cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Poisson on the poisson distribution

Abstract A translation of the totality of Poisson's own 1837 discussion of the Poisson distribution is presented, and its relation to earlier work of De Moivre is briefly noted.
A MEMBRANE SEPARATOR/BIOREACTOR COUPLED WITH ABSORBANCE MEASUREMENT FOR DETECTION OF Escherichia coli O157:H7

A membrane separator/bioreactor system was developed for rapid detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7. The system consisted of a membrane separator/bioreactor (0.45 μm of the pore size) to separate the-complexes of E. coli O157:H7 and alkaline phosphatase-conjugated anti-E. coli O157:H7 antibodies from the sample and to produce p-nitrophenol through the enzymatic reaction (p-nitrophenyl phosphate hydrolysis), and an optical detector for measuring the p-nitrophenol absorbance at 400 nm. The membrane material and the flow rate of the substrate for the enzymatic hydrolysis had great effects on the absorbance of p-nitrophenol. The optimum conditions for the enzymatic reaction were determined as 1.0 M Tris buffer, pH 8.0, and 0.1 M MgCl2 for this system. The detection range was 104± 107 CFU/mL with a relative standard deviation of 4.3 ± 14.2%, and whole procedure could be completed in 50 min without any enrichment and culture. Other bacteria such as Salmonella typhimurium, Campylobacter jejuni and Listeria monocytogenes had no significant interference with the detection of E. coli O157:H7.
Monoclonal antibodies - a proven and rapidly expanding therapeutic modality for human diseases

The study of antibodies has been a focal point in modern biology and medicine since the early 1900s. However, progress in therapeutic antibody development was slow and intermittent until recently. The first antibody therapy, murine-derived murononab OKT3 for acute organ rejection, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1986, more than a decade after Cesar Milstein and Georges Kohler developed methods for the isolation of mouse monoclonal antibodies from hybridoma cells in 1975. As a result of the scientific, technological, and clinical breakthroughs in the 1980s and 1990s, the pace of therapeutic antibody discovery and development accelerated. Antibodies are becoming a major drug modality with more than two dozen therapeutic antibodies in the clinic and hundreds more in development. Despite the progress, need for improvement exists at every level. Antibody therapeutics provides fertile ground for protein scientists to fulfill the dream of personalized medicine through basic scientific discovery and technological innovation.
Asymptotics of the nonnegative solutions of the general fifth painlevé equation

The general solution of the fifth Painleve equation where α β γ and Δ are parameters, is an essentially new transcendental function. The behaviour of this function is far from clear, especially when all parameters are not 0. In this paper, we follow our work in [I] and obtain the asymptotics of a group of negative solutions of this equation with general real parameters.
Cost of Health Care for a Community of Older Adults in an Urban Academic Healthcare System

BACKGROUND: Urban academic medical centers provide care for large populations of vulnerable older adults. These patients often suffer a disproportionate share of chronic illnesses, disabilities, and social stressors that may increase health care costs. OBJECTIVE: To describe the distribution and content of total healthcare costs accrued over a 4-year period by a community of older adults cared for in an urban academic healthcare system and to describe high-cost patients and utilization patterns. DESIGN: A cohort study. SETTING: A tax-supported public healthcare system consisting of a 450-bed hospital and seven community-based ambulatory care centers. PATIENTS: 12,581 patients aged 60 years and older who had at least two ambulatory visits and/or one hospitalization within the healthcare system from 1993 through 1995. MEASUREMENTS: Patient demographic and clinical characteristics, hospital and ambulatory utilization rates, and all healthcare costs accrued from 1993 through 1996 were determined. Costs were estimated from the perspective of the healthcare system using cost to charge ratios. MAIN RESULTS: The mean patient age was 70 years, 60% were women, 44% were Black, and 83% were covered by Medicare and/or Medicaid. Nearly 25% of patients were obese, 15.8% had a history of smoking, and 15.5% had evidence of malnutrition. The mean number of ambulatory visits per year was 4.3 (± 7.2), and 38.1% of patients had been hospitalized one or more times. Within the 4-year window, 24.1% of patients had missed five or more appointments with their primary care physicians, 32.7% of patients had five or more unscheduled clinic visits, and 12.5% had five or more emergency room visits. Total health care costs for 4 years for this cohort of older adults was $125.2 million dollars, with per capita annual mean costs of $3893. Expenditures associated with hospitalizations accounted for 63.6% of healthcare costs. Total inpatient and outpatient costs for the 38% of patients hospitalized at least once accounted for 85.3% of all health care expenditures. Patients who died in the hospital did not accrue significantly greater costs than patients who died out of the hospital. Simulations of a random 5% adverse selection of high-cost patients among two capitated systems resulted in cost shifts of $11.1 million. Recorded smoking history, obesity, and low serum albumin were significantly associated with excess costs. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare costs are concentrated in a significant minority of older adults. Costs accrued in conjunction with hospital stays dominate healthcare expenditures for this cohort of older adults. However, most older adults (83%) have one or fewer hospital episodes in a 4-year period. Although patients who died accrued greater healthcare costs, these costs were not higher when the death occurred in the hospital. Self-care behaviors are an important target for interventions to reduce costs.
Chronic intermittent hypoxia predisposes to liver injury.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH). OSA is associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in obese subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CIH on the liver in the absence of obesity. Lean C57BL/6J mice (n = 15) on a regular chow diet were exposed to CIH for 12 weeks and compared with pair-fed mice exposed to intermittent air (IA, n = 15). CIH caused liver injury with an increase in serum ALT (224 ± 39 U/l versus 118 ± 22 U/l in the IA group, P < 0.05), whereas AST and alkaline phosphatase were unchanged. CIH also induced hyperglycemia, a decrease in fasting serum insulin levels, and mild elevation of fasting serum total cholesterol and triglycerides (TG). Liver TG content was unchanged, whereas cholesterol content was decreased. Histology showed swelling of hepatocytes, no evidence of hepatic steatosis, and marked accumulation of glycogen in hepatocytes. CIH led to lipid peroxidation of liver tissue with a malondialdehyde (MDA)/free fatty acids (FFA) ratio of 0.54 ± 0.07 mmol/mol versus 0.30 ± 0.01 mmol/mol in control animals (P < 0.01), and increased levels of active nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) in the nuclear fraction of hepatocytes, suggesting that CIH induced oxidative stress in the liver. Finally, CIH greatly exacerbated acetaminophen-induced liver toxicity, causing fulminant hepatocellular injury. Conclusion: In the absence of obesity, CIH leads to mild liver injury via oxidative stress and excessive glycogen accumulation in hepatocytes and sensitizes the liver to a second insult, whereas NASH does not develop. (HEPATOLOGY 2007;45:1007–1013.)
The domestic content of imports and the foreign content of exports

Abstract When a country imports goods that have been assembled abroad, some amount of the labor and capital services embodied in those goods may originally be from the country that is now importing them. Similarly, some of the value added of a country's exports may be foreign in origin. For the median country in my sample of 14, I calculate that 21.5% of imported labor services are domestic labor, 17.7% of imported capital services are domestic capital, 12.3% of exported labor services are foreign labor, and 23.3% of exported capital services are foreign capital.
The Impact of Macrophage- and Microglia-Secreted TNFα on Oncolytic HSV-1 Therapy in the Glioblastoma Tumor Microenvironment

Purpose: Oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (oHSV) represent a promising therapy for glioblastoma (GBM), but their clinical success has been limited. Early innate immune responses to viral infection reduce oHSV replication, tumor destruction, and efficacy. Here, we characterized the antiviral effects of macrophages and microglia on viral therapy for GBM. Experimental Design: Quantitative flow cytometry of mice with intracranial gliomas (±oHSV) was used to examine macrophage/microglia infiltration and activation. In vitro coculture assays of infected glioma cells with microglia/macrophages were used to test their impact on oHSV replication. Macrophages from TNFα-knockout mice and blocking antibodies were used to evaluate the biologic effects of TNFα on virus replication. TNFα blocking antibodies were used to evaluate the impact of TNFα on oHSV therapy in vivo . Results: Flow-cytometry analysis revealed a 7.9-fold increase in macrophage infiltration after virus treatment. Tumor-infiltrating macrophages/microglia were polarized toward a M1, proinflammatory phenotype, and they expressed high levels of CD86, MHCII, and Ly6C. Macrophages/microglia produced significant amounts of TNFα in response to infected glioma cells in vitro and in vivo . Using TNFα-blocking antibodies and macrophages derived from TNFα-knockout mice, we discovered TNFα-induced apoptosis in infected tumor cells and inhibited virus replication. Finally, we demonstrated the transient blockade of TNFα from the tumor microenvironment with TNFα-blocking antibodies significantly enhanced virus replication and survival in GBM intracranial tumors. Conclusions: The results of these studies suggest that FDA approved TNFα inhibitors may significantly improve the efficacy of oncolytic virus therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 21(14); 3274–85. ©2015 AACR .
Successful treatment of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in common variable immunodeficiency with high-dose intravenous gamma globulin

A patient with common variable immunodeficiency and autoimmune hemolytic anemia was given high-dose (450 mg/kg) intravenous gamma globulin (Sandoglobulin) for five days, followed by single doses of 100 to 200 mg/kg at four-week intervals or whenever the hemoglobin level and hematocrit fell or the reticulocyte count increased. This treatment was accompanied by a stabilization of hematopoietic parameters and reversal of Coombs' positivity, which have been sustained for 34 months. The use of high-dose gamma globulin for autoimmune hemolytic anemia can eliminate the need for other therapeutic modalities that may be detrimental to an immunocompromised host.
Refinement of COSMO−SAC and the Applications

In dielectric continuum solvation models (CSMs), the solvation free energy is essential for accurate calculation of the thermodynamic properties of liquids and liquid mixtures. Here, we present a refinement to the COSMO−SAC (where SAC denotes segment activity coefficient) model to calculate the solvation free energy, using statistical thermodynamics and information from quantum mechanics. After the surface charge density for each pure compound has been obtained from a one-time quantum mechanics calculation, the COSMO−SAC model with 23 parameters can be used to predict both pure and mixture thermodynamic properties of almost any nonmetallic molecule in a computational time comparable to that of group contribution methods, but without their hundreds of functional-group-specific parameters. Combining perturbation theory and a mean field model for the van der Waals (vdW) free-energy calculation, this COSMO−SAC model can be used to predict the properties of pure compounds. The overall deviation in vapor pressu...
Silicate mineral dissolution at pH 4 and near standard temperature and pressure

The dissolution of labradorite, microcline, enstatite, augite and forsterite in acidified deionized water was investigated at near standard temperature and pressure and constant pH of 4.00 to determine the kinetics of the release of silica, and cations. Saturation indices and mass balance calculations suggest that after 700 hours, the release of silica from forsterite and augite was controlled by the precipitation of a solid silica phase, whereas silica mass transfer from the feldspars and enstatite was essentially as silicic acid. Iron release from the pyroxenes and olivine was probably controlled by the precipitation of iron oxyhydroxide phases. Linear-rate constants calculated after 700 hours for release of magnesium ranged from 10−15.2 to 10−14.4 M · cm−2 s−1 for augite and forsterite respectively. Linear-rate constants for the release of cations from feldspars ranged from 10−15.8 to 10−15.3 M · cm−2 s−1.
Multimaterial disc-to-fiber approach to efficiently produce robust infrared fibers

A critical challenge in the fabrication of chalcogenide-glass infrared optical fibers is the need for first producing large volumes of high-purity glass – a formidable task, particularly in the case of multicomponent glasses. We describe here a procedure based on multimaterial coextrusion of a hybrid glass-polymer preform from which extended lengths of robust infrared fibers are readily drawn. Only ~2 g of glass is required to produce 46 m of step-index fiber with core diameters in the range 10 – 18 μm. This process enables rapid prototyping of a variety of glasses for applications in the delivery of quantum cascade laser light, spectroscopy, sensing, and astronomy.
Influence of lithosphere viscosity structure on estimates of fault slip rate in the Mojave region of the San Andreas fault system

[1] It is well known that slip rate estimates from geodetic data are nonunique because they depend on model assumptions and parameters that are often not known a priori. Estimates of fault slip rate on the Mojave segment of the San Andreas fault system derived from elastic block models and GPS data are significantly lower than estimates from geologic data. To determine the extent to which the slip rate discrepancy might be due to the oversimplified models of the rheology of the lithosphere, we develop a two-dimensional linear Maxwell viscoelastic earthquake cycle model and simultaneously estimate fault slip rates and lithosphere viscosity structure in the Mojave region. The model consists of episodic earthquakes in an elastic crust overlying layers with different viscosities that represent the lower crust, uppermost mantle, and upper mantle. We use GPS measurements of postseismic relaxation following the 1992 Landers earthquake, triangulation measurements spanning 1932-1977, GPS measurements of the contemporary velocity field, and paleoseismic data along the San Andreas fault. We infer lower crustal (15-30 km depth) viscosity of ∼1019-10 20 Pa s, uppermost mantle (30-60 km) viscosity of ∼10 20-22 Pa s, and underlying upper mantle viscosity of ∼10 18 -10 19 Pa S, consistent with inferences from laboratory experiments of relatively high-viscosity lithospheric mantle and lower-viscosity lower crust and underlying asthenospheric mantle. We infer a 20-30 mm/yr slip rate on the San Andreas fault, in agreement with the lower end of geologic estimates. Inversions of geodetic data with models that do not incorporate layered viscosity structure may significantly misestimate slip rates.
Optical Measurements on the BP III to Isotropic Phase Transition in Highly Chiral Liquid Crystals

Abstract Optical activity and light scattering measurements in the chiral-racemic system of 4-(2-methylbutyl) phenyl-4-hexyloxybenzoate (CE4) reveal a much larger decrease in the discontinuity at the third blue phase (BP III) to isotropic phase transition than reported previously using adiabatic scanning calorimetry on another compound. Whereas these new data show that the transition is still slightly discontinuous for the pure optical isomer of CE4, similar light scattering measurements on the pure optical isomer of 4″-(2- methylbutylphenyl)-4′-(2-methylbutyl)-4-biphenyl-carboxylate (CE2), which is more chiral than CE4, show no discontinuity at all.
450: Permeability properties of cervical mucus in women at high risk for preterm birth

Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve and logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of a positive AF culture was 45.9% (34/74). Univariate analyses showed that both all the cytokines tested in cervicovaginal fluids and gestational age had a significant relationship with intra-amniotic infection. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis yielded a model using cervicovaginal IL-6 and gestational age with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.829 for predicting intra-amniotic infection. The AUC for this model was significantly higher than either parameter retained in this model, but no differences were observed between the AUC of this model and AF WBC for the prediction of intra-amniotic infection. CONCLUSION: In women with PPROM, a model combining cervicovaginal IL-6 and gestational age provides a better prediction of intraamniotic infection than either variable alone. Overall, this non-invasive model performed as well as AF WBC count for predicting intraamniotic infection.
The Elusive Formaldonitrone, CH2N(H)O. Preparation in the Gas Phase and Characterization by Variable-Time Neutralization−Reionization Mass Spectrometry, and Ab Initio and Density Functional Theory Calculations

Formaldonitrone, CH2N(H)O (1), the hitherto elusive simplest organic nitrone, has been prepared transiently in the gas phase by femtosecond collisional neutralization of its cation radical, CH2N(H)O+• (1+•). Ion 1+• was generated by dissociative ionization of 1,2-oxazolidine and characterized by collisionally activated dissociation mass spectra and augmented Gaussian 2(MP2) calculations. Nitrone 1 showed negligible dissociation upon collisional neutralization and was distinguished from its tautomers formaldoxime (2) and nitrosomethane (3). 1 was calculated to be more stable than its isomers CH2−O−NH (5) and oxaziridine (6). The enthalpy of formation of 1 was calculated from enthalpies of atomization and two isodesmic reactions as ΔHf,298(1) = 58 ± 1 kJ mol-1. The adiabatic and vertical ionization energies of 1 were calculated as IEa = 9.40 eV and IEv = 9.42 eV, the vertical recombination energy of 1+• was REv = 9.35 eV. Formation of 1 by collisional electron transfer was accompanied by negligible Franck−C...
Vector network analyzer measurements of frequency fluctuations in aluminum nitride contour-mode resonators

As part of the current drive to engineer minitureized monolithic high performance microelectromechanical enabled oscillators there is a need for further study of frequency fluctuations in microelectromechanical resonators. To facilitate this we consider the measurement of frequency fluctuations using a vector network analyzer and demonstrate the utility of this approach using an aluminum nitride contour-mode resonator. We examine a generalized quasi-static model as well as a more detailed dynamic model and compare one- and two-port measurement setups.
Amino acids and glucose in human blood plasma after beef and nonprotein meals.

SummaryAmino acid analysis of human blood plasma showed considerable intra- and terindividual variation in fasting as well as in the postprandial state. The mean maximal postprandial rise of all amino acids usually occurred in the first or second hour after test meal ingestion but in any individual it could be delayed as long as 4 hr. The plasma amino acid molar ratios were quite different from those calculated for beef muscle protein and we conclude that the amino acid pattern of the test meal was not reflected in the plasma. Ingestion of a nonprotein meal resulted in reduced plasma amino acid concentrations that persisted for 8 hr. Ingestion of beef resulted in a significant drop in plasma glucose concentration in the first 2 hr and the expected rise in amino N and urea N.
Synthesis, characterization, and processing of aromatic copolyesters with different monomer sequences

Two aromatic copoyester compositions were prepared from p-hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroquinone, and isophthalic acid with compositions 2 : 1 : 1 (HIQ50) and 1 : 1 : 1 (HIQ33). For each of these compositions, one random copolyester and one known sequence copolymer was prepared. The random compositions were prepared by melt condensation, whereas controlled sequence polymers were prepared by low-temperature solution polymerization. For the 1 : 1 : 1 composition, the controlled sequence polymer had higher crystallinity than that of the random, whereas the 2 : 1 : 1 composition random copolymer had higher crystallinity. The difference in crystallinity is attributed to the sequence distributions in the copolymers. All compositions were thermotropic in nature. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Designing laminated composites using random search techniques

A computer program called UWCODA is presented. UWCODA is intended to assist in the design, analysis and optimization of composite plates. UWCODA combines a state-of-the-art global optimization algorithm (Improving Hit and Run) with classical lamination theory. Optimization results are presented for simple loading conditions as well as for complex, biaxial load conditions. The computer code proved to be very effective in the design of composite plates.
Single-pion production in K+p interactions at 4.6 GeV/c

Abstract A study of K + p interactions at 4.6 GeV/ c leading to single-pion production is presented. Cross sections for the final states KΔ, K ∗ (891)p, K ∗ (1420)p are given. Comparison of the results of this study with published K − p and K − n data at the same momentum indicates that corresponding K − cross sections are significantly smaller, but other features such as momentum transfer distributions and density matrix elements are very similar.
Onset and terminal orienting responses as a function of task demands.

The frequency of response and trials to habituation of the electrodermal onset and terminal orienting response were manipulated as a function of discrimination tasks involving either stimulus content (pitch) or duration. There were no significant differences between the groups on either measure for onset ORs; however, the duration task group demonstrated more TORs and required a greater number of trials to habituate than the content task group. The results, interpreted in terms of the development of cortical models, supported Stern's suggestion that OR and TOR habituation are related to the content and duration of the stimulus respectively.
Phycomyces: Control of Transpiration and the Anemotropic Reversal

GEER, G. A., WOLD, M. P., B~TTGER, B., AND GAMOW, R. I. 1990. Phycomyces: Control of transpiration and the anemotropic reversal. Experimental Mycology 14, 268-273. Transpiration rates of single sporangiophores of the fungus Phycomyces blakesleeanus were measured with a microbalance. Sporangiophores transpired at the same rate at both high and low humidities. The transpiration rate was independent of sporangiophore length in the major growth stage, IVb. This finding is consistent with transpiration occurring only in the growing zone, where the cuticular layer is less developed. Sporangiophores in a wind tunnel, which were bending into the applied wind, showed a temporary reversal in their direction of bending in response to a humidity decrease. These results further con&m that water plays a role in the anemotropic and avoidance responses.
Clinical outcome and factors predictive of recurrence after enterocutaneous fistula surgery.

Objective: Recent experience with surgery for enterocutaneous fistulae (ECF) at a specialist colorectal unit is reviewed to define factors relating to a successful surgical outcome. Summary Background Data: ECF cause significant morbidity and mortality and need experienced surgical management. Previous publications have concentrated on mortality resulting from fistulae, while factors affecting recurrence have not previously been a focus of analysis. Methods: Records were reviewed of patients who had ECF surgery (1994‐2001). Management strategy involved early drainage of sepsis and nutritional support prior to elective ECF repair, with selective defunctioning proximal stoma formation. Results: A total of 205 patients were available (89 males, 43%; median age, 51 years; range, 16‐86) years). ECF were related to Crohn’s disease in 95, ulcerative colitis in 18, diverticular disease in 17, carcinoma in 25 (16 after radiotherapy), mesh ventral hernia repair in 21, and other causes in 29. Forty-one (20%) had undergone attempted fistula repair at other institutions. Initial management included CT-guided drainage of an intra-abdominal abscess in 23 patients, and total parenteral nutrition in 74 (36%). A total of 203 patients had definitive ECF repair. Forty-four had oversewing or wedge resection of the fistula, and 159 had resection and reanastomosis of the involved small bowel segment or ileocolic anastomosis. Ninety-day operative mortality was 3.5%. A total of 42 (20.5%) patients developed ECF recurrence within 3 months. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that recurrence was more likely after oversewing (36%) than resection (16%, P 0.006). Conclusions: A strategy of drainage of acute sepsis, maintenance of nutritional support prior to surgery, and selective use of PS allows for primary closure in 80% of complicated ECF. Resection should be performed when feasible. (Ann Surg 2004;240: 825‐831)
A resonance theory of thermolecular recombination kinetics : H + H + M - H2 + M

Abstract A theory is presented for three-body recombination which identifies the reaction complex as a small set of orbiting resonances. Calculations of the thermolecular rate constant for H + H + M agree with experiment and also predict a low-temperature maximum which is attributed to the quasibound state μ = 14. j = 5.
Is a Rational Solution Possible

The debate about immigration reform, like many other critical ones in America today, cannot be resolved just by providing common sense suggestions for compromises. A substantial number of whites fear immigrants in general, not just illegal ones, and blame them for America’s economic and social problems. Attacking illegal immigrants and pretending that they can be excluded is merely an ostensibly more acceptable way of trying to curb immigration in general. Yet, the United States cannot survive without immigrants. Generally, what we need to overcome the emotional panic being promoted by anti-immigration advocates is more simply expressed numbers showing us what role various kinds of immigrants play in our society. This will not persuade the frightened right, but it might at least allow the more moderate parts of the public to approach the issue more rationally.
Assertive Community Treatment as Community Change Intervention

Individuals with severe mental illnesses (SMI) are a vulnerable population, struggling to cope with fragmented and often unwelcoming community service systems. Research has examined Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) as an intervention for SMI individuals, but little research has explored ACT's potential as a community system change intervention. Using focus groups with ACT teams, we explored changes in community service systems as a result of ACT teams' presence. Changes identified included increased understanding of SMI; increased access to services; and increased collaboration across service systems. Processes by which these changes occurred included knowledge communication, negotiation, renaming by association, and ongoing relationships.
Invertebrate predation on termites of the African Savanna

Predation by invertebrates was observed on 11 species of termites, primarilyOdontotermes latericius exposed while building their chimneys. Ants were the most frequent predators, usuallyPheidole eegacephala andMegaponera fœtens. Staphylinids of the genusZyras sometimes were abundant on chimneys ofO. latericius and preyed on wandering workers. Other predators were beetles, hemipterans, phasmids, spiders, and turberllarians. Both soldiers and workers are anatomically equipped to defend themselves against small invertebrate predators, but both largely lack the behavioral repertoire to do so and defense is ineffective. The value of the soldier caste to the colony is not clear.
Balloon dilatation of the prostate as compared with transurethral resection of the prostate for treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy

Balloon dilatation of the prostate is gaining widespread recognition and usage. This study compares the effectiveness in the production of symptomatic relief by balloon dilatation performed in 53 patients with that produced by transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) concurrently performed in 43 patients. Based on previously defined selection criteria, 64% of the dilated patients achieved a successful outcome (>50% reduction in symptoms) if they met the exclusion criteria, but only 31% who failed to meet the criteria achieved such success. By the same definition TURP was successful in 79% of our patients, and in that group the average weight of resected tissue was 35 g. In the remaining 21% of our subjects who did not achieve success following TURP, the average weight of resected tissue was 7 g. The results support the conclusion that balloon dilatation may be effective in treating symptomatic men with small prostate glands, whereas TURP is most effective in treating those with large prostates.
Difficulty in the diagnosis of Cushing disease

Background A 48-year-old woman presented to our clinic 1 year after hypertension was discovered on a routine screening visit. During the previous year, she had noticed weight gain in the face and abdomen, easy bruising, oligomenorrhea and facial and periareolar hair growth. On presentation, she reported no weakness, fracture, back pain, depression, irritability, problem with cognition or memory, increased appetite, hot flashes or altered sleep. Previous medication history included 2.5 mg lisinopril daily and 25.0 mg hydrochlorothiazide daily for 12 months. Investigations Measurement of urine glucocorticoid excretion, evening plasma and salivary cortisol levels, and basal and corticotropin-releasing-hormone-stimulated adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels. An overnight 8 mg dexamethasone suppression test, pituitary MRI, inferior-petrosal-sinus sampling, cavernous sinus and jugular venous sampling were performed. Diagnosis Cushing disease. Management The patient underwent trans-sphenoidal resection, assessment of remission and subsequent treatment with hydrocortisone.
Mechanism of Tear Film Rupture and Formation of Dry Spots on Cornea

Abstract The rupture of the tear film covering the cornea and the formation of dry spots is of importance in various pathological states associated with a dry eye. The purpose of this paper is to identify its mechanism and to compute the time required for such a rupture. A two-step, double-film model is proposed which accounts for the real structure of the tear film as composed of a mucous layer and an aqueous layer. The mechanism identifies the key step in the process of rupture to be the instability and eventual rupture of the mucous layer of about 200 to 500 A thickness, which covers the epithelium, due to the dispersion interactions. This in turn exposes the aqueous layer of the tear film to the hydrophobic cornea, resulting in the observed end result of a spontaneous tear-film rupture or “beading-up.” The proposed mechanism is shown to be consistent with the range of observed breakup times and other clinically observed characteristics of the tear-film rupture. The implications of this mechanism in the normal wearing and tolerance of contact lenses are also indicated.
UVA‐340 as Energy Source, Mimicking Natural Sunlight, Activates the Transcription Factor AP‐1 in Cultured Fibroblasts: Evidence for Involvement of Protein Kinase‐C¶

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is known to affect a variety of cellular functions, including gene expression. A number of signaling pathways have been suggested to mediate these effects, including the participation of activator protein-1 (AP-1), activator protein-2 (AP-2) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B). The divergent results from previous studies could be explained, at least in part, by the source of UVR with different spectral characteristics as well as the type of cells employed as targets. In this study we have utilized UVA-340 as an energy source with output which closely matches the spectrum of natural sunlight over the range of 295-350 nm for irradiation of cultured fibroblasts. Combination of electrophoretic mobility shift assays and Northern analyses revealed activation of AP-1 but not NF-kappa B or AP-2. Inhibition studies further suggested the participation of protein kinase-C, but not protein kinase-A, and that an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK-1/2) did not alter the AP-1 activation. Free radical quenchers, sodium azide and N-acetylcysteine, did not affect the AP-1 binding activity. Finally, UVA-340 was shown to enhance transcriptional expression of the type-VII collagen gene (COL7A1), which is endogenously expressed in dermal fibroblast in an AP-1 dependent manner. Introduction of a mutation into the AP-1 site of the COL7A1 promoter abolished this activation. Thus, our results obtained by utilizing a novel energy source, UVA-340, mimicking natural sunlight at UVB and lower UVA range indicate a role for AP-1 in mediating the enhanced gene expression by UVR. Collectively, these results suggest that AP-1 is an important mediator of UVR action in fibroblasts.
Surgery of hyperparathyroidism: A conservative approach

The extent of surgery in the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism should be based on the pathologic entity of the disease. In neoplasia (either the common adenoma or the rare carcinoma), excision of the diseases parathyroid will generally suffice to cure the disease, but in primary hyperplasia, the removal of all the diseased glands except for a small amount of glandular tissue is required. The pathologic diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism can usually be made by a macroscopic assessment of the parathyroid. It is further delineated by the density test and confirmed by Sudan fat-frozen section examination.
On the question of natural hybridization between Pinus discolor and Pinus cembrides

Sixty Pinus cembroides and P. discolor trees from two mixed stands and eight pure stands were analysed for the composition of their wood monoterpenes, number of abaxial and adaxial stomatal rows and the number of needles per fascicle. While by far the majority of the characters analysed showed highly significant differences between the two species, only the sum of thujene, sabinene, γ-terpenene, terpinolene and p-cymene percentages, the sum of myrcene and cis-ocimene percentages, the number of abaxial stomatal rows, and the number of needles per fascicle could be used to evaluate the potential intermediacy of trees from the common sites. The results indicated the absence of any hybridization in the Sierra de la Catarina Mountains of Chihuathua (Mexico) and either a possible minute introgression of P. cembroides into P. discolor in the San Miguelito Mountains of San Luis Potosi (Mexico) or a slightly different genetic composition of the trees from this site. The results strongly support the proposal of Bailey and Hawksworth to regard P. discolor as a distinct species.
An empirical study of iteration in applications software

Abstract Several real-world applications programs were studied to determine what patterns of iteration over data structures they contained. It was found that over half of all loops in these programs were iterations over data structures which were implementations of sets or sequences, and were either unconditional iterations over every element in the structure or search loops. Although there was considerable variation, a large fraction of the loops fell into these categories for every application and every programmer studied. Implications for program design methods, programming education, and programming language design are discussed.
The inverse Gaussian approximation to the lead time demand

This paper is intended to show that the inverse Gaussian distribution can lie effectively used to approximate the lead time demand in inventory control problems. The computations involved with this approximation are shown to be simple. Some pertinent properties of the inverse Gaussian distribution are summarized. Numerical examples are given for a few cases of distributed demands coupled with distributed lead times and in each case the inverse Gaussian approximation results are compared with the exact and/or other approximations.
Automated microscopy identifies estrogen receptor subdomains with large-scale chromatin structure unfolding activity.

Background Recently, several transcription factors were found to possess large-scale chromatin unfolding activity; these include the VP16 acidic activation domain, BRCA1, E2F1, p53, and the glucocorticoid and estrogen steroid receptors. In these studies, proteins were fluorescently labeled and targeted to a multimerized array of DNA sequences in mammalian cultured cells, and changes in the appearance and/or size of the array were observed. This type of experiment is impeded by the low throughput of traditional microscopy. Methods We report the application of automated microscopy to provide unattended, rapid, quantitative measurements of fluorescently labeled chromosome regions. Results The automated image collection routine produced results comparable to results previously obtained by manual methods and was significantly faster. Using this approach, we identified two subdomains within the E domain of estrogen receptor α capable of inducing large-scale chromatin decondensation. Conclusions This work confirms that, like BRCA1, the activation function 2 region of the estrogen receptor has more than one distinct chromatin unfolding domain. In addition, we demonstrate the feasibility of using automated microscopy as a high-throughput screen for identifying modulators of large-scale chromatin folding. The Supplementary Material referred to in this article can be found at the CYTO Part A website (http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/0196-4763/suppmat/v58A.html) © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Estimates for the score function under random censoring

Abstract Assuming that X1, …, Xn is a random sample of lifetimes from a distribution with density ƒ subject to random right-censoring, an estimator of the score function. ƒ′(x)/ƒ(x) , is then proposed and proved to be strong consistent. This estimator is based on random spacings of order statistics. It extends to the censored data case the idea of the histogram density estimator in Van Ryzin (1973) as well as the estimation of the derivative of a density in Kim and Van Ryzin (1980).
Item desirability bias and the bat checklist: A reply to Waltman and Burleson

In response to Waltman and Burleson's indictment that the Kearney et al. Behavior Alteration Technique checklist suffers from an item desirability bias, we submit two major arguments which undermine altogether their claim. We illustrate that their entire allegation rests on first, a faulty premise (i.e., a distortion of the literature documenting what teachers actually do in the classroom) and second, on an indefensible research design which fails to test their contention.
ABA Southern Region Burn disaster plan: the process of creating and experience with the ABA southern region burn disaster plan.

The Southern Region of the American Burn Association began to craft a regional plan to address a surge of burn-injured patients after a mass casualty event in 2004. Published in 2006, this plan has been tested through modeling, exercise, and actual events. This article focuses on the process of how the plan was created, how it was tested, and how it interfaces with other ongoing efforts on preparedness. One key to success regarding how people respond to a disaster can be traced to preexisting relationships and collaborations. These activities would include training or working together and building trust long before the crisis. Knowing who you can call and rely on when you need help, within the context of your plan, can be pivotal in successfully managing a disaster. This article describes how a coalition of burn center leaders came together. Their ongoing personal association has facilitated the development of planning activities and has kept the process dynamic. This article also includes several of the building blocks for developing a plan from creation to composition, implementation, and testing. The plan discussed here is an example of linking leadership, relationships, process, and documentation together. On the basis of these experiences, the authors believe these elements are present in other regions. The intent of this work is to share an experience and to offer it as a guide to aid others in their regional burn disaster planning efforts. Language: en
Synergistic Kinetic Interactions between Components of the Phosphorelay Controlling Sporulation in Bacillus subtilis

The four individual phosphotransfer steps in the multicomponent phosphorelay system controlling sporulation in Bacillus subtilis have been characterized kinetically using highly purified samples of the individual protein components in vitro. The autophosphorylation of KinA is the initial occurrence, and a divalent metal ion is required. KinA-mediated phosphotransfer, which displays a 57000-fold preference (kcat/Km) for catalysis of Spo0F-P formation relative to Spo0A-P formation, is shown to proceed via a hybrid ping-pong/sequential mechanism with pronounced (≥40-fold) substrate synergism by Spo0F of KinA autophosphorylation. In addition, evidence is presented for formation of an abortive KinA·Spo0F complex. Kinetic parameters derived for Spo0F-P and Spo0A as substrates for Spo0B, the second phosphotransferase in the phosphorelay chain, indicate that Spo0B-mediated production of Spo0A-P is 1.1-million-fold more efficient (kcat/KSpo0A) than the direct KinA-mediated process. A rationale is presented for a f...
Stability of stochastic differential equations with additive persistent noise

We present a stability result for stochastic differential equations subject to additive persistent noise. Specifically, we propose a Lyapunov test for noise-to-state stability in pth moment with respect to an arbitrary subspace. To check the hypotheses of our result, we develop a method that exploits equivalence relations between positive semidefinite functions and a family of seminorms. With this method, we can translate inequalities between two positive semidefinite functions into separate sets of geometric conditions that relate each of them to a seminorm.
Two novel arginine/serine (SR) proteins in maize are differentially spliced and utilize non-canonical splice sites.

Abstract The serine–arginine (SR)-rich splicing proteins are highly conserved RNA binding nuclear phosphor-proteins that play important roles in both regular and alternative splicing. Here we describe two novel putative SR genes from maize, designated zmRSp31A and zmRSp31B. Both genes contain characteristic RNA binding motifs RNP-1 and RNP-2, a serine/arginine-rich (RS) domain and share significant sequence similarity to the Arabidopsis atRSp31 family of SR proteins. Both zmRSp31A and zmRSp31B produce multiple transcripts by alternative splicing, of which majority of the alternatively spliced transcripts utilize non-canonical splice sites. zmRSp31A and zmRSp31B produce at least six and four transcripts, respectively, of which only one corresponds to the wild type proteins for each gene. All the alternatively spliced transcripts of both the genes, with one exception, are predicted to encode small truncated proteins containing only the RNP-2 domain of their first RNA recognition motif and completely lack the carboxyl terminal RS domain. We provide evidence that some of the alternatively spliced transcripts of both genes are associated with polysomes and interact with the translational machinery.
Social Insurance, Old Age Pensions and Poor Relief

Review of previous discussions of German evidence, 153. — The method of attack, 158. — Estimate of saving in poor relief arising from old age insurance benefits, 160. — Decline of aged pauperism in England due to pensions, 165. — Effect of pensions on thrift, 169.
Limited miR-17-92 overexpression drives hematologic malignancies

The overexpression of microRNA cluster miR-17-92 has been implicated in development of solid tumors and hematological malignancies. The role of miR-17-92 in lymphomagenesis has been extensively investigated; however, because of the developmental defects caused by miR-17-92 dysregulation, its ability to drive tumorigenesis has remained undetermined until recently. Here we demonstrate that overexpression of miR-17-92 in a limited number of hematopoietic cells is sufficient to cause B cell malignancies. In sum, our study provides a novel and physiologically relevant model that exposes the potent ability of miR-17-92 to act as a driver of tumorigenesis.
Revealing the Winds under the Rain. Part I: Passive Microwave Rain Retrievals Using a New Observation-Based Parameterization of Subsatellite Rain Variability and Intensity—Algorithm Description

Scatterometer ocean surface winds have been providing very valuable information to researchers and operational weather forecasters for over 10 years. However, the scatterometer wind retrievals are compromised when rain is present. Merely flagging all rain-affected areas removes the most dynamic and interesting areas from the wind analysis. Fortunately, the Advanced Earth Observing Satellite II (ADEOS-II) mission carried a radiometer [the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR)] and a scatterometer, allowing for independent, collocated retrievals of rain. The authors developed an algorithm that uses AMSR observations to estimate the rain inside the scatterometer beam. This is the first in a series of papers that describe their approach to providing rain estimation and correction to scatterometer observations. This paper describes the retrieval algorithm and evaluates it using simulated data. Part II will present its validation when applied to AMSR observations. This passive microwave rain retrieval algorithm addresses the issues of nonuniform beam filling and hydrometeor uncertainty in a novel way by 1) using a large number of soundings to develop the retrieval database, thus accounting for the geographically varying atmospheric parameters; 2) addressing the spatial inhomogeneity of rain by developing multiple retrieval databases with different built-in inhomogeneity and rain intensity, along with a ‘‘rain indicator’’ to select the most appropriate database for each observed scene; 3) developing a new cloud-versus-rain partitioning that allows the use of a variety of drop size distribution assumptions to account for some of the natural variability diagnosed from the soundings; and 4) retrieving atmospheric and surface parameters just outside the rainy areas, thus providing information about the environment to help decrease the uncertainty of the rain estimates.