cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ISOLATION OF SALMONELLAE FROM NATURALLY CONTAMINATED DRIED MILK PRODUCTS

Eight plants that were equipped with several types of driers and that produced a variety of dried milk products were surveyed for Salmonella contamination. Each plant had a history of Salmonella isolations from finished product. Sampling included production fractions as well as tailings and environmentals. Distribution of salmonellae was not random in fractions of product obtained during a day's operation. One-fourth of the 277 samples of the first product through the system (animal feed) contained salmonellae; this was a higher frequency than the 5.6% positive tests observed in 963 samples of other fractions produced later during daily operation. The incidence of Salmonella isolations in these food-grade products also was lower than that observed in 873 tailings samples (10.5%), in 1125 air filter samples (23.6%), and in 763 environmental samples (21.1%). However, plants with Salmonella-positive air filters or environmentals were able, on occasion, to manufacture product free of salmonellae. Results of t...
Regular biennial cycles in epidemics caused by parametric resonance

The interaction between nonlinearity and seasonal forcing in childhood infectious diseases often leads to multiyear cycles with large amplitude. Regular biennial cycles in particular were observed in measles reports throughout the world. The objective of this paper is to understand the mechanism of such biennial cycles, especially the conditions under which the large amplitude biennial oscillation might appear. It is proposed that such biennial cycles are caused by parametric resonance, which might occur when varying the parameter at a frequency close to twice the natural frequency of the system. The analysis is carried out by solving an SIR model semi-analytically using method of multiple scales (MMS). This analysis shows how parametric resonance occurs due to the interaction between nonlinearity and periodic forcing. Using the MMS solution, the boundary between the resonance region and the non-resonance region in the parameter space is obtained. The effects of different parameters on the triggering of parametric resonance are studied, such as transmission rate, recovery rate, birth rate and amplitude of seasonality. The effects of stochasticity on the onset of parametric resonance are also studied.
Service Delivery to Children With Mild Hearing Loss: Current Practice Patterns and Parent Perceptions.

Purpose This study investigates clinical practice patterns and parent perception of intervention for children with mild hearing loss (HL). Method Ages at and delays between service delivery steps (...
Redefining the Ideal: Exquisite Imperfection in the Dance Studio

It has become a cultural cliche to equate dancers with unattainable perfection. When movies, television, and print advertisements want to portray perfection, they are often accompanied by the image...
An Integrative Approach to Pediatric Headache Management: Nutraceuticals

The aim of this paper is to familiarize readers with the breadth of nutraceutical options available to patients that may empower autonomous headache management and lessen headache burden with a low potential for adverse effects. Over recent years, the demand and evidence for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) options in the form of nutraceuticals has grown. Recent data also suggests the benefits of placebo may be equivalent when compared to first-line headache preventive medications in children. While medications are often the mainstay of treatment for headache management, the evidence to support medication use in children continues to be weakened by high placebo rates. Patients are increasingly using nutraceuticals with or without physician input. The mechanisms of these therapies are often unclear, but placebo responses are likely involved. Given the high tolerability and low side effect profile reported in nutraceutical trials, these treatments may represent an opportunity to elicit the placebo response in this population, serving as an alternative or complement to medications. Future trials designed to compare nutraceuticals and first-line headache preventive medications would assist in clarifying relative efficacy and safety.
Targeting of TRAIL Apoptotic Pathways for Glioblastoma Therapies

Recent advances in cancer biology have generated novel cancer therapeutics that can activate apoptotic pathways in human cancers. Among the apoptotic therapeutics, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has received much attention because it can selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Preclinical studies in glioblastoma cell lines, primary cultures, and xenografts have resulted in the development of TRAIL-based therapeutic modalities for the treatment of glioblastoma. These include recombinant human TRAIL (rhTRAIL), agonistic antibodies against TRAIL death receptors, DR4 and DR5, TRAIL-producing neural stem cells, TRAIL-expressing oncolytic vectors, and nanoparticles conjugated with TRAIL-expressing vectors. Although rhTRAIL and DR4 and DR5 agonistic antibodies have entered clinical trials in patients with solid cancers and hematological malignancies, many challenges remain before any of these therapeutic modalities can be successfully developed into clinical treatments for glioblastoma. It remains to be seen whether and how the therapeutics can be effectively distributed through glioblastoma that is diffusely infiltrating through the human brain. In addition, the vast majority of the tumors are resistant to TRAIL and thus require combination treatments that can overcome the resistance. Finally, genetic analysis of human glioblastomas is required to identify the genetic defects in apoptotic genes that could be used as biomarkers to predict the responsiveness of the tumors to TRAIL-based therapies.
InSAR Time-Series Estimation of the Ionospheric Phase Delay: An Extension of the Split Range-Spectrum Technique

Repeat pass interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) observations may be significantly impacted by the propagation delay of the microwave signal through the ionosphere, which is commonly referred to as ionospheric delay. The dispersive character of the ionosphere at microwave frequencies allows one to estimate the ionospheric delay from InSAR data through a split range-spectrum technique. Here, we extend the existing split range-spectrum technique to InSAR time-series. We present an algorithm for estimating a time-series of ionospheric phase delay that is useful for correcting InSAR time-series of ground surface displacement or for evaluating the spatial and temporal variations of the ionosphere’s total electron content (TEC). Experimental results from stacks of L-band SAR data acquired by the ALOS-1 Japanese satellite show significant ionospheric phase delay equivalent to 2 m of the temporal variation of InSAR time-series along 445 km in Chile, a region at low latitudes where large TEC variations are common. The observed delay is significantly smaller, with a maximum of 10 cm over 160 km, in California. The estimation and correction of ionospheric delay reduces the temporal variation of the InSAR time-series to centimeter levels in Chile. The ionospheric delay correction of the InSAR time-series reveals earthquake-induced ground displacement, which otherwise could not be detected. A comparison with independent GPS time-series demonstrates an order of magnitude reduction in the root mean square difference between GPS and InSAR after correcting for ionospheric delay. The results show that the presented algorithm significantly improves the accuracy of InSAR time-series and should become a routine component of InSAR time-series analysis.
Epigenetic regulation of male fate commitment from an initially bipotential system.

A fundamental goal in biology is to understand how distinct cell types containing the same genetic information arise from a single stem cell throughout development. Sex determination is a key developmental process that requires a unidirectional commitment of an initially bipotential gonad towards either the male or female fate. This makes sex determination a unique model to study cell fate commitment and differentiation in vivo. We have focused this review on the accumulating evidence that epigenetic mechanisms contribute to the bipotential state of the fetal gonad and to the regulation of chromatin accessibility during and immediately downstream of the primary sex-determining switch that establishes the male fate.
Preparing Children for Hospitalization and Threatening Medical Procedures

Early observations of children’s behavioral and emotional reactions to hospitalization were grim. Practitioners noted a gamut of negative affective reactions stemming from hospitalization, ranging from anger, irritability, and increased aggression (e.g., Jensen, 1955) to panic, screaming, and crying (e.g., Prugh, Staub, Sands, Kirschbaum, & Lenihan, 1953) and listlessness, negativism and apathy (e.g., Jessner, Blom, & Waldfogel, 1952). Behavioral disruptions of sleep (such as increased nightmares, insomnia, and fear of the dark), eating problems, separation anxiety, and regression were also reported (e.g., Jackson, Winkley, Faust, & Cermack, 1952). Some concerned clinicians suggested in the 1950’s that childhood hospitalization could result in lasting effects on personality development and negative reactions toward medical procedures (e.g., Chapman, Loeb, & Gibbons, 1956). Later Douglas (1975) documented long-term effects 20 years after hospitalization, which included behavioral problems, learning difficulties, and delinquency.
PASSIVE REMOTE SENSING OF THE WATER VAPOR IN THE TROPOSPHERE AND ITS METEOROLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Satellite sensing of the water vapor in the atmosphere has been accomplished in the infrared and microwave spectral regions. The infrared measurements in the vibration rotation band (6.3 μm) and the rotation band (20 μm) have been used to derive the water vapor vertical profile and total precipitable water whereas measurements near the 22 GHz resonance line in the microwave have been used to obtain precipitable water. The weighting functions corresponding to the infrared spectral measurements have a broad halfwidth of about 2 km which results in a poor vertical resolution of the retrieved profile. In addition, water vapor sounding depends strongly upon the surface temperature and the temperature profile in the lowest layers of the atmosphere. Since these measurements have significant errors, the resultant remotely sensed water vapor profile is subject to error. From climatological data, water vapor profiles over water bodies can be modeled in a simple way. This permits the remote sensing of the precipitable water over the oceans with a satisfactory accuracy (≃0.3g/cm 2 ) both in the infrared and microwave regions. Seasonal and large scale distributions of precipitable water vapor over the oceans have thus been successfully determined. Water vapor in the atmosphere can be used as a tracer of the atmospheric motions. The 6.7 μm measurements from Nimbus satellites have revealed the presence of subsiding and rising motions associated with jet streams in the upper troposphere around 300 mb. The recent observations made by the geostationary satellite METEOSAT in the 6.7 μm region shed new light on the circulation prevailing in the upper troposphere. The seasonal mean distribution of precipitable water sensed on the oceans reveals the nature of the atmospheric circulation in those regions. In particular, these precipitable water measurements can be interpreted in terms of sinking or rising motion at the top of the boundary layer. Such interpretation is in reasonable agreement with climatologically well-known regions of subsidence in the subtropical oceans and the rising motion in the intertropical convergence zones.
Heavy metal retention in tissues of cattle fed high cadmium sewage sludge.

A diet containing 11.5% (dry matter basis) of a moderately high Cd sewage sludge was fed to six Hereford steers for 106 days to simulate a high sludge intake from sludge-amended soils. At a mean live weight of 460 kg, the steers were slaughtered and liver, kidney, bone, muscle, lung, brain and spleen tissues were collected for heavy metal determinations; tissues were also collected at this time from six control steers fed the same diet with no sludge. The sludge-fed cattle consumed an average of 8.95 kg of diet dry matter/day and gained 1.13 kg/day. This feed intake was slightly higher, but the gain lower than that of control cattle. All gains were equal to those expected from intake of non-sludge diet components. This indicated that the sludge had approximately zero energy value and was acting as a dietary diluent. The sludge metal content (ppm, dry basis) was: Cd, 98; Hg, 18; Pb, 466; Cu, 1,733, and Zn, 1,733. Addition of sludge increased metal contents of the feedlot diet to 30 to 100 times that of the control. Retention of heavy metals in the total animal from sludge ingestion averaged .09%, .06% and .3% for Cd, Hg and Pb; no retention was noted from Cu and Zn. These low fractional retentions increased tissue Cd, Hg and Pb concentrations of liver and kidney tissues by five to 20-fold. Estimates of levels that would enter the human diet from average beef tissue consumption if all feedlot steers were fed sludge are presented for Cd, Hg and Pb. The data indicate that cattle are a moderately effective screen against the entry of these potentially toxic metals into the human diet.
Chapter 22 – Input Devices

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses upon input devices that designate locations and movements in space, including touch screen devices, light pens, graphic tablets, mice, trackballs, and joysticks, and some more novel technologies. These devices are all reasonably well suited to pointing or selection among items on a display and the input of graphical information. They are not well suited to alphanumeric data entry. Human factors considerations affecting the design and selection of the different devices are considered first. Comparative human performance and preference data are then presented to aid in the selection of an appropriate device for an application. A touch-screen device produces an input signal in response to a touch or movement of the finger on the display. There are two fundamental principles of touch-screen operation; either an overlay is contacted or beams projected across the screen are interrupted. In the first category are conductive, capacitive, and cross-wire devices. The conductive touch screen has two conductive layers, each with an electrode grid in both the X and Y directions. When pressure is applied, the two surfaces touch and a circuit is completed.
Membrane Topology of the α Subunit of Na,K-ATPase

Although the amino acid sequence of the Na,K-ATPase is known, the transmembrane folding of its a subunit is the subject of considerable controversy. Several lines of evidence (8) support hydropathy plots that predict 4 transmembrane spans in the Nterminal third of the sequence. There is also general agreement that the middle third of the polypeptide chain is entirely cytoplasmic. The confusion lies in the C-terminal third of the sequence where hydropathy plots are ambiguous and models with three, four or six spans have been proposed. Rigorous identification of sites exposed on one side of the membrane or the other is essential for the development of a reliable folding model.
Technical video of endovascular repair of chronic postdissection thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm using a five-vessel preloaded fenestrated-branched stent graft.

Abstract Fenestrated-branched endovascular repair has been applied to treat chronic postdissection thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs). We report a patient with diffuse postdissection aortic aneurysm involving the arch and thoracoabdominal aorta treated in a staged fashion with redo aortic arch repair using the frozen elephant trunk technique, followed by completion endovascular TAAA using preloaded guidewire system and a five-vessel fenestrated and branched stent graft. A technical video illustrates the use of onlay fusion and sequential catheterization with the preloaded guidewire system to facilitate TAAA repair.
Germline polymorphisms and the risk of therapy-related myeloid neoplasms

Abstract Therapy-related myeloid neoplasms (t-MNs) are one of the lethal complications from cytotoxic chemotherapy/radiation therapy. There is substantial variability in the risk of developing t-MNs among individuals who receive the same level of exposures and it has been widely suspected that germline polymorphisms may influence the risk and account for the variability. As the number of cancer survivors increases, effectively identifying an individual with a high risk of developing t-MNs is crucial. Here, we review the previous studies that investigated the association between germline polymorphisms and the risk of t-MNs. Through this process, we also discuss inconsistencies among the results that stem from the difficulties in conducting an appropriate study to link germline polymorphisms with a disease like t-MN that is rare and has a strong association with external exposures.
Social norms are becoming weaker

A study finds that social norms have become weaker in the United States over the past 200 years. The changing strength of norms is linked to fluctuations in societal levels of innovation and risky behaviour.
Anti-drone cyber attacks (Conference Presentation)

Unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones, are poised to provide numerous beneficial services ranging from package delivery to surveillance. However, they also represent a threat when used for nefarious purposes. Problematic applications range from illegal activities such as smuggling to those that may be dangerous, such as flying over people at an event, to annoying and invasive activities, such as a neighbor spying. In cases where there are national security or safety implications or a need to stop an illegal activity, there is significant benefit in being able to disable, capture or even destroy drones. To this end, numerous technologies for interfering with drone operations and trying to capture drones have been proposed. However, one of the most globally effective approaches, which can be as useful on a handheld drone as on one with dozens of feet of wingspan, is attacking its control and communications systems: that is, a cyberattack. This paper discusses how drones can be attacked electronically and techniques which can be designed to confuse, gain control of and even damage or destroy drones. In particular, numerous types of common exploits are considered and their applicability to the drone attacking challenge is evaluated. The paper also discusses similarities and differences between the presented classes of anti-drone techniques and presents a decision matrix for choosing between them. It also discusses how drones can be hardened against cyber-attacks and the implications of this turning into a persistent battle of one-upmanship between drone attackers and defenders, over time.
Delayed Sleep Time in African Americans and Depression in a Community-Based Population

Study Objectives:Studies have shown racial differences in circadian rhythm in African Americans when compared to non-Hispanic whites, and an association between circadian dyssynchrony and depressio...
Harnessing tipping points in complex ecological networks

Complex and nonlinear ecological networks can exhibit a tipping point at which a transition to a global extinction state occurs. Using real-world mutualistic networks of pollinators and plants as prototypical systems and taking into account biological constraints, we develop an ecologically feasible strategy to manage/control the tipping point by maintaining the abundance of a particular pollinator species at a constant level, which essentially removes the hysteresis associated with a tipping point. If conditions are changing so as to approach a tipping point, the management strategy we describe can prevent sudden drastic changes. Additionally, if the system has already moved past a tipping point, we show that a full recovery can occur for reasonable parameter changes only if there is active management of abundance, again due essentially to removal of the hysteresis. This recovery point in the aftermath of a tipping point can be predicted by a universal, two-dimensional reduced model.
Efficient synthesis of NIR emitting bis[2-(2′-hydroxylphenyl)benzoxazole] derivative and its potential for imaging applications

Abstract Unassymetric bis[2-(2′-hydroxyphenylbenzoxole)] bis(HBO) derivatives with a DPA functionality for zinc binding have been developed with an efficient synthetic route, using the retrosynthetic analysis. Comparison of bis(HBO) derivatives with different substitution patterns allows us to verify and optimize their unique fluorescence properties. Upon binding zinc cation, bis(HBO) derivatives give a large fluorescence turn-on in both visible (λem ≈ 536 nm) and near-infrared (NIR) window (λem ≈ 746 nm). The probes are readily excitable by a 488 nm laser, making this series of compounds a suitable imaging tool for in vitro and in vivo study on a confocal microscope. The application of zinc binding-induced fluorescence turn-on is successfully demonstrated in cellular environments and thrombus imaging.
A Real Time Pharmacokinetic Testing Method to Allow Individualized Melphalan Dosing in Multiple Myeloma Patients Undergoing Autologous Transplant

High dose melphalan (HDM) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is standard of care for multiple myeloma (MM). However, ∼40% of patients fail to achieve complete remission, in part due to variability in melphalan exposure (AUC) when using body-surface-area (BSA)-based dosing, which results in suboptimal exposure and response. HDM, 100mg/m2 on day -2 and -1, allows for potential day -1 dose modification if day -2 pharmacokinetic (PK) testing with rapid turnaround is performed. Here we describe a clinically reproducible method of PK testing that allows for real-time HDM dose adjustments. We developed an in-house melphalan assay and performed PK analysis using LC-MS/MS. Adult MM patients were administered HDM on days -2 and -1 prior to ASCT. Blood for PK sampling were drawn at 10 time points post-infusion on day -2 and day -1 in the first 5 patients and day -2 in the remainder. PK parameters were determined from plasma concentration versus time data by a noncompartmental analysis using WinNonlin 8.1. Toxicities up to 30 days after ASCT and day 90 disease response were analyzed. Eighteen patients received 200mg/m2 and 2 received 140mg/m2. Day -2 and -1 AUC correlated well (r=0.8), allowing for a method of dose adjustment using linear, dose-proportional calculations for future PK-directed studies. We observed a 2.3-fold variation in melphalan exposure within our patient cohort, with a median day -2 AUC of 7.49 (range: 4.95-11.28) mg*h/L, confirming significant interpatient variability. We then calculated the theoretical absolute day -1 dose required to target the total median melphalan AUC and compared it to the BSA-based dose. The change in day -1 dose ranged from -124 mg to +206 mg (Figure 1A). When expressed as BSA-based mg/m2/dose, we found that doses ranging from 133-308 mg/m2 were required to target the total median AUC (Figure 1B). Using D-optimality, we determined that reducing blood sampling (4 time points) did not affect AUC prediction, confirmed by comparing mean AUCs between both sampling schedules (7.76 vs. 7.80 mg*h/L; p=0.8193). We examined associations between AUC and clinical outcomes. In modified Poisson regression, higher AUC correlated with increased risk of febrile neutropenia (p=0.05) and a trend towards increased use of antiemetics (p=0.07). Collection of disease response data is ongoing. We report minimal intrapatient variability in melphalan day -2 and -1 AUC allowing a linear, dose-proportional method of dose-adjustment without need for a pre-transplant test dose. Dose adjustment simulations based on patients' PK data demonstrate that large, bi-directional dose adjustments are required to target a median AUC, emphasizing the importance of PK-directed HDM dosing. This novel dosing approach using rapid melphalan PK testing in MM patients undergoing ASCT will decrease interpatient variability and improve myeloma outcomes.
The Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education (in prison): Using the frames to teach incarcerated students

As a sophomore at Goucher College—with a growing awareness of the connections between race, class, education, and incarceration in the United States—I decided to volunteer as a writing tutor with the Goucher Prison Education Partnership (GPEP). GPEP “provides men and women incarcerated in Maryland with the opportunity to pursue an excellent college education” in classes where “students are held to the rigorous academic standards for which Goucher is known.”
Spatially Informed CNN for Automated Cone Detection in Adaptive Optics Retinal Images

Adaptive optics (AO) scanning laser ophthalmoscopy offers cellular level in-vivo imaging of the human cone mosaic. Existing analysis of cone photoreceptor density in AO images require accurate identification of cone cells, which is a time and labor-intensive task. Recently, several methods have been introduced for automated cone detection in AO retinal images using convolutional neural networks (CNN). However, these approaches have been limited in their ability to correctly identify cones when applied to AO images originating from different locations in the retina, due to changes to the reflectance and arrangement of the cone mosaics with eccentricity. To address these limitations, we present an adapted CNN architecture that incorporates spatial information directly into the network. Our approach, inspired by conditional generative adversarial networks, embeds the retina location from which each AO image was acquired as part of the training. Using manual cone identification as ground truth, our evaluation shows general improvement over existing approaches when detecting cones in the middle and periphery regions of the retina, but decreased performance near the fovea.
Environmental capacities in Latin America: a comparison of Brazil, Chile, and Mexico

Ecological modernization (EM) is a contested idea. Most accounts agree EM entails significant state commitment to environmental protection that accommodates environmental values to neoliberal econo...
Pronounced declines in dispensed licit fentanyl, but not fentanyl derivatives.

Abstract Background Fentanyl and its derivatives are highly utilized opioid-based analgesics provided to patients in various formulations, but this agent has also been implicated in many overdoses when misused. The evolving opioid crisis has increased pressure on the healthcare industry to monitor opioid prescriptions. Different policies and procedures implemented to contain the crisis have impacted the utilization of some opioids. Objective A prior report identified three-fold differences between states in fentanyl use. This study explored fentanyl distribution patterns from 2010 to 2019. Methods The amount of fentanyl base distributed from 2010 to 2019 was obtained from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Sufentanil, alfentanil, and remifentanil were also analyzed from 2010 to 2017, the most recent year reported. Prescriptions, units, and reimbursement for 2010 and 2019 were obtained from Medicaid and fentanyl prescriber specialty from Medicare Part D. Results There was a 65.5% decrease in the overall milligrams of fentanyl per person distributed corrected for population. Ohio had the greatest decrease (−79.3%), while Mississippi saw the smallest (−44.5%). There was a 6.8-fold regional difference in the quantity of fentanyl distributed per person in 2010 from hospitals (South Dakota = 775.2, Alabama = 113.2 μg/person). The regional difference was also sizeable for pharmacies (6.2-fold, Mississippi = 1,025.3, Washington DC = 165.6). Medicaid reimbursement in 2019 was $165 million for over eight hundred-thousand prescriptions with the majority for generic (99.7%) and injectable (77.6%) formulations. Interventional pain management and anesthesia were over-represented, and hematology/oncology significantly under-represented for fentanyl prescriptions in Medicare. Conclusion The distribution of fentanyl-based substances decreased, although not uniformly, in the US over the last decade. Additionally, the most prescribed formulations of fentanyl have transitioned away from transdermal, potentially in an effort to regulate its availability. The considerable state-level disparities observed for fentanyl distribution from pharmacies and hospitals warrant further attention as there may be regional practices which are incongruent with evidence-based medicine.
Retail Bond Investors and Credit Ratings

Using comprehensive data on U.S. corporate bond trades since 2002, we find that retail bond investors over-rely on untimely credit ratings, neglect firm fundamentals, and appear to misunderstand the trade-off between bond risk and yields. Specifically, retail investors appear to select bonds by first screening on a credit rating level and then sorting by yield, buying the highest-yielding bonds within each rating level. Because yields lead credit ratings, selecting on yield-within-rating means that retail investors systematically trade in the opposite direction of accounting fundamentals, buy in advance of credit downgrades and defaults, and generate negative average future returns. Overall, our findings indicate that retail bond investors systematically mislearn from prices, which is hard to reconcile with standard notions of rationality. Our study provides new evidence of ill-informed trading in a market that is thought to be relatively sophisticated, and contributes to our understanding of the roles and consequences of credit ratings in debt markets.
The Impact of Technology on Health Care Productivity

Low productivity in health services is a serious, current issue. Although health is the largest service industry in the United States, with expenditures having exceeded the $100 billion mark, the extent to which technology has been used to improve productivity and efficiency has not been encouraging. The more prominent causes of this poor record may be (a) little incentive to improve productivity, (b) the small size of typical medical care organizations, (c) a disaggregated marketplace, (d) the conservative character of the medical community, and (e) the lack of suitable clinical settings for scientifically controlled experimentation. Also, a hypersensitivity is developing to technology’s tendency to “drive” the system--or the “gadget-in-search-of-a-mission syndrome,” which so often prevails today. Some persons are beginning to ask that a valid need be determined by analysts and that these proven needs then be used to “drive” the introduction of new technologies.
Development of simple and rapid procedures for purification of egg yolk immunoglobulin and ovotransferrin from chicken egg and antimicrobial activity of ovotransferrin against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes

v CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 Dissertation Organization 3 CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 4 I. Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes 4 I-1. Escherichia coli O157:H7 4 I-2. Listeria monocytogenes 6 II. Natural antimicrobial proteins in chicken eggs 8 II-1. Egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) 9 II-1.1. Characteristics of IgY 9 II-1.2. Passive immunizations of animals using IgY 10 II-1.3. Separation and purification methods of IgY 12 II-2. Lysozyme 15 II-3. Ovotransferrin 17 II-3.1. Chemical and physical characteristics of ovotransferrin 18 II-3.2. Iron uptake and release of ovotransferrin 19 II-3.2.1. Iron uptake of ovotransferrin 19 II-3.2.2. Iron release of ovotransferrin 21 II-3.2.3. Effect of sodium bicarbonate on iron uptake and release 23 II-3.3. Purification methods of ovotransferrin 23 II-3.4. Activated lactoferrin 26 II-3.5. Antimicrobial activity of ovotransferrin 27 II-3.5.1. Mechanism of antibacterial action of ovotransferrin 28 II.3.5.2. Factors affecting antibacterial activity of ovotransferrin 29 II-3.6. Bactericidal peptides of ovotransferrin 31 III. Summary 32 References 33 CHAPTER 3. PREPARATION OF EGG YOLK IMMUNOGLOBULIN (IGY) FROM CHICKEN EGGS USING AMMONIUM SULFATE PRECIPITATION AND IRON EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY 60 Abstract 60 Introduction 61 Materials and Methods 63 Results and Discussion 65 Conclusion 70 References 70 CHAPTER 4. AN ECONOMIC AND SIMPLE PURIFICATION PROCEDURE FOR THE LARGE-SCALE PRODUCTION OF OVOTRANSFERRIN FROM EGG WHITE 88 Abstract 88
Timing Analysis and Optimization of Sequential Circuits

Recent years have seen rapid strides in the level of sophistication of VLSI circuits. On the performance front, there is a vital need for techniques to design fast, low-power chips with minimum area for increasingly complex systems, while on the economic side there is the vastly increased pressure of time-to-market. These pressures have made the use of CAD tools mandatory in designing complex systems. Timing Analysis and Optimization of Sequential Circuits describes CAD algorithms for analyzing and optimizing the timing behavior of sequential circuits with special reference to performance parameters such as power and area. A unified approach to performance analysis and optimization of sequential circuits is presented. The state of the art in timing analysis and optimization techniques is described for circuits using edge-triggered or level-sensitive memory elements. Specific emphasis is placed on two methods that are true sequential timing optimizations techniques: retiming and clock skew optimization. Timing Analysis and Optimization of Sequential Circuits covers the following topics: Algorithms for sequential timing analysis Fast algorithms for clock skew optimization and their applications Efficient techniques for retiming large sequential circuits Coupling sequential and combinational optimizations. Timing Analysis and Optimization of Sequential Circuits is written for graduate students, researchers and professionals in the area of CAD for VLSI and VLSI circuit design.
Exploiting speculative thread-level parallelism in data compression applications

Although hardware support for Thread-Level Speculation (TLS) can ease the compiler's tasks in creating parallel programs by allowing the compiler to create potentially dependent parallel threads, advanced compiler optimization techniques must be developed and judiciously applied to achieve the desired performance. In this paper, we take a close examination on two data compression benchmarks, GZIP and BZIP2, propose, implement and evaluate new compiler optimization techniques to eliminate performance bottlenecks in their parallel execution and improve their performance. The proposed techniques (i) remove the critical forwarding path created by synchronizing memory-resident values; (ii) identify and categorize reduction-like variables whose intermediate results are used within loops, and propose code transformation to remove the inter-thread data dependences caused by these variables; and (iii) transform the program to eliminate stalls caused by variations in thread size. While no previous work has reported significant performance improvement on parallelizing these two benchmarks, we are able to achieve up to 36% performance improvement for GZIP and 37% for BZIP2.
A Pseudomonas stutzeri outer membrane protein inserts copper into N2O reductase

Among a set of frameshift mutagen (ICR-191; Polysciences, Inc.)-induced mutations that confer inability to grow anaerobically with N2O as the sole electron acceptor, one class was found that produced an inactive N2O reductase which lacked copper. All of these mutant strains failed to produce a 61,000-Mr protein located in the outer membrane. This protein, termed NosA, seems not to be responsible for bringing copper into the cell because the mutant strains and their parent were similarly sensitive to the copper content of the growth medium and no intermediate copper concentration in the medium permitted the mutant strains (nosA) to grow anaerobically with N2O as the sole electron acceptor. We conclude that NosA is necessary to insert copper into N2O reductase or to maintain it there.
A roadmap to defining the clinical reportable ranges of chemistry analytes: Increasing automation efficiency and decreasing manual dilutions.

Abstract Background Proper utilization of resources is an important operational objective for clinical laboratories. To reduce unnecessary manual interventions on automated instruments, we conducted a workflow analysis that optimized dilution parameters and reporting of abnormally high chemistry results for the Beckman AU series of chemistry analyzers while maintaining clinically acceptable reportable ranges. Methods Workflow analysis for the Beckman AU680/5812 and DxC800 chemistry analyzers was performed using historical data. Clinical reportable ranges for 53 chemistry analytes were evaluated. Optimized dilution parameters and upper limit of reportable ranges for the AU680/5812 instruments were derived and validated to meet these reportable ranges. The number of specimens that required manual dilutions before and after optimization was determined for both the AU680/5812 and DxC800, with the DxC800 serving as the reference instrument. Results Retrospective data analysis revealed that 7700 specimens required manual dilutions on the DxC over a 2-y period. Using our optimized AU-specific dilution and reporting parameters, the data-driven simulation analysis showed a 61% reduction in manual dilutions. For the specimens that required manual dilutions on the AU680/5812, we developed standardized dilution procedures to further streamline workflow. Conclusions We provide a data-driven, practical outline for clinical laboratories to efficiently optimize their use of automated chemistry analyzers. The outcomes can be used to assist laboratories wishing to improve their existing procedures or to facilitate transitioning into a new line of instrumentation, regardless of the instrument model or manufacturer.
Depression and physical health among family caregivers of geriatric patients with cancer--a longitudinal view.

Background: We investigated, in a sample of 491 cancer patient/caregiver dyads, the impact of caregiving on caregivers' mental and physical health over a period of one year (four assessments). Our model postulates that patient and caregiver characteristics impact caregiver experiences, and all of these in turn affect the mental and physical health of the caregiver. Material/methods: Random-effects regression methods were employed to investigate how patient and caregiver characteristics affect caregiver experiences, and how these same patient and caregiver characteristics affect caregiver physical and psychological health, and are mediated by caregiver experiences. Results: Caregivers' personal perceptions of the caregiving experience (impact on schedule, social functioning, abandonment) played a central role as determinants of caregiver outcomes (depression and physical health). The contextual elements that came to the foreground as either direct or indirect determinants of caregiver outcomes were the patient characteristics symptoms, depression, treatment, comorbidity and cancer site, and the caregiver characteristics education, esteem derived from caregiving, and living arrangement. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that physicians, oncologists and other health care providers involved in the care of cancer patients should be cognizant of the demands put on caregivers. Periodic assessments and dialogue with the caregiver about their experiences, needs and concerns in combination with a review of the patient's illness trajectory may be necessary to insure that caregivers are able to provide quality care to their patients and not succumb to the burdens of caregiving.
Fonction et origine probable du point équant de Ptolémée

RESUME. — En partant toujours des apparences, nous examinons les fonctions du point equant et du cercle deferent excentrique dans la theorie planetaire de Ptolemee. Nous demontrons que la necessite du point equant devient evidente aussitot que l'on essaye de sauver les longueurs des arcs retrogrades, et les intervalles entre eux, particulierement dans le cas de Mars. Enfin, nous proposons une hypothese sur la demarche qui a conduit Ptolemee a la decouverte du point equant.
Primary structure and functional characterization of a high-affinity glutamate transporter

Glutamate transport across plasma membranes of neurons, glial cells and epithelial cells of the small intestine and kidney proceeds by high- and low-affinity transport systems. High-affinity (Km 2-50 microM) transport systems have been described that are dependent on Na+ but not Cl- ions and have a preference for L-glutamate and D- and L-aspartate. In neurons high-affinity glutamate transporters are essential for terminating the postsynaptic action of glutamate by rapidly removing released glutamate from the synaptic cleft. We have isolated a complementary DNA encoding an electrogenic Na(+)- but not Cl(-)-dependent high-affinity glutamate transporter (named EAAC1) from rabbit small intestine by expression in Xenopus oocytes. We find EAAC1 transcripts in specific neuronal structures in the central nervous system as well as in the small intestine, kidney, liver and heart. The function and pharmacology of the expressed protein are characteristic of the high-affinity glutamate transporter already identified in neuronal tissues. The abnormal glutamate transport that is associated with certain neurodegenerative diseases and which occurs during ischaemia and anoxia could be due to abnormalities in the function of this protein.
Association between the Severity of Angiographic Coronary Artery Disease and Paraoxonase Gene Polymorphisms in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute–Sponsored Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) Study

Paraoxonase (PON), a high-density lipoprotein–associated enzyme, is believed to protect against low-density lipoprotein oxidation and thus affects the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Three polymorphisms in the PON1 (Leu55Met and Gln192Arg) and PON2 (Ser311Cys) genes have been shown to be associated with the risk of CAD in several European or European-derived populations. In the present study, we examined the associations between these three markers and the severity of CAD as determined by the number of diseased coronary artery vessels in 711 subjects (589 whites and 122 blacks) from the Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study. WISE is a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute–sponsored multicenter study designed to address issues related to ischemic-heart-disease recognition and diagnosis in women. Subjects were classified as having normal/minimal CAD (!20% stenosis), mild CAD (20%–49% stenosis), and significant CAD (50% stenosis). The women who had 50% stenosis were further classified into groups with one-, two-, or three-vessel disease if any of the three coronary arteries had diameter stenosis 50%. No significant association was found between the PON polymorphisms and stenosis severity in either white or black women. However, among white women, when data were stratified by the number of diseased vessels, the frequency of the PON1 codon 192 Arg/Arg genotype was significantly higher in the group with three-vessel disease than in the other groups (those with one-vessel and two-vessel disease) combined
Socioeconomic Achievement and Religion: The American Case

Religious preference at several points in the life cycle is examined with regard to its affect on socioeconomic achievement and with regard to how religious preference is influenced by education, occupation, and income. The importance of considering the several major denominations separately instead of as a single category is demonstrated. When this is done Jews, Presbyterians, and Episcopalians have above average socioeconomic achievements; Methodists and Catholics are near the mean; and Baptists are below the average. Controlling for social origins and early achievements greatly attenuates the differences, but does not remove them with regard to education and income.
Identification and characterization of roundabout orthologs in zebrafish

The Roundabout (Robo) family of receptors and their extracellular ligands, the Slit protein family, play important roles in repulsive axon guidance. First identified in Drosophila, Robo receptors form an evolutionarily conserved sub-family of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily that are characterized by the presence of five Ig repeats and three fibronectin-type III repeats in the extracellular domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic domain with several conserved motifs that play important roles in Robo-mediated signaling (Cell 92 (1998) 205; Cell 101 (2000) 703). Robo family members have now been identified in C. elegans, Xenopus, rat, mouse, and human (Cell 92 (1998) 205; Cell 92 (1998) 217; Cell 96 (1999) 807; Dev. Biol. 207 (1999) 62). Furthermore, multiple robo genes have been described in Drosophila, rat, mouse and humans, raising the possibility of potential redundancy and diversity in robo gene function. As a first step in elucidating the role of Robo receptors during vertebrate development, we identified and characterized two Robo family members from zebrafish. We named these zebrafish genes robo1 and robo3, reflecting their amino acid sequence similarity to other vertebrate robo genes. Both genes are dynamically expressed in the developing nervous system in distinct patterns. robo3 is expressed during the first day of development in the hindbrain and spinal cord and is later expressed in the tectum and retina. robo1 nervous system expression appears later in development and is more restricted. Moreover, both genes are expressed in non-neuronal tissues consistent with additional roles for these genes during development.
The Z-polyhedral model

The polyhedral model is a well developed formalism and has been extensively used in a variety of contexts viz. the automatic parallelization of loop programs, program verification, locality, hardware generationand more recently, in the automatic reduction of asymptotic program complexity. Such analyses and transformations rely on certain closure properties. However, the model is limited in expressivity and the need for a more general class of programs is widely known.We provide the extension to ⁰-polyhedra which are the intersection of polyhedra and lattices. We prove the required closure properties using a novel representation and interpretation of ⁰-polyhedra. In addition, we also prove closure in the ⁰-polyhedral model under images by dependence functions---thereby proving that unions of LBLs, widely assumedto be a richer class of sets, is equal to unions of ⁰-polyhedra. Another corollary of this result is the equivalence of the unions of ⁰-polyhedraand Presburger sets. Our representation and closure properties constitute the foundations of the ⁰-polyhedral model. As an example, we presentthe transformation for automatic reduction of complexity in the ⁰-polyhedral model.
Treatment of astigmatism-related amblyopia in 3- to 5-year-old children.

Best-corrected acuity was measured for vertical and horizontal gratings and for Lea Symbols® recognition acuity in 3- to 5-year-old children with high astigmatism and in non-astigmatic children. There was significant amblyopia among astigmatic children at baseline. There was no evidence that eyeglass correction of astigmatism resulted in a reduction in amblyopia over a 4-month average treatment duration (although vision in astigmatic children was significantly improved immediately upon eyeglass correction, indicating that eyeglass correction did provide a visual benefit). Treatment outcome results are discussed in terms of both methodological issues and theoretical implications.