cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of inorganic and organic phosphates on feeding, feeding absorption, nutrient allocation, growth and righting responses of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus

The sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus is capable of surviving chronic exposure to sodium phosphate (inorganic phosphate) concentrations as high as 3.2 mg l−1, and triethyl phosphate (organic phosphate) concentrations of 1,000 mg l−1. However, chronic exposure to low (0.8 mg l−1 inorganic and 10 mg l−1 organic phosphate), medium (1.6 mg l−1 inorganic and 100 mg l−1 organic phosphate) or high (3.2 mg l−1 inorganic and 1,000 mg l−1 organic phosphate) sublethal concentrations of these phosphates inhibits feeding, fecal production, nutrient absorption and allocation, growth and righting behavior. Food consumption and fecal production declined significantly in individuals exposed to medium and high concentrations of inorganic phosphates and all levels of organic phosphates. Feeding absorption efficiencies for total organics and carbohydrates decreased significantly in individuals held in the highest concentration of organic phosphate. Feeding absorption efficiencies for lipids were significantly reduced in the highest inorganic phosphate concentration only, while they decreased significantly for protein with increasing phosphate exposure. Carbohydrate and lipid levels in gonad and gut tissues decreased significantly with exposure to increasing phosphate concentrations, potentially impairing both gametogenesis and nutrient storage in the gut. Moreover, gonad indices significantly decreased in individuals exposed to the highest concentrations of either phosphate. Growth rates decreased significantly under the influence of all phosphate concentrations, while increasing in seawater alone. Individuals exposed to increasing phosphate concentrations showed reduced righting responses (a measure of stress) and no acclimation in righting times during chronic exposure to phosphates over a 4 week period. These findings indicate that shallow-water populations of L. variegatus subjected to inorganic and organic phosphate pollutants will exhibit stress and be inhibited in their growth and performance due to reductions in feeding, nutrient absorption and allocation of nutrients to key somatic and reproductive tissues.
Health Benefits of Digital Videogames for Older Adults: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Abstract Objective: This article is a systematic review conducted of the research literature on digital videogames played by older adults and health outcomes associated with game play. Findings from each study meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed and summarized into emergent themes to determine the impact of digital games in promoting healthy behaviors among older adults. Materials and Methods: A systematic review of the research literature was conducted through multiple academic databases for works, published between the years 2000 and 2011, looking at digital videogame interventions with adults 65 years of age and older. Multiple combinations of search terms and Boolean operators relevant to digital videogames and older adults were queried. A criteria matrix was created to code and evaluate studies. Results: Thirteen studies met specific criteria for inclusion and were analyzed in the final review. Significant mental, physical, and social health factors, type of digital game platform, study desi...
Garbage Juice: Waste Management and Leachate Generation

This Activity uses multi-colored breakfast cereal and liquid to model the concepts of leachate and leaching from municipal solid waste disposed of in a landfill. Students create a modern landfill m...
Looking for SUSY virtually through loop-induced Higgs processes

Any particle reaction forbidden at the tree level, but induced through a quantum loop, is a candidate process for distinguishing between the standard electroweak model, and the supersymmetric metric (SUSY) version, even if SUSY particles are too heavy to be produced at accelerators. The reason is that virtual SUSY particles circulating in the loop induce O(1) quantum corrections of the amplitude. We investigate the dependence of all processes with external HZγ, Hγγ or H-gluon-gluon on the parameters of supersymmetry, and find that SUSY rates are increased or decreased by up to three orders of magnitude compared to the rates predicted by the standard model. Amplitudes with an external Higgs are chosen because (i) the SUSY contributions remain significant even as the SUSY masses go to infinity, and (ii) in SUSY models, one (of three) neutral Higgs is necessarily lighter than Z; the process Z → Hγ is guaranteed to occur. We show that a measurement of Γ(Z or Z∗ → Hγ) at SLC or LEP would not only reveal a Higgs, but together with measurement of Z → H μ+μ− or Toponium → Hγ tree-level modes can also distinguish minimal supersymmetry from the standard model.
WSCE: a flexible Web Service Composition Environment

In this paper, we propose the concepts of virtual partner and inspector into the Web services composition. Virtual partner, as an IT level concept, is a Web service (pseudo Web service) using the same interface with the actual partner but different binding message. A virtual partner can be invoked directly by a business process described by BPEL, so that the BPEL programmer can test both application's functionality and non functionality performance early in the development cycle to avoid any problems in the final runtime, or test the selection of their partners in business level design. The IT virtual partners provide developers with a range of the techniques which let them explore every aspect of their program. Inspector is proposed when using the third-party process engine. An inspector itself is also a Web service. The programmer can register any required output information in it. The IT virtual partner and the inspector concepts have been integrated in our WSCE, a flexible Web Services Composition Environment for a business process. WSCE is a prototype of autonomic modeling and simulation environment. With the help of a third-party BPEL engine, it provides programmer with concepts and tools to facilitate business process programming.
Bootstrapped sparse Bayesian learning for sparse signal recovery

In this article we study the sparse signal recovery problem in a Bayesian framework using a novel Bootstrapped Sparse Bayesian Learning method. Sparse Bayesian Learning (SBL) framework is an effective tool for pruning out the irrelevant features and ending up with a sparse representation. In SBL the choice of prior over the variances of the Gaussian Scale mixture has been an interesting area of research for some time now. This motivates us to use a more generalized maximum entropy density as the prior which results in a new variant of SBL. It has been shown to perform better than traditional SBL empirically and it also accelerates the pruning procedure. Because of this advantage, this variant of SBL can be claimed as more robust choice as it is less sensitive to the threshold for pruning. Theoretical justifications have also been provided to show that the proposed model actually promotes sparse point estimates.
Part two: Breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and esophageal cancer

This is the second of a six-part series on metastatic spread and natural history of 18 common tumors. Part one summarized symptom/problem anticipation, cancer metastasis, and the 18 tumors that each cause more than 6,000 deaths per year in the United States. Bladder and brain cancer were discussed, with information given on tumor types, metastatic spread and invasion, and common symptoms. Part two charts the natural histories of breast, colorectal, and esophageal cancers. Each of these cancers is presented separately, with information given on mortality rates, the most common tumor types, sites of metastases, common problems, and common oncologic emergencies. Sites of spread, resulting problems (including site-specific symptoms), and assessment parameters are presented as tables. Material is presented so that clinicians will be able to anticipate the spread of these cancers and thus identify problems early in their development so that the problems are more easily managed.
Catalytic oxidation: V. Mechanisms of olefin oxidation over supported iridium

Abstract The reactions of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, cis-2-butene, trans-2-butene, iso-butene and the two 2-pentenes were compared over supported Ir catalysts. The rates of total oxidation decreased in the order given, while the corresponding apparent activation energies increased. With ethylene, rate maxima appeared on varying the pressure of either reactant; with propylene and 1-butene, maxima were found with oxygen only; with the other olefins, the rates increased with olefin pressure and were inhibited by oxygen over the entire range studied. About 40% of all the olefin oxidized became partial oxidation products. The most important of these were acetic acid from ethylene, propylene, the 2-butenes and the 2-pentenes, and propionic acid and acetone from 1-butene and isobutene, respectively. Smaller amounts of unsaturated aldehydes, diones and other ketones and acids were also detected. The acetic acid formed from propylene-1-14C was not radioactive. A large kinetic isotope effect was found for the total oxidation of propylene labeled with deuterium in the methyl group. Possible mechanisms are discussed.
Amplitude versus frequency-applications to seismic stratigraphy and reservoir characterization, part II: Real 3-D data in Abo reservoir, Kingdom field, West Texas

Methodology developed in Part I is applied to the study of a complex carbonate reservoir sequence in West Texas. The Amplitude versus Frequency (AVF) relationship in Kingdom 3-D seismic data does control seismic configuration where Abo reservoir lithofacies does not follow geologic time in the Abo sequence. A clear understanding of the Abo geologic model (derived from detailed outcrop analog studies) is the key to avoiding interpretational pitfalls related to the mismatch of seismic data and the frequency component. Multivariable regression with AVF data sets significantly reduced the tuning effect in the Abo reservoir unit, leading to a new porosity map that provides a better fit to porosity logs at wells and production trends and with seismic information.
A new method to measure phthalate exposure in humans

We developed a new method for phthalate exposure assessment that uses glucuronidase digestion of urine, solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to analyze eight mono-esters of phthalates (1, 2). The mono-esters, one of the primary human metabolites of phthalate diesters, are monitored to avoid the ubiquitous background contamination of phthalate diesters. This method is sufficiently sensitive to measure urinary levels in non-occupationally exposed humans. The technique can also be used to measure the degree of glucuronidation of the phthalate metabolites in urine. 1. Blount BC, Milgram KE, Silva M, Malek N, Reidy JA, Needham LL and Brock JW. Quantitative detection of eight phthalate metabolites in human urine using HPLC-APCI-MS/MS. Analyt Chem 2000;72:4127-34. 2. Blount BC, Silva MJ, Caudill SP, Needham LL, Pirkle JL, Sampson EJ, Lucier GW, Jackson RJ and Brock JW Urinary phthalate metabolites in a reference human population. Environ Health Perspect 2000;108:979-82.
Investigating the Energy Sink-Hole Problem in Connected $k$ -Covered Wireless Sensor Networks

In immobile wireless sensor networks with constant data reporting, the sensors nearer the sink are responsible for forwarding data to it on behalf of all other sensors in the network. Those sensors suffer from a severe batter power depletion problem, also known as the energy sink-hole problem. In this paper, we study the above problem in duty-cycled connected ${\mbi{k}}$ -covered wireless sensor networks, where each point in a field of interest is covered by at least ${\mbi{k}}$ sensor. In order to change the neighbors of a sink over time, our solutions suggest the use of mobile proxy sinks that collect data from source sensors and drop them off at an immobile sink. Our proposed three-tier architecture has immobile source sensors, immobile sinks, and mobile proxy sinks. First, we present our fundamental results for the design of duty-cycled connected ${\mbi{k}}$ -covered wireless sensor networks. Second, we provide the first formal analysis of the performance of joint mobility and routing in this type of network. Precisely, we investigate the best mobility strategy of mobile proxy sinks to minimize the total energy consumption for data collection. Third, we propose joint mobility and routing schemes based on the number of immobile sinks and mobile proxy sinks. We provide a thorough analytical model for our schemes. Finally, we evaluate their performance by simulation. Our results show their significant improvement of the network lifetime compared to a solution without mobile proxy sinks.
On the design of Web-tapered, unequal-flanged structural steel columns

Abstract A study directed towards the development of an efficient and economical design for stability of structural steel members is described. A finite element method is presented for determining the lateral-torsional buckling load for linearly tapered I-section members with unequal flange areas. Solutions are obtained for different flange-area ratios and tapering ratios. Such solutions are used to develop an interaction relationship for tapered unequal-flanged steel structural colums subjected to both axial and bending stresses. The formulation is intended to provide a more rational approach to the design of tapered steel columns—a step towards an optimum stability design for structural steel members.
Patient-dependent beam-modifier physics in Monte Carlo photon dose calculations.

Model pencil-beam on slab calculations are used as well as a series of detailed calculations of photon and electron output from commercial accelerators to quantify level(s) of physics required for the Monte Carlo transport of photons and electrons in treatment-dependent beam modifiers, such as jaws, wedges, blocks, and multileaf collimators, in photon teletherapy dose calculations. The physics approximations investigated comprise (1) not tracking particles below a given kinetic energy, (2) continuing to track particles, but performing simplified collision physics, particularly in handling secondary particle production, and (3) not tracking particles in specific spatial regions. Figures-of-merit needed to estimate the effects of these approximations are developed, and these estimates are compared with full-physics Monte Carlo calculations of the contribution of the collimating jaws to the on-axis depth-dose curve in a water phantom. These figures of merit are next used to evaluate various approximations used in coupled photon/electron physics in beam modifiers. Approximations for tracking electrons in air are then evaluated. It is found that knowledge of the materials used for beam modifiers, of the energies of the photonbeams used, as well as of the length scales typically found in photon teletherapy plans, allows a number of simplifying approximations to be made in the Monte Carlo transport of secondary particles from the accelerator head and beam modifiers to the isocenter plane.
A randomized double-blind study of the effect of triiodothyronine on cardiac function and morbidity after coronary bypass surgery.

Abstract Background: Although triiodothyronine deficiency has been described after cardiopulmonary bypass, data supporting its use have been conflicting. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was undertaken to further define the effect of triiodothyronine on hemodynamics and outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods: A total of 170 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting were enrolled and completed the study from November 1996 through March 1998. On removal of the aortic crossclamp, patients were randomized to receive either intravenous triiodothyronine (0.4 μg/kg bolus plus 0.1 μg/kg infusion administered over a 6-hour period, n=81) or placebo (n = 89). Outcome variables included hemodynamic profile and inotropic drug/pressor requirements at several time points (mean ± standard error of the mean), perioperative morbidity (arrhythmia/ischemia/infarction), and mortality. Results: Despite similar baseline characteristics, patients randomized to triiodothyronine had a higher cardiac index and lower inotropic requirements after the operation. Subjects receiving triiodothyronine demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of postoperative myocardial ischemia (4% vs 18%, P = .007) and pacemaker dependence (14% vs 25%, P = .013). Seven patients in the placebo group required postoperative mechanical assistance (intra-aortic balloon pump, n=4; left ventricular assist device, n=3), compared with none in the triiodothyronine group ( P = .01). There were 2 deaths in the placebo group and no deaths in the triiodothyronine group. Conclusions: Parenteral triiodothyronine given after crossclamp removal during elective coronary artery bypass grafting significantly improved postoperative ventricular function, reduced the need for treatment with inotropic agents and mechanical devices, and decreased the incidence of myocardial ischemia. The incidence of atrial fibrillation was slightly decreased, and the need for postoperative pacemaker support was reduced. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;117:1128-35)
ACP Journal Club. Review: Risk prediction scales have different strengths and weaknesses for predicting mortality in community-acquired pneumonia

Source Citation Loke YK, Kwok CS, Niruban A, Myint PK. Value of severity scales in predicting mortality from community-acquired pneumonia: systematic review and meta-analysis. Thorax. 2010;65:884-9...
Native oxide removal from SiGe using mixtures of HF and water delivered by aqueous, gas, and supercritical CO2 processes

Abstract HF and water delivered using liquid, gas, and supercritical CO 2 phases were used to remove native oxides and suboxides from SiGe surfaces containing 15–30% Ge. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to monitor the Si 2p and Ge 2p 3/2 peaks as a function of the process type, HF concentration, and Ge fraction. A larger percentage of Si oxides were removed compared to Ge oxides by all three processes. The threshold HF concentration in aqueous-phase solutions for complete removal of Si and Ge oxides was approximately 28 millimole/l (mM) on Si 0.85 Ge 0.15 and increased by approximately an order of magnitude on the surfaces with the higher Ge concentrations. The threshold concentration increased from 0.007 mM on Si 0.85 Ge 0.15 to at least 0.14 mM on Si 0.70 Ge 0.30 to obtain significant removal of both Si and Ge oxides using supercritical CO 2 to carry the HF and water etching solution. Although air exposure of the liquid water and supercritical CO 2 etched samples provided an opportunity for reoxidization, the trends in the metal and oxide XPS peak areas with HF concentration suggest that chemical treatment had the largest effect. Gas-phase HF/vapor processes removed all of the SiO 2 , Si suboxides, and GeO 2 in less than 30 s offering the best performance of the processes studied without roughening the surface.
Enhanced Boundary Condition-Based Approach for Construction Location Sensing Using RFID and RTK GPS

AbstractThe radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has proven its potential in locating and tracking construction resources, a critical task in construction project control. However, the main challenge is how to achieve desired levels of locating accuracy. This paper presents an enhanced boundary condition method that incorporates the tag-reader angle and the reader geometric configuration factors to control the accuracy of a locating system that integrates RFID and real time kinematic (RTK) global positioning system (GPS). Controlled laboratory experiments were conducted to assess their effects and create quality control filters. This study demonstrated the relationship between the detecting range and the tag-reader angle and used it to separate valid/invalid boundary points. Spatial dilution of precision (SDOP) was formulated to measure the geometric configuration of readers forming the boundary constraint. Correlating SDOP to the locating error through a polynomial regression model, a mechani...
A Mobile Tubular Mass Visualized by Transesophageal Echocardiography After Successful Lead Extraction

A 29-year-old woman with a dual-chamber defibrillator previously implanted for congenital long QT syndrome was found to have a fractured Medtronic 6949 defibrillator lead. A lead extraction was recommended because of her young age and her aversion to the presence of multiple redundant nonfunctional leads. Her lead extraction was performed in the operating room under general anesthesia with the use of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiograpy. With gentle traction after the screw was retracted, the right ventricular lead was only adherent to the right ventricle at the tip of the right ventricular lead. This lead was not adherent to the subclavian vein, superior vena …
VELOCITY SPECTRUM FOR H I AT HIGH LATITUDES

In this paper, we present the results of the statistical analysis of high-latitude H I turbulence in the Milky Way. We have observed H I in the 21 cm line, obtained with the Arecibo3 L-Band Feed Array receiver at the Arecibo radio telescope. For recovering velocity statistics, we have used the velocity coordinate spectrum (VCS) technique. In our analysis, we have used direct fitting of the VCS model, as its asymptotic regimes are questionable for Arecibo's resolution, given the restrictions from thermal smoothing of the turbulent line. We have obtained a velocity spectral index of 3.87 ± 0.11, an injection scale of 140 ± 80 pc, and an H I cold phase temperature of 52 ± 11 K. The spectral index is steeper than the Kolmogorov index and can be interpreted as being due to shock-dominated turbulence.
Why are prices in Japan so high

Abstract Surveys show that traded-goods prices are higher in Japan than elsewhere. Explanations have focussed on trade policies, distributional inefficiencies, oligopolistic rent extraction, and the keiretsu. The trade policy, rent extraction, and keiretsu hypotheses all receive support from the econometric results reported in this paper.
Eptifibatide-Associated Acute, Profound Thrombocytopenia

OBJECTIVE:To describe 3 cases of eptifibatide-associated acute, profound thrombocytopenia.CASE SUMMARIES:A 40-year-old black female received eptifibatide 180-μg/kg double bolus followed by a continuous infusion of 2 μg/kg/min for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The platelet count decreased from 308 times 103/mm3 to 2 times 103/mm3 4 hours after initiation of eptifibatide. Eptifibatide was discontinued and platelets were transfused. The patient developed a hematoma and petechiae. A 67-year-old white female received the same dosage regimen of eptifibatide for PCI with no serious adverse effects, with the treatment repeated one month later. At that time, she developed chest and back pain, dyspnea, wheezing, and hypotension after the first bolus. Her platelet count decreased from 334 times 103/mm3 to 6 times 103/mm3 24 hours after initiation. Eptifibatide was discontinued and platelets were transfused. The patient died due to shock. A 72-year-old white male received eptifibatide 180-μg/kg double bol...
Antimicrobial polysiloxane polymers and coatings containing pendant levofloxacin

A broad-spectrum antimicrobial drug, levofloxacin, was successfully incorporated into a siloxane coating by covalent attachment. First, an epoxy-functional poly(dimethylsiloxane) (Ep-PDMS) was synthesized by platinum-catalyzed hydrosilylation using poly(methylhydro-co-dimethyl)siloxane and allyl glycidyl ether. Next, levofloxacin was reacted with Ep-PDMS using a stoichiometric excess of epoxy groups relative to levofloxacin to produce a siloxane copolymer containing both pendant levofloxacin and epoxy moieties (levo-Ep-PDMS). Since attachment (i.e. tethering) of levofloxacin occurred via ring-opening of epoxy groups by the carboxylic acid group of levofloxacin, the tether produced was an ester-functional tether. Crosslinked surface coatings were produced by solution blending the polymer with diethylenetriamine as a crosslinker. Compared to a control coating produced by simply blending levofloxacin into a polysiloxane, the coating containing tethered levofloxacin moieties displayed a uniform distribution of levofloxacin, higher initial kill, and sustained antimicrobial surface activity.
Fat-Specific DsbA-L Overexpression Promotes Adiponectin Multimerization and Protects Mice From Diet-Induced Obesity and Insulin Resistance

The antidiabetic and antiatherosclerotic effects of adiponectin make it a desirable drug target for the treatment of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. However, the adiponectin-based drug development approach turns out to be difficult due to extremely high serum levels of this adipokine. On the other hand, a significant correlation between adiponectin multimerization and its insulin-sensitizing effects has been demonstrated, suggesting a promising alternative therapeutic strategy. Here we show that transgenic mice overexpressing disulfide bond A oxidoreductase-like protein in fat (fDsbA-L) exhibited increased levels of total and the high-molecular-weight form of adiponectin compared with wild-type (WT) littermates. The fDsbA-L mice also displayed resistance to diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis compared with WT control mice. The protective effects of DsbA-L overexpression on diet-induced insulin resistance, but not increased body weight and fat cell size, were significantly decreased in adiponectin-deficient fDsbA-L mice (fDsbA-L/Ad−/−). In addition, the fDsbA-L/Ad−/− mice displayed greater activity and energy expenditure compared with adiponectin knockout mice under a high-fat diet. Taken together, our results demonstrate that DsbA-L protects mice from diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance through adiponectin-dependent and independent mechanisms. In addition, upregulation of DsbA-L could be an effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of obesity and its associated metabolic disorders.
Influence of Hydrophobic Mismatch on Structures and Dynamics of Gramicidin A and Lipid Bilayers

Gramicidin A (gA) is a 15-amino-acid antibiotic peptide with an alternating L-D sequence, which forms (dimeric) bilayer-spanning, monovalent cation channels in biological membranes and synthetic bilayers. We performed molecular dynamics simulations of gA dimers and monomers in all-atom, explicit dilauroylphosphatidylcholine (DLPC), dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC), dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC), and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) bilayers. The variation in acyl chain length among these different phospholipids provides a way to alter gA-bilayer interactions by varying the bilayer hydrophobic thickness, and to determine the influence of hydrophobic mismatch on the structure and dynamics of both gA channels (and monomeric subunits) and the host bilayers. The simulations show that the channel structure varied little with changes in hydrophobic mismatch, and that the lipid bilayer adapts to the bilayer-spanning channel to minimize the exposure of hydrophobic residues. The bilayer thickness, however, did not vary monotonically as a function of radial distance from the channel. In all simulations, there was an initial decrease in thickness within 4–5 A from the channel, which was followed by an increase in DOPC and POPC or a further decrease in DLPC and DMPC bilayers. The bilayer thickness varied little in the monomer simulations—except one of three independent simulations for DMPC and all three DLPC simulations, where the bilayer thinned to allow a single subunit to form a bilayer-spanning water-permeable pore. The radial dependence of local lipid area and bilayer compressibility is also nonmonotonic in the first shell around gA dimers due to gA-phospholipid interactions and the hydrophobic mismatch. Order parameters, acyl chain dynamics, and diffusion constants also differ between the lipids in the first shell and the bulk. The lipid behaviors in the first shell around gA dimers are more complex than predicted from a simple mismatch model, which has implications for understanding the energetics of membrane protein-lipid interactions.
Frontiers in solid state biomedical transducers

The explosive advances recently made in microelectronics, microcomputers and instrumentation techniques have created a vast opportunity and demand for biomedical measurement and control systems. The lack of reliable biomedical transducers is one of the bottlenecks in realizing the potential for better biomedical research as well as health care. The need for transducers in closed loop prostheses, artificial organs, diagnosis, care of the ill in both hospitals and at home, is discussed. A list of measurements for various physical, chemical and psychological parameters and the transducers needed to make these measurements is given. Solid state electronics and technology important to transducer research is outlined with examples of sensors and actuators being developed at Case Western Reserve University. Future directions and concepts for new sensors and actuators are discussed.
SEQ: A model for sequence databases

This paper presents the SEQ model which is the basis for a system to manage various kinds of sequence data. The model separates the data from the ordering information, and includes operators based on two distinct abstractions of a sequence. The main contributions of the SEQ model are: (a) it can deal with different types of sequence data, (b) it supports an expressive range of sequence queries, (c) it draws from many of the diverse existing approaches to modeling sequence data. >
Nitrendipine as an antihypertensive agent.

A double-blind, stratified and randomized multicentre trial was carried out to compare the antihypertensive efficacy of nitrendipine with that of propranolol. The dose of nitrendipine was 5–20 mg b.d., and of propranolol, 40–120 mg b.d. With nitrendipine (N = 137), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) fell from 156 ± 1 to 140 ± 1 mmHg and from 101 ±0 to 89 ± 1 mmHg respectively (mean±SEM) (P < 0.0001). On propranolol (N = 138), SBP fell from 156 ± 1 to 144 ± 2 mmHg and DBP decreased from 101 ± 0 to 91 ± 1 mmHg (P < 0.0001). In a subgroup of 11 patients on nitrendipine, mean 24-hour SBP dropped from 137 ± 4 to 128 ± 4 mmHg and DBP fell from 92 ± 2 to 87 ± 2 mmHg (P < 0.01). On propranolol, mean 24-hour SBP and DBP were decreased from 142 ± 4 to 128=4 mmHG (P < 0.05) and from 89 ± 2 to 84 ± 2 mmHg (P<0.09), respectively. Plasma renin activity was not altered significantly by nitrendipine (N = 89), but was significantly reduced from 1.86 ± 0.24 to 1.37 ± 0.75 ng ml-1 h-1 by propranolol (N = 88, P < 0.002). Plasma renin activity was inversely correlated with age, but was not related to the reduction of SBP or DBP. The level of pretreatment BP was positively correlated to the reduction of BP achieved in older patients and the BP reduction tended to be larger than in younger patients. Common side-effects in both treatment groups were headache, fatigue, palpitation, and flushing. Therefore, nitrendipine is an effective antihypertensive agent in a dose of 5–20 mg b.d. producing results similar to propranolol, 40–120 mg b.d.
Update on the optimal management of patients with colorectal liver metastases

Patients with colorectal liver metastases represent a distinct subset of metastatic colorectal cancer. Optimal management requires a multidisciplinary approach, local and systemic. Curative hepatic surgery is standard for resectable cases, but unfortunately, the majority of patients are not initially resectable due to the size, location, and/or extent of disease, inadequate remnant liver volume, or comorbidities. Other local approaches may be complementary (such as portal vein embolization) or alternative (such as ablation, hepatic arterial infusion, selective internal radiation therapy, and stereotactic body radiotherapy) to surgery. Systemic therapy can downsize disease, allowing surgical resection and, potentially, long-term survival, but it must be balanced against the potential for hepatotoxicity. Current standard approaches including cytotoxics and biologics, such as bevacizumab and particularly anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy, improve response rates and may enhance downsizing and resection rates. Optimization of local therapies and systemic conversion strategies via controlled, randomized trials is still a pending question.
Hormone concentration changes temporally associated with the hour of transition from preluteolysis to luteolysis in mares

Abstract The temporal associations of cortisol, estradiol-17β, and oxytocin with pulses of PGFM at the common hour of transition between preluteolysis and luteolysis was studied in plasma from hourly blood samples in mares ( n =8). The transitional hour was determined from progesterone concentrations and occurred between 2PM and 2AM in all mares. Pulses of PGFM were grouped into those occurring at the last pulse of preluteolysis (preluteolytic pulse), at the hour of transition (transitional), and during luteolysis (luteolytic). The preluteolytic PGFM pulse (45±16pg/ml at peak) and transitional pulse (42±7pg/ml) are reportedly less prominent than the first luteolytic pulse (193±36pg/ml). Cortisol increased ( P P P P P P P
Gettering in multicrystalline silicon-a design-of-experiments approach

Statistical methods were used to design and analyze the results of a gettering experiment on four industrial multicrystalline silicon solar cell materials. The experiment studied the effects of temperature and time in the POCl/sub 3/ diffusion process and the aluminum alloy process using simple diagnostic devices. The time and temperature ranges were restricted to maintain compatibility with commercial fabrication sequences. The design was capable of picking up second order interactions between the various processing factors. Statistically significant gettering effects were detected in only two of the four materials. The results for one of these materials were further tested using full solar cells. Strengths and weaknesses of this approach to gettering studies have become apparent in the present work and are discussed.
Interactions between β-Catenin and the HSlo Potassium Channel Regulates HSlo Surface Expression

Background The large conductance calcium-activated potassium channel alpha-subunit (Slo) is widely distributed throughout the body and plays an important role in a number of diseases. Prior work has shown that Slo, through its S10 region, interacts with β-catenin, a key component of the cytoskeleton framework and the Wnt signaling pathway. However, the physiological significance of this interaction was not clear. Methodology/Principal Findings Using a combination of proteomic and cell biology tools we show the existence of additional multiple binding sites in Slo, and explore in detail β-catenin interactions with the S10 region. We demonstrate that deletion of this region reduces Slo surface expression in HEK cells, which indicates that interaction with beta-catenin is important for Slo surface expression. This is confirmed by reduced expression of Slo in HEK cells and chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus leghorn white) hair cells treated with siRNA to β-catenin. HSlo reciprocally co-immunoprecipitates with β-catenin, indicating a stable binding between these two proteins, with the S10 deletion mutant having reduced binding with β-catenin. We also observed that mutations of the two putative GSK phosphorylation sites within the S10 region affect both the surface expression of Slo and the channel's voltage and calcium sensitivities. Interestingly, expression of exogenous Slo in HEK cells inhibits β-catenin-dependent canonical Wnt signaling. Conclusions and Significance These studies identify for the first time a central role for β-catenin in mediating Slo surface expression. Additionally we show that Slo overexpression can lead to downregulation of Wnt signaling.
Creating a Mathematical Theory of Computer Networks

1. ORIGINS It all began with a comic book! At the age of 6, I was reading a Superman comic at my apartment in Manhattan when, in the centerfold, I found plans for building a crystal radio. To do so, I needed my father’s used razor blade, a piece of pencil lead, an empty toilet paper roll, and some wire, all of which I had no trouble obtaining. In addition, I needed an earphone, which I promptly appropriated from a public telephone booth. The one remaining part was something called a “variable capacitor.” For this, I convinced my mother to take me on the subway down to Canal Street, the center for radio electronics. Upon arrival to one of the shops, I boldly walked up to the clerk and proudly asked to purchase a variable capacitor, whereupon the clerk replied with, “what size do you want?” This blew my cover, and I confessed that I not only had no idea what size, but I also had no idea what the part was for in the first place. After
Performance Analysis for E-Business: Impact of Long Range Dependence

We consider an e-business web-server system where the network traffic exhibits self-similarity. We demonstrate that traditional techniques are unsuitable for predicting the network performance under such traffic conditions. Instead, we propose and demonstrate a novel decomposition approximation technique that helps predict delays more accurately and thus is better suited for capacity planning and network design when compared to traditional queueing network analyzers. We also consider several strategies for mitigating the effect of self-similarity, and conclude that admission control holds the greatest potential for improving service. We provide an approximation technique for computing the admission control parameter values. Numerical results and suggestions for future work are discussed.
Material state remapping in computational solid mechanics

A computational procedure for remapping material state information from one finite element mesh to another is described. The procedure is useful in connection with evolving meshes for inelastic problems, as for example occur in the context of fracture simulation and adaptive mesh refinement. The proposed method is based on weak enforcement of equality between corresponding fields on the two meshes, where piecewise-constant fields on both meshes are generalized from the quadrature-point values. The essential algorithmic problem is that of calculating the volume partition of an arbitrary convex region with respect to a covering set of disjoint convex regions. Instead of geometrically resolving the associated intersections, the problem is herein approximated by a constrained optimization problem, which may be readily and efficiently solved computationally. This formulation is a main contribution of the paper. Computational examples are given that illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed procedure. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gain-Loss Separability and Coalescing in Risky Decision Making

This experiment tested two behavioral properties of risky decision making---gain-loss separability (GLS) and coalescing. Cumulative prospect theory (CPT) implies both properties, but the transfer of attention exchange (TAX) model violates both. Original prospect theory satisfies GLS but may or may not satisfy coalescing, depending on whether editing rules are assumed. A configural form of CPT proposed by Wu and Markle [Wu, G., A. B. Markle. 2004. An empirical test of gain-loss separability in prospect theory. Working Paper 06-25-04, Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago] violates GLS, but satisfies coalescing. New tests were designed and conducted to test these theories against specific predictions of a TAX model. This model used parameters estimated from previous data, together with simple new assumptions to extend TAX to gambles with negative and mixed consequences. Contrary to all three forms of prospect theory, systematic violations of both coalescing and GLS were observed. Violations of GLS were confirmed by analyses of individual data patterns by means of an error model in which each choice can have a different rate of error. Without estimating any parameters from the new data, the TAX model predicted the majority choices in the new data fairly well, correctly predicting when modal choices would violate GLS, when they would satisfy it, and when indifference would be observed.
Quantitative analysis of transesophageal echocardiograms for the intraoperative setting: clinical need and initial experience

Two computerized analysis systems that provide objective interpretation of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) images are described. A semi-automated system has been used to study systolic wall thickening (SWT) as a means of assessing the effects of anesthetics on TEE. Representative data are presented, showing marked decrease in SWT as a result of halothane administration. Initial experience with this system has demonstrated persistently high interexamination variability of SWT measurements, which is largely the result of its reliance on manual, user-dependent description of the cardiac outlines. In order to correct this problem, as well as to be able to utilize the analysis process into the real-time interoperative environment, development of a more fully automated system that incorporates computed detection and estimation of cardiac boundaries has begun. The implementation of the system and the procedure it uses are described. A number of steps to improve the automated boundary detection process are given. >
Complete nucleotide sequence, origin of isoform and functional characterization of the mouse hepsin gene

Hepsin, a type-II membrane-associated serine protease, has been implicated in cell growth and development as well as possible initiation of blood coagulation. Here, we report on the complete nucleotide sequence, functional characterization of key structural features and the promoter of the mouse hepsin gene. The gene has a size of approximately 17 kb, and is composed of 12, 13, or 14 exons depending on alternative intron splicings - one in the 5'-UTR and the other two in the second intron. The latter two, which occur in approximately half of the hepsin transcripts, generate a hepsin mRNA species with an extra exon, which is responsible for producing a hepsin isoform with a unique 20-residue sequence inserted in the cytoplasmic portion of hepsin. Most hepsin transcripts have the 5'-UTR intron spliced, and its splicing can occur independently of the other alternative splicings. The transcriptional initiation site was determined to be 636 bp upstream of the first ATG site in a cytidine-rich region. The 5'-flanking region of hepsin up to nucleotide 274 showed a substantial promoter activity in HepG2 cells, with its expression activity sevenfold higher in the presence of the 5'-UTR intron sequence in comparison to that without the intron sequence. The basal promoter region contains potential binding sites for several transcription factors including SP1, AP2, C/EBP, LF-A1, and E box, which may be responsible for ubiquitous, but liver- and kidney-preferred tissue expression of the hepsin gene.
Banking Wyoming big sagebrush seeds

Five commercially produced seed lots of Wyoming big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata Nutt. var. wyomingensis (Beetle & Young) S.L. Welsh [Asteraceae]) were stored under various conditions for 5 y. Purity, moisture content as measured by equilibrium relative humidity, and storage temperature were all important factors to successful seed storage. Our results indicate that no losses in germination will occur for at least 5 y if seeds are cleaned to 66 to 80% purity, dried to 30% equilibrium relative humidity, sealed in moisture-proof containers, and kept frozen at temperatures ≤ 8 °C. Because they can deteriorate rapidly, Wyoming big sagebrush seeds should be dried, cleaned, and placed in storage soon after harvest.
Atomic-Scale Grain Boundary Relaxation Modes in Metals and Ceramics

Abstract: The atomic-scale structure of tilt grain boundaries has been studied by high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) in several ceramics and metals such as NiO, yttria stabilized zirconia, Au, and Al. It is found that when grain boundaries are formed between two crystals a considerable variety of modes of relaxations, i.e., the rearrangements of atoms in and near the grain boundary core are possible, depending on grain boundary geometry and the interatomic interactions. The atomic relaxations within and near the grain boundary core often include relaxations that involve the formation of stacking faults in low-stacking-fault energy fcc materials. Grain boundary dissociations are also observed for several grain boundary geometries. Computer simulations of grain boundary structures in metals have in general been able to reproduce the relaxation features at least on a qualitative level. In contrast, ceramic grain boundaries typically are more complex and not always tractable by simple computer relaxation procedures, since the formation of point defects and partial occupancy of atomic columns may be involved in the relaxation processes. It is found that when a boundary is not allowed to relax to its lowest energy state due to geometrical constraints, a multitude of grain boundary core structures can exist. Such conditions are expected to be characteristic for nanocrystalline materials. Because of its close connection to grain boundary properties, quantification of the volume expansion by HREM techniques is an important goal of grain boundary research. Image simulations of grain boundaries suggest that for most materials of interest the 3-fold astigmatism must be corrected to better than 100 nm to achieve the desired accuracies.
Workload reduction through usability improvement of hospital information systems-the case of order set optimization

Order sets are a critical component in hospital information systems and expected to reduce physician workload, substantially. Order sets represent time interval-clustered order items (e.g. medications prescribed at hospital admission) which are administered to patients during their hospital stay. We develop a mathematical programming model, an exact and a heuristic solution procedure with the objective to minimize physician workload associated with prescribing order sets. In a case study using order data on Asthma patients with severe conditions from a major pediatric hospital, we compare the hospital’s current solution with the exact and heuristic solutions on a variety of performance metrics. Our computational results reveal that using an interval decomposition approach substantially reduces computation times. Our physician workload analysis revealed that our exact approach reduces the hospital’s current workload for these patients from 12% to 65% simply by allowing 1 to 5 order sets in each time interval, respectively.