cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From the editors' desk: challenging problems, challenging patients.

According to the World Health Organization, depression affects more than 120 million persons worldwide and is a significant cause of disability. In fact, as assessed by disability adjusted life years (or DALYs), depression now ranks 2nd for men and women in the 15–44 age group. Along with other mental and behavioral disorders, it is also one of the most common problems seen in primary care, and is a frequent accompaniment to many chronic illnesses. In this issue of JGIM, several papers examine depression and other mental/behavioral health disorders from a variety of perspectives. Sorkin et al. report on a study of the mental health needs and barriers to care among older Asian Americans in the US. They found that while expression of emotional distress and utilization of mental health services varied among the six Asian subgroups studied, several groups continue to underutilize care, possibly because of stigma and other cultural barriers. This study reminds us that our patients continue to confront more barriers to access quality care for mental and behavioral health conditions than for most of the other medical problems we manage. Access to care does not guarantee satisfactory outcomes. Prior research has shown that many patients with depression continue to have significant symptoms despite an adequate trial of antidepressant medication. How to manage patients with ‘treatment resistant depression’ has been an ongoing challenge for clinicians and researchers. Trivedi et al. report on a systematic review of psychotherapy for patients with treatment resistant depression to determine if the evidence supports the use of psychotherapy to augment or substitute for drug therapy. They conclude that while there is insufficient evidence to draw any firm conclusions, psychotherapy (primarily cognitive therapy) is likely underutilized by primary care providers and should be considered as an option for patients with treatment resistant depression. Also in this issue, a study by Bayliss et al. reminds us that primary care patients with depression usually also have other medical co-morbidities that complicate their care. In contrast with some prior research, they found that incident depression did not worsen clinical outcomes in a cohort of patients with diabetes. Patients with underlying mental disorders such as depression areoftenchallengingforphysicianstocareforandaremorelikely to be perceived as “difficult”. In this issue, Hinchey and Jackson present findings from a fascinating study that examined predictors and outcomes of difficult patient encounters in primary care. As they point out, most of the previous work in this area has focused on patient behavior. This study adds to our understanding of difficult encounters by more closely examining physician factors that are associated with difficult encounters and by looking at outcomes. They found that physicians with feweryearsofclinicalexperienceandthosethatratedloweronthe
Aging Gastropathy—Novel Mechanisms: Hypoxia, Up-regulation of Multifunctional Phosphatase PTEN, and Proapoptotic Factors

Background & Aims: Aging gastric mucosa has impaired mucosal defense and increased susceptibility to injury. Our aims were to determine the mechanisms responsible for above abnormalities. Methods: We used Fisher F-344 rats, 3 and 24 months of age. We measured gastric mucosal blood flow; visualized mucosal hypoxia; examined expression of early growth response-1 transcription factor and phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN); assessed apoptosis; and determined expression of caspase-3, caspase-9, and survivin. We also examined susceptibility of gastric mucosa of young and aging rats to ethanol injury and whether down-regulation of PTEN affects susceptibility of aging gastric mucosa to injury. To determine human relevance, we examined expression of PTEN and survivin in human gastric specimens of young and aging individuals. Results: Gastric mucosa of aging (vs young) rats has a 60% reduction in mucosal blood flow; prominent hypoxia; and increased early growth response-1 transcription factor and PTEN messenger RNAs, and proteins. It also has increased expression of proapoptotic proteins caspase-3 and capase-9, reduced survivin, and a 6-fold increased apoptosis vs mucosa of young rats. Ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in aging (vs young) rats was significantly increased. The down-regulation of PTEN in gastric mucosa of aging rats completely reversed its increased susceptibility to ethanol injury. In aging human gastric mucosa, PTEN expression was significantly increased, whereas survivin was significantly reduced. Conclusions: (1) Gastric mucosa of aging rats has significantly reduced blood flow, tissue hypoxia, activation of Egr-1, PTEN; increased caspases; and reduced survivin. (2) These changes increase susceptibility of aging gastric mucosa to injury.
Promising treatments of tomorrow for multiple sclerosis

The therapeutic options for multiple sclerosis are rapidly expanding. What was once seen as a disease with little hope for treatment is now a target of rapid drug development. Current therapies have demonstrated efficacy in limiting the impact of the disease, but none is fully effective in all patients. However, promising new treatments are on the horizon. In this review we will discuss potential novel immunomodulating drugs that are in advanced stages of investigation; these drugs include monoclonal antibodies, chimeric molecules, and oral therapies. The use of hematopoietic stem cells will also be discussed and, in addition, we will look farther ahead at possible novel targets for the development of new immunomodulatory or neuroprotective pharmaceuticals.
Conceptualization of Conscience in 11–12-Year-Olds

Forty-eight nonpsychiatrically disturbed 11–12-year-olds were asked to describe their conscience, to draw a picture of it, and to describe their internal and external responses to personal transgressions and acts of moral goodness. Three stages of conceptualization emerged, represented by both verbal description and pictorial presentation. The reporting of emotional responses of physiological discomfort, persistent thoughts, and depressive symptoms showed statistically significant variation at the three stages. There were also significant sex differences. Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry , 24, 5:630–636, 1985.
Sister chromatid exchanges in the peripheral blood of cigarette smokers and in lung cancer patients; and the effect of chemotherapy

Peripheral blood sister chromatid exchange (SCE) rates in chronic cigarette smokers and in subjects with cancer do not differ from those in healthy nonsmokers. SCE patterns were normal in 69 chronic cigarette smokers, including 62 patients with untreated lung cancer. In three chronic smokers with lung cancer, high SCE levels were related to recent intravenous chemotherapy.
The effect of a lesion of the habenula on passive avoidance learning

To investigate whether habenular lesions affect passive avoidance learning and thyroid functioning, and to determine whether cold stress modifies lesion effects, rats with habenular lesions and sham operate control were cold stressed or not cold stressed, and then given passive avoidance training. Habenular rats learned to avoid faster than controls. Cold stress did not affect learning or modify the lesion effects. Following training, blood samples were analyzed for protein-bound and inorganic iodine. Both cold stress and habenular lesions decreased inorganic iodine level.
Flavor enhancement of foods for the elderly can reverse anorexia

Impairment of the senses of taste and smell is one of the major factors contributing to anorexia in the elderly. Anorexia often remits when foods are amplified by additional odor to compensate for diminished chemosensory functioning.
AN EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF DENSITY DEPENDENCE IN A SUBTIDAL ALGAL POPULATION

The effect of density on the survival, growth, fecundity, and recruitment of the subtidal kelp Pterygophora californica was experimentally evaluated by thinning a natural population of 1-yr-old plants to four different densities. Tagged individuals were followed through time, and changes in their estimated tissue volume were calculated from in situ morphometric measurements. Highly seasonal patterns of growth and reproduction were observed. During fall senescence, plants in stands thinned to the lowest density (i.e., 2 plants/M2) showed a significantly greater decline in volume than those in denser stands (i.e., 58 and 102 plants/M2). During periods of high growth, lower density plants showed significantly greater gains in volume and were the only plants that became reproductively mature. In the winter when volume was lowest, the proportion of individuals in the smallest size classes decreased as treatment density increased. In contrast, in the summer when volume was greatest the predominance of small individuals increased as treatment density increased. New recruits of Pterygophora as well as other macroalgae were observed only in lower density stands. Lower density plants also had higher levels of epiphytes. The distributions of the white sea urchin (Lytechinus anemesus) and two sea hares (Aplysia californica and A. vaccaria), the three most conspicuous grazers during this study, were correlated with Pterygophora density. Lytechinus were significantly more abundant in low-density plots, while Aplysia spp. were common only in high-density plots. Both grazers appeared to remove substantial amounts of biomass, and there was no obvious effect of stand density on the amount of plant tissue lost as a consequence of grazing. These findings suggest that density can strongly influence patterns of growth and re- production in this alga. A likely mechanism is competition for light at high density. The relative importance of light competition at higher densities, however, probably varies with other factors such as nutrient dynamics, abrasion, and grazing, which may or may not operate in a density-dependent manner. The degree to which dominance and suppression are expressed in high density stands of marine algae most likely varies with species archi- tecture and depth and may account for differences between the results of previous studies on marine algae and those reported here.
Absolute color scale for improved diagnostics with wavefront error mapping.

Purpose Wavefront data are expressed in micrometers and referenced to the pupil plane, but current methods to map wavefront error lack standardization. Many use normalized or floating scales that may confuse the user by generating ambiguous, noisy, or varying information. An absolute scale that combines consistent clinical information with statistical relevance is needed for wavefront error mapping. The color contours should correspond better to current corneal topography standards to improve clinical interpretation. Design Retrospective analysis of wavefront error data. Participants Historic ophthalmic medical records. Methods Topographic modeling system topographical examinations of 120 corneas across 12 categories were used. Corneal wavefront error data in micrometers from each topography map were extracted at 8 Zernike polynomial orders and for 3 pupil diameters expressed in millimeters (3, 5, and 7 mm). Both total aberrations (orders 2 through 8) and higher-order aberrations (orders 3 through 8) were expressed in the form of frequency histograms to determine the working range of the scale across all categories. The standard deviation of the mean error of normal corneas determined the map contour resolution. Map colors were based on corneal topography color standards and on the ability to distinguish adjacent color contours through contrast. Main Outcome Measures Higher-order and total wavefront error contour maps for different corneal conditions. Results An absolute color scale was produced that encompassed a range of ±6.5 μm and a contour interval of 0.5 μm. All aberrations in the categorical database were plotted with no loss of clinical information necessary for classification. In the few instances where mapped information was beyond the range of the scale, the type and severity of aberration remained legible. Conclusions When wavefront data are expressed in micrometers, this absolute scale facilitates the determination of the severity of aberrations present compared with a floating scale, particularly for distinguishing normal from abnormal levels of wavefront error. The new color palette makes it easier to identify disorders. The corneal mapping method can be extended to mapping whole eye wavefront errors. When refraction data are expressed in diopters, the previously published corneal topography scale is suggested.
In-hospital ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction: an inside-out approach.

The clinical benefit of reducing the time between the onset of ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and coronary reperfusion has fueled the motivation of cardiologists and their emergency care colleagues for the past 2 decades.1 Prompt treatment with fibrinolytic therapy or primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) leads to improved outcomes and important reductions in mortality.2 The development and optimization of systems of care to improve treatment times for STEMI patients has become a major initiative of the national cardiovascular organizations and regional healthcare networks. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s National Heart Attack Alert Program introduced in 1991 to address care in the emergency department,3 the American College of Cardiology’s Door-to-Balloon Alliance launched in 2006 to optimize time to primary PCI in PCI-capable hospitals,4 and the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline introduced in 2007 to address the continuum of care for STEMI patients from symptom onset to timely reperfusion to secondary prevention by developing systems of care5 have promoted and supported processes and protocols to improve time to treatment and the quality of care for patients with STEMI. National, regional, and local efforts have focused on organizing emergency medical systems (EMS), emergency departments, and hospitals to facilitate rapid diagnosis, triage, transport, and treatment with fibrinolytic therapy (when access to primary PCI is prolonged) or preferably timely primary PCI. These efforts and careful study of mechanisms that streamline patient flow and logistics of emergency care have resulted in a progressive reduction in the door-to-balloon times for primary PCI.6 Successful systems have addressed the problem at every stage, including empowerment of EMS and emergency department physicians to diagnose STEMI and to activate emergency interventional cardiology services, EMS transport of patients directly from the field to the catheterization laboratory, establishment of benchmarks for cardiac catheterization team readiness …
Breathing pattern and ventilation during oral feeding in term newborn infants.

The effect of oral feeding on breathing pattern and ventilation was studied in 19 healthy term neonates in the semiupright supine position. Ventilation was measured with a nasal flowmeter, and sucking pressure via a modified nipple that permitted milk delivery. The feeding pattern in these infants consisted of an initial period of continuous sucking followed by intermittent sucking for the remainder of the feed. A significant reduction in minute ventilation (P 0.05), but prolongation of expiration (P
Is the stat Gram stain helpful during percutaneous image-guided fluid drainage?

Rationale and Objectives . The purpose of this study was to use logistic regression to analyze both Gram stain results and other clinical information to create a decision rule capable of predicting which abdominal or pelvic fluid collections would later prove to be infected and therefore require catheter drainage. Materials and Methods . The authors retrospectively collected Gram stain results and clinical data (postoperative status and antibiotic use) regarding 124 abdominal or pelvic fluid drainage procedures performed between 1991 and 1996. They then analyzed these data by using logistic regression to create an equation that predicted the presence of fluid infection. Finally, they validated this equation by applying it to 39 abdominal or pelvic fluid drainage procedures performed in 1997. Results . The resulting equation predicted that a fluid collection was likely to be infected if any of the following were present: Gram stain positive for bacteria, Gram stain showing moderate or many white blood cells, and purulent fluid at visual inspection. For the initial data set, the sensitivity of the decision rule was 91%, the specificity was 54%, and the overall accuracy was 77%. For the 1997 data set, the sensitivity of the decision rule was 88%, the specificity was 50%, and the accuracy was 77%. Conclusion . When combined with clinical information, Gram stain results are sensitive but nonspecific in the detection of abdominal or pelvic fluid infection. Use of the decision rule could prevent unnecessary catheter placement in a minority of patients with abdominal or pelvic fluid collections.
Colonic neoplasia in patients with nonspecific GI symptoms

Abstract Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of colonic polyps or masses 1 cm or greater in diameter in patients with nonspecific abdominal symptoms, from diverse practice settings, using a national endoscopic database. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy were included based on procedure indication. Endoscopic data were generated with a computer database at each practice site, transmitted to a central data bank and merged with data from multiple sites for analysis. Group 1 patients had nonspecific abdominal symptoms, which were defined as pain, constipation and diarrhea. Group 2 patients had a positive fecal occult blood test. Group 3 patients were asymptomatic, undergoing screening colonoscopy. Serious colon pathology was defined as a polyp or mass greater than 9 mm in size. Results: Data were collected from 31 practice sites in 21 states during a period of 18 months. Of the 20,745 colonoscopy examinations, 9.2% were performed to evaluate patients with nonspecific abdominal symptoms, excluding other indications. Among patients with nonspecific symptoms 7.27% had polyp(s) 1 cm or greater in diameter compared with 17.05% of patients with positive fecal occult blood test (odds ratio 2.12: CI [1.73, 2.60]; p p = 0.32). Multivariate analysis identified several independent variables including increasing age, male gender and practice site at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Conclusions: In diverse, practice-based settings, patients with nonspecific abdominal symptoms who are referred for colonoscopy do not have a higher risk of serious colonic pathology than asymptomatic patients. (Gastrointest Endosc 2000;51:647-51.)
Intersession telephone contact with individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder: Lessons from dialectical behavior therapy

Therapists often struggle with managing intersession contact with clients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, particularly when dangerous and life-threatening symptoms are communicated ( Gunderson, 1996 ). Difficulties have arisen, in part, because previous phone contacts with this population have failed to recognize the importance of learning principles when assisting therapists in managing out-of-session contact with this population. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a comprehensive, cognitive-behavior treatment, offers promise by providing structured telephone contacts with individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder that emphasize the role of learning principles ( Linehan, 1993 ). This article describes the functions of DBT telephone coaching and describes several phone coaching techniques. In addition, five impediments are identified that therapists are likely to encounter when conducting and implementing DBT telephone coaching. Solutions to overcoming these impediments are addressed using the DBT model as a reference.
How Managers’ Trust and Control Activities Influence Subordinates’ Perceptions

This paper refines and extends ideas about control-trust dynamics in two ways. First, we describe a theory of managerial action that outlines how managers integrate their efforts to apply controls and demonstrate their trustworthiness. We observe that managers attempt to promote superior-subordinate cooperation by linking their applications of output controls with demonstrations of their reliability, process controls with demonstrations of their competence, and social controls with demonstrations of their benevolence. Second, we demonstrate how the ways that managers combine efforts to apply controls and demonstrate their trustworthiness differentially influence the trust that subordinates have in their managers and the extent to which subordinates perceive they are controlled by them. When managers couple their efforts to apply output or social controls with efforts to demonstrate their reliability and benevolence respectively, subordinates perceive that their managers are motivated by trustworthy intent...
MIRVs and the strategic balance.

BELLANY1 claims that the introduction of multiple independently targeted re-entry vehicles (MIRVs) could increase the stability of the strategic balance between the US and the Soviet Union. This conclusion is not warranted, and in fact quite the opposite is true.
Employee responses: Gender- or job-related differences?

Abstract Three alternative views for understanding work-related responses of employees were specified and tested relative to one another in this study. Person-centered (gender-related), situation-centered (job-related), and person-situation (joint gender-and job-related) explanations for employee responses were examined for females and males in two jobs. Multiple measures of each employee work-related response were used, and the effects of age, education, and tenure on the job were controlled in two samples. Results from two-way MANCOVAs indicate that differences in employee responses about job characteristics and commitment are job-related (situation-centered); those about involvement are both job- and gender-related (situation- and person-centered); those about role stress are jointly gender- and job-related (person-situation); and those about performance are gender-related (person-centered).
Recovery of shoulder strength and proprioception after open surgery for recurrent anterior instability: a comparison of two surgical techniques.

Background Previous studies have documented a decrease in proprioceptive capacity in the unstable shoulder. The degree to which surgical approach affects recovery of strength and proprioception is unknown. Materials and methods The recovery of strength and proprioception after open surgery for recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability was compared for 2 surgical procedures. A prospective analysis of 55 consecutive patients with posttraumatic unilateral recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability was performed. Thirty patients (group 1) underwent an open inferior capsular shift with detachment of the subscapularis, and 25 (group 2) underwent an anterior capsulolabral reconstruction. Results Mean preoperative proprioception and strength values were significantly lower for the affected shoulders in both groups. At 6 months after surgery, there were no significant differences for mean strength and proprioception values between the unaffected and operative sides for group 2 patients. In group 1 patients, however, there were still significant deficits in mean position sense and strength values. Complete restoration of proprioception and strength, however, was evident by 12 months in group 1. Conclusion This study demonstrates that there are significant deficits in both strength and proprioception in patients with posttraumatic, recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability. Although both are completely restored by 1 year after surgery, a subscapularis-splitting approach allows for complete recovery of strength and position sense as early as 6 months postoperatively. Detachment of the subscapularis delays recovery of strength and position sense for up to 12 months after surgery.
On the Periodic Response of Cam Mechanism With Flexible Follower and Camshaft

Researchers in recent years have shown a great deal of interest in the study of the dynamic response of cam-follower systems, with one or more of its components treated as being elastic. Within the assumption of a lineaar analysis, and limited to stable regions, a single degree-of-freedom linear second order differential equation of motion is developed for a cam mechanism consisting of elastic follower and camshaft. This development is consistent, as are some simplifying assumptions, with the works of current authors. The governing equation is shown to possess time-dependent periodic coefficients, for a constant imput angular velocity. Conventionally, the rise portion of the cam motion cycle has been treated as the source of excitation, and the transient follower-motion computed during the excitation (rise) as well as the subsequent dwell periods. The one basic assumption in these works, however, has been that the residual vibration is damped out during the dwell period and does not carry over to the next motion cycle. In this paper, the authors forego this assumption and present a method for not only incorporating the excitation effects due to the return stroke, but also for obtaining the steady-state response of the follower. Some illustrative examples are presented, and even though no comprehensive set of cam-profile types are examined, some basic conclusions are reached using a representative cycloidal cam profile.
Predicting insect density from probe trap catch in farm-stored wheat

Abstract Insect populations infesting wheat stored in four bins on two Kansas farms were monitored from early July 1996 through to the middle of January 1997. Estimates of adult insect density based upon the numbers of adult insects caught using probe traps differed from those based upon the number of insects found in grain samples. These differences were a result of differences in numbers of insects found and percentages of traps or grain samples with insects. Traps detected insects 15 to 37 d earlier than grain samples. The depth of traps below the grain surface tended to influence both the total number and species composition of the insects that were caught. Traps inserted with the top just below the grain surface collected an average of 1.9 times more Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), 1.2 times more Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), 4.1 times more Ahasverus advena (Waltl) and 77.4 times more Typhaea stercorea (L.) than traps inserted with the top 7.6 cm below the grain surface. However, trap depth did not have a significant effect on the number of R. dominica caught and on only 12 to 21% of sampling dates did trap depth have a significant effect on the number of insects of other species that were caught. Grain temperatures in three of the bins averaged 30 °C during the first 70 d of storage and then decreased by 0.2°C/d. Grain in the other bin was initially more than 10°C warmer and grain temperature decreased by 0.2°C/d over the full storage period. The numbers of insects captured in traps decreased as grain temperature decreased even though grain samples indicated that insect populations were still growing. Thus, trap catches did not estimate insect population density consistently throughout the storage period. A method was developed in the current paper to adjust for the effect of seasonal changes in temperature on trap catch.
Conflict and love: Predicting newlywed marital outcomes from two interaction contexts.

Research on marital interaction has focused primarily on couples in conflict contexts to understand better processes associated with concurrent and longitudinal outcomes such as marital stability and quality. Although this work has consistently revealed particular emotions (e.g., contempt) or behavioral sequences (e.g., demand/withdraw) predictive of later marital distress, it largely has neglected to take positive contexts into consideration. The present longitudinal study begins to address this gap in the literature by directly comparing newlywed behaviors from a conflict-resolution interaction with those from a love-paradigm interaction to predict relationship satisfaction and divorce proneness approximately 15 months later. Results showed that actor and partner negative (contempt) and positive (affection) emotions elicited in both positive (i.e., love) and negative (i.e., conflict) interaction contexts emerged as unique predictors of relationship quality and stability for both husbands and wives. Moreover, using a linear growth model, the temporal course of positive emotion during the love context, but not the conflict context, was predictive of later relationship satisfaction. Implications for future marital research and intervention are discussed.
Book review of Léon Krier's “Albert Speer. Architecture 1932–1942”

(2014). Book review of Leon Krier's “Albert Speer. Architecture 1932–1942”. Journal of Architecture and Urbanism: Vol. 38, No. 3, pp. 210-212.
Spontaneous infarction of parathyroid adenoma: Case report and literature review.

A patient with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism who spontaneously became normocalcemia is reported. The only significant finding was that of pain and tenderness in the enlarged parathyroid gland 2 weeks prior to surgery. This was due to a recent infarction of a parathyroid adenoma.
Ricci Flow for 3D Shape Analysis

Ricci flow is a powerful curvature flow method in geometric analysis. This work is the first application of surface Ricci flow in computer vision. We show that previous methods based on conformal geometries, such as harmonic maps and least-square conformal maps, which can only handle 3D shapes with simple topology are subsumed by our Ricci flow based method which can handle surfaces with arbitrary topology. Because the Ricci flow method is intrinsic and depends on the surface metric only, it is invariant to rigid motion, scaling, and isometric and conformal deformations. The solution to Ricci flow is unique and its computation is robust to noise. Our Ricci flow based method can convert all 3D problems into 2D domains and offers a general framework for 3D surface analysis. Large non-rigid deformations can be registered with feature constraints, hence we introduce a method that constrains Ricci flow computation using feature points and feature curves. Finally, we demonstrate the applicability of this intrinsic shape representation through standard shape analysis problems, such as 3D shape matching and registration.
Trade-Based Interactions: an Interdisciplinary Perspective:

This paper applies the "conflict-trade" international relations model to the question of labor unrest. Labor unrest is a particular form of conflict prevalent within the U.S. labor market. Labor unrest manifests itself when union workers strike for better wages and benefits during labor corur-act negotiations. The question addressed is why the more educated, less menial workers unionize and strike less. The conflict-trade model argues that dyads trading with each other engage in less conflict. More educated professional and managerial workers engage in more training. The costs and benefits of this training are shared between employers and employees. This sharing is a form of trade, which according to the conflict-trade model reduces worker-firm conflict more for professional-managerial workers than for menial workers. As such, union membership and strike activity are less premlem among the more skilled more educated workforce. The paper is interdisciplinary because it links a trade-based international rel...
Hypomethylation of the rat tyrosine hydroxylase gene correlates with its expression in several cell types

Abstract Changes in the methylation patterns of genes have been implicated in controlling tissue-specific gene expression. Since the mechanism which causes the developmental appearance of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is unknown, we examined the extent of DNA methylation in the rat TH gene in PC12, F4 and liver cells, which differ in their expression of TH. Using methylation-sensitive restriction endonucleases, we found that hypomethylation of the TH gene correlated with its expression in these cells.
Weighted link graphs: a distributed IDS for secondary intrusion detection and defense

While a firewall installed at the perimeter of a local network provides the first line of defense against the hackers, many intrusion incidents are the results of successful penetration of the firewalls. One computer"s compromise often put the entire network at risk. In this paper, we propose an IDS that provides a finer control over the internal network. The system focuses on the variations of connection-based behavior of each single computer, and uses a weighted link graph to visualize the overall traffic abnormalities. The functionality of our system is of a distributed personal IDS system that also provides a centralized traffic analysis by graphical visualization. We use a novel weight assignment schema for the local detection within each end agent. The local abnormalities are quantitatively carried out by the node weight and link weight and further sent to the central analyzer to build the weighted link graph. Thus, we distribute the burden of traffic processing and visualization to each agent and make it more efficient for the overall intrusion detection. As the LANs are more vulnerable to inside attacks, our system is designed as a reinforcement to prevent corruption from the inside.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Methodology for Transferring Research Experiences in Design and Scheduling of Cellular Manufacturing Systems

The paper describes the approaches and tools used to transfer industrially relevant research experiences and findings in the design and scheduling of cellular manufacturing (CM) systems, obtained over the past three and one-half years, into the class room through a senior/graduate level course (IE 464/564) in this area. Lecture notes, handouts, homework assignments, computer projects, and software were among the tools used to transfer the knowledge. Graduate students, in addition to meeting all the requirements for undergraduates (homework assignments, computer projects, mid-term test, and final exam), were required to work on a term project, an effort which constituted up to 10% of their final grade. Observations are offered on the steps required to make each aspect of the course a success. The overall students' performance on the course for two consecutive years (Spring 1995 and 1996) shows that indeed the course was quite successful. To the author's knowledge, there are not many academic units in universities currently offering a full-fledged course on the design and scheduling of CM systems. Thus, the experience reported in this paper should serve as a useful methodology to build on.
GREENHOUSE-GAS EMISSIONS FROM THE USE OF NEW FUELS FOR TRANSPORTATION AND ELECTRICITY

Abstract Concern about global warming, poor urban air quality and dependence on insecure sources of oil are leading many nations to examine alternative energy sources and technologies for transportation and electricity generation. This analysis shows that most of the near-term fossil fuel-based alternatives would not dramatically reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. However, in the long run, several ultra- low-emission fuels and technologies are available. The major uncertainties in the analysis are the efficiency of energy use, the warming potential of greenhouse gases other than CO 2 and the economic and political context in which energy is used.
Flexible fabrication of three-dimensional multi-layered microstructures using a scanning laser system

In this paper, we developed a scanning laser system, which allows rapid processing of freeform multi-layered microstructures. More importantly it enables rapid prototyping of three-dimensional (3D) microdevices at low cost. The capabilities of three-dimensional manufacturing, inclined patterning, and multi-layered manufacturing have been demonstrated. Specifically, both in-plane and out-of-plane processing is feasible using spot-by-spot controllable laser pulsing. The laser processing perpendicular to the specimen surface is realized by fine tuning the focus level and laser intensity. A large number of microfluidic components such as cantilever beams, embedded channels and other shapes requiring gaps between layers are demonstrated in a single layer. Compared to the existing manufacturing techniques, our direct laser writing method greatly simplifies fabrication processes, potentially reducing the design-to-fabrication cycle to a few hours.
Memory of sequential experience in the hippocampus during slow wave sleep.

Rats repeatedly ran through a sequence of spatial receptive fields of hippocampal CA1 place cells in a fixed temporal order. A novel combinatorial decoding method reveals that these neurons repeatedly fired in precisely this order in long sequences involving four or more cells during slow wave sleep (SWS) immediately following, but not preceding, the experience. The SWS sequences occurred intermittently in brief (∼100 ms) bursts, each compressing the behavioral sequence in time by approximately 20-fold. This rapid encoding of sequential experience is consistent with evidence that the hippocampus is crucial for spatial learning in rodents and the formation of long-term memories of events in time in humans.
High-resolution transmission electron microscopy of grain boundaries in aluminum and correlation with atomistic calculations

Abstract The application of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) to the study of several symmetric tilt boundaries in aluminum is presented. The observed images are correlated with simulated images based on molecular statics calculations using the embedded atom method. In general, good agreement is obtained between experiment and theory. The complementary aspects of comparing HRTEM results with atomistic calculations are also discussed with respect to obtaining three-dimensional information about the boundaries and accounting for thin-foil effects on the observed structures.
Factors Influencing the Chlorine Susceptibility of Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare, and Mycobacterium scrofulaceum

The susceptibility of representative strains of Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare, and Mycobacterium scrofulaceum (the MAIS group) to chlorine was studied to identify factors related to culture conditions and growth phase that influenced susceptibility. M. avium and M. intracellulare strains were more resistant to chlorine than were strains of M. scrofulaceum. Transparent and unpigmented colony variants were more resistant to chlorine than were their isogenic opaque and pigmented variants (respectively). Depending on growth stage and growth rate, MAIS strains differed in their chlorine susceptibilities. Cells from strains of all three species growing in early log phase at the highest growth rates were more susceptible than cells in log and stationary phase. Rapidly growing cells were more susceptible to chlorine than slowly growing cells. The chlorine susceptibility of M. avium cells grown at 30°C was increased when cells were exposed to chlorine at 40°C compared to susceptibility after exposure at 30°C. Cells of M. avium grown in 6% oxygen were significantly more chlorine susceptible than cells grown in air. Chlorine-resistant MAIS strains were more hydrophobic and resistant to Tween 80, para-nitrobenzoate, hydroxylamine, and nitrite than were the chlorine-sensitive strains.
Influence of health insurance, hospital factors and physician volume on receipt of immediate post-mastectomy reconstruction in women with invasive and non-invasive breast cancer

For women with breast cancer who undergo mastectomy, immediate breast reconstruction (IR) offers a cosmetic and psychological advantage. We evaluated the association between demographic, hospital, surgeon and insurance factors and receipt of IR. We conducted a retrospective hospital-based analysis with the Perspective database. Women who underwent a mastectomy for invasive breast cancer (IBC) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) from 2000 to 2010 were included. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors predictive of IR. Analyses were stratified by age (<50 vs. ≥50) and IBC versus DCIS. Of the 108,992 women with IBC who underwent mastectomy, 30,859 (28.3 %) underwent IR, as compared to 6,501 (44.2 %) of the 14,710 women with DCIS who underwent mastectomy underwent IR. In a multivariable model for IBC, increasing age, black race, being married, rural location, and increased comorbidities were associated with decreased IR. Odds ratios (OR) of IR increased with commercial insurance (OR 3.38) and Medicare (OR 1.66) insurance (vs. self-pay), high surgeon-volume (OR 1.19), high hospital-volume (OR 2.24), and large hospital size (OR 1.20). The results were identical for DCIS, and by age category. The absolute difference between the proportion of patients who received IR with commercial insurance compared to other insurance, increased over time. Immediate in-hospital complication rates were higher for flap reconstruction compared to implant or no reconstruction (15.2, 4.0, and 6.1 %, respectively, P < .0001). IR has increased significantly over time; however, modifiable factors such as insurance status, hospital size, hospital location, and physician volume strongly predict IR. Public policy should ensure that access to reconstructive surgery is universally available.
Airborne imaging spectrometer data of the Ruby Mountains, Montana: Mineral discrimination using relative absorption band-depth images

Abstract Airborne imaging spectrometer data collected in the near-infrared (1.2–2.4 μm) wavelength range were used to study the spectral expression of metamorphic minerals and rocks in the Ruby Mountains of southwestern Montana. The data were analyzed by using a new data enhancement procedure—the construction of relative absorption band-depth (RBD) images. RBD images, like bandratio images, are designed to detect diagnostic mineral absorption features, while minimizing reflectance variations related to topographic slope and albedo differences. To produce an RBD image, several data channels near an absorption band shoulder are summed and then divided by the sum of several channels located near the band minimum. RBD images are both highly specific and sensitive to the presence of particular mineral absorption features. Further, the technique does not distort or subdue spectral features as sometimes occurs when using other data normalization methods. By using RBD images, a number of rock and soil units were distinguished in the Ruby Mountains including weathered quartz - feldspar pegmatites, marbles of several compositions, and soils developed over poorly exposed mica schists. The RBD technique is especially well suited for detecting weak near-infrared spectral features produced by soils, which may permit improved mapping of subtle lithologic and structural details in semiarid terrains. The observation of soils rich in talc, an important industrial commodity in the study area, also indicates that RBD images may be useful for mineral exploration.
Nonlinear photonics: Compressing light and sound

Using stimulated Brillouin scattering to achieve extremely high optical gain in silicon nanostructures may allow the realization of new integrated chip-scale photonic devices.
Response ofAedes triseriatus larvae to fatty acids ofCladophora

The activity of a methanol extract residue fromCladophora glomerata against larvae ofAedes triseriatus is confirmed. Fractionation of this residue by solubility in solvents of varying polarity is monitored by bioassay withA. triseriatus larvae. The presence of fatty acids in the active hexane soluble fraction and saponified material obtained therefrom is indicated by1H NMR and IR. The identification of the individual fatty acids is achieved by co-injection and mass GLC of their methyl esters. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids are screened against larvae and the LD50 values of the most active acids are determined. The LD50 of capric [10∶0], lauric [12∶0], myristic [14∶0] and palmitoleic [16∶1 (9c)] are 14,7, 4 and 3ppm respectively. The most active acids 12∶0, 14∶0 and 16∶1 (9c) are present in all the fractions examined and are released to water by the powdered alga at pH 8.5.
Two genetic pathways for age-related macular degeneration

The discovery of strong associations of the His402 variant of complement factor H (CFH) and the change in the promoter region of HtrA serine peptidase 1 (HTRA1) with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have altered our conception of the pathophysiology of this disease. The complement system has been placed at the center of a flurry of research interest, and a similar growth in attention to the serine proteases is not far behind. The specific role of these variants in causing AMD is unknown, but they will undoubtedly lead to a deeper understanding of the biological mechanisms and will point to new avenues for pharmacologic management. Furthermore, these variants will enable clinicians and investigators to identify people at high risk for this condition, thereby establishing the preconditions for preventing the disease.
Detection of edaphic discontinuities with ground-penetrating radar and electromagnetic induction

Quantification of edaphic properties which may regulate the spatial distribution of vegetation is often limited by the expense and labor associated with collecting and analyzing soil samples. Here we evaluate the utility of two technologies, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic induction (EMI), for rapid, extensive and nondestructive mapping of diagnostic subsurface features and soil series map unit boundaries. Strong reflectance from fine-textured, near-surface soils obscured radar signal reflectance from deeper horizons at our field test site in the Rio Grande Plains of southern Texas, USA. As a result, ground-penetrating radar did not delineate known edaphic contrasts along catena gradients. In contrast, EMI consistently distinguished boundaries of soil map units. In several instances, gradients or contrasting inclusions within map units were also identified. In addition, the location and boundary of calcic or cambic-horizon inclusions embedded within a laterally coextensive and well-developed argillic horizon were consistently predicted. Correlations between EMI assessments of apparent conductivity (ECa) and soil properties such as CEC, pH, particle size distribution and extractable bases were low (i.e., explained <6% of the variance), or non-significant. As a result, EMI has a high prospecting utility, but cannot necessarily be used to explain the basis for edaphic contrasts. Results suggest EMI can be a cost-effective tool for soil survey and exploration applications in plant ecology. As such, it is potentially useful for rapidly locating and mapping subsurface discontinuities, thereby reducing the number of ground truth soil samples needed for accurate mapping of soil map unit boundaries. An application, addressing hypotheses proposed to explain the role of edaphic heterogeneity in regulating woody plant distribution in a savanna parkland landscape, is presented.
Medical research in children: ethical issues.

In 1966, Henry Beecher published a now-classic article about unethical or questionable ethical procedures in clinical research, citing 22 instances where informed consent was not obtained in potent...