cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recombinant ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73) has long lasting antinociceptive effects that are dependent on adenosine A1 receptor activation

Background Ecto-5'-nucleotidase (NT5E, also known as CD73) hydrolyzes extracellular adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) to adenosine in nociceptive circuits. Since adenosine has antinociceptive effects in rodents and humans, we hypothesized that NT5E, an enzyme that generates adenosine, might also have antinociceptive effects in vivo.
Green-to-red photoconvertible fluorescent proteins: tracking cell and protein dynamics on standard wide-field mercury arc-based microscopes

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) and other FP fusions have been extensively utilized to track protein dynamics in living cells. Recently, development of photoactivatable, photoswitchable and photoconvertible fluorescent proteins (PAFPs) has made it possible to investigate the fate of discrete subpopulations of tagged proteins. Initial limitations to their use (due to their tetrameric nature) were overcome when monomeric variants, such as Dendra, mEos, and mKikGR were cloned/engineered. Here, we report that by closing the field diaphragm, selective, precise and irreversible green-to-red photoconversion (330-380 nm illumination) of discrete subcellular protein pools was achieved on a wide-field fluorescence microscope equipped with standard DAPI, Fluorescein, and Rhodamine filter sets and mercury arc illumination within 5-10 seconds. Use of a DAPI-filter cube with long-pass emission filter (LP420) allowed the observation and control of the photoconversion process in real time. Following photoconversion, living cells were imaged for up to 5 hours often without detectable phototoxicity or photobleaching. We demonstrate the practicability of this technique using Dendra2 and mEos2 as monomeric, photoconvertible PAFP representatives fused to proteins with low (histone H2B), medium (gap junction channel protein connexin 43), and high (α-tubulin; clathrin light chain) dynamic cellular mobility as examples. Comparable efficient, irreversible green-to-red photoconversion of selected portions of cell nuclei, gap junctions, microtubules and clathrin-coated vesicles was achieved. Tracking over time allowed elucidation of the dynamic live-cycle of these subcellular structures. The advantage of this technique is that it can be performed on a standard, relatively inexpensive wide-field fluorescence microscope with mercury arc illumination. Together with previously described laser scanning confocal microscope-based photoconversion methods, this technique promises to further increase the general usability of photoconvertible PAFPs to track the dynamic movement of cells and proteins over time.
Photographs from an American Album: The Albatross Nudes, 1899–1900

AbstractIn 1899–1900 the Albatross, a US Fish Commission vessel, traveled through the Pacific Islands for seven months, charting coastlines, collecting mineral specimens, and taking photographs. These photographs now reside in several repositories, including five elaborately composed albums at the Phillips Library, Salem, Massachusetts. This article considers these albums, which include a number of nude photographs, in the context of popular nude photography, ethnographic photography, and a longer history of sexualized representations of Pacific Island women. As products of an American imperial-scientific voyage, a study of the Albatross photographs in the Phillips Library collection provides a very precise example from which to discern wider patterns of representation. The author argues that the voyeuristic quality of the nude photographs in the albums is enhanced through the combination of two photographic genres, the nude and the ethnographic. Further, by including nude photographs in albums made for p...
Characterization of the Tishomingo meteorite

Abstract A preliminary microstructural characterization of the Tishomingo meteorite has been performed with the combined techniques of atom probe field ion microscopy, analytical electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and nanoindentation. Eighty percent of this meteorite appears to have undergone a martensitic transformation; the remaining 20% being taenite (γ). Field ion microscopy and transmission electron microscopy of the martensitically transformed region revealed a mixture of a face centered cubic phase, a body centered cubic phase and some small face centered cubic precipitates. The composition of these precipitates was found to be between 51 and 57 at% Ni and the surrounding matrix approximately 20% Ni.
Low molecular weight proteins of the bovine lenses.

Abstract Studies of the three low molecular weight proteins, βs-crystallin, cattle lens cortex γ and calf lens γ found in young and older bovine lenses reveal that these proteins differ from each other in a number of properties. The molecular weights as determined by SDS gel electrophoresis indicate that βs is 28 000, cattle lens γ is 24 000 and calf lens γ is 20 000. The ionic charge on these proteins differs so that they can be separated by ion exchange chromatography. βs-Crystallin has no N-terminal amino acid, whereas both species of γ-crystallin have glycine as their N terminus. The three proteins are immunochemically distinct from each other.
Biomimetic Chemistry in Oriented Systems

Biomimetic chemistry is the field which attempts to imitate the accelerations and selectivities characteristic of enzyme-catalyzed reactions. Enzyme chemistry is not slavishly mimicked in detail, but instead furnishes an intellectual stimulus to the design of novel catalysts and reagents. Work in this field at Columbia University is reviewed in the area of selective steroid transformations, reactions of flexible chains (in solution, micelle, and bilayer), and cyclodextrin lock and key chemistry inspired by chymotrypsin and by ribonuclease. Careful attention to geometrical factors leads to good mimics of the rates and selectivities of some enzymes.
Erectile dysfunction: a harbinger or consequence: does its detection lead to a window of curability?

ABSTRACT: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a marker of increased cardiovascular (CVS) risk and may indicate the need for aggressive evaluation for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In younger men with ED, the Framingham risk assessment has inadequate sensitivity. There is a need to develop a more sensitive risk-stratification protocol for this population. We sought to develop an algorithm for the evaluation and management of the ED patient. A search of literature published from 1998 to 2009 was performed. Search terms included the following: endothelial dysfunction; and erectile dysfunction combined with coronary artery disease (CAD), metabolic syndrome, or cardiac biomarkers. Searches revealed 107 references. These studies were evaluated with use of levels of evidence for the Centers of Evidence-Based Medicine. On the basis of these studies, recommendations for the evaluation and management of the patient with ED were developed. Newer, nontraditional markers and procedures may identify ED patients at risk for subsequent CVS events earlier or more easily than traditional risk assessments. Clear practice guidelines for risk stratification are being developed, and data are sufficient to propose an algorithm for these patients. The presence of ED should prompt assessment of cardiac risk and aggressive risk factor treatment. Available risk assessment factors should initially be used to stratify each patient. ED patients younger than 60 years of age and with no clinical CVD are at risk of CAD events (>10%) and should undergo further risk assessment. Additional tests of arterial damage and biomarkers may aid in refinement of risk for future cardiac events. Patients with ED can be classified into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk categories. A proposed algorithm can be used to direct the assessment of cardiometabolic risk in patients with ED.
Further Observations on the Closure of Atrial Septal Defects

Though patients with small atrial septal defects may do well, in certain individuals with large defects operative closure is highly desirable because of the resultant cardiac dysfunction and the poor prognosis without treatment. Extensive efforts in the experimental laboratory have led to the development of a number of methods for the surgical closure of these defects, a number of which have had clinical trial. An earlier method, in which a pericardial pocket was affixed to an incision in the atrial wall and invaginated into the atrial cavity so that its posterior wall could be sutured to the rim of the defect, proved safe and reliable in experimental animals. One case demonstrated, however, that in large human defects the pericardium may not become sufficiently rapidly vascularized to permit its survival. The present experiments have shown that the same technic modified by substitution of a plastic nylon pocket appears entirely satisfactory. In one clinical case it was applied with success. It is suggest...
Synthesis of novel C-2 substituted pyrimidine nucleoside analogs

A series of 2-(2-oxoalkylidene)-4(1H)-pyrimidinone nucleoside analogs were synthesized by the addition of the lithium enolates of methylketones to 2,5'- and 2,2'-anhydrouridines and to 2,5'-anhydrothymidines. Alternatively, 2-thiouridine was alkylated with bromomethyl ketones to yield 2-(2-oxoalkyl)thio-4(1H)-pyrimidinone ribofuranosides in good yields. These intermediates were subsequently transformed into the title compounds via an Eschenmoser sulfur extrusion reaction. The 2-(2-oxoalkylidene)-4-(1H)-pyrimidinone nucleoside analogs exhibit enol proton signals in their 1 H nmr spectra indicative of hydrogen bonding between N-3 and keto oxygen. These structures offer functional groups with potential for Watson-Crick hydrogen bonding
The Psychological Profile of White-collar Offenders: Demographics, Criminal Thinking, Psychopathic Traits, and Psychopathology

The authors replicated Walters and Geyer (2004) by examining how white-collar offenders differ from non-white-collar offenders on criminal thinking and lifestyle criminality. To extend Walters and Geyer’s work, they explored psychopathic characteristics and psychopathology of white-collar offenders compared with non-white-collar offenders. The study sample included 39 white-collar only offenders (offenders who had committed only white-collar crime), 88 white-collar versatile offenders (offenders who previously had committed non-white-collar crime), and 86 non-white-collar offenders incarcerated in a federal prison. Groups were matched on age and ethnicity. Offenders completed self-report measures of criminal thinking, psychopathic traits, and psychopathology. Lifestyle criminality was gathered via file review. Results demonstrated white-collar offenders had lower scores on lifestyle criminality but scored higher on some measures of psychopathology and psychopathic traits compared with non-white-collar off...
Weather and Shade Effects on Cow Corral Activities

Visual scanning at 15-min intervals was used to monitor effects of shade forms and weather types on corral activities of cows. The method allowed one person to observe several dozen cows in a large pen, regardless of grouping pattern. Complete ration eating between 0600 and 1800 h was reduced 13% during hot weather, as compared to cool weather in unshaded corrals or pens with 4-m wide solid strip shades and unprotected manger. Hot afternoon fresh-feed eating response was reduced in comparison to cool weather 14% for unshaded corrals and 46% for strip shaded corrals having unprotected mangers. Cows having the strip shade plus a separate shade over the manger or a combined completely shaded free-stall rest and feeding area had double the ad libitum eating between fresh feed offerings during cool or warm weather over animals with unprotected mangers, and the response was tripled in hot weather. The percentage of cows resting or ruminating in the standing position increased linearly as temperatures increased. The effect was most evident for unshaded cows or those with the strip shade and unprotected manger. The percentage of cows drinking water or lingering around the trough without drinking increased in hot weather for unshaded animals. The observation method is taught easily, and results are useful in extension education programs.
Streamlined cryogenic deep reactive ion etching protocol for hybrid micronozzle arrays

This paper describes a novel fabrication methodology for hybrid micronozzle arrays that markedly streamlines and simplifies process flow for cryogenic deep reactive ion etching (DRIE). Cryogenic DRIE utilizes SF6/O2-based high-density plasmas at cryogenic temperatures. A key innovation that we have developed and tested is the application of SU-8 negative resist as both the cryogenic etch mask, replacing hard masks, and as a means of defining micronozzle orifices. First, a thin layer of SU-8 is spun onto one side of the silicon wafer and is patterned to define the micronozzle exit orifices. Then a thick layer of SU-8 is spun onto the backside of wafer, aligned to the micro-patterns of the thin layer of SU-8 and is patterned to act as etch mask and define the micronozzle inlets. These parallel SU-8 coatings on the wafer simplify and shorten the fabrication process by eliminating multiple etching steps and mitigate common problems associated with wafer-wide etching rate non-uniformities and RIE lag. The potential benefits of the rapid cryogenic DRIE micronozzle array fabrication strategy include (1) accelerated throughput of micronozzle array fabrication, (2) enhanced feasibility of fabricating comparatively more complex and/or novel hybrid structures and (3) potential simplification of other through-silicon microfabrication processes.
Cardiac Index during Intravenous Levarterenol Infusion in Man

Cardiac indices were determined by the Stewart-Hamilton indicator-dilution method during intravenous infusions of levarterenol in 25 human subjects. The rate and duration of the infusion as well as the increase in arterial pressure and bradycardia were varied in order to study their influences on the cardiac index.
A behavioral approach to building cognitive foundations for effective thought and action in a freshman critical thinking course

Problem Solving Approaches in Science and Technology is a James Madison University three-credit freshman-level General Education course in psychological dispositional skills and metacognitive processes that includes instruction, practice, and maintenance in a variety of dispositional skills, intentional behavior, and lifestyle modification that support effective thought and action in academia, the workplace, and students' personal lives. Mean values of survey results of freshman students (n=118) of 1) perceived dispositional project and course value, 2) likelihood of continued use of acquired skills, and 3) perceived importance of these skills were positive and indicate the necessity of continued research into behavioral methodologies for teaching metacognitive skills.
Transition pathways in complex systems: Reaction coordinates, isocommittor surfaces, and transition tubes

The mechanism of transition (reaction coordinate) during an activated process is best described in terms of the isocommittor surfaces. These surfaces can be used to identify effective transition tubes inside which the reactive trajectories involved in the activated process stay confined. It is shown that the isocommittor surfaces can be identified directly, i.e., without ever sampling actual reactive trajectories, and some procedures to turn this observation into practical algorithms such as the finite temperature string method are discussed.
Glutamate release by primary brain tumors induces epileptic activity

Epileptic seizures are a common and poorly understood comorbidity for individuals with primary brain tumors. To investigate peritumoral seizure etiology, we implanted human-derived glioma cells into severe combined immunodeficient mice. Within 14-18 d, glioma-bearing mice developed spontaneous and recurring abnormal electroencephalogram events consistent with progressive epileptic activity. Acute brain slices from these mice showed marked glutamate release from the tumor mediated by the system x(c)(-) cystine-glutamate transporter (encoded by Slc7a11). Biophysical and optical recordings showed glutamatergic epileptiform hyperexcitability that spread into adjacent brain tissue. We inhibited glutamate release from the tumor and the ensuing hyperexcitability by sulfasalazine (SAS), a US Food and Drug Administration-approved drug that blocks system x(c)(-). We found that acute administration of SAS at concentrations equivalent to those used to treat Crohn's disease in humans reduced epileptic event frequency in tumor-bearing mice compared with untreated controls. SAS should be considered as an adjuvant treatment to ameliorate peritumoral seizures associated with glioma in humans.
Treating Cognitive and Emotional Contributors to the Child’s Pain

Developmental issues are of essential importance in designing appropriate interventions to divert the child’s attention from the pain stimuli. First, the nature of the diverting cognitive activity must be developmentally appropriate. The child must have the skills to perform the task, and, perhaps even more importantly, must find the task interesting and enjoyable. This requirement eliminates activities like subtracting serial 7s from 10,000 for most children (and most adults). The task would be too difficult for some, and too boring for most children. The two cognitive strategies that are most effective in clinical practice are distraction and imagery.
Ultra-low loss hollow-core waveguides using high-contrast gratings

A novel ultra-low loss single-mode hollow-core waveguide using high-contrast grating (HCG) is proposed and simulated. The loss can be as low as 0.006dB/m, three orders of magnitude lower than the state-of-art chip-scale waveguides.
Single muscle fiber adaptations to resistance training in old (>80 yr) men: evidence for limited skeletal muscle plasticity

The purpose of this study was to investigate whole muscle and single muscle fiber adaptations in very old men in response to progressive resistance training (PRT). Six healthy independently living ...
Nursing Research and the Impact on Healthcare Reform: Dialogue with Carol Hall Ellenbecker

The new healthcare legislation was substantially informed by nursing research. In this column Carol Ellenbecker discusses some of the key elements.
Career assessment for women: Trends and issues.

This article considers ways in which gender and gender-related concerns may be competently assessed within career counseling. Central to this analysis is the need for a gender-aware perspective on career development and career assessment. Gender issues that arise within broad approaches to career assessment, that is, the interview, standardized tests and inventories, and behavioral, cognitive, and qualitative assessment methods, are reviewed and recommendations for gender-sensitive strategies offered. Selected career assessment measures are then evaluated for their promise in assisting the career counselor in adequately assessing career issues with female clients. The article ends with an overview of gender-role analysis and other assessment methods designed specifically to assess gender-role concerns.
Suppression of pseudo-lignin formation under dilute acid pretreatment conditions

Pseudo-lignin is formed during dilute acid pretreatment (DAP), particularly under high-severity conditions, and has been shown to significantly inhibit enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose. To suppress its formation, DAP was modified by performing it under O2 or N2; adding surfactant (Tween-80) to the reaction mixture; or using a water–dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) mixture as reaction medium. Pseudo-lignin analysis showed that only the addition of DMSO to DAP reaction medium can effectively suppress pseudo-lignin formation. This was attributed to DMSO preferentially solvating and stabilizing 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) which is the key intermediate to form pseudo-lignin, thereby reducing the overall yield of pseudo-lignin. Furthermore, the addition of DMSO was shown not to reduce pseudo-lignin molecular weight or change any of its structural features significantly. Therefore, pseudo-lignin generated from aqueous DMSO DAP had similar inhibition properties as compared to that acquired from routine DAP at equal mass dosages. This study is the first demonstration that the amount of pseudo-lignin formed during DAP can be reduced, which contributes to further optimization of DAP technology.
A Novel Method of Language Modeling for Automatic Captioning in TC Video Teleconferencing

We are developing an automatic captioning system for teleconsultation video teleconferencing (TC-VTC) in telemedicine, based on large vocabulary conversational speech recognition. In TC-VTC, doctors' speech contains a large number of infrequently used medical terms in spontaneous styles. Due to insufficiency of data, we adopted mixture language modeling, with models trained from several datasets of medical and nonmedical domains. This paper proposes novel modeling and estimation methods for the mixture language model (LM). Component LMs are trained from individual datasets, with class n-gram LMs trained from in-domain datasets and word n-gram LMs trained from out-of-domain datasets, and they are interpolated into a mixture LM. For class LMs, semantic categories are used for class definition on medical terms, names, and digits. The interpolation weights of a mixture LM are estimated by a greedy algorithm of forward weight adjustment (FWA). The proposed mixing of in-domain class LMs and out-of-domain word LMs, the semantic definitions of word classes, as well as the weight-estimation algorithm of FWA are effective on the TC-VTC task. As compared with using mixtures of word LMs with weights estimated by the conventional expectation-maximization algorithm, the proposed methods led to a 21% reduction of perplexity on test sets of five doctors, which translated into improvements of captioning accuracy
Dietary Magnesium Intake in a National Sample of U.S. Adults

Despite the role of magnesium in maintaining health, much of the U.S. population has historically not consumed adequate amounts of magnesium. Furthermore, significant racial or ethnic disparities in magnesium intake exist. Our objective was to provide more recent data about magnesium intake in the U.S. population. We analyzed the 24-h dietary recall data from 4257 participants aged >or=20 y from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000. The median intake of magnesium was 326 mg/d (mean 352 mg/d) among Caucasian men, 237 mg/d (mean 278 mg/d) among African American men, 297 mg/d (330 mg/d) among Mexican American men, 237 mg/d (mean 256 mg/d) among Caucasian women, 177 mg/d (mean 202 mg/d) among African American women, and 221 mg/d (mean 242 mg/d) among Mexican American women. Among men and women, Caucasians had significantly higher mean intakes of dietary magnesium than African Americans but not Mexican Americans. Magnesium intake decreased with increasing age (P for linear trend = 0.035 for Caucasians; P for linear trend <0.001 for African Americans and Mexican Americans). Men had higher intakes of magnesium than women for each of the three race or ethnic groups (P < 0.001 in each group). Caucasian men, African American men and Caucasian women who used vitamin, mineral or dietary supplements consumed significantly more magnesium in their diets than did those who did not. Substantial numbers of U.S. adults fail to consume adequate magnesium in their diets. Furthermore, racial or ethnic differences in magnesium persist and may contribute to some health disparities.
Communicating the Results of Evaluation Studies

A primary objective of evaluation researrh is to communicate graphic and numeric realities to dual audiences—to other analysts as well as to practitioners and policymakers. A six-partmodel is presented that can assist evaluators in presenting results to dual audiences. The example chosen is school desegregation policy, but the model is intended for a wide spectrum of substantive policy areas. Evaluators can contribute positively to the policy process by examining phenomena in an empirical fashion and using a sound methodology and measurement strategy, yet the burden of proof lies with evaluators in conveying the results of their own analyses. It is the evaluator's responsibility to convey the necessary information as clearly as possible, without relying on oversimplification.
Breaking the Rules: Teaching Grammar “Wrong” for the Right Results in Technical Communication Consulting for Engineers

Technical communication consultants steeped in conventional academic notions of writing pedagogy may encounter different assumptions about the nature of writing and the significance of grammar in writing instruction when they consult with professional engineers. This paper examines historical, theoretical, and practical reasons for these sometimes contradictory beliefs and traces the authors' efforts to reconcile these differences while planning and conducting a writing seminar for an engineering firm. A strong emphasis on grammar and mechanics can lead to numerous benefits, including a stronger sense of shared purpose between consultants and engineers and a point of entry into additional conversations about institutional writing practices and writing environments.
Ultrastructural Analysis of Apocrine Carcinoma of the Human Breast

A case report with ultrastructural analysis of an apocrine carcinoma of the breast is presented. The key finding with electron microscopy is numerous large mitochondria with abundant incomplete cristae. The ultrastructure of this tumor is compared to the ultrastructure of apocrine cells in the skin, oncocytes, and apocrine metaplastic cells of the breast. The apocrine carcinoma cells have some of the features of typical metaplastic breast epithelium and some features of oncocytes. Their exact origin remains open to speculation.
High-metallicity, photoionized gas in intergalactic large-scale filaments

We present high-resolution ultraviolet spectra of absorption-line systems towards the low-z quasi-stellar object (QSO) HS 0624+6907 (z QSO = 0.3700). Coupled with ground-based imaging and spectroscopic galaxy redshifts, we find evidence that many of these absorbers do not arise in galaxy haloes but rather are truly intergalactic gas clouds distributed within largescale structures, and moreover, the gas is cool (T 0.9 Z� ). Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) data reveal a dramatic cluster of 13 H I Lyman α (Lyα) lines within a 1000 km s −1 interval at z abs = 0.0635. We find 10 galaxies at this redshift with impact parameters ranging from ρ = 135 h −1 kpc to 1.37 h −1 Mpc. The velocities and velocity spread of the Lyα lines in this complex are unlikely to arise in the individual haloes of the nearby galaxies; instead, we attribute the absorption to intragroup medium gas, possibly from a large-scale filament viewed along its long axis. Contrary to theoretical expectations, this gas is not the shock-heated warm-hot intergalactic medium (WHIM); the width of the Lyα lines all indicate a gas temperature T � 10 5 K, and metal lines detected in the Lyα complex also favour photoionized, cool gas. No O VI absorption lines are evident, which is consistent with photoionization models. Remarkably, the metallicity is near-solar, [M/H] =− 0.05 ± 0.4 (2σ uncertainty), yet the nearest galaxy which might pollute the intergalactic medium is at least 135 h −1 kpc away. Tidal stripping from nearby galaxies appears to be the most likely origin of this highly enriched, cool gas. More than six Abell galaxy clusters are found within 4 ◦ of the sight line suggesting that the QSO line of sight passes near a node in the cosmic web. At z ≈ 0.077, we find absorption systems as well as galaxies at the redshift of the nearby clusters Abell 564 and Abell 559. We conclude that the sight line pierces a filament of gas and galaxies feeding into these clusters. The absorber at z abs = 0.075 73 associated with Abell 564/559 also has a high metallicity with [C/H] > −0.6, but again the closest galaxy is relatively far from the sight line (ρ = 293 h −1 kpc). The Doppler parameters and H I column densities of the Lyα lines observed along the entire sight line are consistent with those measured towards other low-z QSOs, including a number of broad (b > 40 km s −1 )L yα lines.
A Genome-Wide Association Study of Treated A1C: A Genetic Needle in an Environmental Haystack?

Glycated hemoglobin (A1C), expressed as a percentage of total hemoglobin, results from the nonenzymatic glycation of hemoglobin molecules. Because this irreversible process is directly proportional to intracellular glucose concentrations (which are generally correlated with extracellular glucose levels), A1C can be used as a marker of average ambient glycemia over the mean life span of erythrocytes. Absent alterations in hemoglobin turnover or erythrocyte physiology, A1C adequately captures glucose homeostasis in the organism. Therefore, it has been widely adopted as an indicator of glycemic control in the treatment of diabetic patients (1), and it has recently been proposed as a diagnostic test for diabetes (2). Variation in A1C is subject to environmental and genetic determinants. Its heritability (the proportion of the variance explained by the familial contribution to the trait, integrating both genetic and early shared environmental components) nears 40% in the general population (3) and 60% in twin studies (4). The distribution of A1C displays a long tail to the right, populated by levels of people whose hyperglycemia signals diabetes. Pharmacological treatment can significantly reduce A1C, providing the rationale for near normalization of A1C as a treatment goal (1). This is particularly true for insulin as a therapeutic modality: barring hypoglycemia and other practical limitations, insulin can be gradually raised until the target A1C has been reached. Thus, presumably higher insulin doses should be able to overcome most endogenous (i.e., genetic) obstacles to lowering A1C. In the setting of treated A1C, therefore, the environmental contribution to the trait acquires a much larger role than that in the native state, and one might suspect that it could overwhelm any genetic component (Fig. 1). FIG. 1. Simplified theoretical model illustrating the potential contributors to A1C levels in the native ( left ) or treated ( right ) states. The heritability of native A1C is estimated to be …
Occurrence of strained quartz in the siliceous frustules of cultured freshwater diatoms

ABSTRACT X-ray diffraction studies of cultured siliceous diatoms indicate that poorly ordered strained quartz is the major identifiable mineral phase at the time of death, rather than incipient cristobalite as assumed by previous studies. Cultured speicmens of the freshwater diatoms Stauroneis anceps, Cyclotella meneghiniana, and Navicula sp. all gave X-ray powder patterns of -quartz, although the lines were broadened and very weak. These diatoms contain about 99% amorphous material and about 0.l to 1% strained -quartz, in comparison to the peak intensity of normal quartz. An index of quartz crystallinity based on the peak area/gram for the (1011) reflection of -quartz (26.6°2, Cu K) was used to relate quartz in cultured diatom frustules to natural samples of opal, quartz, and chert. The index of quartz crystallinity varied over three orders of magnitude from opal (0.001) to quartz (1.1) with diatoms (0.012-0.11) being intermediate. Unit cell determinations of -quartz in diatom frustules indicate that the quartz is strained. Aging or heating the diatoms seems to relieve this strain, at the same time increasing the crystallinity of t e quartz making up the frustules. These changes are probably related to water loss.
Methods for Compensating for Variable Electrode Contact in EIT

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is an imaging modality that currently shows promise for the detection and characterization of breast cancer. A very significant problem in EIT imaging is the proper modeling of the interface between the body and the electrodes. We have found empirically that it is very difficult, in a clinical setting, to assure that all electrodes make satisfactory contact with the body. In addition, we have observed a capacitive effect at the skin/electrode boundary that is spatially heterogeneous. To compensate for these problems, we have developed a hybrid nonlinear-linear reconstruction algorithm using the complete electrode model in which we first estimate electrode surface impedances, by means of a Levenberg-Marquardt iterative optimization procedure with an analytically computed Jacobian matrix. We, subsequently, use a linearized algorithm to perform a 3-D reconstruction of perturbations in both contact impedances, and in the spatial distributions of conductivity and permittivity. Results show that, with this procedure, artifacts due to electrodes making poor contact can be greatly reduced. If the experimental apparatus physically applies voltages and measures currents, we show that it is preferable to compute the reconstruction with respect to the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map rather than the Neumann-to-Dirichlet map if there is a significant possibility that electrodes will be fully disconnected. Finally, we test our electrode compensation algorithms for a set of clinical data, showing that we can significantly improve the fit of our model to the measurements by allowing the electrode surface impedances to vary.
Successive Ray Refinement and Its Application to Coordinate Descent for Lasso

Coordinate descent is one of the most popular approaches for solving Lasso and its extensions due to its simplicity and efficiency. When applying coordinate descent to solving Lasso, we update one coordinate at a time while fixing the remaining coordinates. Such an update, which is usually easy to compute, greedily decreases the objective function value. In this paper, we aim to improve its computational efficiency by reducing the number of coordinate descent iterations. To this end, we propose a novel technique called Successive Ray Refinement (SRR). SRR makes use of the following ray continuation property on the successive iterations: for a particular coordinate, the value obtained in the next iteration almost always lies on a ray that starts at its previous iteration and passes through the current iteration. Motivated by this ray-continuation property, we propose that coordinate descent be performed not directly on the previous iteration but on a refined search point that has the following properties: on one hand, it lies on a ray that starts at a history solution and passes through the previous iteration, and on the other hand, it achieves the minimum objective function value among all the points on the ray. We propose a scheme for defining the search point and show that the refined search point can be efficiently obtained. Empirical results for real and synthetic data sets show that the proposed SRR can significantly reduce the number of coordinate descent iterations, especially for small Lasso regularization parameters.
Fermentation of n-Paraffins by Yeast: Part III. α-Ketoglutarate Productivity of Various Yeast

α-Ketoglutarate productivity from n-paraffins of 141 strains of identified yeasts was studied. Among the strains tested, only strains of Candida lipolytica exclusively showed a high ability to produce α-ketoglutarale.It was also observed that these strains of Candida lipolytica required thiamine for their growth and that exegenous thiamine stimulated the activity of α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase of Candida lipolytica AJ 5004.From these results, relationship between thiamine requirement and α-ketoglutarate productivity of Candida lipolytica was discussed.α-Ketoglutarate fermentation by representative strains of Candida lipolytica was also carried out.
Competition in Currency: The potential for Private Money

Privately issued money can benefit consumers in many ways, particularly in the areas of value stability and product variety. Decentralized currency production can benefit consumers by reducing inflation and increasing economic stability. Unlike a central bank, competing private banks must attract customers by providing innovative products, restricting the quantity of notes issued, and limiting the riskiness of their investing activities. Although the Federal Reserve currently has a de facto monopoly on the provision of currency in the United States, this was not always the case. Throughout most of U.S. history, private banks issued their own banknotes as currency. This practice continues today in a few countries and could be reinstituted in the United States with minimal changes to the banking system. This paper examines two ways in which banks could potentially issue private money. First, U.S. banks could issue private notes redeemable for U.S. Federal Reserve notes. Considering that banks issuing private notes in Hong Kong, Scotland, and Northern Ireland earn hundreds of millions of dollars annually, it appears that U.S. banks may be missing an opportunity to earn billions of dollars in annual profits. Second, recent turmoil in the financial sector has increased demand for a stable alternative currency. Banks may be able to capture significant portions of the domestic and international currency markets with a private, commodity-based currency. Legislation clarifying the rights of private banks to issue currency could help clear the path toward a return to private money.
Exploring Lightweight Teams in a Distributed Learning Environment

In both flipped classroom settings and distance learning, educational content is typically delivered via video lectures that students watch alone. While flipped classrooms typically provide students with opportunities for social interaction that feature active learning, online learners are not typically afforded these opportunities. Cooperative learning techniques like Lightweight Teams provide social, collaborative learning opportunities to students in flipped classrooms but extending these techniques to distance learning settings is not straightforward. In this paper, we present our experiences with online, distributed Lightweight Teams. We present an in-the-wild study that compares learning outcomes and student preferences between co-located and distributed Lightweight Teams against the base case of individual learning. Our results show that while there are no significant learning differences between the two team conditions and the individual condition, students significantly prefer the team conditions.
The Improvement of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Barrett’s after Bariatric Surgery

Obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are prevalent in Western populations. In obese patients, high-resolution manometry often shows altered gastroesophageal pressure gradients, promoting retrograde gastric content flow into the esophagus and esophagogastric junction disruption, leading to a hiatal hernia. Hernia recurrence is higher in the obese, and recurrence is seen regardless of the operative approach used. Bariatric surgery is the gold-standard treatment for GERD in obese patients, and symptom improvement varies depending on the specific bariatric procedure performed, Roux-en-Y (RYGB), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), or sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Studies have shown these surgeries significantly improve GERD, but RYGB had the greatest effect. Limited data is available examining the progression or regression of Barrett’s following bariatric surgery. We currently recommend RYGB for morbidly obese patients with Barrett’s esophagus.
Behavioral Treatment for Tension-Type Headache

The benefits of brief neurologist-administered behavioral treatment of pediatric episodic tension-type headache were determined at the University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL.
Myotis sodalis in Florida

A single Myotis sodalis collected in Old Indian Cave about 3 miles north of Marianna, Jackson County, Florida, on October 14, 1955, apparently constitutes the first record of this bat in Florida and extends the known range of the species approximately 200 miles south of Anniston, Calhoun County, Alabama, the nearest locality from which it has previously been reported (Miller and Allen, U.S. Nat. Mus. Bui. 144, 1928). The specimen, which is in the collections of the University of Florida (No. 560), is an adult female with the following measurements: total length, 87; tail, 34; hind foot, 8; forearm, 38; ear from notch, 14; and ear from crown, 13 mm. It …
Rf Magnetron Sputter Deposition and Characterization of Aluminum Nitride thin Films

Highly crystalline and resistive thin films of aluminum nitride have been rf magnetron sputter deposited. The films were characterized in terms of structure, electrical and optical properties. A perfect c-axis orientation along (002) direction was obtained, in the reactive sputtered films from a metal target, keeping the substrates as low as 350°C. The structural and electrical properties were observed to be sensitive to deposition conditions. It has also been observed that the combination of higher powers and low sputtering pressures, exposed the films to high energy neutral ion bombardment. A correlation between deposition parameters and the physical properties is presented.
Distinctiveness in short-term memory

Six experiments yielding serial position data using a positional probe task were compared to predictions made on the basis of distinctiveness. The concept of distinctiveness is derived from psychophysical theory and indicates the degree to which a particular stimulus in a group “stands out” from the other stimuli in that group. It was found that the obtained results agreed closely with those predicted. The results were suggested as a possible explanation for the bowed serial position effect in short-term memory.
The effect of salts in fermenting mashes on the microbiological assay of L-lysine

During a study of the effects of high concentrations of NaCl, NaNO3 and KC1 on the production of lysine bySaccharomyces cerevisiae during the fermentation of glucose (Richmond 1980) it was learned that amounts of salt greater than 0.6 M in the microbiological assay sample could change the apparent concentration of lysine in the sample. This could be corrected by adding to the lysine assay broth sufficient salt to match the concentration in the sample tube and then developing a revised standard curve. The additional salt, in turn, required that the microbiological assay time be lengthened.
Epidemiological Analysis of Hepatitis B among Enterprise Employees in Qingyuan City

[Objective]To understand the prevalence of hepatitis B among enterprise employees in Qingyuan city,and to provide scientific basis for its prevention and control. [Methods]During 2009,employees from 10 enterprises in urban Qingyuan received occupational health examination,and their blood samples were collected.ELISA method was adopted for hepatitis B virus(HBV) serological detection. [Results]Of 9 850 blood samples,the total positive rate of HBsAg,HBsAb,HBeAg,HBeAb,HBcAb was 5.62%,63.81%,0.63%,9.72%,11.74%,respectively,among which HBsAg positive rate of male(6.80%) was higher than that of female(4.03%),state-owned enterprise employees(7.17%) was higher than overseas-invested enterprise employees(4.52%)(both P20.01).HBsAb positive rate of female workers(66.86%) was higher than that of male workers(61.57%),state-owned enterprise employees(66.31%) was higher than overseas-invested enterprise employees(62.03%)(both P0.01).Detection of hepatitis B 5 markers showed total infection rate of HBV was 71.08%,58.79% of single HBsAb positive rate, 0.60% of HBV-marker modes of HBsAg+,HBeAg+,HBcAb+,3.77% of HBV-marker modes of HBsAg+,HBeAb+,HBcAb+,28.92% of HBV negative. [Conclusion]The infection status of HBV among enterprise employees of urban Qingyuan is not optimistic.It is necessary to continue to strengthen hepatitis B vaccination,to strengthen prevention and control of hepatitis B,and to control hepatitis epidemic.
Epidemic characteristics and epidemic trend prediction of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Zhoukou City from 2004-2012

[Objective]To analyze the epidemic characteristics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome( HFRS) in Zhoukou City in recent 9 years,to predict epidemic trend,and guide the prevention and control of this disease.[Methods]The descriptive epidemiology was adopted to analyze relevant data.[Results]From 2004-2012,a total of 172 HFRS cases were reported in Zhoukou City,with annual incidence of 0. 21 /100 000; October-December was the season with high incidence( 61. 63%); 25-55 years age group was the high risk group( 80. 81%); occupational distribution showed most patients were peasants( 84. 30%); 75. 58%( 130 cases) living or working environments had rodent activity.[Conclusion]The epidemic of HFRS shows decreasing trend in Zhoukou City in recent 9 years. Strengthening the epidemic monitoring and doing well in anti-rodent are effective measures to prevent the epidemic of HFRS.
Evaluation of active control trials in AIDS.

Summary In settings in which effective standard treatment exists, active control trials provide an ethically appealing approach to evaluating experimental therapies by allowing all patients to be randomized either to a promising new regimen or to the standard as it would be routinely delivered in clinical practice. This paper describes an appropriate statistical approach for analyzing the clinical efficacy of new treatments in such studies. Confidence intervals for the relative efficacy of the new treatment vis-a-vis standard therapy are used to provide information required to determine whether the experimental treatment has an improved therapeutic index. Desirable properties of this approach include the ability to implement standard group sequential guidelines for early trial termination, the ability to use valid surrogates for hard clinical outcomes, and the availability of straightforward formulas for sample size calculations.
Osteochondrodystrophy as a result of or in relation to pseudo-hypoparathyroidism.

One new case of pseudo-hypoparathyroidism with severe dyschondroplasia is reported with attention being called to the skeletal abnormalities in particular.
Anterior dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint. A cause of rupture of the central slip of the extensor mechanism.

Five acute and chronic dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint were observed. All were associated with ruptures of the central slip of the extensor mechanism as shown by surgical exploration or the appearance of a boutonniere deformity after treatment. A study of the pathomechanics of this lesion in thirty fresh cadaver fingers indicated that the lesion is produced by a combination of a varus or valgus force and an anteriorly directed force on the base of the middle phalanx. Avulsion of collateral ligament, a tear of the volar plate, and rupture of the central slip are associated with the dislocation. Based on these findings and our experience with two surgically treated dislocations, procedures for the treatment of acute and chronic dislocations are proposed. The acute lesion should be treated by open reduction, fixation of the proximal interphalangeal joint in full extension with a transfixing Kirschner wire, and repair of the torn central slip, collateral ligament, and volar plate. The chronic lesion should also be reduced and fixed with a transfixing wire. However the volar plate must be excised before reduction is possible. The central slip and collateral ligaments must then be reconsitituted.