cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Research Digest: Transition Assessment:

The purpose of this article is to review recent literature on the assessment of students' needs and preferences for transition services. A number of perspectives are presented. While the articles contribute to our knowledge and thinking about the topic, there seems to be a lack of consensus regarding the most appropriate approaches to take in the assessment of transition needs and preferences. Much more experimentation is needed with various types of instruments, how to use these instruments, and when to use these instruments, in order to assist in the development of instruments that can be used with confidence.
Friends, Depressive Symptoms, and Life Satisfaction Among Older Korean Americans.

This study examined the interactive effects of social network support and depressive symptoms on life satisfaction among older Korean Americans (KAs). Using data from a sample of 200 elders in a large metropolitan area (M age = 72.50, SD = 5.15), hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the interaction between social network support and depressive symptoms on life satisfaction among older KAs. After controlling for demographic variables, both social network support and depressive symptoms were identified as predictors for life satisfaction. Interaction effects indicated strong associations between higher social network support specifically from friends and lower depressive symptoms with higher levels of life satisfaction. Findings highlight the important role that friends play in terms of social network support for the mental health of older KAs, and the need for geriatric practitioners to monitor and assess the quality of social network support—including friendships—when working with older KAs.
The Optical Image Transformer

In principle, the use of longer slits is indicated in spectroscopy wherever the resolution is energy limited. Various problems arise, however, as slits are lengthened beyond the conventional limits. This paper sets forth practical solutions to some of these difficulties through the use of an image transformation method, and discusses the advantages and limitations of the schemes suggested.
A direct recording ocean bottom seismometer

We have designed a simple, cheap and reliable ocean-bottom seismometer. Signals from three-component geophones are recorded directly on magnetic tape running continuously at a speed of 1 mm s1. Time reference is derived from a temperature-compensated quartz crystal oscillator and encoded on a fourth channel as an amplitude modulation of a 20 Hz carrier. A bipolar square-root signal-compression scheme doubles the tape dynamic range to 80 db, and the available bandwidth is 2 to 100 Hz. Tape and batteries are capable of 500-hr operation, and the unique magnetic release comes close to being a fail-safe system. A heavy, high-drag concrete anchor shaped like a flower-pot provides easy launching, fast stable descent and good coupling to the ocean floor. We have had numerous successful field emplacements which have yielded good earthquake and shot-refraction data.
Preparation of radioactive iron from tissue for assay of activity.

Abstract An assay for radioactive iron in tissue is described. Final preparation for the estimation of activity is carried out in cupped sample holders thus avoiding electroplating.
Coal as an abundant source of graphene quantum dots

Coal is widely used for energy generation, but has not been considered for possible functional materials. Here, the authors report the one-step formation of graphene quantum dots from coal at yields of up to 20%, which is advantageous when compared with their syntheses from sp 2-type carbon structures.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF RISK-TAKING BEHAVIOR IN RUNAWAY GIRLS

This study was designed to investigate risk-taking behavior in six runaway and six nonrunaway girls from a local girls' home. Ss were between the ages of 14 and 17 yr., and the six runaways had fled the home at least one time. It was predicted that the runaway Ss would take greater risks than the nonrunaways. This was based on the assumption that the behavior of the runaways represented a spirit of adventurousness or a willingness to take chances to obtain satisfaction. The dependent variable was measured with a risk-taking task called "Clues" developed by Kogan and Wallach (1964). The object of this game is to guess the identity of an object using a minimal number of clues. The Ss were given $1.00 in change and told that they could buy one or more sets of five clues for 25 cents a set and keep the change which they had left after guessing the object correctly. There were four sets of five clues, each clue being different. Thus the risk involved the loss of money as the number of clues increased and the certainty of a correct guess became greater. Each S played two games. For purposes of analysis, the number of clues purchased by each S for both games was combined and a t test was applied. The results were as follows: the M and SD for the runaway Ss were 26.67 and 3.75 respectively, 18.33 and 2.38 for the nonrunaways (t = 4.212, df = 10, p < .005). Thus, the hypothesis was not confirmed. The nonrunaway girls were greater risk-takers than the runaaways. Although no further exploration was made to explain this finding, two possible interpretations are proposed. In the first place, since the runaways were more conservative in risk-taking than the nonrunaways, ic could be that they were more security oriented and that their fleeing behavior did not represent adventurousness and a willingness to gamble but rather a desire to find stability. The nornunaway Ss, on the other hand, were willing to remain in the institution and cope with the uncertainty which existed in that environment. Alternatively, it is possible that the runaways were, in realicy, risk-takers, but when confronted with an "establishment game" became wary and conservative in order to avoid failing the task and facing criticism; in other words, the consequences of failure in this situation were too great for them to chance. REFERENCE
Image Segmentation and Reflection Analysis Through Color

In this paper, we present an approach to color image understanding that can be used to segment and analyze surfaces with color variations due to highlights and shading. We begin with a theory that relates the reflected light from dielectric materials, such as plastic, to fundamental physical reflection processes, and describes the color of the reflected light as a linear combination of the color of the light due to surface reflection (highlights) and body reflection (object color). This theory is used in an algorithm that separates a color image into two parts: an image of just the highlights, and the original image with the highlights removed. In the past, we have applied this method to hand-segmented images. The current paper shows how to perform automatic segmentation method by applying this theory in stages to identify the object and highlight colors. The result is a combination of segmentation and reflection analysis that is better than traditional heuristic segmentation methods (such as histogram thresholding), and provides important physical information about the surface geometry and material properties at the same time. We also show the importance of modeling the camera properties for this kind of quantitative analysis of color. This line of research cRn lead to physics-based image segmentation methods that are both more reliable and more useful than traditional segmentation methods.
Dramatic response of follicular thyroid carcinoma with superior vena cava syndrome and tracheal obstruction to external-beam radiotherapy

We report a patient with follicular thyroid carcinoma progressing to superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome and tracheal obstruction despite multiple doses of radioactive iodine therapy but subsequently responding dramatically to external-beam radiotherapy (RT). Although RT is not considered to be the treatment of choice for follicular carcinoma, RT in our patient produced unequivocal improvement of SVC syndrome and tracheal obstruction.
Perspectives: Assuring The Solvency Of Provider-Sponsored Organizations

Groups of physicians arc forming provider-sponsored organizations to meet changing market needs. Should these risk-bearing groups he regulated as insurers to assure their solvency?
Defining Service Coordination: A Social Work Perspective

To address fragmentation, social workers are encouraged to "coordinate." This pilot study explores the meaning of, and factors that facilitate or prevent "coordination" and is intended as a first step toward future conceptual refinement, theory development, and system interventions. Using data from treatment guidelines archived by the National Guideline Clearinghouse (n=9) and semi-structured interviews with social workers (n=4), themes related to the definition, indicators, and perceptions of coordination were explored using a grounded theory approach. Data suggest the need for coordination is driven by complex client needs, but the quality of providers' personal relationships influence coordination. Future research might examine the impact of standardization of roles, referral procedures, and treatment philosophies.
A modified procedure for parallel analysis of ordered categorical data.

Parallel analysis has been well documented to be an effective and accurate method for determining the number of factors to retain in exploratory factor analysis. The O’Connor (2000) procedure for parallel analysis has many benefits and is widely applied, yet it has a few shortcomings in dealing with missing data and ordinal variables. To address these technical issues, we adapted and modified the O’Connor procedure to provide an alternative method that better approximates the ordinal data by factoring in the frequency distributions of the variables (e.g., the number of response categories and the frequency of each response category per variable). The theoretical and practical differences between the modified procedure and the O’Connor procedure are discussed. The SAS syntax for implementing this modified procedure is also provided.
Recommendations for the first course computer science

Working under the Curriculum Committee of the Education Board of the ACM, the committee has developed a detailed analysis of the requirements of the first course in computer science as described in the current ACM curriculum guidelines. The report includes the material which should be included in such a course and also recommendations for effective presentation of the material. Discussion of the computer laboratory and implications of increased exposure to programming experiences by incoming students is included.
A potassium cryptate‐2,2,2 salt of tri­carbonyl(η4‐cyclo­penta­diene)manganese

Use of [Mn(η4-C6H6)(CO)3]− prepared by anthracenide reduction of [Mn(η6-C6H6)(CO)3]PF6 provides access to the title compound, (4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,l0-di­aza­bi­cyclo­­[8.8.8]­hexa­cosane)­potassium tri­carbonyl­(cyclo­penta­di­ene)­manganate(I), [K(C18H36N2O6)][Mn(C5H6)(CO)3], by reaction of [Mn(η4-C6H6)(CO)3]− with excess of the cyclo­penta­diene monomer (C5H6) at 195 K. In the title compound, there is octacoordination of potassium by two N and six O atoms of the 4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,l0-di­aza­bi­cyclo­[8.8.8]­hexa­co­sane and η4-coordination of the diene in an envelope conformation to the Mn(CO)3− center, with the methyl­ene group folded out of the coordination plane.
Hydroxylation by the Hydroperoxy-Iron Species in Cytochrome P450 Enzymes

Intramolecular and intermolecular kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) were determined for hydroxylation of the enantiomers of trans-2-(p-trifluoromethylphenyl)cyclopropylmethane (1) by hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes, P450s 2B1, Δ2B4, Δ2B4 T302A, Δ2E1, and Δ2E1 T303A. Two products from oxidation of the methyl group were obtained, unrearranged trans-2-(p-trifluoromethylphenyl)cyclopropylmethanol (2) and rearranged 1-(p-trifluoromethylphenyl)but-3-en-1-ol (3). In intramolecular KIE studies with dideuteriomethyl substrates (1-d2) and in intermolecular KIE studies with mixtures of undeuterated (1-d0) and trideuteriomethyl (1-d3) substrates, the apparent KIE for product 2 was consistently larger than the apparent KIE for product 3 by a factor of ca. 1.2. Large intramolecular KIEs found with 1-d2 (kH/kD = 9−11 at 10 °C) were shown not to be complicated by tunneling effects by variable temperature studies with two P450 enzymes. The results require two independent isotope-sensitive processes in the overall hydroxylati...
The hydraulic architecture of balsam fir (Abies balsamea)

Leaf-specific conductivities (LSCs – hydraulic conductivity per dry weight of supplied leaves). Huber values (transverse sapwood area per dry weight of supplied leaves), specific conductivity (hydraulic conductivity per transverse sapwood area) and tracheid diameters were measured throughout the trunk and crown of 20-year-old trees of Abies balsamca (L.) Mill. Measured specific conductivity was proportional to the radius to the fourth power of tracheids. LSCs, which indicate the relative water availability to different plant parts, are much higher in the trunk than in first order branches, and lowest in second order branches. The structural basis for this “hydraulic hierarchy” lies both in Huber values and in tracheid diameters. For similar diameter stem segments, there was no statistically significant difference for trunks versus branches in specific conductivity. However, in old parts of the tree, trunks are wider than supported branches and producer wider tracheids resulting in greater specific conductivities than in branches. In vigorous trees with strong apical control, Huber values were 12.0 times greater in the trunk than in similar diameter branch segments. In slow-growing trees with weak apical control, Huber values were 2.2 times greater in the trunk versus similar branch segments.
Short term performance forecasting in enterprise systems

We use data mining and machine learning techniques to predict upcoming periods of high utilization or poor performance in enterprise systems. The abundant data available and complexity of these systems defies human characterization or static models and makes the task suitable for data mining techniques. We formulate the problem as one of classification: given current and past information about the system's behavior, can we forecast whether the system will meet its performance targets over the next hour? Using real data gathered from several enterprise systems in Hewlett-Packard, we compare several approaches ranging from time series to Bayesian networks. Besides establishing the predictive power of these approaches our study analyzes three dimensions that are important for their application as a stand alone tool. First, it quantifies the gain in accuracy of multivariate prediction methods over simple statistical univariate methods. Second, it quantifies the variations in accuracy when using different classes of system and workload features. Third, it establishes that models induced using combined data from various systems generalize well and are applicable to new systems, enabling accurate predictions on systems with insufficient historical data. Together this analysis offers a promising outlook on the development of tools to automate assignment of resources to stabilize performance, (e.g., adding servers to a cluster) and allow opportunistic job scheduling (e.g., backups or virus scans).
Contact dermatitis due to endotoxin in irradiated latex gloves

This case report describes contact dermatitis of the dyshidrotic type of the hands of a worker subjected to minor trauma. The source of the irritation was linked to bacterial endotoxin in latex gloves. Irradiated sterilized gloves and software may contain significant endotoxin levels because the irradiation does not affect endotoxin itself. The irradiation of the bacteria actually increases endotoxin levels when the bacterial count is elevated. Sweating under these gloves may enhance entry into the skin with subsequent reaction as endotoxin is water soluble.
Utilization of a human tumor cloning system to monitor for bone marrow involvement in children with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma

The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of two methods for determining bone marrow involvement with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. These methods were histologic review of bone marrow aspirates, and clot sections versus in vitro growth of lymphoma colonies on soft agar. Forty-two bone marrow aspirates were studied from 14 children who were without bone marrow involvement at diagnosis. There were seven bone marrow aspirates (from five patients) that had histologic evidence of metastatic lymphoma. Six of these seven specimens formed colonies in vitro. Twenty-nine of 35 histologically negative specimens showed no lymphoma colony growth. However, six histologically negative specimens (from three patients) formed lymphoma colonies. Both the Fisher's exact test and the K statistic were significant, indicating not only an association between histology and in vitro culture results, but also a close agreement. In addition, growth of lymphoma colonies in vitro was associated statistically with both a short duration of complete remission and a short duration of survival.
N-Terminal Acetylation of Cellular Proteins Creates Specific Degradation Signals

The retained N-terminal methionine (Met) residue of a nascent protein is often N-terminally acetylated (Nt-acetylated). Removal of N-terminal Met by Met-aminopeptidases frequently leads to Nt-acetylation of the resulting N-terminal alanine (Ala), valine (Val), serine (Ser), threonine (Thr), and cysteine (Cys) residues. Although a majority of eukaryotic proteins (for example, more than 80% of human proteins) are cotranslationally Nt-acetylated, the function of this extensively studied modification is largely unknown. Using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we found that the Nt-acetylated Met residue could act as a degradation signal (degron), targeted by the Doa10 ubiquitin ligase. Moreover, Doa10 also recognized the Nt-acetylated Ala, Val, Ser, Thr, and Cys residues. Several examined proteins of diverse functions contained these N-terminal degrons, termed AcN-degrons, which are a prevalent class of degradation signals in cellular proteins.
The ecological cost of morphological specialization: feeding by a fossorial lizard

Head size and shape of reptiles may reflect selection for multiple uses. For example, sexual selection for large head size may enhance feeding efficiency. In contrast, morphological characteristics of the heads of fossorial reptiles suggests that fossoriality may have evolved at the expense of reduced effectiveness in feeding. Our research focused on the question: Does a fossorial lizard feed less effectively than a non-fossorial lizard? To answer this question, we measured the time, number of bites, and oxygen consumption by sand-swimming (Chalcides ocellatus) and epigeal (Eumeces inexpectatus) skinks feeding on crickets. These lizard species were similar in mass, but different in body form: Chalcides had longer bodies and smaller heads than Eumeces. For lizards of the same mass, Chalcides were unable to eat prey as large as those eaten by Eumeces, Chalcides took longer to eat prey of the same size than did Eumeces, and the aerobic energy cost of eating crickets of the same relative size (cricket mass/lizard mass) tended to be greater for Chalcides than for Eumeces. The ecologically relevant costs of feeding appear to be the upper limit to the size of prey and the time of feeding. Both costs would restrict the energy intake per unit time of Chalcides. Moreover, given the same energy requirements and prey community, Chalcides would have to feed more often and would take longer to feed than would Eumeces. Both factors would increase the exposure of Chalcides to predators relative to that of Eumeces. To reduce the risk of predation, Chalcides would have to reduce energy intake or fulfill its energy requirements with relatively small prey, or both. These conclusions are potentially confounded in two ways. The first is that male Eumeces have relatively large heads as a result of sexual selection. Thus, the differences we observed between Chalcides and Eumeces (most of our specimens were males) could have been the result of reduced costs of feeding for Eumeces due to sexual selection and not the result of enhanced costs of feeding for Chalcides. A more likely explanation is that differences in the costs of feeding observed between these species reflect adaptations for fossoriality by Chalcides and sexual selection on Eumeces. Our results may also be confounded because we compared laboratory reared Chalcides with field captured Eumeces. Any deterimental effects of captivity on the vigor of Chalcides would increase their costs of feeding relative to those of Eumeces. Although short-term captivity is not associated with changes in the metabolic capcity of lizards, effects of long-term captivitiy are unknown.
Metavolcanic rocks and their origin, Southern Adirondack mountains, New York

One of the problems associated with massif-type anorthosite in high grade metamorphic terranes is the absence of anorthositic extrusives. However, if anorthosite formed by crystal segregation, volcanic equivalents of the final fluid differentiate might occur. Massive, stratiform hornblende-garnet granitic gneisses occur between two metasedimentary sequences in asynclinorium south of the main Adirondack anorthosite massif and north of the Thirteenth Lake anorthosite dome. The granitic gneisses are divided into three stratigraphic units on the basis of mineralogy. The entire stratigraphic configuration has been traced 70 kilometers laterally, and the interpretation of the literature indicates that it may extend for over 100 kilometers.
The effects of morphine and halothane anaesthesia on urine norepinephrine during and after coronary artery surgery.

Urine concentrations and excretion rates of norepinephrine were measured in 28 patients anaesthetized with halothane or morphine before, during and for two hours after aortocoronary artery grafting procedures. All patients were paralyzed with d-tubocurarine, incubated and respiration was controlled. Urine was obtained for 90 minutes before induction, during induction, before, during and after bypass and postoperatively. In patients anaesthetized with halothane, urinary norepinephrine concentrations and excretion rates were not significantly different from preoperative values until the postoperative period. Patients anaesthetized with morphine did not have urine norepinephrine concentrations different from preoperative values until bypass, when they became significantly increased. All subsequent urine norepinephrine concentrations and excretion rates were significantly elevated when compared to preoperative values. These findings do not indicate a mechanism but they do demonstrate that morphine anaesthesia is associated with increased urinary and probably also increased plasma levels of norepinephrine during and after cardiopulmonary bypass in patients undergoing coronary artery operations.
Effect of interferon plus ribavirin therapy on hepatitis C virus genotype 3 patients from Pakistan: Treatment response, side effects and future prospective.

Abstract More than 10 million people are suffering from hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Pakistan. The available treatment option is a combination of interferon and ribavirin. Treatment response is linked with several factors and also induces a number of side effects. We searched in Pubmed, Pak Medi Net and Google Scholar for the articles presenting the effect of interferon plus ribavirin therapy on HCV patients from Pakistan, their side effects and future prospects. The major prevalent HCV genotype in Pakistan is 3. Conventional interferon alpha plus ribavirin showed sustained virological response of 54%–64% while pegylated interferon alpha plus ribavirin showed sustained virological response of 58%–75%. IL–28B CC genotype is linked with better sustained virological response. Studies on patients with HCV genotype 3 infections showed no correlation between treatment response and interferon sensitivity determining region mutations. Interferon therapy is linked with a number of side effects like thyroid dysfuncton, haematological disorders, weight loss, gastrointestinal tract side effects and neuropsychiatric side effects. Unusual side effects of clubbing of fingers and seizures were also observed in a couple of patients. Interferon alpha plus ribavirin therapy showed better response rate in HCV genotype 3 patients from Pakistan with number of side effects. A couple of interferon free therapies are light of hope for the patients living with HCV.
Temperature and circulation changes in the eastern North Atlantic during the last 150,000 years: Evidence from the planktonic foraminiferal record

During the last 150,000 years the circulation of the subtropical gyre in the eastern North Atlantic has changed in response to glacial-interglacial variations in climate. Maps and time series constructed from planktonic foraminifera recovered from 18 piston cores show the nature of this response. Paleontological, chemical, and lithologic indices are used to establish a stratigraphy in the cores. Numerical analysis of the paleontological data yields estimates of the sea-surface temperatures (SST) and salinity. Maps of these estimates and of the interpreted circulation have been constructed for 18, 28, 73, 93, 125, and 150,000 years B.P. (18O Stages 2, 3, 4, 5-b, 5-e, 6). The analysis yielded six major results: 1. (1) In the southern Sargasso Sea, faunal abundances and SST have remained essentially constant for the last 150,000 years. 2. (2) In the northwestern part of the study area, between 30°N and 40°N, faunal variations were large but SST variations small (2–3°C) during the last 150,000 years. SST remained stable due to different ecological water types of similar temperature range exchanging dominance downcore. 3. (3) In the northern part of the study area, between 40–45N, SST remained warm in the west and decreased to glacial-level minima in the east between 120 and 80,000 years B.P. (18O substages 5-d to 5-a). The large west-east gradients may have been maintained by a meridional flow of the North Atlantic Current around the Azores Plateau. 4. (4) Along the Canary Current, there were generally monotonic decreases in SST during the last climatic cycle. 5. (5) The advance of ice that culminated in the Wisconsin maximum at 18,000 years B.P. was accompanied by rising SST in both the vicinity of the Azores and along the southern part of the Canary Current. 6. (6) Inferred increases in the velocities of the North Atlantic Current occurred at approximately the same time as all seven of the major polar advances of the last 150,000 years, and are associated with stable or rising temperatures. These SST patterns may have resulted from increased North Atlantic Current velocities advecting warm source waters more rapidly into the mid-latitudes. The increased velocities may have been due to a combination of reinforcing factors: increased wind stress, steepening of the thermocline due to increased cooling of 18°C water south of the Gulf Stream, and increased baroclinicity that resulted when the low-temperature North Atlantic polar front migrated southward toward the stable gyre center.
Plantar loading asymmetry in American Indians with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, with diabetes only, and without diabetes.

Background: We investigated plantar loading asymmetry during gait in American Indians with and without diabetes and with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. Methods: A convenience sample of 96 American Indians with and without diabetes was divided into three groups: 20 with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, 16 with diabetes without peripheral neuropathy, and 60 with no history of diabetes (control group). Plantar loading was measured during barefoot walking across a pressure platform. Five trials were collected per foot during level walking at a self-selected speed using the two-step method. Asymmetry in peak pressure-time integral and peak plantar pressure were calculated from ten plantar regions and compared among groups. Results: Significant pressure-time integral asymmetry occurred across the forefoot regions in American Indians with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy compared with the other two groups. Significant peak plantar pressure asymmetry occurred in the third metatarsal region in both group...
Metastable electrical activity of misfit-dislocation-associated defects in Si/Si(Ge) heteroepitaxial structures: EBIC/DLTS correlation

Abstract Thermally induced metastable electrical activity with buried heteroepitaxial layers in Si/Si(Ge) has been investigated using deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) and temperature-dependent electron-beam-induced current and preferential chemical etching. Examination of diodes located on regions with different misfit dislocation densities on the same wafer indicate that the concentration of the metastable electronic defects decreases with increasing dislocation density. Depth-dependent DLTS reveals two metastable deep level traps, one of which is associated with unrelaxed interfacial strain. A discussion of the possible physical sources of these two defect levels is presented.
Faculty Qualifications and Collegiality: The Role of Influence in University Decision-Making.

Data on 115 colleges and universities are used to examine the effect of the qualifications of the faculty and decentralization of authority on faculty influence over general educational policy and faculty appointments. The findings suggest that university administrators respond to the presence of highly qualified faculties by allowing them to have more influence which is exercised largely through the formally constituted decision-making bodies of the faculty.
Al Cluster Superatoms as Halogens in Polyhalides and as Alkaline Earths in Iodide Salts

Two classes of gas-phase aluminum-iodine clusters have been identified whose stability and reactivity can be understood in terms of the spherical shell jellium model. Experimental reactivity studies show that the Al13I –x clusters exhibit pronounced stability for even numbers of I atoms. Theoretical investigations reveal that the enhanced stability is associated with complementary pairs of I atoms occupying the on-top sites on the opposing Al atoms of the Al13– core. We also report the existence of another series, Al14I –x, that exhibits stability for odd numbers of I atoms. This series can be described as consisting of an Al14I –3 core upon which the I atoms occupy on-top locations around the Al atoms. The potential synthetic utility of superatom chemistry built upon these motifs is addressed.
A powerful association for comorbidity analysis based on score based test

Background In the studies of mental and behavioral disorders, comorbidity is an important issue since multiple correlated disorders are usually recorded to understand the etiology of substance dependence, which is imperative to the development of effective treatment and prevention strategies. Many studies have been reported the comorbidity between substance abuse disorders and psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and major depression. In order to investigate the association between the comorbidity of complex diseases and genetic locus, it is critical to develop a computationally efficient and powerful multiple traits association test. Recently, taking the advantage of high throughput genomic data, lots of genetic variants have been identified for individual drug addiction based on genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Despite many successes, the current GWAS may be insufficient to detect genetic variants with moderate-to-small effect since a stringent significance threshold is used to control the false discovery rate, which is a key factor to the missing heritability problem. Materials and methods To detect novel genetic variants, joint analyzing correlated traits are promising solutions. First, joint analyzing correlated traits may increase the power in detecting genetic variants with moderate effects across multiple traits by exploiting the correlation between traits. Second, joint analysis can alleviate multiple comparison problems which incurred in analyzing individual trait separately. Comprehensive studies have been used to demonstrate that jointly testing correlated traits is more powerful than testing a single trait at a time. Therefore, it is important to consider the comorbidity of correlated traits in order to detect novel genetic loci in GWAS. We introduce a multiple traits association test based on least square. The proposed method only needs to specify the marginal distribution of multiple traits. We systematically investigate the strengths and weaknesses of the multiple traits association test through simulation and comprehensive real data analysis. We demonstrated the advantage of multiple traits association test when multiple traits share common genetic variation. However, when multiple traits share no or weak common genetic variation, the multiple traits association test has no advantage.
Genetic variation in CYP11A1 and StAR in relation to endometrial cancer risk

Abstract Objective Together, steroidogenic acute regulator (StAR) and the cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), which is encoded by CYP11A1 , mediate the initial and rate-limiting step in steroidogenesis. Given the role of estrogens in endometrial carcinogenesis, we hypothesized that genetic variation in StAR and CYP11A1 genes may influence endometrial cancer risk. Methods We genotyped four CYP11A1 tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and two StAR SNPs in endometrial cancer case–control studies nested within the Nurses' Health Study (553 cases and 1339 controls) and the Women's Health Study (137 cases and 411 controls). We calculated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals using conditional and unconditional logistic regression adjusted for endometrial cancer risk factors to examine the association between SNPs/haplotypes and endometrial cancer. Results We observed an increased risk for women carrying the variant allele for rs4555110 (odds ratio (OR)=1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.1–1.7), rs3825944 (OR=1.4, 95% CI=1.1–1.8), and rs7173655 (OR=1.3, 95% CI=1.0–1.7) CYP11A1 SNPs but no significant associations with CYP11A1 haplotypes. CYP11A1 SNPs were not predictive of plasma estradiol levels. We observed no associations between StAR SNPs and endometrial cancer risk. Conclusions Genetic variants in CYP11A1 may influence endometrial cancer risk or may be markers for causal variants elsewhere. Polymorphisms in StAR are not associated with endometrial cancer risk, but further research is needed.
Thermoelastic instability in lubricated sliding between solid surfaces

IN the past few years, it has been recognised that, in certain conditions, thermoelastic instabilities occur in dry sliding contact between two solids1–4. We here report observations of the same phenomenon in the presence of a liquid lubricant which supports analytical predictions6 of such an effect. Thermoelastic instability is caused by frictional heating and thermal deformation of the surfaces in contact, and alters the original contact configuration. Even if the surfaces are perfectly flat at the outset, instability will lead to a departure from flatness, ultimately resulting in patches of high pressure in the lubricant, with surrounding regions of low pressure and relative parting of the surfaces. This instability can lead to a malfunction of, for example, mechanical face seals.
Nucleic acid-based fluorescence sensors for detecting proteins.

We report here development of a rapid, homogeneous, aptamer-based fluorescence assay (“molecular beacons”) for detecting proteins. The assay involves protein-induced coassociation of two aptamers recognizing two distinct epitopes of the protein. The aptamers contain short fluorophore-labeled complementary “signaling” oligonucleotides attached to the aptamer by non-DNA linker. Coassociation of the two aptamers with the protein results in bringing the two “signaling” oligonucleotides into proximity, producing a large change of fluorescence resonance energy transfer between the fluorophores. We used thrombin as a model system to provide proof-of-principle evidence validating this molecular beacon design. Thrombin beacon was capable of detecting the protein with high selectivity (also in complex biological mixtures), picomolar sensitivity, and high signal-to-background ratio. This is a homogeneous assay requiring no sample manipulation. Since the design of molecular beacons described here is not limited to an...
Interactions of 1–3 bis-(2-chloroethyl)-nitrosourea (NSC 409962) (BCNU) with clone DS19 of murine erythroleukemia cells (MELC)

Abstract Murine erythroleukemia cells (MELC) were incubated with BCNU in concentrations from 1 to 160 μM. The cytotoxicity was linear with concentration for 10 μM (GID15) to 40 μM (GID95). Incubation of MELC with BCNU induced striking morphological changes in the cell which include multinucleation and cell enlargement which appear to be linear with BCNU concentration in the range from 10 to 40 μmolar. Polyaryon formation was induced in 85% of MELC when exposed to 40 μmolar BCNU and was accompanied by marked increases in chromatin condensation and cellular fragility. The mean generation time for MELC(MGT) was increased from 14 h in control cultures to >48 h in 40 μmolar BCNU. Hemoglobin synthesis in the presence of Me2SO was inhibited by 50% by exposure to 10 μmolar BCNU and to zero by exposure to 40 μmolar BCNU. These effects can be observed at 96 h after as little as 3 h of exposure to BCNU. The effects reported above are not reversible after washing cultures and reseeding them in fresh medium lacking BCNU. This is in contrast to cisplatin, another divalent alkylating agent in which the half-life of the crosslinks appears to be much shorter and in which washing and resuspension in fresh unsupplemented medium permits recovery of ability to replicate and to synthesize hemoglobin in the presence of Me2SO. The data supports the idea that the presence of single stranded breaks in DNA are required for induction of hemoglobin synthesis.
Collagen α1(I) Gene (COL1A1) Is Repressed by RFX Family

Collagen type I is composed of three polypeptide chains transcribed from two separate genes (COL1A1 and COL1A2) with different promoters requiring coordinate regulation. Our recent publications, centering on COL1A2 regulation, demonstrate that methylation in the first exon of COL1A2 at a regulatory factor for X box (RFX) site (at –1 to +20) occurs in human cancer cells and correlates with increased RFX1 binding and decreased collagen transcription (Sengupta, P. K., Erhlich, M., and Smith, B. D. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 36649–36655; Sengupta, S., Smith, E. M., Kim, K., Murnane, M. J., and Smith, B. D. (2003) Cancer Res. 63, 1789–1797). In normal cells, RFX5 complex along with major histocompatibility class II transactivator (CIITA) is induced by interferon-γ to occupy this site and repress collagen transcription (Xu, Y., Wang, L., Buttice, G., Sengupta, P. K., and Smith, B. D. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 41319–41332). In this paper, we demonstrate that COL1A1 has an RFX consensus binding site surrounding the transcription start site (–11 to +10) that contains three methylation sites rather than one in the COL1A2 gene RFX binding site. RFX1 interacts weakly with the unmethylated COL1A1 site, and binds with higher affinity to the methylated site. RFX1 represses the unmethylated COL1A1 less efficiently than COL1A2. COL1A1 promoter activity is sensitive to DNA methylation and the COL1A1 gene is methylated in human cancer cells with coordinately decreased collagen expression. The DNA methylation inhibitor, 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (aza-dC) increases collagen gene expression with time in human cancer cells. On the other hand, RFX5 interacts with both collagen type I genes with a similar binding affinity and represses both promoters equally in transient transfections. Two dominant negative forms of RFX5 activate both collagen genes coordinately. Finally, CIITA RNA interference experiments indicate that CIITA induction is required for interferon γ-mediated repression of both collagen type I genes.
Integrating Remote Follow-Up to Your Clinic Practice

Telemedicine has been made possible by advancements in monitoring technologies. Outpatient clinics are now faced with the challenge of integrating home based monitoring systems with clinic visits in a way that is both efficient and effective for both health provider and patient. Over the past decade, remote follow-up of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED) has been at the forefront of telemedicine in the US. CIED follow-up includes monitoring the functionality and diagnostic data of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization devices, permanent pacemakers and implantable loop recorders. Current remote technologies allow full disclosure of programmed and measured data, clinical diagnostic data and automatic checks transmitted via a home monitor to a secure server, accessible to the clinician via computer and/or mobile device. Remote monitoring also allows constant surveillance of lead and battery integrity in CIEDs that have wireless capabilities. The clinic is automatically notified by fax or email when alert thresholds are met. This lecture will discuss lessons learned from our 9 year experience integrating remote CIED follow-up to in-person clinic visits, incorporating recommendations from expert consensus for CIED monitoring.
Aleutian Lead Isotopic Data : Additional Evidence for the Evolution of Lithospheric Plumbing Systems

Abstract Lead isotopic ratios and concentrations have been measured in lavas from the Aleutian volcanic centers of Adak (12) and Atka (12). Whereas lavas from Atka have very small Pb-isotopic ranges ( 206 Pb 204 Pb = 18.78−18.86; 207 Pb 204 Pb = 15.55−15.62; 208 Pb 204 Pb = 38.31−38.52 ) those from Adak have ranges nearly twice as large ( 206 Pb 204 Pb = 18.34−18.86; 207 Pb 204 Pb = 15.47−15.63; 208 Pb 204 Pb = 37.81−38.56 ). On lead-lead isotopic diagrams, Atka data form tight clusters whereas those from Adaak define a well-developed linear trend extending from the Atka field toward less radiogenic values. At a given 206 Pb 204 Pb , the lavas from both islands plot in the MORB trend for 208 Pb 204 Pb but Atka lavas plot above the MORB 207 Pb 204 Pb -206Pb/204Pb trend and those from Adak fall both within and above the trend. Lead contents in lavas from Atka increase four-fold (5–21 ppm) over the compositional range of the volcanic suite (49–68% SiO2). In contrast, Actak lavas (49–65%) have concentration levels of 0.6–13 ppm and display no simple correlation with SiO2. The lead isotopic data alone can be explained by three different processes. Model 1 assigns lead isotopic differences to original magma source heterogeneity. According to Model 2, the isotopic ratios of a primary, non-radiogenic component from the mantle are elevated by the addition of an isotopically enriched slab-derived component. In contrast, Model 3 assumes a primary radiogenic magma produced by melting of the slab is contaminated by a non-radiogenic lithospheric component during conduit formation. Because these models all adequately explain the lead isotopic data, supplementary geologic, petrographic, geochemical and isotopic data must be used to select the most likely model. Careful consideration of the evidence suggests Model 3 best explains our extensive lead isotopic data as well as other characteristics of Aleutian lavas. Our study suggests detailed isotopic studies of individual volcanic centers (arc or otherwise) can be extremely useful in understanding the complex processes of magma generation, extraction, ascent and evolution.
Activation patterns in experimental canine atrial flutter produced by right atrial crush injury.

Objectives. This study was designed to localize and characterize the atrial flutter reentrant circuit and the electrophysiologic effects of right atrial crush injury in a new canine model. Background. In previous studies sustained atrial flutter was induced in the canine heart by rapid atrial pacing after a linear crush injury was placed in the right atrial free wall. Methods. Eight dogs (group 1) with three electrode plaques on the right and left atria and Bachmann's bundle and seven dogs (group 2) with a single high density electrode plaque on the right atrium were studied with use of a 64-channel computerized mapping system. Results. At baseline, during sinus rhythm and right and left atrial pacing, activation spread uniformly without areas of slow conduction. Crush injury produced marked conduction delay or complete block during sinus rhythm, increasing the mean difference in activation times across the injury compared with control values (group 1, 31 ± 4 vs. 14 ± 5 ms, p < 0.01; group 2, 28 ± 10 vs. 7 ± 2 ms, p < 0.01). Rapid atrial pacing (S1S1200 ms) above and below the crush injury revealed a line of complete block across which adjacent electrodes recorded markedly different activation times (33 ± 5 and 38 ± 12 ms difference, respectively) and around which activation wave fronts proceeded, colliding opposite the stimulating electrodes, The mean atrial flutter cycle length of 11 episodes induced in group 1 and 14 episodes in group 2 was 157 ± 16 and 140 ± 16 ms, respectively (p = NS). Activation mapping revealed a reentrant circuit in the right atrium around the crush injury in all episodes. Although the reentrant circuit did not contain a discrete area of slow conduction, activation time below was longer than that above the crush injury (92 ± 14 vs. 66 ± 8 ms and 82 ± 12 vs. 59 ± 9 ms in groups 1 and 2, respectively, p < 0.01 for both). Rapid atrial pacing or premature stimuli produced progressive conduction delay and unidirectional block between the crush injury and the tricuspid anulus, inducing atrial flutter directly in 9 of 25 episodes. In 16 episodes, atrial flutter developed after transient induction of atrial fibrilation. Conclusions. 1) Atrial flutter in this model is due to reeentry in the right atrium; 2) the crush injury functions as an anatomic obstacle around which reentry may occur; and 3) the reentrant circuit does not contain a discrete area of slow conduction but, rather, generally slower conduction below the crush injury.
Alterations in local cerebral glucose utilization produced by D3 dopamine receptor-selective doses of 7-OH-DPAT and nafadotride

The D3 dopamine receptor, localized primarily in limbic brain areas, is a potential antipsychotic site. The effects of D3 receptor stimulation or blockade on neuronal activity were determined using the [14C]-2-deoxyglucose method. Freely-moving, adult, male, Sprague-Dawley rats were injected s.c. with saline, agonist 7-hydroxy-diphenylaminotetralin (7-OH-DPAT) (0.1 mg/kg), or antagonist l-nafadotride (1 mg/kg). These doses of 7-OH-DPAT and l-nafadotride are behaviorally active and are 10-fold lower than a dose producing significant in vivo occupancy of D2 receptors. The [14C]-2-deoxyglucose procedure was initiated 30 min after the administration of the test compound. The rate of local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) was determined by quantitative autoradiography. 7-OH-DPAT produced a significant increase in LCGU in the substantia nigra. l-Nafadotride produced significant increases in LCGU in several brain areas including the lateral preoptic area, lateral habenula, caudate, septal area, entorhinal cortex, and some thalamic and hypothalamic areas. These observations indicate that stimulation or blockade of D3 receptors alters LCGU and that produces a unique pattern of alterations in LCGU suggestive of potential antipsychotic activity.