cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding Nanoparticle Toxicity to Direct a Safe-by-Design Approach in Cancer Nanomedicine

Nanomedicine is a rapidly growing field that uses nanomaterials for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of various diseases, including cancer. Various biocompatible nanoplatforms with diversified capabilities for tumor targeting, imaging, and therapy have materialized to yield individualized therapy. However, due to their unique properties brought about by their small size, safety concerns have emerged as their physicochemical properties can lead to altered pharmacokinetics, with the potential to cross biological barriers. In addition, the intrinsic toxicity of some of the inorganic materials (i.e., heavy metals) and their ability to accumulate and persist in the human body has been a challenge to their translation. Successful clinical translation of these nanoparticles is heavily dependent on their stability, circulation time, access and bioavailability to disease sites, and their safety profile. This review covers preclinical and clinical inorganic-nanoparticle based nanomaterial utilized for cancer imaging and therapeutics. A special emphasis is put on the rational design to develop non-toxic/safe inorganic nanoparticle constructs to increase their viability as translatable nanomedicine for cancer therapies.
Rate Constants for Abstraction of H from the Fluoromethanes by H, O, F, and OH

In this work, we compiled and critically evaluated rate constants from the literature for abstraction of H from the homologous series consisting of the fluoromethanes (CH3F, CH2F2, and CHF3) and methane (CH4) by the radicals H atom, O atom, OH, and F atom. These reactions have the form RH + X → R + HX. Rate expressions for these reactions are provided over a wide range of temperatures (300–1800 K). Expanded uncertainty factors f (2σ) are provided at both low and high temperatures. We attempted to provide rate constants that were self-consistent within the series—evaluating the system, not just individual reactions. For many of the reactions, the rate constants in the literature are available only over a limited temperature range (or there are no reliable measurements). In these cases, we predicted the rate constants in a self-consistent manner employing relative rates for other reactions in the homologous series using empirical structure–activity relationships, used empirical correlations between rate constants at room temperature and activation energies at high temperatures, and used relative rates derived from ab initio quantum chemical calculations to assist in rate constant predictions.
Rethinking Decimalization The Impact of Increased Tick Sizes on Trading Activity and Volatility

In this study, we examine the trading activity and volatility of stocks influenced by the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s pilot program that increased tick sizes for various samples of stocks. The objective of the program is to examine possible improvements to the market quality of small-cap stocks, which have historically been less liquid than larger-cap stocks. Using a difference-in-difference approach, we find that, relative to control stocks, the trading activity of pilot stocks does not appear to be meaningfully affected by the increase in tick sizes. Volatility, however, increases markedly for the pilot stocks vis-a-vis other stocks. These results are robust to the different sets of pilot stocks, various rollout periods, and different control groups.
Returning to the virtual casino: a contemporary study of actual online casino gambling

There is a greater need for contemporary research to empirically examine actual internet casino gambling behavior with valid data. To fill this gap in research, the current study examined two years...
Optimal recycle price game theory model for second-hand mobile phone recycling

Human societies develop rapidly through the advancement of technology; however, with these advancements, many problems are emerging. The topic chosen for this study surrounds the e-waste, which has become a major problem around the world. Second-hand and unused mobile phones are a big part of globally generated e-waste. If these devices are properly recycled, they can generate substantial economic and resource value. Yet if they are indiscriminately discarded, they cause a profound environmental impact. Given the current low recovery rate of mobile phones, an increase in recovery rates becomes critical in lessening economic and environmental impacts. Based on the status quo of second-hand mobile phone recycling processes in China, this article analyzes the behavior of individuals and recyclers through a comprehensive static information game theory and finds ways to increase the recycling rate of second-hand mobile phones. The study helps the customers, to clearly identify the recycle price. In case of market, the government policy can be introduced with a reward and punishment mechanism. Furthermore, under the ideological guidance of game theory, this paper also establishes a corresponding price model of second-hand mobile phone recycling based on best response dynamics like search, variable neighborhood search, and hybrid meta-heuristic method. This model shows that the recovery time differences have a significant impact on the recovery price. Moreover, to an extent, this model can promote the possibility and initiative of customers choosing cell phone recycling.
Interpretation of Pulmonary Function Tests in Clinical Practice

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are diagnostic modalities that evaluate qualitatively and quantitatively the size and function of the lungs. The most common areas of evaluation in clinical practice are: (a) the measurement of the lung volume, (b) the assessment and measurement of the airway function (upper and lower), and (c) the ability of the lung to diffuse oxygen. Several other tests can be performed to evaluate specific aspects of the lung function such as lung or respiratory system compliance and resistance, airway hyperreactivity/hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation. This chapter focuses on the principles of interpretation (and its pitfalls) of the most commonly used tests that are commercially available for use in children and adolescents in an inpatient or outpatient setting.
Discriminant Analysis of Driver Behavior Before Safety Critical Events

This article presents the results of a study that used discriminant analysis of driver behavior before safety-critical events occurred. The authors used data from the 100-car Naturalistic Driving Study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI). The data was obtained by instrumenting vehicles and allowing them to be used in normal daily routines, thus the data includes normal driving as well as safety critical events. The authors used discriminant analysis to accurately distinguish between safe and unsafe driving conditions, using specific combinations of variables that capture changes in driving behavior. A combination of seven variables: longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, vehicle speed, lane offset, yaw angle, range, and range rate, along with their corresponding coefficients were found to create a reliable discriminant score. The authors conclude that this new method can be used to predict safety-critical events few seconds in advance in order to warn drivers before their occurrences (usually showing a deviation from normal car following behavior). The authors stress that the warning signs of an impending safety-critical event are subtle changes that may go unnoticed when analyzing individual variables, but can be detected using discriminant analysis when these variables are combined.
Abstract 11059: Role of Sirtuin 6 in Macrophage Polarization and Cardiac Repair in Diabetes

Clinical and experimental studies provide evidence that metabolic and inflammatory pathways are functionally interconnected to cardiovascular diseases. Dynamic changes in macrophage activation [classical M1 activation (promote inflammation) or alternative M2 activation (promote wound healing)], in response to various stress signals, modulate cardiac physiopathology in diabetes. Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6), a NAD-dependent nuclear deacetylase plays an important role in genomic stability, cellular metabolism, stress response and aging. However, the mechanism by which SIRT6 activity affects macrophage phenotype and cardiac function in diabetes is still unexplored. Mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM) exposed to high glucose (HG, 25mM D-glucose) showed reduced expression of SIRT6 as compared to low glucose (LG, 5mM D-glucose)- and osmotic control (OC, 5mM D-glucose+20mM D-mannitol)-treated cells, associated with increased expression of proinflammatory cytokine and transcription factors (NFkb, c-JUN, FOXO, SP1 and STAT1). In addition, SIRT6 level was reduced in peritoneal macrophages of both diabetic models (streptozotocin-induced and db/db mice) as compared to non-diabetic mice. SIRT6 knockdown in RAW 264.7 cells exaggerated inflammatory response when exposed to HG. In contrast, IL-4-induced increase in mRNA expression of macrophage M2 phenotype markers like Arg1, Chi4l4, Retnla and IRS-2, but not IRS-1 expression was repressed suggesting that alternative macrophage (M2) phenotype was defective in SIRT6 deficient BM-macrophages under HG condition. SIRT6 protein expression was low in myocardial infarction-induced (MI) and diabetes-affected hearts. Interestingly, mice receiving intramyocardial injection of SIRT6-deficient macrophages showed further deterioration in left ventricular function, post-MI. Taken together, these data highlight a role for SIRT6 in regulating the balance of M1/M2 polarization, therefore, modulate macrophage mediated cardiac repair and regeneration in numerous inflammatory disease states including diabetes
Genes of the Escherichia coli pur regulon are negatively controlled by a repressor-operator interaction.

Abstract Fusions of lacZ were constructed to genes in each of the loci involved in de novo synthesis of IMP. The expression of each pur-lacZ fusion was determined in isogenic purR and purR+ strains. These measurements indicated 5- to 17-fold coregulation of genes purF, purHD, purC, purMN, purL, and purEK and thus confirm the existence of a pur regulon. Gene purB, which encodes an enzyme involved in synthesis of IMP and in the AMP branch of the pathway, was not regulated by purR. Each locus of the pur regulon contains a 16-base-pair conserved operator sequence that overlaps with the promoter. The purR product, purine repressor, was shown to bind specifically to each operator. Thus, binding of repressor to each operator of pur regulon genes negatively coregulates expression.
The Potential Role of Transformation-induced Metabolic Changes in Tumor-Host Interaction

Increased glycolysis in transformed cells coupled with increased membrane Na+/H+ exchange produces significant environmental fluctuations in and around tumors, including enhanced local glucose consumption and decreased extracellular pH. This paper describes a mechanistic, resource-based competition model that examines the effects of these environmental changes on tumor-host interaction. By generating a critical parameter ( J ) for each population at the tumor-host interface, the interactive dynamics can be predicted. Although necessarily limited by simplifying assumptions, the model demonstrates that the metabolic changes of transformation and their environmental consequences could confer significant advantages on tumor populations by decreasing their J value and, through the generation of glucose and pH gradients, increasing the J value of adjacent normal cells. Thus, the well-documented metabolic changes associated with transformation, including increased glycolysis, glucose utilization, and lactic acid production with reversal of the normal intracellular-extracellular pH gradient, phenomena now consistently demonstrated in human tumors in situ , provide a potential mechanism of tumor invasion that is simple, complete, and sufficiently general to apply to many classes of tumors. The model explicitly predicts that in situ measurement of tumor glucose utilization and H+ production will determine prognosis. Furthermore, it predicts therapies that chronically reduce tumor glucose utilization and/or H+ production or increase the buffering capacity in normal tissue will be effective in tumor prevention and tumor treatment.
El impacto de la exposición a plaguicidas sobre la Incidencia de Cáncer de mama. Evidencia de Costa Rica

El cancer de mama (CM) es el mas prevalente y la principal causa de muerte por cancer en las mujeres alrededor del mundo. El bajo porcentaje de casos relacionado con el historial reproductivo o la genetica sugiere que el ambiente puede estar jugando un rol en su etiologia. Se ha hipotetizado que la exposicion a plaguicidas puede tener un efecto importante. Objetivo: Este estudio ecologico prueba si la incidencia de CM en Costa Rica esta relacionada con la exposicion ambiental a plaguicidas (EAP), controlando por acceso a servicios de salud, fecundidad, edad al primer embarazo y nivel socioeconomico. Metodos: Se corrio un modelo de regresion de Poisson. Se utilizaron tecnicas de analisis espacial para probar si habia autocorrelacion espacial, y tambien se utilizo regresion con pesos geograficos. Resultados: La EAP tuvo una asociacion directa y estadisticamente significativa con CM en mujeres de 45 anos o mas. La Razon de Tasas de Incidencia para la EAP fue de 1,29. Es decir, que despues de controlar por otros factores de riesgo, mover un distrito al siguiente decil de EAP estuvo asociado con un incremento del 29% en la incidencia de CM para mujeres de 45+. La EAP fue significativa en algunas areas rurales despues de controlar por otros factores. Conclusiones: Parece que si existe una relacion entre el cancer de mama y los plaguicidas. Debido a que esta exposicion es prevenible, es importante el debate sobre este tema de salud publica. Poner mas atencion a las consecuencias a la salud que derivan de la exposicion ambiental implicaria un cambio hacia la aplicacion del principio precautorio. No se pueden extraer conclusiones de causalidad a partir de un estudio de tipo ecologico, como el presente.
Central neurotensin inhibits gastric acid secretion: An adrenergic mechanism in rats

Although parenteral neurotensin (NT) inhibits stimulated gastric acid secretion, published reports on the effect of centrally administered NT on gastric acid secretion are conflicting. This study provides evidence suggesting that, in chronic gastric fistula rats, intracerebroventricularly administered NT (15-60 micrograms) significantly reduces both basal and pentagastrin-, 2-deoxy-D-glucose-, and carbachol-but not histamine-stimulated gastric acid secretion. Using radioimmunoassay, the concentration of plasma immunoreactive NT increased from 30 to 200 pg/ml at 30 and 60 min, respectively after a single intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of NT at a dose of 60 micrograms. These serum NT concentrations can be reproduced by a constant NT i.v. infusion at 2 micrograms/kg.h. This parenteral infusion dose does not inhibit acid secretion as does i.c.v. NT. Pretreatment with the i.c.v. dopamine-2 receptor antagonists haloperidol or domperidone totally abolishes the inhibitory effect of i.c.v. NT on pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion. In contrast, pretreatment with the specific dopamine-1 receptor antagonist SCH 23900 or the specific dopamine-2 receptor antagonist sulpiride does not affect i.c.v. NT-induced inhibition of pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion. Pretreatment (intracerebroventricularly) with the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine blocks the antisecretory effect of i.c.v. NT. Administration of 3.0 micrograms NT per side directly into nucleus accumbens (NACB), using a stereotaxic technique, significantly reduces basal gastric acid secretion. This effect of central NT is blocked by pretreatment with intra-NACB haloperidol (0.5 microgram per side). These findings suggest that NT acts centrally to inhibit gastric acid secretion, an effect that may occur within NACB and be mediated by central nervous system alpha-adrenergic receptor activation.
The Role of Ledge Nucleation/Migration in Ω Plate Thickening Behaviour in Al‐Cu‐Mg‐Ag Alloys

The thickening kinetics of {Omega} plates in an Al-4Cu-0.3Mg-0.2Ag (wt. %) alloy have been measured at 200 C, 250 C and 300 C using conventional transmission electron microscopy techniques. At all temperatures examined the thickening showed a linear dependence on time. At 200 C the plates remained less than 6nm in thickness after 1000h exposure. At temperatures above 200 C the thickening kinetics are greatly increased. Atomic resolution Z-contrast microscopy has been used to examine the structure and chemistry of the (001){sub {Omega}} {parallel} (111){sub {alpha}} interphase boundary in samples treated at each temperature. In all cases, two atomic layers of Ag and Mg segregation were found at the broad face of the plate. The risers of the growth ledges and the ends of the plates were free of segregation. No significant levels of Ag or Mg were detected inside the plate at any time. The necessary redistribution of Ag and Mg accompanying a migrating thickening ledge occurs at all temperatures and is not considered to play a decisive role in the excellent coarsening resistance exhibited by the {Omega} plates at temperatures up to 200 C. Plates transformed at 200 C rarely contained ledges and usually exhibited a strong vacancymore » misfit normal to the plate. A large increase in ledge density was observed on plates transformed at 300 C, concomitant with accelerated plate thickening kinetics. The high resistance to plate coarsening exhibited by {Omega} plates at temperatures up to 200 C, is due to limited ledge nucleation under these conditions. The prohibitively high barrier to coherent ledge nucleation on the broad faces of plates aged at 200 C arises from the contribution to the total free energy change attending nucleation from elastic interactions between the misfitting coherent ledges and the significant strain field that can exist normal to the broad face of the {Omega} plate.« less
On the Performance and Scaling of Symmetric Lateral Bipolar Transistors on SOI

The performance potential and scaling characteristics of thin-base SOI symmetric lateral bipolar transistors were examined using 1-D analytic equations for the currents and capacitances. The device can operate at collector current densities >100 mA/μm2, and it scales similarly to CMOS in terms of density. The physical base width is scalable to less than 20 nm. Multiple devices of different specifications can be integrated on a chip. A sample design is shown to have fT > 200 GHz, fmax >1 THz, VA > 4V, and a self gain of 60. A balanced design is shown to have 350-GHz fT and 700-GHz fmax, VA of 2.4 V, and a self gain of 20. These results are superior to those reported for 32 nm SOI CMOS. The results suggest a need to rethink bipolar circuit design. They also suggest opportunities for novel bipolar and BiCMOS circuits. The devices in high-speed Si-base bipolar circuits operate at about 1.0 V. The path toward 0.5 V bipolar circuits is to use semiconductors with smaller bandgap, such as Ge.
Leaf and shoot demography in Baccharis shrubs of different ages

Studies of leaf and shoot demography and growth in Baccharis pilularis ssp. consanguinea indicated that shoot mortality and rates of leaf loss were higher in older shrubs. Shoot elongation was greatest in summer and rates of leaf loss and litterfall highest in winter. Leaf addition was greatest in spring and fall, corresponding to periods of favorable temperature and moisture conditions.
Sandemania Hoehnei (Melastomataceae: Tibouchineae): taxonomy, distribution and biology

Sandemania Gleason, a monotypic melastome genus of Brazil, Venezuela, and Peru, is described and illustrated with accompanying notes on its habitat, distribution, reproductive biology, and tribal and generic relationships.Sandemania belongs in the Tibouchineae tribe where it is related toComolia andMacairea.
The Green Bank Telescope: current status and early results

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory Green Bank Telescope (GBT), the world's largest fully steerable telescope, is now undergoing commissioning and early scientific operation. The GBT has many innovative design features that advance imaging quality, sensitivity, and versatility. These include an unblocked aperture, an active surface, and a six-degree of freedom Gregorian subreflector. The GBT has an advanced laser rangefinder metrology system, which will measure the position of the active surface panels, and also guide the precision pointing of the telescope. Early commissioning results have confirmed the performance of the telescope, and exciting scientific discoveries are already being made. This paper describes the various features of the telescope in more detail, and presents the latest results.
A compact, fast-response synchronous measurement of temperature for UAV applications

We report a compact, portable, low power tunable diode laser based sensor for a fast, non-intrusive measurement of temperature on airborne-based vehicles. The proposed sensor design avoids common problems in existing sensors such as adiabatic compression of the ambient airstream, thermal inertia of the sensing element, and impinging cloud particles. These effects are quite common in the conventional temperature sensors used in most aerial vehicles for ambient temperature measurements. The molecular oxygen transitions are measured using a 765 nm wavelength range vertical cavity surface emitting laser in the spectral region of two closely spaced oxygen transitions, centered at 13069.95 cm -1 and 13068.07 cm -1 respectively, according to HITRAN database. Another advantage of the proposed sensor design is that it can simultaneously detect additional trace gas species along with in-situ temperature measurements. For example, in this design we detect carbon dioxide concentration using a 2000 nm wavelength laser. The two laser beams are co-aligned and coupled into a single 20 cm multipass cell. The absorption signal (from both carbon-dioxide and oxygen) was detected simultaneously on a 2 micron photodetector. Second harmonic (Nf, N=2) detection, using wavelength modulation spectroscopy was employed to enhance the sensitivity of measurements. The sensor can readily be miniaturized and consumes less than 2 W of power, ideal for use of unmanned aerial systems and other airborne platforms.
Development of a MR-visible compound for tracing neuroanatomical connections in vivo.

Summary Traditional studies of neuroanatomical connections require injection of tracer compounds into living brains, then histology of the postmortem tissue. Here, we describe and validate a compound that reveals neuronal connections in vivo, using MRI. The classic anatomical tracer CTB (cholera-toxin subunit-B) was conjugated with a gadolinium-chelate to form GdDOTA-CTB. GdDOTA-CTB was injected into the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) or the olfactory pathway of rats. High-resolution MR images were collected at a range of time points at 11.7T and 7T. The transported GdDOTA-CTB was visible for at least 1 month post-injection, clearing within 2 months. Control injections of non-conjugated GdDOTA into S1 were not transported and cleared within 1–2 days. Control injections of Gd-Albumin were not transported either, clearing within 7 days. These MR results were verified by classic immunohistochemical staining for CTB, in the same animals. The GdDOTA-CTB neuronal transport was target specific, monosynaptic, stable for several weeks, and reproducible.
Pelvic muscles during rest: responses to pelvic muscle exercise.

The purpose of the research was to study pelvic muscle changes in the resting phase between voluntary contractions (during pelvic muscle assessment) and in response to pelvic muscle exercise (PME) through secondary analysis of data. The sample consisted of healthy women (N = 38) aged 35 to 54. Analysis of variance showed a significant difference in resting pressure within each assessment (F = 2.92, p < .04). A significant difference in resting pressures within subjects was found (F = 3.54, p < .02). Within-subject variance suggests exercises performed without a warmup may result in incomplete relaxation prior to contraction. Significant change between baseline and Level 1 of the graded PME program suggests slow relaxation of untrained muscles. Increases in resting pressure at Levels 3 and 4 may be a more accurate reflection of muscle hypertrophy. The results of this research indicate that care should be taken in establishing the point from which changes during contractions are measured. It is recommended that the resting pressure be used. Exercise continued for more than 3 or 4 weeks accounts for nearly all strength gains and explains the increases in resting pressure at PME Levels 3 and 4.
Fabrication of Anti-Aging TiO2 Nanotubes on Biomedical Ti Alloys

The primary objective of this study was to fabricate a TiO2 nanotubular surface, which could maintain hydrophilicity over time (resist aging). In order to achieve non-aging hydrophilic surfaces, anodization and annealing conditions were optimized. This is the first study to show that anodization and annealing condition affect the stability of surface hydrophilicity. Our results indicate that maintenance of hydrophilicity of the obtained TiO2 nanotubes was affected by anodization voltage and annealing temperature. Annealing sharply decreased the water contact angle (WCA) of the as-synthesized TiO2 nanotubular surface, which was correlated to improved hydrophilicity. TiO2 nanotubular surfaces are transformed to hydrophilic surfaces after annealing, regardless of annealing and anodization conditions; however, WCA measurements during aging demonstrate that surface hydrophilicity of non-anodized and 20 V anodized samples decreased after only 11 days of aging, while the 60 V anodized samples maintained their hydrophilicity over the same time period. The nanotubes obtained by 60 V anodization followed by 600 °C annealing maintained their hydrophilicity significantly longer than nanotubes which were obtained by 60 V anodization followed by 300 °C annealing.
FOXO in the hole: leveraging GWAS for outcome and function.

GWAS studies of autoimmune disorders have yielded hundreds of replicated associations, but moving from genetic association to functional studies with potential clinical relevance is a challenge. Leveraging GWAS data, Lee et al. now identify FOXO3 activity as predictive of disease severity in Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis as well as malaria, likely by acting through regulation of cytokine production in monocytes.
Moisture Damage Evaluation of Asphalt Mixes that Contain Mining Byproducts: Results from Traditional and Fracture Energy Tests

The availability of mineral aggregates for pavement construction is continuously depleting. The aggregate manufacturing process requires significant amounts of energy, which ranges from 10 to 30 MJ/ton. The process also produces 5 kg/ton of carbon dioxide (CO2), which causes significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. With the annual consumption of approximately 1.2 billion tons of aggregates in the United States, the environmental impact is significant. More than 125 million tons of fine-grained, crushed siliceous material is generated annually through iron ore mining in northern Minnesota. Typically, this material is referred to as "taconite tailings" and usually ends up as landfill near mining operations. This paper describes a moisture damage evaluation of asphalt mixes that contained significant fractions of aggregate as taconite tailings. The evaluation was conducted with the use of the conventional AASHTO T 283 test procedure as well as an approach with a fracture energy basis. The paper prese...
Virus silicification under simulated hot spring conditions.

Abstract Silicification of organisms in silica-depositing environments can impact both their ecology and their presence in the fossil record. Although microbes have been silicified under laboratory and environmental conditions, viruses have not. Bacteriophage T4 was successfully silicified under laboratory conditions that closely simulated those found in silica-depositing hot springs. Virus morphology was maintained, and a clear elemental signature of phosphorus was detected by energy-dispersive X-ray spectrophotometry (EDS). Key Words: Bacteriophage T4—Virus—Microbial silicification—Fossil record. Astrobiology 10, 569–576.
Carbon fiber polymer-matrix structural composite as a semiconductor and concept of optoelectronic and electronic devices made from it

An epoxy-matrix composite with continuous crossply carbon fibers was found to be a semiconductor in the through-thickness direction, with a tunable energy gap of - eV (infrared). The higher the pressure during composite fabrication by lamination, the higher the interlaminar stress and the greater the energy gap, which is the activation energy for electron jumping from one lamina to the adjacent one in the composite. The semiconducting behavior involves the contact electrical resistivity between adjacent laminae in the composite decreasing reversibly with increasing temperature. The concept of optoelectronic and electronic devices made from carbon fiber polymer-matrix composites is provided. Devices include solar cells, light emitting diodes, lasers, infrared detectors and transistors. Thus, a new dimension is added to smart structures and a new field of electronics (`structural electronics') is born.
Estimation of parameters in the beta binomial model

This paper contains some alternative methods for estimating the parameters in the beta binomial and truncated beta binomial models. These methods are compared with maximum likelihood on the basis of Asymptotic Relative Efficiency (ARE). For the beta binomial distribution a simple estimator based on moments or ratios of factorial moments has high ARE for most of the parameter space and it is an attractive and viable alternative to computing the maximum likelihood estimator. It is also simpler to compute than an estimator based on the mean and zeros, proposed by Chatfield and Goodhart (1970,Appl. Statist.,19, 240–250), and has much higher ARE for most part of the parameter space. For the truncated beta binomial, the simple estimator based on two moment relations does not behave quite as well as for the BB distribution, but a simple estimator based on two linear relations involving the first three moments and the frequency of “ones” has extremely high ARE. Some examples are provided to illustrate the procedure for the two models.
Evaluating the Impact of Cultural Competency Trainings from the Perspective of People in Recovery

Many behavioral health providers are now being trained in cultural competence but still little is known about the impact of these trainings on persons-in-recovery. This study reports on the evaluation of a state wide cultural competency (CC) training for behavioral health providers. A sample of persons-in-recovery receiving services from trainees were asked how important cultural factors were in their treatment and rehabilitation and to what extent their providers were culturally competent. Most persons-in-recovery reported that their providers were culturally competent, but the majority did not prioritize cultural factors in their treatment. The article discusses the complex relationship between culture and satisfaction with services and the need to explore further the person-in-recovery understanding of culture in the context of their mental health.
Cell responses to BMP-2 and IGF-I released with different time-dependent profiles.

During wound healing, growth factors are expressed in time-dependent amounts. Constant delivery of biomolecules, however, is often used to influence cell and tissue behavior. In the present studies, a crosslinked gelatin-coating system was used to deliver bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) or insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) to three types of mesenchymal cells with three temporally varying release profiles. The “early” delivery profile released most of the growth factor within the first 2 days. The “pseudo-zero-order” profile approximated constant rate of delivery for about 5 days. The “late” delivery profile released most of the growth factor after about 5 days. Early delivery of IGF-I had the greatest effect on mitogenesis of SaOS-2 human osteosarcoma cells with a secondary effect noted nearly 5 days after delivery was completed. Late delivery of BMP-2 resulted in greatest alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity in mouse pluripotent C3H10T1/2 cells. Rat bone marrow stromal cells (BMCs) responded to all delivery profiles of BMP-2, with the duration of elevated AP activity increasing as the amount of BMP-2 delivered increased. In addition to an early increase in AP activity, late release also stimulated BMCs over a longer portion of the culture period. BMCs responded similarly to SaOS-2 cells when seeded on early IGF-I delivery coatings, increasing AP activity after delivery had ended. Overall, these studies further show the importance of delivery profile, specifically the characteristics of time and concentration, on cell and tissue responses. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 69A: 342–350, 2004
Binding of nanoplastics onto a cellulose film

We report on the binding of nanoplastics onto a thin film of cellulose - the primary structural component of the cell-wall of green plants, many forms of algae and the oomycetes. The binding capacities of neutral and negatively charged nanoplastics were compared. Data from a fluorescence microplate reader showed that the adsorption of the neutral nanoplastic beads to be stronger than that of the negatively charged beads. A Freundlich adsorption isotherm was fitted to the experimental data and the binding constants were determined. Furthermore, the effect of solvent salinity on the binding was investigated. Our study provides an efficient method for evaluating the potential hazardous effects of nanoplastic particles in the environment.
Effect of Feed and Light Regimes during the Growing Period on Subsequent Reproductive Performance of Broad Breasted White Turkeys Fed Two Protein Levels

Abstract Ninety-six Broad Breasted White female turkeys were selected as potential breeder hens on the basis of body weight and conformation at 19 weeks of age, and housed in cages. From 22 to 30 weeks, hens were provided 8 hours light per day and fed a 16% protein diet. Half the hens were full-fed and half were restricted-fed the same diet by feeding every-other-day an amount equal to 1.5 times the average consumption of the full-fed birds, based on weekly feed consumption of the full-fed group. At 30 weeks of age, hens were provided 16 hours of light per day and half the hens from each prebreeder treatment were full-fed either a 14 or an 18% protein ration for a 20 week production period. Body weights of the restricted-fed hens were significantlylower at 30 weeks of age than full-fed groups, and reached their maximum body weight at 34 weeks of age, compared to 33 weeks for full-fed hens. Days to first egg were significantly less for hens which had been full-fed from 22—30 weeks than hens restricted in feed during this period. The number of eggs per hen (20 weeks) was significantly greater (P
An empirical comparison of the fault-detection capabilities of internal oracles

Modern computer systems are prone to various classes of runtime faults due to their reliance on features such as concurrency and peripheral devices such as sensors. Testing remains a common method for uncovering faults in these systems, but many runtime faults are difficult to detect using typical testing oracles that monitor only program output. In this work we empirically investigate the use of internal test oracles: oracles that detect faults by monitoring aspects of internal program and system states. We compare these internal oracles to each other and to output-based oracles for relative effectiveness and examine tradeoffs between oracles involving incorrect reports about faults (false positives and false negatives). Our results reveal several implications that test engineers and researchers should consider when testing for runtime faults.
Interaction of the K0-K0 system with external fields☆

Abstract The energy-dependence of the K 0 - K 0 parameters Δ m , τ S and η +− suggested by Fermilab regeneration data is analyzed phenomenologically. Such variations with energy can arise from the interaction of the kaons with an external field or medium, and several specific examples are studied in detail.
Photoelectron angular distribution measurements of s and d electrons from the photodetachment of V - at visible wavelengths

Photodetached d-electron angular distributions have been measured for the processes V{sup -}(3d{sup 4}4s{sup 2}){sup 5}D+h{nu}{yields}V(3d{sup 3}4s{sup 2}){sup 4}F+e{sup -}, V{sup -}(3d{sup 4}4s{sup 2}){sup 5}D+h{nu}{yields}V(3d{sup 3}4s{sup 2}){sup 4}P+e{sup -}, and at discrete wavelengths in the region 457.9-647.1 nm using the laser photoelectron spectroscopy technique. Photoelectron yields were obtained by measuring the laboratory frame energy spectra of photodetached electrons as a function of the angle between the velocity vector of the outgoing photoelectrons and the polarization direction of the linearly polarized photon beam. A nonlinear curve-fitting routine was used to extract the value of the asymmetry parameter for a particular transition at fixed photon energies. Asymmetry parameters are also reported for photodetached s electrons in the transitions V{sup -}(3d{sup 4}4s{sup 2}){sup 5}D+h{nu}{yields}V(3d{sup 4}4s){sup 6}D+e{sup -} and V{sup -}(3d{sup 4}4s{sup 2}){sup 5}D+h{nu}{yields}V(3d{sup 4}4s){sup 4}D+e{sup -} at four photon energies.
Adenocarcinoma of the prostate: Epidemiological trends, screening, diagnosis, and surgical management of localized disease

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Despite years of study and effort, certain key questions remain unanswered, including how prostate cancer is best detected and diagnosed, how it is best treated, and how best to minimize the complications of treatment. The aim of this article is to briefly address these topics to shed light on the current best practices in prostate cancer screening, diagnosis, and surgical treatment of localized disease. We examine current trends in prostate cancer epidemiology and screening, including genetic and dietary risk factors and the newer prostate-specific antigen-derived screening modalities. Methods of diagnosis, including an overview of prostate biopsy technique and indications, and a brief review of relevant pathologic findings are provided. An in-depth analysis of traditional prostate cancer surgical management highlights the relevant advantages and disadvantages of radical retropubic and perineal prostatectomy. Complications of surgery, prognostic factors, and the many risk prediction models currently available are discussed. In all, this article aims to give the reader a broad overview of the basic elements of prostate cancer diagnosis and surgical treatment in the modern era.
Postoperative colorectal cancer surveillance

The postoperative surveillance of patients who have undergone definitive initial therapy for colorectal cancer (CRC) is a topic of considerable controversy. The controversy exists largely because it has been difficult to prove a survival advantage for asymptomatic patients participating in posttreatment surveillance, compared with symptom-directed surveillance. For a benefit in survival to be realized for a surveillance program, it is essential not only that recurrent disease be identified, but also that potentially curative treatment options be available. Given this linkage, a surveillance program must be judged not only by its ability to identify disease recurrence, but also by the merits of available therapy for recurrent disease. The purpose of this article is to review the literature to familiarize the physician with the available data related to the possible benefits of surveillance both in terms of identification of disease and the curative treatment options for recurrent CRC.
Buprenorphine blocks withdrawal in morphine-dependent rat pups.

Summary Background : Infants placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or mechanical ventilation often need continuous morphine infusions for pain relief and sedation. The resulting physical dependence requires an additional 2–3-week hospital stay to taper the morphine to avoid withdrawal. Buprenorphine effectively blocks abstinence in dependent adults, and in infants it could accelerate or eliminate the tapering schedule, thereby enabling earlier hospital dismissals. Methods : Morphine-dependent infant rats were used in this study to determine the effectiveness of buprenorphine in blocking abstinence. Postnatal day-14 (P14) rats were implanted with osmotic minipumps that delivered saline (1 μl·h−1) or morphine (2 mg·kg−1 h−1) for 72 h. The minipumps were then removed to allow the rats to undergo spontaneous morphine withdrawal. Results : The withdrawal period lasted approximately 72 h out of a 96-h observation period. The following signs were significant during these hours: wet-dog shakes, 1–72 h; abdominal stretches, 1–72 h; forepaw tremors, 1–24 h; splayed hind-limbs, 1–72 h; ptosis, 4–72 h; and evoked vocalization, 4 and 8 h. A single 1 mg·kg−1 buprenorphine dose significantly decreased wet-dog shakes from 1 to 72 h, abdominal stretches from 1 to 48 h, forepaw tremors and splayed hind-limbs 1–8 h, and ptosis and evoked vocalization at 4 and 8 h. Repeated administration of 1 mg·kg−1 buprenorphine before pump removal and at 24, 48 and 72 h resulted in a greater magnitude of blockade of abstinence throughout the 96-h observation period. Conclusions : Buprenorphine may prove to be a suitable drug for treating opioid withdrawal in human infants.
Regulation of endothelial derived nitric oxide in health and disease

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is the primary physiological source of nitric oxide (NO) that regulates cardiovascular homeostasis. Historically eNOS has been thought to be a constitutively expressed enzyme regulated by calcium and calmodulin. However, in the last five years it is clear that eNOS activity and NO release can be regulated by post-translational control mechanisms (fatty acid modification and phosphorylation) and protein-protein interactions (with caveolin-1 and heat shock protein 90) that direct impinge upon the duration and magnitude of NO release. This review will summarize this information and apply the post-translational control mechanisms to disease states.
Quark-like structures in the atomic f shell

Abstract Instead of thinking of the 15 electronic configurations fN (0⩽N⩽ 14) as distinct entities, we can construct all 16 384 states of the f shell by coupling together four independent quarks and including two parity labels. Each quark is eight-dimensional, has the angular momentum structure s + f, and belongs to the simplest spinor representation ( 1 2 1 2 1 2 ) of the Lie group SO(7). Two coupled quarks provide the spin-up states of either even N or odd N configurations; the other two perform a similar role in the spin-down space. Transformations among the eight components of a quark bring the group SO(8) into play. Just how the representations of this group collapse into representations of the three possible SO(7) subgroups and their common subgroup G2 is illustrated by projecting the four-dimensional weight space on to the two-dimensional space of the printed page. The quarks make themselves felt by providing selection rules and unexpected proportionalities between matrix elements. Among various examples so far investigated is that provided by the relation between some matrix elements of the spin-spin type for the quintet states of f4 (with even L) and some crystal-field matrix elements for the singlets of f2.
Mucosubstances in the chicken aorta Part 2. Changes induced by diethylstilbestrol implants or cholesterol feeding

Abstract The mucosubstances and cholesterol in the aorta of male white Leghorn chickens, treated with implants of diethylstilbestrol (DES) or fed an 0.5% cholesterol-containing diet for 0.5, 1.5, 3 and 5 months, were studied. The severity of gross aortic lesions were correlated with the levels of plasma cholesterol and serum protein bound hexose. Total aortic protein was higher in the abdominal aorta, with no appreciable change in the thoracic segment regardless of treatment. The concentration of total hydroxyproline in the abdominal segment of control, DES and cholesterol-fed birds showed an increase with time, and was significantly higher than the levels found in the thoracic portions. The abdominal segment of the aorta contained more collagen than the thoracic portion, while the converse was true for elastin and acid mucopolysaccharides (AMPS). The hexosamine fraction of aortic glycoprotein showed little change in concentration for control and cholesterol-fed birds; similarities were found in the DES-treated birds after 3 months of treatment, followed by a sharp decrease at 5 months. Glycoprotein-bound hexose levels in both segments of the aortas showed considerable variation at different time intervals. The accumulation of free and total cholesterol in the aortas of the control and treated birds parallels remarkably well the levels of cholesterol found in the plasma. A sharp rise in the level of serum protein-bound hexose of DES-treated birds coincides with elevated plasma cholesterol and increased severity of gross atheroma in the thoracic aorta.
Biogenetic-type synthesis of hydroxylated tricyclic diterpenes in the pimarane class

The biogenetic-type synthesis of various diterpenoids (in the racemic form) possessing the pimarane backbone was achieved through nonenzymic cyclization of the oxide of methyl geranylgeranyl carbonate (46). Treatment of oxide 46 with BF3 · Et2O in CH3NO2 effected formation of pimaradienol 36, isopimaradienol 39, and the naturally occurring tricycle 40. Acid treatment of either 39 or 40 led to an equilibrium mixture which includes isomer 41, also of natural origin. Side-chain oxidation of dienol 40 afforded araucarol (16), a third plant product. Other substances formed in the cyclization of oxide 46 are described, and a mechanistic interpretation of the overall reaction course is presented.
The Optical Variability Of The Ocean Surface From CZCS Imagery

Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) results have been used to measure the optical varia-bility of the ocean over large areas. The properties of Jerlov type I waters of areas of the North Atlantic are compared with the types II and III waters of the North Pacific. Several techniques are used to quantify the variability. Radiance variations show the reflectance changes over large and small areas and demonstrate the striking difference between types I and III waters. Color index variations (in which the color index is the ratio of radiances in two spectral bands) have been computed for small areas such as warm core rings and for large ocean areas containing different water masses. Spectral band relationships, which display the radiance at one wavelength against the radiance at another wavelength or against the color index, show a great diversity which makes it difficult to generalize the data. Spectra show the spatial variability of radiance and color for a selection of north-south and east-west tracks covering a range of water types. The results indicate that the color and radiance variations have very diverse characteristics from region to region.
Calcimimetics: a remedy for all problems of excess parathyroid hormone activity in chronic kidney disease?

Purpose of reviewCinacalcet is a calcimimetic agent that is now available for use clinically to manage secondary hyperparathyroidism among patients undergoing dialysis regularly. It acts as an allosteric activator of the calcium-sensing receptor, the molecular mechanism that controls parathyroid hor