cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Circadian variation in the time of request for helicopter transport of cardiac patients

Study objectives: The literature has demonstrated circadian rhythms in the occurrence of nonfatal myocardial infarction, ischemia, and sudden death. We hypothesized that requests for helicopter transport of acutely ill cardiac patients followed a similar circadian pattern and differed significantly from requests for helicopter transport of other categories of patients. Design: Prospective study of requests for helicopter transport of 1,128 consecutive air medically transported patients over a 24-month period. Setting: One tertiary-care teaching hospital. Measurements and main results: The periodic structure of the time distribution of cardiac requests for helicopter transport was examined with a two-harmonic regression analysis using a 24-hour period of oscillation. Seven hundred eighty-seven cardiac and 315 noncardiac patients could be evaluated. The times of requests for helicopter transport were tabulated into hourly intervals. Cardiac-related requests for helicopter transport were significantly different from non-cardiac-related requests for helicopter transports ( P P P R 2 = .81) with increasing requests for helicopter transport from 6:00 am until 12: 00 noon. Conclusion: The time distribution of requests for helicopter transport for cardiac patients demonstrates a striking circadian variation not observed in noncardiac patients. This observation strengthens mechanistic inferences from studies of circadian variation and suggests a "morning-loaded" staffing pattern for air medical services predominantly transporting cardiac patients.
Design and Development of Very High Frequency Resonant DC–DC Boost Converters

This paper presents a very high frequency dc-dc boost converter. This design features low voltage stress on the switch, high efficiency, and simple control. The low energy storage requirements provide a more effective integration. A proposed resonant gate driver provides variable duty cycle and possibility of the control of the converter at very high frequencies. A 60-MHz prototype of the proposed converter is designed and implemented. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Epilepsy surgery, delays and referral patterns—are all your epilepsy patients controlled?

Abstract Rationale : Epilepsy surgery is a standard of care in the treatment of medically intractable epilepsy, but is underutilised. We describe the results of epilepsy surgery and the referral patterns at a referral epilepsy programme. Methods : We reviewed the outcome of epilepsy surgery performed at the University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital epilepsy programme for the years 2000 and 2001. The typical presurgical evaluation included clinical evaluation, EEG-video monitoring, MRI with dedicated epilepsy protocol, PET, SPECT, neuropsychological testing and Wada testing. We used the Engel outcome classification, and focused on the referral information to determine how and when in the course of their illness patients arrive at a referral epilepsy centre. Results : In the 2-year period (2000–2001), a total of 36 epilepsy surgeries were performed. Twenty-nine temporal lobectomies, six extratemporal resections and one corpus callosotomy. Ages varied from 17 to 65 years. Overall results were: 30 (83%) seizure-free [class I], 5 (17%) rare seizures or almost seizure-free [class II] and 1 no improvement. Of the 29 temporal lobectomies, 27 (93%) are completely seizure-free [class I] and 2 (7%) are >90% improved [class II]. Duration of seizures before being seen at the epilepsy centre averaged 18 years (range 2–58 years). Twenty-two (61%) were sent by their neurologists, while 14 (39%) came self-referred without having discussed surgery with their neurologists. Five (14%) were specifically advised by their neurologist to not consider surgery. Two had participated in clinical trials of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) before being seen at the epilepsy centre. Conclusions : Epilepsy surgery has high efficacy and very low morbidity. Yet, there continues to be a long delay in the referral of patients to the epilepsy centre, suggesting that surgery for epilepsy is underutilised.
Meat Quality Evaluation of Minimally Aged Broiler Breast Fillets from Five Commercial Genetic Strains

A total of 1,040 birds from 5 common commercial genetic broiler strains were raised and processed to analyze the effect of strain and deboning time on meat quality. The birds were processed at either 6 or 7 wk of age in 4 replications each. Carcasses were deboned at either 2 or 4 h postmortem (PM; n = 52 birds per treatment). Carcass and breast weights were measured on each bird to calculate breast yield. Muscle pH was measured at time of deboning. Fillets deboned at 4 h PM were measured for length, width, and height to evaluate footprint analysis. At 24 h PM, fillets were weighed to calculate drip loss, and color (L*) was also measured. The fillets were then cooked to 76 degrees C, and cook loss was calculated. Fillets were then subjected to shear analysis using the Meullenet-Owens razor shear method where shear energy (N x mm) was calculated to evaluate tenderness. The strains in this study were chosen for differences in yield; therefore, as expected, breast yield was significantly different among strains. Variation in meat quality attributes existed among strains deboned at 2 h PM, but there was no consistent relationship between meat quality and breast yield. However, at 4 h PM, fewer differences among strains existed in meat quality characteristics (tenderness, water holding capacity, and pH). As expected, deboning at 2 h PM resulted in higher shear energy, higher muscle pH, and lower L* value compared with deboning at 4 h PM in all but one strain. However, water-holding capacity was not affected by deboning time at either age interval. Footprint analysis showed that most differences among strains were in heights measured at the fillet midpoint and caudal end. These results suggest that early deboning may affect meat quality of broiler strains differently, resulting in greater variation within the industry.
Soybean Seed Coat and Cotyledon Crack Detection by Image Processing

Abstract A computer vision system was used to evaluate seed coat and cotyledon cracks in soybeans. White light in the front-lighting mode with a black background for the soybeans was the best condition for acquiring video images of soybeans suitable for subsequent processing. Image processing algorithms were developed using the software supplied with the vision system computer. Crack detection was most successful when seeds were positioned carefully such that the cracked region of the soybean was viewed directly by the camera of the vision system. Using the algorithms developed, 96% of the soybeans with seed coat cracks and 100% of the soybeans with cotyledon cracks were correctly detected from the samples tested.
Silver Colloids Impregnating or Coating Bacteria

We produce silver nanocolloids selectively within and on Escherichia coli bacteria. Silver preferentially concentrates in the bacteria, distributes uniformly within them, or, alternatively, forms a rough coating over them. Oscillations in polarized light scattering vs scattering angle are more pronounced and shift to larger angles, compared to a control that has no silver. Very intense surface-enhanced Raman signals are observed for E. coli with a “wall colloid”. The main bands can be associated with peptides and polysaccharides in the cell wall and its membrane. This work was extended to Gram-positive Bacillus megaterium.
Autoxidation of Methyl Linoleate in Freeze‐Dried Model Systems. II. Effect of Water on Cobalt‐Catalyzed Oxidation

SUMMARY The oxidation of methyl linoleate catalyzed by various salts of cobalt was studied in a model system based on microcrystalline cellulose. The freeze-dried model system was adjusted to various water activities, and the effect of water on the oxidation kinetics was determined using manometric measurements and measurements of diene conjugation. It was found that water had an inhibitory effect on the metal-catalyzed oxidation of the fatty ester, as well as on oxidation in the absence of added metals. The kinetics of the reactions were evaluated in terms of the previously established hydroperoxide decomposition mechanisms. The effect of water on the metal-catalyzed oxidation was found to exist in the monomolecular decomposition period as well as in the more rapid phase of the reaction, during which the hydroperoxide decomposition is known to follow bimolecular decomposition kinetics. The inhibition of the reaction by water is interpreted as due to deactivation of added, as well as of originally present, metal catalysts by hydration of the coordination shells; and also possibly as due to hydrogen bonding between hydroperoxides and water, and therefore to interference with the normal bimolecular decomposition reaction.
B7-H1 expression in malignant pleural mesothelioma is associated with sarcomatoid histology and poor prognosis.

Introduction: B7 homolog 1 (B7-H1; aka programmed cell death 1 ligand 1) is a negative costimulatory molecule that is associated with poor prognosis in many tumor types. Given the poor prognosis and the limited treatments available for mesothelioma, we decided to examine B7-H1 expression and its association with survival in patients with mesothelioma. Methods: Expression of B7-H1 was determined in 106 patients using a mouse monoclonal antihuman B7-H1 (clone 5H1-A3) antibody with immunohistochemistry. Positive expression was defined as ≥5% positively stained cells. Clinicopathologic features and survival were compared between B7-H1-positive and B7-H1-negative groups. Results: Malignant mesotheliomas of 42 patients (40%) expressed B7-H1. Patients with B7-H1-postive tumors were less likely to be offered or undergo therapeutic surgery ( p = 0.03). All sarcomatoid mesotheliomas except one desmoplastic subtype expressed B7-H1. Survival was significantly decreased for patients whose tumors expressed B7-H1 (5 months median, 2–9.5 months interquartile range) compared with those whose tumors did not (14.5 months, 9.25–19 months; p p = 0.04] and risk ratio 2.18, 1.08–4.23 [ p = 0.03], respectively). Conclusions: B7-H1 is expressed in a substantial proportion of malignant pleural mesotheliomas and is associated with poor survival. Almost all malignant pleural mesotheliomas with sarcomatoid differentiation expressed B7-H1. The expression of B7-H1 may have important therapeutic implications for the management of malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Mammographic appearance of breast cancer in African-American women: Report of 100 consecutive cases

Rationale and Objectives. The authors determined the mammographic appearance of breast carcinoma in African-American women and compared it with that in a white cohort. Materials and Methods. The authors reviewed the mammograms, clinical records, and pathology records of 97 consecutive African-American women with 100 confirmed breast cancers and 110 white women with 111 confirmed breast cancers. Results. The mammograms obtained in African-American women were positive in 94 cases (94%), and those obtained in white women were positive in 99 cases. (89%). Forty-seven percent of malignancies in African-American women appeared as calcifications, alone or with a mass, and 41% appeared as a mass only. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of these two findings between the African-American and the white populations. There was no statistically significant difference in the breast parenchymal pattern between the two groups. The most common tumor location in both races was the upper outer quadrant. Conclusion. Breast carcinoma in African-American women is similar to that in white women in terms of mammographic appearance, location, and breast density. The mammographic appearance should not be an impediment to the detection of breast cancer in African-American women.
Coagulation Factor Concentrate Usage and the Risk of Lymphadenopathy: A Prospective Study

ABSTRACT A prospective evaluation of 115 patients with hemophilia was performed between July 1982 and July 1983. During that period, 24 patients were seen with unexplained, generalized lymph node enlargement. The date lymphadenopathy occurred was recorded. No lymphadenopathy was found in 22 patients who did not receive coagulation factor concentrate. Factor usage was most closely related to the risks of lymphadenopathy (p = 0.004) even after controlling for age. A patient’s age affected the risk of lymphadenopathy when the data were analyzed categorically (p = 0.008). A tendency was seen for heavily treated patients to develop lymph node enlargement earlier in the study period. Twenty-one of twenty-four (88%) patients with lymphadenopathy eventually developed HTLV-III/LAV antibodies and had abnormal T4/T8 ratios. These studies emphasize a close relationship between patients with hemophilia using coagulation factor concentrates and those with other risks for immune deficiency and lymphadenopathy. Close follow-up, optimal use of blood products, and further efforts to understand the importance of such changes are indicated in patients with hemophilia.
Injury severity and quality of life: whose perspective is important?

BACKGROUND:: Ambiguity exists regarding factors that predict postinjury quality of life (QOL). We hypothesized that patient-perceived injury severity, not Injury Severity Score (ISS), would be correlated with QOL in a model that included severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. METHODS:: Four hundred twenty-six trauma patients admitted to a Level I trauma center completed a questionnaire during inpatient stay and 6 months after injury. The questionnaire assessed physical component score and mental component score QOL with the SF-36, PTSD severity using the PTSD checklist, and used a four-point rating of perceived injury severity. ISS and demographic information were obtained from the trauma registry. Statistical analysis was done with Pearson's correlation and multiple regressions. RESULTS:: ISS was not significantly correlated with perceived injury severity, PTSD symptom severity, physical component score, or mental component score. The majority of patients overestimated injury severity when compared with ISS. An increase in PTSD symptom severity and perceived injury severity significantly predicted both decreased physical and mental QOL at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS:: ISS does not give the full picture of the severity of injury. Surgeons should consider early screening of patients for perception of injury severity and PTSD symptoms to determine which patients may need psychologic intervention to improve long-term QOL. Language: en
Prehistoric skull trepanation: clearly a worldwide phenomenon.

he surgical technique of making “a hole in the head” has clearly proven to be an ancient one. It seems that T neurosurgeons still remain the second oldest working profession, following only prostitution. What has become even more interesting, as shown in this paper, is how widespread the practice of skull trepanation has been around the world. It appears that most significant cultures dating well back before the Iron Age practiced the technique of trepanning, with what appear to be surprisingly good results, i.e., the patient survived. In this article, Drs. Lv and Wu present an interesting case report that details a case that originates from a Neolithic site in modern-day China dating to a period around 4300 to 2300 BC—clearly very early in the history of this surgical technique. The authors note that very few cases of trepanation from this region of the world have been reported in the English literature, so this report is a valuable addition and hopefully will lead to more detailed reports in the future.
An electronic discussion list in an undergraduate writing course

Abstract A required listserv, borders@uci.edu, electronically enhances composition instruction for seven combined classes in an undergraduate course on Argument and Research at the University of California at Irvine. E-mail is a convenience for these students, easing access to research information in the library and to their instructors and peers. Even more importantly, the listserv's electronic community provides a forum where students and instructors can model, rehearse, test the limits of, exchange, and reshape academic arguments. These seven instructors reflect in this paper on the objectives of their innovative approach and its implications for teaching and learning—particularly students' resistance to an inevitable electronic relocation of the teacher in cyberspace. They also offer some practical suggestions based on their experiences.
Quantitative Gas Chromatographic Determination of Methapyrilene Fumarate, Ephedrine Hydrochloride, and Codeine Phosphate in Syrup

A method for determining methapyrilene fumarate, ephedrine hydrochloride, and codeine phosphate simultaneously by gas chromatography is described. Temperature programming plus the use of an internal standard provide a simple and rapid method for separating and determining the three components in a syrup. Precision and accuracy studies are included.
Supravalvular mitral stenosis in a patient with tetralogy of Fallot.

Abstract Supravalvular mitral stenosis was found in association with tetralogy of Fallot in an 8 year old boy who died of an intercurrent respiratory infection. This association was not diagnosed during life. However, the electrocardiographic features of right ventricular strain combined with left atrial enlargement should have suggested mitral obstruction. The relatively high pulmonary artery pressure in a patient with a tetralogy and the angiographic findings of large branch pulmonary arteries and a left atrium with prolonged emptying should also lead one to suspect this combination. Surgical correction in such cases must include an attack on the mitral valve.
An invisible acoustic sensor based on parity-time symmetry

Sensing an incoming signal is typically associated with absorbing a portion of its energy, inherently perturbing the measurement and creating reflections and shadows. Here, in contrast, we demonstrate a non-invasive, shadow-free, invisible sensor for airborne sound waves at audible frequencies, which fully absorbs the impinging signal, without at the same time perturbing its own measurement or creating a shadow. This unique sensing device is based on the unusual scattering properties of a parity-time (PT) symmetric metamaterial device formed by a pair of electro-acoustic resonators loaded with suitably tailored non-Foster electrical circuits, constituting the acoustic equivalent of a coherent perfect absorber coupled to a coherent laser. Beyond the specific application to non-invasive sensing, our work broadly demonstrates the unique relevance of PT-symmetric metamaterials for acoustics, loss compensation and extraordinary wave manipulation.
Deep seismic reflection data of EDGE U.S. mid-Atlantic continental-margin experiment: Implications for Appalachian sutures and Mesozoic rifting and magmatic underplating

The EDGE seismic experiment across the Virginia continental margin delineated a Paleozoic suture, buried Appalachian terranes, and Mesozoic rifting and magmatic events. The seismic grid revealed that the Mesozoic Norfolk rift basin exists only in the northern one-third of the previously mapped area. The north-striking listric border fault of the Norfolk basin half-graben parallels seismic laminations in the basement. The Jurassic volcanic wedge pinches out just landward of the Baltimore Canyon trough hinge zone and downlaps on the hummocky oceanic basement under the continental rise. Under the continental slope, the volcanic wedgereaches depths >9 s (20 km). Two distinct intracrustal reflections at 4.0-5.0 s and at 7.0 s TWIT (two-way traveltime) dip southeastward at low angles (∼15°). The Moho reflection is disrupted where it is intersected by the 7.0 s reflection. Northwest of this point the Moho dips landward; seaward it is horizontal. Seaward of this point, the lower-crustal boundary laminations exist in a narrow interval (10.5-11.0 s) and are of strong amplitude. These changes in the Moho and lower crust represent the seaward edge of the Grenville-age North American crust and the landward edge of Jurassic magmatic underplating. A northwest-dipping reflection observed for the first time on the U.S. Atlantic margin may be the top of the Jurassic magmatic- underplating layer; the northwest-dipping reflection truncates the southeast- dipping 7.0 s TWTT reflection. Landward projection of the 7.0 s reflection yields a north-south trace on the postrift unconformity under the center of lower Chesapeake Bay. This trace is near a basement fault between low-grade metamorphic rocks (Carolina slate-Avalonia) on the east and high-grade rocks (Goochland terrane) on the west. This fault boundary and the southeastdipping 7.0 s reflection probably represent the Taconic suture.
Relationship of pregnancy rate to peripheral concentrations of progesterone and estradiol in beef cows

The relationship between pregnancy rate and concentrations of progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17β (E2) in serum was examined in inseminated beef cows. Jugular blood was collected twice daily on Days 4 through 7 and Days 14 through 17 after estrus to establish patterns of secretion of P4 and E2. Pregnancy rate was determined by palpation per rectum at 45 d. Mean concentrations of each hormone, ratio of E2:P4 and regressions of hormone on day were the variables measured for each of the 2 periods. Cows were classified into low (n=26), medium (n=50) and high (n=26) groups for each variable. The relationship of pregnancy rate to each variable was tested using Chi-square analyses. Pregnancy rates to the first service decreased linearly as relative mean concentrations of E2 increased on Days 14 through 17 (P<0.05) but were not affected by any of the other hormonal variables studied during either period. Pregnancy rates to the second service were not related to concentrations of P4 or E2 during the luteal phase before mating (Days 14 through 17). The effects of pregnancy on concentrations of E2 and P4 also were tested. On Days 14 through 17, P4 increased slightly in pregnant cows and declined slightly in nonpregnant cows (P<0.05), but pregnancy did not affect E2 during either period or P4 on Days 4 through 7. In summary, pregnancy rate to the first service decreased significantly as concentrations of E2 increased on Days 14 through 17.
Design of Prestressed Skin-Flange Assembly

A prestressing procedure for reduction of adhesive peel and shear stresses at the leading edge of a skin-flange assembly is analyzed for tensile and bending loads applied to the skin. Both an analytical solution based on the Green’s functions and a finite element solution are presented for specific examples, together with design diagrams. Substantial shear and peel stress reductions are obtained with the proposed procedure.
Multi-class Joint Rule Extraction and Feature Selection for Biological Data

There are a vast number of biology related research problems involving a combination of multiple sources of data to achieve a better understanding of the underlying problems. It is important to select and interpret the most important information from these sources. Thus it will be beneficial to have a good algorithm to simultaneously extract rules and select features for better interpretation of the predictive model. We propose an efficient algorithm, Joint Rule Extraction and Feature Selection (JRF), based on 1-norm regularized random forests. JRF simultaneously extracts a small number of rules generated by random forests and selects important features. We applied JRF to several drug activity prediction and micro array data sets. JRF is capable of producing performance comparable with state-of-the-art prediction algorithms using a small number of decision rules. Some of the decision rules are biologically significant.
A neural network wave formalism

Using his path integral methodology, Feynman derived the constructs of quantum mechanics from the Lagrangian form of Newtonian mechanics. By employing a novel Lagrangian form of the canonical neural network equations, we derive analogously a complete wave formalism for the information transmission in neural networks.
Effects of age and radiation treatment on function of extrinsic tongue muscles

Radiation treatment for head and neck cancer often results in difficulty swallowing. Muscle weakness and fibrosis have been identified clinically as possible etiologies for swallowing problems following radiation. Aging may compound the effects of radiation on swallowing because radiation-induced damage to muscles and other tissues critical for the oropharyngeal swallow is overlaid on a declining sensorimotor system. However, there have been no investigations of the manner in which aging and radiation treatment effects combine to impact tongue muscles, which are critical effectors of the oropharyngeal swallow. Thirty-seven male Fisher 344/Brown Norway rats were divided into four groups; young adults (9 month old), old (32 months old), young radiation (9 months), and old radiation (32 months old). Two fractions of 11 Gy on consecutive days was delivered by external beam radiation to the ventral side of the rat’s body over the anterior portion (20 X 30 mm area) of the anterior digastric muscle. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine the effects of age and radiation and their interaction on muscle contractile properties. Post-hoc testing was completed using Fisher’s least significant differences (LSD). Radiation was associated with a significant decrease in tongue force production and reduced speed of tongue muscle contraction. However, radiation treatment did not lead to muscle atrophy and fibrosis formation in the GG muscle. Radiation treatment did not exacerbate atrophic changes observed with aging, or lead to additional fibrosis formation in the GG muscle from that observed in the other groups. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of radiation on muscles of the tongue and to determine whether aging altered the extent of radiation injury to tongue muscles. Radiation was associated with a significant decrease in tongue force production and reduced speed of tongue muscle contraction, and the reduction in the speed of tongue muscle contraction was exacerbated in the aged-rat tongue. This work provides a foundation for future investigations of treatments for concurrent effects of aging and radiation on muscles of the tongue and swallowing.
Electrophoretic evidence for the identity of the major zinc-binding polypeptides in the rat sperm tail.

Zinc, an important metallic constituent of mammalian spermatozoa, is incorporated during spermiogenesis into the dense fibers of the sperm tail. To test its relative affinity for sperm structural proteins, ‘5Zn was administered intratesticularly to mature Sprague-Dawley rats and recovered in cauda epididyrnidal spermatozoa 16-18 days postinjection, when its concentration in these cells was maximal. As expected, the “Zn was localized almost entirely within tail structures stabilized by -S-S- bonds (tail keratin), at least 75% being found within a fraction consisting mainly of dense fibers. After electrophoresis in dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, tail keratin or dense fiber fractions labeled by intratesticular injection of 135S1-cysteine showed three peaks of “Slabeled protein, with apparent molecular weights of 24,000, 15,000 and 11,000. Only the first of these protein components retained substantial amounts of “Zn during co-electrophoresis of 35S and “Zn-labeled fractions. Following carboxymethylation, it was revealed to be heterogeneous, consisting of at least 2 polypeptides, whose unexpectedly low electrophoretic mobilities corresponded to molecular weights of 36,000 and 30,000. Efficient retention of “Zn by its unmodified precursor during electrophoresis required the presence of at least 40 mM dithiothreitol in the applied samples and was achieved equally well whether the “Zn was introduced in vitro or in vivo. Selective binding of “Zn by some, but not all, of the cysteine-rich polypeptides in the sperm tail extracts may be of physiological significance, particularly since those macromolecules that demonstrated the greatest affinity for zinc are believed to be the major constituents of dense fibers.
Numerical analysis of a method for high Peclet number transport in porous media

Abstract A variationally consistent eddy viscosity discretization is presented in [W.J. Layton, A connection between subgrid scale eddy viscosity and mixed methods, Appl. Math. Comput. 133 (2002) 147–157] for the stationary convection diffusion problem. This discretization is extended to the evolutionary problem in [N. Heitmann, Subgridscale stabilization of time-dependent convection dominated diffusive transport, J. Math. Anal. Appl. 331 (2007) 38–50] with a near optimal error bound. In the following, we couple this discretization with the porous media problem. We present a comprehensive analysis of stability and error for the velocity field derived from the porous media problem. Next, using a backward Euler approximation for the time derivative we follow the inherited error in velocity through the coupling with the convection diffusion problem. The method is shown to be stable and the error near optimal and independent of the diffusion coefficient, ϵ.
Economic Effects of Childhood Exposure To Tropical Disease.

To what extent do tropical diseases contribute to the poverty characteristic of tropical countries? Estimates of the impact of health on income are difficult to obtain because health is a normal good—countries with higher income will buy more of it—and third factors such as remoteness and bad government might impede both productivity and public health. In the Abuja Declaration of 2005, African heads of states claim that malaria has depressed income growth in Subsaharan Africa since the 1960s, so much so that GDP in the region today is 40% lower because of malaria. Estimates of this magnitude have been mocked at cocktail parties and clambakes. But how ridiculous is this number?
Prospects for an engineering discipline of software

Although software engineering is not yet a true engineering discipline, it has the potential to become one. Older engineering fields are examined to ascertain the character that software engineering might have. The current state of software technology is discussed, covering information processing as an economic force, the growing role of software in critical applications, the maturity of development techniques, and the scientific basis for software engineering practice. Five basic steps that the software engineering profession must take to become a true engineering discipline are described. They are: understanding the nature of expertise, recognizing different ways to get information, encouraging routine practice, expecting professional specializations, and improving the coupling between science and commercial practice. >
Measurement Error in the AFQT in the NLSY79.

Many promising efforts in the social sciences aim to measure future outcomes (such as wages or health outcomes) given some base level of human capital or ability. They typically fail to recognize the proxies for human capital are all measured with error, creating bias in regression analysis. Here I show how item level data offers the opportunity to improve a broad range of economic, social and psychometric studies, an opportunity now enhanced significantly by the new release of item response level data for the Armed Forces Qualifying Test in the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth.
Analysis of the topology of the cytochrome d terminal oxidase complex of Escherichia coli by alkaline phosphatase fusions

Summary The cytochrome d complex of Escherichia coli is a heterodimer located in the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane, where it functions as a terminal oxidase of the aerobic respiratory chain. The topology of each of the two subunits of the cytochrome d complex was analysed by the genetic method involving alkaline phosphatase gene fusions. These fusions were generated by both an in vivo method using the transposon TnphoA and an in vitro method of construction. A total of 48 unique fusions were isolated and the whole-cell alkaline phosphatase-specific activities were determined. Data from these fusions, in combination with information from other studies, provide the basis for two-dimensional models for each of the two subunits, defining the way in which the subunits fold in the inner membrane of E. coli.
Measures for controllability and eigenvalue mobility

An eigenvalue mobility measure is defined that provides quantitative information about system properties such as controllability, observability, and pole assignability. The eigenvalue mobility is shown to be proportional to the distances between an eigenvalue and certain zeros of the system. Alternatively, the eigenvalue mobility is expressed in terms of eigenvectors and residues of the system. The analyses are performed for both centralized and decentralized systems, and for simple and repeated eigenvalues. >
Transcriptional regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression in ovarian bovine granulosa cells.

AbstractThe expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cultured bovine granulosa cells has been studied. As shown by northern blot analysis, granulosa cells express the VEGF gene. Analysis of the VEGF transcripts by the polymerase chain reaction technique shows that granulosa cells express predominantly the smallest VEGF coding forms (VEGF121, and VEGF164). Since in the promoter region of the VEGF gene there are four potential AP-1 sites and two potential AP-2 sites we have studied if TPA and forskolin could regulate VEGF gene expression. TPA induces VEGF transcription in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. Maximal VEGF mRNA levels are detected 6 h after TPA treatment. Induction apparently requires de novo protein synthesis since it does not occur when translation is inhibited by cycloheximide. Forskolin, a naturally occurring diterpene that activates adenylylcyclase, also increases VEGF mRNA content in a time-dependent manner. Induction does not require de novo protein synthesis and, in c...
Identification of the novel K15 gene at the rightmost end of the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus genome

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) encodes a distinct open reading frame called K15 at a position equivalent to the gene encoding LMP2A of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). K15 isolates from body cavity-based lymphoma (BCBL) cells exhibited a dramatic sequence variation and a complex splicing pattern. However, all K15 alleles are organized similarly with the potential SH2 and SH3 binding motifs in their cytoplasmic regions. Northern blot analysis showed that K15 was weakly expressed in latently infected BCBL-1 cells, and the level of its expression was significantly induced by tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate stimulation. K15 encoded 40- to 55-kDa proteins, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and was localized at the cytoplasm and plasma membrane. To demonstrate the signal-transducing activity of the K15 protein, we constructed a chimeric protein in which the cytoplasmic tail of the human CD8alpha polypeptide was replaced with that of KSHV K15. While the CD8-K15 chimera was not capable of eliciting cellular signal transduction upon stimulation with an anti-CD8 antibody, it significantly inhibited B-cell receptor signaling, as evidenced by a suppression of tyrosine phosphorylation and intracellular calcium mobilization. This inhibition required the putative SH2 or SH3 binding motif in the cytoplasmic region of K15. Biochemical study of CD8-K15 chimeras showed that the cytoplasmic region of K15 was constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated and that the tyrosine residue within the putative SH2 binding motif of K15 was a primary site of phosphorylation. These results demonstrate that KSHV K15 resembles LMP2A in genomic location, splicing pattern, and protein structure and by the presence of functional signal-transducing motifs in the cytoplasmic region. Thus, KSHV K15 is likely a distant evolutionary relative of EBV LMP2A.
Sox9 is sufficient for functional testis development producing fertile male mice in the absence of Sry

In the dominant mouse mutant Odd Sex, XXOds/+ mice develop as phenotypic, sterile males due to male-pattern expression of Sox9 in XXOds/+ embryonic gonads. To test whether SOX9 was sufficient to generate a fully fertile male in the absence of Sry, we constructed an XY(Sry - )Ods/+ male mouse, in which the male phenotype is controlled autosomally by the Ods mutation. Mice were initially fertile, but progressively lost fertility until 5-6 months when they were sterile with very few germ cells in the testis. XY(Sry - )Ods/+ males also failed to establish the correct male-specific pattern of vascularization at the time of sex determination, which could be correlated to an inability of XY(Sry - ),Ods/+ males to fully down-regulate Wnt4 expression in the embryonic gonad. Increasing the amount of SOX9 by producing homozygous XY(Sry - )Ods/Ods males was able to completely rescue the phenotype and restore correct vascular patterning and long-term fertility. These data indicate that activation of SOX9 in the gonad is sufficient to trigger all the downstream events needed for the development of a fully fertile male and provide evidence that Sox9 may down-regulate Wnt4 expression in the gonad.
A Model of State Income Maintenance Decisions

This study presents a model of state-local government budgetary choice with particular emphasis on the impact of federal grants-in-aid on income maintenance decisions on the part of the recipient g...
A Review of the Morphological and Biochemical Features of the Attachment Process in Infections with Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Mycoplasma pneumoniae must attach to respiratory tract cells to cause primary atypical pneumoniae. The attachment process involves a receptor site on the external membrane surface of the host cell and a specialized attachment tip on the mycoplasmal cells. Attachment to lung fibroblasts and ciliated tracheal explants is time dependent, with maxima reached in 45-90 min at 37 C. Attachment to ciliated cells is slower, apparently because of continuous ciliary motion. Normally, less than 10% of available mycoplasmas become cell associated in vitro, perhaps because the pathogen must be in a particular growth phase or because only a small fraction of the M. pneumoniae population has complete or effective attachment tips. Mycoplasmas that attach to host cells normally have the constricted attachment tip oriented toward the host cell surface. Mycoplasmas are oriented vertically in cultures of densely ciliated cells, but can lie horizontally alone--and in close apposition to--cell membranes of sparsely ciliated or nonciliated cells. The site to which M. pneumoniae attaches, a sialoglycoprotein, is readily inactivated by neuraminidase, partially sensitive to pronase, and resistant to trypsin. Purified glycoprotein extracts bind to M. pneumoniae.
Indexing continual range queries with covering tiles for fast locating of moving objects

We present a covering tile-based (COVET) query index for fast locating of moving objects. A set of virtual tiles are predefined, each with a unique ID. One or more of the virtual tiles are used to strictly cover individual range queries. A COVET index maintains a direct mapping between tiles and queries. The use of covering tiles has two important properties. First, it makes the search of all range queries containing an object efficient. Second, more importantly, it allows query evaluation to take advantage of incremental changes in object locations. Simulations are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the COVET index.
Microstructural properties of warm mix asphalt before and after laboratory-simulated long-term ageing

This paper presents microstructural analysis of two original and their respective warm mix asphalt (WMA) binders, obtained with the addition of Advera® and Sasobit®. The binders were analysed before and after long-term ageing with the aid of atomic force microscopy (AFM). The AFM images highlighted the effect of ageing using rolling thin film oven (RTFO) followed by pressure ageing vessel (PAV) on the binders’ microstructure. Ageing of original binders generally increased the size of the “bee” structures. The ageing effect on the microstructure morphology of WMA binders was found to be negligible. However, ageing could affect the mechanical properties without morphology variations. The high variability inside each sample analysed makes the analysis complex. Sasobit® changed the original binders’ microstructure considerably, while Advera® did not affect it. For the original and Advera® binders, 24 hours after sample preparation, the dispersed phase expanded, and this effect was generally more pronounced fo...
Meta-analysis of preclinical studies of mesenchymal stromal cells for ischemic stroke

Objectives: To evaluate the quality of preclinical evidence for mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) treatment of ischemic stroke, determine effect size of MSC therapy, and identify clinical measures that correlate with differences in MSC effects. Methods: A literature search identified studies of MSCs in animal models of cerebral ischemia. For each, a Quality Score was derived, and effect size of MSCs was determined for the most common behavioral and histologic endpoints. Results: Of 46 studies, 44 reported that MSCs significantly improved outcome. The median Quality Score was 5.5 (of 10). The median effect size was 1.78 for modified Neurological Severity Score, 1.73 for the adhesive removal test, 1.02 for the rotarod test, and 0.93 for infarct volume reduction. Quality Score correlated significantly and positively with effect size for the modified Neurological Severity Score. Effect sizes varied significantly with clinical measures such as administration route (intracerebral > intra-arterial > IV, although effect size for IV was nonetheless very large at 1.55) and species receiving MSCs (primate > rat > mouse). Because many MSC mechanisms are restorative, analyses were repeated examining only the 36 preclinical studies administering MSCs ≥24 hours poststroke; results were overall very similar. Conclusions: In preclinical studies, MSCs have consistently improved multiple outcome measures, with very large effect sizes. Results were robust across species studied, administration route, species of MSC origin, timing, degree of immunogenicity, and dose, and in the presence of comorbidities. In contrast to meta-analyses of preclinical data for other stroke therapies, higher-quality MSC preclinical studies were associated with larger behavioral gains. These findings support the utility of further studies to translate MSCs in the treatment of ischemic stroke in humans.
Sorafenib inhibition of Mcl-1 accelerates ATRA induced apoptosis in differentiation responsive AML cells

Purpose: All trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) is successful in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) by inducing terminal differentiation-mediated cell death, but it has limited activity in non-APL acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We aim to improve ATRA therapy of AML by enhancing apoptosis through repression of the antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Mcl-1. Experimental Design: APL and AML cell lines, as well as primary AML samples, were used to explore the mechanisms regulating differentiation and apoptosis during ATRA treatment. Stable transfection and gene silencing with siRNA were used to identify the key factors that inhibit apoptosis during induction of differentiation and drugs that accelerate apoptosis. Results: In differentiation-responsive AML cells, ATRA treatment induces long-lasting repression of Bcl-2 while first upmodulating and then reducing the Mcl-1 level. The Mcl-1 level appears to serve as a gatekeeper between differentiation and apoptosis. During differentiation induction, activation of MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways by ATRA leads to activation of p90RSK and inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), which increase Mcl-1 levels by increasing its translation and stability. Sorafenib blocks ATRA-induced Mcl-1 increase by reversing p90RSK activation and GSK3β inactivation, maintains the repressed Bcl-2 level, and enhances ATRA induced apoptosis in non-APL AML cell lines and in primary AML cells. Conclusions: Inhibition of Mcl-1 is required for apoptosis induction in ATRA differentiation-responsive AML cells. ATRA and sorafenib can be developed as a novel drug combination therapy for AML patients because this drug combination augments apoptosis by inhibiting Bcl-2 and Mcl-1. Clin Cancer Res; 22(5); 1211–21. ©2015 AACR .
Tracking through information technology education

With a projected 2.26 million additional jobs to fill in various computer fields by the year 2010, there are and will continue to be ample job opportunities in the computer industry. However, the computer field is far too broad for one individual to be an expert in the entire field. Therefore, it may be more useful for students to have the opportunity to concentrate their studies in a specific interest area within a broader information technology degree. This chapter discusses the creation of a database track within an Information Technology (IT) or Computer Information Systems (CIS) degree program so that undergraduate students can choose to focus on this specialty area in their junior and senior years.
Factors Associated with the Decline in Cirrhosis Death Rates among Young Adults in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, 1973–1985

From 1973 to 1985, the age-adjusted death rate from liver cirrhosis (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code 571) dropped by 62.7% among adults aged 25-54 years in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The authors investigated factors associated with this decline by verifying causes of death on death certificates from medical records, coroner's reports, and autopsy reports. Although death rates from cirrhosis were slightly underestimated from death certificates, the underestimation did not alter the declining mortality trend. This decline in rates was significant after adjustment of the age, sex, and race effect using statistical modeling. No significant variability in the time trends was noted between sexes, races, and age groups. Neither did the trends in alcohol-related and "unspecified" cirrhosis differ. However, the trends varied significantly between the cirrhosis deaths certified by the coroner and by noncoroner physicians. From 1973-1975 to 1976-1978, the rate initially dropped by 51% among the coroner cases, whereas it dropped by only 9% among the noncoroner cases. By the period 1982-1985, the death rates of both coroner and noncoroner cases declined to approximately 50% of their 1973-1975 rates. These results suggest that the decline during the years 1973-1985 was real and that the trend was initiated by the pronounced decline during the early years in the coroner-certified cirrhosis deaths.