cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Current status of tumour markers

Tumour markers are defined as substances, measured by laboratory techniques, which are useful in the management of the patient with cancer. In this review the current clinical use and abuse of tumour markers is discussed with a view to outline the status of quality assurance in their performance and to establish the significance of single marker versus multiple marker analysis. The problems of screening are considered. It is emphasized that in order for tumour markers to take their appropriate place in cancer management the following are needed: high throughput automated equipment; new markers and new assays for old markers; reference materials and standards; nomenclature standardization and the introduction and evaluation of quality assurance programs which include proficiency studies. These needs can only be achieved by close cooperation of clinicians, laboratory professionals and the diagnostic industry.
Allelopathic potential of menthofuran monoterpenes fromCalamintha ashei

A reversed-phase HPLC analysis was used to separate and quantify five menthofuran monoterpenes inCalamintha ashei leaf soaks and washes. (+)-Evodone and desacetylcalaminthone were the major constituents of both soaks and washes. Concentrations of (+)-evodone and desacetylcalaminthone were as high as 0.66 and 0.74 mM, respectively, in leaf soaks. The highest concentration of monoterpenes in leaf washes obtained by misting was 0.021 mM. Aqueous solubilities of the menthofurans were determined to exceed concentrations required for growth inhibition. Bioassays of individualCalamintha monoterpenes demonstrated effects on germination as low as 0.05 mM for (+)-evodone. An equimolar mixture of desacetylcalaminthone and (+)-evodone reducedRudbeckia hirta germination by 17% at a combined concentration of 0.025 mM forLeptochloa dubia. Confirmation of allelopathic effects byCalamintha ashei will require long-term bioassays ofCalamintha menthofurans on the growth of native sandhill species under conditions comparable to the harsh environment of the Florida scrub.
Streaming Potential Measurement in Live Plants for Energy Harvesting Applications

We propose a convenient and easy method to harvest electric potential from plants based on streaming energy. Streaming potential and streaming current are well known phenomenon in the field of microfluidics. Plants also possess micron sized negatively charged xylem and phloem conduits where ionic sap fluid move by virtue of plant pressure. We predict that the movement of ionic sap could cause a streaming potential difference between the upper and lower portions of the stem. Two 400 μm thick Ag/AgCl electrodes probes were implanted (one at near the root and the other near the shoot) and sealed with PDMS resin. A multichannel multimeter was employed to continuously monitor and record the potential difference across the two probes. Thus a clear understanding of the streaming potential in plant system can be obtained.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Ambivalent Grandmothers Raising Teen Daughters and Their Babies

The study’s purpose was to describe the experience of young grandmothers in families with teen mothers. Cross-sectional surveys and phone interviews were conducted with a multiethnic sample of 25 mothers or guardians of teen mothers enrolled in an urban high school. Participants and their daughters completed measures of mother-daughter conflict, self-esteem, and motherdaughter relationships. Adescriptive thematic analysis was conducted with grandmothers’ transcribed responses to open-ended interview questions. 69% of grandmothers rated their overall relationship with their daughters as positive, and 46% indicated an improved relationship since the birth of the baby. Areas of mother-daughter conflict included childrearing decisions, time with friends, household chores, and teens’ choices/priorities. Interview data revealed themes of identity confusion in young grandmothers, the many stresses of early grandparenthood, pride and joy in grandchildren, family social support, and limited coping resources. Commu...
El Niño and the Southern Oscillation. Multiscale Variability and Global and Regional Impacts

The series of books edited by H.F. Diaz and V. Markgraf are standouts in the still-bullish ENSO market. El Nino and the Southern Oscillation. Multiscale Variability and Global and Regional Impacts is their second book; the first, El Nino: Historical and Paleoclimatic Aspects of the Southern Oscillation, was published in 1992. The contents of the latest volume are eclectic: four chapters cover modern ENSO variability, three treat miscellaneous impacts, four are about paleoclimate, one investigates historical records, and one presents a theoretical model. Only true ENSO junkies will be interested in all of these topics. Fortunately for the publisher, there is no shortage of us.
Seismic Behavior of Curtain Walls Containing Insulating Glass Units

In-plane dynamic racking crescendo tests were performed on full-scale curtain wall mock-ups dry glazed with six different insulating glass unit (IGU) configurations and one laminated glass unit configuration. The tests were conducted to determine the serviceability and ultimate limit state behaviors of these configurations tested under simulated earthquake-induced lateral drifts. All IGU configurations tested were manufactured with an annealed monolithic pane and a laminated pane with an argon fill and an anodized aluminum spacer between the panes. Several parameters were varied in the laminated pane of each configuration including glass lite thickness and glass type in the laminated pane (annealed, heat strengthened, and fully tempered), and PVB interlayer thickness for the laminated pane. Properties of the annealed inside pane were not varied. For each configuration, average drift values for the occurrence of glass cracking in each IGU pane, glass fallout from the monolithic pane, and pullout and fallout of the entire glass unit are reported. Relevant damage to the aluminum framing is also reported. Results of these tests can be used to assess the seismic resistance of similarly glazed architectural glass panels in practice and to improve the design of asymmetric IGU configurations for use in seismic regions.
Computer simulation to compare three sampling plans for health and production surveillance in California dairy herds

Abstract Computer simulation was carried out to determine the optimal combination of sampling plan and sample size for estimation of four health and production variables in California Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA), member herds. Three sampling plans i.e. simple random, stratified (by herd size) random with proportional allocation and stratified random with Neyman allocation, called hereafter Sampling plans 1,2 and 3, respectively, and 8 levels of sample size (10–80, in increments of 10 herds) were used to estimate parameters of 4 production and health variables: average milk production, California Mastitis Test (CMT) score, average days open and services per conception. The sampling frame used was the list of California DHIA member dairy herds in June 1984. Simulation involved generating 1000 random samples for each comparison variable for the 24 combinations of sampling plan and sample size. Three bounds on the error of estimation (5,10 and 20%) of the 4 comparison variables were specified to compute the frequency of sample means falling within these bounds for each strategy. Based on the frequency criterion, no difference was found between Sampling plans 1 and 2 for all comparison variables except average milk production. For average milk production with a 5% bound on the error of estimation, Sampling plan 2 gave more precise estimates than Sampling plan 1 for sample sizes of 40–70. However, this difference did not exist using either a 10 or 20% bound on the error of estimation. For average milk production, Sampling plan 3 yielded a substantially larger percentage of point estimates within a 5 or 10% bound on the error for all sample sizes considered than Sampling plans 1 and 2. Similar results were observed for CMT score using sample sizes between 30 and 80 dairy herds. For average days open, Sampling plan 3, relative to Sampling plan 1 and 2, yielded 4–8% more point estimates of population parameter within a 5% bound on the error of estimation with sample sizes of 40–80. No meaningful difference was noticed among the three sampling plans for estimation of mean services per conception. Sampling plan 3 was the most efficient sampling plan for the health and production variables considered in this study. With respect to sample size, the mean of such production variables as average milk production, services per conception and average days open could be estimated with precision using a sample size of 80 or less dairy herds. For disease variables with variance structure similar to CMT score, precise estimates cannot be obtained using sample sizes of up to 80 herds; a sample size substantially larger than 80 herds would be required to provide a precise estimate of the central value.
The effect of birth hospital type on the outcome of very low birth weight infants.

Objective. To test the hypothesis that the likelihood of death or major morbidity is reduced for very low birth weight (VLBW; Methods. A population-based cohort study was conducted of all live births of 500 to 1499 g at the 19 hospitals in the greater Cincinnati region from September 1, 1995, through December 31, 1997 (N = 848). Primary outcome was the risk-adjusted, predischarge mortality or morbidity, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, severe intracranial hemorrhage, severe retinopathy of prematurity, or necrotizing enterocolitis for VLBW infants who were born at subspecialty perinatal centers compared with those who were born at nonsubspecialty centers. Results. The odds of death or major morbidity for VLBW infants who are born at nonsubspecialty perinatal centers is twice that of infants who are born at subspecialty centers despite controlling for demographic (odds ratio [OR]: 2.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7–4.2) and practice characteristics (OR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.2–3.2). The effect of birth hospital type on death or major morbidity was greater for infants of 1000 to 1499 g birth weight (OR: 3.42; 95% CI: 2.0–6.1) than for infants of 500 to 999 g birth weight (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.0–4.8). Conclusion. The current study lends strong support to existing Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommendations that deliveries at
Tissue-specific alterations in G protein expression in genetic versus diet-induced models of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the mouse.

Abstract Various tissues were obtained from the well-characterized genetic model ( C57BL/6J- ob ob ) of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and from a diet-induced model of NIDDM produced in the same genetic background (C57BL/6J). The objectives were to determine whether the previously observed changes in guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (G protein) expression in adipose tissue from ob ob mice were mirrored by concomitant changes in other tissues, and whether NIDDM of a different etiology would share similar alterations in G protein expression. Plasma membranes from adipocytes, brain, heart, liver, and testes were probed with α-subunit-specific antisera, and the level of G protein expression in each model was compared with that in its lean littermate control. Adipose, heart, and liver cell membranes from ob ob mice contained significantly less α-subunit of stimulatory G protein (G s α) than those from their lean littermates. As compared with the lean littermates, heart α-subunit-2 of inhibitory G protein (G i α-2), liver G i α-3, and adipocyte G i α-1 and G i α-3 were also reduced in ob ob mice. In contrast, G i α-2 and G o α were increased over lean-control levels in brain tissue from ob ob mice, whereas G s α was unchanged. G protein expression in the testes did not differ between lean and ob ob mice. In the diet-induced model of NIDDM, G s α expression in the liver was twofold greater in obese/diabetic mice as compared with lean controls. However, G protein expression in all other tissues examined did not differ between obese/diabetic animals and lean littermates. Although the severity of overt symptoms of NIDDM is comparable between the two models, the diet-induced model does not suffer from the documented endocrine abnormalities of hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism noted in the ob ob mouse. Thus, it seems likely that the G protein changes noted in the ob ob mouse are not the direct result of the obese or diabetic condition, but may be secondary to endocrine differences between the two models.
Vocopher: The Career Collaboratory

Vocopher: The Career Collaboratory is an Internet-based website (http://www.vocopher.com) that contains free career instruments and educational materials intended for practitioners, researchers, and teachers of career development. The instruments include inventories and tests designed to measure the processes that shape career development and work adjustment. Measures of content, such as interests and values, are not included. The Internet site also includes a multimedia library that contains video and audio presentations from conferences on vocational psychology and career counseling. The library also contains memorials to and presentations by important figures in the history of counseling psychology.
Lung Transplantation: Advances in Immunosuppression

Since the advent of various novel immunosuppressants, including tacrolimus, rapamycin, and daclixumab. expanding variations of protocols have been developed. Little evidence exists to substantially support a single agent over another. or a combination regimen protocol over another. Therefore, the principles and the goals of immunosuppression in lung transplantation recipients will remain moving targets and continue to evolve, and the use of large-scale, multi-institutional clinical trials is imperative to develop optimal immunosuppressive strategies.
Narrative Remains: Articulating Indian Identities in the Repatriation Context

This article pursues two basic agendas. My primary purpose is to explore the contours of repatriation language as spoken by Native Americans directly participating in repatriation processes. To this end, I argue that a first step entails a critical assessment of the terms and assumptions by which repatriation discourse is framed by observers, participant observers included. Therefore, the first section of this article works toward a critical theory of repatriation discourse, with particular reference to religious language and narratives of identity. I make a case for approaching repatriation discourse as a rhetorical field. Questions I ask include: Who speaks? Under what constraints? With what possibilities? Addressing these questions, among others, I advocate an analytical approach to repatriation that is both specific and frank in exploring the ways group boundaries are shaped and reshaped through narrative.
Focal knee lesions in knee pairs of asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects with OA risk factors—Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

Objective To better understand the relationship between knee pain and bilateral knee lesions, we compared focal knee lesions in knee pairs of subjects with no, unilateral, and bilateral knee pain, and risk factors for knee osteoarthritis (OA), but no radiographic knee OA.
Nonlinear ground-state pump-probe spectroscopy

A theory of pump-probe spectroscopy is developed in which optical fields drive two-quantum, Raman-like transitions between ground state sublevels. Three fields are incident on an ensemble of atoms. Two of the fields act as the pump field for the two-quantum transitions. The absorption or gain of an additional probe field is monitored as a function of its detuning from one of the fields which constitutes the pump field. Although the probe absorption spectrum displays features common to those found in pump-probe spectroscopy of single-quantum transitions, new interference effects are found to modify the spectrum. Many of these features can be explained within the context of a dressed atom picture.
Multiple optical pulse propagation and population transfer in molecular vapor

Abstract We discuss population transfer in K 2 vapor during the production of optically pumped laser (OPL) emission. The OPL emission is produced with a pump laser tuned to a selected K 2 ( B 1 Π u − X 1 Σ g + ) transition and is observed to occur on one or more transitions back to the ground state. Amplification of a probe laser emission introduced in the counterintuitive sequence and tuned to one of the OPL emission transitions is observed. The experimental results are compared to computer simulations. The simulations show that 80% of the system population ends up in the terminal level of the OPL emission in K 2 vapor.
A sensitive assay for human enterokinase and some properties of the enzyme.

Abstract 1. 1. Current methods for the determination of enterokinase (enteropeptidase, EC 3.4.4.8) involve two steps: (a) activation of trypsinogen under conditions which minimize autocatalytic activation, conversion of trypsinogen to inert products and autodigestion of trypsin, and (b) estimation of liberated trypsin by conventional procedures. We have developed a simple, highly sensitive single stage assay for enterokinase in which complicating side reactions are competitively inhibited by the presence of a large excess of specific trypsin substrate such as GANA or RBB-hide. The new method requires the equivalent of 2 μl or less of duodenal juice (or other source of enterokinase) and furnishes results of excellent reproducibility within 5–15 min. 2. 2. Enterokinase separated by customary gel filtration of duodenal juice is contaminated with a small amount of α 2 -macroglobulin-bound trypsin. Our procedure permits isolation of an enterokinase fraction free from this contaminant. 3. 3. Human enterokinase is extremely sensitive to changes in ionic strength. It is most active at an ionic strength far below that of its physiological environment. An increase in salt concentration is accompanied by a striking decrease in activity. Physiological saline almost completely inhibits the enzyme in our system. However, inhibition is diminished progressively by increasing trypsinogen concentrations and in vivo activation of the zymogen proceeds freely under such conditions. These observations are of critical importance in the determination of enterokinase. They also may be relevant to the symptomatology of partial enterokinase deficiency. 4. 4. Ca 2+ at very low concentrations (0.025–0.1 mM) is an effective activator of enterokinase in our fluorometric assay system. However, Ca 2+ concentrations higher than 0.5 mM strongly inhibit the enzyme. The presence of other components in the reaction mixture may modify this effect. Thus, maximum activation in our colorimetric assay, with RBB-hide as trypsin substrate, requires 2–5 mM Ca 2+ . 5. 5. Human enterokinase is inhibited by TLCK and thus appears to belong to the group of serine—histidine proteases.
Bad data processing when using the coupled measurement model and Takahashi's sparse inverse method

The paper revisits the computation of residual covariance matrix diagonal entries, which are used for calculating the normalized residuals that are in turn used for bad data identification. It is shown that these entries may be inadvertently computed incorrectly if one uses the commonly accepted implementation of the sparse inverse method due to the numerical cancellations that occur in the formation of the so-called gain matrix. This situation occurs when the coupled measurement model is used. Indeed, the coupled model is required if there are current measurements that do not lend themselves to decoupling. Numerical example will be given for a test power system to show the impact of these cancellations on bad data analysis that uses post-processing of residuals and the largest normalized residual test. The errors may lead to sequential removal of good data eventually leading to a biased estimation. They may also lead to unacceptable covariance values, e.g., less than zero, which will then destroy the validity of bad data analysis. While it appears like a minor oversight in the application of efficient sparse inverse implementation, due to its adverse impact on state estimation and therefore overall power system operation, it will have to be corrected. The paper will first illustrate the issue and then a simple modification in the implementation of the sparse inverse method will be shown in order to avoid this error.
The effect of ethanol intoxication on the response to uncontrolled hemorrhage in a rodent model

Study objectives: Ethanol intoxication has been shown to have significant hemodynamic and metabolic effects after hemorrhage, according to studies using fixed-volume controlled blood loss models. We present an acute ethanol-intoxicated uncontrolled hemorrhage model in which we tested the null hypothesis that there would be no difference in the hemorrhage volumes and hemodynamic responses between ethanol intoxicated (EtOH+) rats and nonintoxicated (EtOH–) rats. Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with Althesin by the intraperitoneal route (IP). Twenty (EtOH+) rats received a 3 g/kg dose of 20% ethanol (IP) 60 minutes before uncontrolled hemorrhage. The ETOH– rats received an equivalent volume of normal saline solution IP. The femoral artery was cannulated by cutdown to monitor the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and to obtain blood samples for lactate. Twenty (10 EtOH+, 10 EtOH–) rats underwent uncontrolled hemorrhage by 75% tail amputation. Twenty (10 EtOH+, 10 EtOH–) rats served as nonhemorrhage controls. The MAP, lactate, and cumulative hemorrhage volume per 100 g of rat weight (CHV) were measured prehemorrhage and then every 15 minutes posthemorrhage for 120 minutes. Data were reported as mean±SEM. Group comparisons were analyzed by analysis of variance with repeated values; post hoc testing was by Bonferroni adjustment (all tests were 2-tailed, α=0.05). Results: Before hemorrhage, the ETOH+ and ETOH– were evenly matched for lactate and MAP. Ethanol levels at tail amputation were 170±68 mg/dL. CHV (mL/100 g) were similar ( P =.23) for the ETOH– (2.36±0.24) and ETOH+ (1.87±0.32) groups. No significant ( P =1.00) difference was noted in posthemorrhage MAP between ETOH– (68.6±6.8 mmHg) and ETOH+ (69.3±7.2 mmHg) rats. The ETOH– group had a significantly ( P Conclusion: At this level of moderate ethanol intoxication, a lactic acidosis was not observed prehemorrhage. Posthemorrhage, ethanol intoxication may have ameliorated hemorrhagic shock, as evidenced by a lower level of arterial lactate.
The Radiating Impact of Intimate Partner Violence

Many studies of violence against women focus on the impact of abuse on the victim's emotional and physical well-being. Here the authors expand the conceptualization of the impact of violence to include other aspects of the victim's life as well as the lives of those in her social world. Analyses of life narrative interviews with women 1 year after their stay in battered women's shelters indicates that violence affects not only women who are abused but also those who are not directly victimized yet who nonetheless suffer consequences of violence. The authors discuss the implications of this conceptualization of violence for both research and policy
The developmental stage determines the distribution and duration of gene expression after early intra-amniotic gene transfer using lentiviral vectors

Gene transfer after intra-amniotic injection has, in general, been of low efficiency and limited to epithelial cells in the skin, pulmonary and gastrointestinal system. We have recently shown that early gestational administration results in a more efficient gene transfer to developmentally accessible stem cell populations in the skin and eye. In this study we present a comprehensive analysis of patterns of tissue expression seen after early intra-amniotic gene transfer (IAGT) using lentiviral vectors. To assess the influence of developmental stage on tissue expression, injections were administered from the late head fold/early somite stage (E8) to E18. In early gestation (E8-10), green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression was observed in multiple organs, derived from all three germ layers. Remarkably, GFP expression was observed in tissues derived from mesoderm and neural ectoderm at E8, whereas expression was limited to only epithelial cells of ectoderm- and endoderm-derived organs after E11. The amount and duration of gene expression was much higher after IAGT at early gestational time points. The observed temporal patterns of gene expression correspond to the predicted developmental accessibility of organ-specific cell populations. This model may be useful for the analyses of mechanisms of genetic and/or developmental disease and for the development of prenatal gene therapy for specific disorders.
Harmful effects of seemingly helpful information on forecasts of stock earnings

Abstract Decision makers have expanding access to business information via computerized news retrieval systems. A greater understanding is needed about how this news retrieval information influences their performance and confidence. MBA students from an advanced finance course forecasted stock earnings using a computerized information system designed to simulate systems used in practice. Disguised actual company data were presented in three different treatments: baseline information, baseline plus redundant news information, and baseline plus nonredundant news information. The redundant information made subjects significantly more confident in their forecasts compared to the baseline case. The nonredundant information made subjects significantly more confident than both the baseline case and the redundant case. Forecast accuracy, however, was significantly diminished in both the redundant and nonredundant conditions compared to baseline. Thus, the additional news information, whether redundant or nonredundant, had the effect of degrading performance while increasing confidence. This indicates that decision makers may be poor judges of the usefulness of newly available information sources, and may be influenced by information that does not improve their performance under the false impression that it is helpful.
Characterization of Bovine Placental Lactogen as a GBycoprotein with N-Linked and O-Linked Carbohydrate Side Chains

In a previous report we showed that purified bovine placental lactogen (bPL) exists in two isoforms in the 31,000–33,000 Mr range, each with at least five isoelectric variants differing in approximately 2 orders of magnitude in isoelectric points (pI) 4–6. The multiple isoelectric variants are unique to the bovine hormone. In an effort to determine the nature of these variants endo- and exoglycohydrolase digestions were conducted to determine if this hormone was glycosylated. Analysis of peptide/N-glycosidase F and endoglycosidase F digests of radioiodinated bPL on one-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed a Mr decrease from 31,000 to 24,000 and 33,000 to 26,000 for the two isoforms. Digestion with a mixture of neuraminidase plus mixed exoglycosidases resulted in a Mr decrease of 4,000. Digestion with neuraminidase resulted in a Mr decrease of 2,000. Further analysis of peptide/N-glycosidase F- and neuraminidase-treated bPL by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed the isoelectric variants shifted fr...
Analysis of Built Environment Features and their Effects on Freight Activities

Abstract This study analyses truck parking citation data in Chicago to identify factors that affect concentration of high density of violations. Analysis of hot spots using a Geographic Information System (GIS) identified problem areas that are often along the major expressways as well as pockets of cold spots near the downtown. Regression analysis revealed two contrasting factors at play. One set of variables indicate that truck parking problems can be exacerbated by concentrations of food businesses in transit-oriented neighbourhoods. On the other hand, wealthy, stable neighbourhoods can present problems for truck parking.
The verification basis of the PM-ALPHA code

An overall verification approach for the PM-ALPHA code is presented and implemented. The approach consists of a stepwise testing procedure focused principally on the multifield aspects of the premixing phenomenon. Breakup is treated empirically, but it is shown that, through reasonable choices of the breakup parameters, consistent interpretations of existing integral premixing experiments can be obtained. The present capability is deemed adequate for bounding energetics evaluations.
Cytochemical correlates of atherosclerosis-resistant and susceptible lesions of the normal rabbit aorta

Quantitative cytochemical and microfluorimetric techniques were employed to compare mural intermediary metabolism--endothelial macromolecular uptake changes in spontaneous aortic-arteriosclerotic lesions of normolipemic New Zealand White rabbits. Specifically, mural succinic (SDH), lactic (LDH), and glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-PDH) dehydrogenase activities and luminal surface uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA) were measured in lesion sites abnormally resistant (calcified) and susceptible (proliferative) to dietary hypercholesterolemia. Calcified lesions exhibited severe (55-66%) diminution of SDH, LDH, and G-6-PDH activities within the involved inner mural zone and a comparable (68%) decline in luminal FITC-BSA uptake. Concomitant reductions in FITC-BSA uptake (30%) and marker enzymes of the predominant energy transducing pathways in arterial tissue, i.e., SDH (30%) and LDH (31%), were evidenced in proliferative foci, whereas G-6-PDH was augmented (52%) in comparison to nonlesioned aortic segments. These data lend additional support to the concept that endothelial uptake of plasma-borne macromolecules is coupled to oxidizable substrate requirements of inner avascular compartments of the arterial wall. It is postulated that diminished macromolecular transport in these degenerative lesions stems from reduced mural metabolic demands, and that pharmacologic reduction of vascular smooth muscle metabolism may depress uptake of sclerogenic macromolecules.
Small Area Estimates Reveal High Cigarette Smoking Prevalence in Low-Income Cities of Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County has among the lowest smoking rates of large urban counties in the USA. Nevertheless, concerning disparities persist as high smoking prevalence is found among certain subgroups. We calculated adult smoking prevalence in the incorporated cities of Los Angeles County in order to identify cities with high smoking prevalence. The prevalence was estimated by a model-based small area estimation method with utilization of three data sources, including the 2007 Los Angeles County Health Survey, the 2000 Census, and the 2007 Los Angeles County Population Estimates and Projection System. Smoking prevalence varied considerably across cities, with a more than fourfold difference between the lowest (5.3%) and the highest prevalence (21.7%). Higher smoking prevalence was generally found in socioeconomically disadvantaged cities. The disparities identified here add another layer of data to our knowledge of the health inequities experienced by low-income urban communities and provide much sought data for local tobacco control. Our study also demonstrates the feasibility of providing credible local estimates of smoking prevalence using the model-based small area estimation method.
Evolution of the reasoning hominid brain

Cognition is readily seen to be connected to evolution through plots of the ratio of cranial capacity to body size of hominids which show two regions of sharply increasing ratios beginning at 2.5 and 0.5 million years ago – precisely the critical times inferred by the author from his study of tools. A similar correlation exists between current human brain growth spurts and the onsets of the Piagetian stages of reasoning development. The first goal of the author's target article is stated to be “to make a case for the relevance of archeological contributions to studies of the evolution of cognition” (sect. 1, Introduction). His analysis focuses on spatial cognition.
Synthesis of Potential Early-Stage Intermediates in the Biosynthesis of FR900482 and Mitomycin C

Beyond the identification of 3-amino-5-hydroxybenzoic acid (AHBA) and D-glucosamine as biosynthetic precursors to mitomycin C (5) and FR900482 (6), little is known about the pathway Nature uses to prepare these antitumor antibiotics. To gain some insight into their biosynthesis, amino acids 1 and 2 as well as C-2 N-acetylated derivatives 3 and 4 were prepared. Preparation of these putative biosynthetic intermediates and N-acetylcysteamine thioester analogues 28 and 29 should enable confirmation of their involvement in FR900482 and mitomycin C biosynthesis.
Polymorphism in V kappa 10 genes encoding L chains of antibodies bearing the Ars-A and A48 cross-reactive idiotypes.

p-azophenylarsonate-specific antibodies of A/J mice which bear the Ars-A cross-reactive idiotype utilize the V K−Ars−A gene segment, a member of the V K 10 family. Southern hybridization of genomic DNA from several inbred strains using a probe from the 5′ flanking region of the V K−Ars−A gene demonstrated three patterns of restrictio fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP). Six genes corresponding to hybridizing bands were obtained from DNA libraries of C.AKR, PERU and A/J mice, and nucleotide sequence comparisons revealed two allelic groups: AKRI (Igk-V10.1 a ), AJ1 (Igk-V10.1 b ) and PERU1 (Igk-V10.1 c ); AKR2 (Igk-V10.2 a ), AJ2 (Igk-V10.2 b ), and PERU2 (Igk-V10.2 c ).The Igk-V10.1 b gene of the A/J strain is the V k−Ars−A gene used in Ars-A idiotype-positive antibodies. The product of the C.AKR allele (Igk-V10.1 a ) contained four amino acid substitutions in CDR3 as compared with Igk-V10.1 b . These substitutions probably explain the failure of AKR mice and other strains with the same VK10 RFLP pattern to provide in genetic crosses a L chain which, together with the A/J V H−ArsA gene product, form Ars-A idiotype-positive antibodies. Also, the nucleotide sequence identity between the Igk-V10.1 c and Igk-V10.1 b alleles and the Igk-V10.2 c and Igk-V10.2 b alleles is significantly greater than that seen in comparisons with the Igk-V10.1 a and Igk-V10.2 a alleles, respectively, suggesting an evolutionary pathway similar to that of the linked Igk-J locus. BALB/c antibodies bearing the A48 regulatory idiotype contain L chains encoded by the BALB/c Igk-V10.1 b and Igk-V10.2 b alleles. Strongly A48 idiotype-positive antibodies utilize the Igk-V10.1 b chain, and weakly A48-positive antibodies use the Igk-V10.2 b L chain. The possible effects of amino acid substitutions specified by the Igk-V10.1 a , Igk-V10.1 c , Igk-V10.2 a , and Igk-V10.2 c alleles on their ability to provide L chains used in A48 idiotype-positive are discussed. The locus name, Igk-V28 (D'Hoostelaere et al. 1988), will be used in this report in place of the name, Igk-VSer, used in the original publications (Goldrick et al. 1985; Boyd et al. 1986; Gottlieb et al. 1986; Ponath et al. 1988). The four alleles described at the Igk-VSer locus (Igk-VSer a , Igk-VSer b , Igk-VSer c , and Igk-VSer d ) are referred to as Igk-V28 a , Igk-V28 b , Igk-V28 c , and Igk-V28 d , respectively.
Team Learning in a Marketing Principles Course: Cooperative Structures That Facilitate Active Learning and Higher Level Thinking

This article examines team learning as a comprehensive pedagogy designed to facilitate active learning and higher level thinking. The key features of team learning and traditional learning are comp...
Molecular evidence that the myxozoan protists are metazoans

The evolutionary origins of the protistan phylum, Myxozoa, have long been questioned. Although these obligate parasites are like protozoans in many features, several aspects of their ontogeny and morphology have implied a closer relationship to metazoan lineages. Phylogenetic analyses of 18S ribosomal RNA sequences from myxozoans and other eukaryotes, with the use of parsimony, distance, and maximum-likelihood methods, support the hypothesis that myxozoans are closely related to the bilateral animals. These results suggest that the Myxozoa, long considered an assemblage of protozoans, should be considered a metazoan phylum.
Using equipment in unfamiliar clinical settings: Audiology screening

M ANY PEDIATRIC nurses previously comfortable with the hospital as the clinical practice setting are making the transition to the community as the work place. As a result, equipment used is unfamiliar to pediatric nurses acquiring new assessment skills. One example is the audiometry equipment used for hearing screening of school-aged children. The incidence of heating impaired newborns is estimated between 1.5 and 6.0 per 1000 live births (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 1997). The child with poor hearing is at risk for major speech and language development, which affects the entire spectrum of their education and socialization (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 1993). It is of paramount importance to detect hearing impaired children early to treat the hearing loss and any associated conditions, to prevent further loss, and to provide for special needs. The pediatric nurse assumes an important role in the screening for hearing impairment. Hearing testing lends itself to the situation of most school nurses where they can only screen a few children at a time in spare moments. The principles of screening are not difficult to learn and are easily reviewed before entering a testing situation. The machines for testing hearing, called audiometers, are not particularly expensive and share most features with each other. General screening principles are aimed at reducing variables and following a consistent procedure to arrive at reproducible results. Environmental variables are multiple and include ambient noise, visual distractions and uncomfortable extremes of a hot or cold room. The children themselves must be reassured, instructed, and made comfortable. The examiner should also be free of distractions, willing to adhere to protocol, and be familiar with the audiometer being used. AUDIOMETERS
Surface smoothing during sputtering : Mobile vacancies versus adatom detachment and diffusion

Surface smoothing during sputtering can occur through both vacancy diffusion and adatom diffusion. In this paper, using kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, we investigate the kinetic consequences of smoothing with either mechanism acting alone. Quasi-layer-by-layer sputtering and an approximately Arrhenius variation of pit density during submonolayer sputtering are observed with both types of surface smoothing. However, the two mechanisms result in significant differences in the pit size distribution for submonolayer sputtering and the vacancy coverage at which the maxima of the anti-Bragg specular beam intensity oscillations occur during layer-by-layer sputtering. These and other experimentally observable quantities are investigated as possible ways to determine the relative importance of the two smoothing mechanisms.
Enhanced sensitivity of immunoblotting with peroxidase-conjugated antibodies using an adsorbed substrate method

Immunoblots probed with immunoglobulin E (IgE)-containing sera from allergic patients are frequently used in allergy research. Current techniques for detection of specific IgE include radiolabeled and enzyme-linked methods. Although radiolabeled methods are very sensitive, many research groups prefer non-radioactive procedures with equal or greater sensitivity. Alkaline phosphatase (AP) and horse radish peroxidase (HRP) are the most frequently used conjugating enzymes for immunoblotting with the former generally recognized as more sensitive. We describe a method of immunoblot detection using HRP-conjugated immunochemicals with sensitivity equal to and for some systems greater than that of AP conjugates. An adsorbed substrate method for developing immunoblots probed with HRP immunochemical conjugates is compared with traditional AP and HRP methods. The adsorbed substrate system, when used to detect IgE binding to allergic proteins, gives high resolution and delineates bands not otherwise seen. The system has advantages of high sensitivity, rapid development and conservation of immunochemicals. Problems of fading, sensitivity to heat and light, and high background can be solved with increased washing, prompt photography and computer scanning.
Effect of Peripheral Arterial Disease on In-Hospital Outcomes After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Acute Myocardial Infarction

The presence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in patients with stable coronary artery disease is associated with an increased long-term risk of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. However, the effect of PAD on short-term outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction is less well understood. A total of 9,015 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction from the New York State Coronary Angioplasty Reporting System database, all of whom had undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention in 1998 and 1999, were analyzed. The diagnosis of PAD was determined by a history of aortoiliac, femoral-popliteal, or carotid disease. A logistic regression model was used to determine the relation between PAD and in-hospital death and major adverse cardiovascular events, which included a composite of death, recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, acute vessel occlusion, stent thrombosis, emergency coronary artery bypass surgery, and vascular injury. PAD had been diagnosed in 529 (5.9%) of the 9,015 patients. Patients with PAD had greater rates of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease and were significantly more likely to develop heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and hemodynamic instability. The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events was significantly greater in patients with PAD than in patients without PAD (20.4% vs 7.0%, p <0.001). Similarly, the in-hospital mortality rate was significantly greater among the patients with PAD (13% vs 3.8%, p <0.001). After adjusting for the baseline and procedural characteristics, PAD remained an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 2.2, 95% confidence interval 1.7 to 3.0, p <0.001). In conclusion, PAD was independently associated with a doubling of the in-hospital mortality risk among patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction.
Oncogenic cooperation between PI3K/Akt signaling and transcription factor Runx2 promotes the invasive properties of metastatic breast cancer cells

The serine/threonine kinase Akt/PKB promotes cancer cell growth and invasion through several downstream targets. Identification of novel substrates may provide new avenues for therapeutic intervention. Our study shows that Akt phosphorylates the cancer-related transcription factor Runx2 resulting in stimulated DNA binding of the purified recombinant protein in vitro. Pharmacological inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway in breast cancer cells reduces DNA-binding activity of Runx2 with concomitant reduction in the expression of metastasis-related Runx2 target genes. Akt phosphorylates Runx2 at three critical residues within the runt DNA-binding domain to enhance its in vivo genomic interactions with a target gene promoter, MMP13. Mutation of these three phosphorylation sites reduces Runx2 DNA-binding activity. However, Akt signaling does not appear to interefere with CBFβ-Runx2 interactions. Consequently, expression of multiple metastasis-related genes is decreased and Runx2-mediated cell invasion is supressed. Thus, our work identifies Runx2 as a novel and important downstream mediator of the PI3K/Akt pathway that is linked to metastatic properties of breast cancer cells.
2‐Cyano‐2′‐nitro­diazo­amino­benzene

All atoms except for the two O atoms in the title compound, C13H9N5O2, are essentially coplanar as the nitro group is twisted by 12.0 (3)° with respect to its phenyl ring. The near planarity of the entire system is stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond involving the nitro group which also limits the possible resonance forms of this mol­ecule. The cyano group is slightly bent.
A comparison of bubble and disk storage technologies

The evolution of disk storage technology is examined along with its application in current and possible future disk files. Progress in bubble storage technology is considered, and its merits are assessed as a competing storage technology. Tradeoffs in cost and performance are studied, which can enhance the application of disks and bubbles in computer storage hierarchies. Finally, likely entry points for bubbles in storage hierarchies are identified along with the required advances in bubble storage density.
Alaskan Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project

A project to establish an archive of Alaskan marine mammal tissues was conceived in 1987 to be a part of the National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank (NBSB). Protocols and field collection of marine mammals, long-term storage, and analysis are summarized in this paper. Instrumental neutron activation analysis has been used for an initial evaluation of trace element content in samples of northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) from the Pribilof Islands. The findings agree with previously observed trace element levels in northern fur seals. The archived specimens can be used in future studies when comparison of past and present pollution levels are needed.
A first look at inter-data center traffic characteristics via Yahoo! datasets

Effectively managing multiple data centers and their traffic dynamics pose many challenges to their operators, as little is known about the characteristics of inter-data center (D2D) traffic. In this paper we present a first study of D2D traffic characteristics using the anonymized NetFlow datasets collected at the border routers of five major Yahoo! data centers. Our contributions are mainly two-fold: i) we develop novel heuristics to infer the Yahoo! IP addresses and localize their locations from the anonymized NetFlow datasets, and ii) we study and analyze both D2D and client traffic characteristics and the correlations between these two types of traffic. Our study reveals that Yahoo! uses a hierarchical way of deploying data centers, with several satellite data centers distributed in other countries and backbone data centers distributed in US locations. For Yahoo! US data centers, we separate the client-triggered D2D traffic and background D2D traffic from the aggregate D2D traffic using port based correlation, and study their respective characteristics. Our findings shed light on the interplay of multiple data centers and their traffic dynamics within a large content provider, and provide insights to data center designers and operators as well as researchers.
Self-tuning of a fuzzy logic controller using a cell state space algorithm

A method of automatically fine-tuning the output function parameters of a fuzzy logic controller based on the cell mapping concept is presented. The method takes a computational approach to the analysis of phase-space-based information about the global behavior of the system. The values of the output function parameters are determined with cell-state-based optimal control algorithm. The input-output data in the table are used to fine-tune the output function parameters of the fuzzy logic controller through a novel application of a mean-square-error gradient estimation algorithm. The accuracy of the cell mapping is increased by using variable time step sizes for cell transitions. The resultant fuzzy logic controller implements a smooth, highly nonlinear control surface that requires a relatively small number of rules. The validity of the method is demonstrated for the time-optimal setpoint control of a DC motor. >