cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic Associations With Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Among Men With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

BACKGROUND People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have higher risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined by a reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Previous studies have implicated epigenetic changes related to CKD; however, the mechanism of HIV-related CKD has not been thoroughly investigated. METHODS We conducted an epigenome-wide association study of eGFR among 567 HIV-positive and 117 HIV-negative male participants in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study to identify epigenetic signatures of kidney function. RESULTS By surveying more than 400 000 cytosine guanine dinucleotide (CpG) sites measured from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, we identified 15 sites that were significantly associated with eGFR (false discovery rate Q value < 0.05) among HIV-positive participants. The most significant CpG sites, located at MAD1L1, TSNARE1/BAI1, and LTV1, were all negatively associated with eGFR (cg06329547, P = 5.25 × 10-9; cg23281907, P = 1.37 × 10-8; cg18368637, P = 5.17 × 10-8). We also replicated previously reported eGFR-associated CpG sites including cg17944885 (P = 2.5 × 10-5) located between ZNF788 and ZNF20 on chromosome 19 in the pooled population. CONCLUSIONS In this study we uncovered novel epigenetic associations with kidney function among people living with HIV and suggest potential epigenetic mechanisms linked with HIV-related CKD risk.
Performance of Historically Underrepresented Firms in the Public-Private Sector

This study examines the performance of historically underrepresented firms, which includes women-owned businesses and socially disadvantaged businesses. We examine performance in the context of securing public contracts and compare the performance of these historically underrepresented firms to those of non-minority small and large businesses. Utilizing a sample of all contracts awarded by the Johnson Space Center, a NASA directorate located in Houston, Texas, which identified 5,676 contracts totaling approximately $157 billion, we found that small businesses received around 63% of all contracts. The results indicate that more diverse firms received higher awards than specialists and that disadvantaged firms received higher dollar awards than general small businesses. In addition, women-owned businesses neither outperformed nor performed more poorly than general small business in the dollar amounts of contracts received, and they are neither more or less specialized than general small and large businesses. A discussion, practical implications, and future research ideas are also presented.
Wearable Sensors for Monitoring of Cigarette Smoking in Free-Living: A Systematic Review

Globally, cigarette smoking is widespread among all ages, and smokers struggle to quit. The design of effective cessation interventions requires an accurate and objective assessment of smoking frequency and smoke exposure metrics. Recently, wearable devices have emerged as a means of assessing cigarette use. However, wearable technologies have inherent limitations, and their sensor responses are often influenced by wearers’ behavior, motion and environmental factors. This paper presents a systematic review of current and forthcoming wearable technologies, with a focus on sensing elements, body placement, detection accuracy, underlying algorithms and applications. Full-texts of 86 scientific articles were reviewed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to address three research questions oriented to cigarette smoking, in order to: (1) Investigate the behavioral and physiological manifestations of cigarette smoking targeted by wearable sensors for smoking detection; (2) explore sensor modalities employed for detecting these manifestations; (3) evaluate underlying signal processing and pattern recognition methodologies and key performance metrics. The review identified five specific smoking manifestations targeted by sensors. The results suggested that no system reached 100% accuracy in the detection or evaluation of smoking-related features. Also, the testing of these sensors was mostly limited to laboratory settings. For a realistic evaluation of accuracy metrics, wearable devices require thorough testing under free-living conditions.
COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF ICOSAPENT ETHYL IN US REDUCE-IT PATIENTS

The Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial (REDUCE-IT) showed that among US patients with elevated triglyceride levels on statin therapy (n=3,146), the risk of cardiovascular disease events was reduced by 31% in those randomized to 4g of icosapent ethyl daily
The Affordable Care Act and Mass Policy Feedbacks

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has allowed researchers to examine mass policy feedback effects-how public policies affect individuals' attitudes and political behaviors-in real time while using causal models. These efforts help address criticisms of the extant feedbacks literature and have revealed new policy feedback effects and new information on the conditions under which policy feedbacks occur. The ACA case also raises empirical and theoretical questions about the types of data needed to assess feedback effects, the magnitude of policy effects required for detection, the time frame in which feedbacks occur, and the suitability of various empirical approaches for assessing policy feedback effects. Thus, the ACA not only adds an important empirical case to the study of policy feedbacks but also helps refine policy feedback theory.
Evaluation of Escherichia coli as an indicator for antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella recovered from the same food or animal ceca samples

Abstract National one health monitoring programs for antimicrobial-resistant enteric pathogens often include Escherichia coli as a sentinel for resistance to antimicrobials with Gram-negative activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate if antimicrobial resistance for E. coli can predict resistance in Salmonella when they occur together in the same surveillance sample of raw retail meat or food animal cecal contents collected by the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS). One colony of each bacterium was isolated from each culture-positive sample and assayed for antimicrobial susceptibility by broth microdilution using the standard NARMS panel of 14 antimicrobial agents. A total of 1305 raw retail meats and 348 slaughter animal cecal samples contained both bacteria. Likelihood ratios were used to assess the extent to which antimicrobial resistance in E. coli coincides with resistance in Salmonella from the same sample. Results showed that for 8 out of 10, and 5 out of 10 antimicrobials tested in retail meat and cecal respectively, there was a statistically significant increase in the probability of finding Salmonella resistant to a particular antimicrobial when E. coli from the same sample was resistant to the same drug. Among those 8 and 5, likelihood ratios show that E. coli resistant predicted Salmonella resistance to ceftriaxone, ceftiofur, cefoxitin, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in retail meat, and to gentamicin, ceftriaxone and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in cecal samples. Although E. coli is used as a sentinel for integrated antimicrobial resistance surveillance, these results suggest that E. coli may have limited value as the sole predictor of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella except for beta lactams antimicrobials.
Vascular Access in Hospitalized Children.

* Abbreviations: miniMAGIC — : Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Catheters PICC — : peripherally inserted central catheter PIVC — : peripheral intravenous catheter VAD — : vascular access device Most hospitalized infants and children require a vascular access device (VAD). These devices, although essential, come with risks. The pediatric-focused version of the Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Catheters in pediatrics (miniMAGIC) provides guidance for pediatric hospitalists selecting the most appropriate VAD for specific clinical situations on the basis of what is currently known as well as the experience of experts regarding risks and benefits of various options.1 The guidelines/recommendations in this article are not American Academy of Pediatrics policy, and publication herein does not imply endorsement. A common decision point for many hospitalists is whether to place a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in a hospitalized infant or child for a defined duration of peripherally compatible therapy, … Address correspondence to Erin E. Shaughnessy, MD, MSHCM, Division of Hospital Medicine, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, 1919 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016. E-mail: eshaughnessy{at}phoenixchildrens.com
The Association Between Early Age-Related Hearing Loss and Brain β-Amyloid.

Objectives/hypothesis To analyze the association between early audiometric age-related hearing loss and brain β-amyloid, the pathologic hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Study design Cross-sectional analysis of a prospective cohort study. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was performed on 98 participants in a cohort study of hearing and brain biomarkers of AD. The primary outcome was whole brain β-amyloid standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) on positron emission tomography (PET). The exposure was hearing, as measured by either pure-tone average or word recognition score in the better ear. Covariates included age, gender, education, cardiovascular disease, and hearing aid use. Linear regression was performed to analyze the association between β-amyloid and hearing, adjusting for potentially confounding covariates. Results The mean age ± standard deviation was 64.6 ± 3.5 years. In multivariable regression, adjusting for demographics, education, cardiovascular disease, and hearing aid use, whole brain β-amyloid SUVR increased by 0.029 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.003-0.056) for every 10 dB increase in pure-tone average (P = .030). Similarly, whole brain β-amyloid SUVR increased by 0.061 (95% CI: 0.009-0.112) for every 10% increase in word recognition score (P = .012). Conclusions Worsening hearing was associated with higher β-amyloid burden, a pathologic hallmark of AD, measured in vivo with PET scans. Level of evidence 3 Laryngoscope, 131:633-638, 2021.
Self-Efficacy, Perceived Barriers to Care, and Health-Promoting Behaviors Among Franco-Americans Across Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose:To assess the prevalence of perceived barriers to accessing health care services, self-efficacy, and health-promoting behaviors among Franco-Americans as a higher-risk group for familial hy...
Family Change, Schools, and School Choice

There are entire neighborhoods where young people, they don’t see an example of somebody succeeding … and for a lot of young boys and young men, in particular, they don’t see an example of fathers ...
Chapter 1: In vivo applications of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy provides a sensitive optical probe of the molecular dynamics of life in vivo and in vitro. The kinetics of chemical binding, transport, and changes in molecular conformations are detected by measurement of fluctuations of fluorescence emission by sensitive marker fluorophores. The fluorophores within a defined volume are illuminated by laser light that excites their fluorescence. While conventional confocal illumination by short-wavelength laser light is sufficient for two-dimensional targets, multiphoton fluorescence excitation by simultaneous quantum absorption of two or more long-wavelength photons of approximately 100 fs laser pulses provides the more precise submicron three-dimensional spatial resolution required in cells and tissues. Chemical kinetics, molecular aggregation, molecular diffusion, fluid flows, photophysical interactions, conformational fluctuations, concentration fluctuations, and other dynamics of biological processes can be measured and monitored in volumes approximately 1 mum(3) at timescales from <1 mus and upward for many orders of magnitude. Theory, motivations, methods, in vivo applications, and future directions for improvement and new applications for fluorescence correlation spectroscopy are summarized in this chapter.
Non-equilibrium behavior of low-pressure plasma jets

The establishment of local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) in optically thin plasmas requires that collision processes dominate, which implies that large electron densities exist in the plasma. The electron density in low-pressure plasma jets will be marginal for establishing one of the requirements for LTE, namely, ionization equilibrium. Because of this small electron density and high velocities typically encountered in the low-pressure plasma deposition process (LPPD), substantial deviations from ionization equilibrium are expected. Deviations from kinetic equilibrium are also anticipated, because the excess energy that electrons acquire in the recombination processes (three-body recombination) cannot be readily transferred to the heavy species due to the poor collisional coupling between the electrons and the heavy particles. Therefore, it is anticipated that the electron temperature will be higher than the heavy particle temperature. A two-temperature description of plasma jets in chemical nonequilibrium has been developed, using finite rate chemistry for ionization and recombination processes. The results clearly indicate the validity of LTE at atmospheric pressure as well as strong deviations from LTE at lower pressures, especially in terms of chemical equilibrium. >
A Cost Consequence Analysis of Outreach Strategies for High Risk Pregnant Women

This retrospective, cost consequence analysis examined three distinct outreach strategies used by a community-based public health agency to enroll uninsured, low-income pregnant women in perinatal health care services. The three strategies included outreach workers, liaison workers, and case managers. Data analysis revealed that costs per enrollee by strategy were: outreach workers: $429; liaison workers: $98; and case managers: $187. Cost per strategy must be considered cautiously, however, because outreach and enrollment strategies at this agency are not mutually exclusive. Data analysis also revealed that the number of low and very low birth weight babies born to women enrolled in the study agency was half that of the general population, even though less than half the participants were enrolled in prenatal care during the first trimester of pregnancy. Findings from this study support the use of outreach and enrollment strategies to reduce barriers to access to health care and reduce health disparities ...
Head-Order Techniques and Other Pragmatics of Lambda Calculus Graph Reduction

In this dissertation Lambda Calculus reduction is studied as a means of improving the support for declarative computing. We consider systems having reduction semantics; i.e., systems in which computations consist of equivalence-preserving transformations between expressions. The approach becomes possible by reducing expressions beyond weak normal form, allowing expression-level output values, and avoiding compilation-centered transformations. In particular, we develop reduction algorithms which, although not optimal, are highly efficient. A minimal linear notation for lambda expressions and for certain runtime structures is introduced for explaining operational features. This notation is related to recent theories which formalize the notion of substitution. Our main reduction technique is Berkling's Head Order Reduction (HOR), a delayed substitution algorithm which emphasizes the extended left spine. HOR uses the de Bruijn representation for variables and a mechanism for artificially binding relatively free variables. HOR produces a lazy variant of the head normal form, the natural midway point of reduction. It is shown that beta reduction in the scope of relative free variables is not hard. Full normalization suggests new applications by not relegating partial evaluation to a meta level. Variations of HOR are presented, including a conservative "breadth-first" one which takes advantage of the inherent parallelism of the head normal form. A reduction system must be capable of sharing intermediate results. Sharing under HOR has not received attention to date. In this dissertation variations of HOR which achieve sharing are described. Sharing is made possible via the special treatment of expressions referred to by head variables. The reduction strategy is based on normal order, achieves low reduction counts, but is shown to be incomplete. Head Order Reduction with and without sharing, as well as other competing algorithms are evaluated on several test sets. Our results indicate that reduction rates in excess of one million reductions/second can be achieved on current processors in interpretive mode and with minimal pre- and post-processing. By extending the efficient algorithms for the pure calculus presented in this dissertation with primitives and data structures it is now possible to build useful reduction systems. We present some suggestions on how such systems can be designed.
National Prevalence and Impact of Perioperative Vagus Nerve Injury in Vestibular Schwannoma

Objectives/hypothesis Lower cranial nerve injury may be an under-reported complication of vestibular schwannoma surgery. This study aims to characterize the prevalence of complications associated with vagus nerve injury following vestibular schwannoma surgery and the impact of these complications on patient care. Study design Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods Discharge data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for 17,281 patients with vestibular schwannoma who underwent surgery in 2003-2008 were analyzed using cross-tabulations and multivariate regression modeling. Results Dysphagia was reported in 443 cases (2.6%) and unilateral vocal fold paralysis in 115 cases (0.7%). The mean length of hospitalization was 5.3 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.9-5.7) and was prolonged in patients with dysphagia (mean, 11.7 days; 95% CI, 8.9-14.4) and in those with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (mean, 12.1 days; 95% CI, 7.3-16.9). Compared to patients without dysphagia, a diagnosis of dysphagia was associated with advanced comorbidity status (37.0% vs. 18.8%), central nervous system complications (39.3% vs. 15.3%), aspiration pneumonia (7.1% vs. 0.4%), and greater likelihood of requiring medical care at another facility or at home after discharge (48.5% vs. 6.6%, P Conclusions Although infrequently reported in this national inpatient sample, vagus nerve injury-related symptoms are associated with significantly increased length of hospitalization and costs of care.
Ubiquitin activated tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor-6 (TRAF6) is recycled via deubiquitination

Ubiquitination of intermediates in the interleukin-1 (IL-1) signaling cascade plays an important role in activation and regulation of the pathway. Both IL-1 receptor associated kinase-1 (IRAK1) and inhibitor of nuclear factor κB-α (IκBα) are rapidly ubiquitinated and degraded. Tumor necrosis factor associated factor-6 (TRAF6) is an ubiquitin ligase that is activated by ubiquitination and a signaling intermediate between IRAK1 and IκBα. It is unknown whether activated TRAF6 is subsequently degraded. We show that in liver cells IL-1 stimulates TRAF6 poly-ubiquitination. In less than 1 h levels of non-modified TRAF6 return to levels near those observed prior to activation. TRAF6 cannot be reactivated in cells which have been pretreated with IL-1. This observation correlates with decreased levels of IRAK1 in IL-1 pretreated cells. The re-establishment of non-modified TRAF6 levels following activation does not require de novo protein synthesis, strongly suggesting that TRAF6 is recycled via deubiquitination. This indicates a unique mechanism of regulation of TRAF6 activity.
Factors affecting anther culturability of recalcitrant barley genotypes.

One major problem encountered with cereal anther culture is that some genotypes are low or non-responders to the technique. The objective of this study was to improve anther culture efficiency of recalcitrant barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes. Reciprocal F1s between the two low responsive cultivars, Morex and Steptoe, were used. These were chosen because doubled haploids (DH) were required from these genotypes for the North American Barley Genome Mapping project. Ficoll 400 at 200 g l−1 in the induction medium significantly increased green plant production compared to four other media formations containing different gelling/viscosity modifying agents. Cold pretreatment of donor spikes of 28 vs 14 d resulted in an increase in embryoid, total plant and green plant production. Anther culture response in these experiments was little influenced by donor plant growth conditions. Indole-3-acetic acid (1 mg l−1) or 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (2 mg l−1) in the induction medium did not affect anther culturability or plant regeneration. Based on this research, the negative genotypic effect for doubled haploid production could be diminished, which is desirable for practical application.
Biochemical Applications of Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy

Uses to which infrared and Raman spectroscopy have been put in biochemical work are reviewed In the infrared field some of the applications discussed are hydrogen bonding, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and polypeptides, hydrogen-deuterium exchange, nucleic acids, steroids, porphyrins, enzymology, and medical uses, among others. In the Raman field some of the applications discussed are polypeptides, proteins and enzymes, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, steroids, membranes, lipids, and calcified tissues. Some applications of resonance-Raman spectroscopy are discussed. They include such substances as carotenoids and plant pigments, enzymes, hemoglobin, cytochrome c, hemocyanin, visual pigments, and proteinligand and antibody-hapten interactions. The kinds of information obtainable with each of the methods and the various classes of biochemical substances are given in some detail, and pertinent references are supplied.
Internationalization of the curriculum report of a project within computer science

In the Fall of 1999 the Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (CEUT) and the International Office at Virginia Tech provided a small grant to support the incorporation of international aspects into the Computer Science curriculum. The "Professionalism in Computing" course was chosen as the vehicle for this activity on the grounds that (a) it is a required course of all majors, and (b) the topics within the course were best amenable to international extensions. Through the efforts of the students in the Spring 2000 offering of the course, together with a number of international students, lesson plans for the comparison of non-US aspects of three topics were developed. The topics were Privacy, Freedom of Speech, and Censorship, and the countries covered included Germany, South Korea, China, and Turkey.
Transitional care for young adult survivors of childhood cancer.

Objectives : To review the obstacles and barriers to providing optimal care to young adult cancer survivors and discuss the transition from pediatric to adult health care system. Data Sources : Published articles and textbook chapters. Conclusions : More than 70% of children diagnosed with cancer between birth and 14 years of age will be cured of their primary disease. Because of multiple physical and psychosocial risk factors imposed by their therapy and previous disease, childhood cancer survivors require life-long care. Implications for Nursing Practice : Health care providers must be aware of the unique needs of these individuals for life-long follow-up and assist in facilitating this transition process.
The relationship between Taxol and (+)-discodermolide: synthetic analogs and modeling studies

Abstract Background: During the past decade, Taxol has assumed an important role in cancer chemotherapy. The search for novel compounds with a mechanism of action similar to that of Taxol, but with greater efficacy particularly in Taxol-resistant cells, has led to the isolation of new natural products. One such compound, (+)-discodermolide, although structurally distinct from Taxol, has a similar ability to stabilize microtubules. In addition, (+)-discodermolide is active in Taxol-resistant cell lines that overexpress P-glycoprotein, the multidrug-resistant transporter. Interestingly, (+)-discodermolide demonstrates a profound enhancement of the initiation process of microtubule polymerization compared to Taxol. Results: The synthesis of (+)-discodermolide analogs exploiting our highly efficient, triply convergent approach has permitted structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies. Small changes to the (+)-discodermolide structure resulted in a dramatic decrease in the ability of all four discodermolide analogs to initiate tubulin polymerization. Two of the analogs also demonstrated a decrease in total tubulin polymerization, while a change in the olefin geometry at the C8 position produced a significant decrease in cytotoxic activity. Conclusions: The availability of (+)-discodermolide and the analogs, and the resultant SAR analysis, have permitted an exploration of the similarities and differences between (+)-discodermolide and Taxol. Docking of the X-ray/solution structure of (+)-discodermolide into the Taxol binding site of β-tubulin revealed two possible binding modes (models I and II). The preferred pharmacophore model (I), in which the C19 side chain of (+)-discodermolide matches with the C2 benzoyl group of Taxol and the δ-lactone ring of (+)-discodermolide overlays with the C13 side chain of Taxol, concurred with the results of the SAR analysis.
The Validity of the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Diagnosis for Intellectually Disabled Adults (ASD-DA).

Psychologists interviewed direct-care staff using a battery of assessment measures including the autism spectrum disorders-diagnosis for intellectually disabled adults (ASD-DA), the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped-II (DASH-II), the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills for Individuals with Severe Retardation (MESSIER), the Socialization domain of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS), and a checklist containing criteria for autism and PDD-NOS from the DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10. Three hundred and seven intellectually disabled (ID) adolescents and adults ranging in age from 16 to 88 were assessed. Participants were diagnosed with either ID and ASD (autism or PDD-NOS; n=156) or ID and no Axis I diagnosis (n=151). A modification of the multitrait-multimethod approach was used to establish the convergent and discriminant validity of the ASD-DA. The scale proved to have robust convergent validity when correlated with the DSM-IV-TR/ICD-10 checklist, MESSIER, and Socialization domain of the VABS. Additionally, discriminant validity was demonstrated by comparing the ASD-DA to items from the DASH-II (measure of general psychopathology). The implications of these data are discussed.
Aspirin-induced hepatic dysfunction in a patient with adult rheumatoid arthritis

A patient with classical rheumatoid arthritis receiving high doses of aspirin developed significant elevation of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase. This patient had recently been on phenylbutazone and an initial liver biopsy, at the time of elevation of the transaminase revealed nonspecific mild fatty infiltration of the liver compatible with the pathology seen with rheumatoid disease. Because of the severity and activity of her rheumatoid arthritis, and thus the need to know whether aspirin was the etiologic factor in liver dysfunction, the patient was challenged with aspirin. SGOT elevation occurred after a 4-6 day lag period, which promptly remitted when salicylates were discontinued. A liver biopsy at this time revealed evidence for degeneration, regeneration, and mild focal mononuclear infiltration. Although previous reports note salicylate-related hepatocellular dysfunction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, these data clearly demonstrate the relationship of ASA to liver dysfunction in a patient with adult onset rheumatoid arthritis. This histologic picture as well as the clinical course of this patient's hepatic abnormality suggest a toxic rather than hypersensitivity etiology for this syndrome.
Pathways of family influence: Alcohol use and disordered eating in daughters

Models of addiction etiology and treatment emphasize the influence of family-of-origin experiences. Using two addiction-related coping behaviors (ARCBs) common among college women (i.e., problematic alcohol use, disordered eating), we examined whether ARCBs in parents related to matching ARCBs in college women offspring. We expected that matching parental ARCBs would relate more strongly to the ARCBs in offspring than more distal/general family factors. A total of 197 college women completed measures of family dynamics, parental difficulties with alcohol, family focus on appearance and weight, personal difficulties with alcohol use, and disordered eating. A significant indirect effect for family dysfunction on disordered eating and alcohol-related problems was found. That is, family relationship difficulties predicted parents' ARCBs, which predicted matching ARCBs in participants (e.g., parental alcohol problems predicted participant alcohol problems). Matched parental ARCBs were better predictors of participants' ARCBs than more general/distal family factors and non-matched ARCBs. Specifically, path analysis and testing of beta weights supported specificity of parental ARCBs for predicting matching offspring ARCBs. Implications of study findings for tailoring prevention efforts are discussed.
System to maintain perceptually linear networked display devices

The CRT is commonly used to display digital medical image data. The brightness as a function of input signal is different for each CRT, is nonlinear and poorly matched to the human eye's perception of brightness change, decreases over time, and is easily changed with hardware contrast and brightness adjustments. Previous studies have suggested display brightness functions which are based on human visual experiments and which produce the same contrast perception for small display value changes at all brightness levels. The best scale depends on CRT luminance and scene dependent variables. We have developed an X window based client server approach to maintain perceptually linear display scales using unique transformation tables for many display devices. Color use on X window systems is described. Perceptually linear human visual models are described. Finally we present a method to implement and maintain these models on a networked collection of X displays.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Inhibition of Golgi Apparatus Glycosylation Causes Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Decreased Protein Synthesis

Nucleotide sugar transporters of the Golgi apparatus play an essential role in the glycosylation of proteins, lipids, and proteoglycans. Down-regulation of expression of the transporters for CMP-sialic acid, GDP-fucose, or both unexpectedly resulted in accumulation of glycoconjugates in the Golgi apparatus rather than in the plasma membrane. Pulse-chase experiments with radiolabeled sugars and amino acids showed decreased synthesis and secretion of both nonglycoproteins and glycoproteins. Further studies revealed that the above silencing induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and inhibited protein translation initiation. Together these results suggest that global inhibition of Golgi apparatus glycosylation may lead to important secondary metabolic changes, unrelated to glycosylation.
Interaction of polylysine with bovine factor Xa: effect of divalent cations.

Abstract Poly- L -lysine has been demonstrated to partially replace biological cofactors in the activation of prothrombin by factor Xa. The present study was initiated to determine if poly- L -lysine has an effect on the enzymatic activity of factor Xa in the absence of prothrombin. At low ionic strength(50 mM Tris-C1, pH 8.0, ambient temperature), poly- L -lysine inhibits amidase activity(S-2222) of bovine factor Xa with high affinity(Ki = 7 nM). The inhibition was readily reversed by 100 mM NaCl2. The inhibition was also markedly reduced by the addition of 1.0 mM CaCl2 but not by MnCl2 or MgCl2. All three metal ions enhance amidase activity in the absence of poly- L -lysine. Poly- L -lysine also inhibits the amidase activity of factor Xa from which the gamma-carboxyglutamic acid domain has been removed by limited proteolysis with chymotrypsin(factor Xa-GD) but with somewhat lower avidity(Ki = 35 nM). As with native factor Xa, calcium ions reduce the observed inhibition while either manganese or magnesium ions are much less effective. The amidase activity of factor Xa-GD is enhanced with any one of the three divalent cations. These results provide additional support for the existence of a functionally significant binding site for calcium ions outside of the gamma-carboxyglutamic domain of factor Xa.
REGULATION OF EOSINOPHIL FUNCTION BY RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS-INFECTED AIRWAY EPITHELIAL CELLS † 703

REGULATION OF EOSINOPHIL FUNCTION BY RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS-INFECTED AIRWAY EPITHELIAL CELLS † 703
Application of ICP-MS to accurate isotopic analysis for human metabolic studies

Abstract The method of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is applied to accurate measurement of selected stable isotopes of iron, copper and zinc in human fecal matter. Background peaks are observed at m/z 54, 57 and 58. However, relative to the expected intensity of corresponding isotopes of iron, the background intensities are acceptably small. Of the potential isobaric interferences, viz. 54Cr and 58Ni for iron, and 70Ge for Zn, only 58Ni is of major concern in the fecal matrix. Chemical separation procedures are described and evaluated in specific reference to this application. The relevant isobaric interferences are removed to the required extent by the application of these procedures. Achievable measurement precision in the relevant isotope ratios is at 1% or better which is consistent with the requirements of human metabolic studies. The measured isotope ratios (MR) are converted to true ratios expressed on the mass scale (Mass Isotope Ratio, MIR) by the use of appropriate stable isotope calibration standards. The method of isotope dilution analysis (IDA) is applied to the accurate measurement of absolute isotope contents. The precision and accuracy of IDA is tested on subsamples of human fecal matter and the Standard Reference Material Bovine Liver (SRM 1577a). The coefficient of variation for multiplicate measurements of absolute isotope content is better than 2 % for both fecal matter and the SRM 1577a. The measured isotopic concentration ( μg g ) of SRM 1577a, expressed in terms of natural element for Fe, Cu and Zn is (mean ± 1SD): 192 ± 2,156 ± 2 and 120 ± 1, respectively. These compare with the corresponding certified values of 194 ± 20, 158 ± 7 and 123 ± 8.
2.5D full‐wavefield viscoacoustic invercion1

Full-wavefield inversion for distributions of acoustic velocity, density and Q on a vertical slice through a25D model is implemented for common-source gathers in a cross-hole geometry. The wavefield extrapolation used is 3D, so all geometrical spreading, scattering, reflection, and transmission effects are correctly and automatically compensated for. In order to keep the number of unknowns tractable, application was limited to 2.5D models of known geometry; the latter assurnes a prior step, such as tomography, to fix the layer geometries. With the model geometry fixed, reliable solutions are obtained using synthetic data from only two independent source locations. Solutions from data with noisy and missing traces are comparable to those from noise-free data, but with higher residuals. When the source locations are spatially widely separated, conunon-source gathers may be summed and treated as a single wavefield to yield the same model estimates as when the individual source wavefields are treated separately, at substantially reduced cost. Inversions for full 3D parameter distributions can be handled with the same software, requiring only solution for more unknowns.
Nitrate uptake and assimilation in Thalassiosira weissflogii and Phaeodactylum tricornutum : interactions with photosynthesis and with the uptake of other ions

Interactions of the nitrate, phosphate, and ammonium uptake systems and the interactions of these systems with photosynthesis were investigated for Thalassiosira weissflogii and Phaeodactylum tricornutum preconditioned in continuous culture. The cultures were supplied with NO-3and PO=4in an N:P atomic ratio of 15:1, and residual concentrations of both nutrients in the growth chamber were very low. The rate of NO-3uptake was reduced by the addition of NH+4or PO=4. The rate of PO=4uptake by T. weissflogii was reduced by the addition of NH+4. The rate of carbon fixation was reduced by NO-3additions and slightly reduced by the addition of PO=4. There were two components of NO-3uptake, one light-dependent and one light-independent. Uptake inhibition by added PO=4acted on the light-independent component. The change in the C fixation rate due to added NO-3was equal to the rate of NO-3uptake by the light-dependent component on a molar basis. Nitrate assimilation (reduction) rates were calculated from the time course of extracellular and intracellular NO-3concentrations. The light-dark change in the assimilation rate was similar to the light-dark change in the uptake rate, suggesting close coupling between the light-dependent components of uptake and assimilation. The assimilation rate dropped upon exhaustion of extracellular NO-3, implying that an uptake-coupled component of assimilation is unavailable for the assimilation of intracellular NO-3. The reduction in the C fixation rate due to NO-3was temporally associated with uptake rather than assimilation, but may reflect interaction with either the light-dependent uptake step or the closely coupled assimilation. Phosphate additions reduced the rate of NO-3uptake, while the rate of assimilation was unaffected.
Predicting Secchi disk depth from average beam attenuation in a deep, ultra-clear lake

We addressed potential sources of error in estimating the water clarity of mountain lakes by investigating the use of beam transmissometer measurements to estimate Secchi disk depth. The optical properties Secchi disk depth (SD) and beam transmissometer attenuation (BA) were measured in Crater Lake (Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, USA) at a designated sampling station near the maximum depth of the lake. A standard 20 cm black and white disk was used to measure SD. The transmissometer light source had a nearly monochromatic wavelength of 660 nm and a path length of 25 cm. We created a SD prediction model by regression of the inverse SD of 13 measurements recorded on days when environmental conditions were acceptable for disk deployment with BA averaged over the same depth range as the measured SD. The relationship between inverse SD and averaged BA was significant and the average 95% confidence interval for predicted SD relative to the measured SD was ±1.6 m (range = −4.6 to 5.5 m) or ±5.0%. Eleven additional sample dates tested the accuracy of the predictive model. The average 95% confidence interval for these sample dates was ±0.7 m (range = −3.5 to 3.8 m) or ±2.2%. The 1996–2000 time-series means for measured and predicted SD varied by 0.1 m, and the medians varied by 0.5 m. The time-series mean annual measured and predicted SD’s also varied little, with intra-annual differences between measured and predicted mean annual SD ranging from −2.1 to 0.1 m. The results demonstrated that this prediction model reliably estimated Secchi disk depths and can be used to significantly expand optical observations in an environment where the conditions for standardized SD deployments are limited.
Challenges and barriers facing women in the IS workforce: how far have we come?

In 2006, Riemenschneider et al. asked women working in the IS department at a Fortune 500 company what workplace barriers they faced that had influenced their voluntary turnover decisions that men did not. The current investigation offers a replication and extension of the Riemenschneider et al. (2006) study. Specifically, this research begins to examine what changes have (or have not) taken place in the IS workplace regarding the challenges and barriers facing women in the IS field. Preliminary findings indicate that while Barriers: Promotion, Managing Family Responsibilities, Work Schedule Flexibility, Work Stress and Turnover were the key concepts identified by Riemenschneider et al. (2006), Work Stress is one of the few key issues that remains salient. What seems to be more salient for the current participants are issues related to the work environment, such as politics and bureaucracy (e.g., Barriers: Politics).
Outcome in severe Reye syndrome with early pentobarbital coma and hypothermia.

THE ETIOLOGY of Reye syndrome remains unknown and therefore specific therapy is unavailable. Although many cases are mild, death in severe cases often occurs secondary to the encephalopathy and cerebral swelling, ~,2 which lead to a rise in intracranial pressure and progressive cerebral ischemia.3, 4 Some of the more recent therapies proposed to control brain swelling in RS are pentobarbital-induced coma 5 and hypothermia 6 for the reduction of cerebral substrate demand, blood flow, and intracranial hypertension. In January, 1979, in an effort to control the cerebral swelling and improve outcome, we introduced a treatment protocol calling for the institution of pentobarbital coma and hypothermia in severely affected children without waiting for a rise in ICP. Our results with this prophylactic regimen are compared with our earlier experience.
Doppler velocimetry of intraplacental fetal vessels in the second trimester: improving the prediction of pregnancy complications in high‐risk patients

The purpose of our study was to assess the value of fetal intraplacental velocimetry in predicting adverse pregnancy outcome in high-risk patients. Thirty-two women with pregnancies of 22 to 25 weeks' gestation were evaluated. They had demonstrated abnormal first-trimester Doppler characteristics, yet had normal second-trimester umbilical artery velocimetry. Doppler waveforms were obtained and the ratio between intraplacental and umbilical artery resistance indices was calculated. Abnormally high ratios of intraplacental to umbilical artery resistance indices were associated with a significantly higher incidence of pregnancy complications. Among women with abnormal ratios, 17 (80%) of 21 pregnancies had later complications, whereas among those with normal ratios, only two (18%) of 11 women experienced later complications. This study demonstrates that analysis of the ratio between intraplacental and umbilical artery resistance indices in the second trimester improves the diagnostic value of Doppler velocimetry in pregnancies at risk for later obstetric complications. Copyright © 1996 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Mass spectra of synthetic mitosenes

The mass spectral fragmentation of a series of 10 mitosene analogs is described. Major pathways arise through decomposition of the substituents in the 1 and 10 positions and are unaffected by the substituent in the 7 position. The base peak in the spectrum, in most cases, is represented by the basic mitosene ring. The patterns are general for this series of compounds and may have application in elucidating the structure of the DNA alkylation sites involved in reactions with mitosenes or natural mitomycins.
Water as a reservoir of nosocomial pathogens.

Understanding the means of acquisition, sources, and reservoirs of nosocomial pathogens is crucial for developing methods to reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections. The article in this issue by Graman et all highlights the continued importance of the environment, especially water sources, as a reservoir for nosocomial pathogens. Important water reservoirs in the hospital include potable water, sinks, faucet aerators, showers, tub immersion, toilets, dialysis water, ice and ice machines, water baths, flower vases, eyewash stations, and dental-unit water stations (Table). This editorial will review water as an important reservoir of nosocomial pathogens, with a focus on methods for prevention and control.
Martian dust storms as a possible sink of atmospheric methane

[1] Recent laboratory tests, analog studies and numerical simulations all suggest that Martian dust devils and larger dusty convective storms generate and maintain large-scale electric fields. Such expected E-fields will have the capability to create significant electron drift motion in the collisional gas and to form an extended high energy (u ≫ kT) electron tail in the distribution. We demonstrate herein that these energetic electrons are capable of dissociating any trace CH4 in the ambient atmosphere thereby acting as an atmospheric sink of this important gas. We demonstrate that the methane destruction rate increases by a factor of 1012 as the dust storm E-fields, E, increase from 5 to 25 kV/m, resulting in an apparent decrease in methane stability from ∼ 1010 sec to a value of ∼1000 seconds. While destruction in dust storms is severe, the overall methane lifetime is expected to decrease only moderately due to recycling of products, heterogeneous effects from localized sinks, etc. We show further evidence that the electrical activity anticipated in Martian dust storms creates a new harsh electro-chemical environment.
A Spin-Capacitor with Paramagnetic Impurities Embedded in GaAs

Spintronics is one of the several alternate technologies under consideration by the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors for processing information in fundamentally new ways that will be required beyond the ultimate scaling limits of silicon-based complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Semiconductor spintronics is particularly more attractive because of very long spin coherence time in semiconductors compared to that in metals [2]. Here we demonstrate, for the first time, a novel spin-based capacitor based on interaction between mobile spin-polarized electrons and bounded paramagnetic spins. It is observed that the paramagnetic impurities embedded in a GaAs channel can be preferentially polarized by spin-polarized carriers injected from a ferromagnet in a spin-valve configuration.
In Situ UV/Vis, SAXS, and TEM Study of Single-Phase Gold Nanoparticle Growth

Given the diverse scientific and technological applications of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), understanding the impact of macromolecular additives on the distribution of size, shape, and composition is crucial to ensure reproducibility and lower production cost. In situ measurement of the evolution of these distributions challenges current techniques; however, it is critical for in-line manufacturing controls. Using mild Au(I) reduction by tert-butylamine-borane in toluene, the utility and limitations of SAXS, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and TEM are considered by comparing the mean nanoparticle size, size distribution, and relative number density. Individually, these techniques are insufficient to follow these parameters through the initial process of nucleation and growth; either providing insufficient information on the number of particles (UV/Vis), introducing artifacts (TEM), or not providing a unique solution for the shape of the distribution (SAXS). However, when used in conjunction, especially SAXS calibrat...