cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temporal variability of precipitable water vapor in the North Atlantic

Radiometric measurements of precipitable water vapor were made at Porto Santo Island, Madeira, Portugal, over a one-year period. Temporal variability of the precipitable water vapor is estimated using structure functions. The power law index of the structure functions is compared to values predicted by a statistical model of water vapor fluctuations.
An integrated micro ion-exchange separator and detector on a silicon wafer

A miniaturized ion-exchange separator with integrated detection has been successfully fabricated using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology. The separator consists of a deep, micron-sized, open channel etched on a (110) silicon wafer. The surface of the channel was chemically activated for anion exchange with bonded-phase chemistry. Detection is through electrical conductivity measurement, with electrodes fabricated on the surface of the channel. Chromatographic performance of the device has been evaluated with ternary mixtures of bromide, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate ions, for the effects of sample size, mobile phase pH, co-ion type, and carrier velocity. It is shown that the performance demonstrates successful ion-exchange chromatography in the integrated separator/detector.
Estimating the risk of long-term erectile, urinary and bowel symptoms resulting from prostate cancer treatment

Reports on long-term complications resulting from treatment for localized prostate cancer are very inconsistent. In order to estimate the risks of long-term erectile dysfunction, urine symptoms and bowel symptoms following prostatectomy (RP), external conventional or conformal beam radiation (ERT or CRT) and brachytherapy (BRT), 98 papers from the PubMed and Cochrane Clinical Trial databases were selected, reviewed and critically evaluated. The majority of papers were institution-based retrospective and prospective follow-up studies; only two of these studies measured the risk of developing more than one treatment complication. Due to differences in study designs and populations, it is difficult to directly compare studies and not meaningful to calculate summary estimates. In addition to focusing on randomized clinical trials and well-designed population based studies, future research should adopt standardized methodologies and should measure the risk of developing more than one treatment complication.
Evidence-Based Update and Controversies in the Treatment and Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

P ostoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are frequent and unpleasant side effects of surgery. The overall incidence of PONV has decreased from 60% when ether and cyclopropane were used, to approximately 30% nowadays, [1,2] although in certain high-risk patients the incidence is still as high as 70% [3,4]. PONV can increase medical costs from delayed recovery room discharge or unplanned admissions after outpatient surgery [5]. One study estimated that the cost of PONV to a busy ambulatory surgical unit ranged from $0.25 million to $1.5 million in lost surgical revenue [6]. For patients, nausea and vomiting are among the most unpleasant experiences associated with surgery and one of the most common reasons for poor patient satisfaction rating in the postoperative period [7]. Philip reported that patients ranked the absence of PONV as more important than earlier discharge from an ambulatory surgical unit [8]. Macario and colleagues [9] quantified patients’ preferences for postoperative outcomes. PONV were among the 10 most undesirable outcomes following surgery, with vomiting being the most undesirable outcome. Patients allocated the highest amount (about $30) to avoid PONV out of a total of $100 they were allowed to spend to avoid all complications. Gan and colleagues [10] also reported that surgical patients were willing to pay up to $100, at their own expense, to avoid PONV. PONV may be associated with serious complications such as wound dehiscence, pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents, hematoma formation beneath skin flaps, dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, Mallory-Weiss tear, and esophageal rupture [11–13]. Intraocular hemorrhage resulting in loss of vision, [14] and subcutaneous emphysema causing airway compromise as a result of prolonged postoperative vomiting (POV) have also been reported [15,16]. This article discusses identification of patients at risk for PONV, highlights current options for the prophylaxis and treatment of PONV (with emphasis
Drosophila caspases involved in developmentally regulated programmed cell death of peptidergic neurons during early metamorphosis.

A great number of obsolete larval neurons in the Drosophila central nervous system are eliminated by developmentally programmed cell death (PCD) during early metamorphosis. To elucidate the mechanisms of neuronal PCD occurring during this period, we undertook genetic dissection of seven currently known Drosophila caspases in the PCD of a group of interneurons (vCrz) that produce corazonin (Crz) neuropeptide in the ventral nerve cord. The molecular death program in the vCrz neurons initiates within 1 hour after pupariation, as demonstrated by the cytological signs of cell death and caspase activation. PCD was significantly suppressed in dronc-null mutants, but not in null mutants of either dredd or strica. A double mutation lacking both dronc and strica impaired PCD phenotype more severely than did a dronc mutation alone, but comparably to a triple dredd/strica/dronc mutation, indicating that dronc is a main initiator caspase, while strica plays a minor role that overlaps with dronc's. As for effector caspases, vCrz PCD requires both ice and dcp-1 functions, as they work cooperatively for a timely removal of the vCrz neurons. Interestingly, the activation of the Ice and Dcp-1 is not solely dependent on Dronc and Strica, implying an alternative pathway to activate the effectors. Two remaining effector caspase genes, decay and damm, found no apparent functions in the neuronal PCD, at least during early metamorphosis. Overall, our work revealed that vCrz PCD utilizes dronc, strica, dcp-1, and ice wherein the activation of Ice and Dcp-1 requires a novel pathway in addition to the initiator caspases. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:34-48, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Reaction of Chlorophosphazenes with Chitosan

Abstract A new type of fire-retardant polymer has been formed by modification of dispersions of chitosan [(1,4)-2-amino-2-deoxy-β-D-glucan] in inert organic liquids using hexachlorocyclotriphos-phazene or octachlorocyclotetraphosphazene as well as mixtures thereof in the presence of an acid acceptor. The reaction products are essentially insoluble and infusible, contain up to 8% phosphorus, and have IR spectra indicative of exclusive reaction at the amino groups of the aminopolysaccharide. The influence of reaction conditions on the characteristics of the products is discussed.
Effects of steroid hormone treatment on mammary development in prepubertal heifers.

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effects of steroid hormone implantation in heifer calves on the ability of mammary tissue to develop subsequently in organ culture. Twenty-four calves were paired by date of birth and assigned to groups (eight calves/group). At 4, 7, or 10 mo of age, calves were implanted subcutaneously (s.c.) with pellets containing cholesterol or cholesterol, 17β-estradiol, and progesterone for 9 or 18 d. The calves were euthanized and uteri and mammary glands were removed and weighed. Slices of mammary parenchymal tissue were incubated for 5 d at 37°C in a 50% O2, 5% CO2 humidified atmosphere in Waymouth’s 752/liter medium supplemented with insulin (5.0 μg/ml) or lactogenic hormone complex insulin (5.0 μg/ml), aldosterone (0.1 μg/ml), hydrocortisone (0.1 μg/ml), and prolactin (1.0 μg/ml) in the presence or absence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) (0.06 μg/ml) to promote lobulo-alveolar development. Tissue sections were stained and mounted on slides for morphologic and histologic analysis or prepared to evaluate expression of β-casein mRNA. There were no morphologic differences in slices from calf mammary tissues despite age, steroid hormone priming, or hormones used in tissue culture. The 4-mo-old calves required steroid priming followed by incubation of the tissue slices with the lactogenic complex with or without epidermal growth factor to induce cytological changes associated with lactogenesis but did not express β-casein mRNA. At 7 mo of age, steroid hormone priming was not necessary for induction of alveolar formation and secretion. Incubation of the tissue slices from 7-mo-old calves with the lactogenic complex was sufficient to induce alveolar formation and secretion. However, β-casein mRNA was not expressed. At 10 mo of age, exposure of tissue from calves to the lactogenic hormones caused histologic changes reminiscent of the ability to secrete milk regardless of hormone priming. However, estrogen and progesterone priming was necessary before incubation of the tissue slices with the lactogenic hormones to induce β-casein mRNA expression. When epidermal growth factor was added to the lactogenic hormone complex, β-casein mRNA expression decreased. These data support the concept that there is a sequential development of responsiveness of the mammary gland to various hormones. By 10 mo of age, prepubertal heifers reach a stage of maturity where steroid hormone priming followed by incubation of tissue slices with the lactogenic hormones is sufficient to induce both structural and functional differentiation.
Evaluation of urinary incontinence.

The safe and efficacious treatment of urinary incontinence (UI) requires correct identification of the underlying cause of this syndrome. UI is a symptom, not a disease or disorder, and may be caused by any of several pathophysiological mechanisms or a combination of mechanisms. Accurate diagnosis of that mechanism, or a reasonable diagnostic hypothesis that separates obstructive and neurogenic causes from other causes, is essential for an appropriate trial of pharmacological therapy. To a lesser extent, it is helpful in enabling the efficient choice of a behavioral therapy. Therefore, a review of normal urinary tract anatomy and neurophysiology will provide the necessary background knowledge on which to build an understanding of the pathologies that cause UI, the diagnostic process, and management options. ANATOMY/PHYSIOLOGY OF MICTURITION The simple anatomy of the male and female urinary tract is presented in Figure 1. The kidneys make urine at a rate that is dependent on many factors. Fluid intake patterns, posture, cardiac output, and renal blood flow are important determinants of rate of urine production. The renal collecting system at the renal pelvis and the ureters form a conduit to transfer urine from the kidneys into storage in the bladder. Micturition is a complex and dynamic process that involves both voluntary and involuntary central nervous system mechanisms. The brain receives afferent stimulation from the urinary tract and sends efferent impulses to the urinary tract via the spinal cord, pelvic ganglia, and peripheral nerves. Higher centers in the cortex are inhibitory to micturition, inputting ethnological and social influences on voiding. The brain stem is facilitatory. Normal micturition depends on a coordinated response to nerve impulses from these higher centers by relaxation of the sphincter mechanism of the bladder to allow urine flow and by the detrusor muscle of the bladder wall, which contracts to evacuate urine. During the low-pressure filling phase of the bladder, autonomic (involuntary) central nervous system stimulation maintains contraction of a proximal component of the urethral sphincter, maintaining continence. As the bladder reaches capacity and stretch receptors send afferent messages to the brain, the voluntary nervous system causes contraction of a distal or external urethral sphincter mechanism. When micturition is consciously desired, the sphincter mechanism must be inhibited in coordination with contraction of the detrusor muscle, which causes unobstructed bladder emptying. The urethra serves as a conduit from the bladder out of the body. The male urethra passes adjacent to and through the prostate gland and along the ventral surface of the penis to the urethral meatus. With advancing age, the prostate gland often hypertrophies and may cause irritative symptoms or obstruction to urine flow. Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) may begin as early as age 25 or 30 years in males and by age 60 years can be found in more than 50% of males. Ninety percent of those aged 85 years have significant BPH. 1 Chronic
A Truncated Sequential t-Test

A truncated sequential t-test is developed and is compared with Barnard's one-sided (one-tailed) non-truncated sequential t-test and the fixed sample-size procedure. Empirical results indicate that, in part of the parametric region between the null and alternative hypotheses, the proposed test, as compared to Barnard's procedure, leads to improvement in ASN and appreciable reduction in sample size variability. In addition, it seems to have uniformly lower ASN Values than those of its fixedsample counterpart. The proposed test is then extended to a two-sided procedure and compared with the truncated t-test of Schneiderman and Armitage.
Leveraging knowledge and competencies across space: The next frontier in international business

Abstract Multinational enterprises (MNEs) are networked firms whose subsidiaries act as nodes embedded in a variety of local contexts. This allows them to tap into many local systems of innovation to access diverse knowledge bases and integrate them to create new competencies. Currently technology is altering our conception of space and forcing us to recognize that it is a multi-dimensional concept, incorporating geographic space, technological space and personal network space. At the corporate level, MNE managers need to understand comparative strategic management, constantly looking for arbitrage opportunities that arise due to differences in resources, capabilities and institutions across the local contexts. At the functional level, in order for the MNE to integrate knowledge from diverse geographic locations, managers must recognize that valuable knowledge resides in invisible communities of practice where narrow technological specializations, personal connections and information sharing are critical means of access.
Cochlear implant/Deaf World dispute: different bottom elephants.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the controversy between the proponents of cochlear implantation in children and the Deaf World opponents with the hope of offering a method for decreasing the acrimony of opposing positions.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING (METHODS): The opposing arguments will be presented from a review of pertinent literature. The systemic philosophic process of bottom elephant analysis will be elucidated. Contrasting models of power will be described.RESULTS: The application of the bottom elephant analysis of each group's position plus a paradigm shift in the utilization of power offers possibilities for the implementation of mutually respectful dialogue that does not undermine each group's stature.CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: Philosophic analysis and paradigm shift could lead to improvement in the interaction of cochlear implant proponents and Deaf World opponents.
Avian oviduct motility induced by prostaglandin E1

Abstract Oviduct segments from infundibulum, magnum, uterus, uterovaginal junction and vagina of actively laying hens at preoviposition time were tested for their contractile reaction to prostaglandin E1 by in vitro or in vivo methods. Maximum stimulatory response was observed from the muscular strips of the proximal oviduct segment (infundibulum) and a complete relaxation was recorded from the distal part (vagina) at molar concentrations of 1.4 × 10−7, 3.4 × 10−7 and 7.0 × 10−7. The uterine strips reacted with a stimulatory response at higher concentrations (1.4 × 10−6 and 2.8 × 10−6 moles), but lacked any significant change at lower concentrations. The uterovaginal muscular strips showed a mild but prolonged inhibitory response, while the magnum responded with a significant increase in the luminal pressure when tested in vivo . It is concluded that PGE1 exerts a stimulatory effect on the uterus to initiate transport of the egg to subsequent segments (uterovaginal junction and vagina), which relax under PGE1 influence and allow passage of the egg by pressure differences.
Effect of resistance exercise on postprandial lipemia.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of resistance exercise on postprandial lipemia. Fourteen young men and women participated in each of three treatments: 1) control (Con), 2) resis...
PROGRAM FOR SEQUENTIAL APPROACH TO CONTINUOUS SAMPLING

This article describes a program which blends continuous and sequential sampling methodologies. The program (hereafter referred to as SACS) is written in GWBASIC and can be run on many personal computers. SACS enables the user to rapidly design a sampli..
The Classwide Function-Based Intervention Team Program

ABSTRACT The authors present an overview of how to implement the classwide function-based intervention team (CW-FIT) program. The CW-FIT program is a multilevel group contingency intervention that broadly addresses common functions of problem behavior. The CW-FIT is considered a classroom-level primary intervention because it is used with all students in a class. For students not responding to the primary-level intervention-group contingency, secondary-level or targeted interventions of self-management and help-card procedures are implemented. Students that do not respond to either primary or secondary intervention are candidates for a functional behavior assessment (tertiary level). The authors focus on describing the primary and secondary levels of CW-FIT. Results show that this intervention increases classwide time on on-task behavior during instruction and reduces disruptive behavior of students who are at risk for school failure.
Photoconductive terahertz transceiver

A photoconductive dipole antenna can be used as a transceiver, which alternately transmits pulsed electromagnetic radiation and receives the return signal. Preliminary results of using a photoconductive terahertz transceiver with femtosecond optics are reported.
Process Development and Scale-Up of a PPARγ Agonist: Selection of the Manufacture Route

Two short, high-yielding routes to the selective PPARγ agonist GSK376501A were developed and carried out on scale. The key bond -forming reaction in each synthesis was the substitution of a 3,5-difluoro or 3,5-dibromo aryl intermediate with 2-methoxyethanol. A nucleophilic aromatic (SNAr) substitution reaction under basic conditions was developed for the aryl fluoride substrate. The 3,5-dibromo aryl halide intermediate required copper-catalyzed conditions to achieve substitution of the second bromide. In addition, a 2-methoxyethanol decomposition pathway to generate methanol and ethylene oxide under basic reaction conditions as well as its effect on impurity formation, was elucidated. Both the difluoro and dibromo intermediates were considered as the basis for the final route of manufacture. The difluoro substrates were chosen due to straightforward chemistry, controllable impurity profile, and ease of fluoride removal.
Bayesian Estimation of Diffusion Constants from Single Particle Tracking Data

Single particle tracking (SPT) is an important tool for investigating the mobility of proteins on cell surfaces. Typically, the analysis of such trajectories involves the calculation of the Mean Squared Displacement (MSD) versus time interval and the resulting curve is fit to extract the diffusion constant. However, MSD analysis cannot easily handle correctly the variability in localization precisions and trajectory intermittency that occurs when tracking intermittent probes such as quantum dots.We have developed an analysis of SPT trajectories that takes into account the effects of missing data, finite exposure time of the camera, and variable localization precision. We have derived a recursion relation that can be used to calculate the probability of the observed trajectory given diffusion constant and the assumption of free Brownian motion. using the method of Bayesian data analysis, we calculate the posterior distribution of the diffusion constant and use this to provide credible intervals for the estimated parameter. We compare the performance of this Bayesian estimator with that of a traditional MSD analysis. In systems with large localization errors, the Bayesian method provides a more accurate estimate of the diffusion constant. We demonstrate the performance of the estimator using simulated data, experimental data collected with known trajectories created using a piezoelectric nanostage, and data collected from various membrane proteins on live cell membranes.
New genetic lineages, host associations and circulation pathways of Neorickettsia endosymbionts of digeneans

Neorickettsia is a genus of intracellular bacteria endosymbiotic in digeneans that may also invade cells of vertebrates and are known to cause diseases of wildlife and humans. Herein, we report results of screening for Neorickettsia of an extensive collection of DNA extracts from adult and larval digeneans obtained from various vertebrates and mollusks in the United States. Seven isolates of Neorickettsia were detected by PCR and sequenced targeting a 527 bp long region of 16S rRNA. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that four isolates matched published sequences of Neorickettsia risticii. Three other isolates, provisionally named “catfish agents 1 and 2” (obtained from Megalogonia ictaluri and Phyllodistomum lacustri, both parasitic in catfishes) and Neorickettsia sp. (obtained from cercariae of Diplostomum sp.), differed from previously known genotypes of Neorickettsia and are likely candidates for new species. All 7 isolates of Neorickettsia were obtained from digenean species and genera that were not previously reported as hosts of these bacteria. Members of four digenean families (Dicrocoeliidae, Heronimidae, Macroderoididae and Gorgoderidae) are reported as hosts of Neorickettsia for the first time. Our study reveals several new pathways of Neorickettsia circulation in nature. We have found for the first time a Neorickettsia from a digenean (dicrocoeliid Conspicuum icteridorum) with an entirely terrestrial life cycle. We found N. risticii in digeneans (Alloglossidium corti and Heronimus mollis) with entirely aquatic life cycles. Previously, this Neorickettsia species was known only from digeneans with aquatic/terrestrial life cycles. Our results suggest that our current knowledge of the diversity, host associations and circulation of neorickettsiae is far from satisfactory.
Particle sieve analysis for determining solids removal efficiency of water treatment components in a recirculating aquaculture system

Abstract Recirculating aquaculture systems offer potential finfish production units for small-scale entities as well as large-scale operations. However, the water treatment components of such systems require efficient and proper operation to assure successful production. This study evaluated the solids removal ability of three water treatment components in a two-tank recirculating aquaculture system (28 m 3 ) utilized for the warmwater production of tilapia. The components include a swirl separator, a floating plastic bead bioclarifier, and a fluidized sand filter. Sampling was conducted at five different points in the system with each sample volume being serially fractionated through sieves in size ranging from 23 to 500 μm. Total suspended solids analysis was completed on each sample set to determine the particle size distribution of the influent and effluent water and removal efficiency of each component. The removal efficiency of the swirl separator was over 90% for particles larger than 250 μm and the propeller-wash bead filter had removal efficiencies greater than 85% for particles larger than 55 μm. The fluidized sand filter had the best removal for the smaller size particles with over 65% removal efficiency for particles between 23 and 55 μm. The overall reduction in total suspended solids for the treatment loop of the three components of this small-scale experimental unit was over 85% and adequately removed the suspended solids from the recirculating water for tilapia growout production.
A wash technique using rubber-base impression material.

Abstract The rubber-base impression materials are versatile and extremely accurate when the procedures are sound. A simplified technique using a preliminary impression of heavy-bodied material and a final wash impression of light-bodied, rubber-base impression material has been described. This technique reduces considerably the occurrence of voids or defects in the impression and gives good detail. In addition, the preliminary rubber-base impression can be used to construct temporary acrylic resin restorations.
Evidence for modulation of motilin secretion by pancreatico-biliary juice in health and in chronic pancreatitis

The gut hormone motilin can initiate the inter-digestive migrating motor complex. There are synchronous cyclic changes in plasma motilin-like immunoreactivity (MLI) levels and pancreatico-biliary secretion during the interdigestive period which may be causally related. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of pancreatico-biliary secretion into the gut as a modulator of plasma MLI concentrations. In six healthy subjects, the mean basal plasma MLI level was 130 ± 16pg/ml. Infusion of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) stimulated MLI secretion, with an integrated (30 min) response of 2028 ± 340 pg/min·ml. Intraduodenal perfusion of pancreatico-biliary juice produced a similar increase in plasma MLI, with a 30 min integrated response of 2190 ± 270 pg/min ml. Neither enzyme activity, osmolarity, or pH accounted for the response. n I six patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, although their mean basal plasma MLI concentration of 205 ± 44 pg/ml was significantly higher than that observ...
Three-dimensional Rayleigh-Taylor instability Part 1. Weakly nonlinear theory

Three-dimensional weakly nonlinear Rayleigh-Taylor instability is analysed. The stability of a confined inviscid liquid and an overlying gas with density much less than that of the liquid is considered. An asymptotic solution for containers of arbitrary cross-sectional geometry, valid up to order e3 (where e is the root-mean-squared initial surface slope) is obtained. The solution is evaluated for the rectangular and circular geometries and for various initial modes (square, hexagonal, axisymmetric, etc.). It is found that the hexagonal and axisymmetric instabilities grow faster than any other shapes in their respective geometries. In addition it is found that, sufficiently below the cutoff wavenumber, instabilities that are equally proportioned in the lateral directions grow faster than those with longer, thinner shape. However, near the cutoff wavenumber this trend reverses with instabilities having zero aspect ratio growing faster than those with aspect ratio near 1.
Global temperatures and sunspot numbers. Are they related? Yes, but non linearly. A reply to Gil-Alana et al. (2014)

Abstract Recently Gil-Alana et al. (2014) compared the sunspot number record and the temperature record and found that they differ: the sunspot number record is characterized by a dominant 11-year cycle while the temperature record appears to be characterized by a “singularity” or “pole” in the spectral density function at the “zero” frequency. Consequently, they claimed that the two records are characterized by substantially different statistical fractional models and rejected the hypothesis that the Sun influences significantly global temperatures. I will show that: (1) the “singularity” or “pole” in the spectral density function of the global surface temperature at the “zero” frequency does not exist—the observed pattern derives from the post 1880 warming trend of the temperature signal and is a typical misinterpretation that discrete power spectra of non-stationary signals can suggest; (2) appropriate continuous periodograms clarify the issue and also show a signature of the 11-year solar cycle (amplitude ≤ 0.1 ° C ), which since 1850 has an average period of about 10.4 year, and of many other natural oscillations; (3) the solar signature in the surface temperature record can be recognized only using specific techniques of analysis that take into account non-linearity and filtering of the multiple climate change contributions; (4) the post 1880-year temperature warming trend cannot be compared or studied against the sunspot record and its 11-year cycle, but requires solar proxy models showing short and long scale oscillations plus the contribution of anthropogenic forcings, as done in the literature. Multiple evidences suggest that global temperatures and sunspot numbers are quite related to each other at multiple time scales. Thus, they are characterized by cyclical fractional models. However, solar and climatic indexes are related to each other through complex and non-linear processes. Finally, I show that the prediction of a semi-empirical model for the global surface temperature based on astronomical oscillations and anthropogenic forcing proposed by Scafetta since 2009 has, up to date, been successful.
Inflammatory bowel disease: genetic and epidemiologic considerations.

Genome-wide association studies have firmly established that many genomic loci contribute to inflammatory bowel disease, especially in Crohn’s disease. These studies have newly-established the importance of the interleukin 23 and autophagy pathways in disease pathogenesis. Future challenges include: (1) the establishment of precisely causal alleles, (2) definition of altered functional outcomes of associated and causal alleles and (3) integration of genetic findings with environmental factors.
Achievable information rates of multi-antenna systems over frequency-selective fading channels with constrained inputs

Information rates of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems over frequency-selective fading channels are computed under the constraint of independent identically distributed inputs chosen from a finite alphabet. The method uses a simulation based approach that employs the sum-product algorithm. The setting includes as special cases the single-input single-output systems over frequency-selective fading channels and the MIMO systems over flat fading channels. Both ergodic and nonergodic channels are considered, and examples are provided for the case of binary signaling.
Production programming in the classroom

Students in programming courses generally write "toy" programs that are superficially tested, graded, and then discarded. This approach to teaching programming leaves students unprepared for production programming because the gap between writing toy programs and developing reliable software products is enormous.This paper describes how production programming can be effectively taught to undergraduate students in the classroom. The key to teaching such a course is using Extreme Programming methodology to develop a sustainable open source project with real customers, including the students themselves. Extreme Programming and open source project management are facilitated by a growing collection of free tools such as the JUnit testing framework, the Ant scripting tool, and the SourceForge website for managing open source projects.
Commentary: Oncologic Drugs in Patients with Organ Dysfunction: A Summary

There are few prospective data regarding the pharmacokinetics and clinical toxicity of commonly used chemotherapeutics in cancer patients with organ dysfunction. Although increasing numbers of studies are investigating newer chemotherapeutics in patients with liver or kidney dysfunction, most guidelines for dosing, especially for established agents, remain empiric. This review describes the available data (both prospective and case study) evaluating the impact of renal and hepatic dysfunction on toxicity and dosing of commonly used chemotherapeutics and provides a practical summary for their use in this setting.
Medical error in dermatology practice: development of a classification system to drive priority setting in patient safety efforts.

Background To date, no study to our knowledge has examined the nature and scope of medical error in dermatology practice. Objective We sought to collect and categorize physician-reported errors in dermatology practice. Methods A survey regarding most recent and most serious errors was developed and distributed to dermatologists attending US meetings. A total of 150 responses were received outlining 152 most recent errors and 130 most serious errors. Survey responses, along with classification systems for other specialties, were used to develop a classification system for medical error in dermatology. Results The respondents' demographics reflected the specialty: 63% were male, 60% were older than 50 years, and 60% were in solo or group private practice. Of the most recent errors reported, 85% happened once a year or less, and 86% did not result in harm to patients. The most common categories of both most recent and most serious errors were related to assessment (41% and 31%, respectively) and interventions (44% and 52%, respectively). Assessment errors were primarily related to investigations, and commonly involved the biopsy pathway. Intervention errors in the most recent and most serious errors were split between those related to medication (54% and 27%) and those related to procedures (46% and 73%). Of note, 5 and 21 wrong-site surgeries were reported in the most recent and most serious errors groups, respectively. Limitations Our findings are subject to respondent and recall bias and our classification system, although an important first step, is likely incomplete. Conclusion Our findings highlight several key areas of patient care in need of safety initiatives, namely the biopsy pathway, medication management, and prevention of wrong-site surgery.
Biological Studies of Schizoaffective Disorders

Biological studies of the relationships between the schizoaffective disorders, the affective disorders, and schizophrenia suggest that no simple reductionist model is supported by currently available data. Thus, both affective and schizoaffective patients but not schizophrenics, manifest abnormalities such as decreased platelet serotonin (5-HT) uptake, blunted clonidine-induced increase in serum growth hormone, shortened latency of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and increased REM density. However, there are some types of studies which show greater similarity between schizoaffective and schizophrenic patients than between schizoaffectives and affectives--e.g., increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) norepinephrine levels, increased platelet 5-HT content, and decreased prostaglandin E1-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Other types of studies show abnormalities common to all three groups of psychoses--e.g., eye tracking dysfunction, elevated CSF concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid, and neuromuscular abnormalities. There are also abnormalities that have been reported to be present in only one type of the psychoses. Although none of these findings have been so unequivocally demonstrated that they can be considered to be firmly established, they do suggest that it is premature to conclude that the schizoaffective disorders are subtypes of the affective disorders. The possibility of a continuum model of the psychiatric psychoses of unknown etiology merits further consideration. Further biological studies of a broad range of psychiatric psychoses with inclusion of the schizoaffective categories appear indicated.
Infrared absorption of solid nitrogen at high pressures.

We have observed infrared absorption peaks in solid nitrogen at hydrostatic pressures as high as 7 GPa at liquid-helium temperatures. The shift in the AlSb${:}^{12}$${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{Sb}}$ local vibrational mode is used to precisely calibrate the pressure. For all measured pressures we also observe the ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{3}$ vibrational mode of ${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$ impurities. For pressures greater than 1.9 GPa, a peak appears which we attribute to a N-N stretch mode of nitrogen in the \ensuremath{\varepsilon} phase. The single peak is consistent with previous x-ray and Raman studies which suggest that \ensuremath{\varepsilon}-${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ has a structure which belongs to the rhombohedral space group R3\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}C. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
The effect of residual electrode resistance and sampling delay on transient instability in the dynamic clamp system

The dynamic clamp technique uses feedback to combine computational modeling with electrophysiology experiments. It is commonly used to simulate computational ionic currents in real-time and inject the resulting current into the neuron, as if it were part of the cell. Increasing the magnitude of the simulated conductances leads to transient instabilities. In this paper we use physical experiments, computational simulation, and stability analysis to examine the effects uncompensated electrode resistance and sampling delay have on this transient instability. We find that uncompensated electrode resistance decreases the maximum usable conductance that maintains a stable system. Also, we find that commonly used sampling rates limit the maximum conductance that maintains a stable system, and that these limitations are not due to the kinetics of the underlying ion channel model.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and severe hypoxemic respiratory failure from silicone embolism

Liquid silicone is an inert material that may be used for cosmetic procedures by physicians as well as illegally by non-medical personnel. The use of silicone may result in severe complications, disfigurement, and even death. In addition, the indications for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support have been increasing as a salvage therapy for a variety of life-threatening conditions. The patient is a 27-year-old woman with no significant medical conditions who developed silicone emboli, and subsequent diffuse alveolar hemorrhage after being injected with silicone in her gluteal region without medical supervision. She became profoundly hypoxemic and suffered a brief asystolic cardiac arrest in this setting. The patient was placed on veno-venous ECMO support for 14 days. Medical care during ECMO was complicated by pulmonary hemorrhage, hemothorax, pneumothorax, and blood clot, resulting in oxygenator change-out. A modified adult ECMO circuit (Jostra QuadroxD, Maquet Cardiopulmonary, Rastatt, Germany) was used to transport the patient from a nearby community affiliate hospital and then reconfigured for the medical intensive care unit on a standard HL-20 heart-lung console. Although the use of ECMO for severe hypoxemic respiratory failure has been widely reported, to our knowledge, this is the first reported successful use of ECMO for silicone embolism syndrome associated with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and severe hypoxemic respiratory failure.
Expression of gastrin-releasing peptide receptors in endometrial cancer

Abstract Background The Bombesin (BBS)-related peptide, gastrin-releasing peptide, and its cognate receptor are ectopically expressed by many cancers, in which they regulate tumor proliferation and metastasis. But, their role in endometrial cancers is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether endometrial cancer cell lines express functional BBS receptors and to determine whether they were coupled to the regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) expression. Study design Endometrial cancer cell lines (HEC-1A, KLE, and AN3CA) were cultured according to the recommendations of the American Tissue Culture Collection. Ishikawa cells were maintained in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium plus 10% fetal bovine serum. Before BBS treatment, all cell lines were placed in serum-free, phenol-free media for 24 hours. BBS-stimulated increases in intracellular Ca 2+ ([Ca 2+ ]i) were used to assess functional BBS receptor status. VEGF-A mRNA expression was determined by Northern blotting. Results BBS (100 nM) stimulated an increase in [Ca 2+ ]i in HEC-1A, Ishikawa, and KLE cells, indicating the presence of functional BBS receptors. This increase did not occur in AN3CA cells. BBS stimulated a time-dependent increase in VEGF-A mRNA expression in Ishikawa and KLE cells. Ishikawa cells exhibited a peak of VEGF-A mRNA expression between 8 and 12 hours with a partial decline by 24 hours. KLE cells showed a relatively small increase at 12 hours. In contrast, HEC-1A cells exhibited a high baseline level of VEGF-A mRNA expression and did not show a response to BBS. Conclusions These data demonstrate that endometrial cancer cell lines express functional BBS receptors. In Ishikawa, KLE, and HEC-1A cells, BBS receptors are coupled to the regulation of VEGF-A mRNA expression.
Analytical method for the determination of organic acids in dilute acid pretreated biomass hydrolysate by liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Background: For the development of lignocellulosic biofuels a common strategy to release hemicellulosic sugars and enhance the enzymatic digestibility of cellulose is the heat pretreatment of biomass with dilute acid. During this process, fermentation inhibitors such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, phenolics, and organic acids are formed and released into the so-called hydrolysate. The phenolic inhibitors have been studied fairly extensively, but fewer studies have focused on the analysis of the organic acids profile. For this purpose, a simple and fast liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method for the analysis of organic acids in the hydrolysate has been developed using an ion exchange column based on a polystyrene-divinylbenzene polymer frequently used in biofuel research. The application of the LC/MS method to a hydrolysate from Miscanthus has been evaluated. Results: The presented LC/MS method involving only simple sample preparation (filtration and dilution) and external calibration for the analysis of 24 organic acids present in dilute acid pretreated biomass hydrolysate is fast (12 min) and reasonably sensitive despite the small injection volume of 2 μL used. The lower limit of quantification ranged from 0.2 μg/mL to 2.9 μg/mL and the limit of detection from 0.03 μg/mL to 0.7 μg/mL. Analyte recoveries obtained from a spiked hydrolysate were in the range of 70 to 130% of the theoretical yield, except for glyoxylic acid, malic acid, and malonic acid, which showed a higher response due to signal enhancement. Relative standard deviations for the organic acids ranged from 0.4 to 9.2% (average 3.6%) for the intra-day experiment and from 2.1 to 22.8% (average 8.9%) for the inter-day (three-day) experiment. Conclusion: We have shown that the analysis of the profile of 24 organic acids present in biomass hydrolysate can be achieved by a simple LC/MS method applying external calibration and minimal sample preparation. The organic acids eluted within only 12 min by isocratic elution, enabling high sample throughput. Repeatability (precision and accuracy) and recovery were sufficiently accurate for most of the organic acids tested, making the method suitable for their fast determination in hydrolysate. We envision that this method can be further expanded to a larger number of organic acids, including phenolic acids such as p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid and other molecules depending on the researchers’ needs.
Gray matter volumes of pain-related brain areas are decreased in fibromyalgia syndrome.

Abstract Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain disorder that is very prevalent in the general population (approximately 5%). Accumulating evidence suggests that FM is associated with central pain processing abnormalities, ie, central sensitization. Several previous studies of chronic pain patients, including FM, have shown gray matter atrophy of brain areas associated with sensory and affective pain processing. These findings, however, have not been confirmed in all FM studies. In this study, we investigated gray matter volumes of brain areas associated with pain-related areas of FM patients identified by functional brain imaging. Using voxel-based morphometric (VBM) analysis of magnetic resonance brain images, we compared 19 pain-related brain areas of 14 female FM patients and 11 healthy controls (NC). We found that FM patients had significantly less gray matter volumes than NC in 3 of these brain regions, including the anterior and mid-cingulate, as well as mid-insular cortices. Importantly, FM patients demonstrated neither global gray matter atrophy nor gray matter changes associated with depression, as shown in some studies. Using a more stringent analysis than other VBM studies, we provide evidence for decreased gray matter volumes in a number of pain-related brain areas in FM. Although the mechanisms for these gray matter changes are presently unclear, they may contribute to some of the core features of this chronic disorder including affective disturbances and chronic widespread pain. Perspective Increasing evidence supports the association of chronic pain with accelerated gray matter atrophy in pain disorders like low back pain, IBS, and FM syndrome. However, cause-effect relationships between chronic pain and decreased gray matter volumes have not been established yet and will require future prospective studies.
Flash Signals, Nuptial Gifts and Female Preference in Photinus Fireflies

SYNOPSIS. The evolution of male courtship signals such as the bioluminescent flashes of fireflies may be shaped, at least in part, by female preference for particular characteristics of the male signal. These female preferences for male courtship signals may arise as a result of the benefits of choosing males with particular traits. One possible benefit of mate choice occurs if females can use male courtship signals as an honest indicator of male nutritional contributions at mating, nuptial gifts. This paper reviews female preference for male flash characteristics in Photinus fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), and the potential for females to use male flash characteristics to predict nuptial gift quality. In Photinus firefly species with single pulse flashes females preferentially respond to flashes of greater intensity and duration. Male Photinus provide a nuptial gift to females at mating in the form of a spermatophore and flash duration serves as a good predictor of spermatophore mass for males collected early in the season. However, Photinus fireflies do not feed as adults, so spermatophore mass decreases with subsequent matings. In response, nutrient-limited females may stop preferentially responding to longer duration flashes, increasing their overall responsiveness later in the mating season as they forage for spermatophores. Therefore, the evolution of male courtship signals in Photinus fireflies is the product not only of female preference for male flash characteristics, but also the costs and benefits of female choice that shape these preferences.