cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DNA base composition heterogeneity in some agarophytes (Gracilariales,' Rhodophyta) from Mexico and the Philippines

Estimates of nuclear DNA base composition by determination of thermal denaturation temperatures (Tm) indicate guanine + cytosine (G + C) levels of 35.4–46.8% for ten species of the Gracilariaceae, representing the generaGracilaria andHydropuntia. Tm values were found to be reproducible with variation among most samples and replicates of less than 1 °C and 2 mol%. Interspecific variation in G + C values was less than 11.4% amongGracilaria species. Calculation of intragenomic base pair composition distribution based on mid-resolution thermal denaturation (ΔA 1 °C/min with 4s interval ΔH and dT logging) indicated an inverse relationship between maximum similarity values and taxonomic rank. Intraspecific (population level) maximum similarity (homology) values were estimated to range from 79–90% inGracilaria tikvahiae (4 isolates). Interspecific values of 46–69% were found in 13 species ofGracilaria. Nucleotide distribution similarity values for the Gracilariaceae are compared with previous information for genome organization and complexity, genome size and karyotype patterns.
Using the Morris Water Maze to Assess Spatial Learning and Memory in Weanling Mice

Mouse models have been indispensable for elucidating normal and pathological processes that influence learning and memory. A widely used method for assessing these cognitive processes in mice is the Morris water maze, a classic test for examining spatial learning and memory. However, Morris water maze studies with mice have principally been performed using adult animals, which preclude studies of critical neurodevelopmental periods when the cellular and molecular substrates of learning and memory are formed. While weanling rats have been successfully trained in the Morris water maze, there have been few attempts to test weanling mice in this behavioral paradigm even though mice offer significant experimental advantages because of the availability of many genetically modified strains. Here, we present experimental evidence that weanling mice can be trained in the Morris water maze beginning on postnatal day 24. Maze-trained weanling mice exhibit significant improvements in spatial learning over the training period and results of the probe trial indicate the development of spatial memory. There were no sex differences in the animals’ performance in these tasks. In addition, molecular biomarkers of synaptic plasticity are upregulated in maze-trained mice at the transcript level. These findings demonstrate that the Morris water maze can be used to assess spatial learning and memory in weanling mice, providing a potentially powerful experimental approach for examining the influence of genes, environmental factors and their interactions on the development of learning and memory.
Metabolites related to gut bacterial metabolism, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha activation, and insulin sensitivity are associated with physical function in functionally-limited older adults

Identification of mechanisms underlying physical function will be important for addressing the growing challenge that health care will face with physical disablement in the expanding aging population. Therefore, the goals of the current study were to use metabolic profiling to provide insight into biologic mechanisms that may underlie physical function by examining the association between baseline and the 6-month change in serum mass spectrometry-obtained amino acids, fatty acids, and acylcarnitines with baseline and the 6-month change in muscle strength (leg press one repetition maximum divided by total lean mass, LP/Lean), lower extremity function [short physical performance battery (SPPB)], and mobility (400 m gait speed, 400-m), in response to 6 months of a combined resistance exercise and nutritional supplementation (whey protein or placebo) intervention in functionally-limited older adults (SPPB ≤ 10; 70-85 years, N = 73). Metabolites related to gut bacterial metabolism (cinnamoylglycine, phenol sulfate, p-cresol sulfate, 3-indoxyl sulfate, serotonin, N-methylproline, hydrocinnamate, dimethylglycine, trans-urocanate, valerate) that are altered in response to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α) activation (α-hydroxyisocaproate, α-hydroxyisovalerate, 2-hydroxy-3-methylvalerate, indolelactate, serotonin, 2-hydroxypalmitate, glutarylcarnitine, isobutyrylcarnitine, cinnamoylglycine) and that are related to insulin sensitivity (monounsaturated fatty acids: 5-dodecenoate, myristoleate, palmitoleate; γ-glutamylamino acids: γ-glutamylglutamine, γ-glutamylalanine, γ-glutamylmethionine, γ-glutamyltyrosine; branched-chain amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, valine) were associated with function at baseline, with the 6-month change in function or were identified in backward elimination regression predictive models. Collectively, these data suggest that gut microbial metabolism, PPAR-α activation, and insulin sensitivity may be involved in mechanisms that underlie physical function in functionally-limited older adults.
Fibrin glue for partial nephrectomy.

Abstract Fibrin glue, a mixture of concentrated autologous fibrinogenand bovine-derived thrombin, was used to achieve hemostasis during 7 partial nephrectomies. After transected vessels were suture ligated, topically applied fibrin glue filled all renal defects with an adherent clot that resulted in immediate hemostasis. There was no case of delayed hematoma or abscess formation. and no complications were referrable to the use of fibrin glue. Although fibrin glue is no substitute for early vascular control and careful surgical technique. its ability to stop venous oozing from the cut surface of renal parenchymal tissue dramatically facilitates hemostatic control.
Emission Spectra of KCl: Tl, KBr: Tl, and KI: Tl at 300, 80, and 12°K

Emission spectra have been measured for single crystals of KCl, KBr, and KI doped with about 0.01 mole% thallium. The measurements were made at 300, 80, and 12\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Several new bands observed at 12\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K are reported. An emission band which is centered directly on the $A$-absorption band is shown to be present in KI: Tl and KBr: Tl as well as KCl: Tl. An energy level scheme is suggested to explain the observed emission.
A novel steroid-binding protein in the testis of the dogfish Squalus acanthias

In an earlier study, we identified and characterized a testicular estrogen receptor in the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias); however, in this species estrogen receptors were located exclusively in nuclear subfractions. We describe here a nonreceptor, sex hormone-binding protein (SBP) present in Squalus testicular cytosol and distinguishable in its physicochemical characteristics from both the estrogen receptor and serum SBP of the same species. Cytosol (100,000g supernatant) was prepared by differential centrifugation of testicular homogenates and incubated with [3H]estradiol (E2) or [3H]testosterone (T) (10-15 nM +/- 100-fold excess radioinert competitor) to determine total and nonspecific bound radioactivity. The testicular SBP had a broad specificity: E2 = T greater than progesterone greater than 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone greater than estrone, but diethylstilbestrol was not an effective competitor. It displayed a high affinity for both E2 and T (Kd = 2.2-2.5 X 10(-9) M), sedimented at 8-10 S in both low- and high-salt sucrose gradients, and migrated more slowly than BSA during polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. The testicular SBP-E2 complex was relatively stable (t1/2 = 160 min) compared to the serum SBP-E2 complex (t1/2 = less than 30 min). The testicular SBP was not found in nuclear subfractions nor did it bind to DNA-cellulose affinity columns. Its intratesticular distribution was stage-dependent: Zone III (mature spermatids) greater than Zone II (spermatocytes) greater than Zone I (stem cells and spermatogonia). Moreover, increased binding activity corresponded exactly to the hypertrophy and differentiation of Sertoli cells in the same zones, pointing to this cell as the possible site of SBP synthesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A 26-Amino Acid Insertion Domain Defines a Functional Transcription Switch Motif in Pit-1β

Pit-1, a pituitary-specific POU homeodomain transcription factor, specifies three anterior pituitary lineages; governs growth hormone, prolactin, and thyrotropin gene expression; and mediates basal and Ras-stimulated prolactin promoter activity in GH4 pituitary cells. Alternate splicing of the Pit-1 message produces the Pit-1beta isoform, which contains a 26-amino acid insertion, the beta-domain, within the amino-terminal transactivation domain. The beta-domain functions as a molecular switch, such that Pit-1beta blocks both basal and Ras-stimulated prolactin promoter activity in GH4 pituitary cells yet preferentially enhances protein kinase A-stimulated prolactin promoter activity in a HeLa reconstitution system. To determine whether the amino acid sequence of the beta-domain dictates function, we replaced it with five different 26-amino acid sequences. These mutants fail to block basal or Ras-stimulated rat prolactin promoter activity and fail to optimally enhance the protein kinase A response of prolactin promoter. These data demonstrate that the amino acid sequence of the beta-domain specifies its role as a molecular switch. Additionally, the presence of both Pit-1 and Pit-1beta in pituitary cells allows diverse incoming signals to utilize structurally different forms of the same gene product, which can interact with distinct co-factors, integrating multiple signaling pathways at the level of the nucleus.
Integration of a prototype wireless communication system with micro-electromechanical temperature and humidity sensor for concrete pavement health monitoring

AbstractIn recent years, structural health monitoring and management (SHMM) has become a popular approach and is considered essential for achieving well-performing, long-lasting, sustainable transportation infrastructure systems. Key requirements in ideal SHMM of road infrastructure include long-term, continuous, and real-time monitoring of pavement response and performance under various pavement geometry-materials-loading configurations and environmental conditions. With advancements in wireless technologies, integration of wireless communications into sensing device is considered an alternate and superior solution to existing time- and labor-intensive wired sensing systems in meeting the requirements of an ideal SHMM. This study explored the development and integration of a wireless communications sub-system into a commercial off-the-shelf micro-electromechanical sensor-based concrete pavement monitoring system. A success-rate test was performed after the wireless transmission system was buried in the c...
Kinetic study of trifluoromethylation with s-(trifluoromethyl) dibenzothiophenium salts

Abstract The kinetic parameters were determined for C-trifluoromethylation of aniline with S-(trifluoromethyl)dibenzothiophenium triflate (1), its 3,7-dinitro derivative (2) and S-(trifluoromethyl)diphenylsulfonium triflate (3) in DMF-d7. The higher reactivity of heterocyclic 1 compared with non-heterocyclic 3 could be explained on the basis of its greatly enhanced activation entropy (ΔS≠: −11.2 cal mol −1 K−1 for 1; −47.1 for 3), but not its enhanced activation enthalpy (ΔH≠: 21.2 kcal mol−1 for 1; 12.1 for 3). The aromatic delocalization of the heterocyclic ring may thus be only slightly disturbed by the S-trifluoromethyl substituent. The high reactivity of 2 was attributed to the great electron deficiency caused by two nitro groups in addition to the heterocyclic salt system (ΔH≠ 17.0 kcal mol−1, ΔS≠ −9.1 cal mol−1 K−1 for 2). The reaction mechanism is discussed; the conventional SN2 attack mechanism was ruled out and a mechanism for a side-on attack to the CF3-S bond may possibly be applicable.
Is the cyclic AMP in psoriatic epidermis low

SUMMARY A deficiency of epidermal cyclic adenosine 3′, 5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) has been implicated as the cause of the incomplete differentiation, increased mitosis and increased glycogen concentration which characterize the psoriatic lesion. This communication contains our data on the epidermal concentration of cyclic AMP in the lesional and ‘normal’ (non-involved) skin of patients with psoriasis. In these studies we have introduced the following improvement in methodology: (1) Local ischaemia in the biopsy specimens was prevented by not giving any injections prior to removal of the tissues and by freezing the tissues prior to removal. (2) The epidermis was microdissected from the dermis prior to cyclic AMP assay so as to give as pure an epidermal specimen as possible. Epidermal cyclic AMP was found to be 20–25% higher in the skin lesion than in the uninvolved skin when compared on a dry weight or protein basis but essentially the same when compared on the basis of DNA content. Our conclusion is that the cyclic AMP level in the psoriatic lesion is not lower than that in the ‘normal’ skin and thus these characteristics in psoriatic lesions cannot be related simply to a cyclic AMP deficiency.
SPATIAL PATTERNS AND CONTROLS ON HISTORICAL FIRE REGIMES AND FOREST STRUCTURE IN THE KLAMATH MOUNTAINS

Fire exclusion in mixed conifer forests has increased the risk of fire due to decades of fuel accumulation. Restoration of fire into altered forests is a challenge because of a poor understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of fire regimes. In this study the spatial and temporal characteristics of fire regimes and forest age structure are recon- structed in a 2325-ha mixed conifer forest in the Klamath Mountains. Forests were multiaged and burned frequently at low and moderate severity, but forest age structure did not vary with aspect, elevation, or topographic position. Recently there has been an increase in forest density and a forest compositional shift to shade-tolerant species. Median fire return in- tervals (FRI) ranged from 11.5 to 16.5 yr and varied with aspect but not with forest composition or elevation. The median area burned was 106 ha, and the pre-Euro-American fire rotation of 19 yr increased to 238 yr after 1905. Intra-annual position of fire scars in the tree rings indicates that 93% of fires occurred during the dry midsummer through fall period. Spatial patterns of sites with similar fire dates were spatially coherent and separated from others by topographic features that influence fire spread. Thus, patterns of fire oc- currence tended to be fixed in space with timing of fires varying among groups of sites. Spatial and temporal patterns of fire occurrence suggest that managers using physical fea- tures to contain prescribed fire will create burn patterns consistent with historical fires in the Klamath Mountains.
A Proposed Index of Oral Health Status: A Practical Application

This index can assess the growing costs of providing health services and record the dental health of adults.
Diverse roles of 2-arachidonoylglycerol in invasion of prostate carcinoma cells: Location, hydrolysis and 12-lipoxygenase metabolism

Endogenous 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is antiinvasive in androgen-independent prostate carcinoma (PC-3) cells. Invasion of PC-3 cells is also inhibited by exogenously added noladin ether, a non-hydrolyzable analog of 2-AG. In contrast, exogenous 2-AG has the opposite effect. Cell invasion significantly increased with high concentrations of exogenous 2-AG. In PC-3 cells, arachidonic acid (AA) and 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) concentrations increased along with exogenously added 2-AG, and 12-HETE concentrations increased with exogenously added AA. Invasion of PC-3 cells also increased with exogenously added AA and 12(S)-HETE but not 12(R)-HETE. The exogenous 2-AG-induced invasion of PC-3 cells was inhibited by 3-octylthio-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-one (OTFP, an inhibitor of 2-AG hydrolysis) and baicalein (a 12-LO inhibitor). Western blot and RT-PCR analyses indicated expression of 12-HETE producing lipoxygenases (LOs), platelet-type 12-LO (P-12-LO) and leukocyte-type 12-LO (L-12-LO), in PC-3 cells. These results suggest that exogenous 2-AG induced, rather inhibited, cell invasion because of its rapid hydrolysis to free AA, and further metabolism by 12-LO of AA to 12(S)-HETE, a promoter of PC cell invasion. The results also suggest that PC-3 cells and human prostate stromal (WPMY-1) cells released free AA, 2-AG, and 12-HETE. In the microenvironment of the PC cells, this may contribute to the cell invasion. The 2-AG hydrolysis and concentration of 2-AG in microenvironment are critical for PC cell's fate. Therefore, inhibitors of 2-AG hydrolysis could potentially serve as therapeutic agents for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Development of an undergraduate course - Internet-based instrumentation and control

The objective, strategy, and implementation details of a new undergraduate course, Internet-based Instrumentation and Control, are presented. The course has a companion laboratory that is supported by the National Science Foundation and industry. The combination is offered to senior-level undergraduate engineering students interested in sensing, instrumentation, control, and web programming that want to learn more about the integration of these technologies for solving real-world engineering problems. The course will also be offered to gifted high school seniors with similar interests and can serve as a vehicle to attract them to engineering disciplines. Preliminary assessment of the first offering of the course is encouraging and has shown that the course has achieved success in helping students understand concepts and master basic technologies for developing Internet-based automatic systems.
Manganese-Dependent Polioviruses Caused by Mutations within the Viral Polymerase

Viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases exhibit great sequence diversity. Only six core amino acids are conserved across all polymerases of positive-strand RNA viruses of eukaryotes. While exploring the function of one of these completely conserved residues, asparagine 297 in the prototypic poliovirus polymerase 3D(pol), we identified three viable mutants with noncanonical amino acids at this conserved position. Although asparagine 297 could be replaced by glycine or alanine in these mutants, the viruses exhibited Mn(2+)-dependent RNA replication and viral growth. All known RNA polymerases and replicative polymerases of bacterial, eukaryotic, and viral organisms are thought to be magnesium dependent in vivo, and therefore these mutant polioviruses may represent the first viruses with a requirement for an alternative polymerase cation. These results demonstrate the extreme functional flexibility of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases. Furthermore, the finding that strictly conserved residues in the nucleotide binding pocket of the polymerase can be altered in a manner that supports virus production suggests that drugs targeting this region of the enzyme will still be susceptible to the problem of drug-resistant escape mutants.
Patterns in Abundance, Growth, and Mortality of Juvenile Red Drum across Estuaries on the Texas Coast with Implications for Recruitment and Stock Enhancement

Abstract The interannual variation in patterns of abundance, growth, and mortality of juvenile red drum Sciaenops ocellatus was examined with long-term monitoring data from nine estuaries along the Texas Gulf Coast during a 20-year period. Estimates of abundance and mortality exhibited order-of-magnitude differences. Growth rates varied two- to threefold across years within each estuary and across estuaries within a single year. For age-0 juveniles, abundance was typically highest in late fall, length increased exponentially, and mortality was generally low. Variation in growth and mortality was not related among estuaries, suggesting that the factors affecting the feeding and survival of young red drum are specific to individual estuarine systems. Estimates of age-0 red drum abundance were characterized by the intermittent occurrence of strong year-classes and were positively correlated across estuaries, indicating that factors determining abundance and distribution vary on a large spatial scale. Correla...
Predicting indoor performance of a 60 GHz WPAN

This paper looks at measurements of some indoor materials at 60 GHz and uses measurements to improve the accuracy of ray-tracing simulation for the prediction of indoor propagation. The calibrated simulation is used to help predict the link loss between devices randomly placed in a typical room scenario with various antenna configurations.
ATPG in practical and non-traditional applications

There exist many different problems in the design automation realm that have no simple solution. Often a problem requires some kind of search through a potential solution space to see if one or more examples exist to prove or disprove a supposition. In many of these cases it is possible to use an ATPG engine to perform an examination of the search space. This paper describes many of the various applications of ATPG used within IBM over the past few decades, along with some indication as to the perceived benefits.
Political Justice? Perceptions of Politicization and Public Preferences Toward the Supreme Court Appointment Process

To what extent should Supreme Court justices be appointed on the basis of ideology and politics as opposed to qualifications and ex- perience only? We examine how Americans preferences regarding this question are influenced by their perceptions of the Court as politicized in how it goes about its work. From a ''backlash'' perspective, such percep- tions should diminish preferences for a political appointment process, whereas a ''political reinforcement'' perspective suggests an enhance- ment effect. National survey data show that a large segment of the public perceives of the Court in political terms and prefers that justices be chosen on political and ideological bases. Empirical evidence refutes the back- lash hypothesis and supports the political reinforcement hypothesis; the more individuals perceive the Court in politicized terms, the greater their preferences for a political appointment process. Those who view the Court as highly politicized do not differentiate the Court from the ex- plicitly political branches and therefore prefer that justices be chosen on political and ideological grounds. The results have implications for the public's perceptions and expectations of the Court as a ''political'' institution.
Fast algorithms for spectral collocation with non-periodic boundary conditions

We present a method for the numerical solution of partial differential equations using spectral collocation. By employing a structured representation of linear operators we are able to use fast algorithms without being restricted to periodic boundary conditions. The underlying ideas are introduced and developed in the context of linearly implicit methods for stiff equations. We show how different boundary conditions may be applied and illustrate the technique on the Allen-Cahn equation and the diffusion equation.
CHARLIE : An Adaptive Robot Design with Hand and Face Tracking for Use in Autism Therapy

Basic turn-taking and imitation skills are imperative for effective communication and social interaction (Nehaniv in Imitation and Social Learning in Robots, Springer, New York, 2007). Recently, research has demonstrated that interactive games using turn-taking and imitation have yielded positive results with autistic children who have impaired communication or social skills (Barakova and Brok in Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Entertainment Computing, pp. 115–126, 2010). This paper describes a robot that plays interactive imitation games using hand and face tracking. The robot is equipped with a head and two arms, each with two degrees of freedom, and a camera. We trained a human hands detector and subsequently, used this detector along with a standard face tracker to create two autonomous interactive games: single-player (“Imitate Me, Imitate You”) and two-player (“Pass the Pose”.) Additionally, we implemented a third setting in which the robot is teleoperated by remote control. In “Imitate Me, Imitate You”, the robot has both passive and active game modes. In the passive mode, the robot waits for the child to initiate an interaction by raising one or both hands. In the second game mode, the robot initiates interactions. The “Pass the Pose” game engages two children in cooperative play by enlisting the robot as a mediator between two children alternately initiating and imitating poses. These games are designed to increase attention, promote turn-taking skills and encourage child-led verbal and non-verbal communication through simple imitative play. This research makes two specific contributions: (1) We present a low-cost robot design which measures and adapts to a child’s actions during interactive games and, (2) we train, test and make freely available, a new hand detector, based on Haar-like features, which is usable in various kinds of human-robot interactions. We present proof-of-concept experiments with a group of typically developing children.
Downregulated in adenoma and putative anion transporter are regulated by CFTR in cultured pancreatic duct cells.

The mechanism of the pancreatic ductal HCO 3 − secretion defect in cystic fibrosis (CF) is not well defined. However, a lack of apical Cl−/HCO 3 − exchange may exist in CF. To test this hypothesis,...
Rotational motion of the knee

This study deals with the quantitation of axial rotation at the knee. Passive rotation of the knee was measured at various degrees of flexion on 17 subjects with normal knees and 19 patients with unilateral anterolateral rotatory instability. Normal subjects were found to have bilateral symmetric rotational knee motion at each angle of flexion tested. When the knee is in a position of flexion between 30 and 90 degrees, there are approximately 45 degrees external and 25 degrees internal rotation. Rotatory motion decreases with further extension and, at 5 degrees of flexion, the knee has 23 degrees external and 10 degrees internal rotation. The knee with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and anterolateral rotatory instability was found to have an arc of rotation similar to the contralateral knee and to the control knees between 30 and 90 degrees flexion. At 15 degrees of flexion, a slightly greater arc of rotation was measured compared to normal knees. At 5 degrees of flexion, a significantly greater range of external (to 41 degrees) as well as internal (to 14 degrees) rotation was measured.
Evaluation and Management of Endolymphatic Sac and Duct Tumors

The endolymphatic sac tumor is a slow-growing, locally aggressive neoplasm that originates from the epithelium of the endolymphatic sac and duct. Disease progression can lead to profound sensorineural hearing loss, posterior fossa invasion, brainstem compression, drop metastasis, and eventual death. Early diagnosis and surgical attention are the primary objectives in the management of patients who have endolymphatic sac tumor. This article describes the latest rationale and techniques for hearing preservation surgery and a review of the latest developments surrounding this disease entity.
Price Volatility in Major Chilli Markets of India

Background/Objectives: Chilli arrivals from all over the country reach the market from mid October to end of May. The arrival pattern influences the price behaviour. The study aims at examining the price volatility of chill in major markets of India. Methods/Statistical analysis: Based on the quantum of arrivals in various markets in the country, from markets viz., Guntur, khammam, virudnagar and Nagpur were purposively chosen. The secondary data on monthly modal prices (Rs/Qtl) were emanated from the records maintained by the respective market committees. Findings: chilli prices in Guntur market for the period from 1997 to 2011 has indicated wide variations with prices ranging from Rs 1000 in 1997 to Rs 8800 February, 2011. The coefficient of variation of the prices was 32.4 per cent in virudnagar market. The price behaviour of selected crop in Nagpur compared to Guntur and virudnagar presented on altogether new dimension till 2000 commencing from 1997. Chilli prices in all the markets indicated persistent fluctuations over a period of time and these were maximum in Nagpur market. Application/Improvements: Chilli prices in all the markets had persistent fluctuations over a period of time and it was maximum in Nagpur market.
UCLIR: a Multilingual Information Retrieval Tool

In this paper the Unicode Cross-Language Information Retrieval system (UCLIR) is described. UCLIR accepts a query in one language and then retrieves relevant documents in any of several languages. The core process involves a suite of technologies including machine translation and standard monolingual information retrieval.
Depression and glycemic intake in the homebound elderly

Background Depression is associated with an increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes, but the mechanism is unclear. We aimed to study the relationship between depression and glycemic intake in the elderly, and examine whether antidepressant use modified this relationship.
Association between cannabis use, psychosis, and schizotypal personality disorder: findings from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.

Abstract Background Studies to date showing an association between cannabis use and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders are of relatively small sample sizes with limitations in generalizability. The present study addresses this gap by examining the relationship between cannabis use and psychotic-like symptoms in a large representative community sample. Method Data were derived from the 2004–2005 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC, Wave 2), a large, nationally representative sample of 34,653 adults from the United States population. We evaluated the association between lifetime cannabis use, psychosis, and schizotypal personality features. Results The prevalence of psychosis and schizotypal personality disorder increased significantly with greater cannabis use in a dose-dependent manner. The associations between cannabis use and psychosis were 1.27 (95% CI 1.03–1.57) for lifetime cannabis use, 1.79 (95% CI 1.35–2.38) for lifetime cannabis abuse, and 3.69 (95% CI 2.49–5.47) for lifetime cannabis dependence. There was a similar dose–response relationship between the extent of cannabis use and schizotypal personality disorder (OR = 2.02 for lifetime cannabis use, 95% CI 1.69–2.42; OR = 2.83 for lifetime cannabis abuse, 95% CI 2.33–2.43; OR = 7.32 for lifetime cannabis dependence, 95% CI 5.51–9.72). Likelihood of individual schizotypal features increased significantly with increased extent of cannabis use in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion This is the first population-based study to examine the association between lifetime cannabis use, psychosis, and schizotypal personality traits. These results add to evidence that cannabis use may be a risk factor for psychosis liability.
Patients with osteoporosis on steroid medication tend to sustain subsequent fractures.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Repeat fractures after percutaneous vertebroplasty can be seen in patients with osteoporotic compression fractures. The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of patients with new fractures after vertebroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five consecutive patients were treated with vertebroplasty for painful osteoporotic compression fractures at our institution. The charts and radiographic studies of all patients were retrospectively reviewed. Special attention was paid to patient age and sex, imaging studies, long-term use of steroid medication, and treatment for osteoporosis. We used logistic regression analysis and the Fisher exact test for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were treated with vertebroplasty at one time and did not develop new fractures, whereas 20 patients returned with new fractures. Sixteen of 55 patients had been on steroid medication. The incidence of subsequent vertebral compression fractures after vertebroplasty in patients on long-term steroid therapy was 69% (11/16), compared with 23% (9/39) in those with primary osteoporosis (ie, those who were not on steroid therapy). There was a statistically significant association between use of steroids and new fractures (P CONCLUSION: Patients who are on long-term steroid medication have an elevated risk of developing new fractures after vertebroplasty.
Obesity-Related Hypertension?: Weighing the Evidence

Overweight and obesity are established risk factors for hypertension, and hypertension is approximately twice as prevalent in the obese than in the nonobese. The prevalence of overweight and obesity has been increasing in the United States for at least the past 2 decades. These increases have occurred in children, adolescents, and adults, as well as in both genders and in all racial/ethic groups.1,2 Based on an analysis of data from 2 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANESs) approximately a decade apart, the article by Cutler et al3 in the current issue of Hypertension reports that the age-standardized prevalence of hypertension increased from 24.4% to 28.9% between 1988–1994 and 1999–2004. The increase was greater for women than men and occurred in all racial/ethnic groups. The analysis further suggests that an increase in body mass index (BMI) accounted for nearly all of the increased hypertension prevalence in men and for a portion of the increased prevalence in women. Furthermore, between the 2 NHANESs, mean systolic blood pressures increased in nonhypertensive individuals and in untreated hypertensive subjects. This upward shift of blood pressures resulted in a decreased percentage of subjects with normal blood pressure and an increased percentage with prehypertension. Given the extensive evidence supporting a relationship between obesity and hypertension, the hypothesis that an increased BMI contributes to the increased prevalence of …
How Young Cardiologists Can Succeed in the Era of Population Health

“Every successful organization has to make the transition from a world defined primarily by repetition to one primarily defined by change.”— Bill Drayton [(1)][1] For young cardiologists, this adage may be concerning, as the fee-for-service healthcare system most familiar to us is transformed
Electronic Structure of Pd doped InP

The electronic structure of metal impurities in III-V semiconductors are interesting because of their ability to create deep centers. We use a spin unrestricted self-consistent local density theory in a cluster model to calculate the charge distributions, one electron energy spectra and the density of states for pure InP and Pd doped InP, substituted at the In site. The pure semiconductor gap is calculated to be 1.44 eV in excellent agreement with the experimental value of 1.41 eV. A small magnetic moment of 0.561μB appears on the Pd site. The impurity introduces a levels of t2 character at 0.01 and 0.04 eV above the valence band edge.
Abstract 5151: Yap reprograms glutamine metabolism and supports growth during liver development and tumorigenesis

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Hepatocellular carcinoma is a global health problem with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Recently, the Hippo pathway has emerged as a master regulator of organ size control and tumorigenesis. However, the metabolic impact of the pathway is poorly understood. Using a transgenic zebrafish model with liver-specific activation of the Hippo pathway effector Yap, we have shown that Yap promotes hepatomegaly and liver dysplasia. In addition, we demonstrate that the Yap transgenics are highly susceptible to chemically-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling reveals that Yap enhances glutamine synthase (GS) expression and elevates steady-state levels of glutamine, respectively. Intervention studies with the GS inhibitor methionine sulfoximine established that elevated GS activity contributes to the rapid liver growth observed during Yap-driven hepatomegaly. Finally, studies in cultured human cancer cells identify GS as a bone-fide Yap target gene, confirming that the GS regulation by Yap is evolutionarily conserved. We conclude that Yap regulates GS expression and reprograms nitrogen metabolism, which contributes to liver growth during development and tumorigenesis. We hypothesize that Yap integrates the anabolic demands of rapid cell proliferation by increasing the flux of glutamine into nucleotide biosynthesis. Citation Format: Andrew G. Cox, Katie L. Hwang, Kimberley Evason, Kristin K. Brown, Sebastian Beltz, Keelin O'Connor, Giorgio G. Galli, Dean Yimlamai, Sagar Chhangawala, Evan Lien, Fernando D. Camargo, John Asara, Yariv Houvras, Didier Y. Stainier, Wolfram Goessling. Yap reprograms glutamine metabolism and supports growth during liver development and tumorigenesis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5151. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5151
Event-Driven Business Accounting Information System Analysis and Research

Business information systems should support intimate cooperation in and among enterprises, so the macrostructure of enterprise information systems is process integration among enterprises. The emergence and development of web service provides new realization means for process integration among enterprises. The modeling and control of business workflows should be independent of business functions and business rules, so that enterprise information system can accommodate ever changing organization structure and business workflows. In order to accomplish integration of finance and operation, the microstructure should adopt the pattern of "business event driven."
To Study and compare gastrointestinal feeding with intravenous nutrition in very low birth weight infants

Objective To study the role gastrointestinal feeding in very low birth weight infants (VLBWT). Methods Fourty cases who have started gastrointestinal feeding in early state were feeding group and thirly cases have stopped feeding with intravenous nutrition were control group, Intake of caloric and fluid. Variation of body weight, and relevant complication were recorede every day. Results The caloric intake in feeding group was significantly higher than that in control group (P0.001); the rime of recovery birth weight, the time of full gastrointestinal feeding were significantly low in feeding group than that in control group (P0.001); The increasing of everyday weight and weight of discharge in feeding group were significantly higher than in control group (P0.001); Nosocomial infection, scleredema, hyperbilirubine, hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia were sig-nificeantly lower in feeding group ahtn those in conrtol group (P0.01). The vomiting and abdominal distention in two group were same (P0.05). Conclusion The nutrient intake was better in VLBMI by gastrointestinal feeding and should be given early. It may reduce complication of VLBMI, improve survival rate and have a good survival life.
SHPB test study on dynamic characteristics of polypropylene fiber concrete

To study the dynamic characteristics of the high fiber volume percentage polypropylene fiber concrete (PFC), the dynamic tests were performed on 64 PFC specimens in 8 groups with different fiber volume percent and static strength by using the large-size Hopkinson pressure bar with variable cross-sections. The dynamic stress-strain curves in the range of strain rate of 10~1~10~2s~(-1) were obtained. The effects on dynamic compression strength by the strain rate, fiber volume percent and static strength were investigated.
Second Malignancies Following Treatment for Childhood Cancer

Second or subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs) are defined as histologically distinct cancers developing after the occurrence of a first cancer and are one of the most devastating consequences of cancer therapy in children with cancer. Studies following large cohorts of childhood cancer survivors have reported a three- to sixfold increased risk of SMNs compared with the background incidence of cancer in the general population; this risk continues to increase as the cohort ages. Follow-up of a Nordic cohort of 47,697 patients diagnosed with their first cancer at 19 years of age or younger between 1943 and 2005 resulted in the identification of 1,180 SMNs [1]. The cohort was at a 3.3-fold increased risk of developing an SMN when compared with an age- and gender-matched healthy population. The relative risk (RR) was statistically significantly increased in all age groups, even for cohort members approaching 70 years of age. Another population-based cohort of 17,981 5-year survivors of childhood cancer diagnosed before the age of 15 years in Great Britain between 1940 and 1991 was followed for a median of 24 years; 1,354 SMNs were observed, and the cohort was at a fourfold increased risk of developing a new cancer, when compared with the general population [2]. A retrospective cohort of 14,359 children diagnosed between 1970 and 1986 in the USA before the age of 21 years, and surviving at least 5 years, was followed by the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) [3]. The estimated 30-year cumulative incidence was 7.9 % for SMNs (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers, Fig. 19.1). Overall, the cohort was at a sixfold increased risk of developing a second cancer. Female sex, older age at diagnosis, earlier treatment era, and treatment with radiation were associated with an increase in risk of SMNs. Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for the development of multiple primaries; the cumulative incidence of a third primary approaches 47 % at 20 years after the second primary [4]. Radiation-exposed survivors, who developed a nonmelanoma skin cancer as an SMN, carry a higher risk of a subsequent invasive SMN when compared with those without a history of a nonmelanoma skin cancer.
Use of ultrasound in complicated pregnancies.

This article demonstrates how ultrasound can be applied adjunctively to the management of a variety of complications of pregnancy. With the improved resolution of gray scale ultrasound, it is now possible to outline and study the texture of fetal organs such as the liver and placenta. By possessing the capacity to assess the size, configuration, and morphology of intrauterine structures, the physician can now correlate this information with fetal condition and maturity.
Olfactory Capacities in Aging and Alzheimer's Diseasea

Age-related alterations in the ability to smell are well documented. For example, more than three-fourths of individuals over the age of 80 have major difficulty detecting and identifying odors. Furthermore, olfactory dysfunction is among the first signs of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Indeed, the olfactory pathways of patients with AD evidence disproportionate numbers of neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles relative to other sensory pathways, suggesting that the olfactory system may be the site of first involvement of the AD process. In this article, the literature related to age- and AD-related alterations in olfactory perception has been briefly reviewed, and several current hypotheses regarding the physiologic basis for these changes discussed.
Becoming Latinos: Mexican Americans, Chicanos, and the Spanish Myth in the Urban Southwest

Believing that Latinismo supplemented, but did not replace, their own identity, Mexican American leaders have supported the movement since the late nineteenth century. Chicano nationalists, however, rejected Latinismo, holding that it transformed victims of Spanish American conquests (the Mexican people) into victimizers. This paper discusses Mexican Americans and Anglo city-builders' support of a pan-Latino identity, with a close look at the fight over Latinismo in San Jose, 1969.
Three-Phase EPLL-III

There are multiple extensions of the enhanced phase-locked loop (EPLL) to three-phase, and they are grouped under the name three-phase EPLL (3EPLL). This chapter presents the first member of this group called the 3EPLL-I. This structure can address direct current (DC) component and harmonics within its loop structure; something that is not possible with the synchronous reference frame (SRF)-PLL. The chapter focuses on the detail derivation, analysis, design, and modifications of the 3EPLL-I. It begins with a discussion on the 3EPLL, and explains the relationship between 3EPLL-I and SRF-PLL. Next, the chapter talks about 3EPLL-I in stationary frame and the mathematical derivation of 3EPLL-I . Numerical simulations show that the responses of the 3EPLL-I and the SRF-PLL are identical.
Vapor-fed bio-hybrid fuel cell

Concentration and purification of ethanol and other biofuels from fermentations are energy-intensive processes, with amplified costs at smaller scales. To circumvent the need for these processes, and to potentially reduce transportation costs as well, we have previously investigated bio-hybrid fuel cells (FCs), in which a fermentation and FC are closely coupled. However, long-term operation requires strictly preventing the fermentation and FC from harming each other. We introduce here the concept of the vapor-fed bio-hybrid FC as a means of continuously extracting power from ongoing fermentations at ambient conditions. By bubbling a carrier gas (N2) through a yeast fermentation and then through a direct ethanol FC, we protect the FC anode from the catalyst poisons in the fermentation (which are non-volatile), and also protect the yeast from harmful FC products (notably acetic acid) and from build-up of ethanol. Since vapor-fed direct ethanol FCs at ambient conditions have never been systematically characterized (in contrast to vapor-fed direct methanol FCs), we first assess the effects on output power and conversion efficiency of ethanol concentration, vapor flow rate, and FC voltage. The results fit a continuous stirred-tank reactor model. Over a wide range of ethanol partial pressures (2–8 mmHg), power densities are comparable to those for liquid-fed direct ethanol FCs at the same temperature, with power densities >2 mW/cm2 obtained. We then demonstrate the continuous operation of a vapor-fed bio-hybrid FC with fermentation for 5 months, with no indication of performance degradation due to poisoning (of either the FC or the fermentation). It is further shown that the system is stable, recovering quickly from disturbances or from interruptions in maintenance. The vapor-fed bio-hybrid FC enables extraction of power from dilute bio-ethanol streams without costly concentration and purification steps. The concept should be scalable to both large and small operations and should be generalizable to other biofuels and waste-to-energy systems.
Tuning Porous Networks in Polyimide Aerogels for Airborne Nanoparticle Filtration

The suitability of monolithic polyimide aerogels as filter media for removal of airborne nanoparticles was investigated in this work by considering two solvents, N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and dimethylformamide (DMF) for tuning of meso- and macropore content. Polyimide gels were synthesized from the chemical reactions between solutions of pyromellitic dianhydride, 2,2'-dimethylbenzidine, and 1, 3, 5-triaminophenoxylbenzene. The gels were dried via supercritical drying in CO2 to obtain the aerogels. The porosity of polyimide aerogels was varied by changing the initial concentration of the solids in the solutions in the range of 2.5-10 wt %. The resulting aerogels show high porosity (91-98%), high specific surface area (473-953 m2/g), low bulk density (0.025-0.12 g/cm3), and solvent dependent macro- and mesopore content. The monoliths with bulk density of >0.05 g/cm3 produced high values of nanoparticle filtration efficiency (>99.95%) with air permeability of the order of 10-10 m2. A strong proportional relationship was observed between the macropore content and air permeability and between the mesopore content and high filtration efficiency. Specimens prepared in DMF and NMP offered the same level of filtration efficiency, but the former provided a factor of 2 higher air permeability due to much greater proportion of macropores.