cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disparities Within the Disparity-Determining HIV Risk Factors Among Latino Gay and Bisexual Men Attending a Community-Based Clinic in Los Angeles, CA.

Author(s): Beymer, Matthew R; Weiss, Robert E; Halkitis, Perry N; Kapadia, Farzana; Ompad, Danielle C; Bourque, Linda; Bolan, Robert K | Abstract: BackgroundLatino gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States have a 50% greater incidence of HIV when compared with White MSM. Previous studies have analyzed factors contributing to condomless anal intercourse among Latino MSM, but few studies have followed cohorts of HIV-negative Latino MSM to determine circumstances for HIV infection. Informed by Syndemics theory, we examine behavioral, biological, and contextual factors associated with HIV infection for Latino MSM.MethodsRisk assessment and HIV testing data were analyzed for all initially HIV negative, Latino MSM (n = 3111) visiting a community-based clinic in Los Angeles, CA from January 2009 to June 2014. Survival analyses were used to determine characteristics of Latino MSM who became HIV positive during the study time frame.ResultsSimilar to previous studies of MSM, self-reported history of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and/or syphilis (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.97; CI: 1.28 to 3.04), receptive condomless anal intercourse (aHR: 1.7; CI: 1.16 to 2.49), and methamphetamine use (aHR: 1.99; CI: 1.15 to 3.43) predicted HIV infection. In addition, originating from Central America (aHR: 2.31; CI: 1.41 to 3.79), Latino ethnicity of the last sex partner (aHR: 1.67; CI: 1.16 to 2.39) and experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) (aHR: 1.73; CI: 1.13 to 2.64) were also associated with HIV infection among Latino MSM.ConclusionsThis is the first study to show independent associations between IPV and HIV infection among Latino MSM. This study shows that psychosocial conditions such as IPV fuel HIV incidence among Latino MSM, and psychosocial interventions should be considered to reduce HIV disparities among Latino MSM.
Large Molecular Assemblies Held Together by Non-Covalent Bonds

One of the goals of supramolecular chemistry is the construction of very large assemblies, assemblies which may shed light on those found in the life processes. Herein we describe two quite large assemblies, but those which are amenable to characterization in solution by NMR techniques and in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. This relative ease of characterization is due to the extraordinally high symmetry, particularly of the larger assembly.
The Ray Rice Domestic Violence Case: Constructing Black Masculinity Through Newspaper Reports

This case study used concepts associated with Black masculinity to critically analyze newspaper depictions of the Ray Rice Domestic Violence Case (RRDVC). The pattern matching and content analysis ...
Cyclic scheduling with spacing constraints

We have studied a vehicle routing and scheduling problem in which a cyclic schedule of airlift missions is required to provide evenly spaced customer service. This thesis presents results in two areas relating to our solution of this problem. First, we developed and tested a route-first/schedule-second heuristic. This approach is suitable for applications in which routing costs are the primary concern and the spacing requirement is not a hard constraint. The crucial element of this approach is the ability to schedule airlift missions so that the spacing requirement is satisfied. To accomplish this, we allow missions to be disrupted, either expediting or delaying mission stops compared to the standard time allowed for travel between consecutive mission stops. This scheduling problem is solved through a heuristic that requires the solution of a large number of assignment problems, which led to the second major area of our research. We then developed efficient algorithms for special cases of the assignment problem related to our scheduling problem. We determined that cost matrices defined by a convex function of linear displacement between sorted locations on a line have the Strong Monge Property. Based on this finding, we developed assignment algorithms with worst case time complexities comparable to sorting a list.
Tuning the Viscoelastic Behavior of Hybrid Hydrogels Composed of a Physical and a Chemical Network by the Addition of an Organic Solvent

The influence of isopropanol (IPA) addition on the viscoelastic behavior of hybrid hydrogels which were prepared from chemically cross-linked copolymers of N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA), 2-(N-ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamido)ethyl methacrylate (FOSM) and cinnamoyloxyethyl acrylate was investigated by dynamic oscillatory shear. The hybrid gels were composed of a supramolecular network formed by phase-separated FOSM nanodomains that served as physical cross-links and a chemical network derived from photo-cross-linking the cinnamate groups. The linear viscoelastic (LVE) behavior of the gels was tunable by changing the solvent ratio (IPA/water) and/or temperature. When the swelling solvent was pure water or pure IPA, the materials were hydrogels and organogels, respectively. When the IPA concentration increased from a molar ratio of IPA:FOSM of zero to 80:1, the cross-link density of the gels decreased due to weakening of the physical network as a result of solvation of the hydrophobic interactions by IPA. Abov...
Imaging Mercury's polar deposits during MESSENGER's low-altitude campaign

Images obtained during MESSENGER's low-altitude campaign in the final year of the mission provide the highest-spatial-resolution views of Mercury's polar deposits. Images for distinct areas of permanent shadow within 35 north polar craters were successfully captured during the campaign. All of these regions of permanent shadow were found to have low-reflectance surfaces with well-defined boundaries. Additionally, brightness variations across the deposits correlate with variations in the biannual maximum surface temperature across the permanently shadowed regions, supporting the conclusion that multiple volatile organic compounds are contained in Mercury's polar deposits, in addition to water ice. A recent large impact event or ongoing bombardment by micrometeoroids could deliver water as well as many volatile organic compounds to Mercury. Either scenario is consistent with the distinctive reflectance properties and well-defined boundaries of Mercury's polar deposits and the presence of volatiles in all available cold traps.
Altered homeostatic regulation of innate and adaptive immunity in lower gastrointestinal tract GVHD pathogenesis

Lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is the predominant cause of morbidity and mortality from GVHD after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Recent data indicate that lower GI tract GVHD is a complicated process mediated by donor/host antigenic disparities. This process is exacerbated by significant changes to the microbiome, and innate and adaptive immune responses that are critical to the induction of disease, persistence of inflammation, and a lack of response to therapy. Here, we discuss new insights into the biology of lower GI tract GVHD and focus on intrinsic pathways and regulatory mechanisms crucial to normal intestinal function. We then describe multiple instances in which these homeostatic mechanisms are altered by donor T cells or conditioning therapy, resulting in exacerbation of GVHD. We also discuss data suggesting that some of these mechanisms produce biomarkers that could be informative as to the severity of GVHD and its response to therapy. Finally, novel therapies that might restore homeostasis in the GI tract during GVHD are highlighted.
Sex Influences Exist at All Levels of Human Brain Function

Abstract Not long ago, neuroscientists overwhelmingly assumed that sex influences on brain function almost exclusively concerned the hypothalamus and related reproductive functions. That view is now crushed under the weight of evidence from the past 15 to 20 years proving that sex influences exist at all levels of brain function, down to the level of genes and ion channels. So overwhelming is the evidence that the assumption still prominent among neuroscientists that one can study one sex (generally the male) and learn equally about the brain of the other should no longer be considered scientifically justifiable.
Pharmacokinetic model for nalidixic acid in man II. Parameters for Absorption, Metabolism, and Elimination

The absorption, metabolism, and excretion of nalidixic acid in man is illustrated by a model, and appropriate equations are derived. A total of 7 rate constants are calcalated: 4 metabolic constants, 2 excretory constants, and 1 availability constant. All 5 components of the urine compartment and 2 components of the plasma compartment are measured. Comparisons between experimental and calcalated values are good.
Surveillance for Antimicrobial-resistant Organisms in Infants Transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Trends in Colonization and Practices

AbstractBackgroundInfections with antibiotic-resistant organisms (AROs), i.e., methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative rods (MDR-GNR) among infants hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are associated with mortality and serious morbidities. Implementing appropriate infection control policies may help prevent transmission of AROs. However, the most effective strategies for surveillance of AROs in the NICU are unclear. Prior data collected from infants transferred from outside hospitals to 2 NICUs affiliated with New York-Presbyterian (NYP) Hospital detected low rates of ARO colonization in the first week of life. Thus, in 2013 the strategy of performing surveillance on all transferred infants for AROs was changed to performing targeted surveillance on infants transferred at >7 days of life (DOL). The purpose of this study was to assess this change in surveillance strategy and monitor ARO colonization trends in the NICU.MethodsData from all infants transported to the NICUs at NYP from 2007 to 2016 were used. Risk factors for colonization with AROs including demographics and admitting diagnoses were explored using a multivariable binomial mixed model clustered by transferring hospital and controlled for NYP NICU. Trends in ARO colonization over time were assessed using negative binomial regression. Site 1 elected not to adopt the change in surveillance policy, and thus was used as a control.ResultsFrom 2007 to 2016, 2925 infants were transferred to the NYP NICUs, 1101 at Site 1 and 1824 at Site 2; 2571 (88%) had surveillance for at least 1 ARO. There were 226 positive surveillance cultures in 204 infants (8%): 94 (3.7%) for MRSA, 78 (3%) for VRE and 54 (2%) for MDR-GNR. In the final models, transfer DOL remained a highly significant (OR per day = 1.018, CI95 1.014, 1.022, P < 0.001) predictor of colonization with any ARO. There was no significant increase in the incidence of transferred infants colonized with AROs over time in either NICU; this remained true in infants who were < 7 days of life at Site 1.ConclusionThese data continue to support the rationale for our change in surveillance policy. Further studies should evaluate the effect of this strategy on ARO transmission in the general NICU population.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.
Heterosexist Discrimination and LGBQ Activism: Examining a Moderated Mediation Model

Although the negative outcomes of minority stress for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) individuals have been well researched in the psychological literature, potential positive coping mechanisms to minority stress remain understudied. The present study examined the link between heterosexist
Neutral and non-neutral factors shape an emergent plant–antagonist interaction

Discerning the mechanisms responsible for emergent evolutionary radiations, community assembly, and the maintenance of diversity is necessary for understanding the evolutionary ecology of species interactions in changing landscapes. These processes can be driven by stochastic (neutral) factors, such as genetic drift, or deterministic (non-neutral) factors, such as the external environment and heritable phenotypic variation. Neutral and non-neutral factors can shape species interactions, but the relative influence of these different processes on antagonistic relationships is not well understood. We leveraged the recent discovery of a novel herbivore (Caloptilia triadicae) on invasive Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) to investigate the nature and relative importance of different factors influencing plant–antagonist interactions. We assessed measures of host attributes, herbivore demography and herbivory across the North American range of Triadica according to geography, environmental variation, and host genetic variation. We found that leaf toughness corresponded to genetic variation in Triadica, longitude, and mean temperature. Genetic variation in Triadica was the strongest predictor of herbivore abundance, especially for the early leaf mining stages, though herbivore abundance also corresponded to longitude. Model variables did not explain leaf damage, which was driven by interactions with late-stage larvae. Trends in herbivore demography were not consistent with previously reported geographic patterns of Triadica genetic variation related to tannin defense, but were consistent with patterns revealed by other studies of Triadica phenolic compounds and C:N, as well as low sensitivity of endophagous herbivores to tannins in the absence of parasitoids. Our findings suggest that even simple geographic mosaics of genetic and environmental variation, as well as distance-dependent dispersal, can influence the establishment and trajectory of novel species interactions.
Glucose, Impaired Tolerance

In most populations, circulating glucose concentrations in the fasting state or after a standardized oral glucose load are distributed in unimodal fashion. However, bimodality can be demonstrated in some populations with high prevalence rates of diabetes.
Lordosis as a sexually dimorphic neural function.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the sexually dimorphic function, the lordosis response displayed by sexually receptive female rats. In rats, lordosis is a stereotyped reflex consisting of dorsiflexion (extension) of the vertebral column, which produces an elevation of the head and the hind quarters region. There are several advantages of studying lordosis, such as the behavior is of vital importance to reproduction, and thus, plays a central role in the behavioral repertoire of this species. The lack of definitive evidence concerning the locations of sex differences in the neural circuitry controlling lordosis requires us to speculate about different possibilities. One possibility is that the sex difference in lordotic responsiveness relates to differences in the nuclear uptake of steroids. Another possible sex difference in lordosis-relevant hypothalamic cells might reside in their biochemical responses to steroids. Sex differences could also exist in the physiology of lordosis-relevant hypothalamic neurons projecting to the midbrain, and sex differences in the anatomical organization of lordosis-relevant cells might also exist. Cellular analysis of estrogenic action on neural circuitries producing lordosis is far from complete; however, the model that has been proposed may help to carry out a study of the putative sex differences in this system. Thus, future research into the effects of estrogen upon brain function may provide new insights into one of the most basic biological processes, the interactions between endocrine and nervous systems.
Ion channels as targets for insecticides

Most insecticides are neurotoxicants causing various forms of hyperexcitation and paralysis in animals. A variety of neuroreceptors and ion channels have been identified as the major target sites of these neurotoxic insecticides. This paper gives the highlights of some of the recent development in this area. Pyrethroids keep the sodium channel open for unusually long times causing a prolonged flow of sodium current. The prolonged sodium current elevates and prolongs the depolarizing after-potential which reaches the threshold membrane potential to initiate repetitive after-discharges. We have developed the method with which the percentage of sodium channel population that needs to be modified to cause repetitive after-discharges can be measured accurately. In rat cerebellar Purkinje neurons, only 0.6% of sodium channels needs to be modified for hyperexcitation resulting in a large toxicity amplification. This concept is applicable to other neuroactive drugs that act through the threshold phenomenon. 'The mechanisms of selective toxicity of pyrethroids in mammals and insects have been quantitatively determined to be due mainly to the different sensitivity of the sodium channels to pyrethroids and the negative temperature dependence of pyrethroid action on the sodium channels. The degradation of pyrethroids play only a minor role. The negative temperature dependence of pyrethroid action is due to the increased sodium current flow at low temperature. The major site of action of dieldrin and hexachlorocyclohexane is the GABA A receptor chloride channel complex. Dieldrin exerts a dual action, initial stimulation and subsequent suppression, and the latter is responsible for hyperexcitation of animals. Dieldrin stimulation requires the γ2s subunit in the GABA receptor, whereas dieldrin suppression occurs in the presence or absence of the γ2s subunit.
ATP synthases in the year 2000: defining the different levels of mechanism and getting a grip on each.

ATP synthases are unusually complex molecules, which fractionate most readily into two major units, one a water soluble unit called F1 and the other a detergent soluble unit called F0. In almost all known species the F1 unit consists of 5 subunit types in the stoichiometric ratio α3β3γδe while the F0 unit contains 3 subunit types (a, b, and c) in E. coli, and at least 10 subunit types (a, b, c, and others) in higher animals. It is now believed by many investigators that during the synthesis of ATP, protons derived from an electrochemical gradient generated by an electron transport chain are directed through the F0 unit in such a way as to drive the rotation of the single γ subunit, which extends from an oligomeric ring of at least 10 c subunits in F0 through the center of F1. It is further believed by many that the rotating γ subunit, by interacting sequentially with the 3 αβ pairs of F1 (360° cycle) in the presence of ADP, Pi, and Mg++, brings about via “power strokes” conformational/binding changes in these subunits that promote the synthesis of ATP and its release on each αβ pair. In support of these views, studies in several laboratories either suggest or demonstrate that F0 consists in part of a proton gradient driven motor while F1 consists of an ATP hydrolysis driven motor, and that the γ subunit does rotate during F1 function. Therefore, current implications are that during ATP synthesis the former motor drives the latter in reverse via the γ subunit. This would suggest that the process of understanding the mechanism of ATP synthases can be subdivided into three major levels, which include elucidating those chemical and/or biophysical events involved in (1) inducing rotation of the γ subunit, (2) coupling rotation of this subunit to conformational/binding changes in each of the 3 αβ pairs, and (3) forming ATP and water (from ADP, Pi, and Mg++) and then releasing these products from each of the 3 catalytic sites. Significantly, it is at the final level of mechanism where the bond breaking/making events of ATP synthesis occur in the transition state, with the former two levels of mechanism setting the stage for this critical payoff event. Nevertheless, in order to get a better grip in this new century on how ATP synthases make ATP and then release it, we must take on the difficult challenge of elucidating each of the three levels of mechanism.
Rapid Fire: Tumor Lysis Syndrome

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a life-threatening oncologic emergency, characterized by a constellation of hyperkalemia, hyperuricemia, hyperphosphatemia, and hypocalcemia. The spectrum ranges from patients who are asymptomatic to those who go into cardiac arrest and die. Prompt recognition and initiation of treatment by emergency physicians are key, especially in the early stages of the syndrome. This case-based review presents an overview of the key points in pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of TLS that are key to emergency physicians.
pydiffusion: A Python Library for Diffusion Simulation and Data Analysis

pydiffusion is a free and open-source Python library designed to solve diffusion problems for both single-phase and multi-phase binary systems. The key features of pydiffusion include fast simulation of multi-phase diffusion and extraction of diffusion coefficients from experimental concentration profiles using forward simulation analysis. pydiffusion also provides various mathematical models for diffusion profile smoothing, diffusion coefficient evaluation, and data optimization. In pydiffusion, diffusion profiles and various phases are easy to define or read from the experimental datasets. Visualization tools based on Matplotlib are also provided to help users present or refine their simulations and analysis. Funding statement: The development of pydiffusion is supported by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant number CMMI-1333999, and it is part of an NSF Designing Materials to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future (DMREF) project.
Corporate Sustainable Development Strategy: Effect of Green Shared Vision on Organization Members’ Behavior

In this study, expectancy–valence theory was used from the perspective of corporate green management to investigate green shared vision (GSV). Moreover, organizational identity theory and psychological ownership theory were combined to propose an integrated conceptual framework. To fill research gaps, an investigation was also conducted with frontline R & D and sales employees to further examine the effect of GSV on organization members’ psychology and behavior. The research results indicate that when under the following circumstances, corporate members can enhance organizational citizenship behavior for the environment (OCBE) to improve green management performance, gain the favor of green consumers and achieve sustainable consumption goals. First, enterprises should focus on environmental issues and develop their GSV. Second, enterprises should implement the GSV in different aspects, such as product design, processing, marketing and management. Finally, corporate GSV should be in line with the expectations and values of organization members on environmental issues to motivate their OCBE. Therefore, enterprises must implement their GSV to strengthen the green organizational identity and green product psychological ownership of their members.
A Retrospective Study of 186 Patients Reveals the Strongest Immunity in the Early Two Years of Life Against Coronavirus Disease 2019

Background: The morbility and mortality of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with age However, it remains mysterious what factors
Noninvasive Epidermal Metabolite Profiling

A buffer placed in brief contact in the skin was assayed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. We found that this passive extraction of the skin surface yields abundant metabolites. Metabolites of the skin surfa...
Quantum Dot Solar Cells

This article provides a description of the evolution of the solar cell explaining the theory and design behind three generations of photovoltaics. An in-depth focus on quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells (a third-generation design) with emphasis on both theory and experimental findings is presented. The article concludes with a brief discussion of some future challenges facing quantum dot solar cells. Extensive referencing to relevant and recent literature is provided.
Quality Assurance as a Potent Agent

The most challenging task for academics, administrators, and assessors is the definition, identification, and quantification of quality higher education. It is the dream of all policy makers and stakeholders of higher education in India to build world-class educational institutions. Though stakeholders have not arrived at a consensus on what constitutes quality in higher education, all of them have begun to participate in the discourse on the quality assurance system of higher education at the institution level for defining, identifying, and quantifying what appears to be elusive. Of course, quality will continue to be invisible and therefore elusive until individual institutions evolve new policy strategies to ensure and improve the teaching and learning quality. This paper adopts the post-modernist and post- structuralist approach to argue that each individual institution should evolve its own quality assurance system without placing excessive stress on the external monitoring regulatory mechanisms and without internalizing the grand narratives about quality. It concludes with an assertion that institutional quality policy strategists need to think globally but act locally.
Mitochondrial Fusion Suppresses Tau Pathology-Induced Neurodegeneration and Cognitive Decline.

Background Abnormalities of mitochondrial fission and fusion, dynamic processes known to be essential for various aspects of mitochondrial function, have repeatedly been reported to be altered in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Neurofibrillary tangles are known as a hallmark feature of AD and are commonly considered a likely cause of neurodegeneration in this devastating disease. Objective To understand the pathological role of mitochondrial dynamics in the context of tauopathy. Methods The widely used P301S transgenic mice of tauopathy (P301S mice) were crossed with transgenic TMFN mice with the forced expression of Mfn2 specifically in neurons to obtain double transgenic P301S/TMFN mice. Brain tissues from 11-month-old non-transgenic (NTG), TMFN, P301S, and P301S/TMFN mice were analyzed by electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, immunoblot, histological staining, and immunostaining for mitochondria, tau pathology, and tau pathology-induced neurodegeneration and gliosis. The cognitive function was assessed by the Barnes maze. Results P301S mice exhibited mitochondrial fragmentation and a consistent decrease in Mfn2 compared to age-matched NTG mice. When P301S mice were crossed with TMFN mice (P301S/TMFN mice), neuronal loss, as well as mitochondria fragmentation were significantly attenuated. Greatly alleviated tau hyperphosphorylation, filamentous aggregates, and thioflavin-S positive tangles were also noted in P301S/TMFN mice. Furthermore, P301S/TMFN mice showed marked suppression of neuroinflammation and improved cognitive performance in contrast to P301S mice. Conclusion These in vivo findings suggest that promoted mitochondrial fusion suppresses toxic tau accumulation and associated neurodegeneration, which may protect against the progression of AD and related tauopathies.
Trifocal Tibial Bone Transport Using a Magnetic Intramedullary Nail: A Case Report.

Case The patient sustained a pathologic fracture through chronic osteomyelitis of the tibia. Treatment involved resection of bone and soft tissue, leaving a 15-cm diaphyseal tibial defect. We designed a construct to allow for trifocal bone transport using a magnetic intramedullary lengthening nail connected to cables. This technique uses cables secured to the proximal tibia, the nail, and the transport segments. Conclusion This case details the successful use of trifocal cable-assisted bone transport through a magnetic lengthening intramedullary nail. This technique can successfully be used to reconstruct diaphyseal bone defects that are longer than the stroke length of the magnetic nail.
Complex collisions of ultracold molecules: a toy model

We introduce a model to study the collisions of two ultracold diatomic molecules in one dimension interacting via pairwise potentials. We present results for this system and argue that it offers lessons for real molecular collisions in three dimensions. We analyze the distribution of the adiabatic potentials in the hyperspherical coordinate representation as well as the distribution of near-threshold four-body bound states, systematically studying the effects of molecular properties, such as interaction strength, interaction range, and atomic mass. It is found that the adiabatic potential's nearest-neighbor energy level distribution transitions from significant level repulsion characteristic of chaos (Brody distribution) to nonchaotic (Poisson distribution) as the two molecules are separated. For the near-threshold four-atom bound states, the case where all atoms have equal masses shows a Poissonian spacing distribution, while the unequal-mass system exhibits significant level repulsion characterized by a nonzero Brody parameter. We derive a semiclassical formula for the density of states and extract from it simple scaling laws with potential depth and range. We find good agreement between the semiclassical predictions for the density of states and the full quantum mechanical calculations.
Hodge structures on posets

Let P be a poset with unique minimal and maximal elements 0 and i. For each r, let C r (P) be the vector space spanned by r-chains from O to i in P. We define the notion of a Hodge structure on P which consists of a local action of S r+1 on C r , for each r, such that the boundary map ∂ r : C r → C r-1 intertwines the actions of S r+1 and S r according to a certain condition. We show that if P has a Hodge structure, then the families of Eulerian idempotents intertwine the boundary map, and so we get a splitting of H r (P) into r Hodge pieces. We consider the case where P is B n,k , the poset of subsets of {1, 2,...,n} with cardinality divisible by k (k is fixed, and n is a multiple of k). We prove a remarkable formula which relates the characters B n,k of S n acting on the Hodge pieces of the homologies of the B n,k to the characters of S n acting on the homologies bf the posets of partitions with every block size divisible by k.
Bellcore's ADAPT/X Harness System for Managing Information on Internet and Intranets

Adapt/X Harness is an information integration system, platform, and tool set that provides integrated and seamless access to heterogeneous and distributed information in a networked environment (LAN, WAN, Intranets, and the global Internet). It allows cost-effective access, keyword and attribute queries, navigation, and linking and operations on these information resources using popular Internet browsers without requiring any translation, transfer, or rehosting of the original information resource. Information resources such as text and multimedia documents, files of various types, software applications, relational databases, email messages, and references can all be “registered” with Adapt/X Harness and are organized into collections. Information consumers can then use a standard WWW browser to search for required the information with specific (keyword or attribute) queries or they can browse through a “repository” looking for items of interest. Once the useful information is found, the user may use that information as needed; the Harness server would automatically launch the appropriate application or tool (e.g., Word Processor or Spread Sheet) for viewing, printing or using that information. Because the Harness servers talk HTTP, separate httpd is not needed for providing access to the information resources. The Adapt/X Harness platform is ext,ensible for easily supporting new information types without re-
Abstract 16921: Atrial Fibrillation is Associated with Significant Physical Function Decline in Older Adults

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with significant morbidity in older adults. The effect of AF on physical function has had limited investigation. We related incident AF to prospective change in physical function across serial assessments in the Dynamics of Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study (HABC). Methods: HABC is a prospective study of older adults age 70-79 initiated in 1997-98. Physical function has been assessed in the cohort with the HABC performance battery (HABCPPB), scored 0-4, consisting of gait speed, chair stands, and balance assessments, administered at years 1, 4, 6, 8 and 10. Incident AF was ascertained from linkage with Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and dated by the first in-patient or second of 2 out-patient encounters. We used mixed effects regression analysis to relate incident AF to 4-year decline in the HABCPPB. Analyses incorporated age and AF as time-varying covariates and relevant multivariable adjustment (demographics; smoking, alcohol; card...
Exploiting expert knowledge in genetic programming for genome-wide genetic analysis

Human genetics is undergoing an information explosion. The availability of chip-based technology facilitates the measurement of thousands of DNA sequence variation from across the human genome. The challenge is to sift through these high-dimensional datasets to identify combinations of interacting DNA sequence variations that are predictive of common diseases. The goal of this paper was to develop and evaluate a genetic programming (GP) approach for attribute selection and modeling that uses expert knowledge such as Tuned ReliefF (TuRF) scores during selection to ensure trees with good building blocks are recombined and reproduced. We show here that using expert knowledge to select trees performs as well as a multiobjective fitness function but requires only a tenth of the population size. This study demonstrates that GP may be a useful computational discovery tool in this domain.
Clinical trial: 2-L polyethylene glycol-based lavage solutions for colonoscopy preparation – a randomized, single-blind study of two formulations

SUMMARY Background The 2-L polyethylene glycol (PEG) lavage solutions provide efficacy similar to that of standard 4-L PEG formulations in spite of the reduced volume. The comparative efficacy and tolerability of two formulations of 2-L PEG solution remain unknown. Aims To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of PEG + Bis compared with PEG + Asc, and to study the effect of bowel cleansing quality on adenoma detection rates. Methods Patients were randomized to receive either 2-L PEG with ascorbic acid (PEG + Asc) or 2-L PEG plus bisacodyl 10 mg (PEG + Bis). The primary endpoint was overall colon cleansing score, assessed by blinded investigators using a validated four-point scale. Secondary endpoints included adenoma detection rate, patient tolerability and compliance and adverse events. Results Fifty-two patients received PEG + Asc and 55 patients received PEG + Bis. Overall colon cleansing scores (s.d.) were 1.40 0.69 and 1.75 0.70 (P < 0.003) in the PEG + Asc and PEG + Bis groups, respectively. Excellent and good ratings were recorded in 69% and 23% receiving PEG + Asc compared to 38% and 51% (P = 0.01) of patients receiving PEG + Bis. More adenomas were detected in colonoscopies performed with PEG + Asc (39%) than in those performed with PEG + Bis (20%) (P = 0.04). Patient tolerability and safety were similar with both preparations. Conclusion The use of PEG + Asc resulted in better colon cleansing and higher adenoma detection rates compared with PEG + Bis.
Galactic Bulge X-Ray Burst Sources from Disrupted Globular Clusters ?

The origin of the bright galactic bulge x-ray sources, or GX sources, is unclear despite intensive study for the past 15 years. We suggest that the fact that many (or most) of the GX sources are x-ray burst sources (GXRBS) and are otherwise apparently identical to the luminous x-ray sources found in globular cluster cores implies that they too may have a globular cluster origin. The possibility that the compact x-ray binaries found in globulars are ejected is constrained by observations of CVs in and out of clusters. The GXRBS are instead hypothesized to have been formed by capture processes in globular clusters which have now largely been disrupted by repeated tidal stripping and shocking in the galactic plane. A statistical analysis of the 12 GXRBS which have precise positions from Einstein and/or optical (or radio) observations indicate that it is probably significant that a bright (mv≲ 19) G or K star is found within the error circle (3″ radius) in four cases. These may be surviving giants in a disrupted globular cluster core. Implications for globular cluster evolution and the GXRBS themselves are discussed.
Physical mapping by random clone fingerprint analysis

One of the major challenges of molecular biology is the isolation of genes where the biochemical function of the gene product is unknown. As described in the preceding chapters, an increasing array of techniques are available for identifying DNA probes residing within one to several cM of the gene of interest. To clone the gene it is then necessary to bridge the intervening gap, often spanning distances of millions of base pairs which typically separate genetically linked markers in both mammals and higher plants. While mapping such large regions is theoretically possible with the tradition al technique of ‘chromosome walking’ using overlapping cosmid or γ clones, in practice the procedure is extremely labor-intensive and ill-suited for large projects where more than a few steps are required.
Explorative history of fuel gas connectors development and related regulatory standards

Abstract Fuel gas connectors (FGC) are indispensable in modern building constructions, especially where gas is the primary source of energy for the building. FGC supply natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to appliances in buildings. There are potentially associated hazards with the use of FGC, triggering controversies over the safer choice of material. Safety codes have been established since 1911 to mitigate the potential risks associated with the use of FGC, this paper discusses the development of the codes. These codes are periodically revised to ensure the safety and reliability of all gas powered appliances in households. Subsequent code edition builds on the next, through consensus-based modifications that represent the progressive needs in this area and the most recent information on FGC safety. It was observed that the different modifications in safety requirements for the FGC have largely improved the reliability potentials of the piping systems over the years based on data collection and research. The newer flexible materials offer ease of use and are also found to be relatively safer than the old rigid pipes. Continuous safety assessment of these materials is required to mitigate risks and ensure adequate protection of life, property and the environment.
Why Do Firms Switch Banks

Using 30,466 bank loan deals originated during 1990-2005, we examine why firms switch to new banks for their repeat loans instead of staying with their relationship banks. Employing a variety of measures to proxy for firms' informational transparency, we find that the soft information hypothesis, which states that informationally opaque firms are less likely to switch banks, does not hold uniformly across the information spectrum; the most opaque firms and the most transparent firms in our sample are least likely to switch banks. Further, firms that switch banks are more likely to switch from small banks to large banks, and from small bank markets to large bank markets. We also find that firms obtain higher loan amounts, undertake higher capital expenditure, and experience an increase in leverage after they switch to a new bank. Overall our findings are supportive of the graduation hypothesis which states that firms are more likely to switch to larger banks to better meet their growing need for credit.
Informed Consent for Deep Brain Stimulation: Increasing Transparency for Psychiatric Neurosurgery Patients

What should a patient know before he or she allows a physician to control a part of the patient?s brain?
Book Review: The Sources of Antislavery Constitutionalism in America

William Wiecek provides a lucid history of the central constitutional arguments concerning slavery and western expansion from 1760 through 1848. This itself is an accomplishment and sufficient reason to recommend his book to all interested in the development of the meaning of the Constitution. The more important theme of the book, however, is that changes in the meaning of the Constitution have occurred outside judicial chambers and congressional cloakrooms. Wiecek argues that from its inception the Constitution "was, and is, whatever the American people are pleased to make it." Indeed, it is "Everyman's Constitution." The new wave of strict textualists, emanating primarily from the four corners of Boston, will not like Wiecek's illustration of the ways the meaning of the Constitution frequently was altered outside the amendment process.
An assessment of accountability policies for large-scale distributed computing systems

Grid computing systems offer resources to solve large-scale computational problems and are thus widely used in a large variety of domains, including computational sciences, energy management, and defense. Accountability in these application domains is an important requirement, in that it enables controlling activities of users and resource providers through the collection and analysis of accountability data. However, because it is not feasible to simply collect all the potentially useful data, we propose an accountability policy language to simplify administration tasks. In this paper, we show the efficiency of a system that we have developed to implement the language. We first present a short overview of the system, and then assess the proposed accountability policies based on the experiments.
Potential Role for Estrogen Replacement in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Dementia

In light of evidence that estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) might affect cholinergic function, we examined possible effects of ERT on clinical and cognitive responses to the cholinesterase inhibitor tacrine in women with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In a previously reported 30-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial, 14.5% of 318 women with evaluable data had been receiving ERT prior to randomization. Patients were randomly assigned to receive placebo or one of three ascending dosages of tacrine (maximum dosages of 80 mg/day, 120 mg/day, or 160 mg/day). Women completing the trial receiving ERT and tacrine improved more than women not receiving ERT who were randomized to tacrine or to placebo as assessed by cognitive (p <0.01), clinical (p = 0.02), caregiver (p = 0.006), and mental status (p = 0.07) ratings. Using an intent-to-treat analysis, they improved significantly on cognitive ratings (p = 0.01). These results provide evidence that prior and continuing ERT may enhance response to tacrine in women with AD. Randomized trials are needed.
Ultrastructure of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in cardiac myocytes from Pacific bluefin tuna

Pacific bluefin tuna are active teleost fish with a large capacity for heat conservation and endothermy. They have a high metabolism, and hence the myocardium must be capable of sustaining elevated levels of cardiac output over a wide range of temperatures. To examine the way that the myocardial cells of bluefin tuna respond to their unique cardiac physiology, we have studied the ultrastructure of the internal membrane system and mitochondria of atrial and ventricular myocytes by light and electron microscopy. Our results reveal that cardiomyocytes of juvenile bluefin tuna posses a relatively high content of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), together with a large volume of mitochondria within the two (compact and spongy) ventricular compartments and in the atrial myocardium. The mitochondrial structure and distribution in bluefin tuna myocardium follow specific metabolic zonation resulting in a higher volume and lower cristae density in the compact ventricular layer than in atrium and spongy layer. The presence of junctional SR profiles and an extensive network of free SR within cells may ensure a rapid delivery of Ca2+ to the myofibrils. This, in conjunction with transarcolemmal Ca2+ entry, might contribute to a faster excitation-contraction-relaxation cycle and thus enhance cardiac performance, cardiac output, and the maintenance of excitability at low temperatures. We propose that the mitochondrial configuration together with the developed SR ultrastructure of bluefin tunas myocardium are important evolutionary steps for the maintenance of high heart rates and endothermy in this teleost fish.
Improved Electro-Optic Response of Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals Doped with Oxidized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

This work focuses on improving the electro-optic response of thiolene and acrylate based Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals by doping them with oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT). Results indicate a reduction in switching voltage which is attributed to the enhanced electric field experienced by the Liquid Crystal (LC) droplets trapped in the polymer matrix manifested by a decrease in resistivity and an increase in capacitance of the composite medium. Improved switching speeds is related to the reduction in size of the LC droplets since the MWNT act as physical barriers to the diffusing LC's preventing coalesce, confirmed with scanning electron microscopy imaging. PDLC's are doped with various concentrations of MWNT to determine an optimal doping level. An anomalous electro-optic behavior is noted at higher concentrations.
Calibration of the interlaboratory 40Ar39Ar dating standard, MMhb-1

KAr data has been compiled from over 18 laboratories on the 40Ar39Ar dating standard, MMhb-1. The new recommended age for the monitor is 520.4 ± 1.7 Ma. The interlaboratory precision for K is 1.06% and for Ar is 1.89%. 40Ar-39Ar analyses of MMhb-1 have shown that the 40Ar★40K ratio is uniform at better than the 0.1% level, thus variations in the conventional determinations are a result of systematic variations and interlaboratory biases. We recommend a set of 40Ar39Ar standards be prepared and adopted by the KAr community to reduce uncertainty in intersample age comparison. Further, an organization like the U.S. National Bureau of Standards should be encouraged to “unconventionally” calibrate these monitors if the precision of which the 40Ar39Ar technique is capable is to be approached.
SEC14-dependent secretion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Nondependence on sphingolipid synthesis-coupled diacylglycerol production.

The SEC14 gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a phosphatidylinositol transfer protein required for secretory protein movement from the Golgi. Mutation ofSAC1, a gene of unknown function, restores secretory flow in sec14-1 ts strains. The existing model for the bypass of the sec14-1 ts defect bysac1-22 involves stimulation of sphingolipid biosynthesis and, in particular, the synthesis of mannosyl-diinositolphosphoryl-ceramide with concomitant increases in Golgi diacylglycerol levels. To test this model, we disruptedIPT1, the mannosyl-diinositolphosphoryl-ceramide synthase of S. cerevisiae. Disruption of the IPT1 gene had no effect on the ability of sac1-22 to bypasssec14-1 ts. Furthermore, sphingolipid analysis of sec14-1 ts and sec14-1 ts sac1-22 strains showed that mannosyl-diinositolphosphoryl-ceramide synthesis was not stimulated in the bypass mutant. However, thesec14-1 ts strain had elevated mannosyl-monoinositolphosphoryl-ceramide levels, and thesec14-1 ts sac1-22 strain showed an 8-fold increase in phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate along with a decrease in phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Cellular diacylglycerol levels, measured by [14C]acetate incorporation, did not differ between thesec14-1 ts and the sec14-1 sac1-22bypass strains, although disruption of IPT1 in the bypass strain resulted in reduced levels. These data indicate that phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate, rather than mannosyl-diinositolphosphoryl-ceramide, accumulates in thesec14-1 ts sac1-22 bypass strain, and that Golgi diacylglycerol accumulation is not required for bypass of the sec14-1 ts growth and secretory phenotypes.