cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PROMIS Upper Extremity Underperforms Psychometrically Relative to American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score in Patients Undergoing Primary Rotator Cuff Repair.

BACKGROUND A number of patient-reported outcome measure (PROMs) instruments are used to assess shoulder pain, function, and postoperative satisfaction. Computer adaptive tests (CAT) have been developed in an effort to tailor question delivery, decrease time to completion and floor/ceiling effects, and increase compliance. Previous investigations have demonstrated excellent correlation between Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Upper Extremity CAT (UE-CAT) and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) instruments, indicating that the PROMIS UE-CAT may be an acceptable alternative to the ASES. Prior to widespread adoption, however, rigorous psychometric validation must be performed. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of PROMIS UE-CAT relative to the ASES score in patients undergoing primary rotator cuff repair (RCR). METHODS A retrospective study of an institutional RCR registry was performed from July 2018 through March 2019. Preoperative PROMIS UE-CAT and ASES scores were collected. Floor and ceiling effects were determined, and convergent validity was established through Pearson correlations. Rasch partial credit modeling was used for psychometric analysis of the validity of PROMIS UE-CAT and ASES question items, a previously established methodology for assessing shoulder PROMs. Person-item maps were generated to characterize the distribution of question responses along the latent dimension of shoulder disability. RESULTS Responses from 107 patients (107 shoulders) were included. PROMIS UE-CAT had a strong correlation to ASES (r=0.684; P <.001), with a 3.7% floor effect and no ceiling effect; ASES had no floor or ceiling effects. PROMIS UE-CAT person-item maps revealed excellent test item coverage between floor and ceiling effects; however, all PROMIS UE-CAT items except "Difficulty putting on a jacket" demonstrated non-sequentially ordered responses indicating poor reliability of item responses corresponding to shoulder function. While PROMIS UE-CAT initially demonstrated superior instrument efficiency with fewer test items for overall equivalent coverage of shoulder function assessment, final models after recursive item elimination revealed the ASES instrument to have more well-fitting items over a broader range of shoulder function. CONCLUSION Despite its overall strong correlation with ASES and equivalent coverage between floor and ceiling effects, the psychometric properties of PROMIS UE-CAT indicate a need for optimization of individual test items to correspond to shoulder function. Until further refinements in the PROMIS UE-CAT instrument are made, it should not replace the ASES instrument in patients undergoing primary RCR.
Host-Seeking in a Diapausing Mosquito

Host-seeking behavior in the mosquito, Aedesaegypti is absent at two distinct points in the life cycle. Adult females do not host-seek until several days after emergence (Christophers, 1960). Host-seeking is also inhibited following a blood meal and resumes after oviposition has occurred (Klowden and Lea, 1979a,b). Host-seeking behavior is always accompanied by high sensitivity in the antennal chemoreceptor neurons responsive to the host attractant lactic acid (LA); the absence of host-seeking is associated with low receptor sensitivity (Davis, 1984a,b). We have developed a model for the control of HSB in the mosquito which is based on the state of the peripheral sensory system (Davis, 1984b). Our model suggests that control of HSB originates at the sensory level and that host-seeking is modulated directly by changes in peripheral receptor sensitivity. Such peripheral regulating mechanisms that are based on variations in chemoreceptor sensitivity may be more common in insects than previously thought (Blaney et al., 1986).
Analysis of chip-level EMI using near-field magnetic scanning

Integrated circuits (ICs) are often a significant source of radiated energy from electronic systems. Well designed ICs maintain good control of the currents that they generate. However, poorly designed ICs can drive high-frequency noise currents onto nominally low-frequency input and output pins. These currents can excite unintentional radiating structures on the printed circuit board, resulting in radiated emissions that are difficult or expensive to control. The paper discusses the use of magnetic near-field scanning techniques to measure the current distribution in IC packages. This technique is applied to common ICs, including a clock driver, a memory module and a field programmable gate array (FPGA). Results show that near-field magnetic scanning is an effective tool for investigating chip-level EMI problems.
A comprehensive software engineering life cycle: heuristics for adaptive life cycling

Many life cycle models have been developed in the past twenty five years in the field of system and software engineering. These models present a static or incomplete picture of the development process. To build software which satisfies user expectations, and meets budgeting and scheduling constraints, software engineers must have guidelines based upon proven development strategies. These strategies must provide enough breadth and depth to be effective in various environments. To combat the problems facing system and software engineers, a comprehensive and adaptable life cycle was created in this study. This adaptive life cycle (ALC) was built upon the knowledge and experience of five subject matter experts (SMEs) during knowledge acquisition sessions. The knowledge base was later validated by two senior system engineers. An expert system demonstrating this methodology was created. The methodology applies the process of executing distinct phases and activities concurrently. Furthermore, individualized development strategies based upon a project's profile are provided to the user along with appropriate risk assessment and resolution measures. The findings in this study demonstrate the potential for constructing life cycles which meet the challenges facing the industry today. The systems and software engineering field must learn to identify and isolate project characteristics which require specific responses. We must build upon the knowledge of experts to create an evolving environment which is prepared to alter its form to meet new expectations.
Respiratory activity of isolated mammalian nuclei

Rat liver nuclei and nucleoli have been shown to catalyze the reduction of neotetrazolium or oxygen with NADH as a substrate. Maximal NADH oxidase activity of nuclei requires the presence of exogenous cytochrome c; nucleoli require added polyethylenesulfonate as well as cytochrome c for demonstrable activity. Nuclei can also oxidize NADPH in the presence of NAD, neither nuclei nor nucleoli can oxidize succinic acid or a variety of other potential substrates, either with or without cytochrome c. Chemical and enzymic analysis as well as analysis by light and electron microscopy and low-temperature spectroscopy indicate the complete absence of contaminating organelles which could conceivably catalyze the observed activities. Isolated nuclei were consistently found to contain a complement of cytochrome c, in the absence of cytochromes a + a3. Nucleoli which were active in NADH oxidation when supplemented with cytochrome c were found to be essentially devoid of hemoproteins.
Are clear cell carcinomas of the ovary and endometrium phenotypically identical? A proteomic analysis ☆ ☆☆

Phenotypic differences between otherwise similar tumors arising from different gynecologic locations may be highly significant in understanding the underlying driver molecular events at each site and may potentially offer insights into differential responses to treatment. In this study, the authors sought to identify and quantify phenotypic differences between ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) and endometrial clear cell carcinoma (ECCC) using a proteomic approach. Tissue microarrays were constructed from tumor samples of 108 patients (54 ECCCs and 54 OCCCs). Formalin-fixed samples on microarray slides were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, and 730 spectral peaks were generated from the combined data set. A linear mixed-effect model with random intercept was used to generate 93 (12.7%) peaks that were significantly different between OCCCs and ECCCs at the fold cutoffs of 1.5 and 0.667 and an adjusted P value cutoff of 1.0 × 10(-10). Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was performed on selected cores from each group, and peptides identified therefrom were compared with lists of statistically significant peaks from the aforementioned linear mixed-effects model to find matches within 0.2 Da. A total of 53 candidate proteins were thus identified as being differentially expressed in OCCCs and ECCCs, 45 (85%) of which were expressed at higher levels in ECCCs than OCCCs. These proteins were functionally diverse and did not highlight a clearly dominant cellular theme or molecular pathway. Although ECCCs and OCCCs are very similar, some phenotypic differences are demonstrable. Additional studies of these differentially expressed proteins may ultimately clarify the significance of these differences.
Race and Genetics

Race is an enigma, exhibiting no clear biological definition yet strong cultural and social meanings, particularly in the United States. However, the advent of molecular technology led to a new realization that within-group differences far exceeded between-group differences. Our knowledge of human genetic variation has grown enormously over the past few decades. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most common form of DNA variation in the human genome. At present, there are more than 10 million SNPs in the human genome. At most genetic loci, African populations harbor some relatively common alleles that are absent in non-African populations; however, most of the alleles that are common in non-African populations are also common in African populations. Given the genetic data now available across diverse human populations, it is becoming increasingly clear that the frequency of most genetic markers do not vary much among the major continental populations. However, a number of studies that examine genetic variation across the genome have found that individuals with similar ancestral continental origins tend to cluster together, and in general, these clusters correspond to four continental groups: Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe/Western Asia, Asia, and the Americas.
When Does Overfitting Decrease Prediction Accuracy in Induced Decision Trees and Rule Sets

Researchers studying classification techniques based on induced decision trees and rule sets have found that the model which best fits training data is unlikely to yield optimal performance on fresh data. Such a model is typically overfitted, in the sense that it captures not only true regularities reflected in the training data, but also chance patterns which have no significance for classification and, in fact, reduce the model's predictive accuracy. Various simplification methods have been shown to help avoid overfitting in practice. Here, through detailed analysis of a paradigmatic example, I attempt to uncover the conditions under which these techniques work as expected. One auxilliary result of importance is identification of conditions under which overfitting does not decrease predictive accuracy and hence in which it would be a mistake to apply simplification techniques, if predictive accuracy is the key goal.
The search for DAF-16/FOXO transcriptional targets: Approaches and discoveries

The insulin/IGF-1 receptor (IIR)/FOXO pathway is remarkably conserved in worms, flies, and mammals, and downregulation of signaling in this pathway has been shown to extend lifespan in all of these animals. FOXO-mediated transcription is required for the long lifespan of IIR mutants; thus, there is great interest in identifying FOXO target genes, as they may carry out the biochemical activities that extend longevity. A number of approaches have been used to identify the transcriptional targets of FOXO. Thus far, the best data available on the components downstream of this pathway are from experiments involving the Caenorhabditis elegans FOXO transcription factor, DAF-16; some of these targets have been tested for their contributions to longevity, dauer formation, and fat storage. Here, I examine and compare the approaches used to identify DAF-16/FOXO targets, review the genes regulated by DAF-16, and discuss the processes that may be at work to extend lifespan in IIR mutants. Rather than upregulating every possible beneficial gene, DAF-16 appears to selectively upregulate genes that contribute to specific protective mechanisms, while simultaneously downregulating potentially deleterious genes. In addition to genes that carry out expected roles in stress protection, many previously unknown targets have been identified in these studies, suggesting that some mechanisms of lifespan extension still await discovery. These mechanisms may act cooperatively or cumulatively to increase longevity, and are likely to be at least partially conserved in higher organisms.
Liposarcoma presenting on the vulva

A myxoid liposarcoma of the vulvar perineum in a 15-year-old girl is described. The tumor recurred as a poorly differentiated round cell liposarcoma and resulted in the patient's death. Clinicians and pathologists should be aware that this tumor may rarely present on the vulva.
Cis and Trans Acting Factors Involved in Human Cytomegalovirus Experimental and Natural Latent Infection of CD14 (+) Monocytes and CD34 (+) Cells

The parameters involved in human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) latent infection in CD14 (+) and CD34 (+) cells remain poorly identified. Using next generation sequencing we deduced the transcriptome of HCMV latently infected CD14 (+) and CD34 (+) cells in experimental as well as natural latency settings. The gene expression profile from natural infection in HCMV seropositive donors closely matched experimental latency models, and included two long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), RNA4.9 and RNA2.7 as well as the mRNAs encoding replication factors UL84 and UL44. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays on experimentally infected CD14 (+) monocytes followed by next generation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) were employed to demonstrate both UL84 and UL44 proteins interacted with the latent viral genome and overlapped at 5 of the 8 loci identified. RNA4.9 interacts with components of the polycomb repression complex (PRC) as well as with the MIE promoter region where the enrichment of the repressive H3K27me3 mark suggests that this lncRNA represses transcription. Formaldehyde Assisted Isolation of Regulatory Elements (FAIRE), which identifies nucleosome-depleted viral DNA, was used to confirm that latent mRNAs were associated with actively transcribed, FAIRE analysis also showed that the terminal repeat (TR) region of the latent viral genome is depleted of nucleosomes suggesting that this region may contain an element mediating viral genome maintenance. ChIP assays show that the viral TR region interacts with factors associated with the pre replication complex and a plasmid subclone containing the HCMV TR element persisted in latently infected CD14 (+) monocytes, strongly suggesting that the TR region mediates viral chromosome maintenance.
Abamectin induces rapid and reversible hypoactivity within early zebrafish embryos

Abstract During early zebrafish embryogenesis, spontaneous tail contractions represent the first sign of locomotion and result from innervation of primary motoneuron axons to target axial muscles. Based on a high-content screen, we previously demonstrated that exposure of zebrafish embryos to abamectin – an avermectin insecticide – from 5–25 hours post-fertilization (hpf) abolished spontaneous activity in the absence of effects on survival and gross morphology. Therefore, the objective of this study was to begin investigating the mechanism of abamectin-induced hypoactivity in zebrafish. Similar to 384-well plates, static exposure of embryos to abamectin from 5–25 hpf in glass beakers resulted in elimination of activity at low micromolar concentrations. However, abamectin did not affect neurite outgrowth from spinal motoneurons and, compared with exposure from 5–25 hpf, embryos were equally susceptible to abamectin-induced hypoactivity when exposures were initiated at 10 and 23 hpf. Moreover, immersion of abamectin-exposed embryos in clean water resulted in complete recovery of spontaneous activity relative to vehicle controls, suggesting that abamectin reversibly activated ligand-gated chloride channels and inhibited neurotransmission. To test this hypothesis, we pretreated embryos to vehicle or non-toxic concentrations of fipronil or endosulfan – two insecticides that antagonize the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor – from 5–23 hpf, and then exposed embryos to vehicle or abamectin from 23–25 hpf. Interestingly, activity levels within abamectin-exposed embryos pretreated with either antagonist were similar to embryos exposed to vehicle alone. Using quantitative PCR and phylogenetic analyses, we then confirmed the presence of GABA receptor α1 and β2 subunits at 5, 10, and 23 hpf, and demonstrated that zebrafish GABA receptor subunits are homologous to mammalian GABA receptor subunits. Overall, our data collectively suggest that abamectin induces rapid and reversible hypoactivity within early zebrafish embryos, an effect that may be mediated through the GABA receptor.
Residue 82 of the Chikungunya virus E2 attachment protein modulates viral dissemination and arthritis in mice.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that has reemerged to cause profound epidemics of fever, rash, and arthralgia throughout sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. Like other arthritogenic alphaviruses, mechanisms of CHIKV pathogenesis are not well defined. Using the attenuated CHIKV strain 181/25 and virulent strain AF15561, we identified a residue in the E2 viral attachment protein that is a critical determinant of viral replication in cultured cells and pathogenesis in vivo. Viruses containing an arginine at E2 residue 82 displayed enhanced infectivity in mammalian cells but reduced infectivity in mosquito cells and diminished virulence in a mouse model of CHIKV disease. Mice inoculated with virus containing an arginine at this position exhibited reduced swelling at the site of inoculation with a concomitant decrease in the severity of necrosis in joint-associated tissues. Viruses containing a glycine at E2 residue 82 produced higher titers in the spleen and serum at early times postinfection. Using wild-type and glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines and soluble GAGs, we found that an arginine at residue 82 conferred greater dependence on GAGs for infection of mammalian cells. These data suggest that CHIKV E2 interactions with GAGs diminish dissemination to lymphoid tissue, establishment of viremia, and activation of inflammatory responses early in infection. Collectively, these results suggest a function for GAG utilization in regulating CHIKV tropism and host responses that contribute to arthritis. IMPORTANCE CHIKV is a reemerging alphavirus of global significance with high potential to spread into new, immunologically naive populations. The severity of CHIKV disease, particularly its propensity for chronic musculoskeletal manifestations, emphasizes the need for identification of genetic determinants that dictate CHIKV virulence in the host. To better understand mechanisms of CHIKV pathogenesis, we probed the function of an amino acid polymorphism in the E2 viral attachment protein using a mouse model of CHIKV musculoskeletal disease. In addition to influencing glycosaminoglycan utilization, we identified roles for this polymorphism in differential infection of mammalian and mosquito cells and targeting of CHIKV to specific tissues within infected mice. These studies demonstrate a correlation between CHIKV tissue tropism and virus-induced pathology modulated by a single polymorphism in E2, which in turn illuminates potential targets for vaccine and antiviral drug development.
Metalloprotein Association, Self-Association, and Dynamics Governed by Hydrophobic Interactions: Simultaneous Occurrence of Gated and True Electron-Transfer Reactions between Cytochrome f and Cytochrome c6 from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Noninvasive reconstitution of the heme in cytochrome c6 with zinc(II) ions allowed us to study the photoinduced electron-transfer reaction 3Zncyt c6 + cyt f(III) → Zncyt c6+ + cyt f(II) between phy...
Household Instability, Area Poverty, and Obesity in Urban Mothers and Their Children

Fragile Families and Wellbeing Study (FFS) data were analyzed to examine the relationships between obesity, household instability, and area poverty in urban mothers and their children (N=1,449). The FFS was conducted in 20 U.S. cities between 2001 and 2004. Household instability was defined as a tenuous home environment where certain psychosocial and economic constraints are present. Area poverty was determined according to the 2000 U.S. Census. Relative weight increased with level of household instability in mothers but not in children. Mothers with the highest level of household instability within areas of low poverty (i.e., relatively little poverty) were more likely than others to be obese (Odds Ratio=1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.6). Household instability was not associated with overweight in children. These results suggest that home stability should be considered as a possible risk factor for obesity in mothers with infant children, particularly those residing in low poverty areas.
Gas-chromatographic resolution of the enantiomers of 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)alanine and its α-methyl analog

Abstract Methylation of ( R,S )-DOPA with diazomethane gave the trimethyl derivative in which the phenolic hydroxy groups and the carboxy group were methylated. N -Methylated side products were also formed. N -Acylation of the racemic trimethyl derivative with ( S )-α-methoxy-α-trifluoromethylphenylacetyl chloride gave two diastereomeric amides which were resolved by gas chromatography, the diastereomer derived from ( S )-(−)-DOPA cluting first. The procedure was also applied to α-methyl-DOPA.
A Reexamination of Gordon's Ethclass

Abstract Much of present theory and research concerning class and ethnicity overlooks or discounts the overlapping effects of these two social dimensions upon individual behavior and group structure. Gordon's ethclass is discussed as the most proximate attempt at a conceptual model which integrates the two. Hypotheses suggested by this scheme as it relates to multi-ethnic, highly stratified societies are discussed. It is suggested that the three variables of the ethclass—cultural behavior, primary group interaction, and group identification—be augmented by a status variable which will account for the effects of socially assigned ethnic and class identities.
Multiple chemical sensitivity: controlled scientific studies as proof of causation.

Abstract Multiple chemical sensitivity is an environmental illness that demands exacting methods of diagnosis. Proposed associations between symptoms and specific substances, whether to one substance or to multiple chemicals, need to be critically examined through adequately designed scientific studies. Appropriate methods for controlled scientific study of adverse reactions to chemicals are discussed as well as the Food and Drug Administration′s (FDA′s) experience with aspartame as an example of the need for controlled scientific studies to refute or confirm anecdotal evidence. Since 1986 the FDA has received reports of 265 cases of epileptic seizures temporally associated with the ingestion of aspartame. Information obtained from the complainants′ medical records as well as data on consumption patterns, temporal relationships, and challenge tests do not support the claim that the occurrences of the seizures are linked to consumption of aspartame. In addition, two double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover studies failed to demonstrate an association between epileptic seizures in children and adults and the ingestion of aspartame.
ATP production rates as a function of force level in the human gastrocnemius/soleus using 31P MRS.

Net forward adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production rates were calculated from 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) kinetic data collected with 1–8 s time resolution during isometric voluntary contractions of the human gastrocnemius/soleus muscle group. Volume normalized muscle output (Newtons/ml) was then divided by the calculated net ATP use (mM/s) to estimate the metabolic economy (ME) (Newtons · s/μpmol ATP). The ATP production rates from anaerobic glycolysis (An Gly) and creatine kinase (CK) reactions are approximately half of the oxidative phosphorylation ATP production rates (Ox Phos) at the end of 90 s of isometric contractions for a series of force levels. However, ME was independent of the force level in these exercises. The correlation between MVC of healthy, trained subjects, and the maximal cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius/soleus shows an average of 21.2 ± 4.6 Newtons/cm2 (mean ± SD, N = 15). This was measured using a foot pedal with a transducer measurement point 10.6 cm above the heel. [ADP] versus Ox Phos ATP production rate fits a Michaelis-Menten kinetic control equation with an offset (underestimation of Ox Phos) of 0.3 m, Ws and a Km, = 27 μM for ADP and a Vmax = 1.0 mM/s. This suggests that [ADP] is the controlling factor for mitochondrial function at the end of a 90 to 120 s isometric contraction in normal subjects at any force level. Quantitative measurements of the phosphorus metabolite concentrations were obtained from 20 individuals and these data are also reported.
First-order Fermi acceleration in the two-stream limit

A study of the first-order Fermi mechanism for accelerating cosmic-rays at relativistic and nonrelativistic shocks is carried out by using the two-stream approximation. Exact steady-state analytic solutions illustrating the shock acceleration process in the test-particle limit in which monoenergetic (relativistic) seed particles enter the shock through an upstream free-escape boundary are obtained. The momentum spectrum of the shock accelerated particles consists of a series of Dirac delta distributions corresponding to particles that have undergone an integral number of acceleration cycles. Since particles in the model have a finite fixed escape probability from the shock and the particle momenta p are equally spaced in log p, the envelope of the delta functions series is a power law in momentum. The solutions are used to discuss time-dependent aspects of the shock acceleration process in terms of the finite cycle time, escape probability, and momentum change per cycle that can be deduced from the steady-state model. The length-scale over which the accelerated particles extend upstream of the shock is shown to depend upon the particle energy, with the higher energy particles extending further upstream. This effect is shown to be intimately related to the kinematic threshold requirement that the particle speed exceed the fluid speed in order for particles to swim upstream of the shock and participate in the shock acceleration process.
Modelling of spherical gas bubble oscillations and sonoluminescence

The discovery of single-bubble sonoluminescence has led to a renewed interest in the forced radial oscillations of gas bubbles. Many of the more recent studies devoted to this topic have used several simplifications in the modelling, and in particular in accounting for liquid compressibility and thermal processes in the bubble. In this paper the significance of these simplifications is explored by contrasting the results of Lohse and co-workers with those of a more detailed model. It is found that, even though there may be little apparent difference between the radius-versus time behaviour of the bubble as predicted by the two models, quantities such as the spherical stability boundary and the threshold for rectified diffusion are affected in a quantitatively significant way. These effects are a manifestation of the subtle dependence upon dissipative processes of the phase of radial motion with respect to the driving sound field. The parameter space region, where according to the theory of Lohse and co-workers, sonoluminescence should be observable, is recalculated with the new model and is found to be enlarged with respect to the earlier estimate. The dependence of this parameter region on sound frequency is also illustrated.
Waist circumference percentile thresholds for identifying adolescents with insulin resistance in clinical practice

We formally evaluated waist circumference (WC) percentile cutoffs for predicting insulin resistance (IR) and whether different cutoffs should be used for adolescents of different race/ethnicities. Analysis was performed for 1575 adolescents aged 12-18 yr from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002. Adolescents were classified as having IR if they had a homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance level, a validated measure of IR, of >4.39, and WC percentile was classified according to previously published universal (all races combined) and race/ethnicity-specific WC percentile cutoffs. Receiver operating characteristic curves for predicting IR were constructed comparing the race/ethnicity-specific vs. universal WC percentile cutoffs, and area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Comparing universal with race/ethnicity-specific WC percentiles, there were no significant differences in AUC for Black, Mexican-American, or White adolescents. Because race/ethnicity-specific thresholds did not discriminate better than universal WC thresholds, universal WC thresholds may be used effectively to identify adolescents with IR in primary care practices. A WC > or =75th or > or =90th percentile for all race/ethnicities combined would be appropriate to apply in clinical practice for identification of adolescents with IR, a risk factor for development of type 2 diabetes.
Indirect threaded code

An efficient arrangement for interpretive code is described. It is related to Bell's notion of threaded code but requires less space and is more amenable to machine independent implementations.
Reactive species in sickle cell disease.

: The red cell is a relatively abundant locus of both free radical generation and reaction. Erythrocytes have a high content of unsaturated membrane lipids, a rich oxygen supply and are densely packed with redox-active hemoglobin residues. In response, red cells have a highly evolved and well-integrated network of oxidant defense mechanisms that lend an ability to withstand oxidative stress. In the case of congenital hemoglobin mutations that underlie sickle cell disease, they become very susceptible to free radical-mediated injury by virtue of enhanced endogenous rates of production of reactive species and impairment of tissue free radical defense mechanisms. In sickle cell disease, a combination of these susceptibility factors are hypothesized to lead to an overall impairment of vascular function, in large part due to loss of “bioactive” nitric oxide via the free radical-mediated consumption of this vasoactive molecule.
Modifiable predictors of bone loss in older men: A prospective study

Abstract Background The determinants of change in bone mineral density (BMD) have been well characterized in women but not in men. This prospective study describes the patterns of BMD change at the hip and spine, incidence of osteoporosis, and modifiable predictors of bone loss in 507 ambulatory community-dwelling men aged 45 to 92 years. Methods Bone mineral density was assessed at the hip and lumbar spine by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) between 1988 and 1992 and again 4 years later. BMD change was examined both as a continuous and a dichotomous (BMD loss vs no change/gain) variable. Incidence of osteoporosis was evaluated based on t -scores. Data were analyzed in 2002. Results Annual BMD loss averaged 0.47% at the total hip and 0.34% at the femoral neck with an annual average of 0.22% gain at the spine. The rate of BMD loss at the hip and incidence of osteoporosis increased significantly with age. The main predictors of BMD loss were age ≥75 years, baseline BMI 2 , 4-year weight loss of ≥5%, current smoking, and physical inactivity. Moderate alcohol consumption showed some bone-sparing effect. Diuretic and calcium supplement use were not associated with bone loss. Conclusions Relatively healthy community-dwelling men lose bone with age, and men aged ≥75 years are particularly vulnerable. Potentially modifiable characteristics such as low body mass, weight loss, smoking, and physical inactivity were important predictors of bone loss and should be considered for the prevention of osteoporosis in men.
The half-life of a drug in relation to its therapeutic index.

A procedure is given for the determination of the effective half-life of a drugin vivo with respect to an arbitrary response. If the half-life of the drug with respect to toxicity is different from that for therapy, the therapeutic index would be expected to depend on the temporal spacing of the dose. Equations are derived for this variation for a special case.
Analysis of the Drosophila βPS subunit indicates that regulation of integrin activity is a primal function of the C8–C9 loop

Abstract Integrin-ligand interactions can be influenced by the sequence in a disulfide-bridged loop between the 8th and 9th β subunit cysteines. Previous experiments are consistent with C8–C9 loop residues being involved in direct ligand–integrin interactions and/or being important in heterodimer regulation. In βPS from Drosophila melanogaster and three other dipterans, the C8–C9 loop consists of only two amino acids, and exists in two forms that arise by differential splicing of exon 4. In these species, the βPS4A isoform has an acidic residue in the first loop position (C8+1), with an alanine or proline in the corresponding position of βPS4B. Mutations in both isoforms (in combination with αPS2) can reduce cell spreading during normal growth, but function is generally restored under conditions that enhance integrin activation. Replacement of the βPS4A acidic residue with a basic lysine has relatively modest effects on integrin function. Spread cells bearing C8–C9 mutations tend to become less elongated, with reduced frequencies of actin stress fibers. The results indicate that even a minimal, two-residue C8–C9 loop contains structural information that can differentially regulate integrin activity and/or integrin signaling, and that this regulation does not rely on direct molecular interactions involving the variable C8+1 side chains.
MASS SPECTROMETRIC INVESTIGATION OF BARIUM IODIDE AND CAESIUM IODIDE VAPORIZATIONS

A MASS spectrometer (radius, 3 in. 45° sector) was used to examine Knudsen cell effusates1. Cylindrical graphite cells had orifice-to-evaporant surface area ratios of approximately 0.03 and were heated by conduction from a resistance furnace and by radiation from a grid above the furnace. The grid was necessary for maintaining axial temperature uniformity in the absence of radiation shielding2. Temperature was measured with a thermocouple attached to the cell base. A movable defining slit between the grid and water-cooled ion-source base made background correction of the ion signals possible; an electron multiplier followed the collector slit. Ionizing electron energies ranged from 7 to 20 eV. Repellers were kept at block potential and spectra were magnetically scanned. Vapour-pressure data (ion signals) were taken at random with respect to temperature; isotopic corrections of ion signals were made when necessary. Each experiment involved a fresh sample.
Collaboration analytics: mining work patterns from collaboration activities

People are increasingly using more and more social softwares, generating flooding communications. User analytics may be performed to mine a person's activities on different social systems and extract patterns, be it interest patterns, social patterns, or work patterns. Such patterns may benefit both the individuals and the organizations the users associated with, as the information is valuable in numerous tasks, including recommendation, evaluation, management, and so on. In this article, we present an actionable solution of user analytics, namely collaboration analytics, by focusing on mining a person's work patterns from her collaboration activities. Our solution effectively makes use of a user's heterogeneous data collected from various collaboration tools to derive an integrated description of the user's collaborative work. A number of ``work areas'', each of which contains its work topics and people involved, are generated for every user. The challenges we face include the clustering of items with short texts and prioritizing/weighting data items based on importance/relevance. Our solutions to those issues will be described in this article. In particular, we mine users' background information from various types of data and use such information to enrich the semantics of the short texts contained in the activity instances on collaboration tools before clustering those instances into work areas. Finally, we have developed a prototype of our collaboration analytics solution and evaluated it with real-world data and people.
Instrumental neutron activation analysis to measure short-term accretion and erosion in wetlands using rare earth element soil horizon markers

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was employed to estimate sediment accumulations (accretion) in Louisiana in a freshwater wetland habitat four years after the application of rare earth, samarium (Sm) and dysprosium (Dy), soil horizon markers. The sediment cores used to measure accretion also were used to construct a sodium (Na) profile (Na concentration vs. depth) in three locations. Additionally, in a 6-month study INAA data were used to determine the feasibility of using Sm and Dy to estimate the direction and quantity of soil erosion particles in a salt water wetland in Georgia.
Medical Services The Disputed Related Service

The Supreme Court agreed for a second time to review a lower court decision based on legal questions regarding the medical and health services components of related services required under IDEA, and has recently rendered a decision. This article traces the legal history behind the issue presented before the Court, discusses the decision, and discusses the likely educational implications of its decision.
Neuro-vestibular correlates in cerebral hemispheric lesions.

Vestibular evaluation by ENG in two patients with prior temporoparietal lesions showed abnormalities mainly with eye-tracking and optokinetic tests. Our study indicates that the optokinetic test is easy to perform and has a greater diagnostic significance than the other tests as to the site of lesion.
Action of the adenosine triphosphate analog, adenylyl imidodiphosphate in mitochondria.

Abstract Adenylyl imidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP), and analog of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), is a potent competitive inhibitor of mitochondrial ATPase activity. It inhibits both the soluble oligomycin-insensitive ATPase (Ki = 9.2 × 10−7 M) and the bound oligomycin-sensitive APTase (Ki = 1.3 × 10−6 M). ATPase activity of inside-out submitochondrial preparations are more sensitive to AMP-PNP in the presence of an uncoupler (Ki = 2.0 × 10−7 M). Mitochondrial ATP-dependent reactions (reversed electron transfer and potassium uptake) do not proceed if ATP is replaced with AMP-PNP; however, the analog does affect these systems. Oxidative phosphorylation of whole mitochondria and submitochondrial preparations were unaffected by AMP-PNP.
The significance of vascular hyperreaction as measured by the cold-pressor test

Abstract The majority of individuals with essential hypertension and some with usually normal blood pressure manifest unusual lability and marked reactions of blood pressure to various internal and external stimuli. This suggests that the mechanism for regulating blood pressure which is possessed by these individuals is hyperreactive. The cold-pressor test is a satisfactory method of determining the reactivity of the blood pressure. The test consists in measuring the reaction of the blood pressure to a standard cold stimulus. 1 In this paper the expression, "person with usually normal blood pressure," will appear frequently. It means a person who does not have persistent hypertension, one whose blood pressure remains within normal limits unless caused to rise by a stimulus. Later in this paper such persons will be divided into the classes called "normal hyporeactors" and "normal hyperreactor."
Molar heat capacity and thermodynamic functions forCaTiO3

Abstract Calcium titanate, CaTiO3, has appeared as a significant impurity in the synthesis of several ceramic host materials for the disposal of excess weapons grade plutonium and uranium. Previously reported heat capacities on CaTiO3extend only to T = 50 K. Also, the agreement of the low-temperature heat capacity results with those used to calculate the currently accepted values of the thermodynamic functions at elevated temperatures is poor near their intersection. To resolve these problems, the heat capacity of CaTiO3was measured from T ≈ 14 K to T ≈ 400 K using an adiabatic calorimeter. A nine-term fitting equation was found to represent adequately the low-temperature experimental heat capacities from this study and high-temperature results from the literature. It is used to extrapolate the thermodynamic data for CaTiO3toT = 1900 K. New values forΔfGmo andΔfHmo as a function of temperature are also tabulated.
Crystallization and phase equilibrium in the sodium barium metaphosphate system

Abstract Crystallization of sodium barium metaphosphate glasses has been studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and thermal analysis. The glasses studied have compositions given by the general formula (50−x)Na2O–xBaO–50P2O5, where x=0, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50. These glasses crystallize from the surface in the absence of a nucleating agent, but interior crystallization can be induced by inclusion of a nucleating agent (Pt) in the batch. The nucleated glasses can be converted to glass-ceramics with an appropriate heat treatment. Phase relations have been determined for the pseudobinary system. The phases formed, i.e. NaPO3, Na4Ba(PO3)6, Na4Ba(PO3)3 and Ba(PO3)2, are those predicted by the published equilibrium diagram. In some cases, however, three phases were present in region of the diagram where only two equilibrium phases should exist.
Nestmate recognition cues in laboratory and field colonies ofSolenopsis invicta buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) : Effect of environment and role of cuticular hydrocarbons.

Laboratory-rearedSolenopsis invicta workers were tested for the ability to discriminate nestmates from nonnestmate conspecifics. Postcontact aggressive response to workers from local field colonies was significantly greater than the response to lab-reared workers, even when the latter were selected from colonies originating hundreds of miles away. Behavioral observations support the conclusion that lab-reared ants were less distinctive than field-collected ants with respect to recognition cues detectable on the cuticle. Potential environmental factors affecting colony odor are discussed. In addition, gas-liquid Chromatographic and statistical analyses of the majorS. invicta cuticular hydrocarbons indicate that cuticular hydrocarbon pattern was a poor predictor of laboratory colony response to field colony workers.
Virus Inhibition of RIP3-Dependent Necrosis

Summary Viral infection activates cytokine expression and triggers cell death, the modulation of which is important for successful pathogenesis. Necroptosis is a form of programmed necrosis dependent on two related RIP homotypic interaction motif (RHIM)-containing signaling adaptors, receptor-interacting protein kinases (RIP) 1 and 3. We find that murine cytomegalovirus infection induces RIP3-dependent necrosis. Whereas RIP3 kinase activity and RHIM-dependent interactions control virus-associated necrosis, virus-induced death proceeds independently of RIP1 and is therefore distinct from TNFα-dependent necroptosis. Viral M45-encoded inhibitor of RIP activation (vIRA) targets RIP3 during infection and disrupts RIP3-RIP1 interactions characteristic of TNFα-induced necroptosis, thereby suppressing both death pathways. Importantly, attenuation of vIRA mutant virus in wild-type mice is normalized in RIP3-deficient mice. Thus, vIRA function validates necrosis as central to host defense against viral infections and highlights the benefit of multiple virus-encoded cell-death suppressors that inhibit not only apoptotic, but also necrotic mechanisms of virus clearance.
Adapting Deming's FUNNEL EXPERIMENT to a content-specific area

The FUNNEL EXPERIMENT was a “hands-on” activity designed by W. Edwards Deming in 1986 to give workers and supervisors in business and industry an intuitive grasp of certain statistical concepts nee...
Linear estimators and measurable linear transformations on a Hilbert space

We consider the problem of estimating the mean of a Gaussian random vector with values in a Hilbert space. We argue that the natural class of linear estimators for the mean is the class of measurable linear transformations. We give a simple description of all measurable linear transformations with respect to a Gaussian measure. If X and θ are jointly Gaussian then E[θ¦X] is a measurable linear transformation. As an application of the general theory we describe all measurable linear transformations with respect to the Wiener measure in terms of Wiener integrals.
Reduction of stochastic parity to stochastic mean-payoff games

A stochastic graph game is played by two players on a game graph with probabilistic transitions. We consider stochastic graph games with @w-regular winning conditions specified as parity objectives, and mean-payoff (or limit-average) objectives. These games lie in [email protected]?coNP. We present a polynomial-time Turing reduction of stochastic parity games to stochastic mean-payoff games.
Metaphor as illness: postmodern dilemmas in the representation of body, mind and disorder.

The search for a synthesis bridging the gap between materialist and idealist approaches in anthropological theory has been invigorated by recent efforts to develop a critical medical anthropology. Not limited to integrating class analysis and cultural interpretation, the “mindful body” paradigm also aims at empowering the ill, whose experience is denied by biomedical and psychiatric categories that locate disease either in the body or in the mind, and treat them separately from one another and independently of social context. However, missing from the “mindful body” discourse is a reflexive awareness of its contextual grounding in both popular and biomedical discourses of illness, with which it exchanges meanings and from which it borrows dominating power. The case of cancer as a metaphorized illness and a pathologized trope is used to illustrate this process.