cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Malignancy in Noonan syndrome and related disorders

Noonan syndrome (NS) and related disorders, such as NS with multiple lentigines (formerly called LEOPARD syndrome), cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome, and Costello syndrome, constitute an important group of developmental malformation syndromes with variable clinical and molecular features. Their underlying pathophysiologic mechanism involves dysregulation of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, an essential mediator of developmental and growth processes in the prenatal and postnatal setting. Malignant tumor development is an important complication encountered in other RASopathies, such as neurofibromatosis type 1, but the neoplastic risks and incidence of malignant tumors are less clearly defined in NS and related disorders of the Noonan spectrum. Malignant tumor development remains an important complication variably seen in the RASopathies and, thus, a clear understanding of the underlying risks is essential for appropriate clinical care in this patient population. This review discusses previously published reports of malignancies in individuals with RASopathies of the Noonan spectrum.
Severe scleritis and urticarial lesions.

Abstract Purpose To report the first known case of bilateral scleritis in a patient with hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis. Design Interventional case report. Methods Medical and ophthalmic history, results of physical and ophthalmic examinations, laboratory data, and histologic and immunopathologic examination were reviewed and results recorded. Results A 67-year-old man who presented with eye redness and pain, rash, arthralgia, and malaise was found to have hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis. Treatment with high-dose oral corticosteroids and mycophenolate mofetil resulted in the resolution of the rash and scleritis. Conclusions Ocular involvement may be a helpful clue in the diagnosis of this uncommon syndrome.
Telomerase RNA Accumulates in Cajal Bodies in Human Cancer Cells

Telomerase synthesizes telomeric DNA repeats at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. The RNA component of the enzyme (hTR) provides the template for telomere synthesis, which is catalyzed by telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Little is known regarding the subcellular localization of hTR and hTERT and the pathway by which telomerase is assembled. Here we report the first glimpse of the detailed subcellular localization of endogenous hTR in human cells, which we obtained by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Our studies have revealed a distinctive hTR localization pattern in cancer cells. We have found that hTR accumulates within intranuclear foci called Cajal bodies in all typical tumor-derived cell lines examined (in which telomerase is active), but not in primary or ALT cells (where little or no hTERT is present). Accumulation of hTR in the Cajal bodies of primary cells is induced when hTERT is ectopically expressed. Moreover, we report that hTERT is also found in Cajal bodies. Our data suggest that Cajal bodies are involved in the assembly and/or function of human telomerase.
Determination and characterization of a transition structure for water–formaldehyde addition

Quantum mechanical calculations of the geometric, energetic, electronic, and vibrational features of a transition structure for gas-phase water–formaldehyde addition (FW1‡) are described, and a new transition-structure search algorithm is presented. Basis-set-dependent effects are assessed by comparisons of computed properties obtained from self-consistent field (SCF) molecular orbital (MO) calculations with STO-3G, 4-31G, and 6-31G** basis sets in the absence of electron correlation. The results obtained suggest that STO-3G-level calculations may be sufficiently reliable for the prediction of the transition structure of FW1‡ and for the transition structures of related carbonyl addition reactions. Moreover, the calculated activation energy for formation of FW1‡ from water and formaldehyde (−44 kcal mol−1) is very similar in all three basis sets. However, the energy of formaldehyde hydration predicted by STO-3G (˜ −45 kcal mol−1) is about three times larger than that predicted by the other two basis sets, with the activation energy for dihydroxymethane dehydration also being too large in STO-3G. Calculated force constants in all three basis sets are generally too large, leading to vibrational frequencies that are also too large. However, uniformly scaled force constants (in internal coordinates) give much better agreement with experimental frequencies, scaled 4-31G force constants being slightly superior to scaled STO-3G force constants.
Teachers' Conceptions of the Internet and the World Wide Web: A Representational Toolkit as a Model of Expertise

Given rapid changes in the use of network computer technologies in education, it is increasingly important to better understand teachers' conceptions of these technologies, especially as used in teaching and learning. This is particularly true regarding teachers' ways of thinking about the Internet and the World Wide Web. Two questions are addressed in this study: First, does a teacher's conceptual representation of a network technology have an impact on how he or she uses it? Second, do experts think about network technologies such as the Internet and the World Wide Web in ways different than novices? To examine the role of teachers' conceptual representations in detail, a survey and ten case studies were conducted among pre- and in-service teachers enrolled in university courses. The survey elicited the representations that teachers had of the Internet and the World Wide Web. The case studies consisted of network problem-solving tasks using think-aloud protocols. The results show a surprisingly diverse ...
National Extension Workshop Washington update

SUMMARY The USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service was changed to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the National Research Initiative became the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative on October 1, 2009. All related grants, deadlines, and procedures may be found on the National Institute of Food and Agriculture Internet site ( http://www.nifa.usda.gov ) after October 1, 2009. The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service continues to have annual internal and periodic (every 5 yr) external reviews of their portfolio, which summarizes accomplishments found in the Current Research Information System. As in previous years, cooperation, networking, teamwork, and participation in multistate research committees are essential to meaningful contributions to the food animal system. Since 1988, the National Poultry Extension Workshop has been possible because of the dedicated efforts of volunteers. The Future Trends in Animal Agriculture’s 2008 symposium was “Complementary Relationships in Animal Agriculture.” The 2009 Quadrennial Poultry Extension Workshop was held in Raleigh, North Carolina. The National Poultry Waste Management Symposium coordinator for 2010 is Edgar Oviedo, North Carolina State University. Several universities now provide animal welfare education programs, including participation in assessment competitions and distance education. Coordination of the Animal Welfare Assessment Contest continues to be through Michigan State University. The recipient of the 2009 Poultry Extension Special Recognition Award is Jacquie Jacob, University of Kentucky, for her exceptional contributions to extension programs at the state, regional, and national levels. Michael Ford, University of Kentucky, is the 2009 recipient of the Poultry Science Association Support Personnel Award, sponsored by Tyson Foods Inc.
Fluorescent protein FRET: the good, the bad and the ugly

Dynamic protein interactions play a significant part in many cellular processes. A technique that shows considerable promise in elucidating such interactions is Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET). When combined with multiple, colored fluorescent proteins, FRET permits high spatial resolution assays of protein-protein interactions in living cells. Because FRET signals are usually small, however, their measurement requires careful interpretation and several control experiments. Nevertheless, the use of FRET in cell biological experiments has exploded over the past few years. Here we describe the physical basis of FRET and the fluorescent proteins appropriate for these experiments. We also review the approaches that can be used to measure FRET, with particular emphasis on the potential artifacts associated with each approach.
God, Mixed Modes, and Natural Law: An Intellectualist Interpretation of Locke's Moral Philosophy

The goal of this paper is to explicate the theological and epistemological elements of John Locke's moral philosophy as presented in the ‘Essay Concerning Human Understanding’ and ‘The Reasonableness of Christianity’. Many detractors hold that Locke's moral philosophy is internally inconsistent due to his seeming commitment to both the intellectualist position that divinely instituted morality admits of pure rational demonstration and the competing voluntarist claim that we must rely for our moral knowledge upon divine revelation. In this paper I argue that Locke is guilty of no such contradiction. In doing so, I attempt to accommodate Locke's position in the ‘Essay’ that moral principles are demonstrable a priori with his views on the sanctity of Christian revelation. I then consider Locke's conception of moral ideas as a species of mixed modes, or arbitrarily constructed complex ideas, and attempt to navigate the mechanism whereby human understanding can recognize these ideas as conforming to, or strayi...
Soft ware and Hardware Acceleration of the Genomic Motif Finding Tool PhyloNet

OF THE THESIS Software and Hardware Acceleration of the Genomic Motif Finding Tool PhyloNet by Justin Tyler Brown Master of Science in Computer Science Washington University in St. Louis, 2008 Research Advisor: Professor Jeremy Buhler A major area of research in molecular and computational biology is deciphering the cis-regulatory network that governs transcriptional regulation. This task has proven to be a challenge because regulatory elements are usually short, degenerate, and hidden in very long sequences. A recently developed algorithm known as PhyloNet attempts to computationally identify conserved regulatory motifs of an organism by using alignments to related species as evidence of conservation. In this thesis, we address the problem of scaling PhyloNet to handle large genomes. We first work to improve PhyloNet in software alone, improving its speed and sensitivity. Our improved version of PhyloNet on the budding yeast genome yields 1.6x more known yeast motifs and a speedup of 20x over the originial. We then develop a streaming architecture design of PhyloNet and show how the seed matching and extension stages can be implemented using Field Programmable Gate arrays. We estimate that our FPGA design yields an additional order of magnitude speedup over our best software version of PhyloNet.
Where you from! : Gang identity as performance

This article investigates how young people in an inner-city ecology invoke the relevance of gangs by demanding, “Where you from!” Such a challenge creates a lively venue for performing identity and emotional manipulation for both the instigator who offers the challenge and the respondent. Rather than conceptualizing young people as gang members and gangs as a static group, this analysis shows how the doing of gangs is strategic and context sensitive. Such an approach provides an alternative to conceptualizing identity, and especially gang identity, not as a fixed personal characteristic but as a sensual response to a moment’s vicissitudes.
The role of apolipoprotein E genetic variants in lipoprotein disorders

Apolipoprotein E plays a central role in lipoprotein metabolism by serving as a ligand for the binding of lipoproteins to lipoprotein receptors. Both common and rare variants of apoE have been described. The common variants apoE2 and apoE4 have a significant impact on interindividual variation of lipid and lipoprotein levels in normal subjects. The common variant apoE2 and more than half a dozen rare variants are defective in binding to the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, and all are causally associated with the lipid disorder type III hyperlipoproteinaemia (HLP). The mode of inheritance of the disorder can be either dominant or recessive, depending on the particular mutation(s) in apoE, although the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. The common variant apoE4 and other rare variants have been reported to be associated with a variety of other lipoprotein disorders, but a causal link has not been established.
Precipitation Studies in the System WC‐ZrC

The solubility of WC in ZrC varied from 25 mol% at 1800°C to 65 mol% at 2550°C. There was no detectable solubility of ZrC in WC in the same temperature range. Tungsten carbide precipitates from supersaturated WC-ZrC solutions as rods. The crystallographical relation between the precipitated phase and the matrix established by electron diffraction techniques is: [100]wc|[110]ZrC and [010]wc|[011]zrc. The interfacial planes were (001) for WC and (111) for ZrC. The hardness of the solid solution of 55 mol% WC and 45 mol% ZrC increased ∼ 10% after it was annealed at 1900°C.
China's Rainfall Interannual Predictability: Dependence on the Annual Cycle and Surface Anomalies

Abstract China's rainfall interannual predictability is generally believed to depend upon the accurate representation of its annual cycle as well as teleconnections with planetary surface anomalies, including tropical east Pacific sea surface temperature and Eurasian snow and soil moisture. A suite of general circulation model (GCM) simulations is used to ascertain the existence of these relationships. First, a comparison of thirty 1980–88 Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP) GCM simulations shows no clear correspondence between model skill to reproduce observed rainfall annual cycle and interannual variability. Thus, accurate representation of either component does not ensure the realistic simulation of the other. Second, diagnosis of the 1903–94 and 1950–97 National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Climate Model, version 3 (CCM3), ensemble integrations indicates the existence of teleconnections in which spring planetary surface anomalies lead China's summer rainfall variation...
CHI-STIMULATED RECOMBINATION BETWEEN PHAGE Λ AND THE PLASMID Λdv

Chi promotes Rec-mediated recombination between phage λ DNA and the homologous plasmid λdv. In the absence of Chi, some of the interactions splice λdv into λ, whereas others patch information from λdv into λ. When Chi is in the phage DNA, splices and patches are increased in frequency by the same factor. This result strengthens the analogy between Chi and recombination-promoting elements in fungi. It also rules out one model for the previously reported orientation dependence of Chi phenotype.
High Temperature Proton Exchange Membranes With Enhanced Proton Conductivities At Low Humidity and High Temperature Based On Polymer Blends and Block Copolymers of Poly(1,3-Cyclohexadiene) and Poly(ethylene Glycol)

Hot (at 120 °C) and dry (20% relative humidity) operating conditions benefit fuel cell designs based on proton exchange membranes (PEMs) and hydrogen due to simplified system design and increasing tolerance to fuel impurities. In this paper, presented are preparation, partial characterization, and multi-scale modeling of such PEMs based on cross-linked, sulfonated poly(1,3-cyclohexadiene) (xsPCHD) blends and block copolymers with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). These low cost materials have proton conductivities 18 times that of current industry standard Nafion at hot, dry operating conditions. Among the membranes studied, the blend xsPCHD-PEG PEM displayed the highest proton conductivity, which exhibits a morphology with higher connectivity of the hydrophilic domain throughout the membrane. Simulation and modeling provide a molecular level understanding of distribution of PEG within this hydrophilic domain and its relation to proton conductivities. Finally, this study demonstrates enhancement of proton conductivity at high temperature and low relative humidity by incorporation of PEG and optimized sulfonation conditions.
Systemic inhibition of nitric oxide and prostaglandins in volume-induced natriuresis and hypertension

Nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibition withN G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) (10 μg ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1iv), cyclooxygenase inhibition with meclofenamate (Meclo; 5 mg/kg iv bolus), and combination of drugs (l-NAME+Meclo) were used to investigate the roles of NO and prostaglandins (PG) in the hemodynamic and natriuretic responses to isotonic saline volume expansion (VE; 5% body wt over 60 min) in anesthetized dogs. Before VE,l-NAME (n = 6), Meclo (n = 6), andl-NAME+Meclo (n = 6) produced significant increments in mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 12 ± 2, 15 ± 3, and 17 ± 3 mmHg, respectively. VE did not change MAP in Meclo-treated dogs, but produced a significant elevation in the control dogs (14 ± 6 mmHg), inl-NAME-treated dogs (17 ± 6 mmHg), and in dogs pretreated withl-NAME+Meclo (12 ± 5 mmHg). VE alone induced marked natriuretic responses in the control (38 ± 9 to 562 ± 86 μmol/min),l-NAME (31 ± 9 to 664 ± 65 μmol/min), and Meclo groups (41 ± 10 to 699 ± 51 μmol/min). However, this natriuretic respons...
Laparoscopic Transperitoneal Approach

Surgical median arcuate ligament release has been the mainstay of treatment for MALS, considering all available options. The surgical techniques for the MAL release include the open technique, the laparoscopic technique, and the robot-assisted approach. Laparoscopic release of MAL is technically feasible and seems to be an appealing modality in centers with experienced laparoscopic surgeons and surgical teams. The retrogastric or antegastric approach facilitates the exposure of the retrogastric surgical field. Approach to deep structures such as the MAL is challenging and can be performed either by following the crura of the diaphragm or the branches of the celiac trunk. With the robotic approach, its superior visualization and improved degrees of freedom could represent the optimal treatment modality for MALS in institutions that are properly equipped for robotic surgery. There have been an increasing number of case reports and case series of laparoscopic division of the median arcuate ligament with included technical descriptions of the steps of the procedure. No formal report, however, of the comparison of each technique for the MAL release has been published. The optimal technique for each patient may vary depending on the surgeons’ experience, individual patient anatomy, and available equipment and may require switching between approaches during the case for the optimal efficacy and safety. Thus, familiarity with the available approaches prior to embarking on a procedure is well advised.
Abstract 422: Atherosclerosis and Rage Expression by Histology and Imaging in Hyperlipidemic Pigs

Purpose and methods To characterize atherosclerotic lesions and RAGE expression in a large animal model and investigate targeting RAGE for in-vivo imaging. Nine hyperlipidemic pigs at 12 mo of age were studied. LDL averaged 513 ± 74 mg/dL and final wt was 63.3 ± 12.4 kg. Pigs were injected with 16.3 ± 3.5 mCi of 99m Tc anti-RAGE F(ab’) 2 and after 8 hr (blood pool clearance) underwent SPECT/CT imaging of the neck and thorax and then euthanized, the aorta including innominate, proximal carotids, and proximal ileofemoral branches and coronaries were dissected. Vascular tissue was divided into 36 anatomical segments: coronaries: 4 each x 3 = 12, aortic root: 3, aortic arch: 4, thoracic aorta: 3 and abdominal aorta: 3, each carotid and femoral: 2. Sections from each segment were counted and stained for H&E and RAGE. Scans were analyzed for tracer uptake in organs and vascular structures and counts converted in %ID. All sections were classified according to AHA criteria, % stenosis, and % RAGE staining was quantified. One HL pig received non-immune control antibody and 2 farm pigs were injected for blood pool clearance and SPECT imaging. Results On pathological examination 75/324 segments or 23% showed class 2 lesion or greater. All class III or IV lesions were in the coronaries, carotids, and femoral arteries and % stenosis ranged from 16 to 65%. In vivo biodistribution showed intense uptake of the antibody in the lungs (15 %ID) indicating high constitutive expression of RAGE and precluded visualizing the thoracic aorta. Heart uptake was low (1.3 x 10 -4 %ID) providing visualization of focal coronary uptake and the carotids were well seen. Focal tracer uptake was visualized on SPECT scans in these 2 vascular territories for all vessels with class III or IV lesions and uptake ranged from 4 -22 %ID x 10 -4 . Correlations were R = 0.85, P = 0.002 for %ID vs. %ID/g and R = 0.83, P = 0.002 for %ID/g vs. % RAGE staining. Conclusions There is variability in extent and severity of atherosclerotic disease in HL pigs at one year. RAGE staining is found in all class II-IV lesions and correlated with uptake of radiolabeled antibody targeting RAGE. High RAGE expression in lungs limited imaging the aorta but carotid and coronary artery uptake was seen on SPECT scans.
Graphic Demonstration of a Dandy-Walker Cyst by the Use of Radionuclide Scan With 99mTc-GHT

A 4-month-old male infant with a diagnosis of progressive hydrocephalus since birth received a radionuclide brain scan using 99mTc-GHT. The study showed a very large posterior fossa with displacement of the transverse sinus. The diagnosis of a Dandy-Walker syndrome was substantiated by cerebral angiograms, pneumoencephalogram, and by axial tomography. Subsequent surgery proved difficult, with the ventriculoperitoneal shunt being placed and later removed. The shunt was then replaced and the infant’s condition and prognosis improved after the last surgical procedure.
Tuesday, Threesday, Foursday: Chinese names for the days of the week facilitate Chinese children's temporal reasoning

In this study we show that there is a significant difference in the pace at which Chinese and English-speaking children acquire a working knowledge of names of the days of the week (DOW). Anecdotal evidence from classroom observation claims that Chinese and English speaking children acquire the names of the DOW at different rates (Chinese speakers at age five, English speakers at age six to nine) and that English-speaking children produce the DOW before they are able to comprehend their abstract structure or meaning. We investigate this differential in an experiment using a story and problem-solving format. Two groups of children, Chinese and English monolinguals between the ages of three and seven, were shown picture cards pertaining to a story about cartoon characters during the seven days of a week. They were then asked questions aimed at assessing what level of mastery they had attained in comprehending and using the DOW. Our results show that Chinese speaking children reach advanced levels of mastery at an earlier age than English speaking children. The study shows a strong link between the early mastery of specific nomenclature systems, such as simple numeric sequences and the subsequent acquisition of more cognitively complex systems, such as time-related schema. This research sheds light on the constructional nature of human knowledge whereby more complex abstract systems are acquired on the basis of less complex, more concrete systems.
On Hölder and BMO estimates for \(\bar \partial \) on convex domains in C2on convex domains in C2

We prove that on convex domains in C2 a suitable integral solution operator for the Cauchy-Riemann equations preserves exact Holder regularity, and that it maps bounded (0,1) forms into BMO with respect to volume measure.
The Application Conception of Pneumatic Artificial Muscle in Paradrop Landing Buffering

Based on characteristics of pneumatic artificial muscle and distance-shortening buffering principle,a preliminary scheme for the application of pneumatic artificial muscle in paradrop landing buffering was proposed,in order to increase the paradrop weight and improve stability without affecting the existing paradrop system.Correlative main content were introduced,including the choice of pneumatic artificial muscle,the hardware composition of the system,combination of pneumatic artificial muscle with existing paradrop system,and corresponding working control process.Furthermore,the correlative key technologies of the system were analyzed.
Constructing Data Service Log System with Monitoring System

Monitoring system is used to construct data service log to fast locate mobile network equipment with failure.The related collecting nodes and protocols are selected by the aid of network architecture.The application is explained with an example.This data service log system reduces the work of provincial operators and improves the work efficiency.
Current laboratory methods for biological threat agent identification.

The global proliferation of biological warfare technologies remains a significant threat to public health. The clinical laboratory has an important role in the national response to bioterrorism. Many of the biological threat agents that could be used in weapons of mass destruction, however, are unfamiliar to health care providers and medical technologists. Definitive identification of most agents requires an approach that integrates clinical observations, classical culture methods, immunodiagnostic assays, and nucleic acid analysis. This article presents analytical approaches that could be adapted by clinical laboratories and reference laboratories for identifying the most important biological threats.
Gender Differences among Smokers Living with HIV

Tobacco use has emerged as a leading cause of death among persons living with HIV (PLWH) who smoke cigarettes. In contrast to the general population where smoking prevalence in men exceeds that in women, large surveys have shown similar smoking rates among male and female PLWH. There are important behavioral and biological differences between male and female smokers, but little is known about the relationships between tobacco use and gender in PLWH. Herein, the authors present a detailed examination of gender differences in smokers living with HIV (N = 267; 54% male, 46% female) recruited in 2 tobacco treatment trials. The authors found higher rates of heavy smoking and other substance use in men. Women were more likely to have used pharmacotherapy during quit attempts. Asthma rates were markedly higher in female smokers. There were no significant differences in a range of psychobehavioral domains or in cessation rates between male and female smokers living with HIV.
Molecular biology of the peptide hormone families.

This article focuses on the somatostatin and gastrin peptides because of their known physiologic importance and interactions, and the depth of analysis accomplished to date. The mechanisms of regulation of a specific gene often differ between sites of expression, even within the gastrointestinal tract. Direct studies of the subcellular mechanisms regulating gene expression and other processes in gastrointestinal endocrine cells await novel methods to maintain and propagate these cells. These studies will almost certainly involve new and creative uses of recombinant molecular biology.
Interaction of synthetic 10-tyrosyl analogues of secretin with hormone receptors on pancreatic acinar cells.

Four synthetic analogues of secretin [(10-tyrosine), (4-alanine, 10-tyrosine), (3-glutamine, 10-tyrosine), and (3-glutamic acid, 10-tyrosine)] were tested for their ability to interact with hormone receptors on dispersed acinar cells prepared from guinea pig pancreas. [10-tyrosine]Secretin inhibited binding of 125 I vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) to the same extent as did native secretin. Thus, substituting tyrosine for leucine in position 10 of porcine secretin makes the peptide structurally more like porcine VIP but does not make the peptide more VIP-like in terms of its ability to interact with the high affinity VIP receptor. Although VIP has alanine in position 4, substituting alanine for glycine in position 4 of [10-tyrosine]secretin made the peptide functionally less VIP-like in that it reduced the ability of the peptide to .inhibit binding of 125 I-VIP. Each of the 4 analogues interacted with the high affinity secretin receptor to increase cellular accumulation of cyclic AMP. The 10-tyrosine analogue was approximately one-tenth as potent as secretin. In [10-tyrosine]secretin adding one methyl group to the side chain of the amino acid in position 4 (replacing glycine by alanine), or interposing a methyl group in the acidic side chain of the residue in position 3 (replacing aspartic acid by glutamic acid), reduced the apparent affinity of the peptide for the high affinity secretin receptor by 15- or 40-fold, respectively. These results illustrate how changes in the amino-terminal region of secretin, which in terms of peptide structure might appear to be relatively trivial, can produce substantial changes in the apparent affinity of secretin for its receptors.
My Attitudes and Beliefs About Different Types of Research

Excerpt] In this issue’s “From the Editor,” I describe a new review policy and process for both authors and reviewers. Authors should find that this new policy and process provides them with faster editorial decisions, higher quality feedback, and greater clarity about required revisions, as well as greater freedom to disagree with reviewers and to write the papers they (the authors) want. Reviewers should find that this new policy and process saves them from having to review obviously flawed papers and from having to review different versions of the same paper over and over again.
The Beatles Christmas Records… Unwrapped: A Closer Look at the Fan Club Discs

This chapter makes a case for the artistic and historic merit of the Beatles’ Christmas records, which were made exclusively for their fan club members in the 1960s and which are among the group’s only officially released recordings to never have been made available to the general public. Through an examination of recording session logs, letters that accompanied the discs, and other writings about the history of the Beatles, these fan club records are placed within the greater context of the period in which each was recorded, allowing for a deeper understanding of the content of these recordings. Arguably worthy of an official re-release, these rarely discussed recordings provide a supplementary means of appreciating the Beatles’ creative evolution as well as the collective and individual experiences of the members of one of the most popular groups in music history.
Varieties of Concrete Logic

In the last chapter I distinguished between formal logic and concrete logic. I then proceeded to suggest what some of the principles of concrete logic might be. Here I wish to extend that presentation. For there are more properties of matter than relations, there are qualities; and when discussing continuity qualities have to be taken into consideration.
Novel fractal planar electrode design for efficient neural stimulation

Planar electrodes are used in epidural spinal cord stimulation and cortical stimulation. Stimulation efficiency of an electrode is characterized by its ability to activate a volume of neural tissue with lower voltage and power requirements. As current density tends to increase towards the sharp edges of an electrode, we hypothesize that electrode designs involving a greater amount of sharp edges will have higher variations of current density, and therefore increase stimulation efficiency, compared to electrodes with flat or rounded edges. This study uses three Koch snowflake fractal design iterations to compare each voltage and power requirements to those of the traditional square and circular electrode designs. Electrode geometries were constructed in COMSOL Multiphysics, each with an equal surface area. Voltages obtained from the finite element models were interpolated to determine the nodal voltages of 100 axons randomly positioned around the electrode. Threshold voltage and power for activating these model axons were simulated in NEURON. Current density variation was significantly higher on the surface of the 3rd iteration Koch snowflake electrode than the traditional square electrode. This novel electrode also activated a significantly greater number of axons with a lower threshold as compared to the traditional square electrode. The computational models used in this study demonstrated the feasibility of increasing stimulation efficiency through the design of novel planar electrodes with Koch snowflake fractal iterations. Future studies could explore and optimize efficiency when more fractal additions are taken, as well as exploiting other fractal shapes.
Development of Microsatellite Markers from Fungal DNA Based on Shotgun Pyrosequencing

Traditional methods for the isolation and identification of fungal ­microsatellite markers mostly rely on construction of microsatellite-enriched DNA libraries and Sanger sequencing of clones from these libraries. These methods are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and relatively expensive. In this chapter, a quick and cost-effective approach is described for the discovery of microsatellites in fungi based on direct shotgun pyrosequencing. With this approach, high molecular weight DNA is extracted from the fungus of interest and subjected to 454 genome sequencing. The sequence reads are assembled into contigs or unique sequences in a fasta format. Then, free softwares such as MSATCOMMANDER and QDD are used for microsatellite search and primer design. The designed primer pairs are tested for PCR amplification and polymorphism using DNA samples from a diverse ­collection of fungal isolates.
Methane in the deep blue sea

Natural gas hydrates, which form under moderately high pressures and low temperature conditions in marine sediments and arctic permafrost, are a potential energy source and have also been implicated in past climate change and in massive slumps and slides on continental shelfs in the oceans. Haq (page 543) discusses recent research into these gas hydrates and outlines future research directions in this interdisciplinary field.
Recreational physical activity and survival in African-American women with ovarian cancer.

While recreational physical activity (RPA) has been associated with reduced mortality in breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers, evidence for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is limited. Most EOC studies have been in predominantly white populations, although inactivity is more prevalent and survival is poorer among African-American (AA) women. We examined RPA before and after EOC diagnosis and associations with survival among AA women. We analyzed data from 264 EOC survivors enrolled in a population-based, case–control study who completed surveys that included questions about pre- and post-diagnosis RPA. Data were collected on RPA frequency, intensity, and duration before diagnosis and approximately 1 year after the baseline interview. We calculated metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-hours/week for pre- and post-diagnosis RPA, and evaluated associations with risk of mortality using Cox proportional hazards models. RPA before diagnosis was not associated with mortality. Hazard ratios (HRs) for post-diagnosis RPA were 0–9 MET-hours/week and 0.53 (95% CI 0.21, 1.35) for > 9 MET-hours/week. Our results suggest that RPA may be inversely associated with mortality among AA women with ovarian cancer, although it is possible that the present study was underpowered to detect an association. There is a clear need for more studies of RPA after diagnosis in EOC survivors with attention to potential differences by race.
Barriers to HPV Vaccination Among Unvaccinated, Haitian American College Women

Background: Haitian women residing in the United States are disproportionately affected by cervical cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been licensed in the United States since 2006. Vaccination rates are less than optimal overall, and the rates are particularly low among young black women. We investigated barriers to HPV vaccination in a sample of Haitian American college women. Methods: Thirty self-identified Haitian American women, aged 17-26 years, were recruited from a large university campus in southeastern United States (n=30). They completed in-depth face-to-face interviews. The research team analyzed the transcripts using thematic analysis. Results: More than half of the participants (n=18) had not yet initiated the HPV vaccine series. Most of the unvaccinated participants stated that they had received a provider recommendation for the vaccine. Lack of provider recommendation, negative vaccine perception and attitudes, and side effect concerns constituted barriers to vaccination. Conclusions: Haitian American college women at high risk of cervical cancer have cited several barriers to HPV vaccination, with the most prominent being lack of physician recommendation. Healthcare providers should continue recommending the vaccine to college women as many of them may not have received a recommendation. When recommending the HPV vaccine, discussions should be framed with the intent to positively influence HPV vaccine perceptions and ultimately vaccine attitudes.
Stability of T- and B-cell Numbers in Human Peripheral Blood

A comparison was made between the percentage of T and B cells present in human blood on the day of collection and those recovered from whole blood specimens stored for one, two, and three days. In the peripheral blood of normal individuals, the percentage of E-rosetting and surface-membrane immunoglobulin-positive cells was unchanged throughout the three day period. Furthermore, whole blood samples from patients with various hematological diseases maintained for three days exhibited T- and B-cell percentages equivalent to those tested oh day zero.
Mechanical Influences on Skeletal Regeneration

Skeletal regeneration is accomplished by a series of biological events that include differentiation of pluripotential tissue and often bone resorption. These processes, which occur during fracture healing and distraction osteogenesis, are strongly influenced by the local mechanical loading history. Intermittent musculoskeletal forces impose displacements and cyclic stresses and strains in the bone and regenerating tissue near bone surfaces. Using finite element models we demonstrate that the patterns of tissue differentiation, bone formation, and bone resorption observed at fracture sites and distraction osteogenesis environments can be predicted from fundamental mechanobiological concepts. These analyses and other experimental and clinical data indicate that: 1) direct intramembranous bone formation is permitted in areas of low stress and strain; 2) low to moderate magnitudes of hydrostatic tensile stress may further stimulate intramembranous ossification; 3) high tensile strain is a stimulus for the net production of fibrous tissue; 4) tensile strain with a superimposed hydrostatic compressive stress will stimulate the development of fibrocartilage; 5) although hydrostatic compressive stress is a stimulus for chondrogenesis, excessive hydrostatic compression near bone surfaces will cause bone resorption; 6) poor vascularity may lead to cartilage formation in an otherwise osteogenic environment.
Multivariate G Studies

It took Cronbach and his colleagues nearly 10 years to write their 1972 monograph. This rather long time period is directly related to their efforts in developing multivariate generalizability theory, which they regard as the principal novel contribution of their work. In multivariate generalizability theory, each object of measurement has multiple universe scores, each of which is associated with a condition of one or more fixed facets, and there is a random-effects variance components design associated with each fixed condition. These random-effects designs are statistically “linked” through covariance components to yield a multivariate design.
Value of 18-FDG PET/CT in medullary thyroid cancer patients with rapid calcitonin doubling times

1076 Learning Objectives 1. To evaluate use of 18-FDG PET/CT in patients with occult recurrence of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). 2. To review literature on sensitivity and specificity of 18-FDG PET/CT for recurrent MTC based on absolute calcitonin levels and calcitonin doubling times. Purpose: Recent publications suggest 18-FDG PET/CT useful for suspected recurrence of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Yet clinicians may not consider a PET/CT scan in the setting of rising biomarkers if serum calcitonin is
Neuronal Transfection Using Particle-Mediated Gene Transfer

The ability to transfect differentiated neurons with DNA constructs of various sizes has been limited by the relative refractoriness of these cells, to classical calcium phosphate-DNA coprecipitation, and liposome–carrier-mediated transfection methods. Particle-mediated gene transfer (also called biolistics)represents a relatively simple solution to this problem, requiring little by the way of special technical expertise. Plasmid DNAs of unlimited sizes are used to coat approximately one micron tungsten or gold particles, and these particles are then accelerated into living cells and tissues by a blast of helium gas. A commercial device, referred to as the “Gene Gun” obtained from Bio-Rad, is available for this purpose. Biolistics has many uses, e.g., the production of antibodies after in vivo transfection of foreign DNAs into skin, ex vivo transfection of genes into tissues to be used for transplantation, and for the study of specific gene expression in distinct differentiated neurons in vitro. Cotransfection of multiple and distinct DNA constructs into single cells is easily performed, and this makes this technology of special
Best Practices and Innovative Solutions to Overcome Barriers to Delivering Policy, Systems and Environmental Changes in Rural Communities

To better understand the barriers to implementing policy; systems; and environmental (PSE) change initiatives within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) programming in U.S. rural communities; as well as strategies to overcome these barriers, this study identifies: (1) the types of nutrition-related PSE SNAP-Ed programming currently being implemented in rural communities; (2) barriers to implementing PSE in rural communities; and (3) common best practices and innovative solutions to overcoming SNAP-Ed PSE implementation barriers. This mixed-methods study included online surveys and interviews across fifteen states. Participants were eligible if they: (1) were SNAP-Ed staff that were intimately aware of facilitators and barriers to implementing programs, (2) implemented at least 50% of their programming in rural communities, and (3) worked in their role for at least 12 months. Sixty-five staff completed the online survey and 27 participated in interviews. Barriers to PSE included obtaining community buy-in, the need for relationship building, and PSE education. Facilitators included finding community champions; identifying early “wins” so that community members could easily see PSE benefits. Partnerships between SNAP-Ed programs and non-SNAP-Ed organizations are essential to implementing PSE. SNAP-Ed staff should get buy-in from local leaders before implementing PSE. Technical assistance for rural SNAP-Ed programs would be helpful in promoting PSE.
Step-counting accuracy of activity monitors in persons with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND Accelerometers and pedometers have been used to monitor the number of steps. However, the evidence on the step-counting accuracy of these devices - especially accelerometers - is limited in persons with Down syndrome (DS). This study therefore examined the accuracy of accelerometers placed on the hip or wrist and of a pedometer with a uni-axial accelerometer mechanism in measuring steps in persons with DS and whether device error is associated with walking speed, height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, leg length, age or sex. METHOD Seventeen persons with DS (eight women and nine men; age 33 ± 15 years) walked over-ground for 6 min at their preferred speed. The steps were measured with a hip-worn and a wrist-worn ActiGraph accelerometer using the manufacturer's default (DF) and low-frequency extension (LFE) filters, and with the NL-1000 New Lifestyles pedometer on the hip. Steps were also measured with hand tally which served as the criterion. RESULTS Absolute percent error was considerable and differed statistically between devices (P = 0.001); however, error improved for accelerometers when LFE was applied (Hip-DF: 31.6 ± 18.8%; Hip-LFE: 9.7 ± 12.8%; Wrist-DF: 32.7 ± 14.2%; Wrist-LFE: 13.6 ± 10.2%; Pedometer: 23.2 ± 22.8%). Bland-Altman plots indicated underestimation of steps for accelerometers and the pedometer. Application of LFE, however, improved the prediction of the accelerometers. The number of steps measured by the hip accelerometer with LFE and by the pedometer did not differ statistically from actual steps. Steps by the remaining methods were significantly lower than hand tally (P ≤ 0.001). Correlations between percent error for each device and walking speed, anthropometry, age or sex ranged between -0.28 and +0.48, and were non-significant, except for age. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrated that the pedometer and ActiGraph accelerometers have considerable error in measuring steps of persons with DS. Application of LFE, however, significantly improved the step-counting performance of the Actigraph accelerometers.
Evaluation of Rescue Thrombolysis in Cardiac Arrest Secondary to Suspected or Confirmed Pulmonary Embolism.

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the associated cause of unexplained cardiac arrest in 5% to 13% of patients. Although thrombolytic agents have been studied, patient outcomes during cardiac a...
NATIONAL TRENDS AND IN-HOSPITAL OUTCOMES OF EMERGENT TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT AND BALLOON AORTIC VALVULOPLASTY IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE AORTIC STENOSIS AND CARDIOGENIC SHOCK

Cardiogenic shock (CS) in severe aortic stenosis (AS) patients has a grave prognosis with > 50% in-hospital mortality. Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) is used as a bridge to aortic valve replacement (AVR) in prohibitively high-risk patients such as the above. However, with the advent of
Identification of Seasonality in Internet Traffic to Support Control of Online Advertising

Feedback control is widely applied to the campaign management in online advertising. Learning the pattern of user traffic on Internet plays an important role in solving the control problem. In this paper, we focus on characterizing the seasonality, e.g., time of day(TOD) pattern of Internet user traffic for individual ad campaign. We model the seasonality using a truncated Fourier series with a set of amplitude and phase parameters. These seasonality parameters are estimated in a Bayesian framework using a minimum mean square error(MMSE) estimator, with their prior distribution learnt from historical data of a large number of campaigns. The proposed Bayesian method is shown to be robust and renders sensible seasonality for campaigns of disparate noise levels.
Coma and Brain Death

Disorders of consciousness are routinely seen in the neurocritical care unit (NCCU). This chapter reviews the neuroanatomical basis for coma, followed by a detailed discussion of the common differential diagnoses, including cerebrovascular, epileptiform, traumatic, infectious, toxic, and metabolic etiologies. Practical guidance regarding examination and management follows. Brain death is discussed in detail. Practical steps in preparing patients for and proceeding with the determination of brain death are reviewed. Guidance is provided for discussing brain death with families and preparing for organ donation.