cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reducing costs while enhancing quality of care in MS.

The rapid escalation in prices of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) over the past decade has resulted in a dramatic overall increase in the costs of MS-related care. In this article, we outline various approaches whereby neurologists can contribute to responsible cost containment while maintaining, and even enhancing, the quality of MS care. The premise of the article is that clinicians are uniquely positioned to introduce innovative management strategies that are both medically sound and cost-efficient. We describe our “top 5” recommendations, including strategies for customizing relapse treatment; developing alternative dosing schedules for Food and Drug Administration–approved MS DMTs; using off-label therapies for relapse suppression; and limiting the use of DMTs to those who clearly fulfill diagnostic criteria, and who might benefit from continued use over time. These suggestions are well-grounded in the literature and our personal experience, but are not always supported with rigorous Class I evidence as yet. We advocate for neurologists to take a greater role in shaping clinical research agendas and helping to establish cost-effective approaches on a firm empiric basis.
Recent Advances in Ram Accelerator Technology

Recent advances in ram accelerator technology are presented in this paper. The ram accelerator is an in-bore propulsion system in which a projectile shaped like the centerbody of a supersonic ramjet is accelerated down a stationary tube filled with a combustible gas mixture. Combustion on and behind the projectile body creates a pressure distribution which accelerates the projectile. Several different ram accelerator propulsive regimes have been experimentally demonstrated over a Mach number range of 3 to 8.5. In the subdetonative (thermally choked) regime projectiles have been accelerated to near the Chapman-Jouguet (C-J) detonation velocity with many different propellant mixtures. In the transdetonative velocity regime (90 to 110% of C-J speed), projectiles have smoothly transitioned from subdetonative to superdetonative velocities in a tube containing a single propellant mixture. In the superdetonative velocity range, the projectiles accelerate while always traveling faster than 110% of the C-J speed. Ram accelerator projectiles operating through these velocity regimes generate distinctive supersonic and hypersonic phenomena which can be studied very effectively in the laboratory. High spatial resolution tube wall pressure data in a single propellant mixture from the three regimes of propulsion are presented and reveal the three-dimensional character of the flow field induced by projectile fins and yawing of the projectile relative to the tube wall. Also presented for comparison to the experimental data are calculations made with an inviscid, three-dimensional CFD code. Experimental and computational examples provide useful benchmarks for confirmation of CFD codes which model three-dimensional, chemically reacting, steady or unsteady flows.
Wireless sensor networks in electrical manufacturing

Sensors along with processing and communication electronics are becoming small enough to be tightly integrated into a wide variety of systems from biological and environmental to manufacturing. Along with this miniaturization, wireless sensor networks have recently become an area of great interest to researchers and industry. They offer the promise of monitoring, data collection, and control of systems with unprecedented scale and spatial granularity. It is widely believed that wireless sensor network system design, installation, and maintenance are simplified due to the absence of physical wires. As with any emerging technology, pitfalls are as significant as the benefits. Today the performance of these networks is highly application dependent, with many different, yet tightly coupled challenges. This paper provides an overview and description of what wireless sensor networks are and are not. Challenges with their design and deployment in electrical manufacturing environments are also presented. The current wireless sensor network state of the art and obstacles to overcome are reviewed. Finally, a speculative view of future trends is offered
An equation of state based upon a ratio of polynomials (rational) form for the residual Helmholtz energy: application to nitrogen, argon and methane1

ABSTRACTThis work presents an equation of state that contains the residual Helmholtz free energy as a ratio of polynomials in density with temperature-dependent coefficients and demonstrates that it is a viable alternative for describing thermodynamic properties accurately. The specific form of the equation in this work has six density terms in the numerator, three density terms in the denominator, and five temperature parameters for each temperature-dependent coefficient. Nitrogen, argon, and methane serve as prototype fluids to demonstrate the capability of the form to describe p–ρ–T behaviour, vapour pressures, speeds of sound, and isochoric heat capacities up to 1000 MPa. Characteristic curves for several properties of nitrogen generated using the equation exhibit proper behaviour at high temperatures and pressures. Because the equation contains no exponential terms or non-integer exponents, the computational time associated with the new equation is more than a factor of 10 less than that required for...
BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF HIV-SPECIFIC PEPTIDES

Infection with different viruses may produce immunologic dysfunctions in the host ranging from immunodeficiency states to autoimmune disorders. Generally it was assumed that these actions were related to the direct effects, including infection, of whole virions on target cells. These concepts became more sharply focused with the identification of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and the recognition that it can infect a critical cell involved in the regulation of the immune response of humans, namely, the CD4+ T lymphocyte. Earlier studies focused on the direct infection of CD4+ cells by HIV-1 as the primary mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). With the isolation and purification of HIV-1, it was shown that whole virions and crude extracts therefrom could induce in vitro some of the immunologic phenomena that were observed in clinical disease. It has been well documented that AIDS patients manifest a variety of immune dysfunctions including decreased lymphocyte proliferative responses to mitogens and antigens, decreased cellular cytotoxic activities and polyclonal B-lymphocyte activation (for a review see de Martini and Parker, 1989). However, the earlier observation that there was a poor correlation of peripheral virus load with extent of disease suggested that other, extrainfectious mechanisms may be contributing to disease progression. This led to our hypothesis that soluble factors such as proteins encoded by the HIV genome and shed by infected cells may also be involved in the pathogenesis of AIDS. Through the important observations of Fauci and his colleagues, we now know that the major repository of HIV in the infected host is the lymph nodes (Pantaleo et al., 1991, 1993).
‘It would have control over me instead of me having control’: intrauterine devices and the meaning of reproductive freedom

AbstractIn the past decade, enthusiasm for intrauterine devices (IUDs) has rapidly grown in the United States. Messages from health care providers, pharmaceutical advertisements, and public health campaigns extol the freedom that women can experience using a long-term, internal, highly effective contraceptive method. Little research has investigated how young women conceptualize IUDs in terms of freedom and control. We conducted a thematic analysis of in-depth, individual interviews with 37 young Black and Latina women and explored their perspectives on IUDs as promoting and constraining freedom. Participants with favorable views of the IUD (n = 13) appreciated that it would allow them to live their day-to-day lives ‘normally’ without thinking about contraception and with minimal side effects. Four current IUD users found the method empowering because they could pursue their goals without fear of unintended pregnancy. In contrast, nearly two-thirds of participants (n = 24) had predominantly negative views...
American Fiction: Gaze Canon

This chapter surveys gazing throughout American fiction since the early nineteenth century and focuses on work by Washington Irving Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry James, Charles Chesnutt, Theodore Dreiser, James Baldwin, Gertdue Stein, and Tim O’Brien. Subheadings: The Farmer’s Daughter, The Seamstress and the Papist; From Not Pretty to Pretty; Women Kept and Unkept; Let Gertrude Stein Call You Sweetheart; Beauty Out of Place—Gazing Across the Color Line; Struggles Continue; Body Shopping; Letting Go; “Unaesthetic.”
Tryptophan Metabolism Contributes to Radiation-Induced Immune Checkpoint Reactivation in Glioblastoma

Purpose: Immune checkpoint inhibitors designed to revert tumor-induced immunosuppression have emerged as potent anticancer therapies. Tryptophan metabolism represents an immune checkpoint, and targeting this pathway's rate-limiting enzyme IDO1 is actively being investigated clinically. Here, we studied the intermediary metabolism of tryptophan metabolism in glioblastoma and evaluated the activity of the IDO1 inhibitor GDC-0919, both alone and in combination with radiation (RT).Experimental Design: LC/GC-MS and expression profiling was performed for metabolomic and genomic analyses of patient-derived glioma. Immunocompetent mice were injected orthotopically with genetically engineered murine glioma cells and treated with GDC-0919 alone or combined with RT. Flow cytometry was performed on isolated tumors to determine immune consequences of individual treatments.Results: Integrated cross-platform analyses coupling global metabolomic and gene expression profiling identified aberrant tryptophan metabolism as a metabolic node specific to the mesenchymal and classical subtypes of glioblastoma. GDC-0919 demonstrated potent inhibition of this node and effectively crossed the blood-brain barrier. Although GDC-0919 as a single agent did not demonstrate antitumor activity, it had a strong potential for enhancing RT response in glioblastoma, which was further augmented with a hypofractionated regimen. RT response in glioblastoma involves immune stimulation, reflected by increases in activated and cytotoxic T cells, which was balanced by immune checkpoint reactivation, reflected by an increase in IDO1 expression and regulatory T cells (Treg). GDC-0919 mitigated RT-induced Tregs and enhanced T-cell activation.Conclusions: Tryptophan metabolism represents a metabolic node in glioblastoma, and combining RT with IDO1 inhibition enhances therapeutic response by mitigating RT-induced immunosuppression. Clin Cancer Res; 24(15); 3632-43. ©2018 AACR.
Astrocytes Can Act as Permissive Substrates for the Growth of NGF-Sensitive Axons in Vivo

The degree to which damaged axons successfully regenerate in the adult mammalian nervous system differs dramatically between the peripheral and central environments. In peripheral nerves, perturbed axons can regrow past the site of damage and extend through the nerve tube to reach denervated target sites. Schwann cells appear to be the predominant reason for this robust regeneration peripherally. These cells support neurite extension of most types of neurons in vitro (Noble et al., 1984; Fallon, 1985), since they express a varied array of surface molecules that are important for cell-cell adhesion (Seilheimer and Schachner, 1987). Schwann cells also produce nerve growth factor (NGF), the most potent growth-promoting substance found within the nervous system (Heumann et al., 1987; Matsuoka et al., 1991). In marked contrast, axon regeneration within the central nervous system (CNS) is impaired due to one or more of the following: the formation of glial scars in the immediate area of damage (Ramon y Cajal, 1928; Reier et al., 1983; Liuzzi and Lasek, 1987; Reier et al., 1987), the presence of myelin-associated inhibitory molecules (Schwab, 1990; Schwab and Caroni, 1988), and inadequate expression of growth-promoting factors and/or cell-cell adhesion molecules among neurons and glia. These features, acting alone or in concert with one another, contribute to the non-conducive nature of the adult CNS environment for axon regrowth in response to damage. Lesioned neurons, however, are able to extend new axons over considerable distances within a non-CNS milieu, including grafts of sciatic nerve (Richardson et al., 1980; David and Aguayo, 1981; Benfry and Aguayo, 1982, Hagg et al., 1990), amniotic membrane (Davis et al., 1987; Gage et al., 1988b) and fetal neural tissue (Kromer et al., 1981; Tuszynski et al., 1990a). Such tissues, therefore, must possess unique properties conducive for axon regrowth that are not available within the adult CNS. In fact, all three types of tissues have a number of permissive substrates for axon growth, e.g., Schwann cells in sciatic nerve, laminin in amniotic membrane, and immature astrocytes in fetal hippocampus. Furthermore, these materials contain variable levels of growth-promoting factors. Because tissues such as sciatic nerve possess both conducive substrates and trophic molecules, it is difficult to access the minimum requirement for the regeneration of adult CNS axons.
Eating Disorders and the Nails

The structure of human nails is altered by malnutrition. This impacts the nail’s physical characteristics. Patients who suffer from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are at increased risk for development of abnormal nails from both the dietary deficiency and compulsive actions associated with the eating disorder. Physical exam findings include linear patterns on the nail plate, such as those seen in Beau’s lines, Terry’s nails, and Muehrcke’s lines, as well as color changes seen in B12 deficiency and splinter hemorrhages. Nutrition is essential for the development of healthy nails, and nutrient deficiencies may lead to brittleness or koilonychia of the nail plate. Abuse of medications, such as anorectics, diuretics, and laxatives, produces nail changes that include digital clubbing. Those with eating disorders may also have onychophagia or onychotillomania as all are on the obsessive-compulsive spectrum. Successful nail treatment in patients with eating disorders is dependent on treating the eating disorder.
Unilateral Absence of the Scrotal vas deferens Associated with Contralateral Mesonephric duct Anomalies Resulting in Infertility: Laboratory, Physical and Radiographic findings, and Therapeutic Alternatives

Ten patients who presented for infertility had unilateral absence of the scrotal vas deferens and a contralateral mesonephric duct anomaly, including contralateral ejaculatory duct or epididymal/vasal obstruction. The details of the physical examination, semen analysis and transrectal ultrasound led to an accurate preoperative diagnosis in each case. Therapeutic manipulations appropriate in this group included transurethral resection of the ejaculatory duct, microscopic vasoepididymostomy and microsurgical sperm aspiration coupled with in vitro fertilization. Only 3 patients had ipsilateral renal agenesis or ectopia (30%), which is well below the stated percentage for patients with unilateral vasal agenesis (90%). An aberration in the proper sequence of mesonephric embryological development may partly explain this bilateral constellation of abnormalities.
Calibration and scanning studies for traceable Ge-68 phantom sources for quantitative PET

1420 Objectives Calibrated, traceable phantom sources can be a valuable tool for ensuring data comparability in multicenter trials and can provide a means to accurately quantify and monitor PET system parameters. We have developed prototype solid Ge-68 phantom sources having calibrated activities traceable to national standards. Methods The sources are used with a standard Jaczszak phantom and consist of Plexiglas cylinders having fixed lengths and varying diameters to give total nominal volumes ranging from 1 to 6 mL. A calibrated Ge-68 solution was gravimetrically added to a commercial epoxy and gravimetrically dispensed into two sets (total of 8 sources) of cylinders. Each source was calibrated by γ-ray spectrometry using systems that had been calibrated in the same geometry using a standardized Ge-68 solution. The sources were then scanned in different configurations to examine their uniformity and to acquire data as part of a separate study to quantify sources of image quantification variability. Results The activity concentration of the radioactive epoxy was measured to be 67-70 kBq/g at the reference time. Due to the inhomogeneity of the Ge-68 distribution in the epoxy, each source was individually calibrated. This provided a means to determine the activity with a relative combined standard uncertainty of typically 0.7 % for any given source. The PET imaging data indicated excellent radial and axial uniformity and allowed for the determination of absolute efficiencies as a function of diameter and volume. Data were also collected to start to quantify several other performance parameters. Conclusions These prototypes demonstrate the ability to produce and calibrate standardized phantom sources of Ge-68. Use of these sources can enhance the comparability of quantitative results obtained from different scanners during trials. These sources also enable accurate empirical determination of performance characteristics of PET systems for the first time. Research Support Funded by NCI Contract No. HHSN261200800001
Interim Storage Requirements at Department of Energy Facilities

DOE has developed new requirements for packages containing tritiated material that hold tritium of a form and quantity that pose a risk of exposure to workers. These requirements include meeting specified leak rate criteria for both pre and post package drop tests. Packaging that fails to meet these new requirements must be stored in a specified manner in designated areas.
Mitigating laser-imprint effects in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion implosions with an above-critical-density foam layer

Low-density foams of low-/mid-Z materials have been previously proposed to mitigate laser imprint for direct-drive inertial confinement fusion (ICF). For foam densities above the critical density of the drive laser, the mechanism of laser-imprint mitigation relies on the reduced growth rate of Rayleigh–Taylor instability because of the increased ablation velocity and density scale length at the ablation surface. Experimental demonstration of this concept has been limited so far to planar-target geometry. The impact of foams on spherical implosions has not yet been explored in experiments. To examine the viability of using an above-critical-density foam layer to mitigate laser-imprint effects in direct-drive ICF implosions on OMEGA, we have performed a series of 2-D DRACO simulations with state-of-the-art physics models, including nonlocal thermal transport, cross-beam energy transfer, and first-principles equation-of-state tables. The simulation results indicate that a 40-μm-thick CH or SiO2 foam layer with a density of ρ = 40 mg/cm3 added to a D2-filled polystyrene (CH) capsule can significantly improve the moderate-adiabat (α ≈ 3) implosion performance. In comparison to the standard CH target implosion, an increase in neutron yield by a factor of 4 to 8 and the recovery of 1-D compression ρR are predicted by DRACO simulations for a foam-target surface roughness of σrms ≤ 0.5 μm. These encouraging results could readily facilitate experimental demonstrations of laser-imprint mitigation with an above-critical-density foam layer.
Age-related Changes in Training Stimuli and Performance in Masters Swimmers.

Age-related decreases in performance are thought to be driven by decreases in exercise training stimuli. We determined the influence of changes in training stimuli with advancing age on swimming performance using cross-sectional and longitudinal data analyses. Totals of 692 and 98 competitive swimmers belonging to the US Masters Swimming Association were analyzed in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. Swimming times increased with advancing age, and age was the strongest predictor of swimming performance, followed by training volume, in both the cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. In the cross-sectional data analyses, an increase in training volume by 10 km/month, was associated with improved performance by 0.69 s regardless of age. In the longitudinal analyses, training volume was not a significant predictor for younger swimmers. In middle-aged swimmers, however, increases in training volume resulted in faster swimming times, and its effect was more pronounced in older swimmers. We concluded that there was a graded positive relationship between yearly increases in training volume and improved swimming performance, and that such effects were greater with advancing age.
Differentiating bipolar disorder from borderline personality disorder: Diagnostic accuracy of the difficulty in emotion regulation scale and personality inventory for DSM-5.

Abstract Background Confusion abounds when differentiating the diagnoses of bipolar disorder (BD) from borderline personality disorder (BPD). This study explored the relative clinical utility of affective instability and self-report personality trait measures for accurate identification of BD and BPD. Methods Receiver operator characteristics and diagnostic efficiency statistics were calculated to ascertain the relative diagnostic efficiency of self-report measures. Inpatients with research-confirmed diagnoses of BD (n = 341) or BPD (n = 381) completed the Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5). Results The total score for DERS evidenced relatively poor accuracy for differentiating the disorders (AUC = 0.72, SE = 0.02, p Conclusion Findings support the use of the PID-5 algorithm for differentiating BD from BPD. Furthermore, findings support the accuracy of the DSM-5 alternative model Criteria B trait constellation for differentiating these two disorders with overlapping features.
Repeated repeat problems: Combinatorial effect of C9orf72-derived dipeptide repeat proteins

A microsatellite expansion mutation in C9orf72 is the most common genetic cause of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). The expansion mutation leads to C9orf72 loss of function, RNA foci formation, and generation of five species of non-AUG RAN translated dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs), such as poly(GA), poly(GP), poly(GR), poly(PA), and poly(PR). Although one cell can contain more than type of DPRs, information about interplay between different DPR species is limited. Here we show that the combined expression of distinct C9orf72-derived dipeptide repeat species produces cellular outcomes and structural differences that are unique compared to the expression of a single DPR species, suggesting the complex biological interactions that occur when multiple DPR variants are simultaneously expressed. Our data highlights the need for further analysis of how combined expression of different DPRs affects the disease state.
Disability, Psychological Well-Being, and Social Interaction in Later Life in China:

Many studies show that disability predicts lower social participation and poorer psychological well-being. However, few have examined how disability, social interaction, and psychological well-being interrelate with one another. We use diary data from World Health Organization's Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health, 2007-2010 ( N = 8,771) and mediation analysis to examine the links between disability, daily social interaction, and the momentary and global well-being of older adults in China. We find suggestive support for the hypothesis that psychological well-being predicts social interaction in the context of disablement, but little evidence for the converse. Specifically, in a cross-sectional analysis, disability predicts lower levels of momentary affect, happiness, and life satisfaction, which are linked to spending more time alone and participating in fewer activities with grandchildren, friends, and coworkers. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that a less active social life is explained by poor functional performance and compromised psychological vibrancy.
Physicochemical Properties, Biotransformation, and Transport Pathways of Established and Newly Approved Medications: A Systematic Review of the Top 200 Most Prescribed Drugs vs. the FDA-Approved Drugs Between 2005 and 2016

Enzyme-mediated biotransformation of pharmacological agents is a crucial step in xenobiotic detoxification and drug disposition. Herein, we investigated the metabolism and physicochemical properties of the top 200 most prescribed drugs (established) as well as drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 2005 and 2016 (newly approved). Our objective was to capture the changing trends in the routes of administration, physicochemical properties, and prodrug medications, as well as the contributions of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters to drug clearance. The University of Washington Drug Interaction Database (DIDB®) as well as other online resources (e.g., CenterWatch.com, Drugs.com, DrugBank.ca, and PubChem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) was used to collect and stratify the dataset required for exploring the above-mentioned trends. Analyses revealed that ~ 90% of all drugs in the established and newly approved drug lists were administered systemically (oral or intravenous). Meanwhile, the portion of biologics (molecular weight > 1 kDa) was 15 times greater in the newly approved list than established drugs. Additionally, there was a 4.5-fold increase in the number of compounds with a high calculated partition coefficient (cLogP > 3) and a high total polar surface area (> 75 A2) in the newly approved drug vs. the established category. Further, prodrugs in established or newly approved lists were found to be converted to active compounds via hydrolysis, demethylases, and kinases. The contribution of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4, as the major biotransformation pathway, has increased from 40% in the established drug list to 64% in the newly approved drug list. Moreover, the role of CYP1A2, CYP2C19, and CYP2D6 were decreased as major metabolizing enzymes among the newly approved medications. Among non-CYP major metabolizers, the contribution of alcohol dehydrogenases/aldehyde dehydrogenases (ADH/ALDH) and sulfotransferases decreased in the newly approved drugs compared with the established list. Furthermore, the highest contribution among uptake and efflux transporters was found for Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp), respectively. The higher portion of biologics in the newly approved drugs compared with the established list confirmed the growing demands for protein- and antibody-based therapies. Moreover, the larger number of hydrophilic drugs found in the newly approved list suggests that the probability of toxicity is likely to decrease. With regard to CYP-mediated major metabolism, CYP3A5 showed an increased involvement owing to the identification of unique probe substrates to differentiate CYP3As. Furthermore, the contribution of OATP1B1 and P-gp did not show a significant shift in the newly approved drugs as compared to the established list because of their broad substrate specificity.
Improving Universal Protocol Performance in Radiology through Implementation of a Standardized Time-out.

A tailored standardized time-out used to address specific root causes of wrong-site, wrong-procedure, and wrong-patient safety events helps improve compliance with performing key elements of Univer...
Solving the state assignment problem for signal transition graphs

The authors propose a novel framework to solve the state assignment problem arising from the signal transition graph (STG) representation of an asynchronous circuit. They first solve the STG state assignment problem by minimizing the number of states in the corresponding finite-state machine (FSM) and by using a critical race-free state assignment technique. State signal transitions may be added to the original STG. A lower bound on the number of signals necessary to implement the STG is given. The technique significantly increases the applicability of STGs for specifying asynchronous circuits.
Effects of the Shale Boom on Entrepreneurship in the U.S.

This paper exploits new oil and gas activity generated by recent technological advancements to understand the effect of localized boom and busts on self-employment. We find a positive and contemporaneous impact on self-employment in non-mining sectors, mainly stemming from unincorporated self-employed individuals. The impact is short-lived, i.e. once the boom subsides, the self-employment adjusts closer to pre-boom levels. Point estimates suggest that a large part of the employment adjustment comes from unincorporated self-employed individuals - a group that makes up about 6% of total employment.
Remote Research Methods: Considerations for Work With Children.

The growing shift to online research provides numerous potential opportunities, including greater sample diversity and more efficient data collection. While online methods and recruitment platforms have gained popularity in research with adults, there is relatively little guidance on best practices for how to conduct remote research with children. The current contribution will provide recommendations for conducting behavioral research with children and adolescents using remote synchronous (i.e., real-time interactions between the experimenter and child) and asynchronous (i.e., the child completes the study independently without experimenter interaction) methods. We will discuss considerations regarding sample diversity and provide recommendations on implementing remote research with children, including discussions about remote software, study design, and data quality. These recommendations can promote the use of remote research amongst developmental psychologists by contributing to our knowledge of effective online research practices and the building of standardized guidelines when working with children.
Nutrients with Special Functions: Cholesterol

Cholesterol is one of the most ubiquitous compounds in the animal kingdom. Its chemistry, biosynthesis, and metabolism have been studied for over two centuries. The relationship between cholesterol and certain human diseases, such as atherosclerosis and cholelithiasis, has stimulated extensive research on this compound. Numerous reviews covering cholesterol chemistry and biology have been published (Bloch, 1965; Dempsey, 1974; Dietschy and Wilson, 1970a–c), as have several books (Cook, 1958; Kritchevsky, 1958; Nes and McKean, 1977; Sabine, 1977).
Glycosylated hemoglobin and risk of colorectal cancer and adenoma (United States).

Objectives: The consistently observed epidemiologic associations of obesity and physical activity with colorectal cancer and precursor adenoma risk suggest that insulin and glucose control may be contributory. We evaluated the association of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), a clinical indicator of average glycemia over the previous 2 months, and possibly, indirectly, a marker of average blood insulin level, with colorectal carcinogenesis.
Stratified and Maximum Information Item Selection Procedures in Computer Adaptive Testing

In this study we evaluated and compared three item selection procedures: the maximum Fisher information procedure (F), the a-stratified multistage computer adaptive testing (CAT) (STR), and a refined stratification procedure that allows more items to be selected from the high a strata and fewer items from the low a strata (USTR), along with completely random item selection (RAN). The comparisons were with respect to error variances, reliability of ability estimates and item usage through CATs simulated under nine test conditions of various practical constraints and item selection space. The results showed that F had an apparent precision advantage over STR and USTR under unconstrained item selection, but with very poor item usage. USTR reduced error variances for STR under various conditions, with small compromises in item usage. Compared to F, USTR enhanced item usage while achieving comparable precision in ability estimates; it achieved a precision level similar to F with improved item usage when items were selected under exposure control and with limited item selection space. The results provide implications for choosing an appropriate item selection procedure in applied settings.
Quantitative gas chromatography of amino acids: Interesterification studies☆

Abstract The reaction conditions for quantitative interesterification of amino acids from methyl to n -butyl esters have been determined. Temperature was more significant than the concentration of interesterification catalyst. Complete conversion to n -butyl esters was achieved by increasing the reaction temperature from 90° to 100°C. Also, the time required for interesterification was reduced by 30 min. This improved procedure represents an advance in the development of a quantitative method of analysis of amino acid by gas-liquid chromatography.
A multivalued Boltzmann machine

The original Hopfield network and the Boltzmann machine are generalized based on the XY spin glass model and the discrete planar spin glass model to develop a multivalued Boltzmann machine. A general Hamiltonian is defined to realize this multivalued machine, and three distributed computational architectures with evolving rules are proposed to minimize this Hamiltonian. The machine was applied to the mobile robot navigation problem using an artificial magnetic field approach. Computer simulations were conducted and they verified the validity of the proposed system. >
Real time processing of multiple input multiple output systems using crosscut memory

A general algorithm is developed for multiple-input multiple-output systems that utilize depth switching between register sets in CC (crosscut) memory to efficiently preserve intermediate states and handle the cross-coupled terms. This avoids the necessity of making floating point calculations and realizes the benefits of lookup-table methods. The frame times for the CC memory solutions are dependent on the number of bits needed to accurately represent variables and coefficients, and only a slight increase in frame time occurs as system order is increased. Assembly language programs for a two-input two-output second-order system, a three-input three-output second-order system and a two-input two-output fourth-order system have been written. The simplicity of these programs shows the usefulness of CC memory for modeling multivariable systems. Assuming a single-sequential-processor environment, timing estimates for algorithm examples are given. >
Ferredoxin-dependent Phenylpyruvate Synthesis by Cell-free Preparations of Photosynthetic Bacteria

A reductive synthesis of phenylpyruvate from phenylacetyl coenzyme A and bicarbonate was obtained in cell-free extracts from the photosynthetic bacterium Chromatium. This phenylpyruvate synthase activity—which appears to be distinct from pyruvate synthase—depends on the reducing power of ferredoxin and requires thiamine pyrophosphate as a coenzyme. Of several ferredoxins assayed, the native ferredoxin from Chromatium was found to be the most effective for phenylpyruvate synthesis. The enzyme extract also catalyzed the conversion of phenylpyruvate to phenylalanine (in the presence of an amino group donor) and the activation of phenylacetate to the phenylacetyl-CoA derivative. Thus, a net synthesis of phenylalanine from phenylacetate and CO2 was accomplished. Closely associated with the phenylpyruvate synthase reaction was an exchange reaction between 14C-bicarbonate and phenylpyruvate. The exchange reaction required thiamine pyrophosphate and CoA as cofactors. Apart from Chromatium, phenylpyruvate synthase and phenylpyruvate-bicarbonate exchange activities were also found in cell-free extracts from the green photosynthetic bacteria Chlorobium thiosulfatophilum and Chloropseudomonas ethylicum.
Use of the Flory-Huggins theory to predict the solubility of nifedipine and sulfamethoxazole in the triblock, graft copolymer Soluplus.

AbstractContext: Drug dispersed in a polymer can improve bioavailability; dispersed amorphous drug undergoes recrystallization. Solid solutions eliminate amorphous regions, but require a measure of the solubility.Objective: Use the Flory–Huggins Theory to predict crystalline drugs solubility in the triblock, graft copolymer Soluplus® to provide a solid solution.Materials and methods: Physical mixtures of the two drugs with similar melting points but different glass forming ability, sulfamethoxazole and nifedipine, were prepared with Soluplus® using a quick technique. Drug melting point depression (MPD) was measured using differential scanning calorimetry. The Flory–Huggins Theory allowed: (1) interaction parameter, χ, calculation using MPD data to provide a measure of drug–polymer interaction strength and (2) estimation of the free energy of mixing. A phase diagram was constructed with the MPD data and glass transition temperature (Tg) curves.Results: The interaction parameters with Soluplus® and the free...
Design, fabrication, and analysis of transparent silicon solar cells for multi-junction assemblies

Transparent silicon solar cells can lead to an increased efficiency of silicon-based multi-junction assemblies by transmitting near and below band gap energy light for conversion in a low band gap solar cell. This analysis shows that the maximum efficiency gain for a low band gap solar cell beneath silicon at a concentration of 50 suns is 5.8%, based on ideal absorption and conversion of the photons. This work analyzes the trade-offs between increased near band edge absorption in the silicon and silicon solar cell transparency. Application of these results to real cases including a germanium bottom solar cell is analyzed, leading to a range of cases with increased system efficiency. Non-ideal surfaces and real silicon and germanium solar cell device performance are presented. The range of practical system gains may be as low as 2.2 – 1% absolute when compared with the efficiency of a light-trapped silicon solar cell for 1-sun operation, based on this work. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Histamine stimulates ion transport by dog pancreatic duct epithelial cells through H1receptors

Histamine affects pancreatic secretion, but its direct action on ion transport by pancreatic duct epithelial cells (PDEC) has not been defined. We now characterize the secretory effects of histamin...
History of Eidophor projection in North America

The influence of the Eidophor projection system has been felt for over fifty years, providing users with extreme brightness and unique capabilities in a wide variety of applications. The Eidophor, manufactured by Gretag AG, Switzerland, is an oil layer light valve system invented in 1943 and is still unsurpassed in brightness by any other technology. Although the technology is over 50 years old, there are still many viable uses for the system, particularly in North America. This paper will review the history, technology, applications and outlook for the Eidophor projection system. The applications include permanent locations such as sports arenas and television studios as well as a continuing impact in the large screen display rental community.
Troubadour, Griot and Evangelist: The Compelling Narrative Rhetoric of ‘Erujeje’

AbstractThe power of narratives as didactic tools, the repository of history, cultural knowledge and cultural identity is well known. Walter Fisher depicts stories as the sum of rhetorical expressions and applications of the pre-existing values of a community. Narratives and its corollaries—narrator, receptor (audience)—form a tightly woven knit. To be effective, the receptor must be complicit in the narrator’s jeu (game) which is to persuade the receptor of the fidelity and plausibility of the story. Numerous agents exploit the digital age as a new medium which has appropriated them a special niche in the arena of communication. In evangelism, Michael Fasina, also known as Erujeje, is at the heart of such a movement. This article is a treatment of Fisherian narrative and Aristotelian syllogism in an attempt to suggest that Erujeje, the Nigerian dramatist extraordinaire, combines those elements coupled with topoi familiar to his audience in order to proselytize.1
Extremely Discordant Sib-Pair Study Design to Determine Risk Factors for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Objective To search for factors that contribute to the development of neovascularage-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods In a matched-pair case-control study, we studied sib pairs in whichthe index sibling had neovascular AMD in at least 1 eye and the unaffectedsibling had normal maculae (or at most only a few small drusen) and was pastthe age at which the index case was diagnosed. Factors studied included sex,iris color, education, alcohol consumption, body mass index, vitamin use,smoking history, hypercholesterolemia, aspirin use, hypertension, other cardiovasculardisease, any autoimmune disease, and non–insulin-dependent diabetesmellitus. Conditional logistic regression was performed to identify predictorsof neovascular AMD. Results On the basis of 73 sib pairs, multivariate regression analysis revealeda statistically significant 2% increase in risk of neovascular AMD with eachpack-year of smoking (odds ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.04; P = .007). Suggestive but nonsignificant associations werealso observed for mean lifetime alcohol consumption, adult lifetime body massindex, and hypertension in multivariate regression analyses. Conclusion Using extremely discordant sib pairs to study risk factors for AMD,a novel approach in epidemiological design, we found evidence that smokingis a risk factor for neovascular AMD.
The mechanism of gall induction makes galls red

We propose that the commonly observed red coloration of insect-induced plant galls is due to the production of exogenous cytokinins by gall-inducing insects. A growing body of evidence indicates that gall-inducing insects, bacteria, and fungi produce cytokinins. We hypothesize that gall induction generally requires an exogenous source of cytokinin and auxin. Plant galls are mobilizing sinks induced by cytokinin and reinforced by transport and accumulation of sugar. Exogenous cytokinins lead to a cascade of effects including the up-regulation of anthocyanin synthesis, the source of red coloration. Experiments demonstrate that exogenous cytokinins and sugars up-regulate the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways, leading to localized anthocyanin accumulation. We suggest that red coloration in plant galls is merely a consequence of the mechanism of gall induction, and therefore an example of fabricational noise rather than aposematic coloration. Only color manipulation experiments can determine whether gall color is also secondarily aposematic.
Gender Role Conflict and Separation-Individuation Difficulties: Their Impact on College Men's Loneliness

The present study explored the role of gender role conflict and separation-in-dividuation difficulties as it relates to loneliness in college aged men. The results supported the theorized connection that difficulties associated with successful separation from parents (father and mother) would be related to loneliness. Further, men's gender role conflict scores were also related to increases of lonesomeness. Implications for future research and clinical dynamics from a psychoanalytic perspective are discussed.
Water as a Nonpolar Partition Medium

Abstract Coacervates have been suggested as models for cytoplasm since cytoplasm is also essentially an aqueous phase of water–protein–colloid complexes. This study on partition coefficient properties made use of coacervate phases as the nonpolar phases in equilibrium with polar water phases. The partition coefficients of four barbiturates were obtained, and their values correlated with those reported in the literature for systems using organic solvents as the nonpolar medium. These values also correlated with reported values for the absorption ranking of the barbiturates in the rat colon. The partition coefficients of the obromine and theophylline in gelatin–benzalkonium chloride coacervate systems were also found to correlate with the partition values reported in the literature for heptane–water and chloroform–water systems. It is suggested that coacervate systems form a more realistic model for studying and predicting the absorption characteristics of drugs than do conventional organic solvent–water systems.
A novel common cavity approach for coherent beam combining with reducing path-length sensitivity

We investigate a new beam-combining architecture with reduced sensitivity to path-length variations. Additional feedback allows the cavity to oscillate in several supermodes. By selecting the proper supermode, perfect coherence and higher output radiance is achieved.
Adriamycin in advanced urinary tract cancer: experience in 42 patients and review of the literature.

Forty-two patients with measureable, advanced, genito-urinary cancer received Adriamycin. Significant clinical responses (CR/PR) occurred in only five (14%) of 35 adequately treated patients. Four additional patients achieved a minimal response and four others showed stabilization of their disease for 4 to 9 months. Review of the literature suggests an overall response rate of 20%. Patients with a urinary diversion lived significantly longer (P 0.006) than patients who did not have this procedure (42.5 months vs 21.5 months). The need to define various patient characteristics in future chemotherapeutic trials in bladder cancer is discussed.
Using active birth defects surveillance programs to supplement data on fetal death reports: improving surveillance data on stillbirths.

BACKGROUND: Surveillance of stillbirths using fetal death reports (FDRs) has been challenging because of under-reporting of fetal deaths and missing data on the FDRs. Using active case finding and chart abstraction within the infrastructure of established birth defect surveillance programs could potentially enhance the data from FDRs. The data collection form for the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program, an active, population-based birth defects surveillance system, was modified to collect additional information on stillbirths from medical records. METHODS: The study population was a 25% simple random sample of stillbirths recorded on FDRs in 2004 (n = 125) by residents in the five central counties of metropolitan Atlanta. Stillbirth was defined as a fetal death at ≥20 weeks gestation or ≥350 g if age was unknown. Data on demographic characteristics and risk factors collected from the two sources were compared for completeness and agreement, as well as causes of and conditions associated with the fetal death. RESULTS: Combining data sources provided more information. Demographic and risk factor variables in the two data sources showed strong agreement (categorical variable, kappa range = 0.79–1.00; continuous variable, correlation coefficient range = 0.61–1.00). The actively ascertained data provided more complete information for causes and conditions of fetal death. Data from the FDRs yielded 42% of cases with no listed cause of death or associated condition compared with 10% using Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program data. CONCLUSIONS: Expanding the potential of existing active birth defects surveillance programs to include stillbirth surveillance could potentially improve the quantity and quality of available data on fetal deaths. Ongoing studies are needed to corroborate these findings and to assess completeness of case ascertainment. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2008. Published 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.