cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Newborn screening for sickle cell disease and other hemoglobinopathies. New York's experience.

In 1964, the New York State Public Health Law, §2500a, set the stage for mandatory newborn screening. By 1978, testing was already under way when the last of the total of eight diseases was added. Screening for homozygous sickle cell disease was included in 1975. Specimens submitted from 1975 to 1984 totaled nearly 2.5 million, and these specimens were sent to four different laboratories in New York state. New York City, with the largest population of newborns, sent the largest proportion of specimens (1.1 million). Although testing was occurring, it was not until 1979 that citywide follow-up was established. Follow-up efforts were coordinated through the New York City Department of Health in cooperation with 52 hospitals. Of these hospitals, 25 received New York state funding for the provision of genetic services, which included testing and counseling for parents of children whose test results were positive for trait or disease. A cooperative effort was set up between the New York City Department of Health and health providers, who agreed to provide follow-up for newborns with all hemoglobinopathies at their respective hospitals. In cases of sickle cell disease, efforts were made to obtain second specimens from affected infants. In cases in which this was difficult, New York City Department of Health aids visited the home and obtained the specimen, counseled the parents, and arranged for further follow-up. Other cooperative efforts occurred when various genetic or sickle cell centers came together and organized committees. Two major committees, the Sickle Cell Advisory Committee, and its executive arm, the Implementation Committee, in which all providers of genetic services throughout the state are represented, met to discuss statewide problems, to identify needs, and to formulate policy.
Energy and deployment aware sensing for wireless sensor networks

Sensor nodes having limited and unreplenishable power resources. However the density of deployment is very high leading to a lot of redundancy. A lot of resources are wasted without the design of efficient algorithms. One of the approaches to saving energy is to turn off redundant nodes. In this paper, we propose an optimization problem which minimizes the total energy consumption by turning off redundant nodes while satisfying the condition that every point in the target area is covered. Then we prove that the optimization problem is NP-complete. We further propose three distributed greedy algorithms which utilize local energy and deployment information to turn off redundant nodes while still covering the whole sensing area. We test the effectiveness of our protocols by comparing our schemes with a random scheme proposed in earlier work [T. Yan et al, 2003]. Our schemes achieve significant gains in energy savings and also improve the half-life of the network. Inspite of the extra overhead associated with our schemes our proposed protocols have significantly better performance.
Customer Contact Personnel: Using Interviewing Techniques to Select for Adaptability in Service Employees

Considers the need to select customer contact personnel who already exhibit the desirable trait of adaptability, thus reducing the need for training. Discusses the issue of adaptability in service employees and how to select for adaptability. Examines several methods which can be used in the selection process, such as abstract questioning, situational vignette interviewing, role playing. Concludes that whiletraining is vital for all employees, creative interviewing techniques can help to secure service‐oriented employees who represent the most potential for service businesses.
The Pontine Micturition Centres

Objective: To review recent literature on the function of the two postulated pontine regions (the M- and L-regions) concerned with lower urinary tract control. Material and Methods: The work reviewed is based on stimulation and lesion experiments and post-operative follow-up in the cat, supported by acute chemical stimulation and blocking experiments in the rat and PET functional brain scanning in humans. Results and Conclusions: The M-region in the cat, homologous to Barrington's micturition centre and to a similar area in humans, is a small region both specific and necessary to voiding, the origin of the final common pathway to bladder and urethra, and the locus of co-ordination of the bladder and the striated sphincter. The L-region in the cat is part of a larger, less specific area that probably serves sphincter control in various circumstances, not exclusively micturition. The homolog of this region in the human or in the rat has not been adequately established.
Effects of home visits to vulnerable young families.

Purpose: Nurses' home visits to new parents have been replaced in many high-need communities by nonprofessional visits without clear evidence of effectiveness. Previous reviews of home visiting research have combined nurse and non-nurse interventions and have pooled studies from the US, where home visiting is mainly limited to low-income families, with those from nations where home visiting is a universal service. This integrative review was focused on nurse-delivered interventions in the US and Canada to identify the nursing-specific models with the greatest effect in this cultural context. Evaluation of support for social ecology theory was a secondary aim. Design: The sample consisted of 20 experimental and quasi-experimental studies of home nursing interventions for families of newborn infants who were vulnerable because of poverty, social risks, or prematurity. Methods: Each report was examined systematically using specific rules of inference and a scoring system for methodological quality. Intervention effects on five outcome domains were described. Findings: Maternal outcomes, maternal-infant interaction, and parenting were more often influenced than was child development, except in preterm infants. Well-child health care did not improve. Effective programs generally began in pregnancy, included frequent visits for more than a year, had well-educated nurses, and were focused on building a trusting relationship and coaching maternal-infant interaction. Social ecology theory was partially supported. Conclusions: Future nurse home-visiting research should test a combination of these effective components. Nurses can use this information to seek funding of nurse-delivered interventions for vulnerable families.
Interfacial reactions between oxide films and refractory metal substrates

The interfacial reactions between oxide thin films and refractory metal substrates [NiO/Mo(100), MgO/Mo(100), and Al 2 O 3 /Ta(110)] have been investigated with temperature-programmed reaction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and ion scattering spectroscopy. The thermal stabilities of the oxide films are considerably less than the corresponding bulk oxides. NiO films react with a Mo substrate between 900 and 1100 K to form molybdenum oxides and metallic nickel, the latter being encapsulated by the molybdenum oxides. Above 1200 K, both metallic nickel and molybdenum oxides are evolved from the surface, the molybdenum oxides desorbing as MoO 3 . The reaction between MgO films and a Mo substrate occurs at a higher temperature (>1300 K) than that found for NiO. The products of the reaction (Mg and MoO 3 ) evolve immediately upon formation ; however, both magnesia and molybdenum oxides are found within the topmost surface layer upon quenching the interfacial reaction. Upon reaction of alumina with Ta(110), aluminum desorbs at >1400 K with the product oxygen diffusing into the tantalum substrate.
An FFT Deterministic Simulation of Elastic Rough Surfaces in Three-Dimensional Contact and Model Analysis

For practicing engineers in industry it is important to have closed-form, easy to use equations that can be used to predict the real contact area, and relate it to friction, wear, adhesion, and electrical and thermal contact resistance. There are quite a few such models in the literature, but their agreement or their effectiveness has not been determined. This work will use several measured surface profiles to make predictions of contact area and contact force from many elastic contact models and compare them to a deterministic FFT based rough surface contact model. The results show that several of the models show good quantitative and qualitative agreement despite having very different mathematical foundations.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
LIF study of CH A2Δ collision dynamics in a low pressure oxyacetylene flame

Abstract Steady-state linear laser induced fluorescence (LIF) has been used to investigate internal energy redistribution rates in A 2 Δ v ′ = 0 CH in a low pressure oxyacetylene flame. By obtaining rotationally resolved spectra as a function of pressure the branching ratio, defined as the ratio of rotational transfer ( R ) out of the laser excited state divided by the electronic quenching rate ( Q ), was measured for a variety of flame conditions. For a stoichiometric 1600K flame and K ′ = 6 excitation R Q = 3.6 ± 0.5 . The branching ratio was also found to increase with K ′ and decrease with equivalence ratio. In addition, for K ′ = 6 excitation, a value of the electronic quenching cross section of 5.4 ± 3.6 A 2 was obtained.
Demonstration of two distinct subsets of gastric varices. Observations during a seven-year study of endoscopic sclerotherapy.

Over a seven-year period, assessment of gastric varices was made on 225 patients receiving endoscopic sclerotherapy for variceal hemorrhage. Of 170 patients with complete data, gastric varices were observed in 26 (15.3%). Importantly, two distinct subsets of gastric varices were identified: varices distal to the gastroesophageal junction without extension into the fundus, termed “junctional varices”, occurred in 11.2%, and varices that were confined only to the fundus, termed “fundal varices”, occurred less frequently in 4.1%. Although rebleeding was increased in both subsets of gastric varices, junctional varices were more amenable to sclerotherapy. Patients with fundal varices (N=7) had a significantly higher rebleeding rate, increased complications with sclerotherapy, and significantly decreased survival (P<0.005) when compared to patients with esophageal varices alone (N=87) who were followed for more than three months. Cumulative survival was not significantly different (P<0.08) in patients with junctional varices (N=19) when compared with patients with esophageal varices alone. We conclude that not all patients with gastric varices have a poor result with sclerotherapy. Recognition of these subsets may improve treatment strategies in patients with gastric varices.
High proportion of leukemic stem cells at diagnosis is correlated with unfavorable prognosis in childhood acute myeloid leukemia.

In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the leukemia-initiating cell is found within the CD34(+)/CD38(-) cell compartment. Over the last years evidence grew that AML is initiated and propagated by leukemic stem cells (LSCs). Conceivably, these most immature leukemia cells are more resistant to therapy and subsequently initiate relapse. The authors studied 17 patients with childhood AML treated according to the AML-BFM 98/04 protocol. At diagnosis, the authors determined the characteristic immunophenotype of the leukemic cells by flow cytometry and investigated the expression of CD34, CD38, and CD45 to define a population of immunophenotypically immature cells (CD34(+)/CD38(-)/CD45(-/low)) enriched for LSCs in many cases of AML. The authors compared the fraction of this population of all myeloid cells at diagnosis with event-free survival. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed significant higher event free survival of patients with low CD34(+)/CD38(-)/CD45(-/low) cell proportion ( 0.83%; log-rank P < .04). This correlation was not found for the total number of CD34(+) cells. This is the first study to show that a higher proportion of immature CD34(+)/CD38(-)/CD45(-/low) blasts at diagnosis correlates with unfavorable prognosis in childhood AML. The results suggest that a large CD34(+)/CD38(-)/CD45(-/low) population reflects a higher fraction of LSCs, leading to increased chemotherapy resistance and elevated relapse rate. Thus the initial frequency of CD34(+)/CD38(-)/CD45(-/low) cells may serve as a prognostic marker in pediatric AML. Future treatment in childhood AML should specifically target this immature population as well as the mature blast population.
Stage 2: Designing Team-Taught Transdisciplinary Courses—Where do we Begin?

This article discusses both how transdisciplinary teams were built and how the teams developed their courses at the University of Denver, Daniels College of Business. It explores recruitment and selection of team members; team size, discipline, representation, and the trade-offs involved; and the relationship between the personalities of team members and course pedagogy. The article also examines two different approaches (deductive and inductive) used by teams, discusses team process and management, and finally relates experiences involving the teaching materials themselves.
Helping Young Children Regulate Their Behavior: Two Fun Interventions

Children can become dysregulated for a wide variety of reasons. This article explains dysregulation and offers two interventions that both parents and therapists can use with young children to improve regulation. Tips for implementing the interventions to their maximum effectiveness are also provided.
Sufficient Conditions for the Undecidability of Intuitionistic Theories with Applications

?0. Statement of results. Let A be a set of axioms of a theory T<(A) of classical predicate calculus (CPC); A may also be considered as a set of axioms of a theory TH(A) of Heyting's predicate calculus (HPC). Our aim is to investigate the decision problem of TH(A) in HPC for various known theories A of CPC. Theorem I(a) of ?1 states that if A is a finitely axiomatizable and undecidable theory of CPC then TH(A) is undecidable in HPC. Furthermore, the relations between theorems of HPC are more complicated and so two CPC-equivalent axiomatizations of the same theory may give rise to two different HPC theories, in fact, one decidable and the other not. Semantically, the Kripke models (for which HPC is complete) are partially ordered families of classical models. Thus a formula expresses a property of a family of classical models (i.e. of a Kripke model). A theory 0 expresses a set of such properties. It may happen that a class of Kripke models defined by a set of formulas2? is also definable in CPC (in a possibly richer language) by a CPC-theory 0'! This establishes a connection between the decision problem of 0 in HPC and that of i' in CPC. In particular if ' is undecidable, so is 0. Theorems II and III of ?1 give sufficient conditions on ? to be such that the corresponding 0' is undecidable. 0' is shown undecidable by interpreting the CPC theory of a reflexive and symmetric relation in 0'. (In the proof the passage to 0' is implicit and a direct syntactical translation into 0 is given.) As a corollary we obtain that the following theories among others are undecidable in HPC: (a) The monadic theory with one monadic letter. (b) The theory of unary functions with a decidable equality. (c) The theory of abelian groups with decidable equality. (d) The theory of a decidable linear order. (e) The theory of a symmetric and transitive relation. For the precise formulation of the theories and for the proofs see ?2. The undecidability of two monadic letters in both the intuitionistic and modal logic was first proved by Kripke [3], [4]. Maslov-Minc-Orevkov [1] gave a syntactical proof of the undecidability of one letter in intuitionistic logic. Slomson [2] and
Methylation of desmethylimipramine by rabbit lung in vitro.

Abstract Studies of the methylation of analogs of imipramine by N-methyltransferase are described. Desmethylimipramine and nortriptyline, both secondary amines, are rapidly methylated by an enzyme in the soluble fraction of rabbit lung. Desdimethylimipramine, a primary amine, is slowly methylated by this enzyme. Imipramine, although not a substrate for the transferase, enhances the methylation of an endogenous substrate.
Stoichiometric reaction of titanacyclopentadiene compounds with allylic ethers: Regiochemistry of methylenecyclohex-3-ene formation

Abstract The titanacyclopentadiene complexes [(ArO)2Ti(C4Et4)] (1a), [(ArO)2Ti(C4Et2(CH2)4)] (1b) and [(ArO)2Ti(C4But2H2)] (1c) (ArO = 2,6-diphenylphenoxide) react with allylphenylether to produce new organometallic products containing cyclohexadienemethyl and phenoxide ligands. Hydrolysis of these compounds leads to the formation of single regioisomers of substituted methylenecyclohex-3-ene along with two equivalents of 2,6-diphenylphenol and one equivalent of phenol. A reaction sequence involving initial (2+2+2) cycloaddition followed by cleavage of a phenyl ether bond is discussed.
Capsella embryogenesis: The development of the free nuclear endosperm

The development of the free nuclear endosperm ofCapsella was studied using the electron microscope and histochemical procedures. The 2-nucleate and 4-nucleate endosperm contain many chloroplasts, mitochondria, dictyosomes, microbodies, polysomes, and an abundance of RER. There is a sharp decline in the starch and lipid reserves of the central cell during the first few divisions of the primary endosperm nucleus. Different developmental patterns occur in the micropylar and chalazal endosperms. Wall projections grow into the micropylar endosperm from the embryo sac wall and the suspensor wall. An unusual form of SER is continuous with the plasma membrane investing some of the suspensor wall projections of the heart-shaped embryo. The SER branches, forms clear and electron dense vacuoles and forms loops which encircle altered-appearing areas of cytoplasm. The micropylar endosperm of the heart-shaped embryo also contains many chloroplasts, mitochondria, dictyosomes, microbodies, polysomes, stacks of crystal-containing RER, and large nuclei which have many RER connections.
Deep learning of knowledge graph embeddings for semantic parsing of Twitter dialogs

This paper presents a novel method to learn neural knowledge graph embeddings. The embeddings are used to compute semantic relatedness in a coherence-based semantic parser. The approach learns embeddings directly from structured knowledge representations. A deep neural network approach known as Deep Structured Semantic Modeling (DSSM) is used to scale the approach to learn neural embeddings for all of the concepts (pages) of Wikipedia. Experiments on Twitter dialogs show a 23.6% reduction in semantic parsing errors compared to the state-of-the-art unsupervised approach.
Unsteady blade row interactions in a multistage compressor

A three-stage research compressor has been utilized to investigate the multistage blade row interaction gust aerodynamics for the first time. The aerodynamic forcing functions as well as the chordwise distributions of the steady surface pressures and the first harmonic unsteady pressure differences on the first and second stage stator vane rows were experimentally determined over a range of operating and geometric conditions. This series of experiments determined that the complex unsteady aerodynamic loading on downstream blade rows is directly related to the forcing function to the blade row, with this forcing function significantly affected by multistage blade row interactions. These results have an implication towards the modeling of unsteady aerodynamic blade row interaction phenomena. Namely, the variations of the second stage unsteady data with forcing function waveform cannot be predicted by harmonic gust models.
BRCA1, Everything But the RING?

Genetically engineered mouse models reveal essential functions of the BRCA1 protein in tumor suppression.
CD34+CD38- hematopoietic precursors derived from human embryonic stem cells exhibit an embryonic gene expression pattern

Gene expression patterns of CD34CD38 cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) were compared with those of cells isolated from adult human bone marrow (BM) using microarrays; 1692 and 1494 genes were expressed at levels at least 3-fold above background in cells from BM and ESCs, respectively. Of these, 494 showed similar levels of expression in cells from both sources, 791 genes were overexpressed in cells from BM (BM versus ESCs, at least 2-fold), and 803 genes were preferentially expressed in cells from ESCs (ESCs versus BM, at least 2-fold). The message of the flt-3 gene was markedly decreased in cells from ESCs, whereas there was substantial flt-3 expression in cells from BM. High levels of embryonic -globin expression were observed—but no adult -globin message—in CD34CD38 cells from ESCs, whereas high levels of -globin expression—but no embryonic -globin message—could be detected in cells from BM. Furthermore, high levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene expression were demonstrated in cells from BM but very low levels of MHC message in corresponding cells from ESCs. These observations demonstrate that CD34CD38 cells derived from ESCs correspond consistently to an early developmental stage at which the yolk sac and fetal liver are the primary sites of hematopoiesis. (Blood. 2004;103:4134-4141)
A Multidisciplinary Investigation of the Relation of State Sport Confidence with Preference and Velocity of Swimming Starts

This study investigated the relations of state sport confidence with preference of swimming start, i.e., pike or flat, and vertical velocity for male and female NCAA Division I swimmers. Ten male and 10 female swimmers who had a minimum of five years competitive swimming experience participated. Men generated greater vertical velocity on both the pike and flat starts. Analyses of variance indicated a relationship foc gender with the most confident swimming start and vertical velocity for the pike and flat starts. In addition, a significant interaction between gender, preferred swimming start, and most confident swimming start was found. Discriminant function analysis using gender as the grouping variable and the dependent variables of vertical velocity and state sport confidence indicated that gender was an indicator of swimmers' performance and state sport confidence on the pike and flat starts.
Measurements of reduced pyridine nucleotides in a single neuron.

Abstract The microfluorimetric technique to measure the intracellular oxidation-reduction state of pyridine nucleotides was applied to the isolated neuron preparation which is provided by the stretch receptor organ of the crayfish. The method allows the simultaneous recording of impulse activity. Emission spectrum of the fluorescence and the behavior of the fluorescence with continuous ultraviolet exposure were studied. Glycolytic, Krebs-cycle and respiratory inhibitors were used to investigate the cell metabolism. It was found that the fluorescence level is not altered under several conditions known to affect in other preparations the oxidized pyridine nucleotide/reduced pyridine nucleotide ratio. While Amytal and anoxia were shown, as expected, to increase the reduced pyridine nucleotides, terminal inhibitors of the cytochrome chain were ineffective. Sustained impulse activity did not alter the fluorescence level although the O 2 uptake is increased.
PRINTED DIPOLE MILLIMETER WAVE ANTENNA FOR IMAGING ARRAY APPLICATIONS

Abstract Planar antenna arrays have been developed at 140 GHz using twin-dipole elements. The initial systems have been fabricated using a hybrid approach with beam lead Schottky GaAs diodes mounted on quartz substrates. Heterodyne measurements of subelement sensitivities have yielded DSB noise temperatures of 12,000 K. Subsequently implementation of completely monolithic systems has been demonstrated using SIS technology.
Carbocations and electrophilic reactions

The general concept of carbocations encompasses all cations of carbon containing compounds which can be differentiated into two distinct classes: trivalent (“classical”) carbenium ions and pentacoordinated (“nonclassical”) carbonium ions. In this paper the preparation and structural study (by NMR, IR, Raman and ESCA spectroscopy) of stable carbenium ions and carbonium ions are discussed. As is well known, trivalent carbenium ions play an important role in electrophilic reactions of π- and n-donor systems. Similarly, pentacoordinated carbonium ions are the key to electrophilic reactions of σ-donor systems (single bonds). The ability of single bonds to act as σ-donor lies in their ability to form carbonium ions via triangular two electron, three-center bond formation. Consequently there seems to be no principle difference between the electrophilic reactions of π- and σ-bonds except that the former react more easily, even with weak electrophiles, whereas the latter necessitate more severe conditions. The role of carbocations in electrophilic reactions of π- and σ-donor systems is discussed.
Using adaptive structures to enable future missions by relaxing ground test requirements

Future NASA missions will require large space structures that must maintain accurate surface tolerances for up to 20 years; most flight programs require a ground test verification of the hardware. Because of the influence of gravity, the current state-of-the-art ground test technology cannot accurately determine whether the hardware complies with the requirements. The incorporation of adaptive structures into the spacecraft will enable a relaxation of the ground test requirements necessary to validate the hardware for flight. This paper describes the challenges in testing large precision structures, adaptive structures, the data establishing the current state of the art in ground testing, and the utilization of adaptive structures to alleviate the ground test requirements.
Ethical Approach to Surrogate Consent for Hemicraniectomy in Older Patients With Extensive Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke

See related article, p 2830. The recently published Decompressive Surgery for the Treatment of Malignant Infarction of the Middle Cerebral Artery (DESTINY) II trial1 has reignited the controversy over performing hemicraniectomy in the elderly population, highlighting the question of how preference-based medicine2 should be applied to patients with severe stroke. The trial concluded that hemicraniectomy increased survival without severe disability.1 The surgically treated group had better scores across multiple outcome measures including the percentage with no to moderately severe disability (score of 0–4 on the modified Rankin scale) and mean scores on scales assessing stroke severity (the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS]), activities of daily living (Barthel Index), quality of life (the Short Form-36 Health Survey scales), depression (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale), and self-assessment of overall health (EuroQOL scales).3 However, the majority of survivors required assistance with most bodily needs.1 No patients in the surgical group had zero or slight disability, one third were dead at 6 months, and nearly one third were bedridden, incontinent, and requiring constant nursing care and attention. The high degree of outcome disability after hemicraniectomy in older patients raises vexing ethical issues of communication with and consent by surrogate family members. Before this study, one third of hemicraniectomy procedures performed for ischemic stroke were done in patients >65 years of age, and the overall rate has increased over the past decade.4,5 As the population ages and stroke care becomes more aggressive and better organized regionally, the number of eligible patients will likely continue to rise.4 Here, we offer an ethical framework for consent for hemicraniectomy that integrates outcome data with patients’ values and preferences. The ethical foundation of medical decision making is informed consent. Clinicians require the informed consent of capacitated patients or …
VEGF-A and Semaphorin3A: modulators of vascular sympathetic innervation.

Sympathetic nerve activity regulates blood pressure by altering peripheral vascular resistance. Variations in vascular sympathetic innervation suggest that vascular-derived cues promote selective innervation of particular vessels during development. As axons extend towards peripheral targets, they migrate along arterial networks following gradients of guidance cues. Collective ratios of these gradients may determine whether axons grow towards and innervate vessels or continue past non-innervated vessels towards peripheral targets. Utilizing directed neurite outgrowth in a three-dimensional (3D) co-culture, we observed increased axon growth from superior cervical ganglion explants (SCG) towards innervated compared to non-innervated vessels, mediated in part by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) and Semaphorin3A (Sema3A) which both signal via neuropilin-1 (Nrp1). Exogenous VEGF-A, delivered by high-expressing VEGF-A–LacZ vessels or by rhVEGF-A/alginate spheres, increased sympathetic neurite outgrowth while exogenous rhSema3A/Fc decreased neurite outgrowth. VEGF-A expression is similar between the innervated and non-innervated vessels examined. Sema3A expression is higher in non-innervated vessels. Spatial gradients of Sema3A and VEGF-A may promote differential Nrp1 binding. Vessels expressing high levels of Sema3A favor Nrp1-PlexinA1 signaling, producing chemorepulsive cues limiting sympathetic neurite outgrowth and vascular innervation; while low Sema3A expressing vessels favor Nrp1-VEGFR2 signaling providing chemoattractive cues for sympathetic neurite outgrowth and vascular innervation.
Statistical analysis of degradation modes and mechanisms in various thin-film photovoltaic module technologies

PV arrays of various thin film modules technologies such as CIGS, rigid single-junction amorphous Silicon (glass-to-glass package) and flexible triple-junction amorphous Silicon have been deployed for over 10 years in hot and humid climate at Florida Solar Energy Center. The performance of selected modules from each array was characterized using visual inspection, dark I-V, flasher I-V, electroluminescence and infrared imaging techniques. Performance was evaluated to determine which, if any, degradation mechanisms are a concern for the long-term reliability of this technology.
Transcription termination within the E1A gene of adenovirus induced by insertion of the mouse β-major globin terminator element

In induced erythroleukemia cells, transcription of the beta-globin gene terminates in a region 600-1500 nucleotides downstream of the poly(A) site. To determine whether this region of the mouse DNA functions to terminate transcription when moved to another genomic site, portions of the putative termination region have been inserted into the E1A transcription unit of the adenovirus (type 5) chromosome. Analysis of RNA labeled either in isolated nuclei or in whole cells early after infection with reconstructed viruses indicated that transcription is terminated if the inserted DNA is oriented in the same direction as in the beta-globin transcription unit and contains the globin poly(A) site plus an additional 1395 nucleotides downstream. In addition to halting transcription within the E1A unit, the insertion of the terminator region had a negative cis effect on the E1B transcription unit, which normally initiates 363 bp downstream of the site of the globin insert. The E1B transcription unit was the only early gene affected, and complementation of the terminator virus with a wild-type E1A gene did not restore transcription of the E1B gene.
Prostate cryoablation: a scientific rationale for future modifications

This investigation was designed to identify potential directions for future modification of the percutaneous prostate cryoablation procedure. An analysis of prostate cancer location and volume in radical prostatectomy specimens was performed to evaluate the potential clinical consequences of these proposed modifications. A list of recommendations for improvements in the prostate cryoablation procedure was compiled from informal discussions held with participants in 9 training courses and conferences on prostate cryoablation over 18 months. Subsequently, a population of 112 consecutive, sagittally sectioned whole-mount radical prostatectomy samples was evaluated for prostate cancer volume, number of individual foci, and location to examine the disease-specific outcomes of these proposed modifications. The most common areas for potential alterations in the current cryoablation technique include modifications that would further simplify the procedure, continue to reduce real and perceived toxicity, and augment efficacy. Importantly, modifications designed to reduce treatment side effects could conflict with efforts designed to improve eradication of prostate cancer. Pathologic analysis revealed multifocal cancer in 79.5% of the samples, with 66% of cases exhibiting cancer within 5 mm of the urethra. The median volume of the index cancer was 1.6 cm3, whereas the median volume of the smaller ancillary lesions was 0.3 cm3. Prostate parenchymal-sparing alterations, proposed to reduce incontinence and erectile dysfunction by targeting the index cancer, would likely eradicate clinically significant cancer in 79% of men. The recent enthusiasm for prostate cryoablation as a reasonable minimally invasive treatment option for men with clinically localized cancer is likely to result in modifications of the established surgical technique. Knowledge of the anatomic location and cancer volume within the prostate gland is an important adjunct to planning such alterations. It is possible that parenchymal-sparing modifications to total gland prostate cryoablation can eradicate clinically significant cancer in most men, with a reduction in toxicity and cost.
Arteriovenous malformations and associated aneurysms.

A rteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the brain often present complex management decisions for the treating surgeon. The surgical treatment of these lesions is ntended to eliminate the risks of intracranial hemorrhage; howver, eliminating this risk must be balanced by the risks and orbidity and mortality associated with treating the lesion. atural history studies have provided the basis for assessing the isk of hemorrhage and associated morbidity of untreated AVMs. he annual risk of intracranial hemorrhage associated with an ntreated AVM is 2%-3% per year; the risk of recurrent hemorhage is even greater. The risk of death in the event of hemorhage is approximately 10%, and the risk of a neurologic deficit is pproximately 50% (8).
Students as Arbitrators: An Empirical Investigation

No previous work has examined whether students are appropriate substitutes for arbitrators in research studies, despite the fact that students have been used in at least one experimental study of arbitral decisions. This study compares the decisions rendered by 233 students and 146 practicing arbitrators on two hypothetical discharge cases and finds that there are significant differences between decisions of arbitrators and students.
Arborization Patterns in Human Bile

FERN-LIKE or coralline arborization patterns have been observed in human bile allowed to desiccate and examined microscopically. Blumenkrantz and Kohan1 call this phenomenon ‘rhythmic crystallization’, and suggest a relationship between paucity of arborization patterns and the presence of biliary lithiasis. Their work was carried out on bile obtained by duodenal intubation.
High-level synthesis of /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ Modulator topologies optimized for complexity, sensitivity, and power consumption

This paper proposes a novel topology-synthesis methodology for single-loop single-bit /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ modulators. The goal is to explore all possible topologies and to obtain the optimal topology under various design considerations, such as hardware complexity, modulator sensitivity, and power consumption. A generic modulator architecture that incorporates all possible feedback and feedforward signal paths was defined and the symbolic noise transfer function (NTF) and signal transfer function (STF) for the generic topology were derived. The symbolic functions were then used to formulate the topology-exploration problem as a mixed-integer nonlinearly constrained programming (MINLP) problem that simultaneously generates and selects the optimal modulator topology with respect to the cost function. Experiments show the superiority of synthesized topologies as compared to traditional modulator topologies.
"Hypersexuality" and behavioral changes in cats caused by administration of p-chlorophenylalanine

The behavior of 26 male cats was systematically observed before, during, and after daily administration of the tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor, p-chlorophenylalanine. These observations established that "hypersexuality," increased aggression, and perceptual disorientation are sequelae of the chronic administration of the drug in cats.
Prognostic significance of hyoid bone invasion in advanced base of tongue carcinoma treated by chemoradiation.

Objectives To examine the prognostic influence of hyoid bone invasion in advanced base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma treated with chemoradiation. Methods We retrospectively reviewed pre-treatment imaging (CT/MRI) for the presence or absence of hyoid bone invasion in patients with advanced (clinical T3 or T4a stage) base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma treated with chemoradiation from January 2001 to January 2011. We compared patients with hyoid bone invasion to those without based on the following metrics: 1-, 2- and 5-year locoregional recurrence-free survival, disease-free survival, disease-specific survival and overall survival. Results Eleven of thirty-seven patients had hyoid invasion present on pre-treatment imaging. Average follow-up was 45 months. Patients with hyoid bone invasion were found to have lower percentages in all survival metrics measured compared to patients without, respectively, with statistical significance achieved in the following: 2-year locoregional recurrence-free survival: 36.4% versus 86.4% (P = 0.006), 5-year locoregional recurrence-free survival: 12.5% versus 63.6% (P = 0.05), 2-year disease-free survival: 36.4% versus 77.3% (P = 0.05), 5-year disease-free survival: 12.5% versus 63.3% (P = 0.05) and the Kaplan–Meier curve for locoregional recurrence-free survival (P = 0.0075). Conclusions Hyoid bone invasion by base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma may indicate a poorer prognosis despite treatment. Hyoid bone invasion may be a possible indication for intensification of treatment and/or may indicate a necessity for increasing the degree of post-treatment surveillance monitoring and imaging.
Genetic and clinical factors predict lithium’s effects on PER2 gene expression rhythms in cells from bipolar disorder patients

Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with abnormal circadian rhythms. In treatment responsive BD patients, lithium (Li) stabilizes mood and reduces suicide risk. Li also affects circadian rhythms and expression of 'clock genes' that control them. However, the extent to which BD, Li and the circadian clock share common biological mechanisms is unknown, and there have been few direct measurements of clock gene function in samples from BD patients. Hence, the role of clock genes in BD and Li treatment remains unclear. Skin fibroblasts from BD patients (N=19) or healthy controls (N=19) were transduced with Per2::luc, a rhythmically expressed, bioluminescent circadian clock reporter gene, and rhythms were measured for 5 consecutive days. Rhythm amplitude and period were compared between BD cases and controls with and without Li. Baseline period was longer in BD cases than in controls. Li 1 mM increased amplitude in controls by 36%, but failed to do so in BD cases. Li 10 mM lengthened period in both BD cases and controls. Analysis of clock gene variants revealed that PER3 and RORA genotype predicted period lengthening by Li, whereas GSK3β genotype predicted rhythm effects of Li, specifically among BD cases. Analysis of BD cases by clinical history revealed that cells from past suicide attempters were more likely to show period lengthening with Li 1 mM. Finally, Li enhanced the resynchronization of damped rhythms, suggesting a mechanism by which Li could act therapeutically in BD. Our work suggests that the circadian clock's response to Li may be relevant to molecular pathology of BD.
Morphology and elastic properties of aluminum foams produced by a casting technique

AA6101 aluminum foams (composition in weight %: Al-0.6 Mg-0.5 Si) were fabricated by using a directional solidification technique. The 3-D morphology of the foams was examined using synchrotron x-ray tomography and the results revealed relatively uniform, open-celled structures. The mechanical (compression) behavior of the foams was also characterized. The stress-strain curves exhibited a typical three-stage behavior: elastic, nearly-perfect plastic (i.e. with a stress plateau), and densification. The elastic moduli of a 10%-dense foam in the directions that are transverse and parallel to the solidification direction were measured to be 630 and 670 MPa, respectively. Theoretical calculations of the modulus using a FEM method with the element-by-element (EBE) formalism were also carried out. The calculated values of approximately 570 and 635 MPa compared favorably with the experimental data.
A percutaneous arterial closure protocol can decrease complications after endovascular interventions in vascular surgery patients.

Objective Complications following percutaneous femoral access are a significant source of morbidity and cost in patients undergoing peripheral vascular interventions. Our purpose in this study is to determine if access complications could be reduced by the use of a standardized protocol. Methods We studied prospectively 210 consecutive patients in our vascular surgery practice undergoing peripheral arterial interventions via percutaneous retrograde femoral access. First, we prospectively collected data to determine current outcomes during a 4-month observation phase. Based on these experiences, we designed and implemented a uniform arterial closure protocol, with closure device use guided by sheath size, arterial calcification, and previous groin scarring. Our main outcome measures were major complications (need for operation) or minor complications (access site bleeding or hematoma). Outcomes were compared between the two phases using chi-squared analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results In the observation phase, 119 patients underwent 140 arterial punctures, and in the postprotocol phase, we performed 112 punctures in 91 patients. Between the observation and postprotocol phases, patient demographics were similar; average sheath size was unchanged (sheaths over 6F 6% vs 8%, respectively, P = .55), and percentage of patients receiving heparin did not change significantly (76% vs, 86%, P = .08). No major complications occurred in either the observation or the postprotocol phases. While 24 minor complications occurred in the observation phase, only seven minor complications occurred in the postprotocol phase (17% vs 7%, P Conclusions Process improvement, achieved by instituting a standardized percutaneous arterial closure protocol based on selective closure device use guided by sheath size, arterial calcification, and previous access scarring. Implementation of our protocol resulted in a decrease in the incidence of minor complications at the access site and refined patient selection for closure device use.
A 20 nucleotide upstream element is essential for the nopaline synthase (nos) promoter activity

The nopaline synthase (nos) promoter is expressed in a wide range of plant cell types and regulated by various developmental and environmental factors. The nos upstream control region essential for this regulation was studied by means of synthetic oligomers using transient and stable transformation systems. Insertion of a 20 nucleotide sequence containing two hexamer motifs and a spacer region into deletion mutants lacking the upstream control region was essential for promoter activity. Mutation of one or more nucleotides of either hexamer sequence significantly altered the strength of expression of the nos promoter. Point mutations within the spacer region also strongly influenced promoter strength. Insertion of multiple copies of the 20 nucleotide sequence into the nonfunctional deletion mutants proportionally increased the promoter activity. These results suggest that this twenty nucleotide sequence is essential for the nos promoter to function. Substitution of the nos element with the ocs or 35S as-1 which contain similar hexamer motifs restored not only promoter activity but also responses to wounding, auxin, methyl jasmonate, and salicylic acid.
Principle and applications of asymmetric crosstalk-resistant adaptive noise canceler

Abstract This paper analyzes the performance of the crosstalk-resistant adaptive noise canceler (CTRANC). The CTRANC system's symmetric structure causes inconsistent performance when treating noise coming from different angles. To solve this problem, an asymmetric CTRANC (ACTRANC) structure using a delay unit on the primary channel to guarantee causality of the system is proposed. This system is analyzed in steady state assuming that the primary and reference signals are uncorrelated. The ACTRANC allows flexible alignment of the noise source with the sensor array in advanced communication applications such as adaptive noise cancellation, acoustic echo cancellation, and adaptive beamforming. Experiments are presented to demonstrate ACTRANC's performance improvement for various noise orientations.
A Cold Storage Technic for Studying Excystation of Eimeria tenella

SYNOPSIS. Activities of sheep coccidia in stages of in vitro excystation, and of Eimeria tenella removed in stages of excystation from the chicken were arrested by lowering the temperature of the parasites; in a cooled condition, the parasites remained apparently unchanged for at least 1-2 days. When transferred later to the warming stage of the microscope, they quickly resumed excystation. A cold storage technic for E. tenella was developed. The technic might also help in studying other gastrointestinal parasites and might also provide material for classroom work.
Orbit complexes of graphs

Abstract Let λ be a finite, loopless, undirected graph and G any subgroup of the automorphism group of λ. The orbit complex λ/G of λ with respect to G is defined. Relationships between various graph theoretic properties of λ and λ/G are investigated. In particular internal stability numbers, external stability numbers, cyclomatic numbers, and chromatic numbers are considered.