cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incidence and Predictors of Nephrotoxicity Associated with Intravenous Colistin in Overweight and Obese Patients

Intravenous colistin is used to treat resistant Gram-negative infections and is associated with nephrotoxicity. In overweight and obese adults, a paucity of data exists regarding the incidence and predictors of such toxicity. A retrospective nested case-control study was performed over 35 months for patients receiving intravenous colistin for ≥72 h with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥25 kg/m2. The objective was to investigate the incidence and predictors of nephrotoxicity. Severity of acute kidney injury was defined by RIFLE (risk, injury, failure, loss, and end-stage kidney disease) criteria. Dosing and mortality were secondarily investigated. Forty-two patients met the inclusion criteria, and 20 (48%) developed nephrotoxicity. Patients with toxicity were in the risk (15%), injury (5%), and failure (80%) categories based on RIFLE criteria. A logistic regression model identified four predictors of colistin-associated nephrotoxicity: a BMI of ≥31.5 kg/m2 (odds ratio [OR], 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15 to 8.35), diabetes (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 0.84 to 5.29), the length of hospitalization in days prior to receipt of colistin (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.08), and age (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.17). Among all of the patients, dosing based on the actual body weight and excessive dosing due to the use of the actual body weight were frequent at 64% and 92%, respectively. The 30-day all-cause in-hospital mortality rate was 40% in the toxicity group and 14% in the nontoxicity group (P = 0.14). Patients receiving intravenous colistin should be monitored for nephrotoxicity, especially when the BMI exceeds 31.5 kg/m2. Prospective, randomized, controlled trials are warranted to further examine nephrotoxicity incidence and predictors and appropriate dosing strategies in this population.
Visual textures, machine vision and animal camouflage

Abstract The psychophysics of visual texture perception and texture discrimination have been investigated extensively during the past 30 years. Humans have been the main study subjects, but some research on texture perception has involved other species, and there is good reason to think that the most general results from humans apply to other vertebrates as well. Psychophysicists have suggested that some of their findings on human vision reflect adaptive ‘tricks' for countering prey camouflage, but this possibility has not been widely communicated to evolutionary biologists. We review the psychophysicists' main conclusions on texture discrimination, and list additional questions that their results raise when animal coats are considered as visual textures. We also suggest ways in which advances in computer vision can be combined with psychophysics to provide new perspectives on the function of animal coat patterns.
Role of food intake in estradiol-induced body weight changes in female rats

Abstract In two experiments, we examined the relationship between estradiol-induced undereating and body weight loss in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. In the first experiment, both estradiol benzoate (EB) and the nonsteroidal anti-estrogen, MER-25, produced body weight losses that could not be duplicated simply by pair-feeding. In the second experiment, we compared the effects of EB treatments in obese OVX rats and in OVX rats in which the post-OVX obesity was prevented by food restriction. When fed ad libitum, both groups of oil-treated OVX rats exhibited substantial body weight gains that were not accompanied by overeating. In lean OVX rats, EB treatments caused a transient hypophagia but did not reduce body weight. These results suggest three conclusions. (1) Changes in food intake are neither necessary nor sufficient to cause some of the body weight changes induced by ovarian hormones. (2) Estradiol can depress food intake in female rats without altering the regulated body weight. (3) More attention should be paid to metabolic factors when studying gonadal influences on body weight.
Laplace transforms and the diagonalization of bethe-salpeter equations for absorptive parts

A Laplace transform is developed for the crossed-channel partial-wave analysis of Bethe-Salpeter-like equations for the absorptive part of scattering matrix elements. The transform requires no assumption about rotating contours to a Euclidian region and allows from the outset power growth in energy of the transformed absorptive part. This eliminates the need for any analytic continuation after the transformation. The diagonalization of the forward and nonforward equations with arbitrary irreducible kernels is explicitly carried out.
Text Mining for Science and Technology – A Review Part I – Characterization/ Scientometrics

This article is the first part of a two-part review of the author's work in developing text mining procedures. The focus of Part I is Scientometrics. Novel approaches that were used to text mine the field of nanoscience/nanotechnology and the science and technology portfolio of China are described. A unique approach to identify documents related to an application theme (e.g., military-related, intelligence-related, space-related) rather than a discipline theme is also described in some detail.
A Stochastic Dominance Analysis of Tillage and Crop Insurance Practices in a Semiarid Region

Stochastic dominance analysis for tillage systems in the semiarid conditions of the central Great Plains indicates that risk-averse managers would prefer conservation tillage systems for wheat and grain sorghum with and without the use of crop insurance instead of the traditional conventional dryland wheat-fallow cropping system. Higher yields in conjunction with reduced fuel, labor, and repair costs more than offset increased chemical costs of the conservation systems. Increased yields generally are attributed to the soil moisture conservation characteristic of the conservation tillage systems.
Dispersion cancellation and high-resolution time measurements in a fourth-order optical interferometer

Group-velocity dispersion (GVD) places a fundamental limitation on the resolution possible when measuring the propagation time of short optical pulses through dielectric media. We show that due to a nonlocal, quantum-mechanical effect, a surprising cancellation can occur in fourth-order interference, allowing the time interval between photons emitted in spontaneous parametric down-conversion to be measured without significant degradation of the resolution due to the spreading of the individual photon wave packets. This may also prove useful for measuring the higher-order contributions to GVD
Low-frequency 1/f noise in the interplanetary magnetic field

Spacecraft observations of the interplanetary magnetic field at 1 AU are shown to have frequency spectra with a 1/f dependence in the range 2.7-80 microHz. It is suggested that the 1/f spectrum results from the superposition of uncorrelated samples of solar surface turbulence that have log-normal distributions of correlation lengths corresponding to a scale-invariant distribution of correlation times over an appropriate range of parameters.
Fissure Sealant Knowledge and Characteristics of Parents as a Function of Their Child's Sealant Status

A survey was conducted to identify and compare sealant knowledge and sources of sealant information of parents whose children had and had not received fissure sealants. The socioeconomic characteristics of these individuals were also compared. The sealant group was composed of the parents of children found to have a sealant on at least one permanent tooth during dental examinations of 2,036 elementary schoolchildren in southwestern Michigan. Another group of children was selected from the same population and matched to the children with sealants by child's age, sex, school location, and community. Surveys were returned by 210 of 260 sets of parents (81% response rate). Significant differences were found between the two groups with regard to parents' ages and levels of income. Parents of children with sealants had more correct information about the procedure and 74 percent of these individuals reported that the dental office was their primary source of information. For the group without sealants, 48 percent of respondents reported no source of sealant information. Findings suggest that dental personnel may strongly influence dissemination of information about sealants and utilization of this preventive procedure.
Probable autosomal recessive inheritance of polysplenia, situs inversus and cardiac defects in an Amish family

We report on an Amish family with five individuals in two generations with complex congenital heart disease. Autopsy findings in one and clinical examination in the others support the diagnosis of polysplenia “syndrome.” In a mouse model, this spectrum of situs abnormalities and cardiovascular defects shows recessive inheritance with homozygotes having either situs solitus or situs inversus or ambiguous situs. The parents of the four affected sibs are fourth cousins. We think that the father of these four children is an affected but clinically normal homozygote, that his deceased sister was an affected homozygote, and it seems likely that they too had consanguinous parents.
Energy-efficient and intrusion-resilient authentication for ubiquitous access to factory floor information

Linking factory floors to the Internet, coupled with the rapid deployment of wireless access networks, is initiating a new paradigm for factory automation-a corporate employee with a handheld computing device can have anytime, anywhere access to the latest factory floor information. Authentication between a factory database and a remote user is crucial for such paradigm; however, existing authentication protocols are inadequate to defend against strong adversaries with break-in capabilities. In this paper, we design and implement the Energy-Efficient and Intrusion-Resilient Authentication (ERA) protocol. Through a novel combination of hash chain,pin, and message authentication code (MAC), ERA can achieve the security self-recovery when strong adversaries compromise either a user's handheld device or a factory authentication server to obtain the authentication secrets. The technique of mutual MAC is proposed to defend against online pin-guessing attacks launched by strong adversaries. Furthermore, an optimization of tuning hash chain iteration is introduced to reduce energy consumption of a handheld device. Analytical and experimental results show that ERA provides a better security guarantee and incurs much less computation and communication overhead than the existing authentication protocols.
Inherently Analog Quantity Representations in Olive Baboons (Papio anubis)

Strong evidence indicates that non-human primates possess a numerical representation system, but the inherent nature of that system is still debated. Two cognitive mechanisms have been proposed to account for non-human primate numerical performance: (1) a discrete object-file system limited to quantities 4), or span (small vs. large) numbers of food items presented simultaneously or sequentially. The prediction from the object-file hypothesis is that baboons will only accurately choose the larger quantity in small pairs, but not large or span pairs. Conversely, the analog system predicts that baboons will be successful with all numbers, and that success will be dependent on numerical ratio. We found that baboons successfully discriminated all pair types at above chance levels. In addition, performance significantly correlated with the ratio between the numerical values. Although performance was better for simultaneous trials than sequential trials, evidence favoring analog numerical representation emerged from both conditions, and was present even in the first exposure to number pairs. Together, these data favor the interpretation that a single, coherent analog representation system underlies spontaneous quantitative abilities in primates.
Business and the civil society: The missing dialectic

The positive social impact of global commerce on an increasingly interdependent world is challenged by civil society. A diversely supported backlash threatens political restrictions on the free market paradigm and loss of globalization's momentum. Opposition is documented in the historical record and an expanding base of critical literature. The power balance of the three components of society-political, economic and civil is in flux. Business's only stabilizing strategy is to acknowledge and act on its commensurate social responsibility. Optimism is found in a minority of individual business actions, however the speed with which the majority will adapt is crucial. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Region-specific associations of brain glucose metabolism with age and beta-amyloid deposition in normal aging

P2-129 REGION-SPECIFIC ASSOCIATIONS OF BRAIN GLUCOSE METABOLISM WITH AGE AND BETAAMYLOID DEPOSITION IN NORMAL AGING Hwamee Oh, Cindee Madison, Suzanne Baker, William Jagust, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States; University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, United States. Contact e-mail: hwameeoh@berkeley.edu
New families of exact fan-beam and cone-beam image reconstruction formulae via filtering the backprojection image of differentiated projection data along singly measured lines

In this paper, new families of mathematically exact image reconstruction formulae for fan-beam and cone-beam computed tomography (CT) are developed. Using these new formulae, images may be reconstructed via filtering the backprojection image of differentiated projection data. We refer to them as FBPD image reconstruction algorithms. The novel features of these formulae include: (1) the filtering line may be along a line that passes through the image point and intersects the source trajectory at only one point, i.e., singly measured line (SM-line); and (2) for all the points along the filtering line, projection data acquired from a segment of source trajectory with the same angular range will be utilized to calculate the backprojection image. Although the filtering operations are not guaranteed to be shift-invariant along the filtering lines, these formulae are mathematically exact, and are novel solutions to the image reconstruction problem using fan-beam and cone-beam projections for a large class of complete source trajectories in which the existence of the doubly measured lines (DM-lines) may be established (A DM-line is a straight line that passes through an image point and intersects source trajectory at two different points). In each family of reconstruction formulae, we have demonstrated that we may have infinitely many mathematically exact image reconstruction formulae for a given scanning configuration.
A Study of Torn and Folded Metal (TFM) on Honed Cylinder Bore Surfaces

Torn and folded metal (TFM) on honed cylinder bore surfaces has been observed and studied for decades. However, there is no objective and quantitative method for ranking the severity of TFM. Studies on its effect on the scuffing resistance of a cylinder bore and piston skirt/piston ring are also very limited. Machined surfaces are currently evaluated and ranked qualitatively based on fax film images. The results may vary greatly depending upon the individual's experience and also the image quality. In this study, an attempt has been made to develop a method that can be used to evaluate cylinder bore surfaces objectively. A “surface index” has been developed for classifying honed bore surfaces. To further examine the effect of TFM on a cylinder bore performance, bench tests have been conducted to evaluate cylinder bore scuffing resistance and its correlation with the bore surface quality in terms of the value of the surface index.
On the Relationship between Species Distribution-Abundance-Occurrence and Species Duration

Most abundant species are also geographically widely distributed. Widespread species are likely to occur at more sampling localities than narrowly distributed species. In addition, a few studies indicate that widely distributed species have longer species durations. Here, we test the validity of these generalizations for benthic foraminifera. Data from samples representing time slices spanning 57 My of the Cenozoic, from the North American Atlantic Coastal Plain, were used. Modern distributions of species surviving from these time slices and now living on the continental margins of North America were also used. The analyses confirm a positive statistical relationship linking geographic distribution, abundance, and frequency of occurrence. However, regression of species durations against frequency of occurrences, as well as against the abundance of individuals occurring in each time slice, indicated almost no relationship. Furthermore, for species surviving in the modern fauna, neither a regression compari...
Contribution of Spin-1 Diquark to the Nucleon Structure Functions

In our previous works [F. Zamani, Phys. Rev. C 68 (2003) 055202-1, F. Zamani and D. Saranchak, Phys. Rev. C 63 (2001) 065202-1, F. Zamani, Phys. Rev. C 58 (1998) 3641] we used both symmetrical (no diquark) core quark distribution and asymmetrical (diquark-quark) core quark distribution to calculate polarized [F. Zamani, Phys. Rev. C 68 (2003) 055202-1, F. Zamani and D. Saranchak, Phys. Rev. C 63 (2001) 065202-1] and unpolarized [F. Zamani, Phys. Rev. C 58 (1998) 3641] nucleon structure functions. For the asymmetrical distribution we considered the superposition of spin-0, isospin-0 and spin-0, isospin-1 states. It turned out that for unpolarized structure functions only the quark-diquark model was able to reproduce experimental results reasonably well [F. Zamani, Phys. Rev. C 58 (1998) 3641]. However, for the polarized case the results were rather mixed. For some cases the symmetrical model was more agreeable with observation [F. Zamani and D. Saranchak, Phys. Rev. C 63 (2001) 065202-1, F. Zamani, Phys. Rev. C 58 (1998) 3641]. Our objective here is to have a core quark distribution that can reproduce observation equally well, whether it is for the polarized structure function or the unpolarized structure function. To achieve this goal we have added the other two possible states to the diquark state [F. Zamani. Submitted to Phys. Rev. C, (2004)]. Namely, spin-1, isospin-0 and spin-1, isospin-1. The calculation is performed in the light-cone frame. The dressed nucleon is assumed to be a superposition of the bare nucleon plus virtual light-cone Fock states of baryon-meson pairs. For bare nucleon we consider both the case of diquark-quark model which is now the superposition of all four diquark states and the case which there is no quark clustering inside the nucleon. The initial distributions are evolved using DGLAP equations. The final results are compared with experimental results and other theoretical predictions.
Incremental Value of 3-D Transesophageal Echocardiographic Imaging of the Mitral Valve

Transesophageal echocardiography provides excellent visualization of the posteriorly located mitral valve. Over the last decade, 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE) has emerged as an exciting imaging modality, particularly of the mitral valve. The current generation matrix array technology allows the operator to perform 2D and 3D imaging with a single transducer. 3D TEE affords the unique ability to view the mitral valve and its surrounding structures “en face” in real time (RT), and provide contextual anatomical guidance during surgical and transcatheter interventions. Additionally, offline quantification has made significant contributions to our mechanistic understanding of the normal and diseased mitral valve, and alterations induced by therapeutic intervention such as surgical repair. This review will address recent advances in the incremental role of 3D TEE in mitral valve imaging.
Evidence base for pre-employment medical screening

This paper examines the evidence base for the use of pre-employment/pre-placement medical examinations. The use of pre-employment examinations is often driven more by cultural practices than evidence. There is a lack of evidence on their effectiveness in preventing health-related occupational risks. Hypertension screening is highlighted as a common pre-employment practice for which there is no standardized criteria to use to determine fitness for work. There are inherent problems in screening for psychiatric disorders and substance abuse as well as potential for racial bias and other unintended negative effects. This paper questions the economic case for this practice and also expresses concerns about paternalism related to identified risk factors. Health assessments should only be included when appropriate to the task environment and the general use of pre-employment exams and drug screening should be eliminated. Generally, a health assessment by questionnaire should suffice. Occupational health providers should advise against the application of physical or mental standards that are not relevant to fulfilment of the essential job functions. Consensus development regarding best practice, as well as consideration for acquiring outcome data related to pre-employment practice, is recommended.
Eosinophil influx to the nasal airway after local, low-level LPS challenge in humans

Abstract Background: Recent observations show that atopic asthmatic subjects have increased sensitivity to respirable endotoxin (or LPS) compared with normal persons. In vitro studies demonstrate that LPS enhances eosinophil survival. These observations suggest that the effects of inhaled LPS in asthmatic subjects may include increases in the number of airway eosinophils. Objective: We sought to determine whether low-level nasal LPS challenge causes an increase in eosinophil numbers in the nasal airways of atopic or normal subjects. Methods: Sixteen volunteers (10 atopic asthmatic subjects and 6 normal subjects) underwent 2 nasal challenge sessions. In one session, one nostril was challenged with saline and the other with 0.1 μg of LPS. During the second session, 0.3 μg and 1.0 μg of LPS was delivered to each nostril, respectively. Nasal lavage fluid was obtained from each nostril before challenge, as well as 4 and 24 hours after challenge, and examined for the percent of total cells that were eosinophils and neutrophils, as well as cytokine levels. Results: LPS (1.0 μg) increased the percent of eosinophils in nasal lavage fluid 4 hours after challenge in atopic subjects only. There was also a correlation between constitutive nasal GM-CSF and eosinophil response to LPS in atopic subjects. Conclusion: LPS challenge increases eosinophils in the airways of atopic subjects. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;104:388-94.)
Classification of Proliferative Hepatocellular Lesions in Harlan Sprague-Dawley Rats Chronically Exposed to Dioxin-Like Compounds

Over the years, the most appropriate classification scheme for nodular proliferative lesions of the hepatocyte has been heavily debated. In the most recent guidelines there appears to be a consensus for classifying these lesions as hepatocellular adenoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, or regenerative hyperplasia. Also, large foci of cellular alteration may appear somewhat nodular. Some nodular hepatocellular lesions from a group of 7 studies of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds conducted by the National Toxicology Program did not readily fit into these categories. Some of these lesions had morphologic features consistent with hyperplasia. However, there was not sufficient morphological or biological evidence to conclude that the entire response was regenerative. In other instances, these lesions had some features resembling adenoma, but contained a prominent component of biliary epithelium and/or oval cells. This component does not appear to be well described in the literature, and while its presence suggested a nodule to be nonneoplastic, this is inconclusive. This paper describes the morphology of these lesions, as well as the diagnostic approach taken in this series of studies.
Integrating competence and psychopathology: Pathways toward a comprehensive science of adaptation in development

This paper examines the conceptual and empirical connections between competence and psychopathology, two historically rich traditions for the study of adaptation in development, and what might be gained from their integration. Historical roots of these two traditions are reviewed, then overlaps in their definition are considered, with a focus on the ways in which judgments about competence enter into the nosology of mental disorders. DSM-IV is analyzed from the perspective of competence, and the debate about “harmful dysfunction” in defining mental disorder is discussed in relation to competence. Different models explaining the empirical associations of competence and psychopathology are delineated, and illustrative empirical evidence is provided. Potential explanations include confounded concepts and methods, symptoms undermining the effectiveness of adaptation in the environment, failures in age-salient developmental tasks leading to emotional and behavioral problems, transactional influences, shared vulnerability or risk factors producing both kinds of difficulties, and more complex models. The potential benefits of integrating competence and psychopathology as two major approaches to adaptation are discussed in regard to theory, classification of mental disorder, research, and intervention.
miRNA response to DNA damage

Faithful transmission of genetic material in eukaryotic cells requires not only accurate DNA replication and chromosome distribution but also the ability to sense and repair spontaneous and induced DNA damage. To maintain genomic integrity, cells undergo a DNA damage response using a complex network of signaling pathways composed of coordinate sensors, transducers and effectors in cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and DNA repair. Emerging evidence has suggested that miRNAs play a crucial role in regulation of DNA damage response. In this review, we discuss the recent findings on how miRNAs interact with the canonical DNA damage response and how miRNA expression is regulated after DNA damage.
Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species affect sensitivity to curcumin-induced apoptosis

Curcumin exhibits anticancer activity in vivo and triggers tumor cell apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. Several in vitro studies suggest that curcumin-induced apoptosis is associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and/or oxidative stress in transformed cells. This study compared and contrasted the effects of curcumin on human skin cancer cells and their respiration-deficient (rho0) clones to characterize the prospective oxidative stress signaling responsible for initiating apoptosis. Curcumin promoted a dose-and time-dependent G2/M cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis in COLO 16 cells. Apoptosis induction in COLO 16 cells was associated with DNA fragmentation, cell shrinkage, the externalization of cell membrane phosphatidylserine, and mitochondrial disruption, which were preceded by an increase in intracellular ROS production. Pharmacologically lowering the mitochondrial bioenergetic capacity, as well as the constitutive ROS levels, in COLO 16 cells suppressed the cytotoxic effects of curcumin. Correspondingly, the rho0 counterparts of COLO 16 cells were markedly resistant to ROS production, mitochondrial disruption, and DNA fragmentation following curcumin exposure. These observations implied that the diminution of mitochondrial ROS production protected cells against the cytotoxic effects of curcumin, and support the notion that mitochondrial respiration and redox tone are pivotal determinants in apoptosis signaling by curcumin in human skin cancer cells.
Origin of bright ring-shaped craters in radar images of Venus

Radar images of the Venusian surface taken at the Arecibo Observatory are examined in the context of recent study of the radar appearance of lunar craters to provide insight into the formation and evolution of Venusian features and to propose the thesis that bright ring-shaped features contain information about the rate at which Venus is being modified by depositional or erosional processes. Radar crater signatures are analyzed by crater floor and interior properties and by properties of ejecta deposits. Morphological comparisons with radar images of lunar craters are made, as well as morphometric comparisons with lunar radar crater haloes. The populations of radar bright craters on the moon and Venus is analyzed using a Monte Carlo simulation. It is concluded that the bright ring crater population does not resemble an impact crater production population.
Identification of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone as a potential immunosuppressive factor in aqueous humor.

The aqueous humor of the eye contains factors that regulate immunological responses within the immunosuppressive ocular microenvironment. Besides TGF-β, the proteins in the low molecular weight (< 3500 Da) fraction of normal aqueous humor are also immunosuppressive. The low molecular weight fraction of aqueous humor inhibits IFN-γ production and proliferation of antigen-stimulated lymph node cells. Neuropeptides are one possible family of low molecular weight factors in aqueous humor. Through the utilization of an antigen capturing enzyme-assay, the immunosuppressive neuropeptide alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) was detected in normal aqueous humor of humans, rabbits, and mice. The mean concentration of α-MSH in normal aqueous humor of humans was 20±3 pM, of rabbits 11±1 pM, of BALB/c mice 16±3 pM, and of C57BL/6 mice 14±3 pM. These physiological concentrations of α-MSH inhibited the production of IFN-γ by antigen-stimulated lymph node cells. In contrast to the low molecular weight fraction, α...
A universal neural net with guaranteed convergence to zero system error

A learning algorithm with guaranteed convergence to zero system error is developed. The algorithm also has high potential to converge fast. The basic idea is to let the net grow when stopping at a local minimum, so that the original local minimum is no longer a local minimum with regard to the new net, and the new net always starts from a point with less error than that in the original local minimum. By this method, the error is guaranteed to decrease until it converges to zero. The technique can also be used to make the error to be as small as desired when the backpropagation algorithm reaches a global minimum which does not achieve zero error due to a lack of sufficient number of nodes. When expanding the neural net, the initial weights of the new node can be selected to maximize the error gradient. A mathematical proof of the guaranteed learning of the universal neural net is given, and numerical examples illustrate its high potential for fast learning. >
Predicting solvent and aggregation effects of peptides using group contribution calculations

Assembly of proteins and peptides into amyloid fibrils is characteristic of the pathology of a number of degenerative diseases, of which perhaps the best known is Alzheimer's. Neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease has been linked to aggregation of beta-amyloid peptide and deposition of the aggregates in brain tissue. Recent studies suggest that soluble intermediate oligomers rather than fully formed fibrils may be responsible for beta-amyloid's toxicity; consistent with this hypothesis, some compounds that inhibited beta-amyloid toxicity were found to accelerate aggregation of the peptide. The degree of increase of aggregation caused by these compounds was shown to correlate strongly with their effect on the surface tension of aqueous buffers (Gibson, T. J.; Murphy, R. M. Biochemistry 2005, 44, 8898-8907). In work reported here, we used group contribution methods to calculate infinite dilution activity coefficients of moieties contained in these compounds. We demonstrate that activity coefficients calculated in this manner are strongly predictive of effects of these peptides on solvent surface tension and on beta-amyloid aggregation. These results suggest that group contribution calculations can be used for a priori design of compounds that modulate aggregation of peptides through their effect on solvent properties.
Outcomes of a 12-month technology-based intervention to promote weight loss in adolescents at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Background: Obese adolescents are at risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Obesity interventions delivered through media, such as the web and text messages [short message service (SMS)] may be beneficial when targeting obese adolescents.. Methods: A randomized controlled trial, Pace-Internet for Diabetes Prevention Intervention (PACEi-DP), compared three forms of an obesity intervention to usual care (UC): (a) website only (W); (b) website, monthly group sessions, and follow-up calls (WG); and (c) website and SMS (WSMS). Participants were overweight or obese adolescents at risk for T2DM (n = 101; age 12–16 years; mean body mass index (BMI) percentile = 97.6; 74.3% Hispanic). In addition to the website, WSMS participants received SMS supporting intervention goals and behavioral strategies and communicated via SMS with a case manager. WG participants had additional group activities related to weight loss and received follow-up calls from a health coach. UC participants were given printed materials and encouraged to attend three initial group sessions. Repeated measures mixed model regression analyses tested treatment effects for anthropometric, behavioral, and behavioral change strategy outcomes. Results: There were no treatment effects for BMI, adiposity, physical activity, or diet at 12 months. Treatment effects were observed for sedentary behavior, with the W arm having a greater decrease in sedentary behavior (4.9 to 2.8 h/day) than the UC arm (p = .006).
The Structure of Fantasied Movement in Suicidal Children and Adolescents

Guided by the hypothesis that imagining actions is a way of rehearsing actions in the service of effective adaptations to reality, various characteristics of imagined motion, assessed by the Rorschach Test, were compared in hospitalized suicidal and nonsuicidal preadolescents and adolescents, and in public school children. A number of differences were found for example, suicidal children imagined less vigorous motion than distinguished suicidal and nonsuicidal children and preadolescent and adolescent suicidal children. Further, the scale devised to assess imagined motion successfully predicted about 75 percent of the suicidal children. Implications for diagnosis and treatment of suicidal children are discussed.
Identification of Methyl jasmonate and Salicylic Acid Response Elements from the Nopaline Synthase (nos) Promoter

Transgenic tobacco plants carrying a fusion between the nopaline synthase (nos) promoter and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene (cat) were studied for their inducibility by salicylic acid (SA) or methyl jasmonate (MJ) treatments. Either chemical significantly increased CAT activity to a level much higher than that achieved by wounding. Northern blot analysis showed a corresponding increase in mRNA levels. After 20 h of induction of flowering plants, the response to MJ treatment was weaker in old leaves compared with young leaves, whereas the SA response was stronger in old leaves. Kinetic experiments showed that the SA response was much faster than the MJ response, suggesting that the induction mechanism of the nos promoter by these chemicals may differ. Deletion analysis showed that both SA and MJ responses require the DNA sequence between -119 and -112 from the transcription initiation site. This region contains the hexamer sequence (TGACGT) that has been found to be an important regulatory element for several promoters. The MJ response was also reduced by deletions of the CAAT box region or the sequence between -112 and -101, whereas the SA response was not significantly affected by these deletions. This suggests that the nos upstream region containing the hexamer motif is essential for the SA or MJ response and that the CAAT box region and the sequence immediately downstream from the hexamer motif are required for maximum induction by MJ.
Role of leptin and melanocortin signaling in uremia-associated cachexia

The pathogenesis of cachexia in patients with uremia is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that uremia-associated cachexia is caused by leptin signaling through the hypothalamic melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4-R). We performed either subtotal nephrectomy (N) or sham operations in WT, leptin receptor–deficient (db/db), and MC4-R knockout (MC4-RKO) mice. The animals were on 17% protein diets, and none of the uremic animals were acidotic. WT-N mice produced a classic syndrome of cachexia characterized by decreased food intake, increased metabolic rate, and loss of lean body mass. Corrected leptin levels were elevated. db/db mice and MC4-RKO mice resisted the cachexic effects of uremia on weight gain, body composition, and metabolic rate. Likewise, treatment of WT mice with intracranial agouti-related peptide reversed the cachexic effects of uremia on appetite, weight gain, body composition, and metabolic rate. Gene expression of ubiquitin C and proteasome subunits C2, C3, and C9 was not changed in the uremic animals, suggesting that other pathways are involved in this model of nonacidotic uremic cachexia. The results of this study suggest that elevated circulating levels of cytokines such as leptin may be an important cause of uremia-associated cachexia via signaling through the central melanocortin system.
False-Positive Phencyclidine Immunoassay Results Caused by Venlafaxine and O-Desmethylvenlafaxine

We recently observed three occurrences of false-positive results for phencyclidine (PCP) on urine samples tested with the Syva® RapidTest d.a.u.® 9 Test Panel (Syva Company, subsidiary of Dade Behring Inc.). The RapidTest d.a.u. 9 device is a single-use, one-step, solid-phase immunochromatographic assay for the qualitative, discrete detection of several drugs/drug metabolites in human urine (1). The urine samples were collected from three different patients who were seen in our Emergency Department within 3–4 weeks after we had implemented the RapidTest device in our laboratory (Danbury Hospital). Because PCP is not a commonly used drug in our locale and the rare positive results have usually been confirmed as false positives, three positive PCP results in such a short time period immediately aroused suspicion. Patient A was a 52-year-old male with schizoaffective disorder who was admitted to the psychiatry service. Patient B was a 93-year-old female from a nursing home who was admitted with a hip fracture. Patient C was a 50-year-old female admitted for opiate and benzodiazepine overdose. None of these patients had a history of PCP use or presented with symptoms consistent with use of this drug. Patient A’s urine gave negative results for all other drugs tested with the RapidTest. Patient B’s urine also tested positive for benzodiazepines and barbiturates; these results could be attributed to medications documented in this patient’s medical record: lorazepam, clonazepam, and phenytoin …
Curriculum Issues Artful Inquiry: The Use of Questions in Working With the Gifted

Research suggests that inquiry-based strategies are the most effective modes of delivery in working with the gifted students. The characteristics of the gifted reveal a strong basis for understandi...
Computational survey of univariate and multivariate learning curve models

A computational survey of the various univariate and multivariate learning curve models that have evolved over the past several years is presented. Discussions are presented to show how the models might be used for cost analysis or productivity assessment in engineering management. A computational experiment comparing a univariate model to a bivariate model is presented. While the bivariate model provides only a slightly better fit than the univariate model, it does provide more detailed information about the factor interactions, and better utilization of available data. The results of the computational experiment can be generalized for the appropriateness of multivariate models. >
Disease mutations in Rab7 result in unregulated nucleotide exchange and inappropriate activation

Rab GTPases are molecular switches that orchestrate vesicular trafficking, maturation and fusion by cycling between an active, GTP-bound form, and an inactive, GDP-bound form. The activity cycle is coupled to GTP hydrolysis and is tightly controlled by regulatory proteins. Missense mutations of the GTPase Rab7 cause a dominantly inherited axonal degeneration known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2B through an unknown mechanism. We present the 2.8 A crystal structure of GTP-bound L129F mutant Rab7 which reveals normal conformations of the effector binding regions and catalytic site, but an alteration to the nucleotide binding pocket that is predicted to alter GTP binding. Through extensive biochemical analysis, we demonstrate that disease-associated mutations in Rab7 do not lead to an intrinsic GTPase defect, but permit unregulated nucleotide exchange leading to both excessive activation and hydrolysis-independent inactivation. Consistent with augmented activity, mutant Rab7 shows significantly enhanced interaction with a subset of effector proteins. In addition, dynamic imaging demonstrates that mutant Rab7 is abnormally retained on target membranes. However, we show that the increased activation of mutant Rab7 is counterbalanced by unregulated, GTP hydrolysis-independent membrane cycling. Notably, disease mutations are able to rescue the membrane cycling of a GTPase-deficient mutant. Thus, we demonstrate that disease mutations uncouple Rab7 from the spatial and temporal control normally imposed by regulatory proteins and cause disease not by a gain of novel toxic function, but by misregulation of native Rab7 activity.
Evaluation of two intracavitary high-dose-rate brachytherapy devices for irradiating additional and irregularly shaped volumes of breast tissue.

The SAVI and Contura breast brachytherapy applicators represent 2 recent advancements in brachytherapy technology that have expanded the number of women eligible for accelerated partial breast irradiation in the treatment of early-stage breast cancer. Early clinical experience with these 2 single-entry, multichannel high-dose-rate brachytherapy devices confirms their ease of use and dosimetric versatility. However, current clinical guidelines for SAVI and Contura brachytherapy may result in a smaller or less optimal volume of treated tissue compared with traditional interstitial brachytherapy. This study evaluates the feasibility of using the SAVI and Contura to irradiate larger and irregularly shaped target volumes, approaching what is treatable with the interstitial technique. To investigate whether additional tissue can be treated, 17 patients treated with the SAVI and 3 with the Contura were selected. For each patient, the planning target volume (PTV) was modified to extend 1.1 cm, 1.3 cm, and 1.5 cm beyond the tumor bed cavity. To evaluate dose conformance to an irregularly shaped target volume, 9 patients treated with the SAVI and 3 with the Contura were selected from the original 20 patients. The following asymmetric PTV margin combinations were assessed for each patient: 1.5/0.3, 1.3/0.3, and 1.1/0.3 cm. For all patients, treatment planning was performed, adopting the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project guidelines, and dosimetric comparisons were made. The 6 –1 and 8 –1 SAVI devices can theoretically treat a maximal tissue margin of 1.5 cm and an asymmetric PTV with margins ranging from 0.3 to 1.5 cm. The 10 –1 SAVI and Contura can treat a maximal margin of 1.3 cm and 1.1 cm, respectively, and asymmetric PTV with margins ranging from 0.3–1.3 cm. Compared with the Contura, the SAVI demonstrated greater dosimetric flexibility. Risk of developing excessive hot spots increased with the size of the SAVI device. Both the SAVI and Contura appear capable of treating 1.0-cm margins and irregularly shaped PTVs. The 6 –1 SAVI device demonstrated the greatest versatility in targeting PTVs approaching what is treatable using the interstitial technique. 2012 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists.
Predictors of one-year attrition in female Marine Corps recruits.

ABSTRACT Objectives: The study seeks to identify demographic and health-related predictors of attrition among female Marine Corps recruits. Methods: Data are from a longitudinal study of female recruits entering the Marine Corps between June 1999 and June 2000 (N = 2,157). Measures come from tracking data and a self-administered paper-and-pencil questionnaire. Results: During recruit training (RT) 11.2% of recruits were discharged. Among RT graduates 6.6% were discharged during the following year. The cumulative attrition rate was 17.1%. No prior history of regular exercise was the only consistent predictor of discharge. Multivariate analysis also identified unsafe sex, age, race/ethnicity, and recruiting status (for active duty vs. reserve) as significant predictors of cumulative attrition. Conclusions: One-year attrition among female Marines may be reduced by more extensively screening applicants who report risk-taking behavior. Such screening can exclude applicants who are unlikely to succeed and ident...
Characterization of defects in semiconductor materials by infrared piezobirefringence

A simulation procedure for observation of dislocation images in single-crystal silicon samples of
Research on Women’s Work and the Family at the Urban Institute

In 1975, with assistance from The Ford Foundation, the Urban Institute established the Program of Research on Women and Family Policy. The aim of the Program is to provide objective analyses of the ongoing changes in women’s economic and social status and the implications of these changes for individuals, families, and economic and social institutions. It seeks to provide insight into the changing roles of women and men associated with the increase in the percentage of women in the U.S. labor force, and to offer a factual and conceptual basis for both public and private decision making. Because of this broad objective, the staff represents a wide range of social science perspectives including economics, sociology, demography, and social psychology.
Stateless higher-order logic with quantified types

There have been numerous extensions to classical higher-order logic, but not all of them interact non-trivially. Two such extensions, stateless HOL and HOL extended with quantified types, generate an interesting conflict in the way that type operator variables are implemented and handled. This paper details a proposed solution to that conflict and explores the key impacts to the logical kernel. A prototype system, implemented in GHC Haskell, is discussed and compared to related systems.