cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selection bias in observational and experimental studies.

There has been a heightened awareness of the dangers of selection bias over the past two decades. Certainly coverage in statistical and ‘statistics for medicine’, and epidemiology textbooks have allocated pages to warn investigators and readers of investigations to be aware of its presence. The scientific community has not, however, yet accepted the necessity for critical assessment of the method of sample selection in the planning and execution of studies as a fundamental underpinning of observational and experimental studies. To wit, we are faced with a plethora of research studies receiving funding, being published in peer-reviewed journals and influencing future studies, that may be reporting entirely spurious associations. It is the intent of this paper to present examples of selection bias in a variety of areas which have resulted in misleading or entirely incorrect results. We hope to help make such research scientifically ‘politically incorrect’ to the degree that the scientific community ‘just says no’ to such studies, either proposed or reported.
Fungal infection in the very low birthweight infant.

Purpose of reviewFungal infections are prevalent in very low birthweight (<1500 g) infants and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A better understanding of the adherence factors, molecular diagnostics and risk factors for invasive fungal infection are important in treatment and
Migración, remesas y arreglos residenciales de los adultos mayores en México

En este trabajo se analizan los efectos de la migracion en la composicion de los hogares de los adultos mayores en Mexico. En teoria, tanto el descenso de la fecundidad como la migracion limitan la disponibilidad de parientes con quienes ellos puedan compartir un hogar, incrementando la probabilidad de que vivan solos. Las remesas, a su vez, constituyen un recurso para comprar privacidad y vivir de manera independiente. Datos basados en la muestra censal del 2000 sugieren que la ayuda financiera en forma de remesas incrementa las opciones de arreglos residenciales y la probabilidad de que los adultos mayores vivan en hogares independientes.
Replenishing the spirit by meditative prayer and guided imagery

Objectives: To review relevant literature describing prayer and guided imagery, and to demonstrate via the use of a vignette, the use of both prayer and guided imagery as one approach to offer spiritual care to oncology patients. Data sources: Review and research articles from multiple disciplines, and personal clinical experience. Conclusion: Meditative prayer and guided imagery are two approaches that can be used to provide spiritual care to cancer patients and families. While research has focused on elements of spirituality, research related to clinical interventions is limited. Implications for nursing practice: Guided imagery, metaphors, meditative prayer, and prayers of silence are effective approaches the nurse can implement when caring for the patient with cancer.
GTO thyristor controlled series capacitor switch performance

Many efforts have been devoted to system studies involving switched series compensation. While the majority of the interest has focused on thyristor switches, there has also been interest in advanced compensators involving other switching methods. In particular, a GTO controlled series capacitor (GTO-CSC) scheme was proposed by T.H. Ortmeyer et al. (see ibid., vol.8, p.1348-55, 1993). Snubber design and fault performance for the GTO-CSC is developed in this paper, and a feasible circuit design is proposed.
Latest laser and light-based advances for ethnic skin rejuvenation.

Background: Advances in nonablative skin rejuvenation technologies have sparked a renewed interest in the cosmetic treatment of aging skin. More options exist now than ever before to reverse cutaneous changes caused by long-term exposure to sunlight. Although Caucasian skin is more prone to ultraviolet light injury, ethnic skin (typically classified as types IV to VI) also exhibits characteristic photoaging changes. Widespread belief that inevitable or irreversible textural changes or dyspigmentation occurs following laser- or light-based treatments, has been challenged in recent years by new classes of devices capable of protecting the epidermis from injury during treatment. Objective: The purpose of this article is to review recent clinical advances in the treatment of photoaging changes in ethnic skin. This article provides a basis for the classification of current advances in nonablative management of ethnic skin.
Analysis of covalently bound polyketide intermediates on 6-deoxyerythronolide B synthase by tandem proteolysis-mass spectrometry.

Polyketide natural products are biosynthesized via successive chain-elongation events mediated by elaborate protein assemblies. Facile detection of protein-bound intermediates in these systems will...
Are investors really willing to agree to disagree? An experimental investigation of how disagreement and attention to disagreement affect trading behavior

Abstract Using a series of laboratory markets, this paper provides evidence that a willingness to engage in speculative trade is largely driven by a failure of traders to account for information about value implicit in other traders’ actions and that this behavior arises because traders construct myopic mental models that ignore the perspective of other traders. In a baseline set of markets, where traders are prompted to estimate fundamental value but are not overtly prompted to consider disagreement, I find that traders are generally insensitive to adverse selection and readily engage in suboptimal, speculative trade. Moreover, this effect does not decline across trials suggesting that market feedback alone is unlikely to correct traders’ behavior. In contrast, when traders are prompted to assess disagreement over asset values or when they trade in more transparent markets, they appear less willing to “agree to disagree.” These results provide insight into why investors depart from rational trading strategies and how investor psychology will influence trading behavior.
Another Look At Orientalism: (An)Othering in Slumdog Millionaire

This article uses Lauren Berlant's conception of the intimate public, as constructed through commodification and fantasy, to argue that Edward Said's (1979) well-known notion of Orientalism has und...
Photochemistry of hydrogen iodide-acetylene complexes in solid krypton

Hydrogen iodide-acetylene complexes in a krypton matrix at 12 K have been photolyzed with a medium-pressure mercury lamp. Infrared spectra identify products vinyl iodide and iodoacetylene. When HI {times} C{sub 2}D{sub 2} complexes are photolyzed, isotopic exchange occurs to produce DI {times} HCCD. Growth curves show that all three are primary products. As well, the growth curves show secondary photolysis of vinyl iodide and DI {times} HCCD, but apparently production and secondary photolysis of vinyl iodide only catalyze isotopic exchange. The growth curves obtained for HCCI and DCCI from HI {times} C{sub 2}D{sub 2} differ from those obtained from DI {times} C{sub 2}H{sub 2}. Short photolysis of HI {times} C{sub 2}D{sub 2} gives almost exclusively HD {times} DCCI whereas short photolysis of DI {times} C{sub 2}H{sub 2} gives HD {times} HCCI. Thus, the hydrogen atom in the hydrogen iodide always ends up in the molecular hydrogen product. They conclude that photolytic production of iodoacetylene involves hydrogen atom abstraction from acetylene by the energetic hydrogen iodide.
Pathogenic T-Cell Recruitment into the Airway in Human Disease

: Effector T cells significantly contribute to inflammatory diseases. These cells are recruited into tissue, where they orchestrate an inflammatory response that can either protect against infection or sometimes stimulate human disease. The recruitment of T cells into tissue from the blood and lymphoid compartments is an active process controlled by chemokines and the chemokine receptors expressed on distinct effector T-cell subsets. Thus, the chemokines secreted in the tissue will determine the specific types of T lymphocyte recruited into that tissue based on the chemokine receptors expressed on these cells. It follows that the chemokine receptor profile on T cells isolated from the lungs of patients with inflammatory pulmonary disease will define the subtype of pathogenic T lymphocytes mediating the disease process and will identify the mechanisms that recruit these cells into the lung. This article reviews data from both human and animal studies that define the chemokine receptors involved in the recruitment of T lymphocytes into the lung in various inflammatory pulmonary diseases, including asthma, obliterative bronchiolitis, sarcoidosis, and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia. We then speculate on the potential role of these chemokine receptors in the pathogenesis of these disorders and potential novel therapeutic approaches suggested by these data.
Preliminary acceptability and psychometrics of the infant–toddler social and emotional assessment (ITSEA): A new adult‐report questionnaire

The preliminary acceptability, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and validity of the Infant–Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (ITSEA), a parent-report questionnaire concerning social-emotional problems and competencies, were examined in a sociodemographically diverse pediatric sample of 214 parents of 12- to 36-month-olds. Results supported the ITSEA's acceptability and preliminary internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and validity. Most parents had a positive response to the ITSEA, found the questions easy to understand, and would consider recommending it to a friend. Confirmatory factor analyses supported 16 conceptually hypothesized problem and competence scales. Most scales had strong internal consistency, good to excellent 2-week test–retest reliability, and moderate 1-year test–retest reliability. Significant correlations among ITSEA scales and parent reports of child temperament and problem behaviors supported the ITSEA's validity. Psychometric findings are viewed as preliminary due to the relatively small sample size. Parents reported greater competence and more maladaptive behaviors in older children than younger children. Consistent with observational studies, boys lagged behind girls in certain parent-reported competencies, including empathy, compliance, prosocial peer interactions, and emotional awareness. Parent reports yielded empirically coherent problem and competence scales and domains, suggesting the early emergence of parental perceptions of organized and differentiated clusters of social-emotional behaviors.
Optical properties of di‐octyl substituted polyfluorene under hydrostatic pressure

Almost all polyfluorene (PF) derivatives utilize solubilizing side chain substituents for tailoring their optical and electronic properties. Side chain substitution, in addition to improving the solution processing and film forming characteristics, confers new functionality and dictates the backbone structure of polymers. The backbone conformation in di-octyl substituted PF (PF8) is strongly dependent upon the conformation of the alkyl side chain. In this paper we present photoluminescence and Raman scattering studies of bulk PF8 as a function of hydrostatic pressure. These results are further contrasted with the optical studies of a branched side group substituted PF under hydrostatic pressure.
Case Report: Plasma Lipids and Apolipoproteins in a 13-Year-Old Boy with Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Extreme Hyperlipidemia

A 13-year-old boy with untreated diabetes presented in severe ketoacidosis (DKA) for the first time with an initial triglyceride (TG) level of 14,461 mg/dl. Serial blood samples were drawn to determine the interrelationships of changes in lipids and apolipoproteins during treatment with insulin and intravenous fluids. The TG level declined to 122 mg/dl in 7 days concomitant with a lowering of apolipoproteins C-II, C-III, E, D, and F. Further observations suggested that the TG-rich lipoproteins underwent degradation associated with a decline in the levels of apolipoproteins associated with very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) in contrast to an increase in high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), ApoA-I and ApoA-II. ApoB and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were increased transiently. Subsequent therapy with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) were effective in maintaining glucose homeostasis and normolipidemia for 6 months.
Battery of the pregnant woman

Abstract Objective: To determine what percentage of battered gravidas are victims of domestic violence, and to identify risk factors, assailants, injuries, and obstetric/perinatal outcomes. Methods: Gravid battery victims were prospectively studied from October 1995 to September 1995. Predisposing factors studied were age, race, marital status, and drug use. In domestic violence, items listed in the objective were noted. Significance was tested using χ2. Results: The prevalence of battery was 0.8% (78 cases). Significant associations were seen for marital status, black race, and drug use, but not age and parity. Blacks accounted for 82% of battery victims. Drug use was seen in 52.9% of battery victims. The most common drug used was cocaine, followed by alcohol. Domestic violence accounted for 56.4% of batteries. The most common assailant was the husband/boyfriend (77.3%); 89.5% of patients were unmarried. One mother was murdered. The perinatal mortality rate was 3.2%. Seen were abruptions (2), preterm labor (5), preterm delivery (3), and preterm premature rupture of membranes (2). An increase in uterine activity was strongly associated with a blow to the abdomen. Fifty percent of patients struck in the abdomen will have increased uterine activity; 5.4% of patients without abdominal trauma still will have uterine activity. Conclusions: More than 50% of pregnant battery victims are victims of domestic violence. Risk factors are unmarried, black race, and drug use. The assailant is usually the husband/boyfriend. Beatings/kickings are most common, resulting in increased uterine activity.
Field emission spectroscopy of gold on the (110) and (211) planes of tungsten

Abstract Adsorption of Au up to monolayer amounts on the (110) plane of a tungsten field emitter leads to a decrease in work function, and also to a decrease in effective emitting area. Energy distributions of field emitted electrons show no structure attributable to Au. These results can be explained by postulating that there is no tunneling from Au atoms or from beneath Au atoms. The most probable reason for this is that in (110) tunneling matrix elements from outward normal tungsten d-orbitals are stronger than the tunneling matrix element from the non-directional 6s Au orbital. Experiments on the (211) plane show behavior similar to that previously found on (111), i.e. a work function increase but strong emission from Au atoms.
Synthetic Ways to Tris(nucleobase) Complexes Derived from cis-Diammineplatinum(II) and a Platinum(II) Complex Containing Four Different Ligands, Three of Which Are Nucleobases

Reactions of cis-[PtCl(L-N7)(NH(3))(2)]Cl (L = 9-ethylguanine, 9-EtGH, or 9-methyladenine, 9-MeA) with excess KI leads in slightly acidic solution to trans-PtI(2)(L)(NH(3)). Partial or complete substitution of the iodo ligands by aqua, chloro, or nucleobase ligands can be achieved and gives a series of neutral or cationic complexes. Among others, tris(nucleobase) complexes containing three different nucleobases (9-EtGH, 9-MeA, and 1-methylcytosine, 1-MeC), [Pt(1-MeC)(9-EtGH)(9-MeA)(NH(3))](2+) with SP-4-3 and SP-4-4 configuration numbers have been prepared and the deprotonated form SP-4-4-[Pt(1-MeC-N3)(9-EtG-N7)(9-MeA-N7)(NH(3))]NO(3).2H(2)O (7b) has been X-ray structurally characterized: monoclinic system, space group C2/c, a = 23.817(5) A, b = 10.992(2) A, c = 21.647(4) A, beta = 112.07(3) degrees, V = 5251.9 A(3), Z = 8. Moreover, the X-ray crystal structure analyses of trans-PtCl(2)(9-EtGH-N7)(NH(3)).0.5H(2)O (4) and trans-[Pt(1-MeC-N3)(2)(9-EtG-N7)(NH(3))]NO(3).3H(2)O (6b) are reported. 4: triclinic system, space group Po (No. 2), a = 11.557(3) A, b = 12.742(2) A, c = 8.880(2) A, alpha = 96.95(1) degrees, beta = 94.91(2) degrees, gamma = 88.32(2) degrees, V = 1293.1(5) A(3), Z = 4. 6b: triclinic system, space group Po (No. 2), a = 10.957(2) A, b = 11.022(2) A, c = 12.916(2) A, alpha = 81.18(3) degrees, beta = 89.93(3) degrees, gamma = 64.22(3) degrees, V = 1384.2(5) A(3), Z = 2. Relative orientations of the nucleobases in these compounds appear to be dictated by intranucleobase H bond formation.
Evolutionary history of Ash Meadows pupfish (genus Cyprinodon ) populations inferred using microsatellite markers

Pupfish (genus Cyprinodon) persist in a series of isolated warm springs in Death Valley. Here we describe an analysis of microsatellite variation at six loci for nine populations encompassing three distinct taxa. Levels of genetic variation within populations and the pattern of relatedness among populations are best explained by spring elevation. Springs at higher elevations harbored less variation and exhibited greater among population divergence than lower elevation springs. This pattern reflects regional paleohydrological history showing a declining water table over the last 20,000 years. Continuing decline of the water table, a trend accelerated by local ground water mining, portends a future of increasing isolation and declining within-population variation.
A photoreactivationless mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

— A mutant of S. cerevisiue has been isolated that is incapable of photoreactivating u.v.-induced lethal damage. The mutant resulted from mutation of the chromosomal gene PHR 1, which was determined to be dominant. This gene is involved with the production of photoreactivating enzyme.
Shapiro steps in driven vortex lattices interacting with periodic pinning arrays

We examine the effects of DC and AC driving on vortex lattices in periodic pinning arrays for a system containing twice as many vortices as pinning sites. The vortex flow occurs by the motion of the interstitial vortices through a periodic potential generated by the vortices that remain pinned at the pinning sites. With an AC offset, we observe Shapiro steps when the interstitial vortex motion interferes with the applied AC driving. The widths of the Shapiro steps as a function of the magnitude of the AC driving are found to follow a Bessel function in agreement with theory.
Time-varying systems and crossed products

Crossed product algebras are proposed as a framework for the study of input-output properties of linear time-varying systems. It is shown that internally stable systems with bounded continuous coefficients have transfer operators in a crossed product and conversely, that the set of all such transfer operators is dense in a crossed product. It is also shown that crossed product algebras admit causal additive decompositions, and allow a generalized frequency-domain representation.
Circadian phase alteration by GABA and light differs in diurnal and nocturnal rodents during the day.

These studies investigated the circadian effects of light and gamma aminobutyric acid-A (GABA A ) receptor activation in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the diurnal unstriped Nile grass rat (Arvicanthis niloticus). Microinjection of the GABA A agonist muscimol into the SCN during the day produced phase shifts that were opposite in direction to those previously reported in nocturnal rodents. In addition, light had no significant effect on the magnitude of muscimol-induced phase delays during the daytime. Injection of muscimol during the night, however, significantly inhibited light-induced phase delays and advances in a manner similar to that previously reported in nocturnal rodents. Therefore, the circadian effects of GABA A receptor activation are similar in diurnal and nocturnal species during the night but differ significantly during the day.
Male and female perceptions of liberated vs conventional sex roles

Recently, much attention has been given to the role of women in society. The conventional role of the housewife-homemaker, existing solely for the needs of her husband and family, has fallen into disrepute in some quarters. At the same time, others have strongly come to the defense of this conventional role of the woman. They have expressed extreme displeasure at those who have accepted a liberated conception of this role. The arguments from both sides have been filled with emotion. Although the most vocal proponents of a liberated female role have been primarily women, some support for this position has been found within the male community. As the arguments have continued for the past several years, it seems that stereotypes of “conventional” and “liberated” women may have developed. At the same time, men supporting each of these positions may also have become viewed in a stereotyped fashion. It was the purpose of the current study to investigate individuals’ perceptions of both men and women expressing conventional and liberated views regarding the role of women in society. Further, differences in male and female perceptions of these stereotypes were studied.
A semi-quantitative spectrophotometric assay for amphotericin B in blood.

A spectrophotometric method for assay of the polyene, antifugal agent, Amphotericin B. in whole blood or plasma, is described. The potential utility and restrictions on the method are discussed.
Catalytic importance of a protonated adenosine in the hairpin ribozyme active site

The hairpin ribozyme accelerates the rate of phosphodiester transfer reactions by at least 5 orders of magnitude. To achieve this rate enhancement, the active site forms via a substrate helix docking event that constrains the scissile phosphate linkage and positions G8 and A38 for catalysis, both of which have been implicated as sites of proton transfer in general acid-base catalysis. To investigate the functional groups required for hairpin activity, we previously reported a series of nucleotide analogue interference mapping experiments [Ryder, S. P., et al. (2001) RNA 7, 1454-1463]. The critical functional groups implicated in those studies were largely consistent with subsequent X-ray crystal structures, but the lack of A38 interference with 8-azaadenosine (n(8)A), a pK(a) perturbed nucleotide analogue, argued against functional base ionization at this site. This is inconsistent with a transition state crystal structure and other biochemical studies. To address this discrepancy, we investigated the hairpin ribozyme with an expanded set of pK(a) perturbed adenosine analogues containing fluorine. A38 was the only site that showed persistent and strong interference with low pK(a) analogues across a variety of construct/substrate pairs. This interference pattern suggests that A38 base ionization is required for catalytic activity. The lack of n(8)A interference at A38, in spite of its reduced pK(a), likely results from n(8)A stabilization of the docked state, which requires an unusual syn glycosidic base conformation at A38 for active site assembly. The fluorinated adenosine analogues are better suited to identify sites of functional ionization in systems where structural rearrangements are closely coupled to catalytic steps. All pK(a) reduced analogues, including those of the previous study, produce selective interference at A38 when substrates are stably bound and docked, consistent with the importance of base ionization at this site.
Sigma-delta noise shaping for digital-to-frequency and digital-to-RF-amplitude conversion

In this paper, we describe a new architecture of high-speed multibit /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ noise shaping for digital-to-frequency conversion (DFC) and digital-to-RF-amplitude conversion (DRAC). The DFC and DRAC are instrumental in performing phase modulation (PM) and amplitude modulation (AM) of an RF polar transmitter. Since current biasing and continuous-time analog filtering of a conventional transmit modulator are avoided in this all-digital architecture, it is amenable to large-scale integration in an SoC realized in a digital deep-submicron CMOS process. The approach is demonstrated in the first single-chip fully-compliant GSM/EDGE transceiver realized in 90-nm CMOS.
Effects of glucocorticoids on motor units in cat hindlimb muscles

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of glucocorticoid treatment on the contractile, electrical and fatigue properties of isolated motor units of identified type. Although it is known that glucocorticoid administration induces atrophy and weakness most strongly in fast, pale muscles and to a lesser extent in red muscle, the relationship between steroid effects and motor unit type is not known. Properties of medial gastrocnemius (MG) and soleus (SOL) motor units were studied in normal cats and in cats treated with triamcinolone acetonide (3-4 mg/kg body weight for 10-16 days). Glucocorticoid treatment produced weakness preferentially in fast-twitch motor units. This suggests that catabolic steroids cause a reduction in the amount of contractile protein and hence contractile strength of motor units in inverse proportion to their relative activity or degree of use.
Primary amyloidosis (AL) in families.

We report the occurrence of immunoglobulin-related amyloidosis (AL) in three separate families, each family having two members affected. None of the six patients had evidence to suggest the presence of familial amyloidosis (AF). Previously, immunoglobulin-related amyloidosis (AL) was considered to be a sporadic disease process. Because of the occasional familial occurrence of other monoclonal gammopathies such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, multiple myeloma, and macroglobulinemia of Waldenstrom, amyloidosis (AL) should be added to the list of immunopathies with a familial predisposition.
Is Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension a Cancer

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and life-threatening condition characterized by narrowing of the pulmonary arteries because of muscular thickening and intimal proliferation. The hyperplasia of pulmonary artery smooth-muscle cells (PA-SMCs) is the main pathological change
PICASSO a general graphics modeling program

A new two-dimensional graphics modeling program which has been fully implemented is introduced. Features include a generalized extendable graphics editor, an open-ended library of elements, a translator -macro processor for interface with a wide range of analysis routines, and on-line operating system control.
A Java commodity grid kit

In this paper we report on the features of the Java Commodity Grid Kit. The Java CoG Kit provides middleware for accessing Grid functionality from the Java framework. Java CoG Kit middleware is general enough to design a variety of advanced Grid applications with quite different user requirements. Access to the Grid is established via Globus protocols, allowing the Java CoG Kit to communicate also with the C Globus reference implementation. Thus, the Java CoG Kit provides Grid developers with the ability to utilize the Grid, as well as numerous additional libraries and frameworks developed by the Java community to enable network, Internet, enterprise, and peer-to peer computing. A variety of projects have successfully used the client libraries of the Java CoG Kit to access Grids driven by the C Globus software. In this paper we also report on the efforts to develop server side Java CoG Kit components. As part of this research we have implemented a prototype pure Java resource management system that enables one to run Globus jobs on platforms on which a Java virtual machine is supported, including Windows NT machines.
Phase-Change Radiation: Enhanced Infrared Absorption in Vapor-Liquid Water Mixtures

Phase-change radiation is studied in water clouds undergoing liquid–vapor phase transitions. Radiant energy transmission in the midinfrared (3.1–4.95 μm) spectrum is measured in vapor–liquid mixtures of water at 1 atm and 60°C. Monte Carlo analysis of radiative heat transfer is performed to assess the contribution of infrared absorption associated with evaporative phase transition, for which a theoretical description is developed. The probability of absorptive, phase-change radiative relaxation is found to be on the order of 5×10−8 per collision between a water vapor molecule and a liquid water droplet, which leads to a surface absorption efficiency of order 0.02 to 0.06 in the 3.1–4.95 μm spectrum. Thereby, absorption of midinfrared radiation is slightly enhanced by evaporative absorption in water clouds.
Automated control of blood glucose in the or and surgical ICU

A device which integrates existing intravenous continuous glucose monitors and infusion pumps into a central hub for automated intravenous intensive insulin therapy, targeting non-diabetic critically-ill patients is presented. Additionally, a fuzzy logic based controller that is capable of automatically making closed-loop decisions to achieve tight glycemic control between a euglycemic range of 90 to 120 mg/dl is presented. Initial bench top testing shows a significant improvement in glycemic control with fuzzy logic control when compared to manual infusion protocols currently used in hospitals; future animal testing will be performed to verify these results in vivo.
Positive versus Normative Justifications for Benefit-Cost Analysis: Implications for Interpretation and Policy

AbstractWhat is the rationale for benefit-cost analysis (BCA)? The answer is critical for determining how BCA should be conducted and interpreted, and identifying its implications for policy. This ...
The Membrane-Bound Intestinal Enzymes of Waxwings and Thrushes: Adaptive and Functional Implications of Patterns of Enzyme Activity

Abstract Cedar waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) feed predominantly on fruits that are rich in simple sugars and low in nitrogen, supplementing this diet with arthropod prey during the summer months as well as flowers and tree sap in springtime. In contrast, thrushes feed extensively on fatty, protein‐rich invertebrate prey, supplemented with sugary and lipid‐rich fruits. Simple sugars and fats are digested and/or absorbed by distinctly different physiological mechanisms, which suggests the possibility of contrasting digestive strategies in animals specialized to diets containing one of these two energy sources. In this study, we quantified enzymatic activity of three membrane‐bound intestinal enzymes of cedar waxwings and five species of thrushes to explore this aspect of their digestive physiology. These enzymes catalyze the final steps in the digestion of carbohydrates (sucrase‐isomaltase and maltase‐glucoamylase) and protein (aminopeptidase‐N). The two carbohydrases are homologous enzymes with overlappin...
Stomach implant for long-term erythropoietin expression in rats

To approach the goal of consistent long-term erythropoietin (Epo) expression in vivo, we developed an implantation procedure in which transduced autologous vascular smooth muscle was introduced into rats in a chamber created from a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) ring placed under the serosa of the stomach. The implant became vascularized and permitted the long-term survival of smooth muscle cells expressing Epo. Hematocrits of treated animals increased rapidly and monitored over 12 months gave a mean value of 56.0 ± 4.0% ( P .05; n = 5). In response to tissue oxygenation, kidney, and (to a lesser extent) liver are specific organs that synthesize Epo. Treated animals showed downregulation of endogenous Epo mRNA in kidney over a 12-month period. The PTFE implant provides sustained gene delivery, is safe, and is minimally invasive. It allows easy engraftment of transduced cells and may be applied generally to the systemic delivery of therapeutic proteins such as hormones and clotting factors. © 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a Framework for Addressing the Sustainability of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)

The challenges Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) directly pose to sustainability include their impact on human health, receiving water bodies, groundwater, and air quality. These challenges result from the large quantities of macronutrients (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus), micronutrients (sulfur and heavy metals), and antibiotics contained in the effluent from CAFOs. Technologies exist to deal with the challenges CAFOs present. We evaluate how Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) may be used to evaluate the gaps in knowledge when combining technologies currently available for dealing with the sustainability of CAFOs.Introduction Because concentrated animal feeding operations, CAFOs, are an economically efficient means of producing animals used in human diets, it seems likely that use of CAFOs will increase. The purpose of this paper is (1) to present the challenges of CAFOs to environmental sustainability, (2) to provide life cycle assessment (LCA) background, (3) to provide a brief review of work on LCA, CAFOs, and waste, and (4) to present technological possibilities for making CAFOs more sustainable and where knowledge gaps exist in performing LCA on the wastes CAFOs generate thus pointing towards future research.
Rule-based behavioural modelling of information systems

The authors introduce a rule-based object-oriented model and a novel graphical formalism capable of representing the behavior of information systems at the desired level of abstraction The graphical model, called rule-based net (RBN), is based on Petri nets and it can be considered as an abstraction of predicate transition nets (PrT nets). The formality of the RBN model and its graphical and executable nature provide a very good basis for its analysis and validation. RBNs provide a simple net representation of information systems dynamic behavior, showing flow of control. If information flow is desired too, RBNs are mapped to specialized PrT nets. In this way, all the well-developed techniques on PrT nets could be exploited for analytically deriving general properties of an information system. >
An Automated Image Capture and Quantitation Approach to Identify Proteins Affecting Tumor Cell Proliferation

To facilitate the characterization of proteins that negatively regulate tumor cell proliferation in vitro, the authors have implemented a high-throughput functional assay that measures S-phase progression of tumor cell lines. For 2 tumor cell lines—human melanoma A375 and human lung carcinoma A549—conditions were established using the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p27kip; the tumor suppressor p53, a kinase-inactive allele of the cell cycle–regulated serine/threonine kinase Aurora2; and the G1/S drug block, aphidicolin. For screening purposes, gene libraries were delivered by adenoviral infection. Cells were fixed and labeled by immunocytochemistry, and an automated image acquisition and analysis package on a Cellomics ArrayScan ® II was used to quantify the effects of these treatments on cell proliferation. The assay can be used to identify novel proteins involved in proliferation and serves as a more robust, reproducible, and sensitive alternative to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)–based technologies. (Journal of Biomolecular Screening 2004:216-222)
Hardware-based support vector machine classification in logarithmic number systems

Support vector machines are emerging as a powerful machine-learning tool. Logarithmic number systems (LNS) utilize the property of logarithmic compression for numerical operations. We present an implementation of a digital support vector machine (SVM) classifier using LNS in which, when compared with other implementations, considerable hardware savings are achieved with no significant loss in classification accuracy.
Electrically gated ionic channels in lipid bilayers.

The generation of action potentials in nerve and muscle requires cell membranes with steeply voltage-dependent ionic permeabilities. The voltage-dependent, ion-selective pathways responsible for excitation have been characterized for numerous excitable tissues such as nerve axon, muscle, electric organ, algae and epithelia (Aidley, 1971; Hodgkin, 1964; Cole, 1968). The process of activating ionic pathways by some stimulus, such as a change in membrane potential, is called gating.
Classic Respiratory Disease but Atypical Diagnostic Testing Distinguishes Adult Presentation of Cystic Fibrosis

Background The majority of new cases of cystic fibrosis (CF) are diagnosed before age 2 years. Diagnoses in older individuals have increased because of improved genetic testing and increased awareness of the disease. A comprehensive description of clinical, genetic, and microbiologic characteristics of adult-age presentation of CF does not exist. We compare newly diagnosed CF in adults with newly diagnosed CF in children and adolescents in the United States. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of new CF diagnoses from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry between 1995 and 2005. Diagnostic, microbiologic, and clinical features during year of diagnosis were analyzed for subjects by age group. Descriptive statistics were calculated for variables on characteristics by age group. Results A total of 9,766 new diagnoses of CF were reported to the Registry between 1995 and 2005. The proportion of adult diagnoses increased significantly in the years 2001 to 2005 as compared with 1995 to 2000 (9.0% vs 7.7%, P = .012). FEV 1 % predicted decreased with increasing age at diagnosis ( P Pseudomonas aeruginosa was most common in adults ( P P Conclusions Between 1995 and 2005, the proportion of new diagnoses of CF in adults in the United States increased significantly. Adults present with commonly described CF respiratory disease ( Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and reduced lung function), but have lower sweat chloride values and lower frequency of ΔF508 mutation. Knowledge of clinical characteristics and diagnostic limitations of adult patients presenting with CF will hopefully lead to earlier recognition and intervention.
Membrane-to-nucleus signals and epigenetic mechanisms for myofibroblastic activation and desmoplastic stroma: Potential therapeutic targets for liver metastasis?

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the most abundant cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), are a key source of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that constitutes the desmoplastic stroma. Through remodeling of the reactive tumor stroma and paracrine actions, CAFs regulate cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis, as well as tumor resistance to therapies. The CAFs found in stroma-rich primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and liver metastases of primary cancers of other organs predominantly originate from hepatic stellate cells (HSTC), which are pericytes associated with hepatic sinusoids. During tumor invasion, HSTCs transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts in response to paracrine signals emanating from either tumor cells or a heterogeneous cell population within the hepatic tumor microenvironment. Mechanistically, HSTC-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation, also known as, HSTC activation, requires cell surface receptor activation, intracellular signal transduction, gene transcription, and epigenetic signals, which combined ultimately modulate distinct gene expression profiles that give rise to and maintain a new phenotype. The current review defines a paradigm that explains how HSTCs are activated into CAFs to promote liver metastasis. Furthermore, a focus on the most relevant intracellular signaling networks and epigenetic mechanisms that control HSTC activation is provided. Finally, we discuss the feasibility of targeting CAF/activated HSTCs, in isolation or in conjunction with targeting cancer cells, which constitutes a promising and viable therapeutic approach for the treatment of primary stroma-rich liver cancers and liver metastasis.
Mutations in motif II of Escherichia coli DNA helicase II render the enzyme nonfunctional in both mismatch repair and excision repair with differential effects on the unwinding reaction.

Site-directed mutagenesis has been employed to address the functional significance of the highly conserved aspartic and glutamic acid residues present in the Walker B (also called motif II) sequence in Escherichia coli DNA helicase II. Two mutant proteins, UvrDE221Q and UvrDD220NE221Q, were expressed and purified to apparent homogeneity. Biochemical characterization of the DNA-dependent ATPase activity of each mutant protein demonstrated a kcat that was
Effects of Retroviruses on Host Genome Function

For millions of years, retroviral infections have challenged vertebrates, occasionally leading to germline integration and inheritance as ERVs, genetic parasites whose remnants today constitute some 7% to 8% of the human genome. Although they have had significant evolutionary side effects, it is useful to view ERVs as fossil representatives of retroviruses extant at the time of their insertion into the germline and not as direct players in the evolutionary process itself. Expression of particular ERVs is associated with several positive physiological functions as well as certain diseases, although their roles in human disease as etiological agents, possible contributing factors, or disease markers-well demonstrated in animal models-remain to be established. Here we discuss ERV contributions to host genome structure and function, including their ability to mediate recombination, and physiological effects on the host transcriptome resulting from their integration, expression, and other events.
Syndromic and sporadic inflammatory/hyperplastic small-bowel polyps: a comparative study

Background: Inflammatory/hyperplastic small-bowel polyps (SBPs) occur either sporadically or in patients with a polyposis syndrome; however, comparison between these two settings of the histological features of SBPs has not been reported and the etiology of sporadic inflammatory/hyperplastic SBPs remains unclear. Method: Twenty-eight cases of sporadic inflammatory/hyperplastic SBPs and nine cases of syndromic SBPs were retrieved from the Department of Anatomic Pathology at the Cleveland Clinic. Clinico-demographics and histological features were compared between the two groups. Results: Patients with syndromic inflammatory/hyperplastic SBPs were younger (48 vs. 63 years; P ¼ 0.007) and had higher rates of hemorrhagic telangiectasia (55.6% vs. 0%; P ¼ 0.000), gastric polyps (87.5% vs. 21.4%; P ¼ 0.001), and family history of colon cancer (62.5% vs. 11.1%; P ¼ 0.014). Sporadic cases were more frequently associated with gastro-esophageal reflux (35.7% vs. 0%; P ¼ 0.079) and anti-reflux medication use (55.6% vs. 11.1%; P ¼ 0.026). Histologically, the syndromic SBPs were more often of pure intestinal type (45.4% vs. 3.8%; P ¼ 0.005) and had prominent vessels (81.8% vs. 42.3%; P ¼ 0.036). Conclusions: Patients with syndromic SBPs are younger and have higher rates of hemorrhagic telangiectasia, gastric polyps, and family history of colon cancer. Histologically, syndromic inflammatory/hyperplastic SBPs are more likely to be of pure intestinal type and to have prominent vessels.
Biennial wormwood (Artemisia biennis) biomass allocation and seed production

Abstract Biennial wormwood has become an important weed problem in the northern Great Plains, but little is known about its biology. Biennial wormwood seeds were collected from Fargo, ND, and Fergus Falls, MN, for field experiments in 1999 and 2000 to determine the influence of transplanting date on growth, biomass, and seed production. Seeds were seeded in a greenhouse every 2 wk, and seedling rosettes were transplanted to the field 2 wk after emergence from April 30 until September 15 to simulate season-long emergence. Weekly destructive subsampling started 2 wk after transplanting and ended on September 29 in both years. All seedlings that grew for at least 5 wk after transplanting produced flowers by mid- to late August of the same year. Late-transplanted seedlings with less than 5 wk of growth did not flower or survive the winter. Biennial wormwood biomass allocation patterns resemble those of an annual species, with about 15% of the total dry weight allocated to roots, 20% to stems, 25% to leaves, a...
Optimum Part Build Orientation in Additive Manufacturing for Minimizing Part Errors and Support Structures

Abstract Additive Manufacturing (AM) is the process of part building by stacking layers of material on top of each other. Various challenges for a metal powder based process include reducing the staircase effect which leads to poor surface finish of the part, and minimal use of support structures for regions with overhangs or internal hollow volumes. Part build orientation is a crucial process parameter which affects part quality, in particular, Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) errors on the part, the energy expended and the extent of support structures required. This paper provides an approach to identify an optimal build orientation which will minimize the volume of support structures while meeting the specified GD&T criteria of the part for a DMLS based process. Siemens PLM NX API is used to extract the GD&T callouts and associated geometric information of the CAD model. The regions requiring support structures are identified and a Quadtree decomposition is used to find the volume of support structures. The mathematical relationships between build orientation and GD&T are developed as part of a combined optimization model to identify best build orientations for minimizing support structures while meeting the design tolerances. The feasible build orientations along with the corresponding support structures are depicted using a visual model.
Nonlinear least squares algorithm for identification of hazards

Given observations of selected concentrations one wishes to determine unknown intensities and locations of the sources for a hazard. The concentration of the hazard is governed by a steady-state nonlinear diffusion–advection partial differential equation and the best fit of the data. The discretized version leads to a coupled nonlinear algebraic system and a nonlinear least squares problem. The coefficient matrix is a nonsingular M-matrix and is not symmetric. Iterative methods are compositions of nonnegative least squares and Picard/Newton methods, and a convergence proof is given. The singular values of the associated least squares matrix are important in the convergence proof, the sensitivity to the parameters of the model, and the location of the observation sites.
Investigation of High-Energy and High-Power Hybrid Energy Storage Systems for Military Vehicle Application

Military and civilian vehicles are moving towards more electrification, in response to the increasing demand for multi-mode missions, fuel consumption and emissions reduction, and dual use electrical and electronic components. Consequently, the vehicle electric load is increasing rapidly. For military vehicles, these electrical loads include: the loads for electric traction (EV and HEV), cabin climate conditioning, vehicle control and actuation, actuation by wire (X by wire), sensors, reconnaissance, communications, weapons etc. All these requirements need to be supported by an efficient, fast responding and high capacity energy storage system. The electric load of a vehicle can be decomposed into two components--- static and dynamic loads. The static component is slowly varying power with limited magnitude, whereas the dynamic load is fast varying power with large magnitude. The energy storage system, accordingly, comprises of two basic elements. One is energy source to support the static load and other is a power source to support the dynamic load. A smart combination of the available energy storages, which have different characteristics, may result in a high performance energy storage system.