cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
One-step estimators for over-identified generalized method of moments models

In this paper I discuss alternatives to the GMM estimators proposed by Hansen (1982) and others. These estimators are shown to have a number of advantages. First of all, there is no need to estimate in an initial step a weight matrix as required in the conventional estimation procedure. Second, it is straightforward to derive the distribution of the estimator under general misspecification. Third, some of the alternative estimators have appealing information-theoretic interpretations. In particular, one of the estimators is an empirical likelihood estimator with an interpretation as a discrete support maximum likelihood estimator. Fourth, in an empirical example one of the new estimators is shown to perform better than the conventional estimators. Finally, the new estimators make it easier for the researcher to get better approximations to their distributions using saddlepoint approximations. The main cost is computational: the system of equations that has to be solved is of greater dimension than the number of parameters of interest. In practice this may or may not be a problem in particular applications. Generalized Method of Moments (henceforth GMM) estimation has become an important unifying framework for inference in econometrics in the last fifteen years. It can be thought of as nesting estimation methods such as maximum likelihood, least squares, instrumental variables and two-stage-least-squares. Its formalization by Hansen (1982), Burguete, Gallant and Souza (1982), and Manski (1983), centres on the presence of known functions, "moment functions", of observable random variables and unknown parameters that have expectation zero when evaluated at the true parameter values. The unknown parameters are estimated by setting the sample averages of these moment functions as close to zero as possible. Chamberlain (1987) showed that optimal GMM estimators achieve the semiparametric efficiency bound. See Gallant (1987), Manski (1988), Davidson and MacKinnon (1993), Hamilton (1994), and Newey and McFadden (1994) for general discussions. When the number of moment functions is larger than the number of unknown parameters, the so-called "over-identified case", it is in general not possible to set the sample average of these moment functions exactly equal to zero. The solution proposed by Hansen (1982), following similar approaches in linear models such as two- and three-stage least squares, is to set a linear combination of the sample average of the moment functions equal to zero, with the dimension of the linear combination equal to the number of unknown parameters. To ensure efficiency in this case, the researcher has to choose the linear combination optimally, and here Hansen suggested employing initial, possibly inefficient, estimates to estimate the optimal linear combination. This introduces some
Sorting out tigers (Panthera tigris): mitochondrial sequences, nuclear inserts, systematics, and conservation genetics

Sequences from complete mitochondrial cytochrome b genes of 34 tigers support the hypothesis that Sumatran tigers are diagnostically distinct from mainland populations. None of the latter, including Bengals, Siberians, or Indochinese tigers, were found to have fixed diagnostic characters. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences confirms these results. Within the framework of a phylogenetic species concept, current evidence thus supports the recognition of two distinct taxa, and within the context of this definition they could be ranked at the species level. This paper also documents a previously unrecognized nuclear insert of mitochondrial DNA that includes, minimally, mitochondrial homologues of a control region that lacks the feline mitochondrial repeat sequences, a complete cytochrome b gene, and complete tRNAThr and tRNAsurPro genes. In a phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear cytochrome b-like sequences and various feline mitochondrial sequences, the nuclear insert clusters with lion mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences, which suggests the insert is at least as old as the split between lions and tigers. The results of this study emphasize the importance of doing more to conserve Sumatran tigers. Because they are underrepresented in zoos relative to Bengals and Siberians, an effort should be made to increase captive breeding stocks of Sumatrans. That Sumatrans are a distinct taxonomic entity relative to mainland populations can be used in educational programs to increase conservation efforts within Indonesia.
Performance characteristics of contemporary hemodialysis and venovenous hemofiltration in acute renal failure

Modality choice in the treatment of acute renal failure (ARF) should be based on the match between individual patient needs and the characteristics of available therapies. Considerations include access, risk of bleeding, hemodynamic instability, and ability to remove excess volume. We prospectively studied 547 consecutive treatments for ARF in 110 patients to determine the performance features of modalities based on single-vessel venous access: hemodialysis (HD) and venovenous hemofiltration (VVH). All treatments were performed in an 18-month period at a single center. Patients' ages ranged from 16 to 84 years; 26 were trauma cases; 69 patients expired during their hospitalization. Mean number of treatments per patient was 4.97. Mean treatment duration was 197 min. Heparin was used unless active bleeding was present or felt to be a high risk; mean dose required was 2628 units. Pressor therapy was in progress prior to initiation of 260 (48%) of treatments. Results: pretreatment and posttreatment mean systo...
Including setup uncertainty in Monte Carlo dose calculation for IMRT

Radiotherapy treatments are planned to deliver a therapeutic dose of radiation to the target while limiting the concomitant dose to normal tissues. But, the targeted area and normal tissues are not stationary within the planned dose distribution due to patient positioning uncertainty prior to each deny fraction. The success of radiation therapy may be compromised by these effects. Inter-fraction setup uncertainty can never be completely eliminated, only reduced through immobilisation techniques. The objective of this work is to include setup uncertainty into clinical Monte Carlo dose calculation for intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The specific aims of this project are to incorporate a model of setup uncertainty into clinical Monte Carlo IMRT dose calculations and to compare those results to Monte Carlo dose calculations without the effects of setup uncertainty considered. The authors have included the setup uncertainty during the "run-time" of simulation by perturbing the incident particles before they enter the patient. The authors' initial results indicate that in IMRT dose distributions, critical structure dose is usually increased even when the target coverage is similar for a plan that includes setup uncertainty and one that does not. Furthermore, setup uncertainty may actually increase dose homogeneity within the target. Two clinical cases are presented to illustrate the authors' conclusions.
Discontinuity-capturing operators for elastodynamics

Finite element methods are presented which include discontinuity-capturing operators to accurately solve elastodynamics problems exhibiting sharp gradients in their solution, e.g., wave propagation. The formulation involves finite element discretization of the temporal domain as well as the usual finite element discretization of the spatial domain. Linear least-squares terms are included that enhance the stability of the space-time finite element method. Nonlinear discontinuity-capturing operators are presented that result in more accurate capturing of wave fronts in transient solutions while maintaining the high-order accuracy of the underlying linear algorithm in smooth regions. Stability of the discontinuity-capturing formulation is proved and a convergence proof is given for a particular choice of the discontinuity-capturing operator. Numerical results are presented that demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed discontinuity-capturing operators for elastodynamics.
Guidelines for monitoring bulk tank milk somatic cell and bacterial counts

This study was conducted to establish guidelines for monitoring bulk tank milk somatic cell count and bacterial counts, and to understand the relationship between different bacterial groups that occur in bulk tank milk. One hundred twenty-six dairy farms in 14 counties of Pennsylvania participated, each providing one bulk tank milk sample every 15 d for 2 mo. The 4 bulk tank milk samples from each farm were examined for bulk tank somatic cell count and bacterial counts including standard plate count, preliminary incubation count, laboratory pasteurization count, coagulase-negative staphylococcal count, environmental streptococcal count, coliform count, and gram-negative noncoliform count. The milk samples were also examined for presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Mycoplasma. The bacterial counts of 4 bulk tank milk samples examined over an 8-wk period were averaged and expressed as mean bacterial count per milliliter. The study revealed that an increase in the frequency of isolation of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae was significantly associated with an increased bulk tank somatic cell count. Paired correlation analysis showed that there was low correlation between different bacterial counts. Bulk tank milk with low (<5000 cfu/mL) standard plate count also had a significantly low level of mean bulk tank somatic cell count (<200,000 cells/mL), preliminary incubation count (<10,000 cfu/mL), laboratory pasteurization count (<100 cfu/mL), coagulase-negative staphylococci and environmental streptococcal counts (<500 cfu/mL), and noncoliform count (<200 cfu/mL). Coliform count was less likely to be associated with somatic cell or other bacterial counts. Herd size and farm management practices had considerable influence on somatic cell and bacterial counts in bulk tank milk. Dairy herds that used automatic milking detachers, sand as bedding material, dip cups for teat dipping instead of spraying, and practiced pre-and postdipping had significantly lower bulk tank somatic cell and/or bacterial counts. In conclusion, categorized bulk tank somatic cell and bacterial counts could serve as indicators and facilitate monitoring of herd udder health and milk quality.
Redefining the Economics of Geriatric Orthopedics

Introduction:The heath care system in the United States is in the midst of a transition, in large part to help accommodate an older and more medically complex population. Central to the current evolution is the reassessment of value based on the cost utility of a particular procedure compared to alternatives. The existing contribution of geriatric orthopedics to the societal burden of disease is substantial, and literature focusing on the economic value of treating elderly populations with musculoskeletal injuries is growing.Materials and Methods:A literature review of peer-reviewed publications and abstracts related to the cost-effectiveness of treating geriatric patients with orthopedic injuries was carried out.Results:In our review, we demonstrate that while cost-utility studies generally demonstrate net society savings for most orthopedic procedures, geriatric populations often contribute to negative net society savings due to decreased working years and lower salaries while in the workforce. However,...
An analysis of genetic-based pattern tracking and cognitive-based component tracking models of adaptation

The objective of this study was a comparison of the effectiveness in adapting to an environment of populations of structures undergoing modification by four different models: 1) Holland's (2) genetic operator model; 2) a cognitive (statistical predictive) model; 3) a random point mutation model; and 4) a control (non-altered) model.
In Vitro Antagonistic Activity of Monoterpenes and Their Mixtures Against 'Toe Nail Fungus' Pathogens

The antibiotic effect of the active ingredients in Meijer™ medicated chest rub (eucalyptus oil, camphor and menthol) as well as the inactive ingredients (thymol, oil of turpentine, oil of nutmeg and oil of cedar leaf) were studied in vitro using the fungal pathogens responsible for onychomycosis, such as the dermatophytes Tricophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, Epidermophyton ﬂoccosum and Epidermophyton stockdale. The zones of inhibition data revealed that camphor (1), menthol (2), thymol (3) and oil of Eucalyptus citriodora were the most efﬁcacious components against the test organisms. The MIC100 for mixtures of these four components in various carrier solvents revealed that formulations consisting of 5 mg/mL concentrations of each have a potential to be efffective in controlling onychomycosis. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A top‐down, step up approach to pharmacogenetic discovery using CEPH family cell lines

Background/Aims Previously Watters et al. (PNAS, 2004) found strong cell viability dose-response for 5-FU (0.21–0.70), and identified QTLs (chromosome 9: LOD=3.4) using public microsatellite data. We try to localize these toxicity genes using the HapMap published SNPs. Methods 30 CEPH HapMap trio cell lines, treated with 9 different doses of 5-FU, were analyzed at 4928 SNPs in the chromosome 9 QTL region. We used various statistical methods (179 SNPs were significant at p<0.05, uncorrected), including the False Discovery Rate, Storey's Q, and Sequential Multiple Decision Procedures (SMDP). Results Five SNPs were chosen as significant signals by SMDP at a power of 95% (but requiring only 78% of the sample), with sequential R2 of 0.16, 0.16, 0.17, 0.17, 0.11 respectively. Subselecting LD tag SNPs (Lazarus et al., 2004) reduces the number by nearly half, thus improving power. We employ a step up strategy from single SNPs to LD blocks to haplotypes, and finally to gene-based associations. Conclusions CEPH family cell lines are a powerful, unique resource for in vitro phamacogenetic toxicity gene discovery. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P8–P8; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.11.031
Purity of Synthetic Cannabinoids Sold Online for Recreational Use

The recreational use of synthetic cannabinoids has recently increased. This increase is due, in part, to the recent availability of inexpensive compound sold legally online in bulk. In particular, JWH-018 (1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole) and JWH-073 (1-butyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole) have been found in herbal blends marketed as alternatives to cannabis. Although these particular compounds have recently been emergency scheduled in the United States, online suppliers have shifted sales to other, similar compounds that are not currently scheduled. However, the purity of the drugs obtained from online suppliers is not known. Relative purity of JWH-018 and JWH-073 from three different online suppliers was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection and validated standards obtained from a traditional research chemical supplier. Our results show that JWH-018 and JWH-073 obtained from online vendors was of comparable purity to validated standards, even though the physical properties varied in color, texture, and odor. It is concluded that adverse events following consumption of synthetic cannabinoid preparations is unlikely to be due to impurities or residue from the manufacturing process, but rather to effects of the active drug or interactions with other psychoactive chemicals from herbs blended into products marketed as cannabis alternatives.
HYDROLOGY OF AN IMPOUNDED LOTIC WETLAND—WETLAND SEDIMENT CHARACTERISTICS

Sediment organic matter content, bulk density, and hydraulic conductivity were examined in 56 sediment cores collected from a small lotic wetland in the Talladega Wetland Ecosystem (Hale County, Alabama, USA). All sediment characteristics varied spatially across the wetland. A distinctive demarcation in sediment characteristics occurred between the upper (0 to 30-cm) and lower (30 to 80-cm) depths. Sediments in the upper 30-cm contained a higher percentage of clay than deeper sediments and had high hydraulic conductivities (0.5 to 1100 cm d−1). Lower sediment depths contained greater percentages of silt and sand, but greater sediment compaction and lower organic matter concentrations resulted in low hydraulic conductivities (1 × 10−3 to 55 cm d−1). Higher organic matter and lower bulk density occurred in the sediments of vegetated areas of the wetland compared to the areas near the inflow and outflow streams. Organic matter was higher and more variable (2 to 38% sediment dry weight) within the upper 30 cm of sediments and decreased significantly with depth (r2 = 0.51). In the lower sediments (30 to 80-cm depth), organic matter was lower and less variable (2 to 10% sediment dry weight). Sediment bulk density increased with increased sediment depth (r2 = 0.77) and was lower in vegetated areas (0.2 to 1.0 g cm−3) compared to the inflow and outflow stream sediments (0.6 to 1.4 g cm−3).
A rat parotid gland cell line, Par-C10, exhibits neurotransmitter-regulated transepithelial anion secretion

Because of the lack of salivary gland cell lines suitable for Ussing chamber studies, a recently established rat parotid acinar cell line, Par-C10, was grown on permeable supports and evaluated for...
Abstract 51: LincAQPEP, an Adipocyte-Specific Intergenic Noncoding RNA, Modulates Lipid Metabolism in Human Adipocytes

Long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) have emerged as key mediators of cellular functions and are increasingly implicated in human diseases. Recently a set of lincRNAs was identified to regulate adipogenesis in mice and humans. Here we report that lincAQPEP, a lincRNA predominantly expressed in adipose tissue, is one of the most abundant lincRNAs detected in human fat by RNA sequencing. It is highly expressed in mature adipocytes but not detected in pre-adipocytes, monocytes or macrophages, indicating its adipocyte specificity. Interestingly, no syntenic or conserved RNA transcript was detected in mouse genome for lincAQPEP, suggesting it might be a human specific lincRNA. A binding motif for PPAR gamma (PPARγ), a critical transcription factor in adipogenesis, was found in the promoter region of lincAQPEP (-612 to -596 bp relative to transcription start site). In addition, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing confirmed high occupancy of PPARγ around lincAQPEP transcription start site in human adipose tissue and cultured adipocytes, suggesting PPARγ may mediate adipocyte-specific lincAQPEP transcription. LincAQPEP knockdown (~70%) by lentiviral-based short hairpin RNAs resulted in ~35% decrease in triglyceride content as well as 30-70% reduction of lipogenic gene expression (e.g. SREBP1, FASN, FABP4) in human adipocytes, suggesting a modulatory role of lincAQPEP in adipocyte function. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of its regulatory function, we performed RNA pulldown assays with biotinylated lincAQPEP and lincAQPEP antisense transcript (negative control), followed by mass spectrometry to discover potential lincAQPEP-interacting proteins. IGF2BP3 (Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3), implicated in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, was identified as one of top candidates to physically bind lincAQPEP. Interestingly, lincAQPEP knockdown resulted in ~30% reduction in IGF2BP3 mRNA abundance. These data suggested that lincAQPEP may impact mRNA stability and translation of specific genes by interacting with IGF2BP3. In summary, our data indicate that lincAQPEP, an adipose-specific lincRNA, plays important roles in adipocyte biology likely through interaction with IGF2BP3.
Attenuation of angiotensin type 2 receptor function in the rostral ventrolateral medullary pressor area of the spontaneously hypertensive rat

We hypothesized that blockade of angiotensin II type 2 receptors (AT2Rs) in the rostral ventrolateral medullary pressor area (RVLM) may elicit sympathoexcitatory responses which are smaller in hypertensive rats compared to normotensive rats. This hypothesis was tested in urethane-anesthetized, artificially ventilated male 14-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Age-matched male Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and Wistar rats were used as controls. PD123319 (AT2R antagonist) was microinjected into the RVLM and mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and greater splanchnic nerve activity (GSNA) were recorded. Increases in MAP, HR and GSNA elicited by unilateral microinjections of PD123319 into the RVLM were significantly smaller in SHR when compared with those in WKY and Wistar rats. Unilateral microinjections of l-glutamate (l-Glu) into the RVLM elicited greater increases in MAP and GSNA in SHR compared to those in WKY. AT2R immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the RVLM neurons which were retrogradely labeled from the intermediolateral cell column (IML) of the spinal cord. These results indicate that AT2Rs are present on the RVLM neurons projecting to the IML and their blockade results in sympathoexcitatory responses. Activation of AT2Rs has an inhibitory influence in the RVLM and these receptors are tonically active. Attenuation of the function of AT2Rs in the RVLM may play a role in genesis and/or maintenance of hypertension in SHR.
Migration, Remittances and Nutrition Outcomes of Left-Behind Children: A National-Level Quantitative Assessment of Guatemala

Historically, Guatemalans have suffered high rates of poverty and malnutrition while nearly ten percent of their population resides abroad. Many Guatemalan parents use economic migration, mainly international migration to the United States, as a means to improve the human capital prospects of their children. However, as this investigation shows, the timing of migration events in relation to left-behind children's ages has important, often negative and likely permanent, repercussions on the physical development of their children. To illustrate these dynamics, this investigation uses an instrumental variables framework to disentangle the countervailing effects of Guatemalan fathers' absences due to migration from concomitant remittances on left-behind children's growth outcomes. Based on national-level data collected in 2000, the investigation reveals that the international migration of a father in the previous year is correlated with a 22.1% lower length/height-for-age z-score for the average left-behind child aged ≤ 3. In contrast, the receipt of remittance income has no influence on the physical stature of a child, which may indicate that migrant fathers with young children are not able to achieve economic success soon enough during their ventures abroad to fully ameliorate the harmful effects caused by their absences.
A Multi-Sensor Imaging Payload for Mission-Adaptive Remote Sensing Applications [invited]

†† Future Earth Science remote sensing missions will require aircraft operating as subsystems in support of multi -scale mission systems that integrate data from ground, aircraft, and orbital sensors to provide a comprehensive understanding of global phenomena. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will enhance mission range and duration and enable measurements of phenomena considered too risky for manned aircraft. These aircraft also represent a very adaptable element in a sensor web system, having the ability to provide both remotely sensed and in-situ data at a broad range of spatial and temporal scales. The use of on -board autonomous agents to optimize flight profile, sensor, and measurement domain parameters will provide a revolutionary improvement in the utility of remotely sensed data, particularly for the study of temporally localized phenomena, and is extendable to NASA requirements for improved autonomy in space exploration. This paper provides a description of a multi-sensor imaging payload designed around the concept of intelligent mission management using on-board autonomous agents to optimize mission productivity. Imaging sensors include high-resolution color, low-resolution thermal infrared, and push-broom hyper-spectral imagers. Ancillary payload sub-systems provide meta-data for image interpretation and geo-registration, and communications for near-time instrument control and data delivery. The payload has been designed, integrated, and tested on a small (<55 lbs) UAV in a wildfire management mission context.
Differentiation of hemolytic streptococci from human and bovine sources by the hydrolysis of sodium hippurate

The close resemblance between hemolytic streptococci of human and bovine origin has led to extensive studies of these organisms. Hemolytic streptococci are commonly found in the udders of cows and are therefore present in the milk from such animals. Since these streptococci are so similar to the human hemolytic types in cultural characteristics, varying practically only in the vigor of their growth, milk containing them has been looked on as a potential source of infection for human beings. The appearance of hemolytic colonies gives occasion for alarm to those familiar with the use of blood plates in connection with the examination of material from pathologic sources but unaccustomed to the plating of fresh milk on blood agar. However, those who have observed large numbers of samples of fresh milk plated on blood agar have been impressed with the fact that the hemolytic streptococci commonly found must be different from the human types. If such were not the case streptococcal infection from milk might be very widespread. Hemolytic streptococci from the udder of the cow are mentioned specially because there are types found in pasteurized milk which are somewhat hemolytic, but which because of their characteristics should not be confused with the hemolytic types of human origin. Such organisms have been studied by Salter.1 In recent years tests have been devised which have helped materially to separate the human and bovine hemolytic streptococci. On blood plates, both produce hemolytic zones about the colonies, but usually the zone of hemolysis is larger about the colonies of the human type. Careful measurement of their hemolytic activity in our laboratories has shown that the human type is approximately 100 times as active as the bovine streptococcus. This extreme difference is easily overlooked on plates, but the difference has been recognized by Brown,2
A Product of a Templated Solid-State Photodimerization Acts as a Template: Single-Crystal Reactivity in a Single Polymorph of a Cocrystal

The concept of using a product of a template-directed solid-state reaction as a template is demonstrated. A cyclobutane lined with four carboxylic acid groups is employed as the template in photoreactive cocrystals. The resulting material is shown to exhibit polymorphism.
Influence of sampling scheme on the inference of sex-biased gene flow in the American badger (Taxidea taxus)

Population genetics has fueled a substantial growth in studies of dispersal, a life-history trait that has important applications in ecology and evolution. Mammals typically exhibit male-biased gene flow, so this pattern often serves as a null hypothesis in empirical studies. Estimation of dispersal using population genetics is not without biases, so we utilized a combination of population genetic methods and simulations to evaluate gene flow within the American badger (Taxidea taxus (Schreber, 1777)), a highly elusive and poorly understood mustelid. A total of 132 badgers captured between 2001 and 2002 were genotyped at nine microsatellite loci to investigate fine-scale genetic structure consistent with philopatry in females and dispersal in males. Resultant genetic patterns were largely consistent with a panmictic population with little evidence for sex-biased dispersal, and simulations confirmed that our sampling scheme did not substantially impact our statistics. An overall deficiency of heterozygotes was observed across the Lower Peninsula, which indicates either a Wahlund effect, mixing of separate populations, or inbreeding. Our study emphasizes the importance in deciphering between actual behavioral mechanisms and sampling effects when interpreting genetic data to understand other factors that influence dispersal like population density and territoriality.
Immunisation of cattle with a recombinant togavirus-vaccinia virus strain.

Genetic engineering techniques have been used to construct a vaccinia virus recombinant which contains and expresses togavirus (Sindbis) genetic information. Intradermal inoculation of this recombinant strain into calves caused a transient pock-type lesion at the site of inoculation and elicited the production of substantial levels of anli-Sindbis virus neutralising antibodies. These results suggest that recombinant vaccinia virus vaccines may have potential for use in veterinary medicine.
Ritual Mourning in Daniel’s Interpretation of Jeremiah’s Prophecy

This essay examines the biblical passage of Daniel 9 in light of the second chapter of Patrick McNamara’s book the Neuroscience of Religious Experience (2009). This biblical text is one in which Daniel performs funerary rites and prayers, acts that generate a visionary experience of an angel who reveals to him a revised interpretation of Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning the seventy-year duration of the exile. The author proposes that the experience of grief aroused by the ritualized mourning and the performance of prayer elements that emphasize petition and confession of sin, succeeds in layering experiences of self-diminishment. Ruminative behavior that characterizes grief is understood as an imaginative practice (Boyer 2009) that makes present a deity who would have been otherwise obscured given the political circumstances of the second-century historical context of the Book of Daniel and allows for the adaptive modification of Jeremiah’s prestigious prophecy by a much later second-century community.
Koyanagi technique for repairing proximal hypospadias with penoscrotal transposition

Objective To investigate the application of Koyanagi technique for repairing proximal hypospadias with penoscrotal transposition. Methods Koyanagi procedure was used for repairing proximal hypospadias with penoscrotal transposition in 26 boys (mean age 4. 2 years) between July 2005 and June 2010. Results Primary healing was achieved in 22 cases. Three patients suffered from urinary fistula and the external urethral orifice in one patient was retracted to penis coronary sulcus, who were re-operated successfully. Two cases showed slight penile ventral curvature. Slight stricture of the urethral external orifice was noted in one case, which relieved after one to two times of urethral sounding every week for eight months. 20 patients were followed up for 6-36 months (mean 10.5 months) with good cosmetic result and normal urethra function. The penoscrotal transposition was also corrected. Conclusions The original Koyanagi procedure might be one of the simple and effective method for repairing proximal hypospadias with penoscrotal transposition. Key words: Koyanagi procedure; Proximal hypospadias; Penoscrotal transposition
Indoor and Outdoor Allergies

In last 30 to 40 years there has been a significant increase in the incidence of allergy. This increase cannot be explained by genetic factors alone. Increasing air pollution and its interaction with biological allergens along with changing lifestyles are contributing factors. Dust mites, molds, and animal allergens contribute to most of the sensitization in the indoor setting. Tree and grass pollens are the leading allergens in the outdoor setting. Worsening air pollution and increasing particulate matter worsen allergy symptoms and associated morbidity. Cross-sensitization of allergens is common. Treatment involves avoidance of allergens, modifying lifestyle, medical treatment, and immunotherapy.
Allogeneic Transplantation for Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of clonal hematopoietic disorders characterized by peripheral cytopenias and marrow dysplasia with a variable propensity to evolve into acute myeloid leukemia. MDS is primarily a disease of the elderly with the median age of 76 years at diagnosis and 86% of patients diagnosed over the age of 60 [1]. Although the true incidence is unknown, reports from Germany and the United States estimate the incidence of MDS to be approximately 3 to 4 per 100,000 [1, 2]. While the majority of cases of MDS arise de novo, exposure to alkylating agents and ionizing radiation during treatment for other conditions are important etiological factors. Compared to de novo MDS, secondary MDS is associated with higher rates of adverse cytogenetics abnormalities, poor treatment response, and a worse overall prognosis [3, 4]. Currently, allogeneic stem cell transplantation is considered the only curable treatment modality for MDS. However, the advanced age and the associated comorbidities typical for this patient population have limited the utility of this approach for most patients.
Perspectives on transportation issues: The importance of having physically fit cattle and pigs

One of the most important issues is starting with an animal that is fit for transport. It is impossible to assure good animal welfare during trans- port if the animal is unfit. Severely lame or weak, emaci- ated animals are not fit for transport. Recent figures on the incidence of nonambulatory cull dairy cows show that the problem has become worse since 1993. In beef cattle there has been a slight improvement. A major factor causing unfitness in some cows and pigs is over- selection for milk or meat production. Lameness may be increasing in some high-producing dairy cows and sows. Modern hybrid pigs, which have been selected for rapid growth, leanness, and a large loin area, are often prone to stress that causes the pig to become nonambu- latory. Observations at packing plants indicate that in certain genetic lines the incidence of transit deads and
Evidence favoring a positive feedback loop for physiologic auto upregulation of hnRNP-E1 during prolonged folate deficiency in human placental cells

Background: Previously, we determined that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein E1 (hnRNP-E1) functions as an intracellular physiologic sensor of folate deficiency. In this model, l-homocysteine, which accumulates intracellularly in proportion to the extent of folate deficiency, covalently binds to and thereby activates homocysteinylated hnRNP-E1 to interact with folate receptor-α mRNA; this high-affinity interaction triggers the translational upregulation of cell surface folate receptors, which enables cells to optimize folate uptake from the external milieu. However, integral to this model is the need for ongoing generation of hnRNP-E1 to replenish homocysteinylated hnRNP-E1 that is degraded.Objective: We searched for an interrelated physiologic mechanism that could also maintain the steady-state concentration of hnRNP-E1 during prolonged folate deficiency.Methods: A novel RNA-protein interaction was functionally characterized by using molecular and biochemical approaches in vitro and in vivo.Results: l-homocysteine triggered a dose-dependent high-affinity interaction between hnRNP-E1 and a 25-nucleotide cis element within the 5'-untranslated region of hnRNP-E1 mRNA; this led to a proportionate increase in these RNA-protein complexes, and translation of hnRNP-E1 both in vitro and within placental cells. Targeted perturbation of this RNA-protein interaction either by specific 25-nucleotide antisense oligonucleotides or mutation within this cis element or by small interfering RNA to hnRNP-E1 mRNA significantly reduced cellular biosynthesis of hnRNP-E1. Conversely, transfection of hnRNP-E1 mutant proteins that mimicked homocysteinylated hnRNP-E1 stimulated both cellular hnRNP-E1 and folate receptor biosynthesis. In addition, ferrous sulfate heptahydrate [iron(II)], which also binds hnRNP-E1, significantly perturbed this l-homocysteine-triggered RNA-protein interaction in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, folate deficiency induced dual upregulation of hnRNP-E1 and folate receptors in cultured human cells and tumor xenografts, and more selectively in various fetal tissues of folate-deficient dams.Conclusions: This novel positive feedback loop amplifies hnRNP-E1 during prolonged folate deficiency and thereby maximizes upregulation of folate receptors in order to restore folate homeostasis toward normalcy in placental cells. It will also functionally impact several other mRNAs of the nutrition-sensitive, folate-responsive posttranscriptional RNA operon that is orchestrated by homocysteinylated hnRNP-E1.
Development of a multidimensional gamma-spectrometer

A high-sensitivity multidimensional gamma-spectrometer is being developed within the shallow underground laboratory at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL, USA). The system consists of two broad energy germanium detectors, inside a low-background shield, fitted with a cosmic veto system. The detector has advanced functionality, including operation in single or combined detector mode, with reductions in the cosmic background of 49.6% and Compton suppression of 6.5%. For selected radionuclides this provides increased peak identification, reductions in uncertainty of 27.6% and MDA improvements of 52.7%. The design uses commercially off-the-shelf components to provide a powerful solution for low-level nuclear measurements.
Behavior, lifestyle, and socioeconomic variables as determinants of health status: implications for health policy development.

Health promotion has become an official health policy of this country, and it is being pursued through efforts to change individuals’ health-related behavior. This approach is based on the assumption that it is in fact an individual’s behavior that most directly determines his or her health status. But how good is the evidence that supports this assumption? Specifically, is the evidence sufficient for this assumption to outweigh the long-standing finding that social and economic conditions have a strong relationship to health status? The major support for the behavior approach derives from the coronary heart disease risk-factor studies and the Alameda County Study. In a series of reports over time, the relationship between individuals’ health practices and their health status generally, as well as that between heart disease and cancer specifically, have been established by these studies. These observations, however, have not been confirmed when deliberate efforts have been made to change those practices. The evidence in support of the importance of social and economic conditions to health status has been documented through a long series of studies in this country, which have found a direct relationship between individuals’ socioeconomic status and their health status. This relationship, however, has not in this country been tested by intervention. Only a few studies have examined the interrelationship between these two approaches to health promotion, but the evidence to date has failed to suggest that either one is the mediator of the other. We must, therefore, conclude that pursuing a policy of health promotion based on either approach to the exclusion of the other would indeed be short-sighted health policy.
People as Means to Multiple Goals: Implications for Interpersonal Relationships.

The present research examines the implications of having relationship partners who serve as means to multiple goals. Specifically, we test the hypotheses that (a) partners who serve more goals will...
Value-Driven Quality

The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) criteria represent a fundamental set of key business processes that should form the management system for any quality-minded organization. The criteria are based on 11 core values and concepts that cha..
Effects of Long Chain Alkyl Compounds on Submitochondrial Particles: Mechanistic Differences between Nadh and Succinate Oxidases

Long alkyl chain free fatty acids (FFA) have been known for more than 3 decades to affect various functions of isolated intact mitochondrial preparations. A number of mechanisms have been proposed, but none of them alone can accomodate all the experimental observations. It has been suggested that FFA at relatively low concentrations exert a primarily uncoupling effect, whereas at relatively higher concentrations they exert an inhibitory effect on the aerobic oxidation of both succinate and NAD-Iinked substrates (1). The uncoupling action of FFA has been attributed to the stimulation of the latent ATPase (2-6), and to its detergent-like (7) and ionophore-like action on the mitochondrial membrane (1,3,4). The inhibitory action at higher concentration has been interpreted to be the result of general damage to the mitochondrial membrane, and/or the formation of acyl CoA esters and their subsequent inhibition of the adenine nucleotide translocase in the mitochondrial inner membrane (1,3,8-13).
The Speed and Force of a Projectile

In our final reading selection from Galileo’s Dialogues, we find Salviati, Sagredo and Simplicio in the midst of a discussion of the motion of projectiles. By treating a projectile’s motion as a combination of uniform motion in the horizontal direction, and naturally accelerated motion in the vertical direction, they have discovered that its path forms one of Apollonius’s conic sections: the parabola. But can one determine the speed of the projectile at any and every point along its trajectory? How can it be calculated and what determines the force of impact? These are the questions to which they now turn.
Hormonal Regulation of Adenylyl Cyclase Activity

Peptide and protein hormones such as glucagon and gonadotropins and neurotransmitters such as chatecholamines exert their action on target cells by binding to their respective receptors (R). These interactions lead to stimulation of cAMP formation by the adenylyl cyclase systems in these cells. In what follows we shall review and present key experimental evidences on functional aspects of cAMP forma- tion by adenylyl cyclases as seen both in the absence and presence of hormonal influence. We shall present current knowledge on the molecular composition and structure of hormone sensitive adenylyl cyclases. Taking structural as well as functional aspects into account we shall discuss current thoughts on how both hormonal stimulation and the ensuing desensitization to hormonal stimulation come about. Finally we shall present some speculations as to other forms of regulation, especially attenuation of cAMP formation and raise some of the most pertinent questions in signal transduction research.
Target Populations for Alcohol Abuse Prevention

Historically, there has been a division of labor between professionals regarding rehabilitation and prevention of alcohol abuse. Clinicians tend to concentrate their efforts on rehabilitation of individual problem drinkers. To clinicians, prevention of alcohol problems may seem like an ideal but not very realistic goal, and many view prevention as beyond their realm. Conversely, those who work in the prevention area may believe that clinicians are ranging too far afield when they show an interest in prevention. These professionals (e.g., sociologists, anthropologists, demographers, and social psychologists) could resent what they might see as “interference” by clinicians.
How Should Physicians Counsel Patients Who Live in Food Deserts

In this case, a physician wonders what he should do to help make nutrient-dense foods available in underserved neighborhoods. I argue that improving diets of people who live in food deserts is a complex problem at the intersection of culture, education, and economics that will require community partnerships and clinician self-education to solve.
Forecasting hotel demand uncertainty using time series Bayesian VAR models

Demand uncertainty is a fundamental characteristic of the hospitality industry. Hotel room inventory is fixed, and devising an accurate daily demand measurement is a key operational challenge. In p...
A predictive 0-D HCCI combustion model for ethanol, natural gas, gasoline, and primary reference fuel blends

Abstract Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) is a promising advanced combustion concept with high thermal efficiency and low exhaust emissions. This work purposes a computationally-efficient, zero-dimensional (0-D) HCCI combustion model that does not need to solve any differential equations. To develop the burn rate correlations, experimental HCCI data of ethanol, natural gas, E10-gasoline, and Primary Reference Fuel (PRF) blends was collected on a CFR engine. The burn rate model is built based on the individual cycle mass fraction burned (MFB) curves calculated from the experimental data. CA0 can be predicted from an ignition delay correlation. Once CA0 is known, CA50 and CA90 can be predicted based on CA0 and the charge-mass equivalence ratio ϕ ′ . Then, with CA0, 50 and 90 known, a Wiebe function can be constructed to represent the MFB curve and burn rate. For PRF blends, low-temperature and high-temperature heat releases (LTHR and HTHR) are modeled by two Wiebe functions with ϕ ′ and PRF number dependence. The fitted model has high accuracy compared to the experimental data with R2 values generally greater than 0.97. Finally, various ignition delay correlations from the literature are also tested against the experimentally collected data and some modifications to the correlations are suggested.
Osteoblast response to nanostructured and phosphorus-enhanced titanium anodization surfaces.

Titanium surface modification by anodization has been shown to promote bone formation. However, interactions between anodized layers and bone cells depend upon the anodized layer surface compositio...
The impact of the abuse-deterrent reformulation of extended-release OxyContin on prescription pain reliever misuse and heroin initiation.

Abstract The introduction of abuse-deterrent OxyContin in 2010 was intended to reduce its misuse by making it more tamper resistant. However, some studies have suggested that this reformulation might have had unintended consequences, such as increases in heroin-related deaths. We used the 2005–2014 cross-sectional U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health to explore the impact of this reformulation on intermediate outcomes that precede heroin-related deaths for individuals with a history of OxyContin misuse. Our study sample consisted of adults who misused any prescription pain reliever prior to the reformulation of OxyContin (n = 81,400). Those who misused OxyContin prior to the reformulation were considered the exposed group and those who misused other prescription pain relievers prior to the reformulation were considered the unexposed group. We employed multivariate logistic regression under a difference-in-differences framework to examine the effect of the reformulation on five dichotomous outcomes: prescription pain reliever misuse; prescription pain reliever use disorder; heroin use; heroin use disorder; and heroin initiation. We found a net reduction in the odds of prescription pain reliever misuse (OR:0.791, p
Reviewing CS1 Materials through a Collaborative Software Engineering Exercise: An Experience Report

Many courses incorporate exercises at the end of the semester to help students review course topics. In computer science courses, review activities are often small coding problems, interactive games, or review lectures. In this paper, we describe our experience with replacing student-led review presentations with a collaborative software engineering exercise to serve as a review of CS1 programming concepts. The objective of this review exercise is to increase engagement and self-reflection on course topics by engineering a real-world software application to help students review programming concepts and prepare for the subsequent CS1.5 course. During the final two weeks of the course, students spend three class sessions working to complete the comprehensive exercise. During the final class session, each team presents its software. In this paper, we describe the comprehensive exercise, lessons learned from the past eight semesters (over 1,400 students), and suggestions for adopting the comprehensive exercise in other CS1 courses.