cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ambiguous taxa: effects on the characterization and interpretation of invertebrate assemblages

Damaged and immature specimens often result in macroinvertebrate data that contain ambiguous parent-child pairs (i.e., abundances associated with multiple related levels of the taxonomic hierarchy such as Baetis pluto and the associated ambiguous parent Baetis sp.). The choice of method used to resolve ambiguous parent-child pairs may have a very large effect on the characterization of invertebrate assemblages and the interpretation of responses to environmental change because very large proportions of taxa richness (73-78%) and abundance (79-91%) can be associated with ambiguous parents. To address this issue, we examined 16 variations of 4 basic methods for resolving ambiguous taxa: RPKC (remove parent, keep child), MCWP (merge child with parent), RPMC (remove parent or merge child with parent depending on their abundances), and DPAC (distribute parents among children). The choice of method strongly affected assemblage structure, assemblage characteristics (e.g., metrics), and the ability to detect responses along environmental (urbanization) gradients. All methods except MCWP produced acceptable results when used consistently within a study. However, the assemblage characteristics (e.g., values of assemblage metrics) differed widely depending on the method used, and data should not be combined unless the methods used to resolve ambiguous taxa are well documented and are known to be comparable. The suitability of the methods was evaluated and compared on the basis of 13 criteria that considered conservation of taxa richness and abundance, consistency among samples, methods, and studies, and effects on the interpretation of the data. Methods RPMC and DPAC had the highest suitability scores regardless of whether ambiguous taxa were resolved for each sample separately or for a group of samples. Method MCWP gave consistently poor results. Methods MCWP and DPAC approximate the use of family- level identifications and operational taxonomic units (OTU), respectively. Our results suggest that restricting identifications to the family level is not a good method of resolving ambiguous taxa, whereas generating OTUs works well provided that documentation issues are addressed.
Asymptotic expansion for large closed queuing networks

In this paper, a new asymptotic method is developed for analyzing closed BCMP queuing networks with a single class (chain) consisting of a large number of customers, a single infinite server queue, and a large number of single server queues with fixed (state-independent) service rates. Asymptotic approximations are computed for the normalization constant (partition function) starting directly from a recursion relation of Buzen. The approach of the authors employs the ray method of geometrical optics and the method of matched asymptotic expansions. The method is applicable when the servers have nearly equal relative utilizations or can be divided into classes with nearly equal relative utilizations. Numerical comparisons are given that illustrate the accuracy of the asymptotic approximations.
The generality and hegemony of self-control theory: A comparison of Russian and US adults

Abstract Unique data from residents of Nizhni Novgorod, Russia, are used to address issues about self-control. They provide some support for the generality claims of the theory, that self-control is associated with criminal behavior regardless of the cultural context, but evidence concerning the idea that self-control explains associations between standard predictive variables and crime is mixed. The analyses reveal a general association between self-control and indicators of criminal behavior that is consistent with that shown by the collective body of evidence. However, criminal opportunity (and in most instances deviant peer association) is found to predict the indicators of misbehavior as well as or perhaps better than, and independently of, self-control. Moreover, self-control only partially renders relationships between well known predictive variables and crime spurious. Thus, these results from an unusual cultural context confirm that self-control is at least a modest but persistent predictor of indicators of criminal conduct. However, self-control does not appear to be as potent as the authors of self-control theory contend and it may not even be as important as criminal opportunity, a variable that some have interpreted as a precondition for the operation of self-control in accounting for criminal/deviant behavior, or deviant peer association.
Exploring genomic studies in Africa

A report on the African Society of Human Genetics meeting, Cape Town, South Africa, 6-9 March 2011.
The Price and Rewards of being Buford Price

Abstract The discovery of charged particle radiation, the principal component of cosmic radiation, opened a very potent window to the secrets of the composition of matter and the physical processes operating in our galaxy. During the late sixties, the Fleischer, Price and Walker team developed an important technique for the observation of the charged particle radiation-induced damage in solids. This is an overview of the significant advances resulting from this technique, which was further developed by Buford Price to a stage where it led to quantitative studies of contemporary and ancient charged particle radiation of wide-ranging atomic number, 1≤ Z ≤100, and MeV–GeV kinetic energies.
Dual-enzyme cascade-magnetic separation immunoassay for respiratory syncytial virus

A new immunoassay developed for the detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) makes use of magnetic separation and amplification by a dual-enzyme cascade for signal generation. Magnetic particles are conjugated to monoclonal anti-RSV antibodies through the heterobifunctional crosslinker sulfosuc-cinimidyl 4-(maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, yielding particles of high specific activity and low background. The dual-enzyme cascade is initiated by activation of a masked inhibitor for the enzyme rabbit liver esterase (RLE) by an alkaline phosphatase-antibody conjugate. The esterase activity is then measured to determine the degree of inhibition and, hence, the amount of specifically labeled antigen. These methods yield an immunoassay which is rapid and sensitive. Formation of the immunometric complex requires only 7 min and the total assay time is 40 min. The limit of detection for RSV fusion protein was found to be 1 ng or 10 −14 mol per test. Pre-clinical evaluation of the assay with 52 clinical specimens (nasal washes or aspirates) gave 96% sensitivity (25/26) and 96% specificity (25/26) with respect to a microtiter ELISA procedure and blocking antibody assay.
English for spoken programming

Existing commercial and open source speech recognition engines do not come with prebuilt models that lend themselves to natural input of programming languages. Prior approaches to this problem have largely concentrated on developing spoken syntax for existing programming languages. In this paper, we instead describe a new programming language and environment that is being developed to use “closer to English” syntax. In addition to providing a more intuitive spoken syntax for users, this allows existing speech recognizers to achieve improved accuracy using their prebuilt English models. Our basic recognizer is built from a standard context-free grammar together with the CMU Sphinx pre-trained English models. To improve its accuracy, we modify the language model during runtime by factoring in additional context derived from the program text, such as variable scoping and type inference. While still a work in progress, we anticipate that this will yield measurable improvements in speed and accuracy of spoken program dictation.
Contextual Inference in Markets: On the Informational Content of Product Lines

Context can influence decisions. This malleability of choice is usually invoked as evidence that people do not maximize stable preference orderings. In a market equilibrium, however, context conveys payoff-relevant information to consumers. Consequently, these consumers rationally violate naive formulations of standard choice theoretic principles. I identify informational asymmetries under which apparently anomalous behaviors, namely the compromise effect and choice overload, arise as market equilibria. Firms respond to consumers' contextual inference; in case of the compromise effect, a firm may introduce premium loss leaders (expensive goods of overly high quality that increase the demand for other goods).
Data framing attack on state estimation with unknown network parameters

A data framing attack is presented to exploit the bad data detection and identification mechanisms at a typical ISO/RTO control center. In particular, the proposed attack frames normal meters as sources of bad data and causes the control center to remove useful measurements from the framed meters. The proposed attack uses subspace information of power system measurements; neither the network topology nor the network parameters are required for constructing the attack. It is shown that the proposed attack is capable of perturbing the power system state estimate by an arbitrary degree using only half of the critical measurements. Implications of this attack on power system operations are discussed, and the attack performance is evaluated using benchmark systems.
Ruxolitinib and tofacitinib are potent and selective inhibitors of HIV-1 replication and virus reactivation in vitro

The JAK-STAT pathway is activated in both macrophages and lymphocytes upon human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and thus represents an attractive cellular target to achieve HIV suppression and reduced inflammation, which may impact virus sanctuaries. Ruxolitinib and tofacitinib are JAK1/2 inhibitors that are FDA approved for rheumatoid arthritis and myelofibrosis, respectively, but their therapeutic application for treatment of HIV infection was unexplored. Both drugs demonstrated submicromolar inhibition of infection with HIV-1, HIV-2, and a simian-human immunodeficiency virus, RT-SHIV, across primary human or rhesus macaque lymphocytes and macrophages, with no apparent significant cytotoxicity at 2 to 3 logs above the median effective antiviral concentration. Combination of tofacitinib and ruxolitinib increased the efficacy by 53- to 161-fold versus that observed for monotherapy, respectively, and each drug applied alone to primary human lymphocytes displayed similar efficacy against HIV-1 containing various polymerase substitutions. Both drugs inhibited virus replication in lymphocytes stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) plus interleukin-2 (IL-2), but not PHA alone, and inhibited reactivation of latent HIV-1 at low-micromolar concentrations across the J-Lat T cell latency model and in primary human central memory lymphocytes. Thus, targeted inhibition of JAK provided a selective, potent, and novel mechanism to inhibit HIV-1 replication in lymphocytes and macrophages, replication of drug-resistant HIV-1, and reactivation of latent HIV-1 and has the potential to reset the immunologic milieu in HIV-infected individuals.
Progression of NRAS and BRAF Mutations in Cutaneous Melanoma

Melanoma, the deadliest of skin cancers, is treatable if caught early, but prognosis worsens with disease progression. Therefore, a better understanding of the mechanisms related to melanoma progression would be of great value. It is thought that melanoma is able to develop, grow, and subsequently spread because of genetic changes in cellular pathways. Mutations important in melanoma development have been found to occur in NRAS and BRAF, with recent studies reporting a BRAF mutation rate of up to 80% in cutaneous melanomas (Davies et al., 2002; Goel et al., 2006). Smaller, but significant, percentages of melanomas have also been shown to have somatic mutations in NRAS (Smalley and Herlyn, 2005).
Expression of biologically active human corticosteroid binding globulin by insect cells: acquisition of function requires glycosylation and transport

Abstract Human corticosteroid binding globulin (hCBG) is a 50- to 55-kDa serum glycoprotein that binds cortisol and progesterone with high affinity. To map the steroid-binding domain and to investigate the folding pathways of hCBG, we have established an expression system based on infection of insect cells with a recombinant baculovirus encoding hCBG. Infected Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells secrete immunoreactive hCBG at high levels (16-24 pmol per 10(6) cells per 40 h), and the recombinant protein binds cortisol with an affinity and specificity equivalent to that of human serum-derived hCBG. Thus, this system has the potential to provide large amounts of wild-type and mutant hCBGs for physical-chemical analysis. Cotranslational asparagine-linked glycosylation is essential for acquisition of steroid-binding capability, as shown by the lack of cortisol-binding activity of unglycosylated hCBG secreted in the presence of tunicamycin. Golgi-associated oligosaccharide processing, however, is not required for activity, as demonstrated by the endoglycosidase H susceptibility of the fully active, secreted glycoprotein. Comparison of the steroid-binding properties of intracellular and secreted hCBG with that synthesized in vitro in the rabbit reticulocyte lysate system suggests that this protein undergoes a maturation process during transport through the secretory pathway. This system will be useful for identifying the molecular determinants of biological function in hCBG.
Model study of 1T-1STT MTJ memory arrays for embedded applications

The use of current to switch nanomagnets has opened up opportunities for using spin-torque-transfer (STT) based magnetic memories in embedded applications. This paper presents a design space exploration of 1T-1STT MTJ arrays for embedded applications, under variations and disturbs conditions.
Recent film boiling calculations: implication on fuel-coolant interactions

Abstract A transient film boiling model was developed to study the film boiling dynamics that would occur when a molten, spherical fuel droplet is immersed in a coolant. The focus of this study was to investigate the effects of noncondensable gas, coolant temperature and ambient pressure on film boiling during the initial growth phase. These parameters were found to have the greatest influence on the triggering of the small scale fuel-coolant interactions. The results indicate that the film generally stabilizes with more noncondensable gas present and higher coolant temperatures. Our calculations indicate that small ambient pressurizations cause violent fluctuation of the film pressure while higher ambient pressures suppress these oscillations. These results are in good agreement with Nelson's experimental data for a single fuel droplet in water.
Corticosteroid-Induced Lipid Changes in Rat Liver Microsomes*

An influence of corticosteroids on the phospholipid composition of several tissues has been demonstrated previously. Increases in the activity of rat liver microsomal cytochrome c reductase and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase after corticoid administration were also demonstrated. The phospholipid composition of liver microsomes is now reported to be altered by similar corticosteroid treatment. Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and sphingomyelin levels in rat liver microsomes were decreased significantly after in vivo cortisol administration. The levels of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and arachidonic acids in phosphatidylcholine and of palmitic acid in phosphatidylserine-phosphatidylinositol were also affected. Cholesterol was increased after adrenalectomy and decreased to control levels after the administration of cortisol. Some of the microsomal enzymes which are affected by corticosteroids or adrenalectomy are known to require phospholipids for full activity. The alteration of enzyme activities and membrane phospholipid composition by similar dosage schedules of corticosteroids suggests a possible relation between the two effects. By affecting the lipid composition of the membranes, corticosteroids may regulate or modulate the activity of the lipid-requiring enzyme systems.
A polynomial based iterative method for linear parabolic equations

A new polynomial based method (PBM) is developed to integrate multi-dimensional linear parabolic initial-boundary-value problems. It is based on $L\sb2$-approximations to $f(z) = (1 - exp(-z))/z,f(0) = 1,$ over ellipses in the complex plane using expansions of f in Chebychev polynomials. The calculation of the Fourier Coefficients requires numerical integration over only a single line segment in the complex plane whose length and orientation depend on the step size and the parabolic operator itself. The simplicity with which these coefficients are obtained rests on special properties of the Chebychev polynomials. Most of the work in PBM consists of matrix-vector multiplications, involving a matrix L which arises from the spatial discretization of the differential operator. To be specific, PBM integrates the semi-discrete problem $u\sb{t} = L(t)u + b(t), u,b$ in $R\sp{n}$ and L in $R\sp{n\times n},$ and requires only a modest amount of storage (a few vectors of order n). Due to the analyticity of f it has good convergence properties and compares favorably to other standard methods from the classes of Hopscotch, Alternating Direction Implicit (ADI) and Locally One-Dimensional (LOD) schemes, as measured by the CPU-times required on a single CPU of a CRAY X-MP/24. It is also competitive with Crank-Nicolson which we couple with two proven iterative solvers. I recommend PBM on problems which require fourth order spatial accuracy, problems whose solutions contain significant high-frequency components, and problems whose operators cannot be split conveniently in an ADI or LOD fashion (for example, problems with mixed derivatives).
Sequence heterogeneity of the C-terminal, Cys-rich region of the merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) in field samples of Plasmodium falciparum.

Abstract Recent results with primate plasmodia and rodent models of infection have focused attention on the C-terminal region of the merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) as one of the leading candidates for vaccination against the erythrocytic stages of malaria. However, sequence heterogeneity of this region may compromise its use as a vaccine candidate. While the C-terminal region of MSP-1 from the two prototypic alleles of P. falciparum has been shown to be relatively conserved in laboratory-maintained strains, little data exist on sequence heterogeneity of this region in field isolates from diverse geographic areas. To address this question, DNA encoding the C-terminal, Cys-rich region of P. falciparum MSP-1 from field samples was analyzed by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-direct sequencing method. Sequence data were consistent with those obtained from laboratory-maintained strains. In 15 isolates from Africa, Asia and Latin America, only a few nucleotide changes were found leading to amino-acid alterations at four positions out of 102 residues. All the variations corresponded to the predicted amino-acid sequence of the other prototype, suggesting that these changes were possibly due to allelic recombinations. The four changes were E → Q at position 1644 and TSR → KNG, or KNG → TSR at positions 1691, 1700 and 1701. Thus, only three patterns of the C-terminal, Cys-rich region of MSP-1, E-TSR, Q-KNG and Q-TSR, were detected. All the Cys residues were conserved. These results support the potential utility of the C-terminal region of MSP-1 as a vaccine candidate.
Spring-cleaning of African agathidines: new combinations for five species previously placed in Cremnops Förster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

Little work has been done with the African species of Cremnops since their original descriptions. Herein we propose new combinations for five species that are currently placed in Cremnops, i.e., C. atripennis Szepligeti 1914 and C. elegantissima Szepligeti 1908 are moved to Disophrys; C. borealis (Szepligeti 1914) and C. rubrigaster Masi 1944 are moved to Biroia; and C. pulchripennis Szepligeti 1905 is moved to and renamed Biroia neopulchipennis. These changes result in Disophrys atripennis (Szepligeti 1915) becoming a jr. homonym, which we change to Disophrys szatripennis. Additionally, two species are proposed as nomen dubia: C. rufitarsis Szepligeti 1913 and C. schubotzi Szepligeti 1915.
Determinant calculations for the Block Szegő–Widom Limit Theorem

The Szegő–Widom Limit Theorem says that for certain N × N matrix functions φ defined on the unit circle, the asymptotic behavior of the determinants of the block Toeplitz matrices Tn(φ) is given by where G [φ ] is the geometric mean of det φ and E [φ ] is equal to the operator determinant det T (φ)T (φ–1). In the scalar case (N = 1) a more explicit expression for E [φ ] exists, while in the matrix case (N > 1) not much is known. In the present paper we are going to establish an explicit expression for E [φ ] for 2 × 2 matrix functions φ = αI + βQ where α and β are scalar functions and Q is a rational matrix function for which Q2 = 0. It turns out that in comparison with the scalar case, new terms in the expression for E [φ ] appear. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Clinico-pathologic correlation of 385 lesions of marginal destructive periodontitis.

This study investigated the relationship between the degree of periodontal destruction present in advanced periodontal lesions and consistently associated infiltrates of lymphocytes and/or plasma cells. A total of 385 biopsy specimens were obtained from the depths of pockets during routine periodontal surgery. The selected lesions were in “established” or “advanced” stages and were classified according to pocket depth as Class I (4–6 mm) or Class II (7–10 mm). The infiltrates attached to the cementum, bone, or lining the pocket soft tissue wall were classified in five types according to the distribution of lymphocytes, plasmocytes, and neutrophils. Statistical evaluation of the findings demonstrated a strong, significant relationship (P < 0.001) between the degree of destruction of supporting periodontal tissues (Class II) and the predominance of plasma cells in the infiltrate (Type a). A weaker significant correlation (P < 0.02) was found between predominant lymphocytic populations (Type b) and Class I l...
Food Habits and Dietary Overlap of Two Heteromyid Rodents from the Mesquite Plains of Texas

Winter and spring diets of Perognathus hispidus and Dipodomys ordii were analyzed and compared to food availability at three collecting sites in the mesquite-grasslands of west-central Texas. Important winter foods of P. hispidus were Prosopis juliflora, Helianthus annuus, Mammalaria sp., Artemisia ludoviciana , and Opuntia lindheimeri . Spring foods of P. hispidus included Prosopis juliflora, Gaillardia pulchella, Opuntia lindheimeri , carabid beetles, and Andropogon hallii . Insects made up 13.9 per cent of the spring diet. Major foods were selected for in amounts greater than expected on the basis of availability. Important winter foods of D. ordii were unidentified dry stems, Paspalum stramineum , and Prosopis juliflora . Insects made up 8.0 per cent of the winter diet. Major components of the spring diet of D. ordii were Andropogon hallii, Ambrosia artemisifolia, Prosopis juliflora , and Gaillardia pulchella ; insects and other arthropods made up 18.3 per cent of the spring diet. Few foods in the winter and spring diets of D. ordii were selected for. Both species of rodents exhibited little seasonal variation in food habits. The dietary overlap was significant for both species for winter months, but spring diets were dissimilar. The significance of dietary overlap and degree of competition in P. hispidus and D. ordii is discussed.
Cerebellar astrocytomas in children.

Cerebellar astrocytomas, as a group, carry a more favorable prognosis than most other brain tumors, because these neoplasms generally are histologically benign and amenable to extensive resection. However, it is clear that a number of factors have an impact on prognosis. In particular, resection extent has been strongly associated with progression-free survival: patients undergoing gross total resection appear to have a substantially better prognosis than those undergoing incomplete resection. Brainstem invasion, which is the factor that most often precludes a complete resection, has also been associated with a less favorable prognosis. In addition, histological features indicative of malignancy are clearly associated with a poor outcome.
Characteristics of Speech Disfluency and Stuttering Behaviors in 3- and 4-Year-Old Children.

The purpose of this investigation was to quantitatively and qualitatively characterize speech disfluencies exhibited by 3- and 4-year-old children who do (CWS, N= 36) and do not (CWNS, N=36) stutte...
MUCing around with tumor suppression.

Commentary to:Muc1 oncoprotein suppresses activation of the ARF-MDM2-p53 pathwayDeepak Raina, Rehan Ahmad, Dongshu Chen, Shailendra Kumar, Surender Kharbanda and Donald Kufe
Isotope Studies of Hydrologic Processes

During the past decade, the study of environmental isotopes has become an increasingly powerful tool toward understanding hydrologic processes. The present book, a selection of twelve papers presented at the 1980 Midwest American Geophysical Meeting, is a useful addition to the literature of isotopic methods used in hydrologic studies and will be of particular value to those interested in groundwater flow system analysis and groundwater chemistry. The papers deal with the stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen in water; carbon in bicarbonate; sulfur in sulfate and sulfide; and the radioisotopes of uranium, hydrogen, and radium. The first paper, by the editors, provides a brief but succinct introduction on isotopic processes. Of particular interest to this reviewer are papers by Perry et al. and Desaulniers et al., who explain isotopically light groundwater (δ18O about 5% lighter than modern recharge water) in Illinois bedrock aquifers and clayey Pleistocene deposits in south-central Canada as Pleistocene recharge during colder climates. Desaulniers et al. used 14C to demonstrate that the isotopically lighter waters in the Pleistocene deposits could be up to 13,000 years B.P.
The Reactions of an Unsubstituted Vinamidinium Salt with Organometallic Species and Reducing Agents.

Abstract The reactions of an unsubstituted vinamidinium salt with organometallic reagents, borane, and DIBAL-H are described. The products of these reactions were unsaturated aldehydes, and allylic amines. The reaction conditions and possible mechanistic implications are also discussed.
Indentation modulus of elastically anisotropic half spaces

The unloading process in an indentation experiment is often modelled as a contact problem of a rigid punch on an elastically isotropic half space. This allows one to derive simple formulae to determine the indentation modulus from experimental data. We have studied the contact problem of a flat circular punch and a paraboloid on an elastically anisotropic half space and have shown that the formulae used for isotropic materials can be used for anisotropic materials as long as the half space has three or fourfold rotational symmetry. In the case of lower symmetry, the indentation modulus depends on the shape of the indenter. We have calculated the indentation modulus of {100}, {111} and {110} surfaces of cubic crystals for a wide range of elastic constants. The {110} indentation modulus was calculated for the case of a flat circular punch. The single-crystal indentation moduli differ substantially from the isotropic polycrystalline indentation moduli and the differences increase with increasing anisotropy f...
Modeling the Effect of Oxidation on Damage in SiC/Ti-15-3 Metal Matrix Composites

In this paper, a micromechanical analysis is performed on a single ply continuous fiber SiC/Ti-15V-3Al-3Sn-3Cr (Ti-15-3) metal matrix composite to study the complex interactions between the composite microstructural components and the surrounding environment at high temperatures. Finite elements are incorporated to model oxygen diffusing into the free surface of a representative volume element (RVE) during cool down from the processing temperature. The resulting residual stress distribution is investigated assuming thermoelastic material models for the matrix, oxide layer, and fiber. Results indicate that the oxidized surface layer is prone to cracking upon subsequent mechanical loading, and this effect is strongly temperature dependent.
Experimental design for high-throughput screening

Novel methods in molecular biology and advanced technologies have given pharmaceutical research laboratories the capability to test combinatorial libraries rapidly against large numbers of potential targets. Methods to identify optimal assay conditions efficiently are very useful in the development of robotic screening assays where there are numerous variables and potential interactions between the variables. This review discusses the use of statistical experimental design in the development and optimization of high-throughput screening assays. The authors provide a brief introduction to the theoretical basis for experimental design and discuss practical aspects of using these methods in a research laboratory. Two case studies demonstrate the power of the method in solving problems in assay development and illustrate the diversity of potential applications.
Serum hexosaminidase activity in I-cell disease carriers

Serum heat stable hexosaminidase activities are used to identify 47 I-cell disease heterozygotes in a large kindred. Serum beta-hexosaminidase isozyme patterns in normal individuals, Tay-Sachs disease carriers, I-cell disease carriers and in cord blood samples are compared.
Use of long-range repetitive element polymorphism-PCR to differentiate Bacillus anthracis strains.

ABSTRACT The genome of Bacillus anthracis is extremely monomorphic, and thus individual strains have often proven to be recalcitrant to differentiation at the molecular level. Long-range repetitive element polymorphism-PCR (LR REP-PCR) was used to differentiate various B. anthracis strains. A single PCR primer derived from a repetitive DNA element was able to amplify variable segments of a bacterial genome as large as 10 kb. We were able to characterize five genetically distinct groups by examining 105B. anthracis strains of diverse geographical origins. AllB. anthracis strains produced fingerprints comprising seven to eight bands, referred to as “skeleton” bands, while one to three “diagnostic” bands differentiated between B. anthracisstrains. LR REP-PCR fingerprints of B. anthracis strains showed very little in common with those of other closely related species such as B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, and B. mycoides, suggesting relative heterogeneity among the non-B. anthracis strains. Fingerprints from transitional non-B. anthracis strains, which possessed the B. anthracis chromosomal marker Ba813, scarcely resembled those observed for any of the five distinct B. anthracis groups that we have identified. The LR REP-PCR method described in this report provides a simple means of differentiating B. anthracisstrains.
Nursery stock quality as an indicator of bottomland hardwood forest restoration success in the Lower Mississippi River Alluvial Valley

Seedling morphological quality standards are lacking for bottomland hardwood restoration plantings in the Lower Mississippi River Alluvial Valley, USA, which may contribute toward variable restoration success. We measured initial seedling morphology (shoot height, root collar diameter, number of first order lateral roots, fresh mass, and root volume), second year field heights and diameters, survival, browse, and top dieback of five speciescherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda Raf.), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.), Nuttall oak (Q. nuttallii Palmer), sweet pecan (Carya illinoensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch), and water oak (Q. nigra L.). Seedlings were obtained from three regional nurseries (Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi), planted on three sites (Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi), and treated with or without chemical weed control. Sitenursery interaction and weed control (without interactions) usually affected survival, whereas siteweed control interaction and nursery (without interactions) influenced second year heights and diameters. Weed control generally increased survival rates, as well as second year height and diameter. Effects of initial morphological characteristics on field survival and height and diameter growth were generally dependent on the other morphological parameters. Target morphological characteristics were identified as 99, 84, and 82 in height/diameter ratios (equal units) for cherrybark oak, green ash, and Nuttall oak, respectively; mean initial height of 40� 43 cm in sweet pecan; and mean initial fresh mass/root volume of 2.7 g ml � 1 in water oak. Seedlings with means above these values may be more susceptible to dieback or mortality after outplanting, likely associated with excessive shoot relative to root biomass.
Role of afterload reduction in the prevention of late anthracycline cardiomyopathy

Afterload reduction is useful for treating and preventing adult congestive heart failure outside the realm of anthracycline toxicity. Afterload reducers are commonly used as treatment for acute heart failure associated with anthracyclines. However, the use of afterload reduction for the prevention of anthracycline associated late cardiomyopathy remains a controversial area, with strong opinions expressed concerning the potential risks and benefits of such an approach. This article will define afterload and the tools utilized to measure afterload. The study will then describe the theory for the use of afterload reduction in patients with anthracycline exposure who show signs of anthracycline cardiotoxicity, and will present data from the ACE-Inhibitor After Anthracyclines (AAA) Trial to help answer the question, Should an afterload reducer be used to aid in preventing late anthracycline cardiotoxicity? Finally, recommendations for future research will be presented.
Middle‐range theory construction of the dynamics of organizational marketing‐buying behavior

Given that planned marketing strategies and observable behaviors often are contingent on buyer and third‐party (e.g. competitor) responses, deep understanding and descriptions of the thoughts and actions of marketers need to reflect the dynamic interplay of such contingencies. The same view applies to planned organizational buying strategies and observable behaviors: buying behavior adapts through time based on information learned and marketers’ responses to requests made by the customer organization. Consequently, a two‐way, or multiple‐party, approach to theory construction is useful in particular for mapping the “if‐then” responses of the marketer’s thoughts/actions linked with the if‐then responses of buyers’ thoughts/actions through several time periods. Using in‐depth interviews and case histories of one marketing organization and 28 buying organizations related to the office furniture industry, the article illustrates descriptive modeling of the contingency dynamics in the thoughts and actions across the multiple parties involved in marketing‐buying interactions.
Treatment of Pneumonias in a Managed-Care Organisation The Impact of a Treatment Guideline Promotion on Physician Prescribing Behaviour

Objective: To evaluate a pneumonia disease management programme in a naturalistic setting. Design and Setting: A 300 000 member managed-care organisation introduced an antibacterial treatment guideline designed to change antibacterial prescribing by physicians. A relational database was created to measure changes in healthcare resources, use of antibacterials and health event profiles. One year of data before and after promoting the treatment guideline was compared. Intervention: The primary disease management intervention was the promotion of the guideline through mailings and face-to-face interventions by 2 disease management specialists. Participants: All patients with pneumonia diagnoses on the medical claims database were included in the analysis. Results: The study demonstrated that medical costs increased by 5 to 10% after the treatment guideline was implemented. Health event analysis demonstrated changes in antibacterial prescribing and average cost per antibacterial selected. In both years, the highest success rate was with the amoxicillin group. Although there were fewer patients, doxycycline also had success rates of at least 70%. The econometric model demonstrated that holding other variables constant, including patient age and the presence of any comorbidities, treatment with amoxicillin was associated with a statistically significant reduction in health event costs. Conclusions: The study identified the need for validating treatment guidelines with results from actual practice. The data also demonstrate the use and importance of measuring clinical and economic outcomes from disease management interventions by using databases readily available within most managed-care organisations. In addition, the econometric model was useful in comparing different drug groups with these retrospective data.
Optimum design of finite element software subject to core restrictions

Abstract Writing general purpose application code for mini-computers and time-sharing systems requires a carefully chosen compromise between program performance and conservation of computer resources. This report addresses itself to the design and implementation of such systems with special reference to the GIFTS 4 finite element package. The methods employed to design and implement the system are described. The stiffness assembly module of GIFTS is chosen as an illustration, and efforts aimed at speeding it up are described in detail, thus providing a representative case history. Results of similar efforts, involving other GIFTS modules, are presented. General guidelines are drawn, which should be of help to those attempting similar objectives. The paper is intended for engineering software designers, rather than for computer scientists, for whom some of the contents may seem obvious.
Rapid Molecular Characterization of Clostridium difficile and Assessment of Populations of C. difficile in Stool Specimens

Our laboratory has developed testing methods that use real-time PCR and pyrosequencing analysis to enable the rapid identification of potential hypervirulent Clostridium difficile strains. We describe a real-time PCR assay that detects four C. difficile genes encoding toxins A (tcdA) and B (tcdB) and the binary toxin genes (cdtA and cdtB), as well as a pyrosequencing assay that detects common deletions in the tcdC gene in less than 4 h. A subset of historical and recent C. difficile isolates (n = 31) was also analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to determine the circulating North American pulsed-field (NAP) types that have been isolated in New York State. Thirteen different NAP types were found among the 31 isolates tested, 13 of which were NAP type 1 strains. To further assess the best approach to utilizing our conventional and molecular methods, we studied the populations of C. difficile in patient stool specimens (n = 23). Our results indicated that 13% of individual stool specimens had heterogeneous populations of C. difficile when we compared the molecular characterization results for multiple bacterial isolates (n = 10). Direct molecular analysis of stool specimens gave results that correlated well with the results obtained with cultured stool specimens; the direct molecular analysis was rapid, informative, and less costly than the testing of multiple patient stool isolates.
Eosinophils contribute to early clearance of Pneumocystis murina infection

Pneumocystis pneumonia remains a common opportunistic infection in the diverse immunosuppressed population. One clear risk factor for susceptibility to Pneumocystis is a declining CD4(+) T cell count in the setting of HIV/AIDS or primary immunodeficiency. Non-HIV-infected individuals taking immunosuppressive drug regimens targeting T cell activation are also susceptible. Given the crucial role of CD4(+) T cells in host defense against Pneumocystis, we used RNA sequencing of whole lung early in infection in wild-type and CD4-depleted animals as an unbiased approach to examine mechanisms of fungal clearance. In wild-type mice, a strong eosinophil signature was observed at day 14 post Pneumocystis challenge, and eosinophils were increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of wild-type mice. Furthermore, eosinophilopoiesis-deficient Gata1(tm6Sho)/J mice were more susceptible to Pneumocystis infection when compared with BALB/c controls, and bone marrow-derived eosinophils had in vitro Pneumocystis killing activity. To drive eosinophilia in vivo, Rag1(-/-) mice were treated with a plasmid expressing IL-5 (pIL5) or an empty plasmid control via hydrodynamic injection. The pIL5-treated mice had increased serum IL-5 and eosinophilia in the lung, as well as reduced Pneumocystis burden, compared with mice treated with control plasmid. In addition, pIL5 treatment could induce eosinophilia and reduce Pneumocystis burden in CD4-depleted C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, but not eosinophilopoiesis-deficient Gata1(tm6Sho)/J mice. Taken together, these results demonstrate that an early role of CD4(+) T cells is to recruit eosinophils to the lung and that eosinophils are a novel candidate for future therapeutic development in the treatment of Pneumocystis pneumonia in the immunosuppressed population.
Utilization of three-phase thyristor-controlled AC/DC converters for reactive power compensation with minimum losses

This paper presents a new control method for three-phase, thyristor-controlled reactors for reactive power compensation applications. A conventional AC/DC, three-phase, phase-controlled, bridge power converter is utilized. A relatively small inductance is used for a discontinuous rated inductor current. This results in reducing the inductor size, cost and loss, and greatly reduces the power converter switching losses. Experimental results are shown to demonstrate the validity of the proposed method. >
Simultaneous detection of cell-secreted TNF-α and IFN-γ using micropatterned aptamer-modified electrodes

Cellular production of such cytokines as interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is used to determine disease-specific immune responses and may be used to diagnose infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. In this paper, we describe the development of micropatterned electrodes functionalized with electroactive aptamers for multiplexed detection of immune-cell-produced cytokines. A sequence of electrode deprotection and aptamer incubation steps were used to assemble anti-IFN-γ DNA aptamers and anti-TNF-α RNA aptamers on individually addressable half-ring electrodes. Aptamer molecules were thiolated for assembly on gold and were functionalized with methylene blue redox reporter for electrochemical signal transduction. Specificity of individual sensors to the correct cytokine species was confirmed by exposure to recombinant cytokines. For cell detection experiments, electrode arrays were integrated into microfluidic devices and incubated with immune cells. Design of the surface was such that a small group of ~400 cells attached in the circular adhesion sites surrounded by half-ring electrodes sensing IFN-γ and TNF-α. The microdevice consisted of two parallel microfluidic channels, each channel containing four cell capture/sensing sites. Upon mitogenic activation, secreted IFN-γ and TNF-α molecules were monitored by performing square wave voltammetry (SWV) at different time points at individually addressable electrodes. This biosensing platform was used to analyze the quantity and rate of cytokine release from primary T cells and a monocyte cell line. Upon further development of this platform may be enhanced to enable detection of larger number of cytokines and used to correlate the levels and dynamics of cytokine release in immune cells to diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.
Accidental diagnosis: Aeromonas infection leading to discovery of acute myeloid leukemia with meylodysplastic syndrome.

### Patient 47-year-old African American man. ### Chief Complaint Initially, serious finger abscess. The patient reported severe pain that was localized to that finger only. ### History of Present Illness His finger had become sore and then progressively more painful and swollen. ### Past Medical History A few weeks earlier, the patient had had a similar abscess on his leg; he could not recall any specific injuries other than this. He had a past history of epilepsy that is totally unrelated to this case; he had not had any episodes in more than 10 years. Otherwise, the medical history of the patient was relatively healthy: he is a nonsmoker with no history of diabetes or steroid use. ### Social History Patient washed cars for a living. ### Family History Noncontributory ### Physical Examination Initially, the patient was sent home with a course of antibiotics (cephalexin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) and was asked to return to the hospital for follow up within two days. By the time of the follow-up visit, the antibiotic treatment had been unsuccessful, and the patient experienced more pain in the finger; the flesh of the finger was becoming black and necrotic. The patient tested positive for all myeloid markers: myeloperoxidase (MPO), CD34, CD33, CD13, CD45, human leukocyte antigen–DR subregion (HLA-DR), CD15, and CD11c. Trilinear dysplasia was indicated by the results of bone-marrow studies and peripheral blood smear testing. ### Principle Laboratory Findings See Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, Figure 1, Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4, and Image 5. View this table: Table 1 Peripheral Blood Findingsa View this table: Table 2 White Blood Cell Morphologic Characteristics and Differentiala View this table: Table 3 Laboratory Findings Image 1 Peripheral blood smear from the patient (a 47-year-old African American man) showing blast-like leukocytes and dysplastic red blood cells (magnification ×40), indicating microcytic hypochromic anemia with dysplastic circulating …
Planning knowledge and game-theoretic models for cooperative assembly

A knowledge-based planning and control approach that involves game-theoretic models for cooperation among distributed machines is developed. The cooperation modes are classified into three types: mandatory, optional, and concurrent. The planning issue deals with two main problems: description of assembly tasks with associated cooperation knowledge and assignment of individual or collective tasks to robots or machines on the basis of the task requirements and machine capabilities. The most effective coalition of robots and machines that can perform the task successfully is determined on the basis of the current perception of the system. >
Pooling Designs for Outcomes under a Gaussian Random Effects Model

Due to the rising cost of laboratory assays, it has become increasingly common in epidemiological studies to pool biospecimens. This is particularly true in longitudinal studies, where the cost of performing multiple assays over time can be prohibitive. In this article, we consider the problem of estimating the parameters of a Gaussian random effects model when the repeated outcome is subject to pooling. We consider different pooling designs for the efficient maximum likelihood estimation of variance components, with particular attention to estimating the intraclass correlation coefficient. We evaluate the efficiencies of different pooling design strategies using analytic and simulation study results. We examine the robustness of the designs to skewed distributions and consider unbalanced designs. The design methodology is illustrated with a longitudinal study of premenopausal women focusing on assessing the reproducibility of F2-isoprostane, a biomarker of oxidative stress, over the menstrual cycle.