cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PPAR-γ agonist protects against intestinal injury during necrotizing enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains a lethal condition for many premature infants. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma), a member of the nuclear hormone receptor family, has been shown to play a protective role in cellular inflammatory responses; however, its role in NEC is not clearly defined. We sought to examine the expression of PPAR-gamma in the intestine using an ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) model of NEC, and to assess whether PPAR-gamma agonist treatment would ameliorate I/R-induced gut injury. Swiss-Webster mice were randomized to receive sham (control) or I/R injury to the gut induced by transient occlusion of superior mesenteric artery for 45 min with variable periods of reperfusion. I/R injury resulted in early induction of PPAR-gamma expression and activation of NF-kappaB in small intestine. Pretreatment with PPAR-gamma agonist, 15d-PGJ(2), attenuated intestinal NF-kappaB response and I/R-induced gut injury. Activation of PPAR-gamma demonstrated a protective effect on small bowel during I/R-induced gut injury.
Abstract 5762: Role of BMP7 in dormancy and recurrence of prostatic tumor stem cell in the bone metastasis

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Prostate cancer is becoming a curable disease when it is diagnosed at an early stage. However, even those patients who have localized cancer and have been “successfully” treated with surgery often experience recurrent disease after many years of dormancy. In the case of prostate cancer, bone is the most common metastatic site which affects approximately 70% of patients with advanced disease. The growth of the tumor cells in the bone is generally slow and they often become dormant until an appropriate microenviroment is established for their re-growth. How these metastatic tumor cells become dormant and how they recur at the target organs is virtually unknown. To address this critical question, we have studied an interaction of prostate cancer cell (PC3mm) and bone stromal cell (HS5). Our data indicate that the conditioned medium of HS5 cells was able to induce growth arrest and senescence to prostate cancer cells through activation of p38 MAP kinase. Western blot, qRT-PCR and reporter assay showed that this effect was mediated by induction of the tumor metastasis suppressor gene, N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1). We found that this secretory factor is bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) and that a specific inhibitor of p38 significantly abrogated up-regulation of NDRG1 by BMP7, suggesting that BMP7 induces NDRG1 through activation of p38. We also found that BMP7 significantly activated p21 and that this effect was inhibited by siRNA to NDRG1. Importantly, our results indicate that BMP7 was able to induce senescence to PC3mm cell; however, this senescence was reversible and the tumor cells re-gained the ability of their growth upon withdrawal of BMP7, suggesting that BMP7-induced senescence is reversible. Notably, our results of the existing database analysis indicate that the expression level of BMPR2, one of the BMP7 receptors, showed inverse correlation with bone metastasis and recurrence of prostate cancer. Furthermore, we isolated tumor stem population from PC3mm, and examined the effect of BMP7 on these cells. BMP7 indeed induced p38, NDRG1 and p21 in the prostate tumor stem cells. BMP7 also significantly suppressed sphere forming ability of the tumor stem cells followed by activation of NDRG1 and this effect was reversed by withdrawal of BMP7. These results suggest that the BMP7-NDRG1axis plays a critical role in the regulation of dormancy and recurrence of prostate tumor cells in bone metastasis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5762.
Study Methodologies for Osteoarthritis: Clinical Trials and Tribulations:

Clinical trials represent the most rigorous approach to evaluating the efficacy of interventions. The clinical trial is a relatively young methodology, used rarely until the middle of the twentieth century. Most clinical trials evaluate medications. In fact a review of clinicaltrials.gov in 2011 indicated that of more than 100,000 registered trials, over 70% were drug trials [1]. The remainder was divided among devices, surgery, and behavioral and educational interventions. While drug trials are important for development of therapeutics in osteoarthritis, trials of surgery, devices, and educational and behavioral interventions are critical as well.
The Longest Wavelength Band in the Electronic Spectra of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons for Analytical Use

A table is presented listing 408 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, with three or more aromatic rings, according to increasing values in millimicrons of the longest wavelength absorption band. Structural formulas, the values in millimicrons of additional absorption bands, solvents, and literature references party through 1958 are also given. A procedure is recommended for utilization of this table in the spectrophotometric analysis of samples, such as those obtained in fractionation by elution chromatography.
Optical Classification of Megamaser Galaxies

We have obtained spectroscopic observations of the nuclear regions of 42 galaxies known to harbor strong OH masers. These megamaser galaxies represent a subsample of FIR (ultra)luminous galaxies, which typically have FIR luminosities in excess of 1011 L☉. The primary goal of this study is to investigate the nuclear activity sources of OH megamaser galaxies. We are able to classify the nuclear emission-line spectra of all but one of our sample, and we find that this class of galaxies is dominated by active galactic nuclei (AGNs), although starburst galaxies do make up an appreciable fraction of the megamasers as well. Fully 45% of the megamasers exhibit Seyfert or LINER spectra, predominantly of Seyfert 2 type, although two galaxies with broad lines are observed. This observation is consistent with the current unification models for the two types of Seyfert activity, since the assumed geometry necessary to detect a megamaser places the Seyfert nucleus behind a high column density of molecular gas (i.e., the molecular torus). Starburst-nucleus galaxies comprise 32.5% of our sample, while 22.5% are classified as "composite nuclear spectra" (CSN) sources, showing evidence of both AGN and starburst activity. A number of objects show unusual emission-line ratios, not surprising for a group of galaxies that are known a priori to possess substantial absorbing material along the line of sight to their nuclei. Our results are compared to previous studies of FIR-selected galaxy samples, as well as to radio-continuum observations of these galaxies. The activity classification obtained from the radio data disagrees with the optical classifications in roughly 25% of the sources; we discuss possible explanations for these discrepancies.
Kivelson receives 2005 John Adam Fleming Medal

Margaret G. Kivelson was awarded the Fleming Medal at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, which was held on 7 December 2005, in San Francisco, Calif. The medal recognizes original research and technical leadership in geomagnetism, atmospheric electricity, aeronomy, space physics, and related sciences.
Liver X receptor β with mutations in the activation function-2 region is excluded from the nucleolus

Liver X receptors (LXRs) alpha and beta are ligand-induced transcription factors that regulate transcription of genes encoding key regulators of cholesterol metabolism and transport, and of lipogenesis. Despite their high similarity, LXRalpha is the functionally dominant LXR isotype in the liver. The function of nuclear proteins can be affected by their sequestration in the nucleoli. Whereas most nuclear receptors are excluded from the nucleolus, some are not. To explore nucleolar exclusion of LXRalpha and LXRbeta, we used cells expressing cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) chimeras with LXRalpha (CFP-LXRalpha) and wild-type and mutant CFP-LXRbeta and marked the nucleolus with anti-fibrillarin antibody. Significantly more CFP-LXRbeta than CFP-LXRalpha in the nucleoli. Mutations in basic-rich sequences in the DNA binding domain caused some exclusion of CFP-LXRbeta from the nucleolus. Moreover, mutations in the activation function-2, an important protein-protein interaction site in all nuclear receptors, resulted in exclusion of CFP-LXRbeta from the nucleolus. These data suggest protein-protein interactions that may regulate nucleolar sequestration of LXRbeta.
Eccentricity of the scotopic fovea about a photopic point as revealed by acuity contours.

Abstract Both photopic and scotopic (Vernier offset) acuity contours were determined along the horizontal and vertical meridians for 6° on either side of visual field center. The photopic contours evidenced bisymmetry about a photopic fixation point coincident with the center of the target. Scotopic contours, on the other hand, were not symmetrical about this same fixation point. A half maximum acuity criterion was employed to obtain a measure of contour symmetry along a specific meridian. The authors conclude that the physiologic foveal scotoma, as mapped by retinal acuity, is decentered with respect to a photopic point of fixation.
Tillage System, Fertilizer Nitrogen Rate, and Timing Effect on Corn Yields in the Texas Blackland Prairie

New N management and conservation tillage systems are needed to improve agricultural sustainability on the Blackland Prairie of Texas. In 1994, an experiment was established to determine plant response to N fertilizer rate and timing within three different tillage systems. A split plot experiment with four replications was established on a Houston Black day (fine, smectitic, thermic Udic Haplusterts) soil. The main plots were chisel tillage system without beds (conventional for the area), chisel tillage system with raised wide beds, and no-tillage system with raised wide beds. The subplots were seven fertility treatments: four fertility rates (0, 56, 112, and 168 kg N ha ' applied at planting) and three timing treatments (N applied in the fall, at planting, and split between at planting and 30 d later). The crop rotation was wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. The experimental treatments were imposed on corn each year for 4 yr. Plant samples were collected for grain yield, hiomass production, and N uptake. Grain yield ranged from 150 to 8435 kg ha -1 . In wet years, grain yields and N uptake increased with N fertilizer up to 168 kg N ha -1 , and fall application reduced yields 30% when compared with fertilizer application at planting. The highest yields were observed with the no-tillage. Results from this study indicate that application of fertilizer in the fall may result in lost yield potential and that conservation tillage systems may be the most reliable in the Texas Blackland Prairie.
Strategies for developing pH sensitive fluorescent probes

Many physiological processes function efficiently within a well-controlled pH range. Higher acidity level has been implicated with a number of systemic pathologies. The potential of pH sensitive fluorescent probes for reporting on biological environments has been widely utilized in a variety of cell studies and has been recently recognized as a powerful technique for in vivo imaging of diseases associated with elevated acidity level. We present several strategies for the development of pH sensitive probes suitable for in vivo imaging. The strategies include incorporation of pH sensitive functionalities in known fluorophores, synthesis of novel pH sensitive skeletons, and design of pH sensitive nanoparticles using acid-degradable polymers.
Understanding the generative capacity of analogies as a tool for explanation

Psychological studies have typically portrayed analogical reasoning as a process of schema transfer from a familiar domain of understanding to a problem situation. These studies have usually examined analogical reasoning in contexts where (a) individuals possess or have been provided with appropriate, problem-specific schema, (b) the nature of the problem and/or solution is fairly well defined, and (c) ideal analogies are provided or suggested by an outside source. This study examines analogical reasoning in contexts where understanding is generated from loosely organized, incomplete prior knowledge rather than transferred from a well-structured domain of understanding. In addition, participants were asked to create, apply, and modify their own analogies—as opposed to applying a given analogy—as a heuristic for constructing, evaluating, and modifying their explanations for a particular scientific phenomena. The results provide empirical support for the generative properties of analogies; that is, analogies can stimulate new inferences and insight. Furthermore, under specific conditions, individuals can productively harness the generative capacity of their own analogies to advance their conceptual understanding of scientific phenomena.
Structural order and optical properties of tetrahedral amorphous solids

Abstract Raman scattering and optical absorption measurements indicate substantial changes in a-Si deposited under conditions of variable substrate temperature. The results indicate an approximately linear variation of the optical gap with the inverse width of the transverse optic-like band. This correspondence is also observed in preliminary studies of a-Ge for the depolarized Raman component. The variation of the depolarized spectra with deposition conditions is attributed to small modifications of short range order in both a-Si and a-Ge which alter the TO-like phonon half width. The correlation between changes in the Raman spectra and optical gap indicate that variations in both the phonon and electronic states in tetrahedrally coordinated amorphous solids are primarily due to modifications of the bond angle distribution.
Linkage disequilibrium mapping of the chromosome 6q21-22.31 bipolar I disorder susceptibility locus.

We previously reported genome-wide significant evidence for linkage between chromosome 6q and bipolar I disorder (BPI) by performing a meta-analysis of original genotype data from 11 genome scan linkage studies. We now present follow-up linkage disequilibrium mapping of the linked region utilizing 3,047 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in a case–control sample (N = 530 cases, 534 controls) and family-based sample (N = 256 nuclear families, 1,301 individuals). The strongest single SNP result (rs6938431, P = 6.72 × 10−5) was observed in the case–control sample, near the solute carrier family 22, member 16 gene (SLC22A16). In a replication study, we genotyped 151 SNPs in an independent sample (N = 622 cases, 1,181 controls) and observed further evidence of association between variants at SLC22A16 and BPI. Although consistent evidence of association with any single variant was not seen across samples, SNP-wise and gene-based test results in the three samples provided convergent evidence for association with SLC22A16, a carnitine transporter, implicating this gene as a novel candidate for BPI risk. Further studies in larger samples are warranted to clarify which, if any, genes in the 6q region confer risk for bipolar disorder. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Acute Changes in Intracranial Pressure and Pressure-Volume Index After Forebrain Ischemia in Normoglycemic and Hyperglycemic Rats

Background and Purpose Hyperglycemia enhances the deleterious effect of global cerebral ischemia. One possible explanation is that increased anaerobic glycolysis leads to exaggeration of intracellular acidosis and increased postischemic edema. To examine the importance of this edema on postischemic cerebral perfusion dynamics, we measured acute changes in intracranial pressure (ICP), specific gravity, and the pressure-volume index (PVI) after forebrain ischemia in normoglycemic and hyperglycemic rats. Methods Rats underwent 15 minutes of forebrain ischemia and 90 minutes of reperfusion. ICP and mean arterial pressure were continuously monitored. Before ischemia, rats received either saline or glucose intravenously. Ninety minutes after ischemia, the specific gravity of the neocortex was measured. In a second experiment, the PVI was measured at 20 and 60 minutes after ischemia. Results Preischemic ICP (mean±SD) was 7±1 mm Hg in both groups. A peak ICP (≈11 mm Hg) occurred within 15 to 20 minutes after isch...
The cosmic worm

Sometimes scientists would like to put their heads into interesting parts of their data sets and look around, but they are hampered by the "outside looking in" aspect of workstation-based visualization. At the Electronic Visualization Laboratory (EVL) at the University of Illinois at Chicago, we are attempting to break some of the visualization barriers with a distributed computing and visualization environment developed using the Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE) virtual reality theater. In particular, we are trying to provide physicists and astrophysicists at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) a new vehicle for scientific discovery. >
Optical Tweezers for Monitoring Unfolding by the Protease ClpXP

The biological motor ClpXP pulls against a targeted protein until it mechanically unfolds and translocates the polypeptide into a chamber for degradation. We directly monitor degradation of model polyprotein substrates in dual-trap single molecule assays. Article not available.
Hydrogen peroxide inhibits mTOR signaling by activation of AMPKα leading to apoptosis of neuronal cells

Hydrogen peroxide inhibits mTOR signaling by activation of AMPK α leading to apoptosis of neuronal cells
Ultrafiltration of Raw Sewage Using an Immobilized Enzyme Membrane.

Abstract Ultrafiltration of raw sewage was performed using multiple enzymes immobilized on non-cellulosic, ultrafiltration membranes. An increase of 12% in the permeate flux rate at quasi-steady state was observed due to the action of the immobilized enzymes. Enzymes were immobilized by physical sorption to minimize the loss of ultrafiltration capability of the membrane, due to the immobilization process. A mathematical model based on diffusive transport and enzymatic action is presented. A standard Marquardt algorithm and a fourth-order Runge-Kutta integration routine were used for estimation of the non-linear parameters in the model. A comparison of data presented here with the data reported earlier on the ultrafiltration of NFDM (non-fat dry milk), showed that the enzyme-membrane has a longer half-life in the case of NFDM than for raw sewage. Furthermore, the first-order enzyme decay rate is much faster in the multiple enzyme system used in raw sewage filtration than in the single enzyme system used in the ultrafiltration of NFDM.
Cytochrome c(553), a small heme protein that lacks misligation in its unfolded state, folds with rapid two-state kinetics.

Cytochrome c(553) (cyt c(553)) from Desulfovibrio vulgaris is a small helical heme protein that displays apparent two-state equilibrium-unfolding behavior. The covalently attached heme is low-spin, ligated by Met and His residues, in the native state but becomes high-spin upon unfolding at pH 7. Here, we show that in contrast to other c-type heme proteins, where misligations in the unfolded states are prominent, cyt c(553) refolding kinetics at pH 7 proceeds rapidly without detectable intermediates. The extrapolated folding rate constant in water for oxidized cyt c(553) matches exactly that predicted from the cyt c(553) native-state topology: 5300 s(-1 )(experimental) versus 5020 s(-1) (predicted). We therefore conclude that the presence of the oxidized cofactor does not affect the intrinsic formation speed of the cyt c(553 )structural motif.
Propagation of photons in homogeneous magnetic fields: index of refraction

The index of refraction associated with the vacuum polarization induced by homogeneous magnetic fields is calculated for two cases: (i) high-energy photons traversing fields weak compared with the critical field, ${H}_{\mathrm{cr}}=\frac{{m}^{2}{c}^{3}}{e\ensuremath{\hbar}}\ensuremath{\cong}4.41\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{13}$ G; and (ii) low-energy photons in fields of arbitrary intensity. Some implications for the physical optics of intense magnetic fields are briefly discussed.
Not Letting Evidence Get in the Way of Assumptions: Testing the Clash of Civilizations Thesis with More Recent Data

In this research note I examine Huntington's ‘clash of civilizations’ thesis in the light of his arguments to his detractors to apply his thesis to post-Cold War armed conflicts within states. Drawing on more recent data on intrastate armed conflict to 1999, I demonstrate that Huntington's thesis is not substantiated. What we observe is that many of the interethnic and inter-religious conflicts that occur in the post-Cold War era are clashes within rather than between civilizations, just as Huntington's critics have noted previously. In fact, in the post-Cold War era, where there have been changes in the incidence of ‘clashes of civilizations’ we find that their number has actually declined, if only marginally.
Examples involving the geometric form of level curves of harmonic functions

In the x-y plane, we give, for example, a Jordan curve Γ containing exactly one local maximum and one local minimum in the y-direction, such that some level curve of the capacity potential in the exterior complement of Γ has at least n local maxima and n local minima in the y-direction, n being any prescribed number.
Recovery of Interblock Information for Designs with Groups of Correlated Blocks

Abstract A procedure is presented for estimating the dispersion matrix of block totals in an incomplete block design where blocks can be divided into groups such that those from different groups are independent and those from the same group are dependent. Equal block variances and equal nonzero covariances are assumed. It is shown that when the estimated dispersion matrix is used to obtain a weighted least-squares interblock estimator of treatment means, both that estimator and the combined intra-interblock estimator converge in mean square to their respective BLUEs more rapidly than the BLUEs converge to the vector of treatment means.
Continuity theorems for the rational product approximation operator

Abstract This paper establishes that the rational product approximation operator is continuous. Under an additional restriction, this operator satisfies a local Lipschitz condition.
1/f Noise in Nitride-Based Spintronic Devices

Spintronics is a new direction in nitride electronics, due to the development of rare-earth-doped nitrides with ferromagnetic properties even at room temperature. This allows manipulation of both the spin and the charge transported by the electrons. It allows the extension of Moore's law. However, the injected spin-polarized current is subject to spin-flip due to various causes. The rate of each of these spin-flip currents is affected by quantum 1/f noise, because of the low-frequency photon emission amplitude that is associated with the elementary spin flip process, no matter what causes the spin flip. As a result, in a spin valve, both the leakage current and the allowed current will show 1/f noise. In devices with injection and subsequent control of spin-polarized electrons, the effects obtained will also show this spintronic quantum 1/f noise. For instance, the light output of a spin-controlled LED will exhibit quantum 1/f intensity fluctuations. The present paper calculates the 1/f noise expected in spintronic currents and in rare-earth-doped nitride devices and systems that carry them. The spectral density of this fundamental 1/f noise is inherently proportional to the square of the current that is affected by it, but is also inversely proportional to the number of carriers defining this current. The latter dependence causes the spectrum to be proportional to the first power of the current.
A graduate immigration course in computer science

As part of a RIAS grant from the NSF, a pilot course intended for incoming graduate students in computer science was offered during the fall of 1977. This course was intended to acquaint new graduate students with (1) the CS graduate curriculum and degree requirements; (2) the areas of CS faculty interest, research, and support; (3) current areas of research in CS; and (4) the computing facilities available through the UT Computation Center and the department's software laboratory. These goals were realized through regular lectures, several programming problems and ten lectures from different faculty members about their research interests and current work. Specific assignments for each student were determined on the basis of their backgrounds and interests. (A questionnaire answered during the first lecture helped to determine these.) An important part of the course involved about twelve lectures citing widely applicable topics from the first three volumes of The Art of Computer Programming, by D. E. Knuth.This course is believed to be a valuable asset to the department's curriculum because of the diverse nature of its faculty, computing facilities, and graduate students.
The role of nuclear medicine in modern therapy of cancer.

Nuclear medicine is a multidisciplinary field that develops and uses instrumentation and tracers (radiophar- maceuticals) to study physiological processes and noninva- sively diagnose, stage, and treat diseases. Particularly, it offers a unique means to study cancer biology in vivo and to optimize cancer therapy for individual patients. A tracer is either a radionuclide alone, such as iodine-131 or a radiola- bel in a carrier molecule such as 18 F in fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 F-FDG), or other feasible radionuclide attached to a drug, a protein, or a peptide, which when introduced into the body, would accumulate in the tissue of interest. Nuclear medicine imaging, including single-photon emission com- puter tomography and positron emission tomography, can provide important quantitative and functional information about normal tissues or disease conditions, in contrast to conventional, anatomical imaging techniques such as ultra- sound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imag- ing. For treatment, tumor-targeting agents, conjugated with therapeutic radionuclides, may be used to deposit lethal radiation at tumor sites. This review outlines the role of nuclear medicine in modern cancer therapy.
Program analysis for safety guarantees in a Java virtual machine written in Java

In this paper, we report on our experiences with guaranteeing GC-pointer safety when using unsafe low-level language extensions to implement a JVM in Java. We give an overview of the original unsafe language extensions that were defined for use by Jalapeno implementers, and introduce sanitized replacements that capture common idioms while also guaranteeing GC-pointer safety. We also outline some simple static and dynamic checks for correct usage of low-level operations, and examine how code containing low-level operations can be optimized correctly and effectively.
10-Hz flash visual evoked potentials predict post-cataract extraction visual acuity.

Cataract patients suspected of having disease which might interfere with good postoperative visual function were referred for evaluation. Monocular steady-state luminance visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were elicited with closed eyes at a stimulus rate of 10 flashes/sec. VEPs were rated as either normal or abnormal. Patients with normal VEPs were predicted to have an acuity of 6/15 (20/50) or better. Patients with abnormal VEPs were predicted to have acuities of 6/18 (20/60) or worse. Postoperative acuities were determined for all patients who underwent surgery and who had no intraoperative or early postoperative complications. The association of preoperative VEPs and observed postoperative acuities were quantitatively compared by a 2 × 2 contingency table for the 59 eyes which met these criteria. The chi-square was significant (p < 0.001). The overall accuracy of prediction was 76%. Accuracy was 80% for patients with a preoperative acuity of 6/60 (20/200) or better and 75% for those whose postoperative acuity was 6/120 (20/400) or worse. This difference was not statistically significant.
Correlation of the International Prostate Symptom Score bother question with the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index in a clinical practice setting.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) bother question (BQ) and a validated disease-specific quality-of-life questionnaire, the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Impact Index (BPH-II), using the BPH Registry and Patient Survey database. PATIENTS AND METHODS The BPH Registry and Patient Survey is a multicentre, longitudinal, observational database of management practices and patient outcomes in a population of patients with BPH in the USA, managed with watchful waiting or pharmacotherapy. Men enrolled in the BPH Registry who completed the IPSS BQ and the four-item BPH-II at enrolment were identified. The association between the IPSS BQ score and the BPH Impact Index was assessed using Spearman rank correlation. RESULTS At baseline (enrolment visit), 6439 men (mean age 66 years) completed the IPSS BQ and the BPH-II. The mean (sd) score of the IPSS BQ was 2.5 (1.4) and of the BPH-II was 2.8 (2.8). Based on responses to the BPH-II, at least half the men reported that their urinary symptoms were associated with physical discomfort, worry about their health, and bothersomeness. The IPSS BQ score was significantly correlated (P < 0.001) with the BPH-II (r = 0.68) and each of its four questions (physical discomfort, r = 0.52; worry about health, r = 0.53; bothersomeness of trouble with urination, r = 0.67; and time kept from usual activities, r = 0.44). CONCLUSIONS The IPSS BQ score has a strong and positive correlation with the BPH-II among men enrolled in the BPH Registry. The IPSS BQ is a convenient tool for assessing disease-specific quality of life when determining treatment strategies and evaluating treatment outcomes in men with BPH.
Cross-Point Memory Array Without Cell Selectors—Device Characteristics and Data Storage Pattern Dependencies

Cross-point memory architecture offers high device density, yet it suffers from substantial sneak path leakages, which result in large power dissipation and a small sensing margin. The parasitic resistance associated with the interconnects further degrades the output signal and imposes an additional limitation on the maximum allowable array size. In this paper, we study the device requirements of a resistive cross-point memory array under the worst-case write and read operations. We focus on the data pattern dependence of the memory array and compare the effect of the memory cell resistance values and resistance ratio for determining the maximum array size. The number of cells in the array can reach 106 with a signal swing > 50% of the reading voltage when Ron is beyond 3 M and Roff/Ron is greater than 2. A large memory cell resistance value can further reduce the power consumption, obviate the need for a large Roff/Ron ratio, and avoid the inclusion of cell selection devices. The effect of the nonlinearity of the I -V characteristics of the memory cells is also investigated. The nonlinearity calls for a substantial tradeoff between the memory cell resistance values and the resistance ratio, and must be taken into consideration for the device design.
LDRD final report on theory and exploration of quantum-dot optical nonlinearities and coherences.

A microscopic theory for investigating quantum-dot optical properties was developed. The theory incorporated advances on various aspects of quantum-dot physics developed at Sandia and elsewhere. Important components are a non-Markovian treatment of polarization dephasing due to carrier-carrier scattering (developed at Sandia) and a nonperturbative treatment within a polaron picture of the scattering of carriers by longitudinal-optical phonons (developed at Bremen University). A computer code was also developed that provides a detailed accounting of electronic structure influences and a consistent treatment of many-body effects, the latter via the incorporation of results from the microscopic theory. This code was used to explore quantum coherence physics in a quantum-dot system. The investigation furthers the understanding of the underlying differences between atomic quantum coherence and semiconductor quantum coherence, and helps improve the potential of using quantum coherences in quantum computing, coherent control and high-resolution spectroscopy.
Damage Assessment of a Building Subjected to a Terrorist Attack

An increasing threat of global terrorism has led to concerns about bombings of buildings, which could cause minor to severe structural damage. After such an event, it is important to rapidly assess the damage to the building to ensure safe and efficient emergency response. Current methods of visual inspection and non-destructive testing are expensive, subjective, and time consuming for emergency responders' usage immediately after an attack. On the other hand, vibration-based damage detection methods with wireless smart sensors could provide rapid assessment of structural characteristics with low cost. For blast analysis, structural response is usually determined using a simplified SDOF version of the undamaged structure, such as used in a Pressure-Impulse (P-I) Diagram, or using more complex FEM (finite element method) models. However, the simplified models cannot take into account damage caused by blast focus at a specific location or on a specific element, which may induce local failure leading to pote...
Speech processing techniques and applications

The processing of speech involves the analysis, coding, decoding, and synthesis of speech sounds. The speech analyzer consists of normalizers, syllable and syblet segmenters, sound recognizers, sequencers, adapters, and memories which convert the speech elements into a code. The speech synthesizer converts the code to speech by reproducing prerecorded speech elements. There are many applications for the speech analyzer and synthesizer ranging from limited vocabulary to complete communication systems.
Clinical Significance of Cytogenetics in Myeloproliferative Disorders

A complicating feature of the myeloproliferative disorders is the frequent overlap of clinical, laboratory, and morphologic findings among the specific disorders. Cytogenetic and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization studies are performed to obtain evidence of abnormal clones, classify disease, and assess prognosis. These studies help to establish which hematopoietic compartments are affected. For chronic myelogenous leukemia, the BCR/ABL fusion gene allows an unequivocal diagnosis when it occurs with characteristic morphologic and clinical findings. Another activated fusion tyrosine kinase (FIP1L1-PDGFRA) has been recently identified in chronic eosinophilic leukemia/hypereosinophilic syndrome. In contrast, no specific chromosomal or molecular markers have been identified for the remaining MPD, although recurring cytogenetic abnormalities have been reported. In this review, we discuss the cytogenetic anomalies and their associated clinical significance in myeloproliferative disorders.
Simultaneous determination of Young's modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson's ratio of soft hydrogels

Besides biological and chemical cues, cellular behavior has been found to be affected by mechanical cues such as traction forces, surface topology, and in particular the mechanical properties of the substrate. The present study focuses on completely characterizing the bulk linear mechanical properties of such soft substrates, a good example of which are hydrogels. The complete characterization involves the measurement of Young’s modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson’s ratio of these hydrogels, which is achieved by manipulating nonspherical magnetic microneedles embedded inside them. Translating and rotating these microneedles under the influence of a known force or torque, respectively, allows us to determine the local mechanical properties of the hydrogels. Two specific hydrogels, namely bis-cross-linked polyacrylamide gels and DNA cross-linked polyacrylamide gels were used, and their properties were measured as a function of gel concentration. The bis-cross-linked gels were found to have a Poisson’s ratio that varied between 0.38 and 0.49, while for the DNA-cross-linked gels, Poisson’s ratio varied between 0.36 and 0.49. The local shear moduli, measured on the 10 µm scale, of these gels were in good agreement with the global shear modulus obtained from a rheology study. Also the local Young’s modulus of the hydrogels was compared with the global modulus obtained using bead experiments, and it was observed that the inhomogeneities in the hydrogel increases with increasing cross-linker concentration. This study helps us fully characterize the properties of the substrate, which helps us to better understand the behavior of cells on these substrates.
Processing Recursive XQuery over XML Streams: The Raindrop Approach

XML stream applications bring the challenge of efficiently processing queries on sequentially accessible tokenbased data. For efficient processing of queries, we need to ensure that memory usage stays low. This in turn requires that we avoid holding data in the query buffer, by outputting it at the earliest possible time. In this paper, we propose a new class of stream algebra operators for efficient recursive XQuery stream processing. In particular we propose two strategies for implementing structural joins: (a) the just-in-time structural join strategy efficiently processes joins as long as the input XML substreams are non-recursive and (b) the recursive structural join strategy supports structural joins over recursive XML substreams, however at an added cost of tuple-level ID-comparisons. Both structural join strategies are complemented by an automatadriven invocation mechanism that triggers the execution of the join at the first possible moment upon recognizing the end of the targeted input stream subelement. Further, we design this structural join operator itself to be context-aware. The operator is capable of at run-time switching from the efficient just-intime join strategy for elements that are recognized to be nonrecursive to the more powerful id-based structural join strategy for elements that are identified to be recursive. In addition, depending on whether the query is recursive, we will generate the plan with cheaper operators whenever possible. We incorporate the proposed techniques into the Raindrop stream engine. We also report on experimental studies we conducted using ToXgene that show that our techniques brings significant performance improvement.
Cost-Effectiveness of Screening for Microalbuminuria among African Americans

Compared with other racial groups, African Americans have a similar prevalence of CKD but are much more likely to progress to ESRD, suggesting that the cost-effectiveness of screening strategies requires dedicated study in this population. Here, we calibrated the CKD Health Policy Model so that it accurately forecasts the higher rates for ESRD observed for African Americans. We then used the calibrated model to estimate the cost-effectiveness of screening for microalbuminuria followed by treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II-receptor blockers. Incorporating racial differences in risk factors did not fully explain the much higher lifetime incidence of ESRD among African Americans. Thus, to calibrate the model, we applied a 20% increase in the rate of GFR decline at stage 3 and a 60% increase in the rate of GFR decline at stage 4, which resulted in a model that closely reflects lifetime ESRD incidence among African Americans. Compared with usual care, screening African Americans for microalbuminuria at 10-, 5-, 2-, and 1-year intervals had incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of $9000, $11,000, $19,000, and $35,000 per quality-adjusted life year, respectively. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for the same screening intervals were higher for non-African Americans: $17,000, $23,000, $44,000, and $81,000 per quality-adjusted life year, respectively. In summary, these models suggest that screening African Americans for microalbuminuria at either 5- or 10-year intervals is highly cost-effective.
PYK2 regulates SERCA2 gene expression in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes

The nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) has been implicated in cell signaling pathways involved in left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure, but it...
Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopic imaging of prostate cancer.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We describe the practical technical aspects of magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI), and summarize the current and potential future status of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MRSI in the diagnosis, localization, staging, treatment planning and post-treatment followup of prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: Contemporary series of patients with prostate cancer evaluated by MRI and MRSI were reviewed, with particular respect to imaging accuracy as evaluated by histopathological correlation, and the relationship between MRI and MRSI and outcome.Results: MRI and MRSI have a limited role in prostate cancer diagnosis but may be helpful for patients with a high index of suspicion and negative initial biopsy. High specificity can be achieved for sextant localization of cancer when sextant biopsy, MRI and MRSI are all positive. Volumetric localization is of limited accuracy for tumors less than 0.5 cc. Staging by MRI, which is improved by the addition of MRSI, is of incremental pro...
MALIGNANT ‘ANGIOENDOTHELIOMATOSIS’—(INTRAVASCULAR LYMPHOMATOSIS) AN UNUSUAL CUTANEOUS LYMPHOMA IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

A case of cutaneous malignant 'angioendotheliomatosis' (intravascular lymphoma) is described in a patient with RA and Sjogren's syndrome. The association of RA with this rare form of lymphoma has not been reported in the literature.
Experimental warming shows that decomposition temperature sensitivity increases with soil organic matter recalcitrance

Soil C decomposition is sensitive to changes in temperature, and even small increases in temperature may prompt large releases of C from soils. But much of what we know about soil C responses to global change is based on short-term incubation data and model output that implicitly assumes soil C pools are composed of organic matter fractions with uniform temperature sensitivities. In contrast, kinetic theory based on chemical reactions suggests that older, more-resistant C fractions may be more temperature sensitive. Recent research on the subject is inconclusive, indicating that the temperature sensitivity of labile soil organic matter (OM) decomposition could either be greater than, less than, or equivalent to that of resistant soil OM. We incubated soils at constant temperature to deplete them of labile soil OM and then successively assessed the CO2-C efflux in response to warming. We found that the decomposition response to experimental warming early during soil incubation (when more labile C remained) was less than that later when labile C was depleted. These results suggest that the temperature sensitivity of resistant soil OM pools is greater than that for labile soil OM and that global change-driven soil C losses may be greater than previously estimated.
A PREDICTIVE MODEL FOR THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF AN INTERMEDIATE MOISTURE GRANULAR FOOD

A mathematical model for prediction of thermal conductivity of granular foods was developed to consider the influence of moisture content and bulk density. The range of moisture contents considered was from approximately 20% (db) to 150% (db). The model considers the influence of thermal conductivity and volume fraction of product solids and water as a first step in predicting thermal conductivity of product particles. The second step in the predictive model considers thermal conductivity and volume fraction of the product particles and air when predicting effective thermal conductivity of the food system. The model was evaluated by comparison of model outputs with experimental measurements for casein and corn meal starch particles. Experimental measurements of thermal conductivity were obtained using a thermal conductivity probe. The model provided excellent prediction of effective thermal conductivity over the entire moisture content range. Statistical agreement was described by standard errors of 0.0143 W/mK (7.2%) for starch at 25C, 0.01835 W/mK (12.1%) for casein at 25C, and 0.02584 W/mK (16.4%) for casein at 40C, with most of the variability associated with experimental measurements. Un modele mathematique pour la prevision de la conductivite thermique de produits alimentaires granulaires est developpe pour considerer l'influence de la teneur en eau et de la densite apparente. Le modele est evalue par comparaison de ses resultats avec des mesures experimentales pour des particules de caseine et d'amidon de mais. Le modele fournit d'excellentes previsions de la conductivite thermique efficace sur toute l'etendue des valeurs de teneur en eau considerees (20 a 150%).
Large, high-intensity fire events in southern California shrublands: debunking the fine-grain age patch model.

We evaluate the fine-grain age patch model of fire regimes in southern California shrublands. Proponents contend that the historical condition was characterized by frequent small to moderate size, slow-moving smoldering fires, and that this regime has been disrupted by fire suppression activities that have caused unnatural fuel accumulation and anomalously large and catastrophic wildfires. A review of more than 100 19th-century newspaper reports reveals that large, high-intensity wildfires predate modern fire suppression policy, and extensive newspaper coverage plus first-hand accounts support the conclusion that the 1889 Santiago Canyon Fire was the largest fire in California history. Proponents of the fine-grain age patch model contend that even the very earliest 20th-century fires were the result of fire suppression disrupting natural fuel structure. We tested that hypothesis and found that, within the fire perimeters of two of the largest early fire events in 1919 and 1932, prior fire suppression acti...
Management of the oral surgery patient diagnosed with epidermolysis bullosa: report of 3 cases and review of the literature.

1. Katzberg RW, Westesson P-L: Diagnosis of the Temporomandibular Joint. Philadelphia, Saunders, 1994, pp 25-70 2. Mariz ACR, Campos PSF, Sarmento VA, et al: Assessment of disk displacements of the temporomandibular joint. Brazil Oral Res 19:63, 2005 3. Rao VM, Liem MD, Farole A, et al: Elusive “stuck” disk in the temporomandibular joint: Diagnosis with MR imaging. Radiology 189:823, 1993 4. Kaminishi RM, Davis CL: Temporomandibular joint arthroscopic observations of superior space adhesions. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 1:103, 1989 5. Nitzan DW, Etsion I: Adhesive force: The underlying cause of the disc anchorage to the fossa and/or eminence in the temporomandibular joint. A new concept. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 31:94, 2002