cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The value of partial H-2 matching in reducing the magnitude of allograft rejection.

Although kidney transplants between HL-A identical siblings have demonstrated better survival than any other donor-host combinations, partial matches have not proved conclusively better than total mismatches. Some studies have indicated better results with partial matching [3,4] whereas other studies indicate no advantage [5]. A possibly unfortunate result of this ambiguity is that while HL-A typing is used extensively on prospective cadaver kidney donors, many large transplant groups ignore typing results when choosing recipients. The objective of this investigation was to: (1) establish a murine model simulating the clinical circumstances in which donor and recipient are totally matched, partially matched, or totally mismatched at the major histocompatibility locus; (2) graft normal and immunosuppressed mice with skin allografts comparable to clinical 0, 1,2, 3, and 4 antigen mismatches, and; (3) compare the magnitude of the rejection reactions (as indicated by the speed of rejection of skin allografts) of the various combinations. The early results in this ongoing study indicate: (1) longer graft survival with 1 and some 2 antigen mismatches as compared to 4, 3, and other 2 antigen mismatches; (2) a lesser immunosuppressive effect and a higher mortality in recipients exhibiting strong responses as compared to those exhibiting weak responses after 500 rads whole-body X-irradiation.
FOCAL AND AMBIENT VISUAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND DRIVER VISUAL SCANNING IN LANE KEEPING AND HAZARD DETECTION

In some previous simulator studies, we showed that drivers, engaged in a secondary in-vehicle task at different display separations, were able to buffer some aspects of the driving task (e.g., vehicle control), but not others (e.g., hazard response; Horrey & Wickens, 2002, Horrey, Alexander, & Wickens, 2003). We speculate that this pattern of results may be a result of effective time-sharing between the ambient visual task of vehicle control and the focal visual in-vehicle task, but task interference between the in-vehicle task and the focal task of hazard detection and identification. Alternatively, drivers may be using an optimal scanning strategy that allows them to effectively monitor both the roadway and the in-vehicle device. In this paper, we detail some of the theoretical background, describe some relevant research, and present a model of scanning behavior.
Conjugated Polymers Featuring Heavier Main Group Element Multiple Bonds: A Diphosphene-PPV

A new sterically encumbered bifunctional ligand has been developed, and its ability to provide simultaneous stabilization for two low-coordinate phosphorus centers has allowed the synthesis of new hybrid inorganic−organic conjugated materials. The new phosphaalkene polymers have been prepared from a diphospha-Wittig reagent and are exclusively E-configured about the PC bonds. An unprecedented polymer having diphosphene (−PP−) units in the polymer main chain is also reported. The soluble polymers were characterized by UV−visible and fluorescence spectroscopy, as well as by 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy.
Leaf habit, phenology, and longevity of 11 forest understory plant species in Algonquin State Forest, northwest Connecticut, USA

Many functional attributes of plant species are predicated on their leaf habit. To fully understand the way that plant species coexist and respond to future conditions, it is important to have a th...
The effect of intraabdominal irrigation at cesarean delivery on maternal morbidity: a randomized trial.

To determine if intraabdominal irrigation with normal saline at cesarean delivery is associated with increased maternal morbidity. One hundred ninety-six women undergoing routine cesarean delivery at at least 37 weeks' gestation were prospectively randomized to receive 500-1000 mL of normal saline intraabdominal irrigation versus no irrigation after closure of the uterine incision, but before abdominal wall closure. Data were collected for comparison of demographic factors, intrapartum and postpartum complication rates, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. The primary outcome measure was the combined incidence of maternal morbidity, defined as at least one of the following: postoperative infectious morbidity, postpartum hemorrhage, severe anemia, and urinary retention.Ninety-seven patients were randomized to the irrigation group and 99 to the control group. The demographic characteristics of the two groups were similar. Thirteen patients (13.1%) in the control group and 14 patients (14.4%) in the irrigation group experienced maternal morbidity (P =.84). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in estimated blood loss, operating time, incidence of intrapartum complications, hospital stay, return of gastrointestinal function, incidence of infectious complications, or neonatal outcomes.Routine intraabdominal irrigation at cesarean delivery in a low-risk population does not reduce intrapartum or postpartum maternal morbidity.
Caudate Hyperintensities in Elderly Depressed Patients With Neuroleptic-Induced Parkinsonism

Elderly patients are particularly sensitive to the neurologic side effects of psychotropic medications. This increased sensi tivity may be related to brain structural changes associated with aging. In this pilot study, the authors report on the oc currence of caudate hyperintensities, using brain magnetic resonance imaging, in seven elderly depressed subjects who developed neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism. Caudate hyperintensities were not observed in any of the seven healthy elderly controls examined. These results suggest that caudate hyperintensities may render some elderly depressed pa tients susceptible to neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism. (J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 1991;4:86-89).
Adeno-associated viral vectors and successful gene therapy, the gap is closing

A wide stream of in vivo studies have now confirmed the prediction that rAAV vectors have the primary requirements for effective gene transfer. AAV vectors can efficiently transduce both dividing and non-dividing cells, they are able to mediate long-term gene expression, and are showing no signs of cytotoxicity or immune response. In addition, recent advancements in the production and purification technologies of AAV vectors have lead to the ability to generate high titer clinical grade vector. This review will focus on studies which have fueled the emergence of AAV as an attractive vector for gene delivery. Discussion will center on the ability of AAV to mediate long-term transgene expression in vivo , the recent success of AAV vectors in animal models, and current clinical trials that are testing rAAV vectors for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
A measure of court response to requests for protection

Are male victims of domestic violence provided the same protections as female victims? With increasing entanglement of custody and domestic violence law, the answer to this question is critical for fathers embroiled in disputes where allegations are sometimes made to secure custody of children. All non-impounded requests for Abuse Prevention Orders initiated in Massachusetts’ Gardner District Court, in the year 1997, involving opposite gender litigants were analyzed to determine if court response to the associated allegations is affected by the gender of those litigants. These orders were previously examined and male and female defendants were found similarly abusive. By studying the characteristics of each case, and overall court response at court hearings, a determination is made concerning any evident gender trends in the aggregate court response to requests for protection. Despite gender-neutral language of abuse prevention law (M.G.L. c. 209A), application of that law favors female plaintiffs.
Response from the ethics committee of wolfson children's hospital (Jacksonville, Florida)

In summary, our HEC believes that the medical staff and family made an appropriate decision to withdraw therapy following a thorough procedural review. However, we also believe that had the HEC been reapproached on learning that the medical resident's comments were overheard, the unwanted and unnecessary governmental intrusion could have been avoided. Government intervention in this case led to legal entanglements as well as unwanted publicity. In the end, the parents' decision was upheld by the child protection agency and the courts. A more timely re-review with the HEC might have prevented a five-week delay in carrying out an ethically appropriate and permissible decision.
Preferential proliferation of attenuated Salmonella typhimurium within neuroblastoma.

Abstract Background/purpose Attenuated Salmonella typhimurium , a facultative intracellular parasite that colonizes the liver, has been shown to accumulate within extrahepatic malignancies. The authors sought to define a mechanism for attenuated Salmonella accumulation within cancer cells compared with hepatocytes. Methods Invasion and intracellular proliferation of attenuated Salmonella was assessed through an in vitro assay performed on neuroblasoma, osteosarcoma, hepatoma, and colon adenocarcinoma cell lines and compared with freshly isolated mouse hepatocytes. Results The efficiency of attenuated S typhimurium invasion into hepatocytes was greater than any malignant cell line (3.8 v 0.46; P Conclusions Attenuated S typhimurium may prove to be an effective in vivo immunotherapy for the local delivery of therapeutic proteins to neuroblastoma.
Second generation adult former cult group members' recovery experiences: Implications for counseling

Cult survivors experience psychological challenges after leaving a cult, and reintegration into society can be a difficult process. Children who are born and raised in cults face additional challenges (e.g., effects of abuse and neglect, attachment disorders, and lack of education). Scant attention has been paid in the literature to the experiences and treatment needs of these second-generation cult survivors. In this study, the experiences of 15 second-generation adult former cult members were explored involving constructivist grounded theory and a social justice-focused inquiry. Findings hold promise for increasing counselors’ understanding of former cult members’ experiences, needs, and concerns, supporting competent counseling practice with this population.
Perceiving binocular depth with reference to a common surface.

A common surface is a spatial regularity of our terrestrial environment. For instance, we walk on the common ground surface, lay a variety of objects on the table top, and display our favorite paintings on the wall. It has been proposed that the visual system utilizes this regularity as a reference frame for coding objects' distances. Presumably, by treating the common surface as such—ie an anticipated constant—the visual system can reduce its coding redundancy, and divert its resources to representing other information. For intermediate-distance space perception, it has been found that absolute distance judgment is most accurate when a common ground surface is available. Here we explored if the common surface also serves as the reference frame for the processing of binocular-disparity information, which is a predominant cue for near-distance space perception. We capitalized on an established observation where the perceived slant of a surface with linear binocular-disparity gradient is underestimated. Cle...
TraceNET: an internet topology data collector

This paper presents a network layer Internet topology collection tool called tracenet. Compared to traceroute, tracenet can collect a more complete topology information on an end-to-end path. That is, while traceroute returns a list of IP addresses each representing a router on a path, tracenet attempts to return all the IP addresses assigned to the interfaces on each visited subnetwork on the path. Consequently, the collected information (1) includes more IP addresses belonging to the traced path; (2) represents "being on the same LAN" relationship among the collected IP addresses; and (3) annotates the discovered subnets with their observed subnet masks. Our experiments on Internet2, GEANT, and four major ISP networks demonstrate promising results on the utility of tracenet for future topology measurement studies.
Moment Closure Hierarchies for Kinetic Theories

This paper presents a systematicnonperturbative derivation of a hierarchy of closed systems of moment equations corresponding to any classical kinetic theory. The first member of the hierarchy is the Euler system, which is based on Maxwellian velocity distributions, while the second member is based on nonisotropic Gaussian velocity distributions. The closure proceeds in two steps. The first ensures that every member of the hierarchy is hyperbolic, has an entropy, and formally recovers the Euler limit. The second involves modifying the collisional terms so that members of the hierarchy beyound the second also recover the correct Navier-Stokes behavior. This is achieved through the introduction of a generalization of the BGK collision operator. The simplest such system in three spatial dimensions is a “14-moment” closure, which also recovers the behavior of the Grad “13-moment” system when the velocity distributions lie near local Maxwellians. The closure procedure can be applied to a general class of kinetic theories.
Asperity distribution and earthquake occurrence in the southern Kurile Islands arc

The seismicity in the southern Kurile Islands arc is characterized by a complex overlapping of aftershock zones of a few great and many large earthquakes (Ms ≧ 7.0). The spatial relationships of these aftershock zones can be explained in terms of a simple pattern of fault plane heterogeneity. The four largest earthquakes in this region are, from north to south, the 1963 Kurile Islands (Mw = 8.5), the 1958 Etorofu (Mw = 8.3), the 1969 Kurile Islands (Mw = 8.2) and the 1973 Nemuro-Oki (Mw = 7.8) events. Detailed body wave studies indicate that the moment release associated with each event is concentrated in a small portion of the aftershock area, with scale lengths < 100 km. These regions of high moment release are the largest asperities. The areas that surround the large asperities slip in two modes: (1) coseismically during the great events; and (2) as distinct large (Ms ≧ 7.0) earthquakes both before and after the great events. The second mode involves either rupture of relatively weak regions which results in low-stress-drop events, or rupture of smaller asperities. The earthquakes produced by failure of small asperities tend to repeatedly rupture the same regions, and they have impulsive source time functions indicating rupture of highly stressed regions of the fault surface. By analysis of all Ms ≧ 7.0 events since 1946 in this region we find a segmentation of the southern Kurile Islands thrust zone into strongly coupled regions with two scale lengths (dominant and secondary asperities) and weakly coupled regions (the surrounding areas generating the low-stress-drop events). The largest earthquakes and the smaller asperity earthquakes occur at the down-dip portion of the lithospheric interface, while the low-stress-drop events occur much closer to the trench axis. This implies a difference in the degree of mechanical coupling between the subducting and overriding plates, with the deeper portions having greater strength than the shallower parts.
Development of asymmetric inhibition underlying direction selectivity in the retina

Establishing precise synaptic connections is crucial to the development of functional neural circuits. The direction-selective circuit in the retina relies upon highly selective wiring of inhibitory inputs from starburst amacrine cells (SACs) onto four subtypes of ON-OFF direction-selective ganglion cells (DSGCs), each preferring motion in one of four cardinal directions. It has been reported in rabbit that the SACs on the 'null' sides of DSGCs form functional GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid)-mediated synapses, whereas those on the preferred sides do not. However, it is not known how the asymmetric wiring between SACs and DSGCs is established during development. Here we report that in transgenic mice with cell-type-specific labelling, the synaptic connections from SACs to DSGCs were of equal strength during the first postnatal week, regardless of whether the SAC was located on the preferred or null side of the DSGC. However, by the end of the second postnatal week, the strength of the synapses made from SACs on the null side of a DSGC significantly increased whereas those made from SACs located on the preferred side remained constant. Blocking retinal activity by intraocular injections of muscimol or gabazine during this period did not alter the development of direction selectivity. Hence, the asymmetric inhibition between the SACs and DSGCs is achieved by a developmental program that specifically strengthens the GABA-mediated inputs from SACs located on the null side, in a manner not dependent on neural activity.
An AlphaSmart for each student: Do teaching and learning change with full access to word processors?

Abstract Research shows that regular use of computers for writing over an extended period of time can have a positive impact on the quantity and quality of student writing. The lack of large numbers of computers in schools and in classrooms presents a major impediment to providing students with regular access to computers. The introduction of laptops and/or portable writing devices such as AlphaSmarts into classrooms provides opportunities for teachers to increase student access to word processing tools. This article examines how teaching and learning change when three fourth-grade classrooms are equipped with one AlphaSmart for each student. Findings are based on observations conducted before and after full access to AlphaSmarts was provided on, student and teacher interviews, and on students’ depictions of themselves working in the classroom. The general findings include increased use of AlphaSmarts by students for writing in all subject areas, increased student ownership of and fluency with technology, changes in teachers’ policies regarding technology use in the classroom, increased ease in managing the use of technology in the classroom, increased peer-to-peer and teacher-to-student conferencing, and improvements in the quality of student writing.
Issues in the Study of Personality Development

The study of personality requires that we understand what we mean by the terms personality and development. Whereas the concept of personality-including individual characteristics that are consistent over context and time-is appealing, serious issues in regard to consistency of characteristics over different contexts and over time remain, suggesting to me that although correlations may be significant, there is relatively little variance accounted for. As such, there is little consistency. The study of human development also has difficulties, especially the idea that earlier events lead to or can predict later events. In this article, these 2 classes of difficulties are addressed. The data suggest that individual characteristics, especially in children, are not consistent over context and time, and that earlier events do not predict later ones. This leads to the conclusion that an analysis of behavior in context may be the best way to understand the changing nature of personality growth and development.
On nonlinear boundary conditions satisfying certain asymptotic behavior

Abstract In this paper we consider a second-order boundary value problem of the form y ″ ( t ) = − λ a ( t ) g ( y ( t ) ) , y ( 0 ) = φ ( y ) , y ( 1 ) = 0 . We demonstrate that if the nonlinear functional φ ( y ) satisfies certain asymptotic behavior, then the problem will possess at least one positive solution. These results generalize and improve on some recent results in the literature on boundary value problems with nonlocal, nonlinear boundary conditions, and we provide some examples, which illustrate these generalizations and improvements.
Restructuring academic departments of surgery at University Medical Centers

Background The present administrative and financial structures of clinical departments in most medical schools date back to the beginning of the 20th century when changes were brought about as a result of the Flexner report. Since that time, there have been significant changes in the health care industry that compel us to reevaluate our goals in order to meet the needs of the 21st century. Methods This paper proposes that we need to consider the administrative restructuring of our departments from the vertical hierarchical system to the horizontal matrix system in order to facilitate cost-effective use of our manpower as well as facilities. It also proposes a financial restructuring of the departments to cut the costs of billings and collections of the clinical practice, to develop a long-term program to raise departmental endowments, and to develop an effective incentive plan. Results A novel mechanism is proposed to provide "stock options" for the faculty. Such a system would reward academic and clinical productivity, retain productive faculty, and offer options for those who are not productive. Conclusions In order to flourish in the health care marketplace, academic programs must be willing to promote a change in the culture of the departments and adapt to a more business-oriented environment.
2′-O-Carbamate-containing oligonucleotides: synthesis and properties

Abstract In order to evaluate the effect of a new 2′-carbohydrate modification on the hybridization properties of oligonucleotides, uridine 2′- O -carbamates were synthesized and incorporated into DNA strands. The key intermediate in the synthesis, a mixed succinimide carbonate 2 , was treated with various amines to give 2′- O -carbamates 3 . Thermal melting studies of modified oligonucleotides revealed that the presence of the 2′- O -carbamate modification significantly destabilized DNA/RNA duplexes. A molecular-modeling study indicated that unfavorable steric interactions between the hydrogen of the NH group from the carbamate substituent and the anomeric hydrogen of the sugar residue on the same strand of the duplex may be the contributing factor causing destabilization.
Alternative measures of marginal cost and inflation in estimations of new Keynesian inflation dynamics

Abstract In an important and highly influential paper [Gali, J., Gertler, M., 1999. Inflation dynamics: A structural econometric analysis. Journal of Monetary Economics 44, 195–222] develop and estimate a structural new Keynesian Phillips curve model of inflation dynamics based on the [Calvo, Guillermo, 1983. Staggered prices in a utility maximizing framework. Journal of Monetary Economics 12, 383–398] model of sticky prices. To estimate their model, Gali and Gertler measure inflation as the quarterly percentage change in the GDP deflator, and they consider a specific calculation of the deviation of labor-income share from its mean value as the only proxy measure of aggregate marginal cost. Most other researchers have followed their lead. In this paper, we closely replicate Gali and Gertler’s results and compare these replicated results to those obtained when alternative measures of marginal cost and inflation are utilized. We find that estimations of the structural new Keynesian model of inflation dynamics are not particularly altered by using a marginal-cost measure based on actual industry costs but are sensitive to using a PPI-inflation measure that arguably is more appropriate for testing a theory of firm pricing. Furthermore, we find that utilizing a detrended measure of marginal cost yields results that are at least as plausible as those of Gali and Gertler, yet which generally suggest greater aggregate US price flexibility.
Perceptions of developmental, social, and emotional issues in giftedness: Are they realistic?

We questioned 285 undergraduate students enrolled in human development and educational psychology courses about their perceptions of issues related to giftedness. Participants responded to statements that reflect potential myths or misconceptions related to development, family relations, emotional functioning, and social functioning among individuals who are gifted. Many of the group's perceptions followed no dominant trend and varied little from published evidence. The exceptional issues involved perceptions of homogeneity among children who are gifted, synchronous development, emotional and social functioning in children who are gifted, and emotional functioning of their non‐gifted siblings. In the latter three cases, participants overestimated the probability of distress. We discuss implications for programmatic needs, and the need to educate the public regarding disparate and stigmatizing perceptions.
Trends in computer use in collective bargaining

Abstract A survey of union and management negotiators was conducted to characterize the use of computers and other information technology (IT) in collective bargaining activities. Software use, data sources, and attitudes toward the use of computers by both types of negotiators were examined and compared. Results suggest that while, computer use is extensive among both labor and management negotiators, programs in use are generally limited to spreadsheets and database management systems. Negotiators tend to use computers primarily to generate contract packages and conduct cost-benefit analyses. Concerns regarding Information used in decision-making are consistent with those posed in the information systems literature.
Quis Custodet Ipsos Custodies

I am sure that other oceanographers, including the editor of Eos have experienced similar difficulties to mine in swapping between the various units commonly used in oceanography (meters, kiloyards, feet, fathoms, nautical miles, taus, are a subset of the units of lengths used by oceanographers) and look forward to the adoption of the International System's set of scientific units (W.I. Reilly, ‘Use of the International System of Units [SI] in Geophysical Publications,’ New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, vol. 15, pp. 148-156, 1972), as recommended by the AGU Committee on the Metric System (‘Metric Conversion and the AGU,’ EOS, December 1972., p. 1147) and as recommended for use in papers submitted to Journal of Geophysical Research.
Coenzyme dissociation, a possible determinant of short half-life of inducible enzymes in mammalian liver.

Abstract Corticosteroid inducible, rapidly turning-over ( t 1 2 = 12 min to 3 hrs) enzymes of rat liver cytosol are complex enzymes with dissociable coenzymes. Enzymatic activity can be used to measure the relative rate of coenzyme dissociation. A comparison of rapidly inducible compared to relatively uninducible complex enzymes shows that the relative rate of coenzyme dissociation aligns with the shortness of the t 1 2 of the enzyme suggesting that coenzyme dissociation may be a limiting step in the degradation process of these enzymes.
The unexpected landscape of in vivo somatic mutation in a human epithelial cell lineage.

Few data exist on somatic mutation in the epithelial cell lineages that play a central role in human biology and disease. To delineate the “landscape” of somatic mutation in a human epithelial cell lineage, we determined the frequency and molecular nature of somatic mutations occurring in vivo in the X-linked HPRT gene of kidney tubular epithelial cells. Kidney epithelial mutants were frequent (range 0.5 to 4.2 × 10−4) and contained a high proportion of unreported HPRT base substitutions, −1-bp deletions and multiple mutations. This spectrum of somatic mutation differed from HPRT mutations identified in human peripheral blood T lymphocytes and from germ-line HPRT mutations identified in Lesch–Nyhan syndrome or hyperuricemia patients. Our results indicate that DNA damage and mutagenesis may have unusual or mechanistically interesting features in kidney tubular epithelium, and that somatic mutation may play a more important role in human kidney disease than has been previously appreciated.
Characterization of volatile species formed during exposure of photoresists to ultraviolet light

A photochemical path for formation of volatile S and acidolytic paths for formation of volatile Si and/or C during exposure to ultraviolet light have been identified for two silicon-containing bilayer photoresists using atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (API MS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Si and S are of particular concern because of their potential for irreversible adsorption onto nearby optical coatings inside a lithographic tool, causing permanent detuning. We describe the analytical techniques used and report estimates for absolute numbers of Si and S atoms lost from the resists. The data show that Si bound through oxygen is easily cleaved from the polymer by photogenerated acid while Si bound through carbon is not. Photodissociation of perfluorosulfonic acid from the photoacid generators results in significant loss of S. The data are compared to previous studies, and the advantages and limitations of these techniques for photoresist chemistry characterization are disc...
Distributed Enforcement of Unlinkability Policies: Looking Beyond the Chinese Wall

We present a discretionary access control framework that can be used to control a principal's ability to link information from two or more audit records and compromise a user's privacy. While the traditional Chinese Wall (CW) access control model is sufficient to enforce this type of unlinkability, in distributed environments CW is inefficient because its semantics requires knowledge of a user's access history. We propose a restricted version of the CW model in which policies are easy to enforce in a decentralized manner without the need for an access history. Our architecture analyzes system policies for potential linkability conflicts. Users can identify specific threats to their privacy, typically in terms of trusted and untrusted roles in the context of RBAC (role based access control), following which the system attaches automatically generated policy constraints to the audit records. When these constraints are enforced appropriately, they implement unlinkability policies that are provably secure and precise for a fixed protection state. We extend the model with a versioning scheme that can handle evolving protection state, including changing roles and permissions, trading precision to maintain the security of deployed policies.
Accessories assist AMPA receptors to close pockets.

Stargazin (STZ), the prototypical member of the transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory protein (TARP) family, can boost AMPA receptor activity to enhance synaptic currents as much as one third. The effects of STZ on microscopic and macroscopic AMPA receptor currents are consistent with a mechanism
Tying the King's Hands: Credible Commitments and Royal Fiscal Policy during the Old Regime

Historians commonly assume that the Old Regime monarchy in France attempted to eliminate corporate society in order to create liberal institutions. They also assume that the centralization of state power occurred at the expense of such corporate bodies as provincial estates, the municipal corporations, and the village communities. By contrast, I argue that those institutions were not vestiges of an earlier society waiting to be swept away by the stronger, more unified modern state. Instead, I believe that corporate bodies not only flourished under the Old Regime, but contributed to the functioning of the absolute state.
Co-factors affecting substance abuse among homosexual men : an investigation within a midwestern gay community

In an effort to begin formation of an empirically based model of gay substance abuse, this study examined the effects of three psychosocial factors, homosexual identity formation, self-esteem and a familial history of substance abuse in the evolution of this phenomenon among homosexual men, a group that appears to manifest appreciably higher rates and concomitantly greater associated problems than the general population. Data were obtained by voluntary subject return of a self-report instrument that was distributed widely over a 6 month period in the metropolitan Cleveland area, resulting in a moderately sized sample. Although the sampling method limited the generalizibility of the results, diminished self-esteem and a familial history of substance abuse had significant associations with both alcohol and drug abuse and were confirmed to be salient predictors, together accounting for almost half the variance in alcohol abuse and over one-third the variance in drug abuse. Moreover, both had the ability to significantly discern between alcohol and drug use groups versus groups found to be alcohol and drug abusive. Levels of a gay identity were not meaningfully associated with substance abuse. Finally, recommendations for further research were explicated.
Linear Discriminant Analysis-Based Estimation of the False Discovery Rate for Phosphopeptide Identifications†

The development of liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has made it possible to characterize phosphopeptides in an increasingly large-scale and high-throughput fashion. However, extracting confident phosphopeptide identifications from the resulting large data sets in a similar high-throughput fashion remains difficult, as does rigorously estimating the false discovery rate (FDR) of a set of phosphopeptide identifications. This article describes a data analysis pipeline designed to address these issues. The first step is to reanalyze phosphopeptide identifications that contain ambiguous assignments for the incorporated phosphate(s) to determine the most likely arrangement of the phosphate(s). The next step is to employ an expectation maximization algorithm to estimate the joint distribution of the peptide scores. A linear discriminant analysis is then performed to determine how to optimally combine peptide scores (in this case, from SEQUEST) into a discriminant score that possesses the maximum discriminating power. Based on this discriminant score, the p- and q-values for each phosphopeptide identification are calculated, and the phosphopeptide identification FDR is then estimated. This data analysis approach was applied to data from a study of irradiated human skin fibroblasts to provide a robust estimate of FDR for phosphopeptides. The Phosphopeptide FDR Estimator software is freely available for download at http://ncrr.pnl.gov/software/.
Median filter on FPGAs

Median filters have been shown to be effective in removing impulsive noise from images. This paper proposes three different directional median filter implementations on FPGA. The techniques are capable of performing median filtering operations for four different directions simultaneously. These implementations are extensions to an existing cumulative histogram-based median filtering technique. Yet, directional processing was not addressed in previous work. Directional median filters process images along the direction of the filtering window, and have been shown to be more effective in removing impulsive noise compared to traditional median filters. All techniques aimed to decrease processing time, while reducing the resource utilization on hardware. Experimental results confirmed that all three techniques are synthesizable and implementable on Xilinx Virtex 5. There is a trade-off between resource utilization and processing time among the three techniques.
The Roles of Specific Genes Implicated as Circulating Factors Involved in Normal and Disordered Phosphate Homeostasis: Frizzled Related Protein-4, Matrix Extracellular Phosphoglycoprotein, and Fibroblast Growth Factor 23

Normal serum phosphate (Pi) concentrations are relatively tightly controlled by endocrine mediators of Pi balance. Recent data involving several disorders of Pi homeostasis have shed new light on the regulation of serum Pi balance. It has been hypothesized that circulating phosphaturic factors, or phosphatonins, exist that, when present at high serum concentrations, directly act on the kidney to induce renal Pi wasting. This review will focus upon recently discovered factors that are overexpressed in tumors associated with tumor-induced osteomalacia and have reported activity consistent with effecting Pi balance in vivo. Currently, the best-characterized group of phosphatonin-like polypeptides includes secreted frizzled related protein-4, matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein, and fibroblast growth factor-23. Our understanding of these factors will, in the short term, aid us in understanding normal Pi balance and, in the future, help to design novel therapeutic strategies for disorders of Pi handling.
Treating alcohol problems with couple therapy.

Couple therapy for treating alcohol use disorders (AUDs) results in less drinking and greater relationship stability and satisfaction in both men and women with AUDs. The theoretical tenets, treatment methods, and research evidence for Alcohol Behavioral Couple Therapy (ABCT) are summarized. The application of ABCT is illustrated through the treatment of a 42-year-old woman with an AUD and her 56-year-old husband. During 12 sessions over a 6-month period, the woman attained abstinence from alcohol and learned cognitive and behavioral coping skills to deal with drinking antecedents. Her husband learned to support her abstinence by stopping drinking himself, helping her cope with drinking urges, and reinforcing her successes. The couple increased positive pleasurable activities that did not involve alcohol and improved their communication skills. Challenges in the treatment included her ambivalence about abstaining, their complicated work and travel schedules, and other life stressors.
Precision Transducer for High Pressure Infrared Measurements

An externally mounted high pressure semiconductor strain gauge transducer of high precision is described which was used in connection with liquid ir absorption and PVT measurements up to 10 000 atm pressure. The transducer is nonlinear, but can be calibrated by a three point procedure, one point of which is the freezing point of mercury at 0°C, and fit to a derived mathematical function. The precision of the device is approximately 0.8 atm, with a repeatability of 5.5 parts in 10 000, at a level of 10 000 atm.
Validity of the ultrasonic technique as a method of measuring subcutaneous adipose tissue

SummarySubcutaneous adipose tissue measurements, at abdomen, suprailiac, subscapular, and mid-triceps sites, made with the ultrasonic and skinfold caliper techniques were compared using data from 20 women and 17 men from a pool of subjects of 22 women and 20 men. In addition, comparisons were made between ultrasonic, soft-tissue roentgenographic and skinfold caliper techniques at the suprailiac and mid-triceps sites on 6 women and 12 men. Repeat measurements with the ultrasonic technique produced correlation coefficients of 0·87 and above. Correlations between skinfold caliper and ultrasonic measurements were generally higher among women than men over each of the four sites. A highly significant relationship, r = 0·88, was observed between the ultrasonic measurements and soft-tissue roentgenograms over the midtriceps site. The correlation between the fat-muscle interface measured on the roentgenogram and ultrasonic measurements at the suprailiac site was 0·78. Multiple echoes and interfaces were observed ...
Scapular neck length and implications for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: An anatomic study of 442 cadaveric specimens.

Purpose: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) may be used to treat a variety of pathologic shoulder conditions, but complications such as scapular notching continue raise concerns. Variable anatomy surrounding the glenoid may have implications for future RTSA design, but at present the anatomy of the scapular neck in the human population has not been clearly defined. Materials and Methods: 442 human scapulae from the Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection were measured for scapular neck length (SNL) and scapular neck angle (SNA). SNL was defined as the distance from the most lateral portion of the infraglenoid tubercle to the most inferolateral portion of the glenoid fossa. The SNA was measured according to Gerber et al . previously. The mean, standard deviation and ranges for SNL and SNA were calculated and compared based on sex and race, and interobserver variability was calculated. Results: The mean SNL was 1.06 cm ± 0.33 cm (0.37-2.43 cm). Males demonstrated a larger SNL (1.08 cm ± 0.33 cm) than females (1.01 cm ± 0.32 cm) ( P P P Conclusion: Scapular neck length and SNA vary widely within the population but there appears to be a tendency towards increased SNL in males and Caucasians. Clinical Relevance: The anatomy of the scapular neck may have significant implications for RTSA design, surgical planning, and reduction of associated complications.
microRT: a conformal small animal irradiator

The recent development of small-animal imaging hardware has provided functional imaging researchers with extraordinary tools for preclinical studies. However, radiation oncology studies, either tumor response or normal organ response, have been hampered by the lack of a tool for the precise irradiation of small animals. A conformal small animal irradiator based on teletherapy is proposed. The irradiator is based on a small, high-activity Ir source. Measurement-validated Monte Carlo dose distribution simulations have been conducted to aid in the optimization of the irradiator design. Adequate dose rates (in excess of 1 Gy min/sup -1/) are shown to be possible with adequately steep penumbra and low irradiation levels outside the irradiated fields. We are currently designing and building a prototype system.
Characterization of Regulatory Dendritic Cells That Mitigate Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease in Older Mice Following Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation

Despite improvements in human leukocyte antigen matching and pharmacologic prophylaxis, acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is often a fatal complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Older HSCT recipients experience significantly increased morbidity and mortality compared to young recipients. Prophylaxis with syngeneic regulatory dendritic cells (DCreg) in young bone marrow transplanted (BMT) mice has been shown to decrease GVHD-associated mortality. To evaluate this approach in older BMT recipients, young (3–4 months) and older (14–18 months) DCreg were generated using GM-CSF, IL-10, and TGFβ. Analysis of young versus older DCreg following culture revealed no differences in phenotype. The efficacy of DCreg treatment in older BMT mice was evaluated in a BALB/c→C57Bl/6 model of GVHD; on day 2 post-BMT (d +2), mice received syngeneic, age-matched DCreg. Although older DCreg-treated BMT mice showed decreased morbidity and mortality compared to untreated BMT mice (all of which died), there was a small but significant decrease in the survival of older DCreg-treated BMT mice (75% survival) compared to young DCreg-treated BMT mice (90% survival). To investigate differences between dendritic cells (DC) in young and older DCreg-treated BMT mice that may play a role in DCreg function in vivo, DC phenotypes were assessed following DCreg adoptive transfer. Transferred DCreg identified in older DCreg-treated BMT mice at d +3 showed significantly lower expression of PD-L1 and PIR B compared to DCreg from young DCreg-treated BMT mice. In addition, donor DC identified in d +21 DCreg-treated BMT mice displayed increased inhibitory molecule and decreased co-stimulatory molecule expression compared to d +3, suggesting induction of a regulatory phenotype on the donor DC. In conclusion, these data indicate DCreg treatment is effective in the modulation of GVHD in older BMT recipients and provide evidence for inhibitory pathways that DCreg and donor DC may utilize to induce and maintain tolerance to GVHD.
A null biogeographic model for quantifying the role of migration in shaping patterns of global taxonomic richness and differentiation diversity, with implications for Ordovician biogeography

Biodiversity patterns in the fossil record are often interpreted as functions of only origination and extinction whereas the migration of taxa among regions or paleocontinents is rarely considered. A null biogeographic model is presented that evaluates the role of migration in shaping global biodiversity patterns across evolutionary time scales. As taxa are allowed to originate, go extinct, and migrate among continents, the model keeps track of global richness and differentiation diversity (the diversity gained by pooling continents). The model's results highlight the difference between global-scale and continental-scale origination and extinction rates. Intuitively, origination and extinction have opposite effects on global richness at the global scale, but they interact with migration at the continental scale to influence differentiation diversity and global richness in surprising ways. The model shows that the migration of taxa among paleocontinents can facilitate an increase in global richness, even when continental extinction is greater than continental origination. Additionally, the model shows that differentiation diversity reaches a dynamic equilibrium that is dictated by the combination of migration, origination, and extinction rates. A test of the model with Ordovician macroinvertebrate data indicates that migration rates were low during the Ordovician and that differentiation diversity was high and varied little. Overall, the Ordovician was an interval of high provinciality. It also shown that widespread genera were less prone to global extinction, even though extinction of genera on individual paleocontinents was common.
A 15 mW 1.6 Gb/s wormhole data router for 2-D meshes

We designed and implemented a wormhole data router chip for 2-D meshes with bi-directional channels and token-exchange arbitration. In our design, the token-exchange delay is fully hidden and no latency penalty occurs when there is no traffic contention. We have distributed decoders and arbiters for each IO port, and a fully-connected crossbar switch to increase parallelism of data routing. The router also has hardware support for path-based multicasting. From measured results, we showed that multicasting communication is much more energy efficient than unicasting. The wormhole router was fabricated using MOSIS/HP 0.6 /spl mu/m technology. It can deliver 1.6 Gb/s (50 MHz)@Vdd=2.1 V and consumes an average power of 15 mW.