cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pyrosequencing Technology as a Method for the Diagnosis of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2

Background: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) is a cancer syndrome with well-characterized causative mutations. Missense mutations in ∼15 codons of the RET gene have been linked to disease phenotypes in the vast majority of cases. These missense mutations range from very simple single nucleotide base changes to more numerous changes at a given codon; they therefore are often tested for by more than one DNA-based diagnostic method. We developed and evaluated a Pyrosequencing™ technology-based approach for MEN2 mutation testing that allows both simple and complex mutations to be analyzed on one platform. Methods: Archived DNA from peripheral blood of patients referred to the Mayo Clinic Molecular Genetics laboratory for MEN2 testing was selected. One to all of codons 609, 611, 618, 620, 630, 634, 768, 804, and 918 were analyzed by Pyrosequencing technology to match the original analysis of each patient. Template PCRs were set up using an automated liquid handler; the subsequent post-PCR preparation step was performed manually, and the sequencing was performed by a PSQ 96 instrument. Samples were tested in batch sizes expected to occur routinely. Results: We analyzed samples from 217 patients who previously tested negative for MEN2 and 230 patients who previously tested positive, for a total of 1449 sequencing reactions. One discrepant result was found (100% concordant for negatives and 99.6% concordant for positives). A total of 37 unique mutations or alterations of unknown significance were analyzed. Conclusion: Pyrosequencing technology offers an accurate, nonisotopic, simple, and rapid method for the analysis of DNA from patients suspected of having MEN2.
The phosphorylation of retinoblastoma gene product in human myeloid leukenia cells during the cell cycle

Counterflow centrifugal elutriation and immunoblotting techniques were used to study the expression of the retinoblastoma (RB) gene during the cell cycle of BV173 chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells. Our data showed that Rb protein started to be phosphorylated at early G1 phase, became hyperphosphorylated when cells progressed to late G1 and S phases during cell cycle, and remained hyperphosphorylated throughout S and G2/M phases. Our data suggest that Rb phosphorylation starts at a more distal point to the G1/S phase boundary in human myeloid leukemia BV173 cells rather than at a point more proximal to the G1/S boundary, as seen in HeLa cells.
The gastric mucosa of two monotremes: the duck-billed platypus and echidna.

The gastric mucosa of both the echidna and platypus is aglandular and the lining epithelium is stratified squamous. The latter exhibits three principle layers: stratum germinativum, stratum spinosum, and stratum corneum. The cytoplasm of cells composing the first two strata of both species shows bundles of tonofibrils and numerous free ribosomes. Cells of the stratum spinosum in the platypus also show numerous dense granules limited to the peripheral cytoplasm. The stratum spinosum of both species is comprised of fusiform-shaped cells whose adjacent cell membranes show extensive interlocking. The stratum spinosum of the echidna in addition shows numerous intercellular bridges. Cells of the stratum corneum become flattened and elongate and in the echidna nuclei near the surface appear to degenerate. Cells comprising the stratum corneum of the platypus exhibit well preserved nuclei and contain scattered large granules of varying electron density. Prior to sloughing, cells near the surface of both species show a separation of adjacent cell membranes. True keratinization is not found in the gastric lining epithelium of either species and the epithelium lining of the stomach of the echidna more closely represents a form of parakeratosis. Delicate papillae containing capillaries extend considerable distances into the overlying epithelium of both species and are thought to contribute to its nutrition.
The Node Degree Distribution in Power Grid and Its Topology Robustness under Random and Selective Node Removals

In this paper we numerically study the topology robustness of power grids under random and selective node breakdowns, and analytically estimate the critical node-removal thresholds to disintegrate a system, based on the available US power grid data. We also present an analysis on the node degree distribution in power grids because it closely relates with the topology robustness. It is found that the node degree in a power grid can be well fitted by a mixture distribution coming from the sum of a truncated Geometric random variable and an irregular Discrete random variable. With the findings we obtain better estimates of the threshold under selective node breakdowns which predict the numerical thresholds more correctly.
Voluntary Cooperation vs. Regulatory Paternalism: The Lumber Trade in the 1920s

?In the 1920s, leaders of the lumber business tried to bring stability to their industry through vigorous trade association activity conducted with the encouragement of then Commerce Secretary Herbert Hoover. Despite the optimism of association spokespeople and publicists, the hoped for stability was not attained because the associations were incapable ofrelieving the intra- and inter- industry competition lumbermen confronted. Nevertheless, the efforts of those involved threw into sharp relief attitudes in business and government about the nature of the political economy of the "New Era." The movement west and south of the logging frontier from its origin in Maine is one of the most striking aspects of the lumber industry in the pre-twentieth century United States. Optimistic and reckless exploitation, economic boom and then disaster, characterized this outward push. When the timber resources in one region were spent, there were bigger and taller trees just beyond the ring of the woodsman's axe - in the Great Lakes states beginning in the 1840s and 1850s, the extensive pine forests of the southeast in the last quarter of the nineteenth century, and then on to the last great stand, the Douglas fir forests of the North Pacific slope in the early twentieth century. 1 The growth of the lumber and wood products business in the United States was always closely linked to the requirements of westward expansion and to the development of the nation's expanding industrial economy. To meet these needs, industry groups sought political solutions to the persisting problems of unregulated competition and cyclical instability. And in the process they were able to influence the ideological and political nature of the emerging regulatory and legislative mechanisms and to direct and shape policy to suit their perceived needs. In the case of the lumber enterprise (and other resource industries like oil and coal), periodic overproduction and unrestrained compe
Rate of change of composition of lettuce in response to nitrogen depletion or re‐supply

BACKGROUND: Lettuce accumulates high levels of nitrate when grown in winter in heated greenhouses. Temporarily removing nitrate from the nutrient solution may lower tissue nitrate. The composition of hydroponic lettuce was examined over a 6- to 13-day interval of nitrogen depletion or re-supply. RESULTS: Growth responses were delayed by 6 days or more after changing N supply, except root growth responded in 3–4 days. The total nitrogen increased or decreased for 6 days. When measured in the light, nitrate concentration changed 10-fold in roots within 2 days. The change in leaf and petiole tissue was slower. Amino acids responded to a change in N-supply within 1 day in leaf and root. All tissues of N-depleted plants had more sugars compared to N-sufficient plants within 2 days after the start of depletion. Nitrogen depletion had reversible effects on growth or tissue concentrations if applied for only 6 days. CONCLUSIONS: Tissue nitrate changed more rapidly than total nitrogen, or growth responses. However, nitrate changed more slowly in petiole than in leaf blade or roots, and larger plants have more biomass in petioles. Thus, clearing nitrate from lettuce is slower for large compared to smaller lettuce plants. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Neuropsychological Findings in Childhood Neglect and their Relationships to Pediatric PTSD

Although child neglect is the most prevalent form of child maltreatment, the neurocognitive effects of neglect are understudied. We examined IQ, reading, mathematics, and neurocognitive domains of fine-motor skills, language, visual-spatial, memory/learning, and attention/executive functions in two groups of nonsexually abused medically healthy neglected children, one with DSM-IV posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and one without, and a demographically similar healthy nonmaltreated control group. Significantly lower IQ, reading, mathematics, and selected differences in complex visual attention, visual memory, language, verbal memory and learning, planning, problem solving, and speeded naming were seen in Neglect Groups. The Neglect with PTSD Group performed worse than controls on NEPSY Design Copying, NEPSY Tower, and Mathematics; and performed worse than controls and Neglect without PTSD on NEPSY Memory for Faces-Delayed. Negative correlations were seen between PTSD symptoms, PTSD severity, and maltreatment variables, and IQ, Academic Achievement, and neurocognitive domains. Neglected children demonstrated significantly lower neurocognitive outcomes and academic achievement than controls. Lower IQ, neurocognitive functions, and achievement may be associated with more PTSD symptoms (particularly re-experiencing symptoms), greater PTSD severity, and a greater number of maltreatment experiences. Trauma experiences may additionally contribute to subsequent neurodevelopmental risk in neglected children. (JINS, 2009, 15, 868-878.).
A NUMERICAL STUDY OF MICROSCALE FLOW BEHAVIOR IN TIGHT GAS AND SHALE GAS RESERVOIR SYSTEMS

Various attempts have been made to model flow in shale gas systems. However, there is currently little consensus regarding the impact of molecular and Knudsen diffusion on flow behavior over time in such systems. Direct measurement or model-based estimation of matrix permeability for these “ultra-tight” reservoirs has proven unreliable. The composition of gas produced from tight gas and shale gas reservoirs varies with time for a variety of reasons. The cause of flowing gas compositional change typically cited is selective desorption of gases from the surface of the kerogen in the case of shale. However, other drivers for gas fractionation are important when pore throat dimensions are small enough. Pore throat diameters on the order of molecular mean free path lengths will create non-Darcy flow conditions, where permeability becomes a strong function of pressure. At the low permeabilities found in shale gas systems, the dusty-gas model for flow should be used, which couples diffusion to advective flow. In this study we implement the dusty-gas model into a fluid flow modeling tool based on the TOUGH+ family of codes. We examine the effects of Knudsen diffusion on gas composition in ultra-tight rock. We show that for very small average pore throat diameters, lighter gases are preferentially produced at concentrations significantly higher than in situ conditions. Furthermore, we illustrate a methodology which uses measurements of gas composition to more uniquely determine the permeability of tight reservoirs. We also describe how gas composition measurement could be used to identify flow boundaries in these reservoir systems. We discuss how new measurement techniques and data collection practices should be implemented in order to take advantage of this method. Our contributions include a new, fit-for-purpose numerical model based on the TOUGH+ code capable of characterizing transport effects including permeability adjustment and diffusion in micro- and nano-scale porous media.
Is the Gulf Stream responsible for Europe's mild winters?

Is the transport of heat northward by the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift, and its subsequent release into the midlatitude westerlies, the reason why Europe's winters are so much milder than those of eastern North America and other places at the same latitude? Here, it is shown that the principal cause of this temperature difference is advection by the mean winds. South-westerlies bring warm maritime air into Europe and north-westerlies bring frigid continental air into north-eastern North America. Further, analysis of the ocean surface heat budget shows that the majority of the heat released during winter from the ocean to the atmosphere is accounted for by the seasonal release of heat previously absorbed and not by ocean heat-flux convergence. Therefore, the existence of the winter temperature contrast between western Europe and eastern North America does not require a dynamical ocean. Two experiments with an atmospheric general-circulation model coupled to an ocean mixed layer confirm this conclusion. The difference in winter temperatures across the North Atlantic, and the difference between western Europe and western North America, is essentially the same in these models whether or not the movement of heat by the ocean is accounted for. In an additional experiment with no mountains, the flow across the ocean is more zonal, western Europe is cooled, the trough east of the Rockies is weakened and the cold of north-eastern North America is ameliorated. In all experiments the west coast of Europe is warmer than the west coast of North America at the same latitude whether or not ocean heat transport is accounted for. In summary the deviations from zonal symmetry of winter temperatures in the northern hemisphere are fundamentally caused by the atmospheric circulation interacting with the oceanic mixed layer. Copyright © 2002 Royal Meteorological Society.
Frequent serial fecal corticoid measures from rats reflect circadian and ovarian corticosterone rhythms

The circadian glucocorticoid rhythm provides important information on the functioning of the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal axis in individuals. Frequent repeated blood sampling can limit the kinds of studies conducted on this rhythm, particularly in small laboratory rodents that have limited blood volumes and are easily stressed by handling. We developed an extraction and assay protocol to measure fecal corticosterone metabolites in repeated samples collected from undisturbed male and female adult Sprague–Dawley rats. This fecal measure provides a noninvasive method to assess changes in corticosterone within a single animal over time, with sufficient temporal acuity to quantify several characteristics of the circadian rhythm: e.g. the nadir, acrophase, and asymmetry (saw-tooth) of the rhythm. Males excreted more immunoreactive fecal corticoids than did females. Across the estrous cycle, females produced more fecal corticoids on proestrus (the day of the preovulatory luteinizing hormone surge) than during estrus or metestrus. These results establish a baseline from which to study environmental, psychological, and physiological disturbances of the circadian corticosterone rhythm within individual rats.
Attachment Security and Marital Satisfaction: The Role of Positive Perceptions and Social Support

The authors examined how positive perceptions about partners’ attachment security predicted supportive behavior and satisfaction in newlywed marriage. The authors tested a mediation model in which positive perceptions were associated with adaptive support behavior, which in turn predicted increases in marital satisfaction. The self-report measures of attachment security, perceptions of partner’s attachment security, and marital satisfaction within 6 months of marriage and again 1 year later were completed by 172 couples. Social support behavior was assessed by videotaped interactions at the initial session. Structural equation models indicated that positive perceptions served a relationship-enhancing function that was enacted, in part, through couples’ supportive interactions.
Mental health disparities research: The impact of within and between group analyses on tests of social stress hypotheses.

Social stress models are the predominant theoretical frame for studies of the relationship between social statuses and mental health (Dressler, Oths, & Gravlee, 2005; Horwitz, 1999). These models propose that prejudice, discrimination and related social ills exert an added burden on socially disadvantaged populations (populations subjected to stigma, prejudice and discrimination) that can generate mental health problems. Researchers have used a variety of methodological approaches to study this hypothesis. In this paper we argue that researchers have not paid sufficient attention to the implications of this methodological variability, particularly the distinction between studies of within-group and studies of between-groups variation, in interpreting empirical tests of social stress theory. To fully evaluate the evidence, we need to carefully consider the convergence and divergence of results across diverse methodologies.
Evaluation of Geogrid-Reinforced Pile-Supported Embankments under Cyclic Loading using Discrete Element Method

Geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported embankments have been increasingly used as a rapid construction technique to reduce total and differential settlements and enhance load transfer from soil to piles for embankments over soft soils. Most studies have been done so far to investigate this embankment system under static loads. However, highway and railway embankments are subjected to cyclic loading. The behavior of this embankment system under cyclic loading is not well known, therefore, it deserves further research. In this study, the discrete element method incorporated in the Particle Flow Code (PFC) 2D was adopted to investigate the movement of soil particles above pile caps and the geogrid layer. A cyclic load was applied on the top of the assembly and the contact stresses and the tension in the geogrid under cyclic loading were monitored and analyzed. The DEM analysis shows that the geogrid reduced the permanent deformation under cyclic loading and increased the stress concentration ratio as compared with the unreinforced embankment. The flexural stiffness of the geogrid influenced the magnitude and distribution of the tension along the geogrid.
γ1 Subunit Interactions within the Skeletal Muscle L-type Voltage-gated Calcium Channels

Voltage-gated calcium channels mediate excitationcontraction coupling in the skeletal muscle. Their molecular composition, similar to neuronal channels, includes the pore-forming α1 and auxiliary α2δ, β, and γ subunits. The γ subunits are the least characterized, and their subunit interactions are unclear. The physiological importance of the neuronal γ is emphasized by epileptic stargazer mice that lack γ2. In this study, we examined the molecular basis of interaction between skeletal γ1 and the calcium channel. Our data show that the α11.1, β1a, and α2δ subunits are still associated in γ1 null mice. Reexpression of γ1 and γ2 showed that γ1, but not γ2, incorporates into γ1 null channels. By using chimeric constructs, we demonstrate that the first half of the γ1 subunit, including the first two transmembrane domains, is important for subunit interaction. Interestingly, this chimera also restores calcium conductance in γ1 null myotubes, indicating that the domain mediates both subunit interaction and current modulation. To determine the subunit of the channel that interacts with γ1, we examined the channel in muscular dysgenesis mice. Cosedimentation experiments showed that γ1 and α2δ are not associated. Moreover, α11.1 and γ1 subunits form a complex in transiently transfected cells, indicating direct interaction between the γ1 and α11.1 subunits. Our data demonstrate that the first half of γ1 subunit is required for association with the channel through α11.1. Because subunit interactions are conserved, these studies have broad implications for γ heterogeneity, function and subunit association with voltage-gated calcium channels.
Forced Planetary Wave Response in a Thermocline Gyre

The response of a thermocline gyre to anomalies in surface wind stress forcing and surface buoyancy forcing is investigated in light of planetary wave dynamics, both analytically and numerically. The author’s theory suggests that anomalous Ekman pumping most efficiently generates the non-Doppler-shift mode, which resembles the first baroclinic mode and has the clearest signal in the sea surface height field and the lower thermocline temperature field. The non-Doppler-shift mode propagates westward rapidly regardless of the mean circulation. In contrast, anomalous surface buoyancy forcing, which can be simulated by an entrainment velocity, produces the strongest response in the advective mode, which resembles the second baroclinic mode and has the largest signature in the upper thermocline temperature field. The advective mode tends to propagate in the direction of the subsurface flow, but its propagation speed may differ substantially from that of the mean flow. The theory is further substantiated by numerical experiments in three ocean models: a 3-layer eddy-resolving quasigeostrophic model, a 2.5-layer primitive equation model, and an oceanic general circulation model. Finally, relevance of the theory to recent observations of decadal variability in the upper ocean and the climate system is also discussed.
Municipal Immunity: A Historical and Modern Perspective

This note is about sovereign immunity in Florida. It discusses the development of sovereign immunity as it applies to municipalities in general (through 1991). It also examines the specific limitations and attempted abrogation of the immunity rule, focusing on the confusing status of sovereign immunity in Florida.
Effects of pH on phosphate transport by flounder renal tubule primary cultures.

Transepithelial phosphate (Pi) fluxes were determined in primary monolayer cultures of the winter flounder proximal tubule in Ussing chambers. Net Pi secretion, peritubular (P)-to-lumen (L) net flux (Jnet = 17.0 +/- 3.77 nmol.cm-2.h-1), was strongly stimulated by lowering peritubular pH to 6.5 (pHP 6.5 vs. pHL 7.5) compared with control tissues at pH 7.5 (pHP 7.5 vs. pHL 7.5) where net reabsorption (L-to-P Jnet = 1.10 +/- 0.36 nmol.cm-2.h-1) occurred. The stimulation of net secretion by pHP 6.5 was inhibited to 27% of control by 200 microM amiloride. The imposition of a reversed pH gradient (pHL 6.5 vs. pHP 7.5) did not stimulate Pi secretion. Preincubation with 0.5 U/ml phospholipase C caused a nearly fivefold stimulation of Pi secretion compared with the untreated controls. H-7 (100 microM), a protein kinase inhibitor, caused a 2.5-fold reduction in phorbol ester (PE)-induced stimulation of Pi secretion. H-7 also significantly inhibited Pi secretion (50% reduction) when peritubular pH was lowered to 6.5. PE-induced net Pi secretion was significantly lower when luminal pH was lowered to 5.5 compared with controls where luminal pH was kept at 7.5. Amiloride (200 microM) significantly inhibited the PE-induced net Pi secretion in the presence of luminal pH 7.5 but had no significant effect at luminal pH 5.5. Replacement of luminal NaCl with LiCl or isosmolar mannitol significantly reduced net phosphate secretion under the conditions of lowered peritubular pH. Net Pi secretion was also dependent on the maintenance of a cellular Na+ gradient, since 100 microM ouabain inhibited PE-induced net Pi secretion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Setting Standards: Looking to the Internet for Models of Governance

If code is law then standards bodies are governments. This flawed but powerful metaphor suggests the need to examine more closely those standards bodies that are defining standards for the Internet. In this paper we examine the International Telecommunications Union, the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards Association, the Internet Engineering Task Force, and the World Wide Web Consortium. We compare the organizations on the basis of participation, transparency, authority, openness, security and interoperability. We conclude that the IETF and the W3C are becoming increasingly similar. We also conclude that the classical distinction between standards and implementations is decreasingly useful as standards are embodies in code - itself a form of speech or documentation. recent Internet standards bodies have flourished in part by discarding or modifying the implementation/standards distinction. We illustrate that no single model is superior on all dimensions. The IETF is not effectively scaling, struggling with its explosive growth with the creation of thousands of working groups. The IETF coordinating body, the Internet Society, addressed growth by reorganization that removed democratic oversight. The W3C, initially the most closed, is becoming responsive to criticism and now includes open code participants. The IEEE SA and ITU have institutional controls appropriate for hardware but too constraining for code. Each organization has much to learn from the others.
The effects of methamphetamine and pentobarbital on two measures of attention.

1. Thirty-six male student volunteer subjects performed two tests designed to measure two different parameters of attention, capacity to attend maximally as measured by the running memory span, and the breatdh or narrowness of attention as measured by performance on the Stroop test. Each subject was tested under three drug treatments, methamphetamine, pentobarbital, and saline placebo, all administered intravenously. Each subject served as his own control. 2. On the running digit span test the mean of the methamphetamine scores was larger than the mean of the pentobarbital scores, and the difference was significant. This difference is most likely to be due to the effect of barbiturates in reducing short term storage. Scores on placebo fell between the two drug scores, but did not differ significantly from either. 3. We were unable to confirm Callaway conclusions that barbiturate broadens the focus of attention and methamphetamine narrows it when the scores on a modified Stroop test were used as the measure. Mean difference scores between reading color names printed in conflicting color and reading color names in black and white, or between color names printed in conflicting color and naming colored dots, did not show significant differences under different drug treatments. 4. The results suggest that barbiturate does interfere with the capacity of the human subject to attend maximally as measured by the running digit span test, but the effects of methamphetamine on this function and the effects of both drugs on the focus of attention could not be demonstrated by the method employed. Further experimental work is needed to determine the effects of drugs on capacity to attend maximally and to focus attention.
In vivo sensitization of ovarian tumors to chemotherapy by expression of E. coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase in a small fraction of cells

This report examines a major barrier to suicide gene therapy in cancer and other diseases: namely, bystander cell killing. Existing vectors for in vivo gene delivery are inefficient and often transduce or transfect less than 1% of target cells. The E. coli PNP gene brings about cellular necrosis under conditions when 1 in 100 to 1 in 1000 cells express the gene product in vitro. In vivo bystander killing at or near this magnitude has not been reported previously. In the present experiments, transfection of cells with the E. coli PNP gene controlled by a SV40 promoter resulted in 30 nmol 6-methyl purine deoxyriboside (MeP-dR) converted per milligram tumor cell extract per hour (or conversion units (CU)). This level of expression led to elimination of entire populations of tumor cells in vitro after treatment with MeP-dR. Much earlier killing was observed using a tat transactivated E. coli PNP vector (approximately seven-fold higher activity, 230 CU). In vivo effects on tumor growth were next examined. Human ovarian tumors transfected with E. coli PNP were excised 5 days after i.p. implantation from the peritoneal cavities of mice in order to determine both E. coli PNP enzymatic activity and the fraction of cells expressing the gene. PNP activity at 5 days after gene transfer was approximately 170 CU and was expressed in approximately 0.1% of the tumor cells as judged by in situ hybridization. The expression of E. coli PNP at this level produced a 30% increase in life span (P < 0.001) and 49% reduction in tumor size (P < 0.005) after MeP-dR treatment, as compared with control tumors. Our observations lead to the conclusion that pronounced bystander killing by E. coli PNP is conferred in vivo, and that vectors capable of transgene expression in as few as one in 1000 cells can produce substantial antitumor effects if expression on a per cell basis is very high.
Effect of Drugs Upon Tonus Waves in Excised Auricle and Coronary Vessels of Terrapin.

Excised terrapin auricles show continuous tonus waves 20 to 42 hours after excision, when kept in oxygenated Ringer's solution pH 7.8 to 8.0, at room temperature 20.5 to 27° C. Immediately after excision, decreasing the pH from 7.4 to 7.0 causes a disappearance of the tonus waves.1 These waves reappear when the auricles are replaced in a solution of pH 7.4. Eighteen to 42 hours after excision these same auricles fail to respond by disappearance of tonus waves until a pH of about 6.2 to 6.0 is reached. In one case the tonus waves disappeared only after the pH was reduced to 5.8 and showed optimum tonus waves at pH 6.8. Phosphate buffered solutions tend to stimulate tonus waves. In some auricles, in which carbonate-HCl buffered Ringer's solution pH 6.6 caused the tonus waves to disappear, phosphate buffered Ringer's solution 6.2 caused an increase in tonus waves, and when this solution was replaced by Ringer's pH 7.4 temporary disappearance of the tonus waves occurred.Small doses of adrenalin (alkaloid) 1:1...
The Status quo of In-bound Logistics of SGMW and the Suggestion for its Improvement

Based on the analysis of the status quo of SGMW in-bound logistics,(including the in-house logistics and external logistics),the article points out that the introduction of third-party logistics and optimization of the mode of in-bound logistics can enhance the efficiency of in-bound logistics and reduce logistics costs.
A Simulation Method of SAR Imaging

A method of the natural scenes simulation of SAR(Synthetic Aperture Radar) is discussed.The imaging fundamentals of SAR are expatiated,model of the complex natural scenes is established and the characteristic of SAR images is showed.The echo signal of SAR is given and the simulation imaging is finished.
Characterization of Cytokine Expression Induced by Avian Influenza Virus Infection with Real-Time RT-PCR

Knowledge of how birds react to infection from avian influenza virus is critical to understanding disease pathogenesis and host response. The use of real-time (R) RT-PCR to measure innate immunity, including cytokine and interferon gene expression, has become a standard technique employed by avian immunologists interested in examining these responses. This technique utilizes nucleotide primers and fluorescent reporter molecules to measure amplification of the gene of interest. The use of RRT-PCR negates the need for northern blot analysis or DNA sequencing. It is simple, specific and sensitive for the gene of interest. However, it is dependent on knowing the target sequence prior to testing so that the optimal primers can be designed. The recent publication of genomic sequences of Gallus gallus, Meleagris gallopavo, and Anas platyrhynchos species makes it possible to measure cytokine expression in chicken, turkey, and duck species, respectively. Although these tests do not measure functionally expressed protein, the lack of antibodies to identify and quantify avian cytokines from different avian species makes this technique critical to any characterization of innate immune responses through cytokine and interferon activation or repression.
Geographic variations of racial/ethnic disparities in cervical cancer mortality in Texas.

Objectives To examine how racial/ethnic disparities of cervical cancer mortality vary geographically and to identify factors contributing to the variation. Methods Using the population-weighted risk difference, the authors investigated geographic patterns of racial/ethnic disparities in cervical cancer mortality in Texas based on data from 1995 to 2008 georeferenced at the census tract level. In addition, we considered the impact of seven factors--stage at diagnosis, spatial access to health care, and five factors that were created from available demographic data: socioeconomic status (SES), the sociodemographic factor, the percentage of African Americans, the health insurance factor, and the behavioral factor--on racial/ethnic disparities in the analysis using multivariate logistic regression. Results SES, the sociodemographic factor, the percentage of African Americans, and racial/ethnic disparities in late-stage diagnosis in a census tract were independent predictors of a census tract's displaying significant racial/ethnic disparities in cervical cancer mortality. Compared with a census tract with the highest SES, a census tract with the lowest SES was more likely to have higher mortality rates in African Americans (odds ratio 4.19, confidence interval 2.18-8.07) or Hispanics (odds ratio 8.15, confidence interval 5.27-12.61) than non-Hispanic whites after adjusting for covariates. Health insurance expenditures also influenced racial/ethnic disparities in mortality, although this effect was attenuated after adjusting for covariates. Neither our calculated behavioral factor nor spatial analysis of access to health care explained racial/ethnic gaps in mortality. Conclusions Findings from this study could allow cervical cancer intervention programs to more clearly identify areas that would reduce disparities in cervical cancer outcomes.
A robust sparse-modeling framework for estimating schizophrenia biomarkers from fMRI.

Abstract Background Our goal is to identify the brain regions most relevant to mental illness using neuroimaging. State of the art machine learning methods commonly suffer from repeatability difficulties in this application, particularly when using large and heterogeneous populations for samples. New method We revisit both dimensionality reduction and sparse modeling, and recast them in a common optimization-based framework. This allows us to combine the benefits of both types of methods in an approach which we call unambiguous components. We use this to estimate the image component with a constrained variability, which is best correlated with the unknown disease mechanism. Results We apply the method to the estimation of neuroimaging biomarkers for schizophrenia, using task fMRI data from a large multi-site study. The proposed approach yields an improvement in both robustness of the estimate and classification accuracy. Comparison with existing methods We find that unambiguous components incorporate roughly two thirds of the same brain regions as sparsity-based methods LASSO and elastic net, while roughly one third of the selected regions differ. Further, unambiguous components achieve superior classification accuracy in differentiating cases from controls. Conclusions Unambiguous components provide a robust way to estimate important regions of imaging data.
Reducing falls in the inpatient hospital setting

ABSTRACTAim:This quality improvement project's objective was to introduce and assess a process change to potentially reduce fall rates on an inpatient medical–surgical unit.Methods:The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice was used to guide the implementation of this project. This project was pilote
Interactions between cannabidiol and commonly used antiepileptic drugs.

SummaryObjective To identify potential pharmacokinetic interactions between the pharmaceutical formulation of cannabidiol (CBD; Epidiolex) and the commonly used antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) through an open-label safety study. Serum levels were monitored to identify interactions between CBD and AEDs. Methods In 39 adults and 42 children, CBD dose was started at 5 mg/kg/day and increased every 2 weeks by 5 mg/kg/day up to a maximum of 50 mg/kg/day. Serum AED levels were obtained at baseline prior to CBD initiation and at most study visits. AED doses were adjusted if it was determined that a clinical symptom or laboratory result was related to a potential interaction. The Mixed Procedure was used to determine if there was a significant change in the serum level of each of the 19 AEDs with increasing CBD dose. AEDs with interactions seen in initial analysis were plotted for mean change in serum level over time. Subanalyses were performed to determine if the frequency of sedation in participants was related to the mean serum N-desmethylclobazam level, and if aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were different in participants taking concomitant valproate. Results Increases in topiramate, rufinamide, and N-desmethylclobazam and decrease in clobazam (all p < 0.01) serum levels were seen with increasing CBD dose. Increases in serum levels of zonisamide (p = 0.02) and eslicarbazepine (p = 0.04) with increasing CBD dose were seen in adults. Except for clobazam and desmethylclobazam, all noted mean level changes were within the accepted therapeutic range. Sedation was more frequent with higher N-desmethylclobazam levels in adults (p = 0.02), and AST/ALT levels were significantly higher in participants taking concomitant valproate (p < 0.01). Significance Significantly changed serum levels of clobazam, rufinamide, topiramate, zonisamide, and eslicarbazepine were seen. Abnormal liver function test results were noted in participants taking concomitant valproate. This study emphasizes the importance of monitoring serum AED levels and LFTs during treatment with CBD.
Disentangling surface and bulk contributions to high-harmonic generation from solids

We demonstrate that surface space-charges alter the large amplitude oscillations of electron-hole pairs during high-harmonic generation from silicon, resulting in the emission of weak even-order harmonics. Our results extend surface nonlinear optics to the non-perturbative regime.
Circular Dichroism and Fluorescence Detected Circular Dichroism of Macromolecules

I will concentrate in this chapter on experimental and theoretical methods which are pertinent mainly to polymers and macromolecules. The optical properties of polymers are determined by the interactions between two or more similar chromophores. Therefore, to calculate the circular dichroism of a polymer we need the properties of the individual chromophores (the monomers) and we need to evaluate their interactions. The crucial assumption that has been made in calculations of circular dichroism of polymers is that electrons are localized in each chromophore. Each chromo-phore is represnted by a charge distribution which interacts with the other chromophores in the presence of the light. Any electron exchange or electron transfer between chromophores is assumed to have a negligible effect on the circular dichroism. Calculations of circular dichroism of polypeptides and polynucleotides have been reasonably successful using these methods [1].
Knowledge-Based Approach for Automating Web Publishing from Databases

Publisher Summary The Internet has become the most important medium for online publishing of timely information. HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is a powerful document encoding language, a set of transfer protocols that support the access to distributed documents, and browsers and viewers that are capable of presenting multimedia documents. This chapter introduces a knowledge-based scheme for facilitating production and maintenance of HTML-based documentation. It proposes a scheme to meet a specialized authoring and maintenance need for Web document production to apply knowledge-based methodology in an automated HTML document generator, called the knowledge-based HTML document generator (KHDG). KHDG adopts a new approach to tackle the new problems related to Web publishing. A Web application project may include various different tasks depending on application type, document size, user task classification, and network access quality. Certain kinds of routine documentation based on files or a regularly updated database can be much more efficiently produced and kept up-to date. Much progress has been achieved in text document generation. Knowledge-based methodology has been applied to generate text reports for market studies, accounting analysis, financial analysis, and commodity price analysis. The application of knowledge-based methodology now prevails mainly in Web information searching. The process of generating HTML documents involves content editing, along with maintenance of links among multiple files and file types, with special markup tags. Elaborate planning of both the logical structure and the layout structure is required to generate a well-designed Web site. Recent research in Web site design has enriched its systematic development approaches.
Müllerian-Inhibiting Substance/Anti-Müllerian Hormone as a Predictor of Preterm Birth in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Context There is increasing evidence for Mullerian-inhibiting substance (MIS)/anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) physiologic activity in the human uterus, so it is relevant to study how MIS/AMH levels impact pregnancy. Objective To investigate the association of MIS/AMH levels with the risk of adverse obstetric outcomes. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Academic fertility center. Patients Women who became pregnant through in vitro fertilization between January 2012 and October 2016. Exclusion criteria were: oocyte donation, gestational carrier, multiple gestations, miscarriage before 20 weeks, or medically indicated preterm deliveries. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures There were two primary outcomes, preterm birth and cesarean delivery for arrest of labor. Because MIS/AMH level is highly skewed by certain infertility diagnoses, the preterm birth analysis was stratified by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis, and the cesarean delivery for arrest of labor analysis was stratified by diminished ovarian reserve diagnosis. χ2, Mann-Whitney, and t tests were used as appropriate. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Among women with PCOS, those who delivered prematurely had substantially higher MIS/AMH levels (18 vs 6.4 ng/mL, P = 0.003) than did those who delivered at term. At the highest MIS/AMH values, preterm deliveries predominated; above the 90th percentile in women with PCOS, all deliveries were premature. No effect of MIS/AMH level was observed in women without PCOS. We found no association between MIS/AMH values and cesarean delivery for labor arrest. Conclusion In women with PCOS, substantially elevated MIS/AMH levels are significantly associated with preterm birth, suggesting closer follow-up and further studies to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
High functional conservation of takeout family members in a courtship model system.

takeout (to) is one of the male-specific genes expressed in the fat body that regulate male courtship behavior, and has been shown to act as a secreted protein in conjunction with courtship circuits. There are 23 takeout family members in Drosophila melanogaster, and homologues of this family are distributed across insect species. Sequence conservation among family members is low. Here we test the functional conservation of takeout family members by examining whether they can rescue the takeout courtship defect. We find that despite their sequence divergence takeout members from Aedes aegypti and Epiphas postvittana, as well as family members from D. melanogaster can substitute for takeout in courtship, demonstrating their functional conservation. Making use of the known E. postvittana Takeout structure, we used homology modeling and amphipathic helix analysis and found high overall structural conservation, including high conservation of the structure and amphipathic lining of an internal cavity that has been shown to accommodate hydrophobic ligands. Together these data suggest a high degree of structural conservation that likely underlies functional conservation in courtship. In addition, we have identified a role for a conserved exposed protein motif important for the protein’s role in courtship.
The use of non-monotonic contracts in a single period game: An experimental investigation

Abstract This paper explores whether laboratory students design non-monotonic contracts when they are theoretically optimal in a simple principal-agent context. The principal constructs a contract for three possible outcomes, LOW, MEDIUM, and HIGH, and the agent observes the contract and responds with either an effort level of 0 or 12. Non-monotonic contracts that motivate high effort are optimal for principals because effort only affects the probability of LOW and MEDIUM outcomes. Our experiment has two treatments: one where principals interact with human agents and another with computer agents. Principals only select non-monotonic contracts with a frequency of 15% and 33% in each treatment, respectively. The results are consistent with concerns about equity and agent rationality.
Reducing the Impact of Same-Day Missed Appointments

Radiologist reimbursement cuts over the last few years have driven outpatient imaging centers to find innovative ways to cut costs and improve efficiency while maintaining high image quality. A California-based outpatient imaging center has been tackling the problem of same-day missed appointments since 2014. The lack of meaningful change with each experiment in the last 4 years has led the organization to change direction and look for ways to actively maintain a desired utilization level. An interim solution to cut examination times in modalities with high cancellation rates allows schedulers to schedule more examinations every day. This article covers the history of continuous improvement around reducing same-day missed appointments and eventually realizing the need to open capacity, and it makes the argument for an integrated system that predicts the probability of patients cancelling their examination to facilitate proactive measures.
7.2-kV/60-A Austin SuperMOS: An Enabling SiC Switch Technology for Medium Voltage Applications

In order to enable medium voltage applications at an operation voltage of 5 kV level, a cost-effective 7.2kV/60A Austin SuperMOS SiC power switch is developed. Static and dynamic performance is characterized at various voltage and current levels. Excellent dynamic performance are demonstrated with high dV/dt ranging from 60kV/us and 122kV/us. The output charge of the 7.2kV/60A Austin SuperMOS is also measured to enable accurate loss estimation. Unique gate switching patterns are identified and analyzed for the first time which facilitates the reduction of third quadrant conduction loss during converter deadtime.
A Traumatic Cesarean Delivery with Consumptive Coagulopathy

A 39 year-old-woman, G5P1122 (L-1), is admitted to Labor & Delivery at 38 + 2/7 weeks estimated gestational age for induction of labor because of chronic hypertension and a current blood pressure (BP) of 137/94 (L-2). Other than her BP, the patient’s vital signs on admission are unremarkable and her weight and height are 76.5 kg and 160 cm, for a BMI of 30. The patient has not been taking any medications during pregnancy, has felt well, and reports frequent fetal movement. She denies headache, right upper quadrant pain, or visual changes (L-3), and her blood work on admission shows the following: WBC 10.5, Hgb 12.8, Hct 40.9, platelets 145K, BUN 7 mg/dL, and creatinine 0.7 mg/dL. Her uric acid and ALT are normal and her AST is only slightly elevated (L-4). There is a trace of protein in her urine and the urine toxicology screen is negative (L-5). The patient has delivered both of her living children vaginally and a vaginal delivery is anticipated for this pregnancy.