cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA hsa-miR-1301-3p Regulates Human ADH6, ALDH5A1 and ALDH8A1 in the Ethanol-Acetaldehyde-Acetate Metabolic Pathway

Alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) and aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are vital enzymes involved in the metabolism of a variety of alcohols. Differences in the expression and enzymatic activity of human ADHs and ALDHs correlate with individual variability in metabolizing alcohols and drugs and in the susceptibility to alcoholic liver disease. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) function as epigenetic modulators to regulate the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes. To characterize miRNAs that target ADHs and ALDHs in human liver cells, we carried out a systematic bioinformatics analysis to analyze free energies of the interaction between miRNAs and their cognate sequences in ADH and ALDH transcripts and then calculated expression correlations between miRNAs and their targeting ADH and ALDH genes using a public data base. Candidate miRNAs were selected to evaluate bioinformatic predictions using a series of biochemical assays. Our results showed that 11 miRNAs have the potential to modulate the expression of two ADH and seven ALDH genes in the human liver. We found that hsa-miR-1301-3p suppressed the expression of ADH6, ALDH5A1, and ALDH8A1 in liver cells and blocked their induction by ethanol. In summary, our results revealed that hsa-miR-1301-3p plays an important role in ethanol metabolism by regulating ADH and ALDH gene expression. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Systematic bioinformatics analysis showed that 11 microRNAs might play regulatory roles in the expression of two alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and seven aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) genes in the human liver. Experimental evidences proved that hsa-miR-1301-3p suppressed the expression of ADH6, ALDH5A1, and ALDH8A1 in liver cells and decreased their inducibility by ethanol.
Nanoporous metal–polymer composite membranes for organics separations and catalysis

Metallic thin-film composite membranes are produced by sputtering metal films onto commercial polymer membranes. The separations capability of the membrane substrate is enhanced with the addition of a 10 nm Ta film. The addition of a tantalum layer decreases the molecular weight cutoff of the membrane from 70 kDa dextran (19 nm) to below 5 kDa (6 nm). Water flux drops from 168 LMH/bar (LMH: liters/meters2/hour) (polymer support) to 8.8 LMH/bar (Ta composite). A nanoporous layer is also added to the surface through Mg/Pd film deposition and dealloying. The resulting nanoporous Pd is a promising catalyst with a ligament size of 4.1 ± 0.9 nm. The composite membrane's ability to treat water contaminated with chlorinated organic compounds (COCs) is determined. When pressurized with hydrogen gas, the nanoporous Pd composite removes over 70% of PCB-1, a model COC, with one pass. These nanostructured films can be incorporated onto membrane supports enabling diverse reactions and separations.
Mathematics Field Experience Design: The Role of Teaching Experiments and Lesson Study One Year Later during Student Teaching

We engaged preservice teachers in a redesigned mathematics field experience with a central focus on children’s reasoning through teaching experiments and purposeful reflection on practice through L...
Incidence of and risk factors for perioperative or periprocedural anaphylaxis in the United States from 2005 to 2014.

Abstract Background The estimated worldwide incidence of perioperative or periprocedural anaphylaxis (PA) is between 1 in 1250 and 1 in 20,000 procedures. Objective To evaluate the incidence of PA in the United States and compare patient characteristics and underlying risk factors using a large national database. Methods Using deidentified data from the nationwide inpatient sample from 2005 to 2014, we identified cases of PA through the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes and conducted a retrospective analysis. Results Among 35,647,347 surgeries and procedures, there were 5458 (0.015%) PA cases identified. The incidence of PA was 15.3 cases per 100,000 procedures. When compared with controls, PA cases had an increased mortality (3.4% vs 1.4%; P Conclusion The incidence of PA is 1 in 6531 procedures, with a mortality of 1 in 191,652 procedures. PA has worsening outcomes compared with controls. The risk factors of PA include age, sex, procedure type, and comorbidities.
Linking Enzyme Upregulation to Autophagic Failure: A Potential Biomarker for GM1 Gangliosidosis

Abstract With an increasing aging population, neurodegenerative diseases are having an increased impact on society. Typically, these diseases are diagnosed significantly past symptom onset, decreasing the possibility of effective treatment. A non-invasive biomarker and specific target are needed to diagnose and treat the disease before late-stage symptoms. GM1 Gangliosidosis is a lysosomal storage disease where lysosomal enzyme β-galactosidase is missing. As a result, GM1 ganglioside is not broken down and accumulates in the cell, ultimately leading to cell death. One of the main aspects of GM1 Gangliosidosis, and other neurodegenerative diseases, is impaired autophagy: reduced fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes to degrade cellular waste. In this paper, we show that healthy cells (NSV3) have approximately 13 times more co-localization of lysosomes and autophagosomes than GM1 Gangliosidosis-diseased cells (GM1SV3), as demonstrated via immunofluorescence. GM1SV3 fold normal enzyme activity of β-galactosidase was downregulated while mannosidase, and hexosaminidase A were both upregulated. When inducing impaired autophagy in NSV3 via starvation, co-localization gradually decreases with increased starvation time. Most notably, after 48-hour starvation, healthy cells (NSV3) showed no significant difference in co-localization compared to GM1SV3. NSV3 under starvation conditions showed a significant increase between time starved and fold normal enzyme activity, with a positive correlation being observed. Activities of mannosidase, and hexosaminidase A of starved NSV3 closely resemble, and surpass, GM1SV3 after 12-hour starvation. These observations have the potential to expand the conversation regarding impaired autophagy as a potential biomarker for disease progression and diagnostics and as a treatment target.
Deep learning can accelerate grasp-optimized motion planning

Robots for picking in e-commerce warehouses require rapid computing of efficient and smooth robot arm motions between varying configurations. Recent results integrate grasp analysis with arm motion planning to compute optimal smooth arm motions; however, computation times on the order of tens of seconds dominate motion times. Recent advances in deep learning allow neural networks to quickly compute these motions; however, they lack the precision required to produce kinematically and dynamically feasible motions. While infeasible, the network-computed motions approximate the optimized results. The proposed method warm starts the optimization process by using the approximate motions as a starting point from which the optimizing motion planner refines to an optimized and feasible motion with few iterations. In experiments, the proposed deep learning-based warm-started optimizing motion planner reduces compute and motion time when compared to a sampling-based asymptotically optimal motion planner and an optimizing motion planner. When applied to grasp-optimized motion planning, the results suggest that deep learning can reduce the computation time by two orders of magnitude (300×), from 29 s to 80 ms, making it practical for e-commerce warehouse picking.
Predictors of poor reading performance in student-athletes following sport-related concussion.

The goal of the current study was to determine which sport/recreation-related concussion (SRC) assessments predict academic reading performance following SRC. The study included 70 concussed studen...
Congenital Chest Wall Abnormalities and Anesthetic Challenges

Congenital chest wall abnormalities are an array of malformations that are caused by inappropriate embryological formation of the rib cage. These abnormalities are often associated with other skeletal dysplasias. Chest wall anomalies may also be associated with syndromes that may affect other organ systems. The spectrum of deformities range from common, mostly benign malformations, such as pectus excavatum, to very rare and usually fatal abnormalities, such as ectopia cordis with associated Pentalogy of Cantrell. The anesthesia team should be aware of these deformities and issues that may arise while managing patients who present with them. This chapter will discuss several congenital chest wall abnormalities and the current anesthetic management of these interesting and challenging malformations.
Exploring a Convergence Technique on Ideation Artifacts in Crowdsourcing

Convergence is a collaborative activity in which members of group focus on what they consider the most promising or important contributions resulting from an ideation activity. Convergence is critical in helping a group focus their efforts on issues that are worthy of further attention. In the current study, we further research in this area by exploring and characterizing the effects of a particular convergence intervention, the FastFocus technique, in the context of a crowdsourcing project. We conducted an exploratory case study of artifacts generated by a crowd of managers addressing a real problem identification and clarification task in a large financial services organization. Using an online crowdsourcing tool, a professional facilitator led participants during preset periods through a convergence activity that focused on the brainstorming contributions that had been generated prior. To better understand the effects of the convergence technique on the group’s ideas, we compared the raw problem statements to the final output of the convergence activities in terms of the number of unique ideas present, as well as the ambiguity of the ideas. Using the FastFocus convergence technique reduced the number of concepts by 76%. Ambiguity was reduced from 45% in the set of problem statements to 3% in the converged set of problem statements. We demonstrate with these findings that the outcomes of group convergence processes in real settings can be measured, enabling future research which seeks to evaluate and understand convergence in groups. Aspects of brainstorming instructions were also identified that may make it possible to reduce the ambiguity of problem statements.
Contemporary Rates of Gynecologic Organ Involvement in Females with Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Retrospective Review of Women Undergoing Radical Cystectomy following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Purpose:According to the American Urological Association/American Society of Clinical Oncology/American Society for Radiation Oncology/Society of Urologic Oncology Guideline on treatment of nonmeta...
A Relationship of Trust: Are State “School Trust Lands” Being Prudently Managed for the Beneficiary?

Every state entering the Union in the United States since 1803 received land grants from the federal government for the support of their public schools. Inherent in this federal grant is the fiduci...
Partial open conversion with proximal aortic banding and endograft preservation is a safe option for the treatment of persistent type II endoleaks.

Abstract We have described our technique of open partial conversion (OPC; n = 5) with aortic banding and endograft preservation for the treatment of type II endoleaks. OPC significantly reduced the aortic clamping time (5.0 vs 32.5 minutes; P = .01) relative to endograft explantation (n = 2). Cross-clamping was avoided entirely in three of the procedures. The patients treated with OPC showed a trend toward a decreased operative time (4.8 vs 5.9 hours) and shorter hospital stay (5.7 vs 7.4 days). Follow-up computed tomography scans were available for three of the five OPC patients, which showed resolution of the type II endoleak. The findings from the present study have further demonstrated the safety of OPC for the treatment of type II endoleaks.
Hepatitis C: Current Status and Future Directions for Antiviral Therapy

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was first identified and shown to be the cause of almost all cases of non-B posttransfusion hepatitis in the late 1980s [1,2]. The virus, now classified within the genus Hepacivirus of the family Flaviviridae, is unique in its ability to establish persistent infection in the great majority of infected persons, many of whom develop evidence of chronic inflammatory liver disease [3]. These chronically infected persons are at risk for cirrhosis and, to a lesser extent, hepatocellular carcinoma [4,5]. Such serious complications of HCV infection usually develop over several decades, although in exceptional cases life-threatening liver disease can become evident within 10 years or less of infection. Despite this, most infected individuals appear to reach a relatively healthy equilibrium with this infection, and the majority of infected persons will probably die of causes completely unrelated to hepatitis C. Little is known of the reasons why certain infected patients do well, while others get into trouble with this infection. This lack of understanding extends to an absence of prognostic tests that are capable of predicting disease outcome in individual patients.
Frozen section diagnosis for non‐melanoma skin cancers: correlation with permanent section diagnosis

Frozen section pathology is routinely used for margin assessment of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Frozen section can also be used for the primary diagnosis of several skin lesions. Limited data exist on the accuracy of frozen section in the diagnosis of NMSC. We performed a retrospective chart review of 300 cases in which frozen section diagnoses were compared with permanent section diagnoses of NMSC. Frozen section and permanent section pathology were concordant 83.3% of the time, with the highest concordance rates noted for basal cell carcinoma (145/153, 95%). Our results show a high level of concordance between frozen section and corresponding permanent section pathology diagnosis for NMSC. The rapidity of frozen section tissue processing and pathology reporting makes this technique useful in dermatologic practice for immediate diagnosis and management of NMSC. Further studies should explore strategies to decrease or eliminate discrepancies between frozen and permanent section diagnosis.
Diagnosing the Conditional Probability of Tornado Damage Rating Using Environmental and Radar Attributes

Radar-identified convective modes, peak low-level rotational velocities, and near-storm environmental data were assignedtoa sampleoftornadoesreportedinthe contiguous UnitedStatesduring 2009‐13. Thetornadosegmentdata were filtered by the maximum enhanced Fujita (EF)-scale tornado event per hour using a 40-km horizontal grid. Convective mode was assigned to each tornado event by examining full volumetric Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler data at the beginning time of each event, and 0.58 peak rotational velocity (Vrot) data were identified manually during the life span of each tornado event. Environmental information accompanied each grid-hour event, consistingprimarily of supercell-related convectiveparameters fromthe hourly objective mesoscale analysescalculated and archived at the Storm Prediction Center. Results from examiningenvironmental and radar attributes, featuring the significant tornado parameter (STP) and 0.58 peak Vrot data, suggest an increasing conditional probability for greater EF-scale damage as both STP and 0.58 peak Vrot increase, especially with supercells. Possible applications of these findings include using the conditional probability of tornado intensity as a real-time situational awareness tool.
Myth of the Hanging Tree

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Robert J. Torrez Year: 2008 Pages: 196 Publisher: University of New Mexico Press ISBN: 978-0-8263-4379-6 (soft cover). Prices: $19.95 USD(soft cover).
Pediatric bipolar spectrum disorder and ADHD: comparison and comorbidity in the LAMS clinical sample

Arnold LE, Demeter C, Mount K, Frazier TW, Youngstrom EA, Fristad M, Birmaher B, Findling RL, Horwitz SM, Kowatch R, Axelson DA. Pediatric bipolar spectrum disorder and ADHD: comparison and comorbidity in the LAMS clinical sample. Bipolar Disord 2011: 13: 509–521. © 2011 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Objective: To compare attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar spectrum disorders (BPSDs), and comorbidity in the Longitudinal Assessment of Manic Symptoms (LAMS) study. Methods: Children ages 6–12 were recruited at first visit to clinics associated with four universities. A BPSD diagnosis required that the patient exhibit episodes. Four hypotheses were tested: (i) children with BPSD + ADHD would have a younger age of mood symptom onset than those with BPSD but no ADHD; (ii) children with BPSD + ADHD would have more severe ADHD and BPSD symptoms than those with only one disorder; (iii) global functioning would be more impaired in children with ADHD + BPSD than in children with either diagnosis alone; and (iv) the ADHD + BPSD group would have more additional diagnoses. Results: Of 707 children, 421 had ADHD alone, 45 had BPSD alone, 117 had both ADHD and BPSD, and 124 had neither. Comorbidity (16.5%) was slightly less than expected by chance (17.5%). Age of mood symptom onset was not different between the BPSD + ADHD group and the BPSD-alone group. Symptom severity increased and global functioning decreased with comorbidity. Comorbidity with other disorders was highest for the ADHD + BPSD group, but higher for the ADHD-alone than the BPSD-alone group. Children with BPSD were four times as likely to be hospitalized (22%) as children with ADHD alone. Conclusions: The high rate of BPSD in ADHD reported by some authors may be better explained as a high rate of both disorders in child outpatient settings rather than ADHD being a risk factor for BPSD. Co-occurrence of the two disorders is associated with poorer global functioning, greater symptom severity, and more additional comorbidity than for either single disorder.
Solution of a new reduced-unknown integral equation for modeling inhomogeneous dielectrics

A new, reduced-unknown integral equation for scattering by an inhomogeneous dielectric/magnetic structure is discretized using rectangular brick elements. The new integral equation involves only the electric field (3 scalar components) as the unknown quantity whereas traditional formulations employed both electric and magnetic fields for a total of 6 scalar components per cell. Edge-based linear shape functions are used for the expansion of the field inside the dielectric and a modified Galerkin's technique is employed for testing the integral equation. Results demonstrating the validity of the integral equation are presented.
ECOLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT RANGE EXTENSION FOR THE CHILEAN TREE MOUSE, Irenomys tarsalis

We document a capture of the Chilean tree mouse (Irenomys tarsalis) from ecologically anomalous habitat near Pto. Ibanez, Chile, near the xeric end of the transition from temperate rainforest to steppe. Typical of Nothofagus forest, a single reproductively active male specimen was captured in a shrubby riparian corridor ca. 40 km S and 900 m lower in elevation than the nearest forested region. This record underscores our limited understanding of this fauna, and calls for further surveys and monitoring in key habitats in this region. RESUMEN: Significativa extension ecologica de la laucha arborea chilena (Irenomys tarsalis). Documentamos la captura de un ejemplar de laucha arborea (Irenomys tarsalis) en un habitat ecologico anomalo para la especie en los alrededores de Puerto Ibanez, Chile, cerca del extremo arido de la transicion de bosque lluvioso templado a estepa. A pesar de ser tipico del bosque de Nothofagus, se capturo un especimen, macho reproductivamente activo, en una ribera arbustiva ubicada a unos 40 kilometros al S y unos 900 m mas bajo, en altitud, que la region boscosa mas cercana. Esta observacion resalta nuestro limitado conocimiento de esta fauna, y constituye una llamada de atencion para otros censos y monitoreos de uno de los habitats clave de esta region.
Deception, detection, and evasion: A trade craft analysis of honolulu, hawaii's street crack-cocaine traffickers

Abstract The intent of this research was to uncover specific techniques employed by drug dealers to counter law enforcement efforts or evade the criminal justice system by studying a community of street crack-cocaine traffickers in a major capital city. The study used twenty-two open-ended questions interviewing five drug runners concerning how they sold narcotics, specifically the sale of crack-cocaine in Honolulu, Hawaii's Chinatown district. Some subjects noted trafficking additional commodities such as heroin, marijuana, women, and sex, although all indicated that they spent the majority of their time dealing crack-cocaine. The subjects reported that they were crack-cocaine users and claimed that being “runners” was the only way to support their habits since the substance is so expensive. Legitimate businesses are shown to have capitalized on crack addiction by marketing and distributing drug paraphernalia related to crack-cocaine consumption. Pornographic video theaters in the research setting are noted as contributing to the crack epidemic by providing privacy and convenience for the users and dealers to consume and traffic narcotics like crack-cocaine. Analyses of pornographic theaters in the research setting are compared with other studies and are considered the Hawaiian version of mainland crack houses. Legalization of this type of drug was not supported from the sample's perspective since all the subjects considered crack-cocaine a dangerous and addictive drug.
The Role of Cell Envelope Phospholipid in the Enzymatic Synthesis of Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide STRUCTURAL REQUIRMENTS OF THE PHOSPHOLIPID MOLECULE

Abstract The role of phospholipid in the uridine diphosphate-galactose: lipopolysaccharide galactosyltransferase reaction has been studied in extracts of Salmonella typhimurium by utilizing synthetic and natural phospholipids and phospholipids altered by venom digestion, alkaline hydrolysis, and catalytic hydrogenation. Activity was seen with derivatives of phosphatidic acid containing two unsaturated or cyclopropane fatty acids, and either a hydroxyl group, ethanolamine, glycerol, or polyglycerol phosphate (in cardiolipin) as the component attached to the α-phosphate group. No activity was seen with phosphatidylcholine.
Grid Generation Techniques

The grid generation (or mesh generation) process is a critical yet challenging step in the simulations that solve numerically nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) representative of fluid dynamics. It is often a tedious and labor-intensive process when complex geometries are involved. There are many techniques in the grid generation process. In this chapter, concepts, strategies, algorithms, and software tools employed in the grid generation process are described. A brief outline of the grid generation process and adaptive grid generation is presented. Structured grid systems with Cartesian and curvilinear strategies and unstructured grid systems with quadtree/octree, Delaunay triangulation, advancing front, and advancing layers methods are summarized to provide readers with a clear overview of these important approaches. Software tools and literature sources for further information on grid generation techniques and applications are stated. In the final section, future trends in grid generation and technology vision are provided. Computational examples are presented throughout this chapter to demonstrate applications of grid strategies. Keywords: structured, unstructured, and hybrid grid generation; algebraic, elliptic, and hyperbolic systems; curvilinear grids; Cartesian grids; Delaunay triangulation; advancing front methods; adaptive grid refinement; redistribution; Computer Aided Geometry Design (CAGD)
Survival potential of Escherichia coli and Enterococci in subtropical beach sand: implications for water quality managers

Fecal bacteria have traditionally been used as indicator organisms to monitor the quality of recreational waters. Recent work has questioned the robustness of traditional indicators, particularly at seawater bathing beaches. For example, a study of Florida beaches found unexpectedly high abundances of Escherichia coli, fecal coliforms, and enterococci in beach sand. The aim of the present study was to explain these abundances by assessing the survival of E. coli and enterococci in beach sand relative to seawater. We used a combination of quantitative laboratory mesocosm experiments and field observations. Results suggested that E. coli and enterococci exhibited increased survivability and growth in sand relative to seawater. Because fecal bacteria are capable of replicating in sand, at least under controlled laboratory conditions, the results suggest that sand may be an important reservoir of metabolically active fecal organisms. Experiments with "natural" mesocosms (i.e., unsterilized sand or water rich in micropredators and native bacteria) failed to show the same increases in fecal indicators as was found in sterile sand. It is postulated that this was due to predation and competition with indigenous bacteria in these "natural" systems. Nonetheless, high populations of indicators were maintained and recovered from sand over the duration of the experiment as opposed to the die-off noted in water. Indicator bacteria may wash out of sand into shoreline waters during weather and tidal events, thereby decreasing the effectiveness of these indicators as predictors of health risk and complicating the interpretations for water quality managers.
Response of Immunized, Parenterally Nourished Rats to Challenge Infection with the Nematode, Trichinella spiralis

Experiments were desinged to test the hypothesis that structural and chemical changes in the small intestine associated with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) alter relationships between hosts and enteric parasites. Parenteral feeding of rats immunized to Trichinella spiralis (nematoda) led to a decrease in gut mass. This was reflected by a significant drop in gut wet weight and reductions in mucosal dry weight, DNA, protein, carbohydrate and lipid. These changes were accompanied also by lowered brush border enzyme activity. When challenged orally with 8 X 10(3) T. spiralis larvae and switched immediately to oral feeding, more worms became established in the small intestines of these rats than in rats given similar doses of larvae, but maintained by oral feeding throughout the experiment. Despite the significant difference in initial worm burden, both enterally fed and parenterally fed rats completely expelled their parasites by 7 and 8 days postinfection, respectively. Results indicated that factors involved in preventing establishment of T. spiralis in immunized rats were suppressed by the prolonged absence of food from the GI tract, whereas factors responsible for expelling worms that were able to gain residence in the mucosa appeared to be unaltered or at least functionally reversible.
Sliding mode output feedback control of mechanical systems with bounded disturbances

A sliding mode output feedback algorithm is proposed to control the vibration of mechanical structures. It has been assumed that the number of states is greater than the number of sensors. The sliding mode control law is designed to be robust to external disturbances provided their upper bounds are known. A boundary layer has been introduced around each sliding hyperplane to eliminate the chattering phenomenon. The results from numerical simulations are presented to corroborate the validity of the proposed controller.
The effect of direct electron‐positron pair production on relativistic feedback rates

Runaway electron avalanches developing in thunderclouds in high electric field become self-sustaining due to relativistic feedback via the production of backward propagating positrons and backscattered X-rays. To date, only positrons created from pair production by gamma rays interacting with the air have been considered. In contrast, direct electron-positron pair production, also known as “trident process,” occurs from the interaction of energetic runaway electrons with atomic nuclei, and so it does not require the generation of a gamma ray mediator. The positrons produced in this process contribute to relativistic feedback and become especially important when the feedback factor value approaches unity. Then the steady state flux of runaway electrons increases significantly. In certain cases, when the strong electrostatic field forms in a narrow area, the direct positrons become one of processes dominating relativistic feedback. Calculations of the direct positron production contribution to relativistic feedback are presented for different electric field configurations.
The Association Between Program Characteristics and Service Delivery in Assertive Community Treatment

The authors describe the relationship between service intensity and staffing, organizational, client, and site characteristics in 19 programs based on the Thresholds Bridge adaptation of the assertive community treatment (ACT) model. Pearson correlations were examined between 14 program characteristics and intensity of ACT services. Several staffing and organizational attributes were related to service intensity: larger team size, shared caseloads, greater supervisor involvement in direct client services, and assignment of primary responsibility for the client to the team. The potential facilitating relationship between several aspects of team operation and intensive services is discussed as are implications for local implementation of ACT.
Circumpolar Health Atlas

The Circumpolar Health Atlas is a highly accessible and attractive work. The size and design of the book adds to both its visual appeal and easy access of information. It is approximately 20 cm hig...
Thermodynamic models for liquid–liquid extraction of electrolytes

Abstract Recent thermodynamic models for liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) involving electrolytes are reviewed. The applicability of various models to solvent extraction (SX) for metal ion recovery is emphasized, and areas where further research is needed are delineated.
Kinetics of carbon monoxide oxidation on solid oxide solution and platinum on alumina - a comparative study

Catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide on supported and unsupported noble metal catalysts has been the subject of numerous studies aimed at elucidating reaction mechanism and quantifying its kinetic parameters. The authors studied the kinetics of CO oxidation in excess oxygen (99% O[sub 2]) on supported Pt catalyst and solid oxide solution La[sub 0.8]Sr[sub 0.2]CrO[sub 3[minus][sigma]] (ND1) as a function of CO concentration. The comparison between the kinetics of the catalytic behavior of Pt/alumina and solid oxide solution La[sub 0.8]Sr[sub 0.2]CrO[sub 3[minus][sigma]] and the dependency of the turnover velocity coefficient of CO oxidation upon dispersion on Pt/alumina catalysts with different sintering severity are reported. 20 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs.
Hepatocellular carcinoma: Have we finally found the ultimate staging system for HCC?

A staging system capable of addressing the real issues facing patients with hepatocellular carcinoma has long been overdue. The new Hong Kong Liver Cancer staging system might do just that because it deals effectively with the limitations of previous staging systems.
Novel energy-based localization technique for multiple sources

Source localization using acoustic sensor networks has been drawing a lot of research interest recently. In a sensor network, there are a large number of inexpensive sensors which are densely deployed in a region of interest (ROI). This dense deployment enables accurate intensity (energy) based target localization. The maximum-likelihood is the predominant objective which leads to a variety of source localization approaches. However, the investigation on the energy-based localization for multiple sources has been very rare. The corresponding robust and efficient algorithms are still being pursuit by researchers nowadays. In this paper, we would like to combat the energy-based multiple-source localization problem. We propose two new algorithms, namely alternating projection (AP) algorithm and expectation maximization (EM) algorithm, which can combat the energy-based localization problem for multiple sources.
Comorbidity and binge eating disorder

Research in obesity has generally not demonstrated an association with increased rates of psychopathology compared to normal-weight comparison groups. However, studies of obese individuals from clinical samples with recurrent binge eating or binge eating disorder (BED) have generally revealed increased rates of psychiatric comorbidity compared to non-binge eating obese individuals. Also, several studies have reported finding an association between BED and elevated rates of psychological distress, social problems, and impaired self-esteem. This report provides an overview of research findings regarding psychiatric comorbidity among individuals with BED, and it presents suggestion for future research.
Unique immunochemical features and intracellular stability of platelet fibrinogen.

Abstract The characteristics of fibrinogen present in fresh and stored platelets have been immunochemically characterized and compared with plasma fibrinogen. Protein components of fresh platelets and platelets stored for 2 or 4 days appeared comparable with respect to mobilities and quantitative absorbance in polyacrylamide gels, and similar quantities of fibrinogen were present in platelet lysates at each time. Immunochemical analysis indicated however that the platelet fibrinogen after 2 or 4 days was not identical to the fresh platelet fibrinogen in the lysates. Differences were noted with respect to the expression of native antigenic determinants of plasma fibrinogen as well as the antigenic expressions of the Aα, Bβ and γ chains. The differences in immunochemical expression were both qualitative and quantitative in nature, and the stored platelet samples were less comparable to plasma fibrinogen than the fresh platelet lysate. No changes in the immunochemical expression of plasma fibrinogen was observed in these samples stored for the same periods of time. Comparison of plasma fibrinogen and platelet fibrinogen with respect to the immunochemical expressions of the native molecule and of the constituent chains indicated that the molecules were not identical. Marked differences were noted between fresh as well as stored platelet fibrinogen samples and reference plasma fibrinogen. These results suggest that platelet and plasma fibrinogen are not absolutely identical and establish the necessity for the use of fresh platelets for the isolation and detailed immunochemical and fine structural characterization of platelet fibrinogen.
Ratio of the Magnetic Moments of In 115 and In 113

A new measurement of the ratio of the nuclear magnetic resonance frequencies of ${\mathrm{In}}^{115}$ and ${\mathrm{In}}^{113}$ in a solution of ${\mathrm{I}\mathrm{n}(\mathrm{C}\mathrm{l}{\mathrm{O}}_{4})}_{3}$ yields $\frac{\ensuremath{\mu}({\mathrm{In}}^{115})}{\ensuremath{\mu}({\mathrm{In}}^{113})}=1.0021437\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0000012$. This can be combined with the hfs measurements of Eck et al. to determine the hfs anomalies.
The “Other” Effects of Psychotropic Medication: Social Workers’ Perspectives on the Psychosocial Effects of Medication Treatment on Adolescent Clients

This study explores social workers’ perspectives on the psychosocial effects of psychotropic drug treatment of their adolescent clients. Using a mail survey, we asked a national sample of experienced clinical social workers to answer questions about their perceptions of the effects of such treatment on the sense of self and social well-being of an adolescent client. The survey questions also explored associations between perceived psychosocial medication effects and characteristics of the client and the treatment. The findings suggested that social workers viewed medication treatment as having greater beneficial than harmful psychosocial effects on their adolescent clients, but that both effects existed simultaneously. The most important factors associated with the perceived effects of medication that emerged from social workers’ reports included the etiology of the disorder, the type of drug treatment and its effectiveness in addressing symptoms, the client’s “competence,” and the quality of the relationship between the client and the treating social worker. This study provides direction for future research on a neglected but important question. It would be helpful to broaden the scope of professional discourse on the advantages and disadvantages of psychopharmacologic treatment for youth beyond the effectiveness or safety of the treatment to include questions concerning clinicians’ perceptions of the effects of drug treatment on youths’ sense of self and social well-being.
An attempt to observe phonon dimensionality crossover effects in the inelastic scattering rate of thin free-standing aluminum films

We compare the inelastic scattering rate in 220-A-thick free-standing films with nearly identical films on substrates. The scattering rate was determined by fitting the magnetoresistance to theories of quantum transport. Although the films are sufficiently thin so as to modify the three-dimensional spectrum of thermal phonons, we find no significant difference between the scattering rates in free-standing and supported films. While experiments on other materials down to lower temperatures are necessary, we conclude that the cubic temperature dependence of the inelastic scattering rate in these thin aluminum films is not strongly affected by the phonon dimensionality.
Metastatic leiomyosarcoma of the heart.

Abstract A clinicopathologic study of a patient with metastatic leiomyosarcoma involving the heart is presented. The primary tumor was found in the myometrium when the uterus was surgically removed three years prior to the onset of cardiac manifestations. The clinical course was dominated by severe cardiac enlargement, bizarre arrhythmias and intractable congestive heart failure, mimicking rheumatic heart disease and digitalis intoxication. We have speculated upon the probable route of metastasis.
Experimental investigation of polymer matrix reinforced composite erosion characteristics

Abstract Solid particle erosion of a composite material of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) matrix and unidirectional (AS4) carbon fiber was investigated experimentally. Erosion tests were conducted with 10 μm Arizona road dust and 100 μm sieved runway sand particles in especially designed erosion tunnel at temperature up to 260 °C (500 °F) and impact velocities up to 152.4 m/s (500 ft/s). Experimental results are presented for the measured erosion rates of the unidirectional (UD) composite material at two perpendicular fiber alignment settings relative to the impacting particle stream. The results indicate a quasi-ductile behavior with peek erosion rate at 45° impact angle. Overall the erosion rate was found to increase with impact velocity. The sieved runway sand caused more than double the erosion of the Arizona road dust under the same impact conditions. The erosion rate was also found to increase with temperature except at normal impact. The fiber alignment orientation relative to the impacting particle stream influenced the erosion rate of the (UD) composite material. Higher erosion rates were measured at 90° fiber orientation than at 0° at ambient test temperatures as reported in prior investigations. However, lower erosion rates were measured at 90° fiber orientation than at 0° for the erosion at 260 °C. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of post-erosion surfaces are presented.
Implications of measurement of eye fixations for a psychophysics of form perception

It was suggested that insights into feature analysis of processes involved in form identification might be gained from an analysis of eye movements made by Ss as they identified patterns. Fixations were measured during identifications of histoforms, polygons, and Vargus 10 figures. Eye fixations were measured, and Ss rated sections of the figures in terms of their importance. Eye fixations were measured in terms of number of changes and duration of fixations. The number of changes in fixation were found to reflect only individual differences. Duration of fixation was found to vary significantly with location within figures, with fixations being longest where changes of contour occurred. There was also a tendency to look longer at the top of polygons and Vargus 10 figures and at the center of histoforms. Ratings of importance were highest for sections of figures fixated for longer duration-generally areas in which changes of contour were present.
A note on the least prime in an arithmetic progression

Abstract Let k , l denote positive integers with ( k , l ) = 1. Denote by p ( k , l ) the least prime p ≡ l (mod k ). Let P ( k ) be the maximum value of p ( k , l ) for all l . We show lim inf P(k) (ϕ(k) log k) ≥ e γ = 1.78107… , where γ is Euler's constant and ϕ is Euler's function. We also show P(k) (ϕ(k) log k) → ∞ for almost all k .
Resistance to Apoptosis and Up Regulation of Bcl-2 In Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia After Androgen Deprivation

AbstractPurpose: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is related to advancing age and the presence of androgens and occurs in virtually all older men. BPH causes morbidity, most often by urinary obstruction, in a substantial fraction of men over sixty. Both finasteride and androgen ablation induce partial diminution in BPH that occurs over weeks to months. This is in contrast to the often rapid involution seen in both normal prostatic epithelium and prostatic carcinoma in response to androgen withdrawal. This study was performed to analyze the response of prostatic cells, and in particular BPH, to acute androgen ablation.Materials and Methods: We subjected a cohort of 26 men to androgen ablation with goserelin, a gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist, for 3-4 weeks prior to radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. Preablation biopsy specimens and prostatectomy specimens were immunohistochemically stained for apoptotic cells and for expression of apoptosis regulatory proteins Bcl-2, Bax, Bcl-x, and Bak.R...
DEVELOPMENT OF CLOZE-ELIDE TESTS OF ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of cloze-elide tests of English proficiency for students who are similar to the TOEFL candidate population. Cloze-elide tests used in this research consisted of exercises in which an examinee is required to edit a prose passage by eliminating extraneous words that have been randomly interspersed throughout the original text of the passage. Students enrolled in university-level intensive English language programs were administered a series of tests including, in addition to cloze-elide tests, a form of the TOEFL, a multiple-choice cloze test, a traditional cloze exercise, and an essay that was holistically scored. Students were also rated by their instructors in twelve areas of English proficiency, and the students rated their own language competency through self-assessments in ten areas. A variety of student background information was also obtained. The design of the study aimed at contributing evidence of the construct validity of cloze-elide tests. Concurrent validity information is relevant to this question, but the evidence arising from factor analyses of the intercorrelations among these many measures is more pertinent. In summary, the new cloze-elide measures demonstrated very strong concurrent validity for TOEFL and other more widely used measures of second language proficiency. The factor analyses suggest that cloze-elide tests are good, indirect measures of English language proficiency, comparing very favorably with more commonly used testing procedures. Multiple regression analyses confirmed the usefulness of cloze-elide tests, which were generally one of the two best predictors of teacher ratings of students' English proficiency.
Controversial Therapies: A Review and Critique

Read the fine print before accepting a “discovery” as an academic or behavioral intervention.
Medicine in Cambodian refugee camps.

Excerpt An estimated 10 to 20 million persons today are refugees, having been forced from their countries of birth by war, famine, or political or religious persecution. Whereas satisfactory long-t...
Asymptotic stability of ground states in 3D nonlinear Schrödinger equation including subcritical cases

We consider a class of nonlinear Schrodinger equation in three space dimensions with an attractive potential. The nonlinearity is local but rather general encompassing for the first time both subcritical and supercritical (in L2) nonlinearities. We study the asymptotic stability of the nonlinear bound states, i.e. periodic in time localized in space solutions. Our result shows that all solutions with small initial data, converge to a nonlinear bound state. Therefore, the nonlinear bound states are asymptotically stable. The proof hinges on dispersive estimates that we obtain for the time dependent, Hamiltonian, linearized dynamics around a careful chosen one parameter family of bound states that “shadows” the nonlinear evolution of the system. Due to the generality of the methods we develop we expect them to extend to the case of perturbations of large bound states and to other nonlinear dispersive wave type equations.
Congressional Seat Swings: Revisiting Exposure in House Elections:

Oppenheimer, Stimson, and Waterman's exposure thesis of partisan change contends that shifts in the partisan composition of Congress are related to the long-term stability of the electoral system. Applying their exposure model to elections from 1962-1994 produces seat change estimates that generally follow the actual data pattern, but these estimates produce large predictive errors. When the exposure model is reestimated using data from 1962-1994, exposure is not significantly related to partisan seat swings. This article advances a seat change model that relies on an alter nate measure of exposure: the net exposure of the president's party in open seats. Open-seat exposure is significantly related to the partisan seat swing, and substantially improves on the economic evaluation/surge and-decline/ exposure model of seat change. In an era of high incumbent security and strategic retirement from Congress, the balance of open seats is a better indicator of partisan vulnerability, and better reflects the natu...
On translational motion planning in 3-space

Let B be a convex polyhedron translating in 3-space amidst k convex polyhedral obstacles A1,…,Ak with pairwise disjoint interiors. The free configuration space (space of all collision-free placements) of B can be represented as the complement of the union of the Minkowski sums Pi=Ai⊕(-B), for i=1,…,k. We show that the combinatorial complexity of the free configuration space of B is O(nklog2k), where n is the total complexity of the individual Minkowski sums P1,…,Pk. The bound is almost tight in the worst case. We also derive an efficient randomized algorithm that constructs this configuration space in expected time O(nklog3k).
Spectral irradiance responsivity measurements between 1 μm and 5 μm

Infrared radiometers for irradiance measurement have been developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These high performance irradiance meters are used to realize and maintain the spectral irradiance responsivity scale between 1000 nm and 5000 nm. They are also working standards that disseminate the infrared irradiance responsivity scale to other institutions and facilities. Both design considerations and responsivity scale transfer to the irradiance meters are discussed. The radiometers were calibrated for spectral irradiance responsivity on the new NIST Infrared Facility for Spectral Irradiance and Radiance Responsivity Calibrations using Uniform Sources (IR-SIRCUS). The spectral irradiance responsivity calibrations described are derived from absolute cryogenic radiometers.