cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How repetition influences speech understanding by younger, middle-aged and older adults.

Objective To examine benefit from immediate repetition of a masked speech message in younger, middle-aged and older adults. Design Participants listened to sentences in conditions where only the target message was repeated, and when both the target message and its accompanying masker (noise or speech) were repeated. In a follow-up experiment, the effect of repetition was evaluated using a square-wave modulated noise masker to compare benefit when listeners were exposed to the same glimpses of the target message during first and second presentation versus when the glimpses differed. Study sample Younger, middle-aged and older adults (n = 16/group) for the main experiment; 15 younger adults for the follow-up experiment. Results Repetition benefit was larger when the target but not the masker was repeated for all groups. This was especially true for older adults, suggesting that these individuals may be more negatively affected when a background message is repeated. Data obtained using noise maskers suggest that it is slightly more beneficial when listeners hear different (versus identical) portions of speech between initial presentation and repetition. Conclusions Although subtle age-related differences were found in some conditions, results confirm that repetition is an effective repair strategy for listeners spanning the adult age range.
The Stringent Response Determines the Ability of a Commensal Bacterium to Survive Starvation and to Persist in the Gut

In the mammalian gut, bacteria compete for resources to maintain their populations, but the factors determining their success are poorly understood. We report that the human gut bacterium Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron relies on the stringent response, an intracellular signaling pathway that allocates resources away from growth, to survive carbon starvation and persist in the gut. Genome-scale transcriptomics, 13C-labeling, and metabolomics analyses reveal that B. thetaiotaomicron uses the alarmone (p)ppGpp to repress multiple biosynthetic pathways and upregulate tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle genes in these conditions. During carbon starvation, (p)ppGpp triggers accumulation of the metabolite alpha-ketoglutarate, which itself acts as a metabolic regulator; alpha-ketoglutarate supplementation restores viability to a (p)ppGpp-deficient strain. These studies uncover how commensal bacteria adapt to the gut by modulating central metabolism and reveal that halting rather than accelerating growth can be a determining factor for membership in the gut microbiome.
Evolution of Space-Partitioning Forest for Anomaly Detection

Previous work proposed a fast one-class anomaly detector using an ensemble of random half-space partitioning trees. The method was shown to be effective and efficient for detecting anomalies in streaming data. However, the parameters were pre-defined, so the random partitions of the data space might not be optimal. Therefore, the aims of this study were to: (a) give some mathematical analysis of the random partitioning trees; and (b) explore optimizing forests for anomaly detection using evolutionary algorithms.
Abstract 4238: Impact of diabetes mellitus on adenoma detection rates in three disparate institutions

Background: Racial disparities persist in the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer despite the availability of screening tools. Adenoma detection rates have been associated with diabetes in some studies. This study seeks to evaluate the effect of diabetes mellitus on adenoma detection rates (ADR) in initial screening colonoscopies performed at three distinct institutions. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on all initial average risk screening colonoscopies performed on patients between 45-75 years at an Urban Safety Net Hospital (USNH), an Urban University Hospital (UUH) and a Suburban University Hospital (SUH) from January 1st to December 30th 2012 to coordinate existing databases at the three institutions. Patients were excluded if they had a history of colon cancer, polyps, alarm symptoms, or if the current colonoscopy was incomplete or had poor bowel prep. Data points collected included sex, age, race, insurance, BMI, smoking status, diabetic status and attending provider. Univariate analysis was performed comparing ADRs between the three institutions using Graph Pad Prism. Further comparisons were made between current smoking and diabetes status with ADR. Results: There were a total of 2225 initial screening colonoscopies (SUH, n =647; UUH, n = 444; USNH, n = 1134) excluding 135 incomplete and/or poor prep colonoscopies (SUH, n = 34; UUH, n = 50; USNH, n = 51). USNH and UUH patients were more likely to be African-American (93% and 88% vs 7%, p Discussion: Diabetes and current smoking are associated with increased ADR across all three institutions despite differences in race and baseline ADR. Patients should be counseled on the increased risk associated with diabetes and smoking. Initiatives should be implemented to insure improved screening rates for adenomas among diabetics and also to screen for diabetes so that interventions can be made early to reduce the impact of diabetes on colon cancer risk. Further prospective studies are needed to validate these findings. Citation Format: Yakira David, Lorenzo Ottaviano, Sadat Iqbal, Brandon Lung, Michelle Likhtshtegyn, Samir Kumar, Ellen Li, Laura Martello-Rooney, Shivakumar Vignesh, Joshua Miller, Evan Grossman. Impact of diabetes mellitus on adenoma detection rates in three disparate institutions [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4238.
Annals On Call - Diagnosing Sepsis: Untangling Confusion Around qSOFA and SIRS

In this episode of Annals On Call, Dr. Centor interviews Dr. Rachael A. Lee to try to help listeners untangle the confusion around qSOFA and SIRS, 2 tools to help clinicians decide if a patient has...
FINANCIAL WELL-BEING FOLLOWING GRAY DIVORCE AND SUBSEQUENT REPARTNERING

The doubling of the divorce rate among persons aged 50 and older since 1990 underscores the urgency of studying the consequences of divorce and subsequent repartnering for older adult well-being. We filled this gap by using the 1998–2014 Health and Retirement Study to evaluate how financial well-being changed following gray divorce. The estimates from latent growth curve models indicated that transitions to divorce and widowhood were associated with abrupt reductions in assets, although the magnitude was greater for divorcees than widow(er)s. Assets continued to decline after the initial transition to widowhood but not divorce. Both groups experienced similar magnitudes of an immediate increase in assets after repartnering that stabilized over time. Divorce had similar effects by gender. Women were hurt more than men by widowhood but equally benefited from repartnering. In sum, the negative economic consequences of gray divorce are long-term and repartnering does not fully compensate for asset loss.
Multi-view Clustering with Partial Information

Nowadays multi-modal visual data are much easier to access as the technology develops. Nevertheless, there is an underlying problem hidden behind the emerging multi-modality techniques: What if one/more modal data fail? Motivated by this question, we propose an unsupervised method which well handles the incomplete multi-modal data by transforming the original and incomplete data to a new and complete representation in a latent space.
Effects of Media Exposure to Conflicting Information about Mammography: Results from a Population-based Survey Experiment

Background Although there is growing theoretical and empirical support for the proposition that media exposure to conflicting health information negatively influences public understanding and behavior, few studies have causally linked exposure to conflict with undesirable outcomes. Such outcomes might be particularly likely in the context of mammography, given widespread media attention to conflicting recommendations about the age at and frequency with which average-risk women should be screened for breast cancer. Purpose The current study tests whether exposure to conflicting information about mammography negatively influences women's affective and cognitive responses and examines whether effects vary by socioeconomic position. Methods We conducted an online survey experiment in 2016 with a population-based sample of U.S. women aged 35-55 (N = 1,474). Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions that differed in the level of conflict about mammography presented in a news story (no, low, medium, or high conflict), stratifying by poverty level. Results Greater exposure to conflict increased women's negative emotional responses to the story they read, their confusion about and backlash toward cancer prevention recommendations and research, and their ambivalence about mammography and other types of cancer screening, though ambivalence leveled off at high levels of exposure. There was little evidence that effects varied across socioeconomic position. Conclusions Findings add to the growing evidence base documenting undesirable outcomes of exposure to conflicting health information. Future research should examine whether the negative affective and cognitive responses observed translate into behavior, which could have implications for both health campaigns and patient-provider communication.
Analog of Hamilton-Jacobi theory for the time-evolution operator

In this paper we develop an analog of Hamilton-Jacobi theory for the time-evolution operator of a quantum many-particle system. The theory offers a useful approach to develop approximations to the time-evolution operator, and also provides a unified framework and starting point for many well-known approximations to the time-evolution operator. In the important special case of periodically driven systems at stroboscopic times, we find relatively simple equations for the coupling constants of the Floquet Hamiltonian, where a straightforward truncation of the couplings leads to a powerful class of approximations. Using our theory, we construct a flow chart that illustrates the connection between various common approximations, which also highlights some missing connections and associated approximation schemes. These missing connections turn out to imply an analytically accessible approximation that is the ``inverse'' of a rotating frame approximation and thus has a range of validity complementary to it. We numerically test the various methods on the one-dimensional Ising model to confirm the ranges of validity that one would expect from the approximations used. The theory provides a map of the relations between the growing number of approximations for the time-evolution operator. We describe these relations in a table showing the limitations and advantages of many common approximations, as well as the approximations introduced in this paper.
COMBINED VASCULAR BRACHYTHERAPY AND STENTING FOR TREATMENT OF IN-STENT RESTENOSIS

In-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a therapeutic challenge in the current drug-eluting stent (DES) era. Vascular brachytherapy (VBT) is a therapeutic option for ISR, particularly for resistant ISR. However, little is known about the combined treatment of VBT with stenting for ISR. We performed a
Wind Energy Resource Assessment at three Sites in the Algerian Highlands

The aim of this paper is to assessment of wind energy resource in three Algerian highlands sites. The study is divided into two parts: The first part presents the mathematical models used in this study. The data were collected over a period of 13 year. The Weibull parameters k and c are determined and used for estimate the annual average wind speed and the power density for each site. The annual average wind speed for the selected sites ranged from 3.1 m/s (Bou Saada) to 4.2 m/s (M’sila) and the power density range from 20 W/m2 (El Bayed) to 35 W/m2 (M’sila); The second part determine the capacity factor and the annual average power supplied by the wind turbine, according to the six parameters: the wind characteristics (Weibull parameters k and C) and the characteristics of the CALORIUS 37 wind turbine (rated electrical power, cut-in wind speed, rated wind speed, furling wind speed and the diameter of the rotor).
Abstract TP50: Non-contrast CT Maximum Intensity Projections (MIPs) for the Detection of Large Vessel Occlusion (LVO)

Background: Identification of LVO is becoming increasingly important with recent guidelines supporting endovascular therapy in selected patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Non-contrast CT sc...
Structure of the Fanconi Anemia Core-UBE2T complex poised to ubiquitinate bound FANCI-FANCD2

ABSTRACT The Fanconi Anemia (FA) pathway is essential for the repair of DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs). The pathway is activated when a replication fork stalls because of an ICL or other replication stress. A central event in pathway activation is the mono-ubiquitination of the FANCI-FANCD2 (ID) complex by the FA Core complex, a ubiquitin ligase of nine subunits. Here we describe the cryo-EM structures of the 1.1 MDa FA Core at 3.1 angstroms, except for the FANCA subunit at 3.4, and of the complex containing Core, ID and the UBE2T ubiquitin conjugating enzyme at 4.2 angstroms. The Core has unusual stoichiometry with two copies of FANCB, FAAP100, FANCA, FAAP20, FANCG, FANCL, but only a single copy of FANCC, FANCE and FANCF. This is due to homodimers of FANCA and FANCB having incompatible 2-fold symmetry, resulting in an overall asymmetric assembly of the other subunits. The asymmetry is crucial, as it prevents the binding of a second FANC-C-E-F sub-complex that inhibits UBE2T recruitment by FANCL, and instead creates an ID binding site. The single active FANCL-UBE2T binds next to the FANCD2 ubiquitination site, prying open the FANCI-FANCD2 interface within which the ubiquitination sites are buried. These structures and biochemical data indicate a single active site ubiquitinates FANCD2 and FANCI sequentially, shedding light on a central event in the FA pathway.
A Descriptive Study Using the Comprehensive Race Socialization Inventory: Findings From the National Survey of American Life-Adolescent Supplement:

This study examines race socialization, defined as the process whereby individuals learn about the meaning and significance of race and racism. With data from the 2001–2004 National Survey of Ameri...
Sustainability challenges in marketing, sales, and other business practices: Introduction to a Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science special issue

This introduction reviews some of the sustaining insights in marketing, sales, and other business practices during the unprecedented world pandemic of 2020. We take a look at sustainability in acad...
Eagle-Eyed Sharp Shooters: The Importance of Visual Skills and Acuity in Precision and Military Marksmanship

Visual acuity, or the accuracy and clarity of one’s vision, is an important trait for many people, particularly marksmen. Marksmen in the military benefit from enhanced vision and visual skills as it enables soldiers to more accurately identify and successfully eliminate threats. Competitive shooting athletes across disciplines, such as precision pistol shooters and shotgun shooters, also find great advantages as increased visual acuity and visual skills are associated with higher, more competitive scores. After reviewing multiple published studies, it was found that visual skills can be improved through vision training programs. Participating in such programs allows for an increase in performance for marksmen across disciplines: military or competitive.
MAGNETIC MOMENT AND CURIE TEMPERATURE OF (Fe_(80)Ni_(20))_(78)Si_(22-x)B_x AMORPHOUS ALLOYS

In the amorphous alloys (Fe_(80)Ni_(20))_(78)Si_(22-x)B_x, the magnetic moment and the curie temperature were found to increase slowly with increasing boron and relatively decreasing silicon. This phenomenon has been explained qualitatively in terms of the electron transition model and the molecular field approtimation theory.
Tunable reliable multicast for periodic information dissemination

Existing reliable transport protocols for periodic information dissemination ignore application semantics while attempting to be 100% reliable. "Application Level Framing" (ALF) suggests that taking application semantics into account when designing transport protocols can result in performance that is highly optimized for the network. We apply this principle in designing a policy-based TUNAble semi-reliable multicast protocol (TUNA) for periodic information dissemination. Specifically, TUNA is not constrained to guarantee full reliability, but allows the receiving application to selectively request retransmissions of lost portions of the data stream, based on user-level policies. TUNA uses statistical properties of the data stream to adaptively guide receivers in dynamically altering their reliability policies. This is particularly well matched for satellite systems, where end node to satellite bandwidth is limited, especially when shared by large community of end nodes. Our simulation results show that TUNA is made highly scalable by reducing the number of NACKs sent back to the information source, while keeping the staleness of received data within application-specified bounds. Under large session sizes, TUNA yields a factor of 1.5 to 6 improvement over a fully reliable scheme; for high loss rates, it results in a factor of 1.5 to 5 improvement. TUNA is also able to reduce contention for retransmission request bandwidth in a multiple access backchannel environment. We have implemented TUNA and a prototype application called InfoCaster in the MASH toolkit.
UNIQUENESS OF EXCEPTIONAL SINGULAR QUARTICS

We prove that given a general collection Γ of 14 points of P 4 = P 4 κ (κ an infinite field) there is a unique quartic hypersurface that is singular on Γ. This completes the solution to the open problem of the dimension of a linear system of hypersurfaces of P that are singular on a collection of general points.
California Biometrics: A Second Proposal for California's Commission on the 21st Century Economy

This proposal takes a long view to revenue reform. It seeks to fundamentally align the sales tax with the digital foundation of the 21st Century economy. The core policy question is whether California is willing to change the way it defines sales tax exemptions; is it willing to move from product-centric to person-centric exemptions. Certified tax determination systems can be relied upon. A key element in this proposal is the encryption of exemption certificates in IDs (smart cards with biometric identifiers that will allow the poor or handicapped to make certain purchases tax free). This proposal suggests that (for example) instead of exempting all bread purchased for human consumption, California should exempt only bread purchased for human consumption by the poor, the disabled or other groups or classes of people that it deems entitled to an exemption because of their economic status. Bread purchased for human consumption by the general population would be taxed. The result is to expand the tax base. This is not an unheard of approach to structuring sales tax exemptions. Most of the exemptions in the Japanese Consumption Tax work this way; and South Carolina takes this approach to exemptions with its senior citizens. It is characteristic of sales tax systems designed in the 1930's to strive for "rough justice" in this area. In the 1930's we could not easily distinguish among taxpayers - we could not quickly and accurately sort the entitled from the un-entitled. As a result, the California decision was to benefit everyone. It did not need to be this way. Ten states approached the same problem and took a different road to "rough justice" - they tax all purchases of food for human consumption. In the 21st Century economy California can do better. If California decided to redefine the exemption for food and instead of granting a universal exemption to anyone who purchased food for human consumption, it determined that this exemption would only be available to that portion of the population living at or below the poverty level then an additional $5.748 billion would be collected.
Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary hepatic tumor and the fifth most common cancer worldwide. The incidence continues to rise worldwide due to its association with hepatitis B and C viral infections. Cirrhosis is present concurrently with HCC in approximately 90% of the identified cases [1, 2]. Furthermore, the incidence of HCC increases with the severity of cirrhosis. Follow-up studies have identified HCC as one of the most common causes of death in the cirrhotic patient [3, 4]. The management of HCC, therefore, is based both on the stage of the malignancy and on the underlying functional status of the liver. Local tumor ablative techniques remain a reasonable treatment consideration for patients with disease confined to the liver who are not candidates for resection or transplantation.
BR96-DOX immunoconjugate targeting of chemotherapy in brain tumor models.

An immunoconjugate of doxorubicin (adriamycin) and a tumor-specific monoclonal antibody, BR96–DOX (now SGN-15) targets chemotherapy to cells that express the LewisY antigen. This immunoconjugate is internalized into lysosomes in antigen-expressing cells, with release of free doxorubicin after hydrolysis of the acid-labile linker. We review our studies using BR96–DOX in a human small-cell lung carcinoma intracerebral xenograft model in nude rats. We have found that the immunoconjugate is effective against intracerebral tumors when delivery is enhanced with osmotic disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Enhanced delivery of BR96–DOX with BBB opening can work together with radiotherapy to increase antitumor efficacy, which is maximally effective if immunoconjugate is administered prior to radiotherapy. In heterogeneous brain tumors, enhanced delivery of BR96–DOX significantly reduced tumor volumes, but local release of doxorubicin by targeting antigen expressing cells shows modest cytotoxicity against adjacent non-expressor cells. Although BR96–DOX is not effective against glioma cells tested, it does provide a model for drug-immunoconjugate therapy of gliomas. Our studies in a rat brain tumor model point out the importance of optimized delivery, antigenic heterogeneity, and bystander effect for brain tumor therapy. We review additional studies of drug–mAb immunoconjugates pertinent to the treatment of gliomas.
Theology and Interpretation: The Case of Aquinas and Calvin on Romans

This article explores how Aquinas's and Calvin's theology of justification, the law and the nature of human works integrate with their interpretations of Romans by analyzing their commentaries on 1:16b–17, focusing on the iustitia Dei, and 2:13, which addresses the relationship between works and justification. Aquinas's interpretation unfolds by emphasizing the work of Christ in and through sinners, while Calvin's interpretation emphasizes the work of Christ for and to sinners. I also demonstrate how the theological judgements embedded in these sections inform their reading of Romans as a whole.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A STAPHYLOCOCCAL PHAGE CAPABLE OF TRANSDUCTION.

Morse, M. L. (University of Colorado Medical Center, Denver) and J. W. LaBelle. Characteristics of a staphylococcal phage capable of transduction. J. Bacteriol. 83:775–780. 1962—The growth of staphylococcal phage 53, a temperate phage, has been studied. The latent periods in nutrient broth are: infected sensitive cells, 45 min; ultraviolet-induced lysogenic cells, 83 min. The burst size, as indicated by one-step growth studies and single-burst experiments, is 25 to 30 particles per lysing cell. Phage particles transducing streptomycin resistance and novobiocin resistance are produced at the same time as nontransducing particles. Some observations have been made on the host, Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 8511.
ENZOOTIC VESICULAR STOMATITIS NEW JERSEY TYPE IN AN INSULAR FERAL SWINE POPULATION

Free-ranging feral swine from Ossabaw Island, Chatham County, Georgia, were serially bled and tested for vesicular stomatitis New Jersey type serum neutralizing antibody to determine the intensity and progression of annual vesicular stomatitis activity. From November 21, 1981 to October 11, 1982, and from March 15, 1983 to October 14, 1983, 307 and 340 swine were sampled, respectively. Seroconversions were initially detected during the first week of June and continued into September in both 1982 and 1983. Serologic results indicate a seroconversion incidence during 1982 and 1983 of approximately 12% and 60%, respectively. Similar patterns in timing and affected geographic area were observed during both years, with the earliest viral activity and highest incidence restricted to the southern portion of the island. Clinical vesicular stomatitis was not seen during 1982. However, during 1983, vesicular stomatitis New Jersey type virus was isolated from vesicular lesions on two swine.
Post-depositional Remanent Magnetisation in Deep-sea Sediment

SEDIMENTS of various lithologies cored from most parts of the deep ocean floor have been found to contain a record of the past behaviour of the Earth's magnetic field, especially the sequence of reversals over at least the past 5 m.y. (ref. 1). The mechanism by which these sediments acquired their natural remanent magnetism (NRM) is, however, still poorly understood. We have recently conducted experiments that indicate that post-depositional remanent magnetisation2 is a viable mechanism of magnetisation of deep-sea sediments.
Molecular cloning of the intronless EJ ras oncogene using a murine retrovirus shuttle vector

Abstract We have inserted a genomic clone of the human EJ bladder oncogene into a murine retrovirus shuttle vector. Cotransfection of this shuttle vector DNA containing the activated ras oncogene with molecularly cloned Moloney murine leukemia virus into NIH/3T3 cells was able to rescue a replicating and transforming retrovirus. The viral DNA from infected cells was excised by fusion to mouse COP-5 cells and recloned into Escherichia coli as plasmid DNA. Analysis of the recloned plasmids by size, restriction enzyme mapping, and DNA sequence indicated that approximately 5% of the recloned plasmids contained the intronless EJ ras oncogene.
Taking a Break via Technology? Triggers, Nature, and Effects of "Online" Work Breaks

Through our grounded theory qualitative research, we explore how employees use technology to take breaks in the workplace. To better understand the phenomenon, we first examine why employees take o...
Integrating Native Mass Spectrometry and Top-Down MS for Defining Protein Interactions Important in Biology and Medicine.

Native protein mass spectrometry (MS), the measurement of proteins and protein complexes from non-denaturing solutions, with electrospray ionization (ESI) has utility in the biological sciences. Protein complexes exceeding 1 MDa have been measured by MS and ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), and the data yields information not only regarding size, but structural details can be revealed also. ESI-IMS allows the relative stability of protein-ligand binding to be measured. Top-down MS, the direct dissociation of the intact gas phase biomolecule, can generate sequence and identity information for monomeric (denatured) proteins, and topology information for noncovalent protein complexes. For protein complexes with small molecule ligands, i.e., drugs, cofactors, metals, etc., top-down MS with electron capture dissociation can be used to elucidate the site(s) of ligand binding. Increasing protein ESI charging, e.g., supercharging, enhances the efficiency for dissociation of protein complexes.
Stability of an explicit multi-time step integration algorithm for linear structural dynamics equations

A proof of stability is developed for an explicit multi-time step integration method of the second order differential equations which result from a semidiscretization of the equations of structural dynamics. The proof is applicable to an algorithm that partitions the mesh into subdomains according to nodal groups which are updated with different time steps. The stability of the algorithm is demonstrated by showing that the eigenvalues of the amplification matrices lie within the unit circle and that a pseudo-energy remains constant. Bounds on the stable time steps for the nodal partitions are developed in terms of element frequencies.
Integrated genomic profiling of chronic lymphocytic leukemia identifies subtypes of deletion 13q14

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a biologically heterogeneous illness with a variable clinical course. Loss of chromosomal material on chromosome 13 at cytoband 13q14 is the most frequent genetic abnormality in CLL, but the molecular aberrations underlying del13q14 in CLL remain incompletely characterized. We analyzed 171 CLL cases for loss of heterozygosity and subchromosomal copy loss on chromosome 13 in DNA from fluorescence-activated cell sorting-sorted CD19(+) cells and paired buccal cells using the Affymetrix XbaI 50k SNP array platform. The resulting high-resolution genomic maps, together with array-based measurements of expression levels of RNA in CLL cases with and without del13q14 and quantitative PCR-based expression analysis of selected genes, support the following conclusions: (a) del13q14 is heterogeneous and composed of multiple subtypes, with deletion of Rb or the miR15a/miR16 loci serving as anatomic landmarks, respectively; (b) del13q14 type Ia deletions are relatively uniform in length and extend from breakpoints close to the miR15a/miR16 cluster to a newly identified telomeric breakpoint cluster at the approximately 50.2 to 50.5 Mb physical position; (c) LATS2 RNA levels are approximately 2.6-fold to 2.8-fold lower in cases with del13q14 type I that do not delete Rb, as opposed to del13q14 type II or all other CLL cases; (d) PHLPP RNA is absent in approximately 50% of CLL cases with del13q14; and (e) approximately 15% of CLL cases display marked reductions in miR15a/miR16 expression that are often but not invariably associated with bi-allelic miR15a/miR16 loss. These data should aid future investigations into biological differences imparted on CLL by different del13q14 subtypes.
A model for transport in amorphous germanium

Abstract Measurements of the resistivity as a function of hydrostatic pressure and of temperature, of the photoconductivity, and of the current-voltage relation, are reported for amorphous germanium prepared by three different methods and subjected to a systematic annealing procedure. The results are interpreted self-consistently in terms of a model for the atomic structure and the electronic band structure as a function of anneal, taking into account X-ray, optical and spin resonance measurements carried out on samples from the same preparatory run.
A novel family of space-filling curves in their relation to chromosome conformation in eukaryotes

Abstract Spatial conformation of DNA chains during interphase in eukaryotic cell nucleus is relatively dense, yet unknotted and exhibits self-similar fractal properties. In this respect it resembles the space-filling curves of Hilbert, but differs in the experimentally accessible contact probability of distant loci. Here we construct space-filling curves with fractal domain boundaries of dimension close to that of the embedding space and show how these match the statistical properties and the contact probability of the DNA conformation. The present mathematical model should shed light on the statistical ensemble of unknotted dense polymers and ease the modeling of genome folding and related biological processes.
Late motor involvement in cases presenting as chronic sensory demyelinating polyneuropathy

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is usually characterized by prominent motor deficits. A pure sensory presentation, labeled chronic sensory demyelinating neuropathy (CSDN), has been reported, but it is unclear if this neuropathy is a distinct clinical and immunologic entity or merely the sensory presentation of the more usual sensorimotor CIDP. We describe 5 patients with what initially appeared to be CSDN; 3 subsequently developed substantial weakness coincident with the electrophysiologic appearance of multifocal motor conduction block. These cases indicate that, in some cases, CSDN may be a transitional clinical stage of CIDP in which the more usual sensorimotor deficits develop later. Immune-based therapy, including intravenous immunoglobulin, was found to be effective in both the pure sensory and sensorimotor types.
Fusion of Gaussia Luciferase to an Engineered Anti-carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Antibody for In Vivo Optical Imaging

The bioluminescent protein Gaussia luciferase (GLuc) was fused to an anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) antibody fragment, the diabody, for in vivo optical tumor imaging. A 15-amino acid N-terminal truncation (GLDelta15) resulted in a brighter protein. Fusions of the anti-CEA diabody to full-length GLuc and GLDelta15 retained high affinity for the antigen, emitted light, and exhibited excellent enzymatic stability. In vivo optical imaging of tumor-bearing mice demonstrated specific targeting of diabody-GLDelta15 to CEA-positive xenografts, with a tumor/background ratio of 3.8 +/- 0.4 at four hours after tail-vein injection, compared to antigen-negative tumors at 1.3 +/- 0.1 (p = 0.001). MicroPET imaging using (124)I-diabody-GLDelta15 demonstrated specific uptake in the CEA-positive tumor (2.6% ID [injected dose]/g) compared to the CEA-negative tumor (0.4% ID/g) at 21 hours. Although further optimization of this fusion protein may be needed to improve in vivo performance, the diabody-GLDelta15 is a promising optical imaging probe for tumor detection in vivo.
Classification, seasonality and persistence of low-frequency atmospheric circulation patterns

Abstract Orthogonally rotated principle component analysis (RPCA) of Northern Hemisphere 1-month mean 700 mb heights is used to identify and describe the seasonality and persistence of the major modes of interannual variability. The analysis is detailed and comprehensive, in that 1) a high resolution, approximately equal-area 358-point grid is used for the virtually maximum possible 35-year period of record, 2) a positive bias in the NMC data base in the early 1950s in the subtropics is largely eliminated for the first time, and 3) homogeneous, separate analyses of each month of the year are carried out, detailing the mouth-to-month changes in the dominant circulation patterns. Winter results are similar to those of other recent RPCA and teleconnection studies except that some less obvious patterns are identified and further detail of the better-known patterns is provided. Two north-south dipole patterns are found over the Pacific Ocean (West Pacific Oscillation and East Pacific pattern) and over the Atla...
Time consistency and the feasibility of alternative exchange rate regimes

Abstract In a stochastic cash in advance model of an open economy, a fixed exchange rate regime is dynamically inconsistent (and hence economically infeasible) in a Cournot-Nash equilibrium if there are no exogenous constraints imposed on government behaviour and nominal interest rates are strictly positive. On the other hand, a perfectly floating exchange rate regime is feasible but it cannot sustain any international asset trade. However, a noncooperative equilibrium with nonzero asset trade and a fixed exchange rate regime may become feasible when we allow policymakers to employ trigger (retaliation) strategies.
Successful and unsuccessful multicommunication episodes: Engaging in dialogue or juggling messages?

This paper describes instances of multicommunicating--or engaging in more than one conversation at a time. It uses a critical incident technique to explore successful and unsuccessful incidents of multicommunicating from the perspective of 201 MBA students. Additionally, we asked which media individuals pair together when multicommunicating. We found very frequent pairing of the telephone (which provides partial compartmentalization but no flexibility of tempo) with electroric text (which provides both compartmentalization and flexibility of tempo). We also found that respondents provide a variety of reasons for labeling a particular episode as "unsuccessful." In many cases the person seemed to describe an episode as unsuccessful when the person or a communicating partner had exceeded his or her ability to juggle multiple conversations as demonstrated by communication errors.
Biochemical adaptations to moderately high altitude living

Human adaptation to moderately high altitude living produces physiological changes. We examined blood chemistry values in 46 male and 30 female natives residing at 3000 m and compared them to an adult population not matched for age (44 men and 40 women) residing at sea level. The following values were significantly lower ( p p p p p
TNFα siRNA Reduces Brain TNF and EEG Delta Wave Activity in Rats

Abstract Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is a pleiotropic cytokine with several CNS physiological and pathophysiological actions including sleep, memory, thermal and appetite regulation. Short interfering RNAs (siRNA) targeting TNFα were incubated with cortical cell cultures and microinjected into the primary somatosensory cortex (SSctx) of rats. The TNFα siRNA treatment specifically reduced TNFα mRNA by 45% in vitro without affecting interleukin-6 or gluR1–4 mRNA levels. In vivo the TNFα siRNAα reduced TNFα mRNA, interleukin-6 mRNA and gluR1 mRNA levels compared to treatment with a scrambled control siRNA. After in vivo microinjection, the density of TNFα-immunoreactive cells in layer V of the SSctx was also reduced. Electroencephalogram (EEG) delta wave power was decreased on days 2 and 3 on the side of the brain that received the TNFα siRNA microinjection relative to the side receiving the control siRNA. These findings support the hypothesis that TNFα siRNA attenuates TNFα mRNA and TNFα protein in the rat cortex and that those reductions reduce cortical EEG delta power. Results also are consistent with the notion that TNFα is involved in CNS physiology including sleep regulation.
Cytochemical demonstration of nucleoside phosphatase activity in myelinated nerve fibers of the rat.

The histochemical and cytochemical localization of end product from the Wachstein-Meisel reaction was examined in transverse frozen sections of rat ischiatic nerve and spinal nerve roots. A variety of fixatives, substrates, and inhibitors were used at varying pH. Following glutaraldehyde fixation, nucleoside phosphatase activity was noted in the axon-Schwann cell interface of both unmyelinated and myelinated nerve fibers. The presence of this enzymatic activity at this strategic location in the nerve fiber complex attests to the importance of this space as a metabolically active site. Additional deposits of end product occurred on neurofilaments of myelinated and unmyelinated axons and were observed as diffuse axonal stains by light microscopy. These precipitates had a predilection for tissue fixed in formalin or hydroxyadipaldehyde and were relatively more prominent following acidic incubations. The resemblance between these deposits and spurious axonal “acid phosphatase” precipitates was discussed.
Substance Use and Mental Health Severity Among LGBTQ Individuals Attending Minnesota Model-Based Residential Treatment

This administrative data analysis examined substance use and mental health severity among a sample of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals receiving residential treatment for an alcohol or drug use disorder. LGBTQ were statistically compared to heterosexual patients on a number of variables, including frequency and amount of pretreatment alcohol use, frequency of pretreatment illicit drug use, co-occurring Axis I mental health diagnoses, and past history of physical or sexual abuse. LGBTQ patients exhibited significantly greater severity on nearly all variables, suggesting a strong relationship between clinical severity and being a sexual minority. This study also found a relationship between patient gender and the pattern of differences between LGBTQ and heterosexual patients. These results replicate and extend those of studies examining LGBTQ in the general population and suggest opportunities for development of alcohol/drug treatment approaches that address the uniqu...
Obesity and PCOS: the effect of metabolic derangements on endometrial receptivity at the time of implantation.

Successful embryonic implantation is the result of a receptive endometrium, a functional embryo at the blastocyst stage and a synchronized dialog between maternal and embryonic tissues. Successful implantation requires the endometrium to undergo steroid-dependent change during each menstrual cycle, exhibiting a short period of embryonic receptivity known as the window of implantation. The term “endometrial receptivity” was introduced to define the state of the endometrium during the window of implantation. It refers to the ability of the endometrium to undergo changes that will allow the blastocyst to attach, penetrate, and induce localized changes in the endometrial stroma. These changes are metabolically demanding, and glucose metabolism has been proven to be important for the preparation of the endometrium for embryo implantation. Obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) represent 2 common metabolic disorders that are associated with subfertility. The aim of this review is to summarize the effect of obesity and PCOS on endometrial receptivity at the time of implantation. Focus will be on metabolic alterations that regulate decidualization, including glucose metabolism, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperandrogenism.
Effects of drugs, age and illumination on response speed of squirrel monkeys

Four young (2 1/2 years) and four older (over 10 years) squirrel monkeys were used to study age differences in the effects of d-amphetamine, methylphenidate and illumination on response speed. Although young monkeys were faster than the old monkeys, only the older monkeys showed an illumination effect. Both d-amphetamine and methylphenidate slowed response speed but only in the older monkeys showed an illumination illumination was present. These results suggest that older, mature squirrel monkeys are more sensitive to the effects of d-amphetamine, methylphenidate and illumination than young squirrel monkeys.
Atomic scale coexistence of periodic and quasiperiodic order in a 2-fold Al-Ni-Co decagonal quasicrystal surface

Decagonal quasicrystals are made of pairs of atomic planes with pentagonal symmetry periodically stacked along a 10-fold axis. We have investigated the atomic structure of the 2-fold surface of a decagonal Al-Ni-Co quasicrystal using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The surface consists of terraces separated by steps of heights 1.9, 4.7, 7.8, and 12.6{angstrom} containing rows of atoms parallel to the 10-fold direction with an internal periodicity of 4{angstrom}. The rows are arranged aperiodically, with separations that follow a Fibonacci sequence and inflation symmetry. The results indicate that the surfaces are preferentially Al-terminated and in general agreement with bulk models.
A method for combining results from several prospective epidemiologic studies

An approach to the problem of a single study lacking adequate power to examine an important question is to combine the data from several studies to allow a more powerful test of the hypothesis in question. The present paper describes a method used by the International Collaborative Group to pool data on 54,492 men aged 40-69 from 10 population studies in 7 countries to examine the association between cholesterol level and risk of death from cancer. Furthermore, there was a suggestion that the inverse association observed in some studies might be the result of an effect of undetected cancer on cholesterol level, rather than an increase in cancer risk resulting from low cholesterol levels. This paper describes the process for selection of the method used to evaluate this possibility over other potential approaches and the results obtained in the analysis of the International Collaborative Group data that support this hypothesis. This report also indicates how one might expect some of the analyses described to compare with analyses based on a discrete version of the Cox proportional hazards model.
Adult Learning, Community Education, and Public Health: Making the Connection through Community Health Advisors.

This chapter provides an overview of community health education; describes efforts occurring within the Mississippi Delta and Alabama to develop individuals as community health advisors for their local areas; and describes the process of their learning to become agents of change in their own lives and in the lives of their community members.
Testing potential dosage form strategies for intestinal lymphatic drug transport: studies in the rat

Abstract The effect of some differing formulation strategies on the intestinal lymphatic transport of DDT has been evaluated. Drug-lipid vehicle combinations were administered to conscious rats by the peroral route, or to anesthetized rats by intraduodenal infusion. A 2 mg dose of DDT was dissolved in either 200 μl of peanut oil (triglyceride) or 200 μl of oleic acid (fatty acid) and administered to mesenteric lymph duct cannulated rats. During the post-dosing period, there were no significant differences in the percent dose of DDT collected in intestinal lymph when administered in peanut oil by either the peroral (24.3 ± 3.0% dose) or intraduodenal route (19.9 ± 1.8% dose). When the same dose of DDT was administered in oleic acid, greater lymphatic transport occurred when the DDT-lipid vehicle combination was administered intraduodenally (35.7 ± 2.1% dose), rather than perorally (16.6 ± 3.3% dose). It is postulated that these differences may be due to differing effects of the fatty acid and triglyceride lipids on gastric emptying and/or intestinal motility. When considering that a drug product can release a drug-lipid combination at different sites within the gastrointestinal tract (stomach or small intestine), these results may have a bearing on potential formulation strategies and dosage form design for the enhancement of the lymphatic transport of lipophilic drugs. Simulated sustained release preparations using a 200 μl/8 h infusion of peanut oil containing 2 mg of DDT did not afford significantly enhanced lymphatic transport of DDT when compared to a 200 μ1/2 h infusion of the same drug-lipid combination. There was a large amount of variation in the lymphatic transport of DDT administered at the slower rate of infusion. When animals were pre-dosed with 75 μl of peanut oil prior to infusion of 2 mg DDT in 200 μl over 8 h, there was much less variability in the lymphatic transport of DDT. It appears that there may. be an optimal rate of lipid input into the small intestine to trigger, or initiate, significant lymphatic transport of lipophilic molecules.