success to opinionated design, which promotes safety with visual cues. Subsequently, our proposal was released as the new Google Chrome SSL warning. We raise questions about warning comprehension advice and recommend that other warning designers use opinionated design.