cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 013: Genotype to Phenotype: Function of Rare Coding Variants in ANGPTL3

Angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) associates strongly with blood lipid phenotypes in human genetics studies and has thus emerged as promising therapeutic target for plasma lipids. We examined the codin...
Friction and normal forces of model friction modifier additives in simulations of boundary lubrication

ABSTRACTInteraction forces between solid surfaces are often mitigated by adsorbed molecules that control normal and friction forces at nanoscale separations. Molecular dynamics simulations were con...
External costs of harmful algal blooms using hedonic valuation: The impact of karenia brevis on Southwest Florida

Abstract We use a hedonic valuation method to measure the costs of harmful algal blooms to properties in Southwest Florida. Persistent blooms of “red tide” have lasted for over months at a time and can render the appeal of the Gulf Coast useless, usually a valuable amenity to property prices in the area. We study property prices over a sixteen-year period during which, four major blooms plagued the coast. We find property prices within five miles of the coast decline about 10% during a persistent bloom. Property prices also decrease more, in a non-linear fashion as blooms persist for additional months. Our estimate of local costs, although the first of its kind for this region and this type of algae, is similar to those found elsewhere in the literature for different algae across the country. Our results show the importance of mitigation, as counties face tight budgets and must realize the full external costs of these blooms.
The Landscape of Targeted Therapies in TNBC

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) constitutes the most aggressive molecular subtype among breast tumors. Despite progress on the underlying tumor biology, clinical outcomes for TNBC unfortunately remain poor. The median overall survival for patients with metastatic TNBC is approximately eighteen months. Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment while there is a growing body of evidence that targeted therapies may be on the horizon with poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and immune check-point inhibitors already established in the treatment paradigm of TNBC. A large number of novel therapeutic agents are being evaluated for their efficacy in TNBC. As novel therapeutics are now incorporated into clinical practice, it is clear that tumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution can result to de novo or acquired treatment resistance. As precision medicine and next generation sequencing is part of cancer diagnostics, tailored treatment approaches based on the expression of molecular markers are currently being implemented in clinical practice and clinical trial design. The scope of this review is to highlight the most relevant current knowledge regarding underlying molecular profile of TNBC and its potential application in clinical practice.
Mental health consumers’ perspectives on using an occupation-focused assessment to initiate change in everyday activities:

IntroductionEngagement in meaningful activities is central to recovery for people with mental health conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the utility of an occupation-focused assessment...
The transmembrane peptide DWORF activates SERCA2a via dual mechanisms.

The Ca-ATPase isoform 2a (SERCA2a) pumps cytosolic Ca2+ into the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of cardiac myocytes, enabling muscle relaxation during diastole. Abnormally high cytosolic [Ca2+] is a central factor in heart failure, suggesting that augmentation of SERCA2a Ca2+ transport activity could be a promising therapeutic approach. SERCA2a is inhibited by the protein phospholamban (PLB), and a novel transmembrane peptide, dwarf open reading frame (DWORF), is proposed to enhance SR Ca2+ uptake and myocyte contractility by displacing PLB from binding to SERCA2a. However, establishing DWORF’s precise physiological role requires further investigation. In the present study, we developed cell-based FRET biosensor systems that can report on protein–protein interactions and structural changes in SERCA2a complexes with PLB and/or DWORF. To test the hypothesis that DWORF competes with PLB to occupy the SERCA2a-binding site, we transiently transfected DWORF into a stable HEK cell line expressing SERCA2a labeled with a FRET donor and PLB labeled with a FRET acceptor. We observed a significant decrease in FRET efficiency, consistent with a decrease in the fraction of SERCA2a bound to PLB. Surprisingly, we also found that DWORF also activates SERCA’s enzymatic activity directly in the absence of PLB at subsaturating calcium levels. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we generated DWORF variants that do not activate SERCA, thus identifying residues P15 and W22 as necessary for functional SERCA2a–DWORF interactions. This work advances our mechanistic understanding of the regulation of SERCA2a by small transmembrane proteins and sets the stage for future therapeutic development in heart failure research.
Antioxidant Therapy in Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is pathologic inflammation of the pancreas characterized by acinar cell destruction and oxidative stress. Repeated pancreatic insults can result in the development of chronic pancreatitis, characterized by irreversible fibrosis of the pancreas and many secondary sequelae, ultimately leading to the loss of this important organ. We review acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatitis-related complications. We take a close look at the pathophysiology with a focus on oxidative stress and how it contributes to the complications of the disease. We also take a deep dive into the evolution and current status of advanced therapies for management including dietary modification, antioxidant supplementation, and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Nrf2-keap1) pathway activation. In addition, we discuss the surgeries aimed at managing pain and preventing further endocrine dysfunction, such as total pancreatectomy with islet auto-transplantation.
Artificial intelligence for adult spinal deformity: current state and future directions.

Abstract As we experience a technological revolution unlike any other time in history, spinal surgery as a discipline is poised to undergo a dramatic transformation. As enormous amounts of data become digitized and more readily available, medical professionals approach a critical juncture with respect to how advanced computational techniques may be incorporated into clinical practices. Within neurosurgery, spinal disorders in particular, represent a complex and heterogeneous disease entity that can vary dramatically in its clinical presentation and how it may impact patients’ lives. The spectrum of pathologies is extremely diverse, including many different etiologies such as trauma, oncology, spinal deformity, infection, inflammatory conditions, and degenerative disease among others. The decision to perform spine surgery, especially complex spine surgery, involves several nuances due to the interplay of biomechanical forces, bony composition, neurologic deficits, and the patient's desired goals. Adult spinal deformity as an example is one of the most complex, given its involvement of not only the spine, but rather the entirety of the skeleton in order to appreciate radiographic completeness. With the vast array of variables contributing to spinal disorders, treatment algorithms can vary significantly, and it is very difficult for surgeons to predict how patients will respond to surgery. As such, it will become imperative for spine surgeons to utilize the burgeoning availability of advanced computational tools to process unprecedented amounts of data and provide novel insights into spinal disease. These tools range from predictive models built using machine learning algorithms, to deep learning methods for imaging analysis, to natural language processing that can mine text from electronic medical records or transcribed patient visits – all to better treat the intricacies of spinal disorders. The adoption of such techniques will empower patients and propel spine surgeons into the era of personalized medicine, by allowing clinical plans to be tailored to address individual patients’ needs. This paper, which exists in the context of a larger body of literatutre, provides a comprehensive review of the current state and future of artificial intelligence and machine learning with a particular emphasis on Adult spinal deformity surgery.
Voxel and stereolithographic digital design framework in additive manufacturing: effects in a PolyJet printing process and relevant digital solutions

PolyJet printing in Additive Manufacturing (AM) allows creating multi-material distributions and complex hierarchical structures. AM typically uses tessellated Stereolithography (STL) files as digital data to define geometric and associated materials; it may not always be suitable as a digital model for multi-material structures. Voxel printing is a recent technique for multi-material structures that allows software processing of digital STL; it precludes a need to define each material region as a unique geometric entity. The present paper compares voxel 3D printing and directly used STL printing digital design framework in PolyJet printing. A selected geometric configuration was printed using voxel and STL digital designs. The effect on the final printed part's quality and fidelity from these digital designs is compared. The variations in the voxel-based printed part's dimensions resulted from the printer's resolution differences in two planar directions. Voxel printing also had incorrect material depositions in multi-material parts due to rasterization errors. Corrective digital software solutions for dimensional and rasterization errors were developed for voxel designs and are found to be effective. Process–Property effects from voxel and STL digital designs based on a two-material composite system's tensile mechanical properties are studied. Present work provides digital solutions as an effective means to mitigate any limitations in voxel-based digital designs for additive manufacturing of multi-material complex structures. AM's success and quality depend on digital designs, a careful understanding of induced digital approximation effects, and effective cyber-based solutions.
Lessons from Charlottesville: Bridging Turbulent Times

The Unite the Right rally in August of 2017 on the University of Virginia campus signaled an ugly and dramatic return to overt racism in America. The rise of Neo-Nazi’s and the open return of the Ku Klux Klan has served to underscore the culture war raging in America which alternately embraces symbols of the confederacy, argues for the removal of confederate flags and statues, and thrusts into the public discourse the question of how did we arrive at this point and where shall we go from here. It is clear that legislation cannot change hearts, nor can it create a moral set that is based upon inclusion, acceptance and equality. However, this paper argues that we can begin the process by taking a radical approach. We should outlaw symbols of the Confederacy and all vestiges of the old south. We should refer to those who fought for the South as what they truly were: individuals who were attempting to overthrow the government in an attempt to maintain the institution of slavery. No place of honor should be accorded them, no reverence for their leaders should be provided, and no place of historical relevance should be accorded them. We need look no further than Germany to see how that nation moved passed the atrocities of the Nazi’s treatment of Jews to find an example of this very radical approach. Perhaps, by doing so, we can move beyond the Civil War and its residue and closer to creating a post racial society.
Recovery of conformational continuum from single-particle cryo-EM data: Optimization of ManifoldEM informed by ground-truth studies

This work is based on the manifold-embedding approach to the study of biological molecules exhibiting conformational changes in a continuum. Previous studies established a workflow capable of reconstructing atomic-level structures in the conformational continuum from cryo-EM images so as to reveal the latent space of macromolecules undergoing multiple degrees of freedom. Here, we introduce a new approach that is informed by detailed heuristic analysis of manifolds formed by simulated heterogeneous cryo-EM datasets. These simulated models were generated with increasing complexity to account for multiple motions, state occupancies and CTF in a wide range of signal-to-noise ratios. Using these datasets as ground-truth, we provide detailed exposition of our findings using several conformational motions while exploring the available parameter space. Guided by these insights, we build a framework to leverage the high-dimensional geometric information obtained towards reconstituting the quasi-continuum of conformational states in the form of an energy landscape and respective 3D maps for all states therein. This framework offers substantial enhancements relative to previous work, for which a direct comparison of outputs has been provided.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Efficacy of Vancomycin Taper and Pulse Regimens in Clostridioides difficile Infection.

BACKGROUND Vancomycin is the drug of choice for treating Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). We compare CDI resolution with vancomycin taper, pulse, and taper-and-pulse regimens. METHODS We searched for Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and Scopus through October 9th, 2020. Taper regimen was defined as dose reduction over time; pulse was a regimen less frequent than daily. Studies assessing CDI resolution rates were included. Meta-analyses for resolution rates were performed using weighted proportion ratios (WPR). RESULTS Ten studies with 675 patients treated with vancomycin regimens were included. Resolution rates were 83% (212/266, 95% CI 69-94%, I2 = 85%) for taper-and-pulse, 68% (264/383, 95% CI 57-78%, I2 = 72%) for taper alone, and 54% (11/26 95% CI 0-100%, I2 = 86%) for pulse alone regimens. Taper-and-pulse was superior to taper alone (WPR 83% vs 68%, p < 0.0001) and pulse alone (WPR 83% vs 54%, p < 0.0004), no significant difference between taper alone or pulse alone (WPR 68% vs 54%, p = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS Limitations of our analysis are a small number of included studies and heterogeneity. Vancomycin taper-and-pulse seems superior to pulse alone or taper alone for recurrent CDI. A randomized controlled trial comparing vancomycin taper-and-pulse to fidaxomicin and microbiome restoration is needed.
Effectiveness of Responsivity Intervention Strategies on Prelinguistic and Language Outcomes for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Group and Single Case Studies

We conducted a systematic review to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and single case research design (SCRD) studies of children with autism spectrum disorder that evaluate the effectiveness of responsivity intervention techniques for improving prelinguistic and/or language outcomes. Mean effect sizes were moderate and large for RCTs (33 studies; g = 0.36, 95% CI [0.21, 0.51]) and SCRD (34 studies; between-case standardized mean difference = 1.20, 95% CI [0.87, 1.54]) studies, respectively. Visual analysis (37 studies) revealed strong evidence of a functional relation for 45% of the opportunities and no evidence for 53%. Analyses of moderator effects and study quality are presented. Findings provide support for responsivity intervention strategies with more robust support for context-bound outcomes than more generalized outcomes.
DILTIAZEM AND MK-801 BUT NOT APV ACT SYNERGISTICALLY TO PROTECT RAT HIPPOCAMPAL SLICES AGAINST HYPOXIC DAMAGE

The noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801 {(+)-5-methyl-10, 11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5, 10-imine maleate, dizocilpine} potently protects hippocampal slices against hypoxic neuronal damage, while the competitive NMDA receptor antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV) has a much weaker neuroprotective potency.1,2 In addition, MK-801 protects hippocampal slices against the combined effects of hypoxia + NMDA, and hypoxia + kainate (KA) or α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolpropionate (AMPA). Furthermore, MK-801 was found to be a better antagonist of KA (or AMPA)-enhanced hypoxic neuronal damage than the specific KA/AMPA antagonist GYKI 52466 [1-(4-aminophenyl)-4-methyl-7,8-methylenedioxy-5H-2,3-benzodiazepine HC1]. The combination of APV and 7-chlorokynurenate could not abolish the protective effect of MK-801 against hypoxia, a effect one should expect if MK-801 exerts its protective action via an open NMDA receptor.3 Thus, at least in the continuously-perfused hippocampal slice preparation, where hypoxiainduced glutamate accumulation cannot reach excitotoxic levels, the antihypoxic effect of MK-801 does not appear to be mediated through the NMDA receptor. Several other recent studies also raise questions in regard to MK-801 mode of action. One study4 concluded that ketamine, an anesthetic known to compete for MK-801 binding sites,5 is an inhibitor of L-type calcium channels, while another study6 points to both similarities and differences between these two compounds depending on the method of administration of ketamine. Yet, another study7 demonstrated the ability of diltiazem (DILT), an L-type calcium channel blocker,8–10 to inhibit [3H]MK-801 binding to hippocampal synaptic membranes at IC50 value which is very similar to the IC50 of unlabelled MK-801. These studies, along with our own results that showed DILT to provide a significant protection against hypoxia-induced neuronal damage,1 led us to suggest that MK-801 may possess L-type calcium channel blocking properties.
Mitosis: Chromosome Segregation and Stability

Mammalian cells are charged with the task of evenly distributing 46 chromosomes to each of two daughter cells during every mitotic cell division. This is achieved by a microtubule-based cellular structure termed the mitotic spindle. However, numerous cellular and/or genetic defects are known to impair the fidelity of mitosis and promote chromosome segregation errors and aneuploidy. Missegregation of even a single chromosome leads to the deregulated expression of hundreds to thousands of genes, including many that are involved in essential processes such as DNA replication, repair and mitosis. Consequently, while aneuploidy is most typically detrimental to cell viability, it also has the potential to initiate a self-propagating cycle of chromosome instability that can ultimately promote tumour initiation, progression and relapse. Key Concepts Chromosome segregation is driven by the mitotic spindle. Multiple genetic and/or cell biological defects are known to cause chromosome missegregation and aneuploidy. Aneuploidy is poorly tolerated in normal cells. Cancer cells adapt to tolerate aneuploidy. Cells that persistently missegregate chromosomes are termed chromosomally unstable (CIN). CIN promotes tumour initiation, progression and relapse and correlates with poor patient prognosis. Aneuploidy and CIN are hallmarks of human tumours. Keywords: centrosome; micronucleus; merotelic; cohesion; spindle assembly checkpoint; tetraploidy; lagging chromosome
Conducting Polymers: From Novel Science to New Technology

Plastics that conduct electricity have been of intense interest both for technological applications and basic polymer science. In his Perspective, Scott discusses results reported in the same issue by [Lonergan][1] in which a conducting polymer has been used to fabricate a basic electronic device. Scott places this work in context by looking at the past history of conducting polymer research. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/278/5346/2103
Multiple tachykinins are produced and secreted upon post-translational processing of the three substance P precursor proteins, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-preprotachykinin. Expression of the preprotachykinins in AtT-20 cells infected with vaccinia virus recombinants.

Abstract The rat preprotachykinin I gene mRNA is alternatively spliced to yield three different mRNA species differing in their protein coding regions. We have produced recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing alpha-, beta-, and gamma-preprotachykinin to examine the tachykinin-related peptides produced upon post-translational processing of each individual precursor. Infection of BSC-40 or AtT-20 cell lines with a beta-preprotachykinin-encoding vaccinia virus recombinant results in the expression of the precursor protein. The pro-form (signal peptide removed) can be immunoprecipitated from extracts of infected cells. Infected cells of both types secrete into the culture medium a product(s) which reacts in radioimmunoassay with an antiserum shown to recognize precursor as well as mature substance P. Infected AtT-20, but not BSC-40, cells secrete into the culture medium a processed form(s) of beta-preprotachykinin which reacts in radioimmunoassay with an anti-serum which recognizes the amidated carboxyl terminus of substance P. The molecular nature of the tachykinin products produced in and secreted from AtT-20 cells infected with alpha-, beta-, and gamma-preprotachykinin-encoding recombinants was analyzed by combined high performance liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay. Peptides were identified based on comigration with synthetic standards and antisera cross-reactivity. We determined that alpha-preprotachykinin is processed to the mature undecapeptide, substance P. beta-Preprotachykinin was processed into multiple products, including substance P, neurokinin A, neurokinin A(3-10), and neuropeptide K. gamma-Preprotachykinin was processed into substance P, neurokinin A, neurokinin A(3-10), and neuropeptide gamma. These five tachykinin peptide products were all routed through the regulated secretory pathway and were secreted into the medium in a cAMP-stimulatable fashion. Since all of these peptides have been shown to be biologically active, it is important to consider the biological consequences of their co-secretion in vivo.
Different Mechanisms of Energy Coupling for the Shock-sensitive and Shock-resistant Amino Acid Permeases of Escherichia coli

Abstract Based on the effects of osmotic shock, two categories of transport systems have previously been shown to exist in gram-negative bacteria: (a) the shock-sensitive systems, which are associated with periplasmic binding proteins and which are absent from isolated membrane vesicles, and (b) the shock-insensitive systems, whose carrier proteins are not released by osmotic shock and which are active in membrane vesicles. In this extension of an earlier report (Berger, E. A. (1973) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 70, 1514) energy coupling for several amino acid permeases was examined by studying the ability of various energy sources to drive uptake in starved Escherichia coli cells blocked at specific sites of energy metabolism. We conclude that the energy donors for the two classes of transport systems are fundamentally different. The following evidence suggests the obligatory requirement of phosphate bond energy for the shock-sensitive but not the shock-resistant permeases. (a) Mutants defective in the Ca, MgATPase cannot use oxidative energy supplied by d-lactate or phenazine methosulfate plus ascorbate to drive the shock-sensitive systems. The shock-resistant systems, however, are quite active with these electron donors. (b) Arsenate abolishes the activities of the shock-sensitive but not the shock-resistant permeases. (c) When supplied with a source of glycolytic ATP, the shock-sensitive systems in an ATPase mutant are quite active and are relatively resistant to anaerobiosis and the uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol. The shock-resistant systems appear to be driven by an energy-rich membrane state which can be formed by either respiration or ATP hydrolysis: (a) these permeases are strongly inhibited by dinitrophenol, (b) they do not require Ca, MgATPase activity when driven by respiratory energy, (c) in the presence of a source of glycolytic ATP, these systems display respiration-independent activities which are diminished by the ATPase mutation and (d) N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide stimulates proline transport in membrane vesicles and intact cells of strain DL 54, a mutant believed to possess a Ca, MgATPase which is not only inactive but is also defective in its structural role in the membrane (Bragg P. D., and Hou, C. (1973) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 50, 729).
Teaching web application development using Zope

Over the last two years we have been teaching web application development using Zope, an open-source, object-oriented content management system that has some advantages over other systems like CGI and Java servlets. The purpose of this paper is two-fold: (1) to introduce Zope to the CS Education community, and (2) to argue for using Zope in teaching web application development.
Oestreicher and elastography

A sphere moving back and forth in tissue generates the kinds of complex displacement fields that are used in elastography. The analytical solution of Hans Oestreicher for this phenomenon [(1951). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 23, 704–714] gives an understanding of the transverse and longitudinal, fast and slow waves that are generated. The results suggest several ways to determine the absorption coefficients of tissues, which together with phase velocity permit the computation of both the real shear modulus and the shear viscosity as functions of frequency.
Predictors of Venous Thromboembolism Recurrence, Adjusted for Treatments and Interim Exposures: A Population-based Case-cohort Study☆

Abstract Background Predictors of venous thromboembolism ( VTE ) recurrence are uncertain. Objective To identify predictors of VTE recurrence, adjusted for treatments and interim exposures. Materials and Methods Using Rochester Epidemiology Project resources, all Olmsted County, MN residents with objectively-diagnosed incident VTE over the 13-year period, 1988–2000, who survived ≥1day were followed for first objectively-diagnosed VTE recurrence. For all patients with recurrence, and a random sample of all surviving incident VTE patients (n=415), we collected demographic and baseline characteristics, treatments and interim exposures. In a case-cohort study design, demographic, baseline, treatment and interim exposure characteristics were tested as potential predictors of VTE recurrence using time-dependent Cox proportional hazards modeling. Results Among 1262 incident VTE patients, 306 developed recurrence over 6,440 person-years. Five-year recurrence rates, overall and for cancer-associated, idiopathic and non-cancer secondary VTE, were 24.5%, 43.4%, 27.3% and 18.1%, respectively. In multivariable analysis, interim hospitalization, active cancer, pregnancy, central venous catheter and respiratory infection were associated with increased hazards of recurrence, and warfarin and aspirin were associated with reduced hazards. Adjusting for treatments and these interim risk factors, male sex, baseline active cancer and failure to achieve a therapeutic aPTT in the first 24hours were independently associated with increased hazards of VTE recurrence over the entire follow-up period, while the hazards of recurrence for patient age, chronic lung disease, leg paresis, prior superficial vein thrombosis and idiopathic VTE varied over the follow-up period. Conclusions Baseline and interim exposures can stratify VTE recurrence risk and may be useful for directing secondary prophylaxis.
Magnetic Dipole Inversion of Noisy Two-Layer Earth Data Using A Digital Linear Filter

In this paper, we investigate the problem of inverting a two-layer earth when the probing (by simulation) is carried out by vertical magnetic dipoles and the received signal is contaminated by noise. The mutual impedance between two probes is formulated in terms of a set of unknown parameters of the medium. The search for these parameters is then carried out until the response of the trial medium agrees, within a certain tolerance, with the received response. The search procedure is based on iterative optimization techniques, and the Hankel transform integrals are evaluated using techniques of the digital linear filter theory.
A Curveball Index: Quantification of Breaking Balls for Pitchers

Miles per hour has been the rating system that pitchers all over the world are held to for their fastball. Having a standardized scale makes it easy to compare, value, and track progress of differe...
Latitude and Solar-Cycle Dependence of Radial IMF Intensity

I describe a simple procedure for extrapolating the observed solar magnetic field into the heliosphere, which averages the asymptotic fields computed using the standard “source surface” and “current sheet” models. The resultant field is characterized by strong latitudinal gradients (maintained by volume currents outside the source surface) and by abrupt reversals in direction at the current sheets. The model yields good agreement with the observed long-term variation of the radial IMF component in the ecliptic, and is used to predict the variation of |B r | along the latitudinal trajectory of Ulysses during 1990–1994. As found in earlier studies, the magnitude of B r at any latitude is determined largely by the strength and relative orientation of the Sun’s dipole moment.
Multilinear codes for robust error detection

We propose an efficient technique for the detection of errors in cryptographic circuits introduced by strong adversaries. Previously a number of linear and non-linear error detection schemes were proposed. Linear codes provide protection only against primitive adversaries which no longer represents practice. On the other hand non-linear codes provide protection against strong adversaries, but at the price of high overhead. Here we propose a novel error detection technique, based on the random selection of linear codes. Under mild assumptions the proposed construction achieves near non-linear code error detection performance at much lower cost due to the fact that no non-linear operations are needed for the encoder and decoder.
Maternal Lifestyles Study (MLS): Prenatal Cocaine/Opiate Exposure - Bayley II Performance at One Year • 1297

Reports of the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on infant outcome have been inconsistent. This study evaluated the effects of maternal cocaine/opiate(C/O) use during pregnancy (as assessed by history and/or meconium assay) and of birthweight (≤ 1500 g, 1501-2500 g, > 2500 g) on infant mental, motor, and behavioral performance at one year (corrected for prematurity). As part of a multicenter (Brown U, U of Miami, U of Tennessee Memphis, & Wayne State U), longitudinal investigation, blinded examiners administered the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID-II; Bayley, 1993) to 471 C/O exposed(EXP) infants and 559 non-exposed (NON) infants who had been matched by race, sex, and gestational age. On the BSID-II Mental Development Index (MDI), both C/O exposure (EXP=90.4±10.8, NON=92.2±11.3; p <.01) and birthweight (p <=.0001) had small but significant effects on performance (see below). Lower birthweight (but not C/O exposure) was also associated with lower scores on the Motor Development Index (p≤.0001), and on the total Behavior Rating Scale percentile (p<.005). For all measures, when effects of socioeconomic status(Hollingshead), testing center, and gender were controlled, the birthweight effect remained but the C/O exposure effect, where present, was eliminated. In sum, prenatal C/O exposure was not associated with clinically relevant deficits in mental or motor skills, or indices of behavioral difficulties during testing. The results highlight the importance of longitudinal evaluation of C/O exposed infants to identify factors which may influence their mental, physical, and behavioral development at later ages. Table
MBE growth of II–VI materials on GaSb substrates for photovoltaic applications

Abstract The II–VI materials lattice matched to GaSb substrates are desirable for ultrahigh-efficiency multijunction solar cells. This paper reports the growth of ZnTe and ZnCdTe/ZnTe quantum wells on undoped GaSb (1 0 0) substrates using molecular beam epitaxy. During growth, in situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction shows fast and smooth transition from GaSb surface to ZnTe surface. Post-growth structural characterization using X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals very low-defect density, i.e. high crystalline quality. Visible photoluminescence is observed from 10 to 300 K.
High-resolution inversion of finite Fourier transform data through a localised polynomial approximation

The authors address the problem of high-resolution inversion of finite Fourier transform data, which is frequently encountered in tomographic image reconstruction. A new parametric modelling approach, which uses an adaptive localised polynomial approximation model of the object function, is proposed to overcome the Gibbs artifact and the limited-resolution problem associated with conventional FFT methods. An algorithm for finding the model parameters is given which makes use of linear prediction theory, singular-value decomposition and least-squares fitting methods. Reconstruction results from simulated and real magnetic resonance experimental data are also presented to demonstrate its capability for Gibbs ringing reduction and resolution enhancement.
A SENSITIVE CHEMICAL ACTINOMETER FOR ULTRA-VIOLET RADIATION.

THE most widely used chemical actinometer for ultraviolet radiation is based on the photochemical decomposition of oxalic acid in solutions of oxalic acid and urany 1 oxalate, and subsequent titration with hot potassium permanganate1. This actinometer requires relatively large volumes of solution, and since the ultimate sensitivity depends on the titration difference before and after irradiation, ultra-violet sources of low dose-rate require relatively long exposure times. Actinometers in which the products of photolysis are directly determined are capable of greater sensitivity, depending on the sensitivity of the method used for analysis. Direct spectrophotometry, with high absorption of the photolysis products, introduces problems of inner filters and non-linearity of response. Parker2 has devised a chemical actinometer with high sensitivity which depends on the decomposition of potassium ferrioxalate, spectrophotometric determination of the ferrous ion formed by the addition of phenanthroline and buffer solution, and subsequent measurement of absorption at 5100 A. However, even dim electric light produces rapid decomposition of the potassium ferrioxalate, and all manipulations must be performed in a dark room.
Application of the small-circle net method to the study of bovine bone and tooth fabrics.

Abstract X-ray fabric analysis by means of the small-circle net technique has been shown to be useful for obtaining quantitative information on fabric anisotropy of bone and teeth. In particular, a study of enamel fabric for right I 1 of Bos taurus has shown that the c -axes of apatite crystallites are distributed in a cone-like fashion about the tooth axis; the cone half-angle is approximately 45 ° and cone apex pointing toward the tooth root. The results for the dentine fabric of the same tooth were not so conclusive, but present data indicate that the c -axes of apatite crystallites are not randomly oriented but roughly alligned parallel to the tooth axis, at least in certain parts of the dentine core. A study of apatite fabric in a tibia of Bos taurus has shown a pronounced anisotropy of apatite arrangement with crystal c -axes being alligned parallel to the bone axis. In addition to the normal technique, simple X-ray tests have confirmed the patterns observed for tooth enamel and for the bone, but the dentine fabric of the tooth cannot with certainty be regarded, as established.
Experiments on Point-to-Point Position Control of a Flexible Beam Using Laplace Transform Technique: Part I—Open-Loop

When lightly damped flexible structures are used in high bandwidth applications, the elimination of residual vibration during point-to-point positioning is an important engineering problem. Using the Laplace domain synthesis technique introduced in earlier publications, experiments on the precise point-to-point position control of a flexible beam have been performed. In Part I of this two-part paper, results related to open-loop control are presented. A variety of candidate control functions are evaluated and performance issues related to robustness and sensitivity are investigated.
Designing and Optimizing a Scalable CORBA Notification Service

Many distributed applications require a scalable event-driven communication model that decouples suppliers from consumers and simultaneously supports advanced quality of service (QoS) properties and event filtering mechanisms. The CORBA Notification Service provides a publish/subscribe mechanism that is designed to support scalable event-driven communication by routing events efficiently between many suppliers and consumers, enforcing various QoS properties (such as reliability, priority, ordering, and timeliness), and filtering events at multiple points in a distributed system.This paper provides several contributions to research on scalable notification services. First, we present the CORBA Notification Service architecture and illustrate how it addresses limitations with the earlier CORBA Event Service. Second, we explain how we addressed key design challenges faced when implementing the Notification Service in TAO, which is our high-performance, real-time ORB. We discuss the optimizations used to improve the scalability of TAO's Notification Service. Finally, we present empirical results of the performance of our implementation.
A new procedure for identifying the frame of the convex hull of a finite collection of points in multidimensional space

Abstract Consider a set, A of n points in m-dimensional space. The convex hull of these points is a polytope, P , in R m . The frame, F , of these points in the set of extreme points of teh polytope P with F ⊆ A . The problem of identifying the frame plays a central role in optimization theory (redundancy in linear programming and stochastic programming), economics (data envelopment analysis), computational geometry (facial decomposition of polytopes) and statistics (Gastwirth estimators). The standard approach for finding the elements of F consists of solving linear programs with m rows and n − 1 columns; one for each element of A , differing only in the right-hand side vectors. Although enhancements to reduce the total number of linear programs which must ultimately be solved as well as to reduce the number of columns in the technology matrix are known, the utility of this approach is severely limited by its laboriousness and computational demands. We introduce a new procedure also based on solving linear programs but with an important and distinguishing difference. The linear programs begin small and grow larger, but never have more columns than the number of extreme points of P . Experimental results indicate that the time to find the frame using the new procedure is between about one-third and two-thirds that of an enhanced implementation of the established method currently in use.
BIN1: A new biomarker to track ARVC?

b u v m c p d N f H w f o t p a s a Heart failure (HF) is the consequence of multiple forms of heart disease and the fastest growing cardiovascular disorder in the world. In the United States, adults older than 40 years have a 20% lifetime risk of developing HF. Moreover, more than 50% of patients with HF die of sudden cardiac death (SCD) as a result of malignant arrhythmias. Altered Ca homeostasis has been implicated in the development of both HF and arrhythmias. A vast array of biological pathways is now known to be involved in HF. Several components of these pathways are now recognized as biomarkers of this condition and can aid diagnosis and prognostication and guide management. The majority of these biomarkrs, however, provide diagnostic and prognostic utility in evaluting contractile dysfunction, not electrical instability in patients ith HF. Identifying biomarkers that in addition to following progression of HF would also give insights into vulnerability of patients to arrhythmias and SCD is, therefore, of pivotal importance. Membrane-associated scaffolding proteins have been reported to have important roles in normal cardiomyocyte organization and function. The BAR domain superfamily (named after the N-terinal “BAR” region of homology between family members) is a lass of scaffolding proteins important in membrane curvature rganization. Mutations and alternate splicing of bridging interrator 1 (BIN1), a BAR protein, result in inheritable skeletal uscular diseases. Recently, BIN1 was found to play an important role in the myocardium, where it localizes Cav1.2 (the poreforming -subunit of L-type Ca channels) to T tubules. In ouse cardiomyocytes, knockdown of BIN1 reduces mean surace Cav1.2 fluorescence intensity and delays development of the alcium transient, indicating that Cav1.2 targeting to BIN1 is unctionally important to cardiac calcium signaling. Human failing cardiomyocytes exhibit impaired Cav1.2 trafficking, Ca transients, and contractility. They also exhibit significantly reduced mRNA and protein levels of BIN1. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a primary myocardial disorder associated with a high incidence of ventricular arrhythmias. Its cardinal feature is an early redisposition to arrhythmias and SCD in the context of ell-preserved morphology, histology, and ventricular unction. Looking into its natural history, however, we will
A road map to Middle Eastern peace? - A Public Choice perspective

Why is peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians so difficult to achieve? Does Bush's "road map to peace" stand a chance? To address these queries I will step back and ask some fundamental questions about war and conflict, from a public choice point of view. I will consider why we have wars in the first place and why countries negotiating for peace often fail to capture gains from trade. Commentaries on the Middle East, or many other questions of foreign policy, typically look at the trees rather than the forest. Being an economist, I do not seek to match the institutional expertise of a historian or Middle East scholar, but instead focus on some basic conceptual matters.
Injection therapy for prostatic disease: A renaissance concept.

Purpose: Initially conceived as an intervention for prostatic infection, injection therapy has been used to alleviate urinary retention, and is now primarily investigated for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). For over a century, intraprostatic injection has been used as a minimally invasive surgical therapy (MIST), and is on the verge of a rebirth. This review will familiarize the reader with the origins and history of intraprostatic injection, and its evolution using transperineal, transrectal and transurethral routes with multiple injectants. Materials and Methods: A MEDLINE review of the literature on intraprostatic injections published between 1966 and 2007 was performed, augmented with articles and documents dating back to 1832. Results: Transperineal and transurethral injections have the most systematic evaluation in patients. There are advantages and disadvantages associated with each route. Most injectants consistently produce localized coagulative necrosis and gland volume reduction with varying degrees of LUTS relief. Anhydrous ethanol (AE) is the most extensively studied injected agent to date. Conclusions: Injection therapy is a promising minimally invasive treatment option for various prostatic conditions and has been examined for over 100 years. Further experience in systematic laboratory research and completion of currently ongoing clinical trials is necessary before widespread clinical application.
Relationship between local and total bone mass in osteoporosis.

The relationship between total body calcium (TBC) and local bone calcium mass (BCM) was studied in a group of osteoporotic patients (12 females and two males) with a wide range of body size. Two methods were used to estimate BCM: photon absorptiometry and radiographic morphometry. TBC was estimated by total-body neutron-activation analysis. Since 99% of TBC is located in the skeleton, it was assumed that TBC was essentially a measure of total skeletal (calcium) mass. TBC ranged from 482 to 1076 g. High correlations with r values from 0.84 to 0.94, p < 0.001, were found between TBC and BCM measured by absorptiometry at six different sites of radius, ulna, and humerus. Additionally, high correlations with r values from 0.89 to 0.95, p < 0.001, were found between BCM at the distal tenth of the radius and BCM at the five other sites. A high correlation was also found between body height and TBC, but partial correlations indicated that this accounted for very little of the correlation between TBC and BCM. In contrast to the above, correlations between BCM determined by radiographic morphometry and TBC were weak or nonsignificant. When TBC and BCM were expressed as per cent of their mean value, the slopes of the estimating equations, describing the relationships between TBC and BCM, were essentially the same, but significantly less than one, which is the value of the slope expected if TBC and BCM had changed at the same relative rate. From these relationships, we conclude (1) that the rate of change in BCM was similar in the six sites examined, and (2) that the rate of change in these six sites was relatively more rapid than the change in total body calcium. Whether the change in rate of BCM was related to rate of increase during attainment of maximum BCM or subsequent rate of loss of BCM or both remains to be determined.
Are Internal capital Markets Efficient

Using segment information from Compustat, we find that the investment by a segment of a diversified firm depends on the cash flow of the firm's other segments, but significantly less than it depends on its own cash flow. The investment by segments of highly diversified firms is less sensitive to their cash flow than the investment of comparable single-segment firms. The sensitivity of a segment's investment to the cash flow of other segments does not depend on whether its investment opportunities are better than those of the firm's other segments.
Prototype Framework for Dynamic Probabilistic Risk Assessment of Space-Flight Medical Events

Medical problems in space, while not necessarily common, can be life and mission threatening. Because of this, a model has been created to assess the risk of certain medical events under space mission conditions called the Integrated Medical Model (IMM). The model uses a type of risk analysis called Probabilistic Risk Assessment. An effort is being conducted to convert these static models to Dynamic PRA (DynaPRA) models. These models would integrate changing conditions in space missions such as human interaction, changing system components, and environmental factors and apply a risk analysis to find more complete and useful probabilities of certain medical events occurring to astronauts in space. To this end, a prototype DynaPRA framework was created during the first three months of the project using the existing IMM hip, wrist, and lumbar spine bone fracture models as a case study. After the initial implementation was complete, ideas were generated for applying this framework to the rest of the IMM.
6.1.2 Systems Architecting for Sustainable Delivery of Value

Requirements need be established for architecting a large scale, complex system for sustainable delivery of value to users. In this paper, we describe a general methodology to establish requirements on design of a complex system to provide sustainable delivery of value. The methodology involves a system architecture paradigm, a sustainability analysis, and the derivation of design requirements. The methodology is described in concrete terms as it is applied to an ad hoc sensor network, which is required to provide sustainable delivery of information for use within the context of a missile defense system. Bounds are then established on the network connectivity and interoperability measures. This work demonstrates a methodology to enable designing requirements for architecting a system for sustainable delivery of value.