cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An ex vivo study of the biological properties of porcine aortic valves in response to circumferential cyclic stretch.

Normal physiological mechanical forces cause constant tissue renewal in aortic valve leaflets (AVL) while altered mechanical forces incite changes in their structural and biological properties. The current study aims at characterizing the remodeling properties of AVL subjected to cyclic circumferential stretch in a sterile ex vivo bioreactor. The leaflets cultured were stretched at a maximum rate of 300%s−1 corresponding to a 15% strain for 48 h. Collagen, sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG), and elastin contents of the stretched, fresh, and statically incubated leaflets were measured. Cusp morphology and cell phenotype were also examined. AVLs exposed to cyclic stretch showed a significant increase in collagen content (p 0.05). Native aortic valve morphology was well preserved in stretched leaflets. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting studies showed an increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in stretched leaflets while α-SMA expression was reduced in statically incubated AVLs when compared to the fresh leaflets. To conclude, circumferential cyclic stretch altered the extracellular matrix remodeling activity of valvular cells, and consequently the extracellular matrix composition of the AVLs. Most interestingly, the contractile and fibrotic phenotypic expression of valve interstitial cells was enhanced. These results show that circumferential cyclic stretch is a possible mediator for AVL remodeling activity.
Change in the Prevalence of Prone Sleeping at Three Months of Age † 511

The Back to Sleep campaign was begun in mid-1994 to reduce the prevalence of prone infant sleeping from 40-50% to < 10%. Using data from an ongoing longitudinal study of early infant care practices, we assessed trends in prone sleeping from 6/95 - 9/97. Mother-infant pairs are recruited at birth hospitals in Massacusetts and Ohio and followed for six months. Descriptive data are collected at enrollment; information on sleep position and other infant care practices is collected by follow-up mail/phone questionnaire. From 6/95 - 12/95 mothers of 1607 three month (9-16 weeks) old infants (birthweight≥ 2500g) responded to a question asking the position their infant was placed to sleep on the previous night. From 1/97 - 9/97 mothers of 2028 three month old infants responded to this question. In each year, 80% of mothers were White, 10% Black, and 10% Hispanic. Stratified analyses were performed for prevalence of prone sleeping in 1995 and 1997. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CI) presented in the Table describe the reduction in prevalence of prone sleeping from 1995 to 1997. Trends were similar for Black and Hispanic infants, so data were pooled. There was a significant reduction in the prevalence of prone sleeping across all strata. The greatest decline was observed among infants of highly educated(high = college degree), minority mothers. These associations between race, education, and prone sleeping remain after controlling for other factors through multiple logistic regression. The prevalence of prone sleeping is approaching the target of 10% among infants of highly educated mothers regardless of race/ethnicity, however, prone sleeping remains higher among infants of less educated mothers, especially minorities. These data may be useful in directing future efforts for the Back to Sleep campaign.
Criteria for multi-carrier X-band intermodulation products in the receive band

Criteria for intermodulation products falling within the receiver of an X-band satellite earth terminal are historically governed by MIL-STD-188-164 and STANAG 4484. These specifications limit received intermodulation products from a simple two-tone transmitter measurement. X-band earth terminals that satisfy the challenging criteria qualify for multi-carrier operation. This paper investigates the practical implications of the existing criteria on X-band earth terminal design, models the intermodulation (IM) phenomena, and develops alternative criteria for X-band IM levels for multi-carrier operations. The proposed alternative criteria would facilitate a broader deployment of multi-carrier X-band capability for tactical users.
Boundary bias correction in nonparametric density estimation

An approach for removing boundary bias in nonparametric density esti-mation is considered. The technique is based on suitable finite-dimensional projections in Hilbert space. Applications to boundary bias removal with kernel and trigonometric series estimators are presented.
Formality of Researcher's Attire and Number of Terms Given by Participants for Six Gender Labels:

The number of terms given by participants when experimenters were dressed in either professional or casual attire (ns = 20 and 18) was assessed. Participants were given 90 sec. to list descriptors for each of six gender-type labels. Analyses of variance yielded no significant mean differences for number of items listed.
Long-chain and very long-chain fatty acyl-coa synthetase activity in microsomes of jimpy mouse brain.

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine whether the conversion of free, very long chain fatty acids (C 22 –C 26 ) to their CoA-esters are involved in cerebroside synthesis, since cerebrosides are uniquely rich in very long chain fatty acids including lignoceric acid (C 24:0 ). We have studied lignoceroyl-CoA synthetase activity in the microsomes isolated from normal and jimpy mouse brain. The jimpy mouse lacks the ability to make myelin and is deficient in enzyme activities involved in the synthesis of myelin components, including cerebrosides. Unexpectedly, the lignoceroyl-CoA synthetase activity in jimpy brain microsomes was slightly higher than that in control microsomes. The palmitoyl (C 16:0 )-CoA synthetase activity in jimpy brain was not different from the control. The level of cerebrosides in microsomes was grossly lower in jimpy brain. The implication of these findings and the involvement of lignoceric acid activation in cerebroside synthesis is discussed.
Optimized pulse parameters for reducing quantitation errors due to saturation factor changes in magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Abstract We present an analysis of the effects of chemical exchange and changes in T 1 on metabolite quantitation for heart, skeletal muscle, and brain using the one-pulse experiment for a sample which is subject to temporal variation. We use an optimization algorithm to calculate interpulse delay times, TRs, and flip angles, θ, resulting in maximal root-mean-squared signal-to-noise per unit time ( S / N ) for all exchanging species under 5 and 10% constraints on quantitation errors. The optimization yields TR and θ pairs giving signal-to-noise per unit time close or superior to typical literature values. Additional simulations were performed to demonstrate explicitly the dependence of the quantitation errors on pulse parameters and variations in the properties of the sample, such as may occur after an intervention. We find that (i) correction for partial saturation in accordance with the usual analysis neglecting variations in metabolite concentrations and rate constants may readily result in quantitation errors of 15% or more; the exact degree of error depends upon the details of the system under consideration; (ii) if T 1 's vary as well, significantly larger quantitation errors may occur; and (iii) optimal values of pulse parameters may minimize errors in quantitation with minimal S / N loss.
Enlisting Markets in the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in South Asia’s Sundarbans

The unique biodiversity of the Sundarbans is threatened by a number of factors, many of which are the direct or indirect result of market failures. Past governmental interventions aiming at protecting biodiversity have been ineffective, while other government efforts have directly or indirectly led to ecosystem degradation. In order to address these challenges, new governmental interventions are needed, particularly those that have the potential to mitigate market failures and address policy failures. This paper discusses how institutional and market failures, particularly the failure to capture the value of biodiversity as a 'public good', are the key drivers of biodiversity loss in the Sundarbans region of India. It argues that policy interventions to address these failures, as well as other measures that foster the development of markets that recognize the economic value of biodiversity, are a crucial tool for conserving and promoting the sustainable use of the Sundarbans' biodiversity. After describing the study area, a novel integrative development model, the potential for sustainable provision of private, public goods, and ecosystem services and the factors threatening them, the paper concludes with four policy suggestions that may assist in enabling biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in the Sundarbans.
History of water on Mars: A biological perspective

A general scenario is developed for the history of liquid water on the surface of Mars, according to which the history of water on Mars can be divided into four epochs based on the fundamental temperature and pressure characteristics. In Epoch I, the mean annual temperature is assumed to have been above freezing and the pressure to have been above 1 atm; liquid water was widespread and life could have arisen and become abundant. In Epoch II, the mean annual temperature fell below freezing, but peak temperatures were above freezing; In Epoch II ice-covered lakes could have provided a habitat for life. In Epoch III, both the mean and the peak temperatures were below freezing, and only transient liquid water would be possible; under these conditions, microbial ecosystems living in endolithic rock 'greenhouses' could have continued to survive. Finally, in Epoch IV, the pressure dropped to near the triple point pressure of water; at this stage, life on the surface of Mars would have become extinct.
SPECIFIC BLOCKAGE OF LIGAND-INDUCED DEGRADATION OF THE AH RECEPTOR BY PROTEASOME BUT NOT CALPAIN INHIBITORS IN CELL CULTURE LINES FROM DIFFERENT SPECIES

To firmly establish the pathway involved in ligand-induced degradation of the AHR, cell lines derived from mouse rat or human tissues were exposed to inhibitors specific to the proteasome or calpain proteases and exposed to TCDD. The level of endogenous AHR and CYP1A1 protein was then evaluated by quantitative Western blotting. Treatment of cells with the calpain inhibitors: calpeptin, calpain inhibitor III, or PD150606 either individually or in combinations up to 75μM did not reduce TCDD-induced degradation of the AHR, the induction of endogenous CYP1A1 or the nuclear accumulation of the AHR. The activity of the inhibitors was verified with an in vivo calpain assay. In contrast, exposure of cells to the specific proteasome inhibitors: epoxomicin (1-5μM), proteasome inhibitor I (5-10μM) or lactacystin (5-15μM) completely inhibited TCDD-induced degradation of the AHR. Inhibition of AHR degradation with these compounds did not reduce the induction of endogenous CYP1A1. In addition, exposure of the Hepa-1 line to the various proteasome inhibitors caused an accumulation of the AHR in the nucleus in the absence of TCDD exposure. Finally, Western blot analysis of the DNA bound AHR showed that its molecular mass was unchanged in comparison to the unliganded (cytoplasmic) AHR. Thus, these studies conclusively implicate the proteasome and not calpain proteases in the ligand-induced degradation of the mouse, rat and human AHR and suggest that the pharmacological use of proteasome inhibitors may impact the time course and magnitude of gene regulatory events mediated through the AHR.
Novel time delay estimation methods with applications to ultrawideband ground-penetrating radar

In this paper, we first present a Weighted Fourier transform and RELAXation based method, which is both computationally and statistically efficient, for the well-known time delay estimation problem. Later WRELAX is extended to multiple look cases where the receiver noise is assumed to be zero- mean colored Gaussian noise with unknown covariance matrices. Numerical examples show that both WRELAX and its extensions can approach the corresponding Cramer-Rao bound, the minimum attainable variances for any unbiased estimators, for a wide range of signal-to-noise ratios. The new algorithm can be applied to detecting and classifying roadway subsurface anomalies by using an ultra wideband ground penetrating radar. Experimental examples are also provided to demonstrate the performance of the new algorithm.
Purification of α-fetoprotein from mouse amniotic fluid by gel-entrapped antibody filtration

Abstract A one-step immunospecific affinity chromatographic method for purification of mouse α-fetoprotein (AFP) directly from amniotic fluid is described. The procedure employed rabbit anti-AFP immunoglobulin-G entrapped in a polyacrylamide gel matrix prepared as a gel slurry. The presence of impurities could not be demonstrated in the eluted fraction and the recovery of AFP was approximately 26%. Sufficient quantities of AFP were readily purified for raising antibodies and for purity studies.
Fermion fluctuation determinant and the sphaleron bound.

We investigate analytically the fermionic fluctuation determinant at finite temperatures in the minimal standard model, including all operators up to dimension 6 and all contributions to the effective potential to all orders in the high $T$ expansion, to 1 loop. We apply the results to find corrections to the sphaleron erasure rate in the broken phase. We conclude that the analytic treatment of fermions is very reliable and that there is a great deal of baryon erasure after the phase transition for any physical Higgs mass.
A Subgradient Duality Theorem

Abstract A duality theorem of P. Wolfe for nonlinear differentiable programming is extended to the nondifferentiable case by replacing gradients by subgradients. The dual pair is further simplified in the case that nondifferentiability enters only in the objective functions and then only through a positively homogeneous convex function. A number of previously studied problems appear as special cases.
Early Head Start Relationships: Association with Program Outcomes

Research Findings: Interpersonal relationships among staff caregivers, parents, and children have been recommended as essential aspects of early childhood intervention. This study explored the associations of these relationships with program outcomes for children and parents in 3 Early Head Start programs. A total of 71 children (8–35 months, M = 20), their parents, and 33 program caregivers participated. The results showed that caregiver–child relationships were moderately positive, secure, and interactive and improved in quality over 6 months, whereas caregiver–parent relationships were generally positive and temporally stable. Caregiver–child relationships were more positive for girls, younger children, and those in home-visiting programs. Caregiver–parent relationships were more positive when parents had higher education levels and when staff had more years of experience, had more positive work environments, or had attained a Child Development Associate credential or associate's level of education rat...
Referent Group Proximity, Social Norms, and Context: Alcohol Use in a Low-Use Environment

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceived normative use of alcohol and reported consumption in an environment where relatively little alcohol use occurs. Participants: A total of 585 undergraduate students completed an online survey on alcohol use in March 2006. Methods: Participants reported personal alcohol use and perceptions of use by “friends,” “the average student,” and “the average student who drinks.” Results: Due to the large number of students reporting zero alcohol use, zero-inflated negative binomial regression was used to analyze the data. Results showed that perceptions of use and beliefs about the acceptability of use by proximal groups were strongly and positively correlated with personal alcohol use. Perceptions of distal groups were either not correlated or were correlated negatively with personal use. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the use of distal referent groups for a social norms campaign in a low-use environment may...
On differences between spoken and written language

Considering various naturally occurring speaking and writing situations, Chafe (1982) suggested two dimensions along which spoken and written productions in English differ involvement against detachment, and fragmentation against integration. In order to control for the influence of variables that covary with the spoken/written distinction (e.g., topic, planning, formality, audience), an experiment was conducted where modality (speaking/writing) and topic were manipulated, holding the other relevant factors constant. Three of the scales (with the exception of “detachment”) showed excellent discrimination between the two modalities even in these strictly matched speaking and writing situations. The psychometric qualities of the scales are, however, rather problematic in that they lack internal consistency.
Phase I trial of the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor BAY12-9566 in patients with advanced solid tumors

Purpose: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteolytic enzymes that are believed to be involved in primary and metastatic tumor growth by degrading the basement membrane and changing the extracellular matrix to facilitate invasion of malignant cells and angiogenesis. Overexpression of MMPs has been documented in various solid tumors. BAY12-9566 is a selective inhibitor of MMPs, in particular MMP-2, -3, and -9. The purpose of this trial was to define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicities (DLT), safety profile, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of orally administered BAY12-9566 in patients with incurable solid tumors. Methods: The starting dose of BAY12-9566 for this single institution, outpatient phase I study was 100 mg/day orally. Patients were allowed to receive drug for up to 12 months. A total of 27 patients with various solid malignancies including colorectal, breast, lung, cervical and ovarian cancers were enrolled at doses from 100 to 1600 mg/day. Patients were evaluated weekly while on treatment. Relevant radiologic examination was performed every 8 weeks to document and follow sites of measurable or evaluable disease. Results: Toxicities from BAY12-9566 included liver injury test abnormalities, anemia, shoulder and back pain, thrombocytopenia, mild nausea and fatigue, diarrhea, rash and deep vein thrombosis. No toxicity greater than grade III was observed. As doses were increased from 100 to 400 to 1600 mg/day, even in divided doses, less than proportional increases in AUC were observed. At the highest dose level of 1600 mg/day, the day 29 AUC (3778.00 mg·h/l) remained similar to the day 29 AUC (3312.60 mg·h/l) at the dose level of 1200 mg/day. No responses were seen, but 14 patients remained on study with stable disease for 4 to 26 months. Conclusions: BAY12-9566 was well tolerated at doses as high as 800 mg orally twice daily. Although mild alterations in liver injury tests, platelet count and hematocrit were noted, these were not dose-limiting. The drug was well absorbed. However, the absence of proportional increases in AUC with doses greater than 800 mg and the achievement of Css in the range associated with biologic activity in preclinical models led to the selection of 800 mg twice daily for further evaluation in phase III trials.
Improving the Social and Emotional Climate of Classrooms: A Clustered Randomized Controlled Trial Testing the RULER Approach

The RULER Approach (“RULER”) is a setting-level, social and emotional learning program that is grounded in theory and evidence. RULER is designed to modify the quality of classroom social interactions so that the climate becomes more supportive, empowering, and engaging. This is accomplished by integrating skill-building lessons and tools so that teachers and students develop their emotional literacy. In a clustered randomized control trial, we tested the hypothesis that RULER improves the social and emotional climate of classrooms. Depending upon condition assignment, 62 schools either integrated RULER into fifth- and sixth-grade English language arts (ELA) classrooms or served as comparison schools, using their standard ELA curriculum only. Multi-level modeling analyses showed that compared to classrooms in comparison schools, classrooms in RULER schools were rated as having higher degrees of warmth and connectedness between teachers and students, more autonomy and leadership among students, and teachers who focused more on students’ interests and motivations. These findings suggest that RULER enhances classrooms in ways that can promote positive youth development.
Resolving the structure of interactomes with hierarchical agglomerative clustering.

Background Graphs provide a natural framework for visualizing and analyzing networks of many types, including biological networks. Network clustering is a valuable approach for summarizing the structure in large networks, for predicting unobserved interactions, and for predicting functional annotations. Many current clustering algorithms suffer from a common set of limitations: poor resolution of top-level clusters; over-splitting of bottom-level clusters; requirements to pre-define the number of clusters prior to analysis; and an inability to jointly cluster over multiple interaction types.
A Novel Polyamine Allosteric Site of SpeG from Vibrio cholerae Is Revealed by Its Dodecameric Structure.

Spermidine N-acetyltransferase, encoded by the gene speG, catalyzes the initial step in the degradation of polyamines and is a critical enzyme for determining the polyamine concentrations in bacteria. In Escherichia coli, studies have shown that SpeG is the enzyme responsible for acetylating spermidine under stress conditions and for preventing spermidine toxicity. Not all bacteria contain speG, and many bacterial pathogens have developed strategies to either acquire or silence it for pathogenesis. Here, we present thorough kinetic analyses combined with structural characterization of the VCA0947 SpeG enzyme from the important human pathogen Vibrio cholerae. Our studies revealed the unexpected presence of a previously unknown allosteric site and an unusual dodecameric structure for a member of the Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferase superfamily. We show that SpeG forms dodecamers in solution and in crystals and describe its three-dimensional structure in several ligand-free and liganded structures. Importantly, these structural data define the first view of a polyamine bound in an allosteric site of an N-acetyltransferase. Kinetic characterization of SpeG from V. cholerae showed that it acetylates spermidine and spermine. The behavior of this enzyme is complex and exhibits sigmoidal curves and substrate inhibition. We performed a detailed non-linear regression kinetic analysis to simultaneously fit families of substrate saturation curves to uncover a simple kinetic mechanism that explains the apparent complexity of this enzyme. Our results provide a fundamental understanding of the bacterial SpeG enzyme, which will be key toward understanding the regulation of polyamine levels in bacteria during pathogenesis.
Indirect radiative forcing by ion-mediated nucleation of aerosol

Abstract. A clear understanding of particle formation mechanisms is critical for assessing aerosol indirect radiative forcing and associated climate feedback processes. Recent studies reveal the importance of ion-mediated nucleation (IMN) in generating new particles and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) in the atmosphere. Here we implement the IMN scheme into the Community Atmosphere Model version 5 (CAM5). Our simulations show that, compared to globally averaged results based on H2SO4-H2O binary homogeneous nucleation (BHN), the presence of ionization (i.e., IMN) halves H2SO4 column burden, but increases the column integrated nucleation rate by around one order of magnitude, total particle number burden by a factor of ~3, CCN burden by ~10% (at 0.2% supersaturation) to 65% (at 1.0% supersaturation), and cloud droplet number burden by ~18%. Compared to BHN, IMN increases cloud liquid water path by 7.5%, decreases precipitation by 1.1%, and increases total cloud cover by 1.9%. This leads to an increase of total shortwave cloud radiative forcing (SWCF) by 3.67 W m−2 (more negative) and longwave cloud forcing by 1.78 W m−2 (more positive), with large spatial variations. The effect of ionization on SWCF derived from this study (3.67 W m−2) is a factor of ~3 higher that of a previous study (1.15 W m−2) based on a different ion nucleation scheme and climate model. Based on the present CAM5 simulation, the 5-yr mean impacts of solar cycle induced changes in ionization rates on CCN and cloud forcing are small (~−0.02 W m−2) but have larger inter-annual (from −0.18 to 0.17 W m−2) and spatial variations.
Resilience: resistance factor for depressive symptom

The purpose was to explore influence of resilience on the willingness of African Americans aged 65 and over to seek mental health care for depressive symptoms. Specifically, the study examined relationships between personal resilience and willingness of undiagnosed, community dwelling older adults to seek mental health care for depressive symptoms. A cross-sectional, correlational, causal modelling design was used to study older African Americans (N= 158; 121 women and 37 men) recruited from churches, retirement organizations and senior nutrition centres. Participants completed study instruments to measure depressive symptoms, resilience, willingness to seek mental health care, and general demographics information. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses were preformed. Depressive symptoms and resilience accounted for 15.4% of the willingness to seek mental health care variance; extraction of resilience lowered variance to 0.9%. A direct, predictive relationship between resilience and willingness to seek mental health care was documented. Understanding resilience and willingness to seek mental health care supports future research for interventions that bolster resilience in older adults. Identifying the influence of resilience on such willingness may provide direction for developing interventions for older African Americans and may be applicable to vulnerable, marginalized and minority older adults worldwide.
Autostereoscopic displays and computer graphics

Autostereoscopic displays present a three-dimensional image to a viewer without the need for glasses or other encumbering viewing aids. Three classes of autostereoscopic displays are described: reimaging displays, volumetric displays, and parallax displays. Reimaging displays reproject an existing three-dimensional object to a new location or depth. Volumetric displays illuminate points in a spatial volume. Parallax displays emit directionally-varying image information into the viewing zone. Parallax displays are the most common autostereoscopic displays and are most compatible with computer graphics. Different display technologies of the three types are described. Computer graphics techniques useful for three-dimensional image generation are outlined.
The effect of nasal tramazoline with dexamethasone in obstructive sleep apnoea patients

Although there is a strong correlation between oral/oro-nasal breathing and apnoea/hypopnoea index in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea and normal nasal resistance at wakefulness, it remains unknown whether the pharmacological prevention of potential nasal obstruction during sleep could decrease oral/oro-nasal breathing and increase nasal breathing and subsequently decrease the apnoea/hypopnoea index. This study evaluated the effect of a combination of a nasal decongestant with corticosteroid on breathing route pattern and apnoea/hypopnoea index. 21 patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (mean apnoea/hypopnoea index 31.1 events per hour) and normal nasal resistance at wakefulness were enrolled in a randomised crossover trial of 1 weeks' treatment with nasal tramazoline and dexamethasone compared with 1 weeks' treatment with nasal placebo. At the start and end of each treatment period, patients underwent nasal resistance measurement and overnight polysomnography with attendant measurement of breathing route pattern. Nasal tramazoline with dexamethasone was associated with decrease in oral/oro-nasal breathing epochs and concomitant increase in nasal breathing epochs, and mean decrease of apnoea/hypopnoea index by 21%. The change in nasal breathing epochs was inversely related to the change in apnoea/hypopnoea index (Rs=0.78; p<0.001). In conclusion, nasal tramazoline with dexamethasone in OSA patients with normal nasal resistance at wakefulness can restore the preponderance of nasal breathing epochs and modestly improve apnoea/hypopnoea index.
Face recognition for smart environments

Smart environments, wearable computers, and ubiquitous computing in general are the coming "fourth generation" of computing and information technology. But that technology will be a stillbirth without new interfaces for interaction, minus a keyboard or mouse. To win wide consumer acceptance, these interactions must be friendly and personalized; the next generation interfaces must recognize people in their immediate environment and, at a minimum, know who they are. In this article, the authors discuss face recognition technology, how it works, problems to be overcome, current technologies, and future developments and possible applications. Twenty years ago, the problem of face recognition was considered among the most difficult in artificial intelligence and computer vision. Today, however, there are several companies that sell commercial face recognition software that is capable of high-accuracy recognition with databases of more than 1,000 people. The authors describe the face recognition technology used, explaining the algorithms for face recognition as well as novel applications, such as behavior monitoring that assesses emotions based on facial expressions.
Transplant related outcomes in patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplant with Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea

Clostridium difficile is the leading cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitalized patients, and has been associated with significant morbidity and mortality [1,2]. Hematopoietic stem cell transplan...
Design of Experiments

The statistical design of experiments is an essential ingredient of successful product development and improvement, and provides an efficient and scientific approach to obtaining meaningful information. In contrast to traditional “vary one-factor-at-a-time experimentation, variables are changed together, permitting evaluation of interactions. Standard texts give details about the construction of specific test plans, such as incomplete block, full and fractional factorial, and response surface designs, and the analysis of the resulting data. This article gives a brief overview. We focus on the fundamental elements of experimental design: defining the purpose and scope of the experiment, differentiating between alternative types of experimental variables, understanding the underlying environment and constraints, and conducting stage-wise experimentation. Brief discussions dealing with the emerging topic of combinatorial chemistry, statistical analysis tools, multiple response variables, and some historical background are also provided. Two key features of the article are the description of commercial software for the design and analysis of experiments, and a detailed discussion, including recommendations, of texts on experimental design; both of these include comparative tabulations of technical features. Keywords: combinatorial chemistry; experimental design; factorial designs; mixture designs; response surface designs; six sigma; statistics; taguchi
BioBolt: A minimally-invasive neural interface for wireless epidural recording by intra-skin communication

We report a bolt-shape minimally-invasive neural interface, BioBolt, for epidural recording. Sixteen-channel analog front-end has been implemented in 0.25µm technology with low-power wireless data transmission using intra-skin communication. The fabricated ASIC consumes 365µW, occupies 3.2 mm × 0.9 mm, and obtains a 10kb/s data rate.
Up-regulation of insulinlike growth factor I binding sites in experimental colitis in rats.

Abstract Background/Aims: The gastrointestinal tract is a major target of insulinlike growth factor (IGF) I. IGF-I binds to two different receptors and to binding proteins (IGFBPs), which act as carriers and mediators. This study investigated the regulation of IGF-I binding sites in rat colitis. Methods: Colitis was induced by colonic instillation of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid in ethanol. IGF-I binding sites in colon sections were localized by incubation with 125I-IGF-I. The contribution of binding to the IGF-I receptor was estimated by competition with unlabeled IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin. Colonic RNA was screened for IGFBPs by Northern hybridization. Results: IGF-I binding sites were increased more than two-fold in the muscularis propria of inflamed colon as soon as 12 hours and up to 1 week after injury. Insulin could not displace this elevated level of binding, even though it could displace IGF-I from the mucosa and muscularis mucosa. Northern hybridization showed a 2–3-fold increase in IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5 messenger RNA from inflamed colon. Conclusions: Experimental colitis in rats causes an increase in IGF-I binding to the muscularis propria, which represents increased levels of IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5. These data suggest an important role for IGFBPs in modulating IGF effects during inflammation and tissue repair.
A look at the significance of the AAPM-AMA relationship.

Although most members are aware of the close working relationship between the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) and the American Medical Association (AMA), many may not fully appreciate just how important that relationship is to the practice of pain medicine. This message is therefore devoted to explaining why we should all do everything in our power to ensure that it continues. The AAPM is the only pain specialty organization devoted solely to representing the interests of pain medicine that has a seat in the AMA's policy-setting House of Delegates (HOD). That seat enables us to play an outsized role in raising awareness of pain medicine within the AMA as well as to the public at large. This access, for example, allows the AAPM to develop relationships with many organizations within the AMA including the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). As all members know, the AAPM, together with the American Board of Pain Medicine, is currently pursuing accreditation for pain medicine residency training programs with the ACGME, and specialty recognition for pain medicine with the ABMS. The stronger our relationships are with …
An experimental test of an extended discretion approach for high school biology laboratory investigations

Discretion-the exercise of independent judgment-was observed to be lacking in most commercially available laboratory investigations for high school biology. An Extended Discretion (ED) laboratory approach was developed and tested experimentally against the BSCS Green Version laboratory program, using ten classes of 10th-grade biology in a suburban California high school. Five teachers were each assigned one experimental and one control group. The primary differences between the two approaches were that the BSCS was more prescriptive and directive than the ED approach and the ED approach increased discretionary demands upon the student over the school year. A treatment verification procedure showed statistically significant differences between the two approaches. The hypothesis under test was that when high school biology students are taught laboratory concepts under comparatively high discretionary demands, they would perform as well as or better than a similar group of students taught with BSCS Green Version investigations. A second hypothesis was that teachers would prefer to use the ED approach over the BSCS approach for their future classes. A t analysis between experimental and control groups for each teacher was employed. There were significant differences in favor of the ED group on laboratory report scores for three teachers and no differences for two teachers. There were significant differences in favor of the ED group on laboratory concepts quiz scores for three teachers, no differences for one teacher, and significant differences in favor of the BSCS group for only one teacher. A t analysis of teacher evaluation of the two approaches showed a significant teacher preference overall for the ED approach. Both experimental hypotheses were accepted. The ED approach was observed to be difficult for students at first, but it was found to be a workable and productive means of teaching laboratory concepts in biology which also required extensive use of individual student discretion.
Normal mode approach for predicting the mechanical properties of solids from first principles: Application to compressibility and thermal expansion of zeolites

We present a method for analyzing the mechanical properties of solids, based on normal modes and their coupling to lattice strains. This method was used to study elastic compression and thermal expansion of zeolites, with parameters calculated from density functional theory. We find in general that the bulk modulus can be divided into two contributions: a positive term arising from compression without internal relaxation, and a negative term from coupling between compression and internal vibrational modes. For silica polymorphs, the former term varies little among the phases studied, reflecting the intrinsic rigidity of $\mathrm{Si}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ tetrahedra. In contrast, the latter term varies strongly from one polymorph to the next, because each polymorph exhibits different symmetry constraints on internal vibrations and their couplings to lattice strains. Typically only a few normal modes contribute to the bulk modulus. To facilitate parametrization of this normal mode model, we constructed a simplified classical spring-tetrahedron model for silica. After fitting to properties of silica sodalite, this model reproduces cell volumes and predicts bulk moduli of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-cristobalite and silica zeolites CHA, LTA, and MFI. We incorporated anharmonic effects into the theory, allowing the calculation of the thermal expansion coefficient. The resulting expression provides a generalization of classical Gr\"uneisen theory, taking into account additional anharmonicities. This method was used to study thermal expansion of fcc aluminum and an aluminosilica sodalite, yielding good agreement with experiment.
Analysis of a new hybrid interference cancellation (HIC) system

In this article, we propose a new hybrid interference cancellation (HIC) receiver for multirate DS-CDMA system based on multiple processing gain (MPG). This improved HIC receiver divides the active users with different data rates into a number of groups, where each group consists of users with different data rates. First, the groupwise parallel interference cancellation (GW-PIC) is performed among the groups, and is followed by the successive interference cancellation (SIC) within each group. We derive the bit error probability (P/sub b/) of this HIC scheme. The P/sub b/, of the HIC receiver in AWGN channel is better than that of the adaptive multistage PIC or conventional SIC receiver.
RNA oxidation: A contributing factor or an epiphenomenon in the process of neurodegeneration

In the past decade, RNA oxidation has caught the attention of many researchers, working to uncover its role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. It has been well documented that RNA oxidation is involved in a wide variety of neurological diseases and is an early event in the process of neurodegeneration. The analysis of oxidized RNA species revealed that at least messenger RNA (mRNA) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) are damaged in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The magnitude of the RNA oxidation, at least in mRNA, is significantly high at the early stage of the disease. Oxidative damage to mRNA is not random but selective and many oxidized mRNAs are related to the pathogenesis of the disease. Several studies have suggested that oxidative modification of RNA affects the translational process and consequently produces less protein and/or defective protein. Furthermore, several proteins have been identified to be involved in handling of damaged RNA. Although a growing body of studies suggests that oxidative damage to RNA may be associated with neuron deterioration, further investigation and solid evidence are needed. In addition, further uncovering of the consequences and cellular handling of the oxidatively damaged RNA should be important focuses in this area and may provide significant insights into the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.
SLAP Repairs With Combined Procedures Have Lower Failure Rate Than Isolated Repairs in a Military Population: Surgical Outcomes With Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

Background:Injuries to the superior glenoid labrum represent a significant cause of shoulder pain among active patients. The physical requirements of military service may contribute to an increased...
Comparative metatranscriptomic signatures of wood and paper feeding in the gut of the termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

Termites are highly eusocial insects that thrive on recalcitrant materials like wood and soil and thus play important roles in global carbon recycling and also in damaging wooden structures. Termites, such as Reticulitermes flavipes (Rhinotermitidae), owe their success to their ability to extract nutrients from lignocellulose (a major component of wood) with the help of gut-dwelling symbionts. With the aim to gain new insights into this enzymatic process we provided R. flavipes with a complex lignocellulose (wood) or pure cellulose (paper) diet and followed the resulting differential gene expression on a custom oligonucleotide-microarray platform. We identified a set of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) with differential abundance between the two diet treatments and demonstrated the source (host/symbiont) of these genes, providing novel information on termite nutritional symbiosis. Our results reveal: (1) the majority of responsive wood- and paper-abundant ESTs are from host and symbionts, respectively; (2) distinct pathways are associated with lignocellulose and cellulose feeding in both host and symbionts; and (3) sets of diet-responsive ESTs encode putative digestive and wood-related detoxification enzymes. Thus, this study illuminates the dynamics of termite nutritional symbiosis and reveals a pool of genes as potential targets for termite control and functional studies of termite-symbiont interactions.
Ontogenetic changes in characteristics required for endothermy in juvenile black skipjack tuna (Euthynnus lineatus)

To characterize better the development of endothermy in tunas, we assessed how the abilities to generate heat and to conserve heat within the aerobic, slow-twitch (red) myotomal muscle using counter-current heat exchangers (retia) change with size in juvenile black skipjack tuna (Euthynnus lineatus) above and below the hypothesized minimum size for endothermy of 207 mm fork length (FL). Early juvenile scombrids (10-77 mm FL) collected off the Pacific coast of Panama were raised to larger sizes at the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission Laboratory at Achotines Bay, Panama. Evidence of central and lateral rete blood vessels was found in E. lineatus as small as 95.9 mm FL and 125 mm FL, respectively. In larger E. lineatus juveniles (up to 244 mm FL), the capacity for heat exchange increased with fork length as a result of increases in rete length, rete width and the number of vessel rows. The amount (g) of red muscle increased exponentially with fork length in both E. lineatus (105-255 mm FL) and a closely related ectothermic species, the sierra Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus sierra (151-212 mm FL), but was greater in E. lineatus at a given fork length. The specific activity (international units g(-)(1)) of the enzyme citrate synthase in red muscle, an index of tissue heat production potential, increased slightly with fork length in juvenile E. lineatus (84. 1-180 mm FL) and S. sierra (122-215 mm FL). Thus, total red muscle heat production capacity (red muscle citrate synthase activity per gram times red muscle mass in grams) increased with fork length, primarily because of the increase in red muscle mass. Below 95.9 mm FL, E. lineatus cannot maintain red muscle temperature (T(m)) above the ambient water temperature (T(a)) because juveniles of this size lack retia. Above 95.9 mm FL, the relationship between T(x) (T(m)-T(a)) and FL for E. lineatus diverges from that for the ectothermic S. sierra because of increases in the capacities for both heat production and heat retention that result in the development of endothermy.
WATER RETENTION BY OSMOTIC SWELLING OF CERTAIN COLLOIDAL CLAYS WITH VARYING IONIC COMPOSITION

EXPERIMENTAL DATA AND THEORETICAL CALCULATIONS OF WATER RETENTION BY OSMOTIC SWELLING OF COLLOIDAL HOMOIONIC SODIUM CALCIUM AND MONTMORILLONITES, VERMICULITES, AND KAOLINITES WERE CARRIED OUT AT SEVERAL LEVELS OF ELECTROLYTE CONCENTRATION, IN ORDER TO EVALUATE THEIR RESPECTIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PHYSICAL RESPONSE OF A SOIL SYSTEM TO CHANGES IN ITS CHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT. SIMILAR EXPERIMENTS WERE CONDUCTED FOR MIXED-ION SODIUM AND CALCIUM MONTMORILLONITE SYSTEMS TO ESTABLISH WHETHER A THRESHOLD VALUE EXISTS FOR CATION PROPORTIONS IN THE EXCHANGE POSITIONS, AT WHICH THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THE SYSTEM SHOW A SUDDEN CHANGE. THE RESULTS ARE PROJECTED AS RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE CHEMICAL TREATMENT AND MOISTURE CONTENTS AT THREE EQUILIBRIUM PRESSURES. THEORETICAL CALCULATIONS, BASED ON THE DIFFUSE DOUBLE-LAYER MODEL, PREDICT THAT MONTMORRILLONITE SYSTEMS WITH A CERTAIN FORM OF CATION SATURATION AND SALT CONTENT SHOULD HAVE GREATER SWELLING PRESSURE OR HIGHER CAPABILITY FOR WATER RETENTION THAN VERMICULITES, WHICH HAVE GREATER VALUES THAN KAOLINITES UNDER SIMILAR CHEMICAL CONDITIONS. THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE EXPERIMENTAL DATA, ALTHOUGH MEASURED VALUES WERE CONSISTENTLY HIGHER THAN THOSE PREDICTED BY THEORY. THE STUDIES ON MIXED-ION MONTMORILLONITES SHOW THAT MUTUAL EXISTENCE OF THE TWO CATION SPECIES IN THE CLAY-WATER SYSTEM PRODUCES A NEAR LINEAR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXCHANGEABLE SODIUM PERCENTAGE AND THE MOISTURE RETENTION AT A PARTICULAR EQUILIBRIUM PRESSURE. /RRL/A/
Parent-focused Intervention: Diffusion Effects on Siblings

This study examined whether intervention provided to parents of firstborn children produced delayed benefits for later-born children. We studied younger siblings of children in the Yale Child Welfare Project, a family support program previously shown to result in better school adjustment for the firstborns. Information was obtained from the siblings' teachers and school records for 3 academic years. As was true for the older children, intervention group siblings had better school attendance than did control group siblings, were less likely to need supportive or remedial services, and were more likely to be making normal school progress. The results suggest that changes in the caregiving environment resulting from early family support lead to benefits for all the family's children. Parent-focused programs thus appear to provide a particularly efficient strategy for intervention efforts.
ISOLATION FROM BEEF PANCREAS OF CRYSTALLINE TRYPSINOGEN, TRYPSIN, A TRYPSIN INHIBITOR, AND AN INHIBITOR-TRYPSIN COMPOUND

Methods are described for the isolation and crystallization of trypsinogen, trypsin, a substance which inhibits trypsin, and an inhibitor-trypsin compound. Analyses and some of the properties of these compounds are given.