cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Properties of adaptive clinical trial signature design in the presence of gene and gene-treatment interaction

ABSTRACTTraditional phase III clinical trials are powered to detect an overall treatment effect. However, it has increasingly been shown that many treatments are effective only for a subset of a population. The adaptive signature design uses genomic/proteomic information to prospectively predict a subset of patients more sensitive to treatment. Tests for overall treatment effect and for treatment effect in the predicted subset are conducted. In this work properties of the adaptive signature design are investigated through simulation. It was found that models which excluded expression main effect terms had higher empirical power than models which included them.
Improving the evaluation and diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW This chapter describes important changes in the clinical practice and pathological interpretation of prostate cancer (PCa) that stratify PCa into insignificant and significant disease to allow for better patient management and treatment decisions. RECENT FINDINGS Among the most important changes over the last half a decade has been the change in PCa grading. A new grading system has been developed that is more patient-centric with more accurate stratification according to risk of disease progression. An additional advance is the recent recommendation to report percentage of pattern 4 in Gleason score 7 cancer that may help identify a subset of these men who have relatively insignificant prostate cancer. The definition of significant PCa at prostatectomy has also been extended from a dichotomized classification into a more tiered nuanced approach. Factors involved in classification of significant cancer at prostatectomy include grade, stage along with classification of extraprostatic extension into focal and nonfocal, and tumor volume. Of these variables, tumor volume appears to be least critical as an independent variable. Promising genetic discoveries may also help predict significant cancer, especially in the small subset of lower-grade cancers. SUMMARY Significant PCa is a spectrum of findings bearing different clinical significance with some nuanced definitions at biopsy and prostatectomy.
Bioinspired assembly of small molecules in cell milieu

Self-assembly, the autonomous organization of components to form patterns or structures, is a prevalent process in nature at all scales. Particularly, biological systems offer remarkable examples of diverse structures (as well as building blocks) and processes resulting from self-assembly. The exploration of bioinspired assemblies not only allows for mimicking the structures of living systems, but it also leads to functions for applications in different fields that benefit humans. In the last several decades, efforts on understanding and controlling self-assembly of small molecules have produced a large library of candidates for developing the biomedical applications of assemblies of small molecules. Moreover, recent findings in biology have provided new insights on the assemblies of small molecules to modulate essential cellular processes (such as apoptosis). These observations indicate that the self-assembly of small molecules, as multifaceted entities and processes to interact with multiple proteins, can have profound biological impacts on cells. In this review, we illustrate that the generation of assemblies of small molecules in cell milieu with their interactions with multiple cellular proteins for regulating cellular processes can result in primary phenotypes, thus providing a fundamentally new molecular approach for controlling cell behavior. By discussing the correlation between molecular assemblies in nature and the assemblies of small molecules in cell milieu, illustrating the functions of the assemblies of small molecules, and summarizing some guiding principles, we hope this review will stimulate more molecular scientists to explore the bioinspired self-assembly of small molecules in cell milieu.
MPC based on balanced positive-sequence extraction strategy for grid-tied converter control

The massive penetration of renewable energy sources in grid-tied systems has boosted the improvement of conventional control solutions to fulfill the requirements demanded during grid faults. In this paper, balanced positive-sequence reference extraction method (BPSC) is proposed with the predictive technique to control the 3L-NPC inverter under grid sags. Only positive sequence extraction is needed to inject properly the generated reference currents through MPC controller. Moreover, no additional phase-locked loop synchronization technique is required. A Second Order Generalized Integrator filter is added for voltage sequences extraction. The overall discrete system model is developed. Simulation results show the advantages of the proposed algorithm in terms of injecting a set of balanced grid current with low harmonic content during grid sags.
The human GCOM1 complex gene interacts with the NMDA receptor and internexin-alpha.

The known functions of the human GCOM1 complex hub gene include transcription elongation and the intercalated disk of cardiac myocytes. However, in all likelihood, the gene's most interesting, and thus far least understood, roles will be found in the central nervous system. To investigate the functions of the GCOM1 gene in the CNS, we have cloned human and rat brain cDNAs encoding novel, 105 kDa GCOM1 combined (Gcom) proteins, designated Gcom15, and identified a new group of GCOM1 interacting genes, termed Gints, from yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screens. We showed that Gcom15 interacts with the NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor by co-expression in heterologous cells, in which we observed bi-directional co-immunoprecipitation of human Gcom15 and murine NR1. Our Y2H screens revealed 27 novel GCOM1 interacting genes, many of which are synaptic proteins and/or play roles in neurologic diseases. Finally, we showed, using rat brain protein preparations, that the Gint internexin-alpha (INA), a known interactor of the NMDAR, co-IPs with GCOM1 proteins, suggesting a GCOM1-GRIN1-INA interaction and a novel pathway that may be relevant to neuroprotection.
The association of cardiorespiratory fitness with cardiometabolic factors, markers of inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction in Latino youth: findings from the Hispanic Community Children's Health Study/Study of Latino Youth

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the relationship of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with cardiovascular disease risk factors and a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction (e-selectin) among Hispanic/Latino youth. Methods The study included 1380 Hispanic/Latino youths (8–16 years old) from the Hispanic Community Children’s Health Study/Study of Latino Youth that enrolled from four cities (Bronx, Chicago, Miami, and San Diego). CRF was assessed by a 3-minute step test that uses postexercise heart rate to estimate maximal oxygen uptake. Regression models assessed differences in cardiometabolic markers across quartiles of CRF, adjusting for potential confounders. Results CRF was higher among boys (mean: 57.6 mL per kg/min, 95% confidence interval, 56.8–58.4) compared to girls (mean: 54.7 mL per kg/min, 95% confidence interval, 53.9–55.5). Higher levels of CRF were associated with more favorable levels of cardiometabolic, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction factors ( P -values Conclusions Among Hispanic/Latino youth, CRF appears to be a strong protective factor for endothelial dysfunction and cardiometabolic risk factors. Strategies to improve CRF may be a useful approach for improving cardiovascular health in youth.
5 Hz Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for posttraumatic stress disorder comorbid with major depressive disorder.

Abstract Background Standard clinical protocols for repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for major depressive disorder (MDD) apply 10 Hz pulses over left prefrontal cortex, yet little is known about the effects of rTMS in more diagnostically complex depressed patients. Objective/hypothesis Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly comorbid with MDD, and while rTMS has been shown to alleviate PTSD symptoms in preliminary studies, ideal parameters remain unclear. We conducted a prospective, open-label study of 5 Hz rTMS for patients with comorbid PTSD + MDD and hypothesized stimulation would reduce symptoms of both disorders. Methods Outpatients (N = 40) with PTSD + MDD and at least moderate global severity were enrolled. 5 Hz rTMS included up to 40 daily sessions followed by a 5-session taper. Symptoms were measured using the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) and Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Self-Report (IDS-SR). Baseline-to-endpoint changes were analyzed. Results The intent-to-treat population included 35 participants. Stimulation significantly reduced PTSD symptoms (PCL-5 baseline mean ± SD score 52.2 ± 13.1 versus endpoint 34.0 ± 21.6; p Limitations Unblinded single-arm study, with modest sample size. Conclusion Significant and clinically meaningful reductions in both MDD and PTSD symptoms were observed following stimulation. The preliminary efficacy of 5 Hz rTMS for both symptom domains in patients with comorbid disorders supports future controlled studies.
Management of Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer Presenting with Spontaneous Uterine Rupture

Abstract Background: The recommended treatment for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer is primary chemoradiation, which consists of platinum-based chemotherapy, external-beam radiation t...
The Biology of Chemokines

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the biology of chemokines, which are phylogenetically ancient. More than fifty human chemokines have been described and assignment of a protein to this family has been based on the conserved positions of cysteines in a secreted protein of approximately 90–100 amino acids. All functional chemokine receptors are members of the seven transmembrane-spanning, G protein-coupled family of receptors. Chemokines were first characterized in the context of inflammatory responses, the discovery of additional members of this protein family has led to the notion that they fall into two broad categories. The first includes inflammatory chemokines and the second category has been referred to as immune chemokines. One of the consequences of constitutive immune chemokine expression is that persistent migration of a specific leukocyte subtype into a distinct area can result in the formation of anatomic structures. The potential role for chemokines in normal physiology is the control of stem cell homing. Chemokines have been thought to be responsible for the persistent presence of effector cells in inflammatory diseases such as asthma or arthritis. In support of this idea, chemokine expression has been documented in several diseases. The convincing demonstration of chemokine involvement in inflammatory models, adaptive immunity, and selected disease models bodes well for their having similar roles in neuroinflammation. Evidence for the influence of chemokines on the course of rodent experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) has also been described in the chapter. Continued application of genetic analyses to this model and to human disease will eventually demonstrate the central importance of these proteins and their receptors in inflammatory diseases of the nervous system.
Shifting N and P concentrations and stoichiometry during autumn litterfall: Implications for ecosystem monitoring

Abstract Leaf litterfall nutrient concentrations and their ratios are a common indicator of site nutrient status and a critical component of many ecosystem calculations. Concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in leaf litter are related to foliar concentrations, but they are reduced by nutrient resorption during senescence. Although nutrient resorption occurs gradually during the autumn in winter-deciduous species, no study to date has assessed how the timing of litter collection affects estimates of nutrient concentration. To quantify the importance of this effect we analyzed the nutrient concentrations of leaf litter collected weekly in two northern hardwood sites at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest for three dominant tree species: Acer saccharum, Betula alleghaniensis, and Fagus grandifolia. Both N and P concentrations declined significantly during the litterfall season in all species (p
Evolution of Excisional Surgery Practices for Melanoma in the United States.

Importance National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for melanoma have consistently recommended wide local excision as the standard of care since their inception. Although surgery with more comprehensive margin assessment (eg, Mohs surgery) has been advocated for certain subsets of melanoma, how often these techniques are used in clinical practice is uncertain. Objective To examine trends in the use of comprehensive margin assessment surgery for melanoma by tracking claims data for Mohs surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants This national cross-sectional analysis examined claims data from the Optum Clinformatics Data Mart, a nationally representative database. The study cohort consisted of 79 108 patients undergoing surgical excision for melanoma from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2016. Data were analyzed from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was the likelihood of a melanoma being treated with Mohs surgery over time, evaluated by multivariable logistic regression and expressed as the odds of treatment per additional calendar year. Results Among 79 108 patients with melanoma (median age, 63 years [interquartile range {IQR}, 51-73]; 47 407 men [59.9%]), 75 047 were treated with conventional excision (median age, 62 years [IQR, 50-73 years]; 44 786 men [59.7%]) and 4061 with Mohs surgery (median age, 67 years [IQR, 56-76 years]; 2621 men [64.5%]). Mohs surgery was used in 5.1% of all surgical cases, with the rate of Mohs surgery increasing 304% from 2.6% in 2001 to 7.9% in 2016. Odds of receiving Mohs surgery for melanoma increased significantly in more recent calendar years (odds ratio [OR], 1.02 per calendar year; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03;P Conclusions and Relevance Despite stable guidelines for melanoma surgery, the results of this study suggest that surgical practices for melanoma are evolving. Wide variations in surgical practice patterns for melanoma are present in the United States. This study’s findings suggest that the effect of variations in surgical techniques on outcomes requires scrutiny and further study.
Impact of Bilateral Infiltrates on Inflammatory Biomarker Levels and Clinical Outcomes of Children With Oxygenation Defect

OBJECTIVES The 2015 definition for pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome did not require the presence of bilateral infiltrates. We tested the hypothesis that pediatric patients meeting oxygenation criteria for pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome but without bilateral infiltrates would have different inflammatory biomarker levels and clinical outcomes than those with bilateral infiltrates. DESIGN Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study. SETTING Twenty-two PICUs. PATIENTS Four-hundred forty-six patients age 2 weeks to 17 years intubated for respiratory failure with oxygenation index greater than or equal to 4 or oxygenation saturation index greater than or equal to 5 on the day of intubation or the day after. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Patients with bilateral infiltrates, either on the day of intubation or within the following 2 days, were compared with children who never developed bilateral infiltrates. Two analyses were performed to test 1) whether bilateral infiltrates are associated with elevated interleukin-1 receptor antagonist or interleukin-8 and 2) whether bilateral infiltrates are associated with worse clinical outcomes. Patients with bilateral infiltrates more often had a primary diagnosis of pneumonia (41% vs 28%; p = 0.02) and less often asthma (8% vs 23%; p < 0.01). After controlling for age, gender, and primary diagnosis, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist was higher on study days 1 and 2 in patients with bilateral infiltrates. There was no difference in interleukin-8 levels. After adjusting for age, gender, Pediatric Risk of Mortality score, and severity of oxygenation defect, presence of bilateral infiltrates was associated with longer duration of mechanical ventilation in survivors (hazard ratio, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.49-0.82; p < 0.01); this association was independent of primary diagnosis. Overall mortality was 9%; mortality was higher in those without bilateral infiltrates (14% vs 8%; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Children meeting pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome oxygenation criteria with bilateral infiltrates on chest radiograph experience a more intense early inflammatory response. Bilateral infiltrates are associated with longer time on the ventilator independent of oxygenation defect severity.
Using the CSCORE Protocol to Identify Evidence-Based Practices in School Counseling Intervention Research

Definitions of what constitutes evidence-based practice (EBP) are often debated across disciplines, including school counseling. The Ronald H. Fredrickson Center for School Counseling Outcome Resea...
Interventions Targeting Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Stroke Prevention and Treatment.

Systemic racism is a public health crisis. Systemic racism and racial/ethnic injustice produce racial/ethnic disparities in health care and health. Substantial racial/ethnic disparities in stroke c...
Addendum to “Dimensional Reduction for 6D Vibrotactile Display”

In our recent article, we found a general quadratic weighting function to predict how a six-dimensional (6D) vibrotactile stimulus rendered at the haptic interaction point (HIP) of a kinesthetic haptic interface, with the stylus held in a precision pen-hold grasp, is mapped to an equivalent one-dimensional (1D) stimulus that is normalized by the detection threshold. However, in that work we did not constrain the weighting function to be positive semidefinite, and as a result, the model will not generalize well to all future 6D inputs. In this addendum, we reconsider the original data set, incorporating the positive-semidefinite constraint. We find that as few as four independent parameters are required to describe the coupling, and the model has one fewer coupling term than originally proposed. We also describe the process of fitting a positive-semidefinite function to a new stylus at some specific excitation frequency.
Polymorphism Analysis of Cytochrome C Oxidase 1 (COI) Gene in Necator americanus Collected from 5 Provinces in China

Objective To detect and compare the COI gene sequences of Necator americanus collected from the provinces of Sichuan, Hainan, Yunnan, Hubei and Jiangsu, and to analyze the genetic diversity of the geographic isolates. Methods COI genes of N. americanus were amplified from the genomic DNA by PCR and sequenced. Results The COI gene sequences of N. americanus from five provinces were 97%-99% identical over 595 bp, and base variation oc- curred in 19 nucleotide sites in which the transition was more frequent than the transversion. The difference between the se- quences ranged from 1. 34% to 2. 18%. Conclusion The COI gene sequences show high identity among the geographic isolates of N. americanus with some difference at specific nucleotide sites.
The Burden of Reoperations and Timeline of Problems in 1,530 Cases of Mesh-Related Complications.

Background Mesh-related complications resulting from pelvic organ prolapse (POP) reconstruction operations may be a devastating experience leading to multiple and complex interventions. Objectives The aim of the study was to describe the experience and time frame of management of mesh-related complications in women treated for POP or stress urinary incontinence in a tertiary center. Methods 1,530 cases of mesh-related complications were accessed regarding their clinical presentation, number of surgeries, and timeline of surgical treatments to treat multiple clinical complaints until the ultimate operation where all the meshes were removed in a single tertiary center. Results The studied population revealed to be a highly referred one with only 10.2% of the cases implanted at our center. Clinical presentation varied widely with 48.7% referring pain as the chief complaint, while 31.3% complained of voiding dysfunctions, 2.5% reported genital prolapses, 2.2% complained of vaginal problems, and 1.2% noted intestinal problems as the main clinical complaint. Only 4.8% of the cases presented mesh erosion at examination; 57.8% of the cases required more than 1 operation to address the mesh-related problems. Sixty-eight cases had more than 10 operations up to complete removal. Three clusters of patients could be identified: (i)-those from whom the mesh was promptly removed after clinical problems emerged, (ii) those with slowly evolving problems, and (iii) those with escalating problems despite treatment attempts. Conclusions Mesh-related complications after pelvic floor reconstruction are an evolving disease with diverse clinical presentation. The identified time-related problems and the multiple failed attempts to treat their complications warrant attention with continuous monitoring of these patients and aggressive removal of the mesh if the clinical complaint cannot be swiftly managed.
Understanding Patterns of Healthy Aging Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for an Observational Cohort Study

Background: With the graying of sexual and gender minority communities and the growing number of people aged ≥50 years living with HIV, it is increasingly important to understand resilience in the context of the psychosocial aspects of aging and aging well. Objective: This paper aims to describe the methods and sample for the Understanding Patterns of Healthy Aging Among Men Who Have Sex With Men study. Methods: This observational cohort study was conducted within the Multisite AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) and was designed to explore resiliencies to explain patterns of health and illness among middle-aged and older sexual minority men. To be eligible, a participant had to be an active participant in the MACS, be at least 40 years of age as of April 1, 2016, and report any sex with another man since enrollment in the MACS. Results: Eligible participants (N=1318) completed six biannual surveys between April 2016 and April 2019. The mean age of the sample was 59.6 years (range 40-91 years). The sample was mostly White, educated, gay-identified, and included both HIV-positive (656/1318, 49.77%) and HIV-negative (662/1318, 50.23%) men. Conclusions: Understanding resiliencies in aging is a critical springboard for the development of more holistic public health theories and interventions that support healthy aging among older sexual minority men.
The Effect of Homogenization Heat Treatment on the Texture Evolution in U-10Mo Alloy

Uranium alloyed with 10 wt pct Mo (U-10Mo) undergoes discontinuous precipitation (DP) when subjected to sub-eutectoid heat treatment. It is hypothesized that the crystallographic texture of the U-10Mo can be modified to minimize the degree of DP, however, the evolution of texture throughout the manufacturing process is not well understood. Crystallographic textures evolution of two U-10Mo samples homogenized at 900 °C and 1000 °C were investigated after uniaxial rolling and annealing. A total of six samples were analyzed upon rolling using a combination of hot and cold rolling conditions to thickness reductions of 83, 90, and 97 pct and subsequently annealed at 700 °C for 1 hour. Microstructures and textures were analyzed via electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) for each reduction and post-annealed states. Results show that the U-10Mo exhibits typical rolling textures seen in body-centered cubic materials with prominent α- and γ-fibers with each reduction. After recrystallization, the texture was effectively randomized in all samples. Homogenization temperature showed a minimal impact on the rolling and recrystallization behavior. Potential factors leading to the randomization of texture are discussed along with the implications of textures on the minimization of DP.
Latino Families' Decisions to Accept Hospice Care.

Objectives:The underrepresentation of Latinos in hospice care is well-documented. A gap remains, however, in the literature’s description of the factors that shape Latino families’ decisions to enr...
Identification and Elimination of Non-Value Added Work to Optimize Labor During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic stretched respiratory therapy resources as never before. It was identified early on that respiratory therapists (RTs) were the most valuable asset in the fight against this pandemic. But continued use of RTs performing non-value added (NVA) procedures would have a direct impact on the ability to care for the increase in COVID patient volume and acuity. Methods: Using Lean methodology (A3, root cause analysis, and team huddles) select RT procedures were evaluated for value, effectiveness, and efficiency. NVA items were described as those that had no impact to patient outcomes, those that can be transferred to other departments, or waste in procedures that were considered value added. Once identified, collaborative action planning was used to eliminate or reduce waste. Procedures and processes that were eliminated or optimized included: nebulizer to MDI conversion, incentive spirometry, continuous pulse oximetry orders, positive expiratory pressure therapy, frequency of trach rounds, nocturnal CPAP, and medical record redundancies. The time reduced or eliminated was equated to RTs saved per shift, thus Full Time Equivalents (FTEs). Results: October–November 2020, ideas to reduce NVA work were elicited at tier 1 (clinician) and tier 2 (leadership) huddles. During this time, 32 ideas were submitted. General floor workload data was retrospectively collected and compared: November 2019–February 2020 (pre COVID) vs. November 2020–February 2021 (COVID). The COVID cohort observed a general floor volume decreased by 37.3%. NVA reduction time saved was 44.2 h per day which equated to 5.9 RTs per day (8.6 FTEs). This workload was reduced in spite of an 849% increase in acute high flow oxygen use on the general floors. Conclusions: COVID-19 highlighted a problem that has plagued the respiratory care profession for many years. RTs delivering NVA procedures equates to poor outcomes, increased expense, and de-values respiratory therapists. The true value of an RT is not how many procedures can be completed, rather the impact they have on the patient9s outcome. In the face of an unprecedented RT shortage, we hypothesize that if this philosophy is ignored by hospital leaders, we will continue to employ RTs in areas that they are not needed, thus continuous erosion of the respiratory care profession.
Northern spotted owl nesting forests as fire refugia: a 30-year synthesis of large wildfires

The northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) is an Endangered Species Act-listed subspecies that requires coniferous forests with structurally complex and closed-canopy old-growth characteristics for nesting. With climate change, large wildfires are expected to become more common within the subspecies’ range and an increasing threat to these types of forests. Understanding fire severity patterns related to suitable nesting forest will be important to inform forest management that affects conservation and recovery. We examined the relationship between fire severity and suitable nesting forest in 472 large wildfires (> 200 ha) that occurred in the northern spotted owl range during 1987–2017. We mapped fire severities (unburned-low, moderate, high) within each fire using relative differenced normalized burn ratios and quantified differences in severity between pre-fire suitable nesting forest (edge and interior) and non-nesting forest. We also quantified these relationships within areas of three fire regimes (low severity, very frequent; mixed severity, frequent; high severity, infrequent). Averaged over all fires, the interior nesting forest burned at lower severity than edge or non-nesting forest. These relationships were consistent within the low severity, very frequent, and mixed severity, frequent fire regime areas. All forest types burned at similar severity within the high severity, infrequent fire regime. During two of the most active wildfire years that also had the largest wildfires occurring in rare and extreme weather conditions, we found a bimodal distribution of fire severity in all forest types. In those years, a higher amount—and proportion—of all forest types burned at high severity. Over the 30-year study, we found a strong positive trend in the proportion of wildfires that burned at high severity in the non-nesting forests, but not in the suitable nesting forest types. Under most wildfire conditions, the microclimate of interior patches of suitable nesting forests likely mitigated fire severity and thus functioned as fire refugia (i.e., burning at lower severity than the surrounding landscape). With changing climate, the future of interior forest as fire refugia is unknown, but trends suggest older forests can dampen the effect of increased wildfire activity and be an important component of landscapes with fire resiliency.
Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Treatment

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the treatment of choice for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The mechanism by which CPAP maintains the patency of the upper airway in patients with OSA is by acting as a pneumatic splint. The authors of the paper introducing CPAP as a treatment modality for OSA suggested this mechanism in 1981 [1]. Subsequent research explored other mechanisms and confirmed this notion and showed that CPAP can increase upper airway volume by ∼20% [2].
Does the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register Enable Us to Understand the Environmental Performance of Firms

The study explores a new micro environmental data set, the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR), by identifying limitations and potential strengths. We find that reporting requirements exclude on-site abatement through end-of-the-pipe techniques and cleaner technologies causing underestimation of firms' actual abatement. In addition, the lack of a mandatory section on production volume and firm size hinders data normalization and the use of control variables in economic analysis. Addressing the above limitations can make the E-PRTR more usable for policy-makers, environmentalists and academicians. Furthermore, the paper proposes a normalization procedure based on calculating how much beyond the threshold a firm has abated or emitted; and normalized values are used to approximate the environmental performance of firms. Analysis based on a sample of manufacturing firms suggests that industrial facilities in Europe have performed well in terms of abating a higher percentage of their gross pollution. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Evidence for Novel β-Sheet Structures in Iowa Mutant β-Amyloid Fibrils

Asp23-to-Asn mutation within the coding sequence of β-amyloid, called the Iowa mutation, is associated with early onset, familial Alzheimer’s disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy, in which patients develop neuritic plaques and massive vascular deposition predominantly of the mutant peptide. We examined the mutant peptide, D23N-Aβ40, by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. D23N-Aβ40 forms fibrils considerably faster than the wild-type peptide (k = 3.77 × 10−3 min−1 and 1.07 × 10−4 min−1 for D23N-Aβ40 and the wild-type peptide WT-Aβ40, respectively) and without a lag phase. Electron microscopy shows that D23N-Aβ40 forms fibrils with multiple morphologies. X-ray fiber diffraction shows a cross-β pattern, with a sharp reflection at 4.7 A and a broad reflection at 9.4 A, which is notably smaller than the value for WT-Aβ40 fibrils (10.4 A). Solid-state NMR measurements indicate molecular level polymorphism of the fibrils, with only a minority of D23N-Aβ40 fibrils containi...
Use of filtration to treat radioactive liquids in light-water-cooled nuclear reactor power plants

A survey was made to investigate the current and future use of filtration as a method for treating liquid radioactive streams at light-water-cooled nuclear reactor (LWR) power plants. Pertinent data were obtained by contacting utility companies, nuclear-steam-supply system vendors, architect-engineers, as well as filter manufacturers and vendors. Principal interest was placed upon obtaining operating data on the performance of filters used to treat radioactive liquid streams at LWR plants containing from essentially none up to 2000 ppM suspended solids. Included in this report are characteristics of the streams filtered at both pressurized water reactor (PWR) and boiling water reactor (BWR) plants and the filter requirements for these streams. The many types of filters used, or proposed, for treating radioactive liquids at LWRs are described. To facilitate the collation and interpretation of data, filters are categorized as disposable or reusable in this report. Filters with disposable cartridge elements made of fiber or paper have been the most widely used, especially in PWR plants. Reusable filters with and without precoat (an initial porous cake on the filter element) have also been widely used, especially at BWR plants.
Unique Stressors of Cross-Cultural Collaboration through ICTs in Virtual Teams

Geographically distributed virtual teams are increasingly prevalent in global organizations. Despite the growing attention to virtual teams, there is limited understanding of how cross-cultural collaboration and electronic dependence in communication affect virtual workers' psychological reactions and well-being. This qualitative multi-case study aims at understanding the different causes of stress in cross-cultural collaboration. An overarching analysis across seven case studies revealed that globally distributed team members experienced job stressors such as language challenges in English, or lingua franca , misunderstandings, and conflicts due to different mindsets, communication and behavior styles, and work-leisure orientations. Without adequate skills in lingua franca , or proper cultural and local awareness of distant team sites, coping was not successful, thereby stressors lead to distress.
Scheduling Access to Temporal Data in Real-Time Databases

A real-time database system is a transaction processing system designed to handle workloads in which transactions have deadlines. However, many realworld applications involve not only transactions with time constraints, but also data with time constraints. Such data, typically obtained from sensors, become inaccurate with the passage of time. Examples of such applications include autopilot systems, robot navigation, and program stock trading [14]. While considerable work has been done on real-time databases, most of it assumes that only transactions have deadlines [1, 7]. New solutions that consider data time constraints are required for both concurrency control and cpu scheduling. In this chapter, new solutions are presented based on data-deadlines and time cognizant forced wait policies. Informally, data-deadline can be viewed as the deadline that a transaction implicitly gets due to the temporal constraints of the data accessed by the transaction. When a transaction attempts to access data that is about to expire, the forced wait policy delays it until the data is updated using new sensor inputs. Each of these is integrated with both earliest deadline first (EDF) and least slack first (LSF) cpu scheduling policies. It is shown that, while the data-deadline policy improves performance, the forced wait policy exhibits a more significant performance improvement. Under the conditions tested, it is also shown that LSF policies work better than EDF based policies.
Evaluating Collaborative Adaptive Management in Sierra Nevada Forests by Exploring Public Meeting Dialogues Using Self-Organizing Maps

Collaborative adaptive management (CAM) is an appropriate management regime for social–ecological systems because it aims to reduce management uncertainties and fosters collaboration among diverse stakeholders. We evaluate the effectiveness of CAM in fostering collaboration among contentious multiparty environmental stakeholders based on the Sierra Nevada Adaptive Management Project (SNAMP). Our evaluation focuses on facilitated public multiparty discussions (2005–2012). Self-organizing maps (SOM), an unsupervised machine-learning method, were used to process, organize, and visualize the public meeting notes. We found that public discussion remained focused on the project content, yet the more contentious and critical issues dominated the discussions through time. Integration across topics could be improved. These results suggest that SNAMP collaborative adaptive management seems to have helped participants focus on the key issues, as well as advancing their discussions over time. Given the effectiveness ...
Desktop publishing: A case study

There is much talk about desktop publishing and no one that has an understanding of graphics and publishing can doubt its usefulness. Obviously desktop publishing has great potential in the field of education, particularly where the production of educational resources is concerned. But how do you change from the traditional methods of production to those of desktop publishing? There are problems especially when no one has had previous experience with computers.
An optimally robust, fast-learning, pattern recognizer derived from a noniterative neural network learning theory

It is proved analytically that, whenever the input-output mapping of a one-layered, hard-limited perceptron satisfies a positive, linear independency (PLI) condition, the connection matrix A to meet this mapping can be obtained noniteratively in one step from an algebraic matrix equation containing an N/spl times/M input matrix U. Each column of U is a given standard pattern vector, and there are M standard patterns to be classified. It is also analytically proved that sorting out all nonsingular submatrices U/sup k/ in U can be used as an automatic feature extraction process in this noniterative-learning system. This paper reports the theory, the design, and the experiments of a superfast-learning, optimally-robust, neural network pattern recognition system derived from this novel noniterative learning theory. An unedited video movie showing the speed of learning and the robustness in recognition of this novel pattern recognition system is demonstrated. Comparison to other neural network pattern recognition and feature extraction systems are discussed.
Constraining Elites: The Impact of Treaty Networks on Foreign Policy

In democracies, elites should be responsive to public opinion. This is especially true in Eastern Europe, where politicians fear electoral sanctions in the process of reform (Roberts and Kim 2011). Public opinion in general in Eastern Europe has been overwhelmingly in favor of European integration (Caplanova et al. 2004). In Ukraine, public opinion was in favor of increased cooperation with the EU, while in Moldova, public opinion was in favor of increased cooperation with the Russian led Customs Union. Ukraine refused to sign an association agreement with the EU, while Moldova enthusiastically signed the same association agreement. Why should both Ukrainian and Moldovan political elites have chosen not to be responsive to public opinion in such an important decision? Using network analysis of bilateral treaties between Russia and Moldova and Russia and Ukraine, I predict the responsiveness of political elites to public opinion toward European integration. I argue that the denser a treaty network between a weaker state and the regional hegemon, the less likely political elites will be to cooperate and move toward European integration. Conversely, less dense treaty networks allow politicians more flexibility in following their own preferences. Further, I offer a prediction for other states in the FSUto seek further cooperation with the EU.
Histamine dose responses in gastric fistula dogs--decreasing secretion with time.

Summary Eight doses of histamine (2 to 125 μg base per kg per hr) were infused at separate times for 4.5 hr into each of 10 dogs to study gastric secretion in which water, H + , Na + , K + , Cl - , osmolality, and pepsin were measured. Water output declined in the last 2.5 to 3 hr at all doses at between 25 and 45% from peak. Although concentrations of H + , Na + , and Cl - rose a little with time, output of these and of K + decreased. This fall is the explanation of the apparent inhibition of acid secretion by so-called supramaximal doses of histamine in the conventional one-sitting, doubling dose, dose-response study. Although water, H + , Cl - , and K + output reached maximal values at 45 to 60 min, Na + output was high in the first 30 min. The Na + data have been interpreted as the initial effect of histamine on the parietal cell which secretes Na + , rather than Na + derived from a nonparietal component. Only the first 0.25 mEq of Na + is not related to histamine and is probably the Na + content of the crypt fluid in the resting stomach before stimulation.
Thermal expansion of fumed silica/cyanate ester nanocomposites

The thermal expansion behavior of a cyanate ester matrix reinforced by fumed silica nanoparticles with average primary particle diameters of 12 and 40 nm was investigated with thermomechanical analysis. All nanocomposites showed decreased coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) in comparison with the neat bisphenol E cyanate ester resin, but the 12-nm fumed silica nanocomposites had lower CTEs than the 40-nm nanocomposites for equal volume fractions. The largest decrease in CTE was 27.0% for 20.7 vol % 40-nm fumed silica. When the data were compared to applicable theory, the best fit of the data was given by Schapery's upper limit and Shi's model. Estimates of the interphase volume fraction and effective thickness surrounding the nanoparticles were made with the results of Shi's model, and the results showed that the interphase volume fraction was larger for the 12-nm fumed silica nanocomposites, given an equal fraction of silica. The glass-transition temperature of the nanocomposites from thermomechanical analysis varied only slightly with the volume fraction. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
COPI polices nicotine-mediated up-regulation of nicotinic receptors

Mayans, Aztecs, and indigenous Americans cultivated tobacco for medicinal and religious purposes well over 2,000 years ago. The subsequent trade and industrial-scale production of tobacco have led to its global recreational use with devastating health consequences. It is currently responsible for
Source of oxygen in the CO2 produced during chemiluminescence of firefly luciferyl-adenylate and Renilla luciferin

Summary The chemiluminescent reactions of firefly luciferyl-adenylate and Renilla luciferin utilize molecular oxygen and produce CO2. If the reactions are allowed to proceed in the presence of 18O2, no incorporation of 18-oxygen is detected in the CO2. This is true over a wide range of substrate concentrations (0.03 μmoles – 6 μmoles). If H218O is added to the reaction medium there is incorporation of 1 oxygen-18 into the CO2. These results are consistent with the oxygen-18 labelling observed with the bioluminescent reactions.
A new assay for collagenolytic activity

Abstract A new assay procedure for the determination of collagenolytic activity is presented. The substrate can be prepared by simple reduction of the purified acidsoluble rat tail tendon collagen with NaB3H4. Collagenase activity is determined by measurement of soluble tritiated collagen peptides released. It has proven to be a method with a high degree of sensitivity and reproducibility.
Exact penalties and sufficient conditions for optimality in nonsmooth optimization

Under certain sufficient conditions for strict local optimality in a mathematical program, it is well known that a number of non-differentiable penalty functions are locally exact. With sufficient conditions involving the contingent derivative, it is shown that this local exactness is valid for programs whose objective and constraint functions need not be differentiable or even continuous.
TGF-β signaling, Smads, and tumor suppressors

The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily is used throughout animal development for regulating the growth and patterning of many tissue types. During the past few years, rapid progress has been made in deciphering how TGF-β signals are transduced from outside the cell to the nucleus. This progress is based on biochemical studies in vertebrate systems and a combination of genetic studies in Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans. These studies have identified a novel family of signaling proteins, the Smad family. Smads can act positively and be phosphorylated by TGF-β-like receptors or can act negatively and prevent activation of the positively acting group. The positively acting Smads translocate to the nucleus, bind DNA, and act as transcriptional activators. Thus, genetic and biochemical studies suggest a very simple signaling pathway, in which Smads are the primary downstream participant. BioEssays20:382–390, 1998. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Stochastic population switch may explain the latent reservoir stability and intermittent viral blips in HIV patients on suppressive therapy.

Abstract Highly active antiretroviral therapy can suppress plasma viral loads of HIV-1 infected individuals to below the detection limit of standard clinical assays. However, low-level viremia still persists. Many patients also have transient viral load measurements above the detection limit (the so-called “viral blips”). The latent reservoir consisting of latently infected CD4+ T cells represents a major obstacle to HIV-1 eradication. These cells can be activated to produce virions but the size of the latent reservoir is relatively stable. The mechanisms underlying low viral load persistence, emergence of intermittent viral blips and stability of the latent reservoir are not well understood. Cellular and viral transcription factors play an important role in the establishment and maintenance of HIV-1 latency. Infected cells with intermediate transcriptional activities may either revert to a latent state or become highly activated and produce virions due to intracellular perturbations. Here we develop a mathematical model that includes such stochastic population switch. We demonstrate that the model can generate a stable latent reservoir, intermittent viral blips, as well as low-level viremia persistence. Latently infected cells with intermediate transcription activities may maintain their size through a high level of homeostatic proliferation, while cells with low transcriptional activities are likely to be maintained through the reversion from cells with intermediate transcription activities. Simulations also suggest that treatment intensification or activation therapy may not help to eradicate the latent reservoir. Blocking the proliferation of latently infected cells might be a good strategy. These results provide more insights into the long-term dynamics of virus and latently infected cells in HIV patients on suppressive therapy and may help to develop novel treatment strategies.