cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of exogenous triiodothyronine (T3) on fecal shedding of Escherichia coli O157 in cattle.

Fecal prevalence of Escherichia coli O157 in ruminants is highest in the summer months and decreases to low or undetectable levels in the winter. We hypothesize that the seasonal variation of this pathogen is a result of physiological responses within the host animal to changing day length. The thyroid is an endocrine gland known to respond to changing day length. Two experiments were conducted to determine if a hyperthyroid status would initiate fecal shedding of E. coli O157 in cattle during the winter when shedding is virtually nonexistent (winter experiment) or influence cattle actively shedding E. coli O157 (summer experiment). Yearling cattle were group-penned under dry-lot conditions, adjusted to a high concentrate ration, and randomly assigned to treatment: control (1 mL corn oil injected s.c. daily) or triiodothyronine (T3; 1.5 mg suspended in corn oil injected s.c daily). Cattle were individually processed daily for collection of fecal and blood samples. Treatment with exogenous T3 produced a significant change in serum thyroid hormone concentrations indicative of a hyperthyroid status in both experiments. No differences (P>0.10) were observed in fecal shedding of E. coli O157 in the winter experiment. In the summer experiment, fecal shedding of E. coli O157 was decreased (P=0.05) by administration of T3 during the treatment period (days 1–10), tended to be lower (P=0.08) during the following 7-day period of no treatment, and was lower (P=0.01) when examined across the entire experimental period. Results of this research indicate that the thyroid or its hormones may be involved in the seasonal shedding patterns of E. coli O157 in cattle.
The correlation between colposcopically directed cervical biopsy and loop electrosurgical excision procedure pathology and the effect of time on that agreement.

Abstract Objective. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether colposcopically directed cervical biopsy accurately predicts histopathology found on loop electrosurgical excision procedure specimen and to assess whether this correlation was affected by a delay in treatment of greater than 12 weeks. Methods. A retrospective review was performed of all cervical biopsy and loop electrosurgical excision procedure pairs performed at University of Arizona Medical Center between March 1992 and March 2000. Agreement was assessed by κ statistics and Spearman ρ coefficients. A subgroup analysis was performed to assess the effect of a delay greater than 12 weeks between cervical biopsy and loop excision on the histopathologic correlation. Results. An 84% agreement was found between cervical biopsy histopathology and loop electrosurgical excision procedure histopathology when compared to within 1 degree (κ = 0.78, P P P = 0.01). Conclusion. Colposcopically directed cervical biopsy correlated strongly with loop specimen histopathology. A delay in loop electrosurgical excision procedure greater than 12 weeks does not negatively affect this correlation. This delay of 12 weeks may be used safely in the future to test chemotherapeutic dysplasia treatments.
Clinical utility of valsartan in the treatment of hypertension in children and adolescents

Valsartan is a potent antagonist of the type 1 angiotensin receptor (AT(1)). By blocking the actions of angiotensin II on the AT(1), it inhibits vasoconstriction and synthesis of aldosterone thus lowering systemic blood pressure. Valsartan has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of hypertension in children aged 6 years and older. Valsartan can be dosed once a day with a sustained 24-hour effect on blood pressure reduction. The starting dose recommended in children is 1.3 mg/kg once daily (maximum 40 mg) which needs adjustment according to blood pressure response (dose range 1.3-2.7 mg/kg daily; up to 160 mg). A suspension form (4 mg/mL) is available for children who cannot swallow tablets. In patients aged 6 to 16 years, valsartan treatment (from a low dose of 10-20 mg to a high dose of 80-160 mg) resulted in dose-dependent reductions of 7.9-11.5 mmHg in systolic blood pressure and 4.6-7.4 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure. In 1- to 5-year-olds, valsartan (from a low dose of 5-10 mg to a high dose of 40-80 mg) reduced the systolic blood pressure by 8.4-8.6 mmHg and the diastolic blood pressure by 5.5 mmHg. Similar to adults and other antihypertensive medications, the most frequent side effect in children subsequent to valsartan use is headache. Current studies have not shown adverse effects on linear growth, weight gain, head growth, or development in children aged 1 to 5 years subsequent to valsartan use. Based on limited pediatric data, valsartan appears to be well tolerated and efficacious in reducing elevated blood pressure.
A standardized patient-oriented approach to teaching clinical toxicology.

Objective. Design, implement, and evaluate a standardized approach to teaching clinical toxicology for pharmacy students. Design. An extensive review of the literature was conducted and a standardi...
The effect of various levels of contamination by two species of bacteria (staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus sp.) on oxygen uptake of the boll weevil

1. 1. When oxygen uptake of 1, 5, or 10 day old boll weevils contaminated with Streptococcus or Straphylococcus aureus was measured, it tended to increase in staph-infected weevils as the degree of infection increased, and tended to decrease in strep-infected weevils. 2. 2. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in weight in the 5 day old staph-fected weevils as bacterial load increased. There was a trend to weight gain in the 1 day old group. 3. 3. There was no significant (P > 0.5) relationship between weight of the insects and bacterial load of the strep-infected weevils.
Serviços Públicos e Mitigação da Pobreza Rural no Brasil

The objective of this study was to adjust hedonic regression models capable of explaining rental values of rural households according to their attributes, including the availability of public services. The results showed that the availability of public services increased in the higher income classes. Non-monetary income generated by basic services was estimated at approximately R$ 90 million per month. Simulations performed with these results indicated that extending basic services - electricity, running water and adequate sewage - to all rural households, the additional non-monetary income would be enough to remove between 245 to 280 thousand people from extreme poverty, and bring between 221 and 269 thousand people above poverty line.
Visual concurrent programming with Δ-grammars

Abstract We have been investigating the use of visual graph rewriting languages as a framework for the programming of concurrent and distributed systems. In this paper, we present Δ-grammars, a general graph rewriting framework based on the theory of graph grammars, illustrate Δ programs, and show how static analysis techniques can be employed to prove properties of such programs.
Local telephone rate structures: before and after the Act

Abstract This paper examines how the structure of local telephone rates has changed in the four years following passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Data on local rates as they stood at the end of 1995 and in 2000 for the Bell Operating Companies in 45 states and the District of Columbia and estimates of wire-center-level costs from the Federal Communication Commission's cost model show that large urban-to-rural and business-to-residential inequities are embedded in local rates. In the average state, rates in its high-cost areas are lower than rates in its low-cost areas. This disparity in rates grows as the relative cost of serving a state's rural customers increases. Residential rates are equal to about one-half the business rate, holding costs constant. Interestingly, costs in outlying areas appear to have a larger impact on urban rates than the cost of serving urban customers. The evidence suggests that states are in the process of rebalancing business and residential rates. These efforts are more pronounced in states that allowed competition before 1996. The data suggest that the rebalancing process is incomplete.
Superconductor Flux Pinning and Grain Boundary Control

Ten years ago, a new class of high-transition temperature superconductors was discovered. This led to much excitement about potential technologies, but this potential has not been realized. In his Perspective, Larbalestier discusses recent results published in Science by Yang and Lieber (p. 1836) and by Norton et al . (p. 755), which may offer ways to improve the ability of superconductors to carry high currents.
Calculation of nuclear magnetic resonance shielding constants using potential-based methods

Abstract We present the calculation of nuclear magnetic resonance shielding constants using a range of different methods. In particular we examine two new methods proposed by Yang and Wu which are based on the Kohn–Sham potential. The first is a method which reproduces an accurate input density (WY) and the second is an implementation of the optimised effective potential method. We find that these methods give results which are very similar to each other and when the methods are applied to a hybrid functional (e.g. B3LYP) we obtain good agreement with experiment.
Intrastriatal administration of human immunodeficiency virus‐1 glycoprotein 120 reduces glial cell‐line derived neurotrophic factor levels and causes apoptosis in the substantia nigra

Uninfected neurons of the substantia nigra (SN) degenerate in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients through an unknown etiology. The HIV envelope glycoprotein 120 (gp120) causes apoptotic neuronal cell death in the rodent striatum, but its primary neurotoxic mechanism is still under investigation. Previous studies have shown that gp120 causes neurotoxicity in the rat striatum by reducing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Because glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and BDNF are neurotrophic factors crucial for the survival of dopaminergic neurons of the SN, we investigated whether gp120 reduces GDNF and BDNF levels concomitantly to induce apoptosis. Rats received a microinjection of gp120 or vehicle into the striatum and were sacrificed at various time intervals. GDNF but not BDNF immunoreactivity was decreased in the SN by 4 days in gp120-treated rats. In these animals, a significant increase in the number of caspase-3- positive neurons, both tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive and -negative, was observed. Analysis of TH immunoreactivity revealed fewer TH-positive neurons and fibers in a medial and lateral portion of cell group A9 of the SN, an area that projects to the striatum, suggesting that gp120 induces retrograde degeneration of nigrostriatal neurons. We propose that dysfunction of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system associated with HIV may be caused by a reduction of neurotrophic factor expression by gp120.
Reconsidering Gender Bias in Intrahousehold Allocation in India

Abstract Finding evidence of gender discrimination among children in the intrahousehold allocation of goods has often proven to be difficult. This article uses data on education expenditures in India to test whether data aggregation, data reliability and the statistical method used help explain this pattern. Results suggest that discrimination against girls is increasing in age and robust to the statistical method and the expenditure measure at the all-India level, although state-level results are more sensitive. I find that data aggregation and statistical method are important factors in detecting gender bias, while data reliability does not seem to play a major role.
PTHrP Signaling Targets Cyclin D1 and Induces Osteoblastic Cell Growth Arrest

PTHrP control of the MC3T3-E1 cell cycle machinery showed that, during differentiation, PTHrP induced G1 growth arrest. Cyclin D1 was a critical mediator as a downstream effector of cAMP, PKC, and MAPK signaling, and the process was PKA-independent. The involvement of JunB has been found critical for PTHrP effects. Introduction: PTH-related protein (PTHrP) has been implicated in the control of bone cell turnover, but the mechanisms underlying its effect on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation have not been clearly defined. The mechanisms by which PTHrP impacts cell cycle proteins and the role of signaling pathways in differen- tiated osteoblasts were studied. Materials and Methods: To elucidate the role of PTHrP, flow cytometric analyses were performed using MC3T3-E1 and primary mouse calvarial cells. Relative protein abundance (Western blot), physical association of partners (immunoprecipitation), and kinase activities (in vitro kinase assays using either GST-Rb or H1- histone as substrates) of cell cycle-associated proteins in vehicle and PTHrP-treated 7-day differentiated cells were determined. ELISA and/or Northern blot analyses were done to evaluate JunB and cyclin D1 expression. SiRNA-mediated gene silencing experiments were performed to silence JunB protein. Finally, inhibitors of cAMP, protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were used to determine involvement of different signaling pathways. Results: PTHrP inhibited cyclin D1 protein expression 7-fold in a dose- and time-dependent manner and increased the level of p16 protein in differentiated osteoblasts. Additionally, PTHrP reduced cyclin D1-CDK4/ CDK6 and CDK1 kinase activities. Forskolin, a cAMP agonist, mimicked PTHrP action, and the PKC inhibitor, GF109203X, slightly blocked downregulation of cyclin D1, implying involvement of both cAMP and PKC. U0126, a MAPK inhibitor, alone decreased cyclin D1 protein, suggesting that the basal cyclin D1 protein is MAPK dependent. H-89, a PKA inhibitor, did not alter the effect of PTHrP on cyclin D1, suggesting a PKA-independent mechanism. Finally, expression of JunB, an activating protein-1 transcription factor, was significantly upregulated, and silencing JunB (siRNA) partially reversed the cyclin D1 response, implying involvement of JunB in the PTHrP-mediated growth arrest of MC3T3-E1 cells. Conclusion: PTHrP upregulates JunB and reduces cyclin D1 expression while inducing G1 cell cycle arrest in differentiated osteoblasts. Such regulation could be an important determinant of the life span and bone- forming activity of osteoblasts. J Bone Miner Res 2005;20:1051-1064. Published online on January 18, 2005; doi: 10.1359/JBMR.050106
Abstract A107: Variation in the prolactin and prolactin receptor genes and familial breast cancer

Background: Breast cancer aggregates within some families, accounting for about 25% of incident cases. Known genetic variants, such as BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations, account for less than 10% of these familial breast cancer cases, thus, research into additional risk or protective genetic factors for familial breast cancer may provide valuable information for risk stratification. Serum levels of prolactin have been associated with sporadic breast cancer risk in previous studies. We sought to test the hypothesis that variation in the genes coding for prolactin (PRL) and the prolactin receptor (PRLR) would be associated with increased or decreased risk of familial breast cancer. Methods: We designed a case-control study of probands recruited between 1998 and 2009 by the UCLA Family Cancer Registry; a population enriched with women having a strong family history of breast cancer and BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carriers. Genotyping of tagSNPs in PRL (n=11) and PRLR (n=28) was performed in 351 unrelated women who developed breast cancer and 290 unaffected controls with similar family histories to the cases. Multivariate logistic regression models controlling for age, Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, education, and number of affected relatives were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between SNPs and familial breast cancer. Genotype specific ORs as well as per-allele (additive model) ORs were calculated. Results: Familial breast cancer risk was inversely associated with carriership of the minor alleles for three PRLR SNPs in the additive models, rs9292573 (OR=0.7, 95% CI=0.5-0.9), rs10805603 (OR=0.6, 95% CI=0.4-0.9), and rs1587607 (OR=0.7, 95% CI=0.5-1.0). PRLR SNP rs249522 was associated with increased risk of cancer in the additive model (OR=1.8, 95% CI =1.2-2.7). Minor allele carriers of the PRL SNP rs12210179, located in a putative transcription factor binding site, had a decreased risk of cancer in the additive model (OR=0.7, 95% CI=0.5-0.9). Conclusion: These data suggest that genetic variation in PRL and PRLR are associated with breast cancer in a population with a strong family history of breast cancer. Citation Format: Shehnaz K. Hussain, Mary Sehl, Daniel Conn, Janet S. Sinsheimer, Uma Dandekar, Jeanette Papp, Zuo-Feng Zhang, Patricia A. Ganz. Variation in the prolactin and prolactin receptor genes and familial breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A107.
Wood quality in alleycropped eastern black walnut

Thinnings from a 15-year-old eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) agroforestry plantation in SW Missouri (USA) were evaluated to determine the influence of cropping practices on wood quality. Growth rate was found to be strongly affected by weed control and cropping practices while specific gravity and fiber length (measured in selected stems) were found to be weakly affected. of Missouri's Agricutural Experiment Station Journal Series.
Brains, machines and buildings: towards a neuromorphic architecture

We introduce neuromorphic architecture, exploring ways to incorporate lessons from studying real, biological brains to devise computational systems based on the findings of neuroscience that can be used in intelligent buildings, adding a new biologically grounded perspective to the more general view that future buildings are to be constructed as perceiving, acting and adapting entities. For clarity, the term ‘brain’ is reserved for the brains of animals and humans in this article, whereas the term ‘interactive infrastructure’ refers to the analogous system within a building. Key concepts of neuroscience are presented at sufficient length to support preliminary analysis of the possible influence of neurobiological data on the design and properties of interactive infrastructures for future buildings. Ada – the intelligent space, a pavilion visited by over 550,000 guests at the Swiss National Exhibition of 2002, had an interactive infrastructure based (in part) on artificial neural networks (ANNs), had ‘emot...
Role of CD8+ T lymphocytes in control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

Tuberculosis remains a global health concern. Control of infection is dependent on cell-mediated immune responses, with CD4+ T lymphocytes playing a central role. In this article, data supporting the importance of CD8+ T lymphocytes is reviewed, with an emphasis on the unique functional roles that this lymphocyte subset may play.
Corpus cavernosum as an emergency vascular access in dogs

Rationale and Objectives. We investigated the feasibility of using the corpus cavernosum as an emergency vascular access in dogs with severe hypovolemia. Methods. Five male mongrel dogs were brought to hypovolemic shock by withdrawal of blood through an internal jugular venous line. Using the corpus cavernosum as a venous access, normal saline was injected through a 23-gauge needle at the highest possible rate. Cavernosography was performed under fluoroscopy to verify the accurate position of the needle tip. Blood volumes were measured using 125I-labeled human serum albumin. Results. Before the dogs were bled, their mean systolic blood pressure was 121.4 (mean) ± 5.2 (standard error) mm Hg and their mean blood volume was 1,835.2 ± 139.7 ml. The mean volume of blood removed from the dogs was 710.0 ± 67.8 ml. The mean systolic pressure during shock was 40.8 ± 2.2 mm Hg. After fluid resuscitation; the mean systolic pressure recovered to 114.6 ± 4.6 mm Hg and their mean blood volume increased to 1,763.2 ± 112.7 ml. The mean rate of saline infusion into the corpus cavernosum was 50.2 ± 0.7 ml/min. Conclusion. The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of using the corpus cavernosum as an alternative route for fluid resuscitation in severely hypovolemic dogs.
Improvements in Radar Data Presentation

This paper describes an application of the storage tube to marine radar, for providing an automatic plot of the equipped vessel as well as all other vessels within the radar's range. It further describes a new type of presentation which combines relative motion with true motion in a manner easily understood by the mariner and which requires no understanding by him, of new concepts. In addition to providing six different types of presentation, the system for the first time furnishes a means of directly determining the aspect, true course, and true speed of other vessels without auxiliary plotting and without calculations.
Misrepair of overlapping daughter strand gaps as a possible mechanism for UV induced mutagenesis in UVR strains of Escherichia coli: a general model for induced mutagenesis by misrepair (SOS repair) of closely spaced DNA lesions.

Abstract It has been previously reported that an inducible form of post-replication repair appeared to be required for UV induced mutagenesis in a uvrA strain of Escherichia coli. It is shown here that the numbers of daughter strand gaps requiring inducible repair were similar to the numbers calculated to be overlapping one another in opposite daughter chromosomes. An estimation of survival with no repair of these gaps resembled the survival predicted with no mutagenesis. It is thus proposed that inducible post-replication repair causes mutagenesis by the repair of overlapping daughter strand gaps. A general model for induced mutagenesis is presented. It is proposed that (a) some DNA lesions introduced by any DNA damaging agent may be close enough to interfere with constitutive repair replication of each other, (b) these lesions induce a repair system (SOS repair) which involves the recA+, lexA+ and polC+ genes (c) repair, and concomitant mutagenesis occurs during repair replication by the insertion of mismatched bases opposite the noncoding DNA lesions.
New developments in the behavioral ecology and conservation of ruffed lemurs (Varecia)

The papers in this issue were presented at a symposium during the 25th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in June 2002. This symposium brought together many of the scientists who have contributed to our knowledge of ruffed lemur ecology, behavior, and conservation in the past decade. One objective was to share and compare key findings about ruffed lemurs (Varecia) resulting from long-term field studies at various sites in Madagascar. A second objective was to cross-fertilize work being done in the wild with that being done in captivity, with the aim of advancing a common conservation mission for this critically endangered genus. Varecia is a prime candidate for synthetic assessments such as these because it has now been studied in both the northern and southern reaches of its geographic range, and has also been the focus of a captive-to-wild reinforcement project. The papers in this issue contribute to 1) the establishment of reference ranges for a suite of physiological parameters in healthy wild Varecia populations; 2) environmental enrichment aimed at preserving species-typical behaviors in captivity; 3) an understanding of how forest structure, floristic composition, and fruiting phenology in areas with differing disturbance histories correlate with the natural occurrence and abundance of Varecia; 4) primary knowledge concerning dominance relations between the sexes and group leadership in wild Varecia; and 5) primary knowledge concerning how wild Varecia, with their unusual reproductive pattern and heavy reliance on fruit, modulate their activity budgets seasonally and in tandem with reproductive stages. Am. J. Primatol. 66:1–6, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioners in Interdisciplinary Care of High-risk Infants

Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) have become an integral component of interdisciplinary care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). They provide competent and cost-effective care for infants both in the NICU and following discharge. Although most NNPs care for infants in level III NICUs, they also provide other services, including functioning as first responders for high-risk deliveries and emergency services in level I and II nurseries and caring for infants in outpatient settings such as high-risk newborn follow-up clinics and pediatricians’ offices. By providing holistic, comprehensive, and consistent care to high-risk infants, NNPs facilitate optimal care to vulnerable infants both in the hospital and following discharge. The functions and achievements of NNPs are intrinsically bound to their collaborative relationships with neonatologists and other health-care practitioners. Collaboration is imperative for providing safe, optimal care; decreasing medical errors; developing evidence-based guidelines; facilitating interdisciplinary research; and educating various health-care practitioners. NNPs can serve as role models for interdisciplinary care of high-risk infants that crosses conventional role boundaries. This article discusses the history, role, and unique contributions of NNPs.
Regional blood-brain barrier permeability to water and cerebral blood flow during status epilepticus: Insensitivity to norepinephrine depletion

To test whether status epilepticus alters regional blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability to water when systemic hypertension is avoided, and whether central noradrenergic innervation contributes to the regulation of BBB in this setting, Wistar rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesion of the nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) were subjected to 8 min of bicuculline-induced status epilepticus while ventilated with 100% oxygen; arterial normotension was preserved by withdrawal of arterial blood as required. Regional cerebral blood flow and permeability-times-surface-area product (PS) for water were measured by a double-label modification of the Kety integral strategy, with [14C]butanol and [3H]water, respectively. In normocapnic control rats, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was 1.92 +/- 0.57 ml/g/min and water extraction fraction was 0.81 +/- 0.08 (S.D.). Values in control rats breathing 100% oxygen were similar. During status epilepticus, rCBF increased two- to three-fold; water extraction fraction declined, but there were no significant side-to-side differences for either rCBF or regional PS product for water in LC-lesioned animals despite an 81% reduction of cortical norepinephrine content on the lesioned side. The PS product for water increased by 42% during status epilepticus, but the flow vs PS-product relationship did not depart from that predicted on the basis of data in control rats. Thus, when systemic hypertension is prevented, brief status epilepticus does not induce abnormal BBB permeability to water, and unilateral LC lesion fails to influence either rCBF or the cerebrovascular PS product for water.
Introduction To Quadratic Forms Over Fields

Foundations Introduction to Witt rings Quaternion algebras and their norm forms The Brauer-Wall group Clifford algebras Local fields and global fields Quadratic forms under algebraic extensions Formally real fields, real-closed fields, and pythagorean fields Quadratic forms under transcendental extensions Pfister forms and function fields Field invariants Special topics in quadratic forms Special topics on invariants Bibliography Index.
2 Triority: The Advantages of Simultaneous Deployment of Integrated Product Teams, Object Oriented Analysis/Design and Formal Inspections

As systems engineers, we tend to take a focused, sequential approach to getting things done. We list the tasks that must be performed, determine which one to begin with, implement it, and move on to the next. We call this establishing priority, and accept this as the right way to achieve our goals. My experience with Integrated Product Development, Object Oriented Engineering and Formal Inspections suggests that sometimes you need a little something more – I call it triority, because making all three of these initiatives your top priority is the key to success.
Asymptotics for Voronoi tessellations on random samples

Abstract Let V ( X 1 ,…, X n ) denote the total edge length of the Voronoi tessellation on random variables X 1 ,…, X n . If X 1 , X 2 ,… are independent and have a common continuous density f ( x ) on the unit square which is bounded away from 0 and ∞ then it is shown that lim n→∞ V(X 1 ,…,X n ) n 1/2 =2 ∫ [0,1] 2 (f(x)) 1/2 d x c.c., where c.c. denotes complete convergence.
Some Properties of Tests for Specification Error in a Linear Regression Model

Abstract This article considers the test reset which is intended to detect a nonzero mean of the disturbance in a linear regression model. Analysis of an approximation to the test statistic's distribution and Monte Carlo experiments reveal that the power of the test may decline as the size of the disturbance mean increases. However, the possibility is remote and declines with increasing sample size. Alternative sets of test variables are considered, and their effect on the power of the test is studied in Monte Carlo experiments. The best set seems to be composed of powers of the explanatory variables.
On the Pressure Gradient Force over Steep Topography in Sigma Coordinate Ocean Models

Abstract The error in computing the pressure gradient force near steep topography using terms following (σ) coordinates is investigated in an ocean model using the family of vertical differencing schemes proposed by Arakawa and Suarez. The truncation error is estimated by substituting known buoyancy profiles into the finite difference hydrostatic and pressure gradient terms. The error due to “hydrostatic inconsistency,” which is not simply a space truncation error, is also documented. The results show that the pressure gradient error is spread throughout the water column, and it is sensitive to the vertical resolution and to the placement of the grid points relative to the vertical structure of the buoyancy field being modeled. Removing a reference state, as suggested for the atmosphere by Gary, reduces the truncation error associated with the two lowest vertical modes by a factor of 2 to 3. As an example, the error in computing the pressure gradient using a standard 10-level primitive equation model appl...
AN EXTENSION OF THE "STEROID NUMBER" CONCEPT TO RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE STRUCTURE OF STEROIDS AND THEIR GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHIC RETENTION TIMES OBSERVED WITH SELECTIVE PHASES.

Abstract The “steroid number” concept was described in an earlier paper; this provides a means of correlating the structure of steroids with their retention-tine behavior in gas-liquid chromatography. Steroid numbers determined with a non-selective phase (methylsilicone polymer) are independent of small changes in experimental variables (flow rate, amount of phase, temperature) which are difficult to control with high precision in ordinary gas-chromatographic apparatus. The possible extension of this concept to work with selective phases (neopentylglycol succinate polyester and fluoroalkylsilicone polymer) has been explored. The variation of steroid numbers with temperature (over a 20° range) is larger in some instances when a selective phase is used than was observed with methylsilicone polymer. The values are essentially independent of flow rate and amount of phase over the useful range of experimental conditions. Steroid numbers determined with a selective phase may be used to indicate the number, nature, position and stereochemical arrangement of the functional groups which are present.
Modulation of human colonic lamina propria lymphocyte proliferation: effect of bile acids and oxidized fatty acids

Bile acids were been implicated in several pathologic processes, such as secretory diarrhea, carcinogenesis, and immunomodulation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Nevertheless, their effect on the human gut immune system is not known. In this study we investigate the effect of several bile acids (cholate, deoxycholate, chenodeoxycholate) and 13-hydroperoxylinoleic acid (conc. 0.1–1000, μM) on human colonic lamina propria lymphocyte (LPL) DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. In addition, the effect of these bile acids on LPL ornithine decarboxylase activity was also determined. Significant dose-dependent inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation in Con A-stimulated LPL was observed. Parallel inhibition was seen on LPL cell proliferation. Furthermore, bile acids inhibited ornithine decarboxylase activity in Con A-stimulated LPL. These effects on cell proliferation were not due to the LPL cytolysis as viability and cell membrane integrity were not altered. Our results suggest that bile acid has an immunoregulatory function on the human mucosal immune system and may have a role during pathological states.
Sudden Death and the Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome

A 38-year-old female with a history of palpitations, premature ventricular contractions, and a systolic murmur collapsed suddenly and died. Postmortem studies showed shortened chordae tendinae and myxomatous transformation of both mitral leaflets. As this syndrome becomes more clinically recognizable it appears that its benignancy is diminishing. Thus, it is felt that patients with findings of ventricular extrasystoles and a systolic murmur should have a careful cardiac evaluation to determine the presence of the floppy mitral valve or ballooning mitral leaflet syndrome and that appropriate measures for treatment be taken when necessary.
Three-dimensional time-dependent non equilibrium modeling of arc and jet dynamics in DC plasma torches

Summary form only given. The industrial relevance of thermal plasmas has motivated the development of more detailed mathematical and numerical models for their realistic simulation. Recent modeling results have emphasized the necessity for non- equilibrium models for the realistic simulation of these flows. In this research, a three-dimensional, time-dependent, non- equilibrium (two-temperature) model is applied to the simulation of the flow through a commercial DC arc plasma torch and the generated jet. The mathematical and numerical models, as well as the geometry and boundary conditions used, are similar to those in [1]. The numerical results for Ar plasma show marked thermal non-equilibrium in the interface between the jet and the surrounding gas (indicated by the arrow), as evidenced by high values of electron temperature Te and the thermal non-equilibrium parameter. This result is significant because the high values of Te can have a marked effect on the chemistry of the plasma and the processing material. In addition, the results are able to reproduce the large scale structures of the jet caused by the forcing produced by the arc dynamics inside the torch.
Differential privacy: a survey of results

Over the past five years a new approach to privacy-preserving data analysis has born fruit [13, 18, 7, 19, 5, 37, 35, 8, 32]. This approach differs from much (but not all!) of the related literature in the statistics, databases, theory, and cryptography communities, in that a formal and ad omnia privacy guarantee is defined, and the data analysis techniques presented are rigorously proved to satisfy the guarantee. The key privacy guarantee that has emerged is differential privacy. Roughly speaking, this ensures that (almost, and quantifiably) no risk is incurred by joining a statistical database. In this survey, we recall the definition of differential privacy and two basic techniques for achieving it. We then show some interesting applications of these techniques, presenting algorithms for three specific tasks and three general results on differentially private learning.
High levels of microbial biomass and activity in unvegetated tropical and temperate alpine soils

Barren high-altitude soils are among the most extreme terrestrial environments on Earth. The present study was undertaken to quantify broad-scale patterns of total microbial biomass in unvegetated soils in the subnival zone of the Colorado Front Range and the high Andes of Peru. In order to better understand the limiting factors and substrates used by this community, we measured microbial biomass C, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total organic carbon (TOC), soil gravimetric water content, and extracellular enzyme activity. To further investigate substrate limitation in these alpine soils, respiration after substrate addition was measured for samples from three sites in Colorado. In general, the abundance of microbes in these soils is positively correlated with soil water content. However, Peru talus soils had higher average microbial biomass than Colorado soils despite the Peru soils being higher in altitude and drier than the Colorado sites. Furthermore, the activity of the heterotrophic portion of the microbial community appears to be limited first by carbon and then by phosphorus as indicated both by results from extracellular enzyme assays and substrate addition experiments.
Computerized physician order entry of medications and clinical decision support can improve problem list documentation compliance.

Abstract Objective The problem list is a key and required element of the electronic medical record (EMR). Problem lists may contribute substantially to patient safety and quality of care. Physician documentation of the problem list is often lower than desired. Methods are needed to improve accuracy and completeness of the problem list. Design An automated clinical decision support (CDS) intervention was designed utilizing a commercially available EMR with computerized physician order entry (CPOE) and CDS. The system was based on alerts delivered during inpatient medication CPOE that prompted clinicians to add a diagnosis to the problem list. Each alert was studied for a 2-month period after implementation. Measurements Measures included alert validity, alert yield, and accuracy of problem list additions. Results At a 450 bed teaching hospital, the number of medication orders which triggered alerts during all 2-month study periods was 1011. For all the alerts, the likelihood of a valid alert (an alert that occurred in patients with one of the predefined diagnoses) was 96±1%. The alert yield, defined as occuring when an alert led to addition of a problem to the problem list, was 76±2%. Accurate problem list additions, defined as additions of problems when the problem was determined to be present by expert review, was 95±1%. Conclusion The CDS problem list mechanism was integrated into the process of medication order placement and promoted relatively accurate addition of problems to the EMR problem list.
Using measurements to validate simulation models of TCP/IP over high speed ATM wide area networks

Predicting the performance of high speed wide area ATM networks (WANs) is a difficult task. Evaluating the performance of these systems by means of mathematical models is not yet feasible. As a result, the creation of simulation models is usually the only means of predicting and evaluating the performance of such systems. We use measurements to validate simulation models of TCP/IP over high speed ATM wide area networks. Validation of simulations with measurements is not common; however, it is needed so that simulation models can be used with confidence to accurately characterize the performance of ATM WANs. In addition, the appropriate level of fidelity of the simulation models needs to be determined. The results show that feasible simulations models can accurately predict the performance of complex high speed ATM wide area networks.
Word-of-Mouth Communication and Percolation in Social Networks †

This paper develops a model of demand, pricing and advertising in the presence of social learning via word-of-mouth communication between friends. In the model consumers must receive information about a monopolist’s product in order to consider purchasing it. The presence of word-of-mouth is not sufficient for demand to be more elastic and prices to be lower compared to an informed population. I derive the comparative static results of connectivity, mean-preserving spread of friendships, and clustering of friends on prices. The optimal targets for advertising are not, generically, the individuals with the most friends. (JEL L12, L14) A fundamental issue for economists is understanding the process by which demand is formed through social learning by consumers. This article develops a framework, based on random graphs, for understanding the ways social learning, via
Triglyceride content of supercritical carbon dioxide extracted fractions of beef fat

Beef fat was fractionated using supercritical carbon dioxide at 40 o C and pressures from 10.3-27.6 MPa. Extractions followed by one or two stage separation were collected at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature. Triglyceride analysis of extracts using HPLC and evaporative light scattering detection resolved 15 major peaks. Triglyceride content (mg/g extract) was influenced by extraction conditions. Extraction at 27.6 MPa and separation at 20.7 MPa resulted in highest triglyceride concentration, while 13.8 MPa resulted in the lowest. Saturated and monounsaturated triglycerides were selectively extracted based on solvent density and molecular weight. Little selectivity of polyunsaturated triglycerides was observed for fractionating beef fat
Diffusive low optical depth particle discs truncated by planets

Two-dimensional particle discs in proximity to a planet are numerically integrated to determine when a planet in a circular orbit can truncate a particle disc. Collisions are treated by giving each particle a series of velocity perturbations during the integration. We estimate the mass of a planet required to truncate a particle disc as a function of collision rate, related to the disc optical depth, and velocity perturbation size, related to the disc velocity dispersion. We find that for particle discs in the regime estimated for debris discs, a Neptune mass planet is sufficiently massive to truncate the disc. If both the velocity dispersion and the disc optical depth are low (dispersion less than approximately 0.02 in units of circular motion, and optical depth less than 10 −4 ) then an Earth mass planet suffices. We find that the disc is smooth and axisymmetric unless the velocity perturbation is small and the planet mass is of the order of or greater than a Neptune mass in which case azimuthal structure is seen near prominent mean motion resonances.
Orphan Drug Development—International Program and Study Design Issues

The incentives established by the United States Orphan Drug Act in 1983 initiated significant changes within the pharmaceutical industry regarding resources expended to develop products to treat diseases and conditions lacking commercial markets. America's solution to the orphan drug problem has had worldwide impact and has contributed to an orphan drug law in Japan, proposed legislation in the European Union, and the initiation of a process whereby most Food and Drug Administration-approved orphan drugs and biological products will be similarly approved in Australia.The international research community faces unique concerns regarding trial design required to obtain approval of products to treat rare diseases. Although safety and efficacy for orphan products cannot be compromised, certain factors impact the research approach and present obstacles to investigators: the life-threatening nature of many orphan diseases; the fact that no other treatment may be available for patients other than the study drug; ...
SiC-GTO thyristor gate and drift-region dopant polarity analysis using electrothermal simulation

Two-dimensional electrothermal simulations were done to improve the reliability of high-power SiC-GTO thyristors. Transient mixed mode results indicate that less device heating occurs in a given number of cycles if the drift and the gate contact regions are both donor doped rather than the conventional design using a donor-doped gated region and an acceptor-doped drift region. The hot spot was also observed to move from beneath the gate at the start of turnoff to the corner formed by mesa isolation and finally end up in the center of the anode finger at the end of the turnoff process.
Production of basic emotions by children with congenital blindness: Evidence for the embodiment of theory of mind

Children with congenital blindness are delayed in understanding other people's minds. The present study examined whether this delay was related to a more primitive form of inter-subjectivity by which infants draw correspondence between parental mirroring of the infant's display and proprioceptive sensations. Twenty children with congenital blindness and 20 typically-developing sighted children aged between 4 and 12 years were administered a series of tasks examining false belief and emotion understanding and production. The blind children scored lower on the false belief tasks and did not convey emotions facially to adult observers as accurately as sighted participants. The adults' ratings of the children's expressions were correlated with the children's scores on the false belief tasks. It is suggested that understanding people's minds might be anchored in primitive embodied forms of relatedness.
DISCIPLINING RELATIVISM AND TRUTH

. Imre Lakatos's philosophy of science can provide helpful leads for theological methodology, but only when mediated by the disciplines that lie between the natural sciences and theology. The questions of relativism and truth are used as indices for comparing disciplines, and Lakatos's theory of natural science is taken as the starting point. Major modifications of Lakatos's work are demanded as one moves from the natural sciences, through economics, the interpretive social sciences, literary theory, and into theology. Although theology may consist of Lakatosian research programs, it also includes programs of interpretation and programs for living. This conclusion must influence our definition of theological truth and our assessment of theological relativism.
Hardware Correlation of Ultra-Wideband RF Signals Generated via Optical Pulse Shaping

We report hardware auto-and cross-correlation measurements of ultrawideband (UWU) RF waveforms generated photonically. Correlation peaks with widths in the SO to 100 ps range arc demonstrated, indicating that our waveform generation and processing setup operates over much of the 3.1-10.6 GHz UWB band.
Membrane and Flashing Defects in Low-Slope Roofing: Causes and Effects on Performance

Good roof performance requires proper design and specification, quality materials, professional workmanship, and proactive maintenance. Shortcomings in any phase of roof asset management will compromise performance and shorten service life. The objective of this study was to identify relationships between roof asset management processes and performance problems identified in an inventory of United States Army low-slope membrane roofs. First a review of literature pertaining to roof asset management was conducted. Next, a large Army roof inspection database was analyzed to identify the types and relative frequencies of common defects, and their impacts on performance. The writers and experienced inspectors then applied both engineering and field experience to provide expert analysis of the data. Approximately 75% of the performance problems in the sampled inventory were attributable to deficiencies caused by factors other than natural degradation. The writers conclude that roof performance can be significantly improved by strengthening quality assurance processes during installation, particularly by ensuring that installers comply with contract specifications and utilize industry-accepted construction practices.