cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Domain ontology-based feature reduction for high dimensional drug data and its application to 30-day heart failure readmission prediction

High dimensional feature space could potentially hinder the efficiency and performance for machine learning, and high correlations between features may further increase the redundancy and diminish performance of learning algorithms. Domain ontology provides relationships and similarities between concepts in the specific area, and thus can be used to reduce redundancy by clustering concepts and revealing their functionality. In this paper, we study the problem of using high dimensional medication data to predict the probability of 30-Day heart failure readmission. We propose a feature reduction method for high dimensional dataset using a combination of two drug ontologies. By creating a tree structure of the combination, the method uses a greedy strategy to obtain a subset of features, which may have higher correlation with the class label but lower correlation with each other. Experimental results show that our methods improve the performance of heart failure readmission prediction (using only drug data) comparing to existing feature reduction methods without drug domain ontologies.
Metastatic renal cell carcinoma from a native kidney of a renal transplant patient diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) biopsy

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) biopsy sampling of enlarged lymph nodes is increasingly used to diagnose metastatic tumors, especially of the gastrointestinal tract and the lungs. Herein, we describe the diagnosis of metastatic renal cell carcinoma from a native kidney of a 54 year-old male patient, who had a 5-years history of renal transplant, by EUS-FNA of mediastinal and celiac lymph nodes. Histological and immunohistochemical findings confirmed the origin of metastatic tumor. EUS-FNA with proper cytological evaluation can be useful in the diagnosis of metastatic renal cell carcinoma in renal transplant patients.
Effects of adjustment for referral bias on the sensitivity and specificity of single photon emission computed tomography for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease

Abstract Purpose Referral bias, in which the result of a diagnostic test affects the subsequent referral for a more definitive test, influences the accuracy of noninvasive tests for coronary artery disease. This study evaluates the effect of referral bias on the apparent accuracy of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Subjects and methods Over a 10-year period, 14 273 patients without known coronary artery disease underwent stress SPECT. Coronary angiography was performed within 3 months after the stress test in 1853 patients (13%). The apparent sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios of SPECT were determined in these patients, and then adjusted for referral bias using two different formulas. Results The overwhelming majority (95%) of patients who underwent angiography had abnormal SPECT images. Apparent values for test indices were a sensitivity of 98%, a specificity of 13%, a likelihood ratio for a positive test of 1.1, and a likelihood ratio for a negative test of 0.15. Test indices adjusted for referral bias (using the two methods) were a sensitivity of 65% or 67%, a specificity of 67% or 75%, a likelihood ratio for a positive test of 2.0 or 2.7, and a likelihood ratio for a negative test of 0.44 or 0.52. Conclusion Referral bias has a marked effect on the apparent accuracy of stress SPECT for the diagnosis of coronary disease. Adjustment for referral bias yields estimates for sensitivity and specifity and likelihood ratios that better reflect the accuracy of the technique.
Why haven't developing countries privatized deeper and faster?

Abstract Despite a decade of privatization in the developing world, the vast majority of state-owned enterprise (SOE) assets continue to be in government hands. Bureaucrats in Business (World Bank, 1995) correctly identifies politics as one reason for the slow pace of privatization but it underestimates the role of institutional and economic constraints. Success stories of privitization are rare in low-income countries, and the long-term promise of privatization in sectors posing regulatory complications remains to be established. Countries in crisis may reform SOEs quickly and deeply despite these uncertainties, but others may opt for gradual reform, which need not be altogether bad. If speedy privatization results in poorly conceived schemes, the cure can be worse than the illness. Finally, bureaucrats are likely to stay in business for years to come, and therefore it is important to improve their effectiveness in the roles they are unlikely to shed in the future. A market-friendly approach to SOE reform need not be government- un friendly.
Why is coronary collateral growth impaired in type II diabetes and the metabolic syndrome

Type II diabetes and the metabolic syndrome are strong predictors of severity of occlusive coronary disease and poorer outcomes of coronary revascularization therapies. Coronary collateral growth can provide an alternative or accessory pathway of revascularization. However, collateral growth is impaired in type II diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. Although many factors necessary for collateral growth are known and many interventions have shown promising results in animal studies, not a single attempt to induce coronary collateral growth in human clinical trials has led to satisfactory results. Accordingly, the first part of this review outlines the known deleterious effects of diabetes and the metabolic syndrome on factors necessary for collateral growth, including pro-angiogenic growth factors, endothelial function, the redox state of the coronary circulation, intracellular signaling, leukocytes and bone marrow-derived progenitors cells. The second section highlights the gaps in our current knowledge of how these factors interact with the radically altered environment of the coronary circulation in diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. The interplay between these pathologies and inadequately explored areas related to the temporal regulation of collateral remodeling and the roles of the extracellular matrix, vascular cell phenotype and pro-inflammatory cytokines are emphasized with implications to development of efficient therapies.
Natural killing can be independent of interferon generated in vitro.

Abstract PBL produce interferon in response to culture with the tumor cell line K562, but this production of interferon does not correlate with natural cytotoxicity. A basal level of natural killing is independent of interferon generated in vitro . We base this conclusion on the following findings: (i) natural killing and interferon level are not temporally correlated; (ii) preincubation of lymphocytes at 37 °C greatly reduces their ability to produce interferon but does not affect their lytic capacity against K562; and, (iii) addition of an anti-interferon antibody has no effect on NK. We conclude that NK against K562 is not dependent upon or correlated with the level of interferon generated during in vitro assay.
Consumption of meat and fruit in relation to oral and esophageal cancer: A cross‐national study

Using data from 59 countries, we conducted an international comparison study to identify nutritional predictors of age-adjusted oral and esophageal cancer mortality rates. Statistical models accounted for per capita tobacco disappearance data, alcohol consumption, and various measures of socioeconomic status. For oral cancer, stepwise regression results showed protective effects for milk/dairy products (B = -0.030, p < 0.0001) and cabbage consumption (B = -0.391, p = 0.01) and increased risk from vegetable oil (B = 0.072, p = 0.04) and excess animal fat calories (B = 0.344, p < 0.0001) as well as marginally increased risk from cereals (B = 0.008, p = 0.08). Results were obtained after accounting for all background factors, including sex (model R2 = 0.52). For esophageal cancer, stepwise results indicated protective effects for fruit (B = -0.046, p = 0.0006) and total caloric intake (B = -0.013, p < 0.0001) and increased risk from vegetable oil (B = 0.061, p = 0.04) and meat (B = 0.031, p < 0.0001) consumption (model R2 = 0.55). When analyzed separately by sex, results were similar, indicating that the risk factors are probably the same in both sexes, even though women consistently have fewer deaths, on average, from these cancers. On the basis of results from stepwise regression models, we also fitted general linear models for mortality rates of each cancer site, and results were similar in terms of magnitude and direction of effects. Although the evidence provided by this type of analysis using data aggregated by country is limited in terms of control for potential confounding effects and modeling of possible effect modification, an effect of high meat, animal product, or vegetable oil and low fruit and cabbage consumption is consistent with the known biology of these tumors.
Magnetic properties of linear trimers in fluoride analogs of tetragonal tungsten bronze

Abstract The compounds KZnTiF6, KZnVF6, KVScF6, KCrScF6, and KMnScF6 are fluoride analogs of Tetragonal Tungsten Bronze. M2+–M3+ ionic ordering in these fluorides provided systems which contained linear trinuclear complexes of their respective paramagnetic ions. Magnetic coupling within these linear trimers occurred below 100 K in each of the five systems. Derived magnetic susceptibility equations were fitted to observed magnetic susceptibilities for each of the possible spin systems: KZnTiF6 (S=1/2), J/k=−114 K; KZnVF6 (S=1), J/k=−39 K; KVScF6 (S=3/2), J/k=−16 K; KCrScF6 (S=2), J/k=−4 K; and KMnScF6 (S=5/2), J/k=−7.5 K.
Interface of Pt with SrTiO3(001); A combined theoretical and experimental study

article i nfo DensityFunctionalTheoryandX-raystandingwaveatomicimagingarecombinedtodevelopmodelsofplatinum overlayers, patches and small particles on (001) surfaces of SrTiO3. The higher coverage (0.3 ML nominal Pt) ex- perimental result matches best to a simple 1 × 1 surface model. For lower coverage (0.1 ML) a Ti deficient TiO2 double layer termination is identified as most favorable. A simple model is developed by which XSW amplitudes can be used to infer the aspect ratio of surface structures.
Dynamic large deflection response of composite laminates subjected to impact

Impact responses of composite laminates with and without initial stresses are investigated using the finite element method. A nine-node isoparametric quadrilateral element based on the Mindlin plate theory and the von Karman large deflection assumptions is developed. An experimentally established contact law which accounts for the permanent indentation is incorporated into the finite element program to evaluate the impact force. In the time integration, the Newmark constant acceleration algorithm is used in conjunction with successive iterations within each time step. Numerical results, including the contact force histories, deflections and strains in the plate, are presented.
A Note on Euclidean Ramsey Theory

Suppose n ≥ 2 and $X,Y \subseteq {\Bbb R}^n$ are such that X is infinite and Y is the set of vertices of an n-simplex. Then there is blue/red coloring of ${\Bbb R}^n$ such that no set similar to X is monochromatically blue and no set similar to Y is monochromatically red.
Effect of Steam Heating Alfalfa Hay on Utilization by Lactating Dairy Cows

Abstract Alfalfa hay was steam heated for an average of 47min at 100 to 110°C; net ruminal protein escape (total escape minus ADIN x 6.25), estimated in vitro, was 50% versus 29% for control hay. Heating increased ADIN content from 4.6 to 15.3% of total N and increased NDF from 43 to 53% of DM. In trial 1, 14 cows averaging 81 DIM and 30 kg/d of milk were fed, in a switchback design, diets containing 18% corn, .7% urea, and 81% control or heated hay. Intake of DM, milk fat content, and fat yield were unaffected by hay source. However, feeding heated hay reduced production of milk; yields of protein, lactose, and SNF; digestibility of DM and N; and ruminal concentrations of ammonia and total VFA. In trial 2, 16 cows averaging 36 DIM and 38 kg/d of milk were fed, in balanced 4 × 4 Latin squares, diets containing 1) 76% alfalfa silage and 23% high moisture corn; 2) 76% alfalfa silage, 14% high moisture corn, and 9% soybean meal; 3) 52% alfalfa silage, 23% high moisture corn, and 24% control hay; and 4) 43% alfalfa silage, 32% high moisture corn, and 24% heated hay. High moisture corn content of the diet with heated hay was increased to equalize NE L . Reduced ruminal ammonia and branched-chain VFA indicated decreased ruminal protein degradation on heated hay. Intake of DM, production of milk, and yields of protein, lactose, and SNF were greatest on heated hay, intermediate on soybean meal, and lowest on alfalfa silage and unheated hay. Digestibility of DM and ruminal Ph were slightly lower on heated hay. Results indicated that steam heating alfalfa hay improved protein utilization but reduced energy digestibility.
Spectra of Mo xiii–xviii from a laser-produced plasma and a low-inductance vacuum spark

The spectrum of Mo from 20 to 90 A was obtained with a laser-produced plasma and a low-inductance vacuum spark. Wavelengths and line identifications were determined for transitions of the type 3d–4p and 3d–4f in Mo xiii–xvi and for 3p–3d type transitions in Mo xvi–xviii. The line identifications were obtained with the aid of relativistically corrected Hartree-Fock calculations. Energy-level diagrams are given for the 3d84p and 3d84f configurations of Mo xvi.
Effects of cooling cerebellar nuclei on evoked forearm oscillations

Abstract Two monkeys (Cebus albifrons) were trained to use forearm movement to turn a freely moving handle through a horizontal are from one of two specified elbow angles to the other, and to hold the handle steady for about 1 sec before making the return movement. These self-paced and selfterminated goal-directed movements were perturbed by brief stimulation of the brachium conjunctivum or interposed nuclei. The evoked movement transient began with a jerk of the task-performing arm, usually in the flexion direction. The jerk started 15 msec to 25 msec after onset of stimulation and lasted about 40 msec; it was immediately followed by a transient damped oscillation, with acceleration reversals at 5 Hz to 8 Hz. Damping of the evoked transient oscillations was reduced during cooling of the lateral aspect but not during cooling of the medial aspect of the dentate nucleus. This change of damping may account for the hypermetria and increased spontaneous oscillation during performance of the task movements (i.e., “tremulousness” or “kinetic tremor”) that was also induced by lateral but not by medial cooling.
Effects of graded smoke inhalation on subsequent cigarette smoking behavior

Five smokers smoked a cigarette ad libitum one minute after inhaling either 0, 2, 4, 8 or 12 puffs of tobacco smoke according to a standardized smoking regimen. Heart rate and expired air carbon monoxide levels increased in a linear manner with increasing number of pretreatment puffs. Subjects took fewer puffs on, and spent less time smoking, and puffing on, the cigarette as the number of pretreatment puffs increased. The duration of individual puffs decreased with successive puffs as the cigarette was smoked, but was not affected by the puff pretreatments. Intervals between successive puffs (interpuff intervals) generally increased over the first half, and leveled off or decreased over the second half of the cigarette. Interpuff intervals occurring early in the cigarette tended to increase after the 12-puff pretreatment. The results are consistent with the suggestion that the observed increase in interpuff interval as a cigarette is smoked is the result of a satiation process.
Pregnant inflammatory bowel disease patients may require counselling regarding live vaccines in newborns

Inflammatory bowel disease patients are prone to immunosuppression due to effects of their medications. Physicians are recommended to assess vaccination status and overall health in all patients, prior to initiation of immunosuppressive therapy. Immunosuppressant medications in women with inflammatory bowel disease are often continued during pregnancy, which can result in newborns having an increased risk of immunosuppression at birth. While medication-induced immunosuppression in infants is transient, parents should be counselled about delaying live vaccine administration in newborns until they are immune competent. A retrospective study was done over six months at an urban multispecialty medical center to assess whether physicians are counselling pregnant immunosuppressed inflammatory bowel disease patients regarding live vaccinations in their newborns. The study revealed that only 57% of patients had documented counselling in their charts. Further studies are necessary to determine physician counselling practices of pregnant women about live vaccines. It is critical that physicians and patients are aware of the risks of immunosuppression in pregnancy and the potential impact of live vaccines upon the newborn.
Mutans Streptococci Enumeration and Genotype Selection using Different Bacitracin-containing Media

The primary etiological agents associated with dental caries include the mutans streptococci (MS) comprised of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. The effective cultivation and isolation of MS are necessary for the study of MS, including their proper clinical assessment in the epidemiological study of dental caries. Several selective media have been developed for the isolation, enumeration, and characterization of MS. However, inhibition of MS may occur, reducing counts and perhaps limiting selection of some strains. The purpose of this study was to compare five culture media containing bacitracin recommended for the isolation of MS. Five commonly used bacitracin-containing media (MSB, MSKB, GTSB, TYS20B, and TYCSB) used for MS isolation were quantitatively evaluated. Standard plate counts were performed in duplicate for 2 prototype MS strains (S. mutans UA159 and S. sobrinus 6715) and for MS isolates from clinical saliva samples obtained from 16 children (approximate age 5years) to determine total plate counts, and total S. mutans counts. Selected isolates (n=249) from all five media for 5 saliva samples were further confirmed as S. mutans with real-time PCR then subsequently evaluated qualitatively with rep-PCR for genotype determination. All media resulted in variable enumeration with no significant difference in MS counts. MS prototype strains grew well on all five media; clinical isolates demonstrated more variability in counts but no overall significant differences were found. MSB demonstrated comparable ability to grow S. mutans but allowed for more non-S. mutans growth. All 5 media identified a consistent predominant genotype by rep-PCR. Recovery of minor genotypes was not inhibited by media type.
Derivation and Applications of Near-Infrared Cloud Reflectances from GOES-8 and GOES-9

Abstract Recent deployments of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES-8 and -9) include full-time 3.9-μm imaging capabilities. This shortwave (near infrared) channel has been available at 3.7 μm on the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) instrument aboard the NOAA polar-orbiting satellite systems. In this spectral region, daytime satellite-observed radiances include contributions from both the reflected solar radiation and the emitted thermal emission. In particular, typical stratus and fog clouds posess near-infrared emissivities less than unity, which requires special processing to account for the angular dependence of the solar reflection. In this paper, a side-by-side comparison of time-coincident GOES- and AVHRR-derived near-infrared cloud reflectance is carried out in order to demonstrate the capability of GOES-8 and -9 in both identifying and characterizing the microphysics of stratus and fog clouds during the...
Taylor series adaptive processing

Many signal processing applications require estimating and tracking a quantity that is inherently nonstationary. Such quantities may be matrices (e.g., a covariance matrix or an image), vectors (e.g., a weight vector or an eigenvector), or scalars. This paper considers the use of Taylor series expansions to enhance tracking. The potential benefits of this approach include: (1) a reduction in computational burden, (2) a reduction in required memory size and/or communication bandwidth (via an implicit compression of the quantity of interest), (3) interpolation through "gaps" in the available data, and (4) increased fidelity due to the explicit incorporation of "nonstationarity" into the model. Sensor array processing examples are used to illustrate the approach.
Detoxified Bacterial Endotoxins II. Preparation and Biological Properties of Chemically Modified Crude Endotoxins from Salmonella typhimurium

Martin, William J. (University of Utah, Salt Lake City), and Stanley Marcus. Detoxified bacterial endotoxins. II. Preparation and biological properties of chemically modified crude endotoxins from Salmonella typhimurium. J. Bacteriol. 91:1750-1758. 1966.-Chemical modification of a crude endotoxin prepared by the Roschka-Edwards (RE) procedure from a strain of Salmonella typhimurium yielded products which were nontoxic for mice and had reduced fever effects in rabbits. A reduction in rabbit pyrogenicity of approximately 100 times was noted with a potassium periodate-treated RE preparation when compared with the parent RE preparation. Measured in a similar fashion, pyrogenicity of a potassium methylate-treated RE preparation was reduced by a factor of 10 while pyrogenicity of a boron trifluoride RE preparation was unchanged. All of these endotoxoids, including the parent RE preparation, showed little toxicity for mice. Immunogenicity was determined in mice by comparing Boivin, RE, and endotoxoid preparations with a heat-killed, phenol-preserved (HP) vaccine prepared from the same strain of S. typhimurium. Employing a 10 ld(50) challenge, the protective immunogenicity of the respective vaccines was determined by active immunized mouse protection tests. Although two 100 mug immunizing doses of the Boivin, RE, and the respective endotoxoid preparations varied in mouse protection (potassium methylate RE > Boivin > RE > boron trifluoride RE > potassium periodate RE), it was evident that, with the exception of the potassium methylate preparation, the HP vaccine yielded greatest protection against the 10 ld(50) challenge with S. typhimurium. Further mouse protection experiments suggested that the minimal immunogenic dose of the potassium methylate RE vaccine preparation was approximately 50 mug. These data indicated an approximate fivefold difference between the minimal pyrogenic dose (10 mug) and the minimal immunogenic dose (50 mug). These findings further suggest that potassium methylate RE vaccine preparations should be considered in the search for less toxic enteric fever vaccines.
Proteins and Mechanisms Regulating Gap-Junction Assembly, Internalization, and Degradation

Gap junctions (GJs) are the only known cellular structures that allow a direct cell-to-cell transfer of signaling molecules by forming densely packed arrays or “plaques” of hydrophilic channels that bridge the apposing membranes of neighboring cells. The crucial role of GJ-mediated intercellular communication (GJIC) for all aspects of multicellular life, including coordination of development, tissue function, and cell homeostasis, has been well documented. Assembly and degradation of these membrane channels is a complex process that includes biosynthesis of the connexin (Cx) subunit proteins (innexins in invertebrates) on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes, oligomerization of compatible subunits into hexameric hemichannels (connexons), delivery of the connexons to the plasma membrane (PM), head-on docking of compatible connexons in the extracellular space at distinct locations, arrangement of channels into dynamic spatially and temporally organized GJ channel plaques, as well as internalization of GJs into the cytoplasm followed by their degradation. Clearly, precise modulation of GJIC, biosynthesis, and degradation are crucial for accurate function, and much research currently addresses how these fundamental processes are regulated. Here, we review posttranslational protein modifications (e.g., phosphorylation and ubiquitination) and the binding of protein partners (e.g., the scaffolding protein ZO-1) known to regulate GJ biosynthesis, internalization, and degradation. We also look closely at the atomic resolution structure of a GJ channel, since the structure harbors vital cues relevant to GJ biosynthesis and turnover.
Effect of barberry eradication on changes in populations of Puccinia graminis in Minnesota

Proportions of formae speciales of Puccinia graminis in collections of aeciospores from barberry were determined from cereal rust survey records from 1912 to 2002 in Minnesota. The frequency of P. graminis f. sp. avenae in aeciospore collections fluctuated between 0 and 10% from 1920 to 2002, even though oat was the dominant small grain crop in Minnesota until 1970. In early years, P. graminis f. sp. tritici was common, but the frequency of P. graminis f. sp. tritici in aeciospore collections declined to a low of 4% in the 1980s, whereas P. graminis f. sp. secalis increased to 96%. After 1990, the frequency of P. graminis f. sp. tritici increased and P. graminis f. sp. secalis declined in aecial collections, possibly indicating a changing proportion of P. graminis f. sp. secalis and tritici on wild grasses near barberry bushes. Diversity of races among uredinial collections of P. graminis f. sp. tritici from wheat in Minnesota declined sharply from 1912 to 1930 and remained low to 2002. Although the races of P. graminis f. sp. tritici most common in uredinial collections also were most common in the aecial collections in five of nine decades from 1912 to 1999 as well in the years 2000 to 2002, the diversity of races was greater among aecial than uredinial collections. Diversity in aecial collections remained nearly constant for 90 years, indicating a continuing contribution of the sexual stage to diversity of P. graminis f. sp. tritici.
Intracellular infection by the human granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent inhibits human neutrophil apoptosis.

In patients with human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE), the HGE agent has been seen only in the peripheral blood granulocytes, which have a life span too short for ehrlichial proliferation. To determine if the HGE agent delays the apoptosis of human peripheral blood neutrophils for its advantage, peripheral blood granulocytes consisting mostly of neutrophils were incubated with freshly freed host cell-free HGE agent in vitro. The HGE agent induced a significant delay in morphological apoptosis and the cytoplasmic appearance of histone-associated DNA fragments in the granulocytes. This antiapoptotic effect was dose dependent. Although much weaker than the HGE agent freshly freed from the host cells, noninfectious purified HGE agent stored frozen and thawed also had antiapoptotic effect, which was lost with proteinase K treatment but not with periodate treatment. Treatment of neutrophils with a transglutaminase inhibitor, monodansylcadaverine, blocked the antiapoptotic effect of the HGE agent. Addition of oxytetracycline, however, did not prevent or reverse the antiapoptotic effect of the HGE agent. These results suggest that binding of a protein component(s) of the HGE agent to neutrophils and subsequent cross-linking and/or internalization of the receptor and ehrlichiae are required for antiapoptotic signaling, but ehrlichial protein synthesis and/or proliferation is not required. MG-132, a proteasome inhibitor, and cycloheximide accelerated the apoptosis of neutrophils and overrode the antiapoptotic effect of the HGE agent. Studies with specific inhibitors suggest that protein kinase A, NF-κB, and interleukin 1β are not involved in the antiapoptotic mechanism of the HGE agent.
Bidirectional mode-locked fiber ring laser using passively controlled threshold gating

An innovative technique to achieve bidirectional mode-locking of a fiber ring laser is demonstrated using two amplitude modulators passively driven by a signal regenerated from the laser's own 5.1MHz repetition rate.
Vanadium(II) alkyls. Synthesis and X-ray crystal structures of trans-VMe2(dmpe)2 and cis-V(CH2SiMe3) 2(dmpe)2

Abstract Treatment of the vanadium(II) tetrahydroborate complex trans-V(η1-BH4)2(dmpe)2 with (trimethylsilyl) methyllithium gives the new vanadium(II) alkyl cis-V(CH2SiMe3)2(dmpe)2, where dmpe is the chelating diphosphine 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane. Interestingly, this complex could not be prepared from the chloride starting material VCl2(dmpe)2. The CH2SiMe3 complex has a magnetic moment of 3.8 μB, and has been characterized by 1H NMR and EPR spectroscopy. The cis geometry of the CH2SiMe3 complex is somewhat unexpected, but in fact the structure can be rationalized on steric grounds. The X-ray crystal structure of cis-V(CH2SiMe3)2(dmpe)2 is described along with that of the related vanadium(II) alkyl complex trans-VMe2(dmpe)2. Comparisons of the bond distances and angles for VMe2(dmpe) 2, VC = 2.310(5) A, VP = 2.455(5) A, and PVP = 83.5(2)° with those of V(CH2SiMe3)2(dmpe)2, VC = 2.253(3) A, VP = 2.551(1) A, and P VP = 79.37(3)° show differences due to the differing trans influences of alkyl and phosphine ligands, and due to steric crowding in latter molecule. The VP bond distances also suggest that metal-phosphorus π-back bonding is important in these early transition metal systems. Crystal data for VMe2(dmpe)2 at 25°C: space group P21/n, with a = 9.041(1) A, b = 12.815(2) A, c = 9.905(2) A, β = 93.20(1)°, V = 1145.8(5) A3, Z = 2, RF = 0.106, and RwF =0.127 for 74 variables and 728 data for which I ⪢ 2.58 σ(I); crystal data for V(CH2SiMe3)2(dmpe)2 at −75°C: space group C2/c, with a = 9.652(4) A, b = 17.958(5) A, c = 18.524(4) A, β = 102.07(3)°, V= 3140(3) A3, Z = 4, RF = 0.033, and RwF = 0.032 for 231 variables and 1946 data for which I ⪢ 2.58 σ(I).
Molecular Cloning and Functional Analysis of the Promoter of the Human Squalene Synthase Gene

We have cloned and characterized the 5′-flanking region of the gene encoding human squalene synthase. We report here the promoter activity of successively 5′-truncated sections of a 1 kilobase of this region by fusing it to the coding region of a luciferase reporter gene. DNA segments of 200 base pairs (bp) 5′ to the transcription start site, as determined by primer extension analysis, show a strong promoter effect on the expression of the luciferase chimeric gene and a high response to the presence of sterols when transiently transfected into the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 or to the hamster-derived CHO-K1 cells. An approximately 50-fold induction of luciferase activity, in the absence of sterols, was observed in transiently transfected HepG2 cells for fusion constructs containing sections of 200, 459, and 934 bp of the putative human squalene synthase promoter. Loss of promoter activity and response to sterols was localized to a 69-bp section located 131 nucleotides 5′ to the transcription start site. Sequence analysis of this region showed that it contained a sterol regulatory element 1 (SRE-1) previously identified in other sterol regulated genes (Smith, J. R., Osborne, T. F., Brown, M. S., Goldstein, J. L., and Gil, G.(1988). J. Biol. Chem. 263, 18480-18487) and two potential NF-1 binding sites. Additional CCAAT box, SRE-1 element, and two Sp1 sites were identified 3′ to this section. Sequences within this 69-bp DNA, including the SRE-1 cis-acting element, show strong binding to the purified nuclear transcription factor ADD1 (Tonzonoz, P., Kim, J. B., Graves, R. A., and Spiegelman B. M.(1993) Mol. Cell Biol. 13, 4753-4759) by mobility shift assay and footprinting analyses.
U.S.A. Tobacco Control: Six Lessons in Public Policy for Medical and Science Professionals

The expertise of medical and science professionals is needed in public policy debates in the U.S. and around the world. As societies mature, questions in public policy become increasingly complex and should be informed by science. However, too often public agendas are advanced without the benefit of science and those trained in how to interpret it. Similarly, those trained in the sciences often do not have requisite knowledge, training or an interest in politics and policymaking. Yet, it is clear that optimal policy results in those cases when scientists and policy elites work together in meaningful partnerships. Because the worlds of science and politics—their cultures, assumptions, and methods—are largely separate and different, cooperation between these two cultures is difficult. The authors of this paper hope that their work interpreting one major issue of scientific importance as it has wound its way through public policy processes will be instructive to those in science who are enlisted to bring scientific discovery to public policy making (Fritschler and Rudder 2007). The 60-year political struggle to move the issue of tobacco control from the agenda of a small group of medical researchers to the public agenda offers insights about public policymaking that are transferable to other issues which rest on science.
Voltage drop in n- and p-type Bragg reflectors for vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

An analysis of carrier transport in n- and p-type distributed Bragg reflectors (DBR) of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers that consist of stacks of quarter-wave GaAs-AlAs layers is presented. The analysis is based on the diffusion-drift approximation with the thermionic boundary conditions at heterojunction interfaces. The spatial distribution of carrier effective masses and mobilities has been taken into account. While the voltage drop in n-type DBR is determined mostly by thermionic emission at the interfaces, the drift-diffusion component of the voltage drop is comparable with the thermionic emission in p-type DBR. We present the calculated resistance as a function of graded-region thicknesses and doping levels, which can be useful for low-resistive DBR design. >
Myocardial Infarction Redefined: Role of Cardiac Troponin Testing

As we move into the new Millennium, “the times they are a changin” regarding the diagnostic criteria used to rule in and rule out acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (1). The purpose of this editorial is to comment on the new cardiology guidelines for the redefinition of AMI and unstable angina, as well as to compare them with previously published laboratory medicine recommendations. Some of the new recommendations made by clinical groups may appear to be in conflict with those published previously by laboratory medicine groups; thus, we document the chronology and evolution of all guidelines on the use of cardiac markers. Consensus documents recently published by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), the American College of Cardiology (ACC), and the American Heart Association (AHA) make specific recommendations on the use of biomarkers for the detection of myocardial infarction (MI) (2)(3)(4)(5). The redefined criteria used to classify acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients presenting with ischemic symptoms as acute, evolving, or recent MI are heavily predicated on an increased serum/plasma cardiac troponin (I or T) concentration (2)(3)(4). Furthermore, in the new ACC/AHA guidelines for management of patients with unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation MI (NSTEMI), an increased cardiac troponin value establishes the diagnosis of NSTEMI, whereas a normal cardiac troponin value establishes the diagnosis of unstable angina in ACS patients with ischemic discomfort (5). The new guidelines emphasize the following clinical issues. First, increases of cardiac troponins are indicative of myocardial injury but are not synonymous with MI or an ischemic mechanism of injury. If an ischemic mechanism of injury is unlikely, other etiologies of myocardial injury should be pursued. Second, increases in cardiac troponin likely reflect irreversible rather than reversible injury, although there is continuing debate on this issue. Third, …
Morphology of the Chicken Liver

Abstract THE chicken liver is often an important organ for nutrition studies and for experiments in disease problems, yet as far as can be learned from a perusal of the literature, its morphology and variability have never been described. Beddard (1898), in his book on the structure and classification of birds, devotes less than a page of text to a description of the liver in birds. He observes that “the liver is invariably composed of two lobes of which the left often shows a more or less distinctly marked secondary division. The size of the lobes varies greatly, as does their relative size. Thus in some birds the liver lobes are quite hidden by the sternum; in others they descend some way down below the shelter of that bone and are apparent when the muscular walls of the abdomen are cut through or removed. The two lobes are occasionally equal or …
Which warnings should I fix first

Automatic bug-finding tools have a high false positive rate: most warnings do not indicate real bugs. Usually bug-finding tools assign important warnings high priority. However, the prioritization of tools tends to be ineffective. We observed the warnings output by three bug-finding tools, FindBugs, JLint, and PMD, for three subject programs, Columba, Lucene, and Scarab. Only 6%, 9%, and 9% of warnings are removed by bug fix changes during 1 to 4 years of the software development. About 90% of warnings remain in the program or are removed during non-fix changes -- likely false positive warnings. The tools' warning prioritization is little help in focusing on important warnings: the maximum possible precision by selecting high-priority warning instances is only 3%, 12%, and 8% respectively.In this paper, we propose a history-based warning prioritization algorithm by mining warning fix experience that is recorded in the software change history. The underlying intuition is that if warnings from a category are eliminated by fix-changes, the warnings are important. Our prioritization algorithm improves warning precision to 17%, 25%, and 67% respectively.
An empirical study on the benefit of split loads with the pickup and delivery problem

Abstract Splitting loads such that the delivery of certain loads is completed in multiple trips rather than one trip has been shown to have benefit for both the classic Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) and the Pickup and Delivery Problem (PDP). However, the magnitude of the benefit may be affected by various problem characteristics. In this paper, we characterize those real world environments in which split loads are most likely to be beneficial. Based on practitioner interest, we determine how the benefit is affected by the mean load size and variance, number of origins relative to the number of destinations, the percentage of origin–destination pairs with a load requiring service, and the clustering of origin and destination locations. We find that the magnitude of benefit is greatest for load sizes just over one half vehicle capacity as these loads can not be combined without splitting, while they are the easiest to combine on a vehicle with splitting; increases as the number of loads sharing an origin or destination increases because there are more potential load combinations to split at each stop; and increases as the average distance from an origin to a destination increases because splitting loads reduces the trips from origins to destinations.
γ-Protocadherins regulate neuronal survival but are dispensable for circuit formation in retina

Twenty-two tandemly arranged protocadherin-γ (Pcdh-γ) genes encode transmembrane proteins with distinct cadherin-related extracellular domains and a common intracellular domain. Genetic studies have implicated Pcdh-γ genes in the regulation of neuronal survival and synapse formation. Because mice lacking the Pcdh-γ cluster die perinatally, we generated conditional mutants to analyze roles of Pcdh-γ genes in the development and function of neural circuits. Retina-specific deletion of Pcdh-γs led to accentuation of naturally occurring death of interneurons and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) during the first two postnatal weeks. Nonetheless, many neuronal subtypes formed lamina-specific arbors. Blocking apoptosis by deletion of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax showed that even neurons destined to die formed qualitatively and quantitatively appropriate connections. Moreover, electrophysiological analysis indicated that processing of visual information was largely normal in the absence of Pcdh-γ genes. These results suggest that Pcdh-γ genes are dispensable for elaboration of specific connections in retina, but play a primary role in sculpting neuronal populations to appropriate sizes or proportions during the period of naturally occurring cell death.
The Whereabouts of microRNA Actions: Cytoplasm and Beyond

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a conserved class of approximately 22 nucleotide (nt) short noncoding RNAs that normally silence gene expression via translational repression and/or degradation of targeted mRNAs in plants and animals. Identifying the whereabouts of miRNAs potentially informs miRNA functions, some of which are perhaps specialized to specific cellular compartments. In this review, the significance of miRNA localizations in the cytoplasm, including those at RNA granules and endomembranes, and the export of miRNAs to extracellular space will be discussed. How miRNA localizations and functions are regulated by protein modifications on the core miRNA-binding protein Argonaute (AGO) during normal and stress conditions will be explored, and in conclusion new AGO partners, non-AGO miRNA-binding proteins, and the emergent understanding of miRNAs found in the nucleoplasm, nucleoli, and mitochondria will be discussed.
An application of the perfectly matched layer (PML) concept to the finite element method frequency domain analysis of scattering problems

The Perfectly Matched Layer (PML) concept, introduced by Berenger with the aim of synthesizing an absorbing boundary condition (ABC) for the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method, was recently modified and extended to Finite Element Frequency Domain (FEFD) applications. The modified equations, which neither require the splitting of the field components of interest nor involve negative conductivity parameters, are employed, in this paper, in conjunction with analytic ABC's to obtain a boundary condition (BC) for scattering problems. This BC exhibits an improved performance over a PML medium terminated by a perfect conductor, or an ABC termination alone. >
Adaptive pattern discovery for interactive multimedia retrieval

Relevance feedback has been an indispensable component for multimedia retrieval systems. In this paper, we present an adaptive pattern discovery method, which addresses relevance feedback by interactively discovering meaningful patterns of relevant objects. To facilitate pattern discovery, we first present a dynamic feature extraction method, which aims to alleviate the curse of dimensionality by extracting a feature subspace using balanced information gain. In the feature subspace, we train an online pattern classification method called adaptive random forests to classify multimedia objects as relevant or irrelevant. Our adaptive random forests adapts the traditional classification method known as random forests for relevance feedback. It improves the efficiency of pattern discovery by choosing the most-informative samples for online learning. Extensive experiments are carried out on a Corel image set (with 31,438 images) to evaluate the performance of our method as compared against the state-of-the-art approaches.
Physiological Properties of Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Implications for Human Health

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) refers to a mixture of positional and geometric dienoic isomers of linoleic acid found naturally in animal products of ruminant sources. Recent interest in CLA research stems from the well-documented anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic, antidiabetic, and antiobesity properties of CLA in rodents. However, there has been very little published human research on CLA. This review discusses the physiologic properties of CLA and their potential implications for human health.
AttentiveLearner: Adaptive Mobile MOOC Learning via Implicit Cognitive States Inference

This demo presents AttentiveLearner, a mobile learning system optimized for consuming lecture videos in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and flipped classrooms. AttentiveLearner uses on-lens finger gestures for video control and captures learners' physiological states through implicit heart rate tracking on unmodified mobile phones. Through three user studies to date, we found AttentiveLearner easy to learn, and intuitive to use. The heart beat waveforms captured by AttentiveLearner can be used to infer learners' cognitive states and attention. AttentiveLearner may serve as a promising supplemental feedback channel orthogonal to today's learning analytics technologies.
Transudative Chylothorax Associated With Sclerosing Mesenteritis

Transudative chylothorax is an uncommon type of chylous pleural effusion, typically secondary to chyle leak and a coexisting disorder such as heart failure or liver cirrhosis. Sclerosing mesenteritis is a rare inflammatory disease of the small bowel mesentery, and has once previously been reported as a cause of chylothorax. We present the case of an 81-year-old man with a right-side transudative chylothorax associated with congestive heart failure and sclerosing mesenteritis. We discuss potential mechanisms.
The Determinants of Foreclosed Property Values: Evidence from Inner-City Cleveland

This paper examines the overall magnitude and determinants of the value of foreclosed homes. A hedonic analysis of residential sales from Cuyahoga County, Ohio is employed to estimate how property and location-specific characteristics influence the foreclosure discount. Results indicate that the discount is substantial and subject to wide variations. The discount depends on a home's age, size, and condition, as well as numerous neighborhood characteristics. The duration of vacancy and number of surrounding foreclosures also impact the discount level. The results from this analysis inform policymakers on how foreclosure diminishes community property values and have practical implications to lenders and investors.
A virtually imaged defocused array (VIDA) for high‐speed 3D microscopy

We report a method to capture a multifocus image stack based on recording multiple reflections generated by imaging through a custom etalon. The focus stack is collected in a single camera exposure and consequently the information needed for 3D reconstruction is recorded in the camera integration time, which is only 100 µs. We have used the VIDA microscope to temporally resolve the multi-lobed 3D morphology of neutrophil nuclei as they rotate and deform through a microfluidic constriction. In addition, we have constructed a 3D imaging flow cytometer and quantified the nuclear morphology of nearly a thousand white blood cells flowing at a velocity of 3 mm per second. The VIDA microscope is compact and simple to construct, intrinsically achromatic, and the field-of-view and stack number can be easily reconfigured without redesigning diffraction gratings and prisms.
Thinking Across Disaster

This chapter describes aspects of the Fukushima disaster that were foreshadowed by other disasters, demonstrating the potential of comparative disaster studies. While acknowledging the way disasters are always unique, emerging from complex drivers that produce cascades of interlaced effects, this chapter highlights recurrent patterns across disaster. This chapter encourages development of comparative disaster literacy alongside development of logistical plans for disaster – so that those involved are able to “read” patterns in disaster as they unfold.