cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Poisson regression models with errors-in-variables: implication and treatment

Overdispersion has been a common phenomenon in count data and usually treated with the negative binomial model. This paper shows that measurement errors in covariates in general also lead to overdispersion on the observed data if the true data generating process is indeed the Poisson regression. This kind of overdispersion cannot be treated using the negative binomial model, as otherwise, biases will occur. To provide consistent estimates, we propose a new type of corrected score estimator assuming that the distribution of the latent variables is known. The consistency and asymptotic normality of the proposed estimator are established. Simulation results show that this estimator has good finite sample performance. We also illustrate that the Akaike information criterion and Bayesian information criterion work well for selecting the correct model if the true model is the errors-in-variables Poisson regression.
Ethylene Evolution and Ammonium Accumulation by Tomato Plants after Root-Applied Glufosinate-Ammonium Treatment in the Presence of Ethylene Inhibitors

Abstract In previous research in hydroponics, ethylene evolution by tomato shoots (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) was promoted by the herbicidal action of root-applied glufosinate-ammonium (GLA). Ethylene evolution was preceded by accumulation and was detected before or concurrent with development of toxicity symptoms following GLA application. In the current experiment, aminooxyacetic acid (AOA) or silver thiosulfate (STS) was added in nutrient solutions to elucidate the relationship between accumulation, ethylene evolution, and symptom development. Aminooxyacetic acid is an inhibitor of ethylene synthesis, and STS is an inhibitor of ethylene action. In hydroponics, 4-week-old tomato seedlings were used. The GLA was added at 25 mg/L into Hoagland no. 1 nutrient solution. For the AOA and STS treatments, AOA or STS was added to concentrations of 1 mM or 25 mM, respectively. With GLA alone, foliar symptoms of injury appeared at 4 days after treatment (DAT), and plant death occurred at 10 DAT. Adding STS did...
Gene prioritization via weighted Kendall rank aggregation

Gene prioritization is a class of methods for discovering genes implicated in the onset and progression of a disease. As candidate genes are ranked based on similarity to known disease genes according to different set of criteria, the overall aggregation of these ranked datasets is a vital step of the prioritization procedure. Aggregation of different lists of ordered genes is accomplished either via classical order statistics analysis or via combinatorial ordinal data fusion. We propose a novel approach to combinatorial gene prioritization via Linear Programming (LP) optimization and use the recently introduced weighted Kendall τ distance to assess similarities between rankings. The weighted Kendall τ distance allows for constructing aggregates that have higher accuracy at the top of the ranking, usually tested experimentally, and it can also accommodate ties in rankings and handle negative outliers. In addition, the Kendall distance does not use quantitative data which in many instances may be unreliable. We illustrate the performance of the prioritization method on a set of test genes pertaining to the Bardet-Biedl syndrome, schizophrenia, and HIV and show that the combinatorial method matches or outperforms state-of-the art algorithms such as ToppGene.
The SV40 large T-antigen origin binding domain directly participates in DNA unwinding.

The origin binding domain (OBD) of SV40 large T-ag serves a critical role during initiation of DNA replication to position T-ag on the origin. After origin recognition, T-ag forms a double hexamer over the origin. Within each hexamer, the OBD adopts a lock washer structure where the origin recognizing A1 and B2 loops face toward the helicase domain and likely become unavailable for binding DNA. In this study, we investigated the role of the central channel of the OBD hexamer in DNA replication by analyzing the effects of mutations of residues lining the channel. All mutants showed binding defects with origin DNA and ssDNA especially at low protein concentrations, but only half were defective at supporting DNA replication in vitro. All mutants were normal in unwinding linear origin DNA fragments. However, replication defective mutants failed to unwind a small origin containing circular DNA whereas replication competent mutants did so normally. The presence of RPA and/or pol/prim restored circular DNA unwin...
Charge Changing Cross Sections for Heavy Ions at Energies to 8.5 MeV/Amu

Preliminary cross sections for single electron pickup and loss are presented for Fe, Kr and Xe ions at 8.5 MeV/amu and for Ar ions at energies from 3.4 MeV/amu to 8.5 MeV/amu passing through nitrogen gas.
Localization of Thrombospondin-1 and Myofibroblasts During Corneal Wound Repair

Abstract Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is a multifunctional matrix protein that has recently been examined in various wound processes, primarily for its ability to activate the latent complex of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). TGF-β has been shown to play a major role in stimulating mesenchymal cells to synthesize extracellular matrix. After injury, corneal keratocytes become activated and transform into fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Our hypothesis is that TSP-1 regulates the transformation of keratocytes into myofibroblasts (MF) via TGF-β. In the current study, we examined the expression of TSP-1 and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), a marker of MF, during rat corneal wound healing. Three-mm keratectomy or debridement wounds were made in the central rat cornea and allowed to heal from 8 hours to 8 weeks in vivo. Unwounded rat corneas served as controls. Expression of TSP-1, SMA and Ki67, a marker of proliferating cells, were examined by indirect-immunofluorescence microscopy. In unwounded corneas, TSP-1 expression was observed primarily in the endothelium. No expression was seen in the stroma, and only low levels were detected in the epithelium. Ki67 was localized in the epithelial basal cells and no SMA was present in the central cornea of unwounded eyes. After keratectomy wounds, TSP-1 expression was seen 24 h after wounding in the stroma immediately subjacent to the wound-healing epithelium. The expression of TSP-1 increased daily and peaked 7–8 days after wounding. SMA expression, however, was not observed until 3–4 days after wounding. Interestingly, SMA-positive cells were almost exclusively seen in the stromal zone expressing TSP-1. Peak expression of SMA-positive cells was observed 7–8 days after wounding. Ki67-expressing cells were seen both in the area expressing TSP-1 and the adjacent area. In the debridement wounds, no SMA expressing cells were observed at any time point. TSP-1 was localized in the basement membrane zone from 2 to 5 days after wounding, and the localization did not appear to penetrate into the stroma. These data are in agreement with our hypothesis that TSP-1 localization in the stromal matrix is involved in the transformation of keratocytes into myofibroblasts.
A semiquantitative culture method for identification of catheter-related infection in the burn patient.

Abstract A semiquantitative (SQ) method for culturing vascular catheters on solid media has been evaluated with 50 high-risk catheters from 6 patients with extensive second- and third-degree burns. The technique reliably differentiates catheter-related infection from contamination; a positive SQ culture (> 15 colonies) denotes local infection and a concentration exceeding 10 5 organisms per gram in the catheter wound, and with venous suppuration, within the vein. In this study, 16 of the 50 catheters (32%) were SQ culture-positive including all 5 catheters causative of septicemia ( P = 0.003). Confluent growth on the SQ plate was demonstrated in all three instances of suppurative phlebitis. The specificity and the predictive value of a positive catheter culture in diagnosis of catheter-related septicemia were substantially enhanced when compared with the conventional broth culture in this study in burn patients was associated with related septicemia at least 31% of the time. With the SQ technique, microbiologic identification and susceptibility testing of clinically significant isolates are accelerated. Knowledge of a positive SQ catheter culture in a burn patient with persistent sepsis can provide added impetus for diagnostic venotomy and definitive surgical therapy of suppurative phlebitis.
Tuning open circuit photovoltages with tripodal sensitizers.

The sensitizers [Ru(bpy)2(deeb)](PF6)2 (1), [Ru(bpy)2(bpy)−(E-Ph)−Ad](PF6)2 (2), and [Ru(bpy)2(bpy)−(E-Ph)2−Ad](PF6)2 (3), where deeb is 4,4‘-(COOCH2CH3)2-2,2‘-bipyridine, E-Ph is phenylethynyl, and Ad are tripod shaped bpy ligands based on 1,3,5,7-tetraphenyladamantane, were anchored to mesoporous nanocrystalline (anatase) TiO2 thin films and studied in regenerative solar cells with 0.1 M LiI/0.005 M I2 dichloromethane electrolyte. Over three decades of 488 nm irradiance, the open circuit photovoltage increased markedly with the distance between the Ru center and the surface binding groups, 1 (7 A) < 2 (18 A) < 3 (24 A). The diode equation accurately models the irradiance dependent data and indicates that the TiO2(e-) → I3- (and/or I2) charge recombination rate constants were decreased by a factor of 20 for 2/TiO2 and 280 for 3/TiO2 relative to 1/TiO2. The results suggest that control of the sensitizer−TiO2 orientation is important for efficient power optimization.
The genome of Uukuniemi virus consists of three unique RNA segments

Abstract The three RNA species isolated from virions of Uukuniemi virus, a proposed member of the newly defined Bunyaviridae family, have been characterized by analysis of 32 P-labeled ribonuclease T1 oligonucleotides separated on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels. Each RNA species contains unique oligonucleotides not present in the two others, indicating that the genome of this virus is segmented. Each segment appears to contain a unique primary sequence with little or no overlapping among the segments. The complexities of the RNA segments as calculated from the radioactivity in unique oligonucleotides of defined lengths are about 8000 (L RNA), 3500 (M) and 1900 (S) nucleotides. Since these values are similar to the molecular weights determined by other methods, each size class of RNA corresponds to a single molecular species. The presence of a 5′ terminal pppAp … structure in each RNA segment confirms indications from electron microscopy that the apparently circular RNA segments are not covalently closed. The absence of either a 5′ terminal "cap" or 3′ terminal poly(A) supports the concept that Uukuniemi virus is a negative strand virus.
Syncope of unknown origin: Clinical, noninvasive, and electrophysiologic determinants of arrhythmia induction and symptom recurrence during long-term follow-up

Ninety-one consecutive patients with syncope of unknown origin underwent electrophysiologic studies (EPS). Univariate analysis identified the following variables: age, + signal-averaged ECG (SAECG), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), history of myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, left ventricular aneurysm, and history of sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (SMVT) on Holter; multivariate analysis identified +SAECG, LVEF, and history of SMVT as risk factors for induction of SMVT at EPS. All patients were followed up for 19.0 +/- 8.3 months and 17 had recurrence of syncope. Patients were divided into empiric, EP-guided, and no therapy groups. The EP-guided therapy group included all patients with SMVT at EPS. Recurrence rates among all three groups were similar. We conclude that: (1) Patients who have inducible SMVT at EPS can be identified using certain clinical and noninvasive variables. When these patients undergo EP-guided therapy, their rate of recurrence of syncope becomes compatible with that of patients who had no arrhythmia induced at EPS. (2) Empiric therapy does not offer any benefit over no therapy in reducing the rate of recurrent of scope.
How can we ethically increase the supply of transplantable organs

There are many “opportunities for action” to increase the supply of transplantable organs. The media tend to focus on the most controversial proposals, such as buying and selling organs, rather tha...
10 Gb/s Error-Free Operation of All-Silicon Ion-Implanted-Waveguide Photodiodes at 1.55 $\mu{\rm m}$

The error-free operation of an all-Si ion-implanted CMOS-compatible waveguide p-i-n photodiode (PD) is experimentally demonstrated at 1.55 μm with 2.5 and 10 Gb/s data rates. Detector sensitivity as a function of bias voltage is measured for PDs of two different lengths, 250 μm and 3 mm. The photocurrent increase caused by bringing the PD into a highly absorbing state via forward biasing is also measured, and it is shown that a resulting 15 dB improvement in receiver sensitivity can be expected. The limiting factors of the device frequency response are analyzed, and the measured PDs are shown to have comparable dark currents, responsivities, and sensitivities to reported Ge PDs.
Endothelial selectin blockade attenuates lung permeability of experimental acid aspiration.

Abstract Background: A central role for the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) in experimental acid aspiration has been demonstrated by the observation that PMN depletion reduced pulmonary vascular permeability. This study investigates the role of recombinant soluble P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-immunoglobulin fusion protein (rPSGL-Ig), a P- and E-selectin antagonist in moderating acid aspiration lung injury. Methods: Tracheostomy tubes were placed in male C57BL/6 mice and 0.1 N HCl was instilled into the trachea at 2 mL/kg after intravenous injection of 125 I-albumin. After 4 hours the lung vascular permeability index (PI) and PMN accumulation in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were assessed. Results: PI in neutropenic mice was 63% reduced compared with the untreated group and similar to the PI of mice treated with 1 mg/kg rPSGL-Ig before acid aspiration. PMN count of 19 ± 5 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in rPSGL-Ig treated mice was significantly less than the untreated group PMN count of 586 ± 72. The respective PI in mice treated with rPSGL-Ig½ hour and 1 hour after acid aspiration was 45% and 39% reduced compared with the untreated group. Conclusions: Endothelial selectin blockade is as effective as PMN depletion in moderating acid aspiration induced lung permeability. Delayed antiselectin therapy can decrease lung injury. (Surgery 2000;128:327-31.)
368 TREND IK NEONATAL BACTERIAL INFECTION AND THE INCI-DENCE OF RABE GRAM NEGATIVE (RGN) SEPTICEMIA

A prospective study was designed to investigate the changing trend in neonatal septicemia (positive blood and/or CSF culture) for its type and incidence in our NICU. In neonates meeting the generally accepted clinical criteria for septicemia, blood and CSF cultures were obtained. During a 2-year period 68 were found to have septicemia. Three were excluded because of multiple congenital anomalies. The incidence of gram positive septicemia was the same as gram negative (48vs52%). Overall mortality was 29% with 23&35% mortality in gram positive and gram negative respectively. The predominant gram positive bacteria was beta-hemolytic S. group B (34%) followed by S. aureus (5%). The most common gram negative bacteria was E. coli (17%) followed by K. pneumoniae (14%), RGN (11%) & P. aeruginosa (8%). The 7 RGN septicemias were caused by Citrobacter diversus (3), Acinetobacter anitratus (1), H. parainfluenza (1), P. multicida (1) and S. marcescens (1). Considering that both K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa septicemia occurred in neonates with chronic lung disease while on respirator (12 of 13 pts), the group of RGN constitutes the 3rd most common cause of neonatal septicemia which was associated with meningitis in 43% of cases while overall meningitis was 19%. This study reveals a changing trend in neonatal septicemia with beta-hemolytic S. group B as the most common and the RGN bacterias as more significant pathogens than previously reported. Proper bacteriologic identification of the RGN and use of appropriate antibiotic therapy are emphasized.
A self-consistent semi-empirical absorption correction technique

Abstract A method of calculating azimuthal scans for subsequent correction of X-ray diffractometer intensity data for absorption is described. The technique is based on the premise that systematic differences observed in the intensities of symmetry equivalent reflections (measured during data collection) are due to the relative transmission factors as a function of the primary and secondary beam path directions. Azimuthal scans are calculated from a least squares fit to these equivalent reflections; these scans may then be applied to the data to correct for absorption according to a simple geometric model.
A Joint Latent-Class Model: Combining Likert-Scale Preference Statements With Choice Data to Harvest Preference Heterogeneity

In addition to choice questions (revealed and stated choices), preference surveys typically include other questions that provide information about preferences. Preference-statement data include questions on the importance of different attributes of a good or the extent of agreement with a particular statement. The intent of this paper is to model and jointly estimate preference heterogeneity using stated-preference choice data and preference-statement data. The starting point for this analysis is the belief that the individual has preferences, and both his/her choices and preference statements are manifestations of those preferences. Our modeling contribution is linking the choice data and preference-statement data in a latent-class framework. Estimation is straightforward using the E-M algorithm, even though our model has hundreds of preference parameters. Our estimates demonstrate that: (1) within a preference class, the importance anglers associate with different Green Bay site characteristics is in accordance with their responses to the preference statements; (2) estimated across-class utility parameters for fishing Green Bay are affected by the preference-statement data; (3) estimated across-class preference-statement response probabilities are affected by the inclusion of the choice data; and (4) both data sets influence the number of classes and the probability of belonging to a class as a function of the individual’s type.
Low pT phenomena observed in high energy nuclear collisions

Abstract For several decades, experiments have reported an enhancement in the pion invariant cross section at low pT ( MeV c ) when compared to a thermal fit or minimum bias pp results. Experimental results from pp reactions at the ISR to heavy ion collisions at CERN will be reviewed then compared to extract trends. Several theoretical explanations will be discussed. An emphasis will be placed on the role of resonances and a comparison of data to models will be presented.
Semileptonic hyperon decay —a problem for chiral perturbation theory

Abstract We study the recently computed m k 2 lnm 2 k corrections to hyperton beta decay found in chiral perturbation theory. The inclusion of these effects is not compatible with the high precision hyperon data, yielding a fit much inferior to the standard assumption of SU(3) invariance. This incompatibility of data and theory is a problem for the application of chiral perturbation theory.
Endocrine complications of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

• Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a multisystem disorder characterized by defects in the immune system that result in opportunistic infections and neoplasms. While endocrine dysfunction has not been a prominent clinical feature of AIDS, all endocrine glands may be affected by the opportunistic infections and neoplasms or by agents used in their treatment. Adrenal cortical insufficiency related to cytomegalovirus and ketoconazole therapy, hypoglycemia related to pentamidine therapy, and hyponatremia secondary to diverse causes are the most serious endocrine abnormalities that commonly occur. As the numbers of patients with AIDS increase, the development of these and other endocrine complications will occur more often. Because the clinical manifestations of endocrine dysfunction may be nonspecific or subtle, they may be overlooked, particularly in the setting of chronically and severely ill patients. Recognition and prompt therapy for endocrine dysfunction is essential for optimal treatment of these patients. ( Arch Intern Med 1989;149:330-333)
Malaria vaccine development: persistent challenges

There is no licensed vaccine against any human parasitic disease and apicomplexan parasites cause enormous human suffering; the malaria parasite alone kills approximately one million people annually and is the cause of the majority of infection-related deaths in the young. A malaria vaccine is essential if the goal of malaria eradication is to be achieved. Decades ago it was shown that attenuated malaria parasites could induce sterile immunity to infection but progress towards efficacious vaccines for malaria has been slow. However, recent studies have begun to tease out the immune correlates of vaccine-induced sterile protection and essential research on animal models of disease continues to guide vaccine design. Whole parasite approaches to vaccine design through attenuation as well as subunit vaccine development continue to move forward to clinical trials and are showing promising results.
Exploring geophysical processes influencing U.S. West Coast precipitation and water supply

CalWater Science Workshop; La Jolla, California, 8–10 June 2011 CalWater is a multiyear, multiagency research project with two primary research themes: the effects of changing climate on atmospheric rivers (ARs) and associated extreme events, and the potential role of aerosols in modulating cloud properties and precipitation, especially regarding orographic precipitation and water supply. Advances made in CalWater have implications for both water supply and flood control in California and other West Coast areas, both in the near term and in a changing climate.
Prevalence of cerebral palsy, co-occurring autism spectrum disorders, and motor functioning - Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, USA, 2008.

Aim The aim of this study was to report the prevalence and characteristics of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Method Children with CP (n=451) were ascertained by the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, a population-based, record-review surveillance system monitoring CP in four areas of the USA. Prevalence was calculated as the number of children with CP among all 8-year-old children residing in these areas in 2008. Motor function was categorized by Gross Motor Function Classification System level and walking ability. Co-occurring autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and epilepsy were ascertained using ADDM Network surveillance methodology. Results The period prevalence of CP for 2008 was 3.1 per 1000 8-year-old children (95% confidence interval 2.8-3.4). Approximately 58% of children walked independently. Co-occurring ASD frequency was 6.9% and was higher (18.4%) among children with non-spastic CP, particularly hypotonic CP. Co-occurring epilepsy frequency was 41% overall, did not differ by ASD status or CP subtype, and was highest (67%) among children with limited or no walking ability. Interpretation The prevalence of CP in childhood from US surveillance data has remained relatively constant, in the range of 3.1 to 3.6 per 1000, since 1996. The higher frequency of ASD in non-spastic than in spastic subtypes of CP calls for closer examination.
Protein Free Energy Corrections in ONIOM QM:MM Modeling: A Case Study for Isopenicillin N Synthase (IPNS).

The protein environment can have significant effects on the enzyme catalysis even though the reaction occurs locally at the reaction center. In this paper, we describe an efficient scheme that includes a classical molecular dynamics (MD) free-energy perturbation (FEP) correction to the reaction energy diagram, as a complement to the protein effect obtained from static ONIOM (QM:MM) calculations. The method is applied to eight different reaction steps, from the O2-bound reactant to formation of a high-valent ferryl-oxo intermediate, in the nonheme iron enzyme isopenicillin N synthase (IPNS), for which the QM:MM energy diagram has previously been computed [Lundberg, M. et al. J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2009, 5, 220−234]. This large span of the reaction coordinate is covered by dividing each reaction step into microsteps using a virtual reaction coordinate, thus only requiring ONIOM information about the stationary points themselves. Protein effects are important for C−H bond activation and heterolytic O−O bond...
Assessment of pressure, angle, and temporal effects on polarization-gated spectroscopic probe measurements

Noninvasive and real-time analysis of tissue properties, in particular, the quantitative assessment of blood content and light scattering properties of mucosa is useful in a wide variety of applications. However, the nature of interactions between contact fiber-optic probes and the tissue surface presents a challenging problem with respect to the variability of in vivo measurements, for example affects due to variations in the pressure and angle of the probe tip on the tissue surface. Previously, pressure and angle effects have been investigated for other modalities (i.e. diffuse reflectance and Raman spectroscopy). We present an evaluation of this variability, as well as the length of time in contact with tissue for polarization-gated spectroscopy. The evaluation is based on the quantification of mucosal blood content at superficial depths (within 100 to 200 microns of tissue surface) for in vivo measurements of oral mucosa. Measurements are presented for different pressures, angles and time scales and the variability due to these factors is assessed.
On-sky measurement accuracy of Keck telescope segment surface errors

We quantify the accuracy of the Keck telescope segment surface figure measurements made on sky by the Phasing Camera System (PCS), a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor that uses long integration times to average over the effects of atmospheric turbulence. These measurements are used to determine the settings for warping harnesses that significantly reduce the segment surface errors. When a series of six measurements is performed on the same segment in rapid succession, the Root Mean Square (RMS) segment surface, as reconstructed by 2nd through 4th order Zernike polynomials, is determined with an accuracy of 6.0 ‡ 3.2 nm (error on the mean). However, when we compare measurements on the same segment separated by several hours the inferred surface RMS accuracy is 9.0 ‡ 5.0 nm, or 50% larger. This suggests that there are systematic errors on the order of 7 nm that vary throughout the night. In this paper we investigate and quantify the potential causes of these systematic errors, which together with statistical errors, constitute a fundamental limit for the performance of segment warping harnesses. Such measurements are currently the baseline warping harness inputs for the Thirty Meter Telescope and the European Extremely Large Telescope.
Locality vs. Balance: Exploring Data Mapping Policies on NUMA Systems

In parallel architectures that have a Non-Uniform Memory Access (NUMA) behavior, the mapping of memory pages to NUMA nodes influences the performance of parallel applications. In order to improve traditional data mapping policies, two basic strategies can be employed: optimizing locality or balance of memory accesses. In a locality-based policy, memory pages are mapped to nodes that access the page the most. In a balance-based policy, memory pages are mapped such that the number of memory accesses resolved by each memory controller is similar. In this paper, we perform an in-depth exploration of these data mapping policies on the performance of parallel applications. We introduce metrics that describe their memory access behavior and evaluate their suitability for data mapping. We also present new mapping policies that focus on locality, balance or both. These policies were evaluated on three different NUMA architectures with applications from the NAS-OMP and PARSEC benchmark suites. Results show that the performance improvements of each policy depend on the characteristics of the applications and machines. Choosing the wrong policy can actually hurt the performance compared to the default first-touch mapping. Compared to traditional mapping policies and to policies that only focus on either locality or balance, taking into account both locality and balance results in the highest improvements. Furthermore, it avoids the performance reduction caused by the wrong data mapping.
Late-night salivary cortisol as a screening test for Cushing's syndrome.

The clinical features of Cushing's syndrome (such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes) are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Patients with Cushing's syndrome have been identified by an abnormal low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, elevated urine free cortisol (UFC), an absence of diurnal rhythm of plasma cortisol, or an elevated late-night plasma cortisol. Because the concentration of cortisol in the saliva is in equilibrium with the free (active) cortisol in the plasma, measurement of salivary cortisol in the evening (nadir) and morning (peak) may be a simple and convenient screening test for Cushing's syndrome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the measurement of late-night and morning salivary cortisol in the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. We studied 73 normal subjects and 78 patients referred for the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. Salivary cortisol was measured at 2300 h and 0700 h using a simple, commercially-available saliva collection device and a modification of a standard cortisol RIA. In addition, 24-h UFC was measured within 1 month of saliva sampling. Patients with proven Cushing's syndrome (N = 39) had significantly elevated 2300-h salivary cortisol (24.0 +/- 4.5 nmol/L), as compared with normal subjects (1.2 +/- 0.1 nmol/L) or with patients referred with the clinical features of hypercortisolism in whom the diagnosis was excluded or not firmly established (1.6 +/- 0.2 nmol/L; N = 39). Three of 39 patients with proven Cushing's had 2300-h salivary cortisol less than the calculated upper limit of the reference range (3.6 nmol/L), yielding a sensitivity of 92%; one of these 3 patients had intermittent hypercortisolism, and one had an abnormal diurnal rhythm (salivary cortisol 0700-h to 2300-h ratio <2). An elevated 2300-h salivary cortisol and/or an elevated UFC identified all 39 patients with proven Cushing's syndrome (100% sensitivity). Salivary cortisol measured at 0700 h demonstrated significant overlap between groups, even though it was significantly elevated in patients with proven Cushing's syndrome (23.0 +/- 4.2 nmol/L), as compared with normal subjects (14.5 +/- 0.8 nmol/L) or with patients in whom Cushing's was excluded or not firmly established (15.3 +/- 1.5 nmol/L). Late-night salivary cortisol measurement is a simple and reliable screening test for spontaneous Cushing's syndrome. In addition, late-night salivary cortisol measurements may simplify the evaluation of suspected intermittent hypercortisolism, and they may facilitate the screening of large high-risk populations (e.g. patients with diabetes mellitus).
Do parents of urban children with persistent asthma ban smoking in their homes and cars

Objective Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) increases morbidity for children with asthma. One method to reduce children's ETS exposure is to completely ban smoking in the home and car. We sought to evaluate the degree to which urban children with persistent asthma are protected by household and car smoking bans, and to determine whether health care professionals are counseling parents to implement smoking bans. Methods We asked parents of children with asthma to complete an in-person interview including questions about asthma symptoms, smokers in the home, smoking bans (home and car), and the receipt of ETS counseling by health care professionals. Results We included 231 children with persistent asthma symptoms (response rate 94%). Nearly half of the children lived with a smoker. Overall, only 64% of households had complete restrictions on smoking in the home and car. Even among the children with severe persistent symptoms, less than two-thirds were protected by a complete smoking ban. Among households with smokers, only 51% had a ban on smoking in the home and 49% in the car. The majority of caregivers had been questioned by health care professionals about home smoke exposure; less were asked about exposure in the car (40%) or given suggestions to decrease the child's exposure (58%). Conclusions To our knowledge this is the first study to establish the prevalence of smoking bans among children with persistent asthma. Many children with asthma, even those with the most severe symptoms, remain exposed to ETS in the home and in cars. Identifying and reducing smoke exposure among these children should be a health care priority.
Dilation of rat brain arterioles by hypercapnia in vivo can occur even after blockade of guanylate cyclase by ODQ.

1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3,-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) is an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase and has been reported to inhibit dilation of cerebral blood vessels by hypercapnia. This supports the hypothesis that this dilation is dependent upon guanylate cyclase, activated by nitric oxide (NO) released from neural tissue. However, there are conflicting reports concerning the role of guanylate cyclase in response to hypercapnia. Therefore, we tested the effect of topically applied ODQ (10 μM) on rat pial arterioles observed with a microscope through a closed cranial window. In one study, we tested ODQ ability to inhibit both the dilation produced by hypercapnia (3% and 5% inspired CO2) and, in the same rats, the dilation produced by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA). In another experiment, we tested the ability of ODQ to inhibit dilation produced by hypercapnia and the dilation produced by 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), a donor of NO. The responses to NMDA and to NO are known to depend upon activation of guanylate cyclase and were both blocked in the present study. However, the response to hypercapnia was not affected. These findings provide evidence that hypercapnic dilation can occur independently of guanylate cyclase activation.
Multiprocessor memory organization and memory interference

ture of shared memory in a multiprocessor computer system is examined with particular attention to noninterleaved memory. Alternative memory organizations are compared and it is shown that a home memory organization, in which each processor is associated with one or more memories in which its address space is concentrated, is quite effective in reducing memory interference. Home memory organization is shown to be particularly suited to certain specialized computational problems as well as to possess advantages in terms of interference and reliability for general purpose computation. Results for interleaved memory are drawn from previous work and are used for comparison. Trace-driven simulations are used to verify the conclusions of the analysis.
HPLC analysis of aromatic amino acids, nucleosides, and bases in plasma of acute lymphocytic leukemics on chemotherapy

Plasma chromatograms--obtained by the reversed-phase mode of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)--of 19 subjects with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) were compared to those of 19 normal individuals. ALL patients were in remission and on a methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine maintenance regimen. The concentrations of the aromatic amino acids L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine, the nucleosides uridine, adenosine, inosine, and guanosine, as well as the bases hypoxanthine and xanthine, were elevated in the leukemic in comparison to the normal chromatograms. Highest inosine levels corresponded to leukemic subjects whose condition severely deteriorated with time. Patients with lower inosine levels are still in continuous remission.
The case for organic photovoltaics

Increasing demand for energy worldwide, driven largely by the developing world, coupled with the tremendous hidden costs associated with traditional energy sources necessitates an unprecedented fraction of the future global energy mix come from sustainable, renewable sources. The potential solar energy resource dwarfs that of all other renewable sources combined, yet only two photovoltaic technologies are known to have the potential to be scaled up to make dramatic impact on the overall energy mix: silicon and organic photovoltaics. In this paper, we present the long-term sustainability advantages of organics when compared to silicon and other photovoltaic technologies in terms of energy payback time and global warming potential while also discussing the outlook for transitional applications of organic solar cells.
Nurse practitioners: need for and willingness to hire as viewed by nurse administrators, nurse practitioners, and physicians

The problem investigated in this project was the identification of need for and desire to hire nurse practitioners in a rural western state. Participants included licensed nurse practitioners, nurse administrators of licensed agencies, and licensed physicians in the state of Nevada. The survey examined the participant groups' views of the need for and their desire to hire nurse practitioners. The findings showed differences among the groups in relation to their education levels and whether they were practicing in rural or urban areas. The most pronounced finding was the indicated need for more information related to the role and functions of nurse practitioners before hiring them. Recommendations for future study are also included.
Clinical update: Cross‐reactive idiotypes and the genetic origin of rheumatoid factors

Rheumatoid factors (RFs) are present in a wide spectrum of diseases, but the diversity of these antibodies may vary greatly according to the underlying disease process. To analyze the diversity of these molecules, we have recently developed in the Scripps laboratory three cross-reactive idiotypic reagents against human monoclonal rheumatoid factors. These reagents detect unique markers associated with the kappa light chain variable region of the antigen binding site of these molecules. We have characterized the expression of the three cross-reactive idiotypes in serum RFs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, and seropositive elderly. The autoantibodies from Sjogren's syndrome patients and from normal patients were restricted in heterogeneity and frequently displayed two or more of the cross-reactive idiotypes. In contrast, the RFs from rheumatoid arthritis patients expressed only one of the three cross-reactive idiotypic markers, suggesting greater structural diversity. The presence of shared idiotypes implies a common origin of the light chains from a single light chain gene or closely related genes. Cross-reactive idiotypes are useful diagnostic tools that distinguish the rheumatoid factors from different clinical processes and may provide insights concerning disease pathogenesis.
Consensus-Oriented Group Peer Review: A New Process to Review Radiologist Work Output

The Joint Commission and other regulatory bodies have mandated that health care organizations implement processes for ongoing physician performance review. Software solutions, such as RADPEER™, have been created to meet this need efficiently. However, the authors believe that available systems are not optimally designed to produce changes in practice and overlook many important aspects of quality by excessive focus on diagnosis. The authors present a new model of peer review known as consensus-oriented group review, which is based on group discussion of cases in a conference setting and places greater emphasis on feedback than traditional systems of radiology peer review. By focusing on the process of peer review, consensus-oriented group review is intended to optimize performance improvement and foster group standards of practice. The authors also describe the software tool developed to implement this process of enriched peer review.
Comparative Analysis of Barophily-Related Amino Acid Content in Protein Domains of Pyrococcus abyssi and Pyrococcus furiosus

Amino acid substitution patterns between the nonbarophilic Pyrococcus furiosus and its barophilic relative P. abyssi confirm that hydrostatic pressure asymmetry indices reflect the extent to which amino acids are preferred by barophilic archaeal organisms. Substitution patterns in entire protein sequences, shared protein domains defined at fold superfamily level, domains in homologous sequence pairs, and domains of very ancient and very recent origin now provide further clues about the environment that led to the genetic code and diversified life. The pyrococcal proteomes are very similar and share a very early ancestor. Relative amino acid abundance analyses showed that biases in the use of amino acids are due to their shared fold superfamilies. Within these repertoires, only two of the five amino acids that are preferentially barophilic, aspartic acid and arginine, displayed this preference significantly and consistently across structure and in domains appearing in the ancestor. The more primordial asparagine, lysine and threonine displayed a consistent preference for nonbarophily across structure and in the ancestor. Since barophilic preferences are already evident in ancient domains that are at least ~3 billion year old, we conclude that barophily is a very ancient trait that unfolded concurrently with genetic idiosyncrasies in convergence towards a universal code.
Single daily dosing ceftriaxone and metronidazole vs standard triple antibiotic regimen for perforated appendicitis in children: a prospective randomized trial

Introduction: Appendicitis is the most common emergency condition in children. Historically, a 3-drug regimen consisting of ampicillin, gentamicin, and clindamycin (AGC) has been used postoperatively for perforated appendicitis. A retrospective review at our institution has found single day dosing of ceftriaxone and metronidazole (CM) to be a more simple and cost-effective antibiotic strategy. Therefore, we performed a prospective, randomized trial to compare efficacy and cost-effectiveness of these 2 regimens.
THE CHLOROPHYLL UNIT IN PHOTOSYNTHESIS

In six species of plants, representing four phyla, the minimum number of chlorophyll molecules present for each molecule of carbon dioxide reduced appears to lie between 2,000 and 3,000. This finding suggests the existence of a chlorophyll unit.
Factors associated with college women's labeling of sexual victimization

Despite high rates of sexual assault among college women, most victims do not label the experience as sexual assault or rape. Prior research examining labeling of sexual victimization has focused on women's characterization of rape experiences as either not victimization or victimization. This study extends prior research by exploring factors associated with labeling various forms of sexual victimization as "not victimization," a "serious miscommunication," or a "sexual assault, date rape, rape, or crime." A sample of 1,060 college women reported on their experiences of sexual victimization since the age of 14 years. Women who reported experiences of prior sexual victimization (n = 371) indicated their level of acquaintance with the assailant, assault disclosure, substance use at time of assault, attributions of self- and perpetrator-blame for the assault, and labeling of the experience. Most women who reported experiences of sexual victimization did not self-identify as victims, and 38% labeled sexual victimization as a serious miscommunication. Greater acquaintance with the perpetrator, higher behavioral self-blame, and victim substance use at the time of the assault were associated with labeling sexual assault experiences as a serious miscommunication. Implications are discussed.
ASSESSMENT CENTERS AND CONTENT VALIDITY: SOME NEGLECTED ISSUES

Literature on the use of content validity to establish the job-relatedness of assessment centers is reviewed. Most approaches to content validity are shown to focus on job-analysis-based exercise construction and dimension selection as the bases for determining the content validity of an assessment center. The article attempts to show that content validity requires more than the careful construction of stimulus materials (i.e., exercises); how these stimulus materials are presented to candidates and how responses to these stimuli are evaluated are also critical considerations in making judgments about content validity. Variability in the way these issues are dealt with is documented.
Hyperinitiation of DNA replication in Escherichia coli leads to replication fork collapse and inviability

Elevated dnaA expression from a multicopy plasmid induces more frequent initiation from the Escherichia coli replication origin, oriC, but viability is maintained. In comparison, chromosomally encoded dnaAcos also stimulates initiation, but this is lethal. By quantitative methods, we show that the level of initiation induced by elevated dnaA expression leads to collapsed replication forks that are mostly within 10 map units of oriC. Because forks collapse randomly, nucleoprotein complexes at specific sites such as datA are not the cause. When replication restart is blocked by a mutation in recB or priA, the increased initiations via elevated dnaA expression causes inviability. The amount of collapsed forks is substantially higher under elevated expression of dnaAcos compared to that of dnaA. We propose that the lethal phenotype of chromosomally encoded dnaAcos is a result of hyperinitiation that overwhelms the repair capacity of the cell.
Model-theoretic semantics and tractable algorithm for CNF-BCP

CNF-BCP is a well-known propositional reasoner that extends clausal Boolean Constraint Propagation (BCP) to non-clausal theories. Although BCP has efficient linear-time implementations, CNF-BCP requires clausal form transformation that sometimes leads to an exponential increase in the size of a theory. We present a new quadratic-time reasoner, RFP, that infers exactly the same literals as CNF-BCP. Although CNF-BCP has been specified only syntactically, we present a simple model-theoretic semantics for RFP. We also present a convergent term-rewriting system for RFP that is suitable for reasoning with knowledge bases that are built incrementally. Potential applications of RFP include logical truth-maintenance systems and general-purpose knowledge representation systems.
Constructing reconfigurable software for machine control systems

We propose a software architecture based on a combination of object-oriented models and executable formal specifications. In this architecture, the machine control software is viewed as an integration of a set of reusable software components, each modeled with a set of event-based external interfaces for functional definitions, a control logic driver for execution of behavioral specifications, and a set of service protocols for platform adaptation. The behaviors of the entire software can be viewed as an integration of behaviors of components and their integration. Separation of structural specification from behavioral specification enables the controller software structure to be reconfigured independently of application, and software behavior to be reconfigured independently of controller software structure. When the system needs reconfiguration due to changes in either application requirements or the execution platform, the software with our architecture can then be reconfigured by changing reusable components and their interactions in structure for functional capability, and by changing the Control Plan program for behavior. Both types of reconfiguration can be done at the executable code level after the software is implemented. The proposed architecture also supports reconfigurability to facilitate heterogeneous implementations and vendor-neutral products.