cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fractionation of Partially Degraded Tobacco Mosaic Virus Ribonucleic Acid

IN the step-wise analysis of nucleotide sequence in tobacco mosaic virus ribonucleic acid (TMV–RNA)1, occasional random splitting of internucleotide bonds results in the production of partially degraded molecules. These broken chains give rise to additional and, of course, false end-groups. In order that the sequence analysis be meaningful it is necessary that a method for the removal of broken chains be developed. We have looked into the possibility of separating undegraded from partially degraded TMV–RNA molecules by chromatography on methylated serum albumin–kieselguhr (MAK) columns2. Such a fractionation may also be of use in the reverse situation where it is desired to eliminate any intact molecules from a deliberately inactivated RNA preparation.
Effect of Homogenization Pressure on the Milk Fat Globule Membrane Proteins

Abstract The effect of high pressure homogenization on the milk fat globule membrane proteins was investigated. Milk with 1.5 or 3.0% milk fat was heated in vats at low or high temperature (65°C for 30min or 85°C for 20min), homogenized, cooled, and centrifuged to separate the cream and serum phases. The amount of protein load per surface area increased as homogenization pressure increased but decreased with heat treatment. The composition of the proteins forming the milk fat globule membrane in homogenized milk was not affected by homogenization pressure or fat concentration, but significant differences in the composition of the milk fat globule membrane were caused by the heat treatment that was applied before homogenization. The milk fat globule membrane proteins in homogenized milk were composed of native membrane proteins, caseins, a-lactalbumin, and s-lactoglobulin. Caseins represented about 70% of the proteins in the milk fat globule membrane. In milk heated at 85°C for 20min, the ratios of adsorbed α -lactalbumin and - β -lactoglobulin relative to adsorbed caseins were higher than in milk heated to 65°C.
Obesity and increased growth following partial or complete isolation of ventromedial hypothalamus.

Abstract Two series of adult female rats were studied for approximately 6 months following partial or complete surgical isolation of the ventromedial (VM) region of the hypothalamus from adjacent brain. Complete, anterior, and horizontal hypothalamic cuts produced high incidences of marked weight gain, obesity, hyperphagia, and visceral and somatic growth. The most pronounced effects were associated with cuts that reached the ventral surface of the brain bilaterally along the lateral border of the rostral half of the ventromedial nuclei or which extended laterally to the brain surface in a horizontal plane that bisected these nuclei. In the series in which body length was measured, 11 of 19 obese rats showed evidence of significant somatic growth, and some had nose-anal lengths 3–4 cm longer than controls. These results are compatible with the view that the VM region inhibits feeding behavior via connections to the lateral hypothalamus. In addition, these data suggest the presence of growth-promoting elements in the VM area which are subject to inhibition by connections from other brain structures.
3‐Aminobenzamide is lethal to MMS‐damaged human fibroblasts primarily during s phase

3-Aminobenzamide (3-AB) interferes with DNA repair and enhances lethality in growing MMS (methyl methane sulfonate)-treated human fibroblasts. This sensitivity to 3-AB disappears slowly; MMS-treated cells are sensitive to 3-AB for up to 36 hours (Boorstein and Pardee, 1984). Evidence is now presented that 3-AB potentiates the effects of MMS primarily during S phase. When cells were synchronized at the G1/S boundary, released, and then treated with MMS, 3-AB caused very substantial lethality in only 4 hours, and a 12-hour treatment gave maximum lethality. These cells also lost sensitivity to 3-AB within 12 hours of growth minus 3-AB. In contrast, MMS-treated quiescent (G0) cells did not lose sensitivity to 3-AB nor did 3-AB cause lethality during G0. Enhanced lethality occurred when damaged G0-arrested cells were subsequently allowed to proceed through S phase in the presence of 3-AB; this 3-AB sensitivity was removed only during growth in the absence of 3-AB. The lethality of 3-AB to a population of asynchronously cycling cells treated with MMS is thus the summation of effects on the cells as they traverse S phase. Aphidicolin prevenced lethality of 3-AB to cells released from G1/S and treated with MMS. It also inhibited the loss of sensitivity to added 3-AB later. Correlation with the inhibition of DNA synthesis by this drug suggests that DNA synthesis is essential for the lethality enhancement by 3-AB. Cells treated first with MMS and then with 3-AB accumulated in G2. This G2 arrest depended on S-phase events and correlated with cell lethality. Cells treated with a nonlethal dose of MMS at the G1/S boundary were delayed briefly (3 hours) in their passage through S and G2. These cells, when also exposed to 3-AB, were delayed 6–9 hours in S and they became arrested in G2. There was no G2 arrest when 3-AB was added only after these cells had reached G2. Treatment with 3-AB during S phase thus resulted in both enhanced lethality and G2 arrest. 3-AB inhibited repair of DNA single-strand damage, shown by alkaline elution analysis, in both S-phase and quiescent cells. Aphidicolin inhibited disappearance of breaks and eliminated the difference between 3-AB-treated and untreated cells. Lethality did not correlate well with the measured single-strand damage. We propose that there is a class of MMS-induced lesions whose repair occurs during normal replicative DNA synthesis. When this repair is interrupted by 3-AB, during S phase, sublethal damage is converted to lesions which arrest the cells in G2 phase and prevent them from forming colonies. DNA synthesis is required to reach the step in DNA repair at which 3-AB causes lethality.
WGEF activates Rho in the Wnt-PCP pathway and controls convergent extension in Xenopus gastrulation.

The Wnt–PCP (planar cell polarity, PCP) pathway regulates cell polarity and convergent extension movements during axis formation in vertebrates by activation of Rho and Rac, leading to the re-organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Rho and Rac activation require guanine nucleotide-exchange factors (GEFs), but the identity of the GEF involved in Wnt–PCP-mediated convergent extension is unknown. Here we report the identification of the weak-similarity GEF (WGEF) gene by a microarray-based screen for notochord enriched genes, and show that WGEF is involved in Wnt-regulated convergent extension. Overexpression of WGEF activated RhoA and rescued the suppression of convergent extension by dominant-negative Wnt-11, whereas depletion of WGEF led to suppression of convergent extension that could be rescued by RhoA or Rho-associated kinase activation. WGEF protein preferentially localized at the plasma membrane, and Frizzled-7 induced colocalization of Dishevelled and WGEF. WGEF protein can bind to Dishevelled and Daam-1, and deletion of the Dishevelled-binding domain generates a hyperactive from of WGEF. These results indicate that WGEF is a component of the Wnt–PCP pathway that connects Dishevelled to Rho activation.
Parallel Algorithms for Maximum Entropy Calculation

Maximum entropy extensions of partial statistical information lead to Gibbs distributions. In applications, the utility of these extensions depends upon our ability to perform various operations on the Gibbs distributions, such as random sampling, identification of the mode, and calculation of expectations. In many applications these operations are computationally intractable by conventional techniques, but it is possible to perform these in parallel. The architecture for a completely parallel machine dedicated to computing functionals of Gibbs distributions is suggested by the connection between Gibbs distributions and statistical mechanics. The Gibbs distribution defines a collection of local physical rules that dictate the programming of the machine’s processors. The machine’s dynamics can be described by a Markov process that is demonstrably ergodic with marginal distribution equal to the specified Gibbs distribution. These two properties are easily exploited to perform the desired operations.
Ordering patterns by combining opinions from multiple sources

Pattern ordering is an important task in data mining because the number of patterns extracted by standard data mining algorithms often exceeds our capacity to manually analyze them. In this paper, we present an effective approach to address the pattern ordering problem by combining the rank information gathered from disparate sources. Although rank aggregation techniques have been developed for applications such as meta-search engines, they are not directly applicable to pattern ordering for two reasons. First, the techniques are mostly supervised, i.e., they require a sufficient amount of labeled data. Second, the objects to be ranked are assumed to be independent and identically distributed (i.i.d), an assumption that seldom holds in pattern ordering. The method proposed in this paper is an adaptation of the original Hedge algorithm, modified to work in an unsupervised learning setting. Techniques for addressing the i.i.d. violation in pattern ordering are also presented. Experimental results demonstrate that our unsupervised Hedge algorithm outperforms many alternative techniques such as those based on weighted average ranking and singular value decomposition.
Amino Acid Conferred Protection against Melphalan: Interference with Leucine Protection of Melphalan Cytotoxicity by the Basic Amino Acids in Cultured Murine L1210 Leukemia Cells

Melphalan cytotoxicity to murine L1210 leukemia cells in culture is influenced by the amino acid composition of the incubation medium. Deletion of glutamine or leucine from RPMI 1630 medium increased the cytotoxicity produced during a 35 min exposure of L1210 cells to melphalan by 10-fold and 2-fold, respectively, indicating that a substantial proportion of the protection afforded L1210 cells from melphalan cytotoxicity in an amino acid environment can be attributed to these amino acids. However, protection from melphalan cytotoxicity in cells first incubated with leucine in a balanced salt solution containing bovine serum albumin and glucose was 10 times better than that in cells incubated with leucine in RPMI 1630 medium containing all amino acids except glutamine. This difference was due to an increase in the accumulation of intracellular melphalan in medium containing leucine and the basic amino acids. The increases in intracellular drug and resulting cytotoxicity decrease with increasing carbon chain length within the arginine homologous series (α-amino-γ-guanidinobutyric acid > arginine > homoaginine). However, the lowest arginine homologue, α-amino-β-guanidinopropionic acid, was ineffective. Maximum promotion of melphalan cytotoxicity by β-amino-γ-guanidinobutyric acid occurred at concentrations equimolar with leucine and was not substantially influenced by the length of prior incubation with the homologue. Interaction between melphalan and the basic amino acids with the leucine-preferring transport system in L1210 cells plays a significant role in melphalan cytotoxicity. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors express their appreciation to Ms. Charlotte Thomas for preparation of the manuscript.
U-shaped palatal defect in the Robin anomalad: Developmental and clinical relevance

The palatal defect in patients with the Robin anomalad was found to be U shaped. This finding is compatible with the hypothesis that the underlying dysmorphic event is usually early mandibular hypoplasia with secondary extrinsic obstruction of palatal closure by a posteriorly displaced tongue. The more common V-shaped defects of palate closure arise by a different mechanism. Unfortunately, available recurrence risk data for cleft palate do not allow for this distinction. Furthermore, physicians should be alert for instances in which the Robin anomalad is but one feature of a broader pattern of malformation. In the current study, 25% of the 28 patients ascertained as having the Robin anomalad had a recognizable syndrome for which specific, but varying, genetic counsel was indicated.
Generation of sub-100-fs pulses at up to 200 MHz repetition rate from a passively mode-locked Yb-doped fiber laser

Generation of sub-100-fs pulses at repetition rates of 100-200 MHz from a passively mode-locked Yb-fiber laser via nonlinear polarization rotation is reported. The limitations to the repetition rate in terms of the pulse dynamics and the physical size of the cavity are discussed. We determine that physical size of the components dictate the maximum repetition rate and discuss the implications of a shorter cavity on the pulse shaping as a consequence of a weaker dispersion map.
Evaluating climatic limitations for a specific agricultural enterprise

Abstract The famous East Africa Groundnut (Peanut) Scheme of the late 1940's is cited as an example of a costly miscalculation of land use that might have been prevented by climatic assessment. At the site of this scheme, in what is now central Tanzania, water is the most restrictive factor determining natural environment. Adequate soil moisture, both near the surface and in the deeper root zone, is essential for groundnut production. Soil moisture data derived for Dodoma for 30 years show that in the period mid-January to mid-April the probability that the topsoil will remain dry for at least 16 consecutive days is 57%, and drops only to 37% for 21 or more consecutive days — even though this is the “rainy season”. The analysis further indicates that the elimination of the most serious periods of moisture shortage would require irrigation, at least once a year, in about 75% of the years. Moisture supplies are optimum for December through April in only about 3% of the years in both Dodoma and Kongwa. For comparison, the same type of climatological analysis for Tifton, Georgia and Norfolk, Virginia, in the major peanut producing areas of the eastern coastal plains region of the U.S.A., indicates that 30 years produced no occurrences of dry topsoil for as long as 16 consecutive days. Also, the climate there is so suitable for growing peanuts that irrigation in only 10% of the years would practically eliminate all except the minor periods of water shortage hazard. The condition in Tifton is slightly less favorable than in Norfolk. However, even there, optimum moisture conditions were not high during the critical months.
Full-Text Publication of Abstract-Presented Work in Physical Therapy: Do Therapists Publish What They Preach?

Background and Objective Professional meetings, such as the American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA's) Combined Sections Meeting (CSM), provide forums for sharing information relevant to physical therapy. An indicator of whether therapists fully disseminate their work is the number of full-text peer-reviewed publications that result. The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine the full-text publication rate of work presented in abstract form at CSM and (2) to investigate factors influencing this rate. Methods A systematic search was undertaken to locate full-text publications of work presented in abstract form within the Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy sections at CSM between 2000 and 2004. Eligible publications were published within 5 years following abstract presentation. The influences of APTA section, year of abstract presentation, institution of origin, study design, sample size, study significance, reporting of a funding source, and presentation type on full-text publication rate were assessed. Characteristics of full-text publications were explored. Results Work presented in 1 out of 4 abstracts (25.4%) progressed to full-text publication. Odds of full-text publication increased if the abstract originated from a doctorate-granting or “other” institution, reported findings of an experimental study, reported a statistically significant finding, included a larger sample size, disclosed a funding source, or was presented as a platform presentation. More than one third (37.8%) of full-text publications were published in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy or Physical Therapy , and 4 out of 10 full-text publications (39.2%) contained at least one major change from information presented in abstract form. Conclusions The full-text publication rate for information presented in abstract form within the Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy sections at CSM is low relative to comparative disciplines. Caution should be exercised when translating information presented at CSM into practice.
Career plans and work perceptions of preservice teachers

Abstract This article examines the reasons for entry, work perceptions, and the future career plans of 272 preservice teachers who entered a highly selective graduate teacher education program in 1987 and 1988. The profile of their job expectations was compared with that of a sample of experienced teachers. The study concludes that these talented students are entering the profession mainly for altruistic reasons and have fairly realistic views of working conditions; however, many plan to remain only if they derive the expected satisfaction from working which children. The findings are compared to labor market forecasting theories which could direct policy makers in their efforts to attract and retain high ability individuals to the teaching profession.
Lowering the cost of interactions: the Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation

The Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation is a private, nonprofit organization located in Madison, Wisconsin. Great Lakes' main businesses are to guarantee loans under the Federal Guaranteed Student Loan program (GSLP) and to provide various servicing functions for lenders making loans under this program-e.g. monitoring attendance, Federal billings, deferments, and repayment activities. Great Lakes' activities are described and analyzed. Several theoretical hypotheses in information systems and strategy are discussed in the context of the Great Lakes example. >
Effective Use of Focused Ion Beam (FIB) in Investigating Fundamental Mechanical Properties of Metals at the Sub-Micron Scale

Recent advances in the 2-beam focused ion beams technology (FIB) have enabled researchers to not only perform high-precision nanolithography and micro-machining, but also to apply these novel fabrication techniques to investigating a broad range of materials' properties at the submicron and nano-scales. In our work, the FIB is utilized in manufacturing of sub-micron cylinders, or nano-pillars, as well as of TEM cross-sections to directly investigate plasticity of metals at these small length scales. Single crystal nano-pillars, ranging in diameter between 300 nm and 870 nm, were fabricated in the FIB from epitaxial gold films on MgO substrates and subsequently compressed using a Nanoindenter fitted with a custom-fabricated diamond flat punch. We show convincingly that flow stresses strongly depend on the sample size, as some of our smaller specimens were found to plastically deform in uniaxial compression at stresses as high as 600 MPa, a value ~25 times higher than for bulk gold. We believe that these high strengths are hardened by dislocation starvation. In this mechanism, once the sample is small enough, the mobile dislocations have a higher probability of annihilating at a nearby free surface than of multiplying and being pinned by other dislocations. Contrary to this, if the dislocations are trapped inside the specimen by a coating, the strengthening mechanism is expected to be different. Here we present for the first time the comparison of plastic deformation of passivated and unpassivated single crystal specimens at the sub-micron scale. The role of free surfaces is investigated by comparing stress results of both as-FIB'd, annealed, and alumina-passivated pillars. Preliminary results show that ALD-coated pillars exhibit much higher flow stresses at equivalent sizes and strains compared with the uncoated samples. We also found that while FIB damage during pillar fabrication might account for a small portion of the strength increase, it is not the major contributor.
G-protein-coupled Receptor Agonist BV8/Prokineticin-2 and STAT3 Protein Form a Feed-forward Loop in Both Normal and Malignant Myeloid Cells

An important role of BV8 in mobilization of myeloid cells and myeloid cell-dependent angiogenesis has been established. Recently, it has also been shown that granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-induced BV8 expression is STAT3 dependent in CD11b+Gr1+ myeloid cells. However, the BV8 downstream signaling pathway(s) intrinsic to myeloid cells crucial for angiogenesis, and potentially also for development of cancers of myeloid origin, remains largely unknown. Here we show that BV8 activates STAT3, which is critical for regulating genes important for both tumor cell proliferation/survival and tumor angiogenesis, in both normal and malignant myeloid cells. Further, BV8-induced STAT3 activation requires Janus-activated kinase 2 (JAK2) activity as shown by both genetic and pharmacologic inhibition. Knocking down BV8 in human myeloid leukemia cells inhibits STAT3 activity and expression of STAT3 downstream angiogenic and pro-proliferation/survival genes, leading to a decrease in tumor cell viability. BV8 shRNA expressing leukemia cells exhibit reduced STAT3 activity and tumor growth in vivo. Taken together, we have delineated a signaling pathway downstream of BV8 that plays critical roles in both the tumor microenvironment and malignant myeloid cells for angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation/survival.
Abnormal Regulation of DNA Methyltransferase Expression in Cloned Mouse Embryos

Cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer is inefficient. This is evident in the significant attrition in the number of surviving cloned offspring at virtually all stages of embryonic and fetal development. We find that cloned preimplantation mouse embryos aberrantly express the somatic form of the Dnmt1 DNA (cytosine-5) methyltransferase, the expression of which is normally prevented by a posttranscriptional mechanism. Additionally, the maternal oocyte-derived Dnmt1o isoform undergoes little or none of its expected translocation to embryonic nuclei at the eight-cell stage. Such defects in the regulation of Dnmt1s and Dnmt1o expression and cytoplasmic-nuclear trafficking may prevent clones from completing essential early developmental events. Furthermore, aberrant Dnmt1 localization and expression may contribute to the defects in DNA methylation and the developmental abnormalities seen in cloned mammals.
Systemic mycoses in the United States, 1980-1982.

To evaluate temporal trends in the incidence of systemic mycoses resulting in hospitalization, we reviewed hospital discharge data from the Professional Activity Study of the Commission on Professional and Hospital Activities for 1980–1982. In comparison with results from similar studies in 1970 and 1976, the incidences of the mycoses that are more likely to be opportunistic and/or hospital-acquired infections (candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis) increased in 1980–1982 as did the incidences of sporotrichosis and actinomycosis. At the same time the incidences of most community-acquired mycoses (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, and blastomycosis) remained stable or declined. These results are consistent with the increasing number of immunocompromised patients with severe underlying illnesses, who are at risk of developing opportunistic mycoses.
Refining rules incorporated into knowledge-based support vector learners via successive linear programming

Knowledge-based classification and regression methods are especially powerful forms of learning. They allow a system to take advantage of prior domain knowledge supplied either by a human user or another algorithm, combining that knowledge with data to produce accurate models. A limitation of the use of prior knowledge occurs when the provided knowledge is incorrect. Such knowledge likely still contains useful information, but knowledge-based learners might not be able to fully exploit such information. In fact, incorrect knowledge can lead to poorer models than result from knowledge-free learners. We present a support-vector method for incorporating and refining domain knowledge that not only allows the learner to make use of that knowledge, but also suggests changes to the provided knowledge. Our approach is built on the knowledge-based classification and regression methods presented by Fung, Mangasarian, & Shavlik (2002; 2003) and by Mangasarian, Shavlik, & Wild (2004). Experiments on artificial data sets with known properties, as well as on a real-world data set, demonstrate that our method learns more accurate models while also adjusting the provided rules in intuitive ways. Our new algorithm provides an appealing extension to knowledge-based, support-vector learning that is not only able to combine knowledge from rules with data, but is also able to use the data to modify and change those rules to better fit the data.
Drive Currents and Leakage Currents in InSb and InAs Nanowire and Carbon Nanotube Band-to-Band Tunneling FETs

The prototypical device to exploit cold carrier injection is the nanowire (NW) or carbon nanotube (CNT) band-to-band tunneling field-effect transistor. Understanding the effect of material choice and NW or CNT diameter on the drive and leakage currents is critical. A zero-order analytical approach is described for assessing and comparing the effect of different materials and diameters on the drive current, the leakage current, and the required electric fields.
Construction of normative decision models using abstract graph grammars

This dissertation addresses automated assistance for decision analysis in medicine. In particular, I have investigated graph grammars as a representation for encoding how decision-theoretic models can be constructed from an unordered list of concerns. The modeling system that I have used requires a standard vocabulary to generate decision models; the models generated are qualitative, and require subsequent assessment of probabilities and utility values. This research has focused on the modeling of the qualitative structure of problems given a standard vocabulary and given that subsequent assessment of probabilities and utilities is possible. The usefulness of the graph-grammar representation depends on the graph-grammar formalism''s ability to describe a broad spectrum of qualitative decision models, on its ability to maintain a high quality in the models it generates, and on its clarity in describing topological constraints to researchers who design and maintain the actual grammar. I have found that graph grammars can be used to generate automatically decision models that are comparable to those produced by decision analysts.
Modulation of K+ channels by arachidonic acid in T84 cells. I. Inhibition of the Ca2+-dependent K+ channel

The Cl- secretory response of colonic cells to Ca(2+)-mediated agonists is transient despite a sustained elevation of intracellular Ca2+. We evaluated the effects of second messengers proposed to limit Ca(2+)-mediated Cl- secretion on the basolateral membrane, Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channel (Kca) in colonic secretory cells, T84. Neither protein kinase C (PKC) nor inositol tetrakisphosphate (1,3,4,5 or 3,4,5,6 form) affected Kca in excised inside-out patches. In contrast, arachidonic acid (AA; 3 microM) potently inhibited Kca, reducing NP0, the product of number of channels and channel open probability, by 95%. The apparent inhibition constant for this AA effect was 425 nM. AA inhibited Kca in the presence of both indomethacin and nordihydroguaiaretic acid, blockers of the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways. In the presence of albumin, the effect of AA on Kca was reversed. A similar effect of AA was observed on Kca during outside-out recording. We determined also the effect of the cis-unsaturated fatty acid linoleate, the trans-unsaturated fatty acid elaidate, and the saturated fatty acid myristate. At 3 microM, all of these fatty acids inhibited Kca, reducing NP0 by 72-86%. Finally, the effect of the cytosolic phospholipase A2 inhibitor arachidonyltrifluoromethyl ketone (AACOCF3) on the carbachol-induced short-circuit current (Isc) response was determined. In the presence of AACOCF3, the peak carbachol-induced Isc response was increased approximately 2.5-fold. Our results suggest that AA generation induced by Ca(2+)-mediated agonists may contribute to the dissociation observed between the rise in intracellular Ca2+ evoked by these agonists and the associated Cl- secretory response.
Variability with omeprazole-amoxicillin combinations for treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Objective : Although omeprazole co-therapy enhances the effectiveness of some antimicrobials for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, results have not been uniform. A meta-analysis suggested that 20 mg of omeprazole b.i.d. and 2 g or more of amoxicillin would yield a >80% success rate (Gastroenterology 1994 ;106 : 142A). Our objective in this study was to test that hypothesis. Methods : Volunteers with H. pylon infection were studied. Anti-H. pylori therapy was administered with meals for 14 days (omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d. plus amoxicillin 1 g t.i.d., or omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d. plus amoxicillin 0.5 g t.i.d.). Endoscopy was performed 4-6 wk after antimicrobial therapy ended, and the presence or absence of H. pylon was determined with biopsy specimens by Genta stain. Results : Fifty-nine volunteers completed the study ; 30 were studied twice. The overall success for initial treatment with either combination of amoxicillin and omeprazole was 18 of 59 [30.5% ; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 19-44%]. The success rate with 500 mg amoxicillin t.i.d. was 7 of 29 (24% ; 95% CI = 10-43%). With 1 g t.i.d. amoxicillin, the cure rate was higher (36.6%) (11 of 30 ; 95% CI = 20-56%), or intention-to-treat result was 11 of 31 (35.4%), which includes the early dropout. Compliance was >95% for both therapies. Side effects were experienced by eight patients, two receiving 1.5 g amoxicillin and six receiving 3 g amoxicillin (p > 0.2). German trials suggest that better results might be achieved when amoxicillin is given as suspension while fasting. Thirty treatment failures were re-treated with 1 g amoxicillin suspension t.i.d., given fasting, and omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d. The cure rate was 16.6% (95% CI = 6-35%). Conclusion : Amoxicillin/omeprazole combinations for treatment of H. pylori infection do not yield consistent results. The reason is unknown, but the reported high rate of success with 40 mg of omeprazole and 750 mg t.i.d. suggests that almost complete inhibition of acid secretion is necessary to obtain consistent results with this combination.
An Iterative Solution Method for Frictional Contact Problems

A combination of a direct method (LU decomposition, for example) and the Gauss-Seidel iterations is employed to solve finite element equations subjected to frictional contact conditions. Developed solutions algorithm appears to be very efficient attaining a rapid convergence at a fractional increase in computing time over the conventional elastic solutions. It is found that Coulomb’s law must be applied in an incremental form for an adequate representation of the friction.
Conductor corrosion inspection of aluminum conductor steel reinforced transmission lines

A feasibility study was completed in 2003 to determine if iron oxide deposits can be identified on the surface of ACSR conductors. Results were promising and demonstrated that the presence of steel core corrosion may be identified by a ratio of reflected light intensity at specific wavelengths. Early “Near Infrared Spectroscopy” testing in a semi-controlled environment and in the field revealed many environmental conditions must be overcome in order to gather accurate reflectance light spectra. The latest design change was to add a monochromatic light source to overcome varying ambient light intensity during testing. Conductors that had been gathered from field testing were evaluated using a standard NIR spectrometer assembly and then compared to the results using a laser light source. This report presents the findings confirming the stages of development to date and what is required to proceed in future development.
Inferior vena cava filter retrievals, standard and novel techniques

The placement of an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is a well-established management strategy for patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) disease in whom anticoagulant therapy is either contraindicated or has failed. IVC filters may also be placed for VTE prophylaxis in certain circumstances. There has been a tremendous growth in placement of retrievable IVC filters in the past decade yet the majority of the devices are not removed. Unretrieved IVC filters have several well-known complications that increase in frequency as the filter dwell time increases. These complications include caval wall penetration, filter fracture or migration, caval thrombosis and an increased risk for lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Difficulty is sometimes encountered when attempting to retrieve indwelling filters, mainly because of either abnormal filter positioning or endothelization of filter components that are in contact with the IVC wall, thereby causing the filter to become embedded. The length of time that a filter remains indwelling also impacts the retrieval rate, as increased dwell times are associated with more difficult retrievals. Several techniques for difficult retrievals have been described in the medical literature. These techniques range from modifications of standard retrieval techniques to much more complex interventions. Complications related to complex retrievals are more common than those associated with standard retrieval techniques. The risks of complex filter retrievals should be compared with those of life-long anticoagulation associated with an unretrieved filter, and should be individualized. This article summarizes current techniques for IVC filter retrieval from a clinical point of view, with an emphasis on advanced retrieval techniques.
Bioremediation Using Extremophiles

Organisms from extreme environments provide hearty enzymatic and whole-cell systems for biocatalysis. These intriguing systems hold possibilities in situations that inhibit reactions for typical bioconversion systems. Scientists and engineers have expanded their understanding of the systems that control catalysis under extremes and have insights into the stability and adaptability of extreme systems. Through examining selective pressures and identifying extremophilic systems that survive and evolve in contaminated environments, it is possible to engineer novel remediation applications through making extremophiles work on a wider range of substrates or by engineering more stability into mesophilic systems. This chapter explores recent advances in extremophilic bioremediation and provides a survey of enzymatic and whole-cell applications.
Economics and Information Management

Information is a resource about resources. Its management in a productive manner enhances wealth production and employment generation. Management of information is a complex process entailing the intangibles. It has to guide them towards tangible and realistic results. The global information environment has quickened the access and delivery of information. Information can be moved from any point of generation to any point of use instantaneously. This process calls for the enhancement of reliability and simplicity of information and its sources. Evaluation of information from diverse points of view has to be done. Information professionals have to identify, analyze, synthesize and package the information besides evaluation. The various analytical and evaluative processes, call for judgement processes using citations analysis, innovation analysis and application potential studies.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CIRCULATING PROGENITOR CELLS AND OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Background: Circulating hematopoietic enriched progenitor cells (PCs) predict adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The additive predictive role of endothelial enriched PCs expressing vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF) remains controversial.
CA-125 levels in endometriosis

CA-125 is a cellular antigen detected in many patients with ovarian cancer, but it has also been detected in patients with endometriosis. Preoperative CA-125 levels were drawn from 113 patients before they underwent laparoscopy. Patients were categorized into diagnostic groups on the basis of pathologic findings. CA-125 levels in patients with evidence of intraabdominal adhesions were not statistically different from those in patients with normal pelvic anatomy. However, patients with advanced endometriosis had significantly elevated levels of CA-125 when compared with patients with normal pelvic anatomy ( P
Multiparametric MRI and [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Is a Potential Prognostic Imaging Biomarker in Recurrent Glioblastoma.

Purpose/Objectives: Multi-parametric advanced MR and FDG-PET imaging may be important biomarkers for prognosis as well for distinguishing recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) from treatment-related changes. Methods/Materials: We retrospectively evaluated 30 patients treated with chemoradiation for GBM and underwent advanced MR and FDG-PET for confirmation of tumor progression. Multi-parametric MRI and FDG-PET imaging metrics were evaluated for their association with 6-month overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) based on pathological, radiographic, and clinical criteria. Results: 17 males and 13 females were treated between 2001- 2014, and later underwent FDG-PET at suspected recurrence. Baseline FDG-PET and MRI imaging was obtained at a median of 7.5 months (IQR 3.7-12.4) following completion of chemoradiation. Median follow-up after FDG-PET imaging was 10 months (IQR 7.2-13.0). Receiver-operator curve (ROC) analysis identified that lesions characterized by a ratio of the SUVmax to the normal contralateral brain (SUVmax/NB index) >1.5 and mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of ≤1400 x10^-6 mm^2/s correlated with worse 6-month OS and PFS. We defined three patient groups that predicted the probability of tumor progression: SUVmax/NB index >1.5 and ADC ≤1400 x10^-6 mm^2/s defined high-risk patients (n=7), SUVmax/NB index ≤1.5 and ADC >1400 x10^-6 mm^2/s defined low-risk patients (n=11), and intermediate-risk (n=12) defined the remainder of the patients. Median OS following the time of the FDG-PET scan for the low, intermediate, and high risk groups were 23.5, 10.5 and 3.8 months (p<0.01). Median PFS were 10.0, 4.4, and 1.9 months (p=0.03). Rates of progression at 6-months in the low, intermediate, and high-risk groups were 36%, 67%, and 86%. (p=0.04) Conclusion: Recurrent GBM in the molecular era is associated with highly variable outcomes. Multi-parametric MR and FDG-PET biomarkers may provide a clinically-relevant, non-invasive and cost-effective method of predicting prognosis and improving clinical decision making in the treatment of patients with suspected tumor recurrence.
Immunotherapy with pembrolizumab in surgically resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

TPS6110Background: Patients with locally advanced, surgically resectable Stage III/IV human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) suffer from locoregional and...
Classifying Categories of SCADA Attacks in a Big Data Framework

The supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems monitor and control industrial control systems in many industrial and economic sectors such as water treatment, power plants, railroads, and gas pipelines. The integration of SCADA systems with the internet and corporate enterprise networks for various economical reasons exposes SCADA systems to attacks by hackers who could remotely exploit and gain access to SCADA systems to damage the infrastructure and thereby harming people’s lives. The simplicity of datasets and possible overfitting of models to training data are some of the issues in the previous research. In this paper, we present detecting and classifying malicious command and response packets in a SCADA network by analyzing attribute differences and history of packets using k-means clustering. This study presents a solution to classify SCADA cyber attacks to detect and classify SCADA attacks with high accuracy using a big data framework that comprises of Apache Hadoop and Apache Mahout. Apache Mahout’s random forest classification algorithm is applied on SCADA’s gas pipeline dataset to categorize attacks. When 70% of the data is used for training the classifier, our approach resulted in 5–17% improvement in accuracy for the classification of read response attacks and 2–8% improvement in accuracy for write command attacks with respect to using the original dataset.
Efficient Two-Pass 3-D Speckle Tracking for Ultrasound Imaging

Speckle tracking based on block matching is the most common method for multi-dimensional motion estimation in ultrasound elasticity imaging. Extension of 2-D methods to 3-D has been problematic because of the large computational load of 3-D tracking, as well as performance issues related to the low frame (volume) rates of 3-D images. To address both of these problems, we have developed an efficient two-pass tracking method suited to cardiac elasticity imaging. PatchMatch, originally developed for image editing, has been adapted for ultrasound to provide first-pass displacement estimates. Second-pass estimation uses conventional block matching within a much smaller search region. 3-D displacements are then obtained using correlation filtering previously shown to be effective against speckle decorrelation. Both simulated and in vivo canine cardiac results demonstrate that the proposed two-pass method reduces computational cost compared with conventional 3-D exhaustive search by a factor of 10. Moreover, it outperforms one-pass tracking by a factor of about 3 in terms of root-mean-square error relative to available ground-truth displacements.
Hispanic Teachers' Experiences with Occupational Stressors While Working in Title I Elementary Schools.

The purpose of this exploratory phenomenology investigation was to understand Hispanic teachers’ (N = 19) experiences relating to occupational stressors while working in Title I elementary schools....
Parent vs. Self-Report: Contributions Toward Diagnosis of Adolescent Psychopathology

Assessment of psychopathology in adolescents can be complicated due to uncertainties about who should be considered the primary informant. While a multimethod, multiinformant approach to assessment allows for a thorough assessment, it can also result in contradictory findings. The purpose of this study was to use a sample of 121 adolescents to investigate issues of parent-adolescent agreement on behavior rating scales and a structured diagnostic interview. Additionally, this study evaluated whether adolescent report offers unique information to the assessment beyond the parent's report. The sample included both normal controls and adolescents who met criteria for diagnosis of an Internalizing or Externalizing disorder based on the DSM-IV criteria. Agreement between parents and adolescents on the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents—Revised (DICA-R) was low for ADHD (39.4%) and Externalizing Disorders (41.1%) and moderate for Internalizing Disorders (56.6%). A significant difference was found between the number of ADHD symptoms reported, with parents reporting more symptoms (M = 9.42) than adolescents (M = 8.34). Regression analysis indicated that the adolescent completed Youth Self-report (YSR) contributed unique information beyond the parent completed measures in predicting both the adolescent and the parent interviews for Internalizing Disorders. This finding emphasizes the need to continue to collect self-report information, especially when assessing Internalizing disorders, which inherently contain symptoms indicating high-risk behaviors such as suicide ideation.
Laboratory and Cropping Tests with Cyromazine for Mushroom Sciarid Control in Mushroom Compost

Abstract Cyromazine (Armor R ) was tested against Lycoriella mali (Fitch) in the laboratory and on a limited scale in mushroom production houses. At 5 ppm thoroughly mixed in wet compost, cyromazine was highly effective in reducing larval development and subsequent emergence of adult sciarids when applied previous to casing. At 5 ppm no reduction in yields or fungaltoxicity was observed; at 10 ppm (twice the expected dosage rate), first break yield was reduced, but higher yields in subsequent breaks and extended fly population control throughout the crop appears to nullify this initial yield reduction.
Groups or Gatherings? Sources of Political Engagement in 19th Century American Cities

There is broad agreement that citizen participation is critical for successful democracy. Recently, scholars have linked such political participation with the notion of social capital—community-level resources, such as trust, norms, and networks, that foster collective action. Much uncertainty remains regarding the sources of social capital, however. Here we examine two different features of community life that are believed to nurture social capital, and political participation in turn: public venues where relative strangers can meet anonymously, socialize, and share information and opinions (i.e., venues for informal interaction); and venues for organized exchange between familiars, such as voluntary organizations and social clubs. Using quantitative data from America's largest cities at the end of the 19th century, we examine the relationship between both supposed sources of social capital and respective rates of voter participation. We find little support for the role of informal interaction in fostering an active and engaged citizenry. We do, however, find evidence that citizen participation was related to some types of associationalism (or organized exchange). In particular, associations that fostered high levels of mutual interdependence among members seemed the most strongly linked to higher levels of political participation.
Five E's: reflecting on the design of recommendations

Many case studies illustrate unintended consequences of well-intentioned systems. We have seen problems caused by information "filter bubbles"; problems caused by inappropriate, discriminatory or outright dangerous recommendations; issues of poor data quality leading to erroneous conclusions; and lack of clear methods, techniques, and tools for understanding how systems work and how to undo or reverse problems that have been caused. These events, case studies, and stories have led to calls for what I call the three E's of accountability in application, product, system, and service offerings - that they be more Explainable, Equitable, and Ethical. I'd like to raise two more critical E's in socio-technical system design and development processes: Expedience and Exigence. It is critical that we address these two if we are going to realize the call for the first three E's. In this talk, I will reflect on the nature of recommendation through the lens of these 5 E's to kick-start a conversation about recommendation 'design'. I will draw on the psychology of human information processing, reasoning, and decision making, and will share observations, anecdotes, and cautionary tales to motivate some directions forward for recommendation and recommender design. I will then invite us to discuss: What, concretely, can researchers, developers, and designers do to address the 5 E's?
Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Lymphodynamics: General Overview

The lymphatic system is a component of both the circulatory and the immune systems. The principal functions of this system include the prevention of edema and maintenance of interstitial fluid homeostasis, immune traffic (transportation of white blood cells and antigen-presenting cells to the lymphoid organs), and lipid absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.1