cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient Construction of Statistical Shape Models for Patient-Specific Modeling

Statistical Shape Modeling (SSM) is a powerful tool to capture the shape variation pattern across a group of shapes belonging to a certain shape class. SSM has seen many promising applications for the purpose of building Patient-Specific Model (PSM) because it avoids unwanted exposure to ionizing radiation from imaging modalities such as CT scanning and has potential as a cost-saving and time-efficient research and clinical tool. All that is needed to reconstruct the patient — specific data is to instantiate the statistical model already generated.The utility of the statistical model relies on a sufficiently large training set data pool from as many patients as possible; and more importantly, a reasonably good correspondence across the entire training set. As such, the description length has been used as a standard to measure the quality of correspondence and the statistical model, and the desired correspondence found by optimization.However, the previously proposed optimization schemes are too inefficient to be used for large data sets. We present a new optimization scheme based on B-spline freeform deformation and analytical adjoint sensitivity. This scheme is significantly more efficient in that it makes use of: 1) extraordinary efficiency of direct correspondence manipulation; 2) availability of analytical gradient due to the differentiable shapes and correspondence manipulation; 3) superiority of adjoint method when a large number of design variables are used in optimization.In the experimental part, we compare the efficiency of our method and current method for some benchmark examples where solutions are known. Additionally, we show the statistical models for a 3D distal femur bone training set. Such models have been previously used in osteosarcoma cases as a bone bank for bone allografts, where shape-matching is very important [1]. The graphical illustration of the training set and preliminary results of the obtained statistical modes are displayed in Figure 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Diamond growth by sulphide reduction of CO2

MARX1 proposed that natural diamonds were formed by a reduction of CO2 and other theories have been proposed to explain their formation2–6. Carbon dioxide is a common constituent7,8 and has been found as a gas in natural diamonds9. Marx proposed that pyrrhotite is active in the reduction process because it has been found as an inclusion in diamonds10. Furthermore, thermodynamic calculations showed such a reduction reaction to be energetically possible:
Bilateral internal mammary-to-pulmonary artery fistulas after a coronary operation

Abstract A case of bilateral internal mammary artery-to-pulmonary artery fistulas presenting as recurrent angina late after revascularization is described. Objective evidence of ischemia was documented using stress electrocardiogiaphy and thallium-201 scintigraphy. The patient was managed conservatively to date with medical therapy. Fistula formation may complicate internal mammary artery bypass grafting and should be considered as a potential cause of recurrent angina.
Chromosome changes in metastatic human melanoma.

Abstract Cytogenetic studies were performed on human malignant melanoma cells from eight metastatic lesions. Five tumors displayed near-triploid and three near-diploid chromosome numbers. Chromosomes #1,#6,#7, followed by #2 and #9, were found to be most frequently involved in structural aberrations. Aberrations involving chromosome #1, with deletions or translocations of 1p, involving region 1p12-1p22 in seven of eight breakpoints of the p arm were observed. Seven of nine breakpoints of 6q were located at region 6q15-6q21. Most of the breakpoints on chromosome #7 occurred near the centromeric region. All tumors had additional chromosome material involving 1q, chromosome #7 (7q in two tumors), and in five tumors an increased dose of chromosome #6 (6p in one tumor). The nonrandom breakpoints of these and other chromosomes involved diverse bands, including loci of oncogenes and fragile sites. The observation of nonrandom chromosomal changes in advanced malignant melanoma suggests that genes important in the progression of melanoma are located on chromosomes #1,#6, and #7.
Novosphingobium and Its Potential Role in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Insights from Microbiome Studies

Bacterial infection of lung airways underlies some of the main complications of COPD, significantly impacting disease progression and outcome. Colonization by bacteria may further synergize, amplify, or trigger pathways of tissue damage started by cigarette smoke, contributing to the characteristic airway inflammation and alveolar destruction of COPD. We sought to elucidate the presence and types of lung bacterial populations in different stages of COPD, aimed at revealing important insights into the pathobiology of the disease. Sequencing of the bacterial small subunit ribosomal RNA gene in 55 well-characterized clinical lung samples, revealed the presence of Novosphingobium spp. (>2% abundance) in lungs of patients with GOLD 3-GOLD 4 COPD, cystic fibrosis and a subset of control individuals. Novosphingobium-specific quantitative PCR was concordant with the sequence data and high levels of Novosphingobium spp. were quantifiable in advanced COPD, but not from other disease stages. Using a mouse model of subacute lung injury due to inhalation of cigarette smoke, bronchoalveolar lavage neutrophil and macrophage counts were significantly higher in mice challenged intratracheally with N. panipatense compared to control mice (p<0.01). Frequencies of neutrophils and macrophages in lung tissue were increased in mice challenged with N. panipatense at room air compared to controls. However, we did not observe an interaction between N. panipatense and subacute cigarette smoke exposure in the mouse. In conclusion, Novosphingobium spp. are present in more severe COPD disease, and increase inflammation in a mouse model of smoke exposure.
Alkali and alkaline-earth metal amidoboranes: structure, crystal chemistry, and hydrogen storage properties.

Alkali- and alkaline-earth metal amidoboranes are a new class of compounds with rarely observed [NH2BH3]− units. LiNH2BH3 and solvent-containing Ca(NH2BH3)2·THF have been recently reported to significantly improve the dehydrogenation properties of ammonia borane. Therefore, metal amidoboranes, with accelerated desorption kinetics and suppressed toxic borazine, are of great interest for their potential applications for hydrogen storage. In this work, we successfully determined the structures of LiNH2BH3 and Ca(NH2BH3)2 using a combined X-ray diffraction and first-principles molecular dynamics simulated annealing method. Through detailed structural analysis and first-principles electronic structure calculations the improved dehydrogenation properties are attributed to the different bonding nature and reactivity of the metal amidoboranes compared to NH3BH3.
Tetramerization of Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific Phospholipase C from Trypanosoma brucei

Abstract Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (GPI-PLC) is an integral membrane protein in the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei. Enzyme activity appears to be suppressed in T. brucei, although the polypeptide is readily detectable. The basis for the apparent quiescence of GPI-PLC is not known. Protein oligomerization was investigated as a possible mechanism for post-translational regulation of GPI-PLC activity. An equilibrium between monomers, dimers, and tetramers of purified GPI-PLC was detected by molecular sieving and shown to be perturbed with specific detergents. Homotetramers dominated in Nonidet P-40, and dimers and monomers of GPI-PLC were the major species in 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate. The detergents were exploited as tools to study the effect of oligomerization on enzyme activity. Tetrameric GPI-PLC was 3.6–20-fold more active than the monomeric enzyme. Tetramer existence was confirmed by chemical cross-linking. In vivo cross-linking revealed the oligomeric state of GPI-PLC during latency and after enzyme activation. During quiescence, monomers were the predominant species inT. brucei. Assembly of tetrameric GPI-PLC occurred when parasites were subjected to conditions known to activate the enzyme. InLeishmania where heterologous expression of GPI-PLC causes a GPI deficiency, the enzyme existed as a tetramer. Hence, oligomerization of GPI-PLC is associated with high enzyme activity bothin vivo and in vitro.
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: A study of 49 patients☆

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) refers to an alcoholic hepatitis-like histologic pattern found in nonalcoholic patients. A review of 543 liver biopsies diagnosed as alcoholic hepatitis yielded 49 cases of NASH. The patients were commonly middle-aged women who were obese and often diabetic. NASH was usually discovered because of abnormal liver function tests or hepatomegaly noted during evaluation of other medical problems. Histologic examination revealed the same spectrum of changes found in alcoholic hepatitis, including cirrhosis in eight patients. Follow-up information was available for 39 patients after an average length of 3.8 years. Only one patient developed hepatic decompensation or died with liver failure or portal hypertension. Repeat histologic material was available for 13 patients after a mean 3.5 years of follow-up. Five patients showed progression of fibrosis, with cirrhosis developing in two, but the other eight patients demonstrated little morphologic change. These findings indicate that NASH is, in general, a clinically mild and biologically low-grade condition, but with the potential to progress and evolve into cirrhosis in some patients. The factors promoting progression are unclear.
Decreasing nitrate-N loads to coastal ecosystems with innovative drainage management strategies in agricultural landscapes: An experimental approach

Abstract Innovative controlled drainage strategies in agricultural ditches such as spatially orientated low-grade weirs show promise to significantly improve nutrient (e.g., nitrate, NO3−-N) reductions by expanding the area available for biogeochemical transformations, as well as providing multiple sites for runoff retention. The overall objective of this study was to identify the contributions made by low-grade weirs to source NO3−-N concentrations and loads to downstream coastal ecosystems. This objective was achieved by assessing, from an experimental standpoint, the effectiveness of weirs in reducing NO3−-N concentrations and loads in replicated ditch systems in Jonesboro AR. Overall NO3−-N load reduction rates were approximately 2250 ± 718 and 1935 ± 452 mg/h for ditches with and without weirs, respectively, resulting in mean percent NO3−-N load reductions of 79 ± 7.5 and 73 ± 9% for ditches with and without weirs, respectively. Although NO3−-N concentration reductions were substantial in both systems, overall, for the duration of the experiment no significant treatment effect was detected. A stepwise linear regression and repeated measures ANOVA analyzed the relationship of time × treatment on nitrate concentration and load in ditch effluents. The regression model explained 31.1% of the variance in NO3−-N concentration, which indicated a highly significant relationship between NO3−-N concentration and time × treatment (F = 31.9, p
Galaxy Cluster Shapes and Systematic Errors in H0 Measured by the Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect

Imaging of the Sunyaev-Zeldovich (SZ) eUect in galaxy clusters combined with cluster plasma X-ray diagnostics can measure the cosmic distance scale to high redshift. However, projecting the inverse Compton scattering and X-ray emission along the cluster line of sight introduces systematic errors in the Hubble constant, because the true shape of the cluster is not known. In this paper, I present a study H 0 , of the systematic errors in the value of as determined by the X-ray and SZ properties of theoretical H 0 , samples of triaxial isothermal ii beta ˇˇ model clusters, caused by projection eUects and observer orienta
Inhibition of growth of Pediococcus cerevisiae by polycyclic hydrocarbon-cysteine conjugates.

SummaryPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons conjugated with cysteine are analogues of natural amino acids and inhibit the growth of P. cerevisiae. The inhibitory effects observed were partially reversed by amino acids previously shown to be competitive with the analogues in a rat liver system but with less specificity.The inhibition of growth of E. coli and its mutants was limited to only one analogue, p-chlorophenylcysteine.We thank Robert Vaughn for valuable technical assistance.
Regional Innovation Systems: Implications for Nonmetropolitan Areas and Workers in the South

A public policy response to global competition is the creation of a geographic concentration of innovative activity (regional innovation systems [RIS]) that will enhance metropolitan economic development through knowledge spillovers, product development, and new firm spin-offs. This article identifies three types of RIS in the thirteen southern states based on a cluster analysis of twenty indicators of innovative and entrepreneurial activity. Next, regression analysis is used to determine if the 1990–2000 growth rates of nonmetro county population, employment, and earnings were related to proximity to an RIS after controlling for other county characteristics associated with local economic development. The research findings indicate that nonmetro counties near an RIS experienced more rapid population and employment growth; however, changes in nonmetro growth rates varied by type of regional innovation system. In addition, proximity to an RIS had a stronger impact on nonmetro population change than on nonmetro job growth.
Exercise, load and remodelling: do we know what we think we know?

The mammalian heart is exquisitely stretch sensitive and is ordinarily capable of profound changes from the subcellular to systems levels in order to handle changes in cardiac workload encountered during pregnancy, exercise training and initially also when challenged by disease processes such as aortic stenosis and hypertension (Ellison et al. 2012). Classically, increases in cardiac load may be physiological (e.g. exercise) or pathological (e.g. hypertension), the former resulting in reversible physiological hypertrophy without diminished cardiac function, and the latter in maladaptive, irreversible changes. The last two to three decades have seen multiple studies which challenge this dogma. In a recent issue of The Journal of Physiology da Costa Rebelo et al. describe their study of the biochemical and physiological consequences of high-intensity but voluntary exercise in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) (da Costa Rebelo et al. 2012). They find that exercise in SHRs induces no change in systolic blood pressure, increases fibrosis and impairs cardiac function (e.g. left ventricular (LV) developed pressure). Exercise is widely thought to be beneficial in the setting of heart disease in general and hypertension in particular (Wexler et al. 2012). On the hypothesis that the exercise-induced maladaptive changes are angiotensin II dependent, the authors tested whether captopril was able to ameliorate these effects. The addition of captopril partially prevented the increased fibrosis and the impaired LV function; moreover, the combined use of captopril and exercise training resulted in reverse remodelling at the cellular level (sarcoendoplamic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase/Na+ Ca2+ exchanger (SERCA/NCX) ratio). Sedentary SHRs developed further hypertension. Captopril alone was the only intervention to significantly reduce the final systolic blood pressure and reduce LV hypertrophy (indeed training induces LV hypertrophy, unless captopril is used). These results raise a number of interesting issues.
Compact spaces of diversity two

Abstract A compact infinite Hausdorff space X is diversity two if all nonempty clopen subsets are homeomorphic to X and all noncompact open subsets are homeomorphic to each other. We study and attempt to classify such spaces. A sufficient basis condition is found for a compact space to be diversity two. A characterization is found for compact diversity two, (totally) orderable, separable spaces which have no uncountable metrizable subspaces. Compact Souslin lines of diversity two are constructed and studied. For compact diversity two orderable spaces whose product is diversity two, it is shown that it is independent of ZFC whether one of the factors must be the Cantor set. The product of compact diversity two spaces will have diversity two iff it is hereditarily Lindelof. Results on diversity two products are obtained via some new results on hereditarily Lindelof products of more general spaces. An interesting result proved along the way is: the set of nonjump points is scattered in a compact, first countable, ordered space iff under some admissible order on the space each point is a jump point.
Efficacy of a skin-protective foam in the treatment of chronic hand dermatitis.

Background: Irritant and/or allergic hand dermatitis in individuals who are unable to avoid causative exposures is difficult to control. Usefulness of protective creams has been generally unsatisfactory. Objective: To determine if hand dermatitis, primarily of an occupational nature, could be improved by the use of a protective foam containing dimethicone and glycerin. Methods: Adult male and female subjects with chronic hand dermatitis for at least 12 months, felt to be either allergic, irritant, or combined in nature were given the study foam for routine application after a 2-week observation period. At 2 and 6 weeks the skin was evaluated by the investigator and subject for parameters including redness, scaling, fissuring, blistering, and pruritus on a numerical scale. A global evaluation also was performed. Photographs were taken at each visit. Usage of topical corticosteroids was recorded. No systemic therapies other than antihistamines were allowed. Results: Thirty-one subjects were enrolled in the study and 28 completed it. The physician and subject's initial global evaluations averaged 6.13 and 5.48, respectively (0-10 scale). The final scores were 3.68 and 4.75, respectively (P <.001 for physician rating; P = .259 for subject rating). Topical corticosteroid usage was reduced in 16 of 30 (53.6%) subjects. Twenty-one of 30 subjects (70.0%) had improved over the course of the study. No adverse effects were noted. Conclusion: This protective foam greatly or moderately improved chronic hand dermatitis in a sizable number of individuals with previously uncontrolled dermatitis despite continuing in their regular occupation.
Beyond Blood Pressure: Percutaneous Renal Denervation for the Management of Sympathetic Hyperactivity and Associated Disease States

Renal artery denervation (RDN) is a catheter‐based technique designed to decrease renal sympathetic nervous system (SNS) signaling and return the body to more physiological homeostasis. Preliminary investigations suggested an excellent therapeutic profile in resistant hypertension,[1][1]–[2][2]
Skin response to ultraviolet B light in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

Photosensitivity disorders have been reported in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, often as the initial manifestation of the disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the HIV-infected population demonstrates increased sensitivity to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Minimal erythema dose values to UVB (MED-B) of 57 consecutive HIV-infected patients were compared to those of a control group of 57 consecutive patients with skin diseases, who were otherwise healthy and had no risk factors for HIV infection. MED-B determinations were performed in all individuals prior to the initiation of phototherapy for treatment of skin disease. None of the patients had a history of photosensitivity. Furthermore, the mean levels of the highest UVB doses received by each group during the treatment courses were compared. The mean age of the HIV-infected cohort was 43 years (range 26-61 years). The mean MED-B for this group was 82.8±3.8 (SEM) mJ/cm 2 . The mean age of the control group was 45 years (range 24-77 years), and their mean MED-B was 81.0±3.8 (SEM) mJ/cm 2 . After 12 weeks of treatment, one HIV-infected patient developed photosensitivity associated with a decreased MED-B value. The mean level of the highest UVB doses received by the HIV-infected group [427.5±67.2 (SEM) mJ/cm 2 ] was lower than that received by the control group [640.8±65.9 (SEM) mJ/cm 2 ], since HIV-infected patients received fewer treatments (mean : 34.7 treatments per patient) than the patients in the control group (mean : 65.6 treatments per patient). These data indicate that the HIV-infected patient population, without history of photosensitivity, does not show increased sensitivity to UVB light as determined by MED-B values.
ANALYSIS OF DEUTERIUM CONTENT IN HYDROCARBONS VIA CAPILLARY CHROMATOGRAPHY

Abstract The deuterium content of hydrocarbons can be successfully determined using peak shape analysis of high resolution capillary chromatograms.
Stimulation of drug metabolism by ascorbic acid in weanling guinea-pigs.

Abstract Drug metabolism activities such as O-demethylase and N-demethylase and liver microsomal electron transport components including cytochrome P-450 and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase were determined in weanling guinea-pigs under vitamin C deficiency as well as with normal and high intake of the vitamin. Animals depleted of the vitamin for only 8 days, with no signs of scurvy or weight loss, had decreased drug enzyme activities. Further depletion of the vitamin resulted in marked reduction of the microsomal drug-metabolizing system. Furthermore, administration of high amounts of ascorbic acid (2–200 mg/day) led to significant increases in liver drug oxidation activities and electron transport components. Studies of Km values in microsomes from vitamin C-deficient, normal and animals given high supplements of vitamin C showed no difference in the apparent affinity or Vmax of a typical drug oxidation reaction, N-demethylation. Specificity studies indicate that ascorbyl palmitate or d -isoascorbic acid can replace the vitamin, in part, in maintaining drug metabolism.
Characterization of Matriptase expression in normal human tissues

SUMMARY Matriptase is a type II transmembrane serine protease that has been implicated in the progression of epithelium-derived tumors. The role of this protease in the biology of normal epithelial cells remains to be elucidated. Matriptase mRNA has been detected by Northern analysis in tissues rich in epithelial cells, and the protein is expressed in vivo in normal and cancerous breast, ovarian, and colon tissues. However, a systematic analysis of the distribution of matriptase protein and mRNA in normal human tissues rich in epithelium has not been reported. In this study we characterized the expression of the protease in a wide variety of normal human tissues using a tissue microarray and whole tissue specimens. Significant immunoreactivity and mRNA expression were detected in the epithelial components of most epithelium-containing tissues. Matriptase expression was found in all types of epithelium, including columnar, pseudostratified columnar, cuboidal, and squamous. Distinct spatial distributions of reactivity were observed in the microanatomy of certain tissues, however. This suggests that although matriptase is broadly expressed among many types of epithelial cells, its activity within a tissue may be regulated in part at the protein and mRNA levels during the differentiation of selected epithelia.
DNA repair of pyrimidine dimers and 6-4 photoproducts in the ribosomal DNA

The nucleolus is a unique structural component of interphase nuclei where the ribosomal genes, trans-cribed by RNA polymerase I (RNA pol I), are organized. In the present study, the repair of UV-induced photolesions was investigated in the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) in relation to RNA pol I transcription. We used hamster cells because their repair phenotype permits the separate analysis of the major photo-products induced by UV light. Immunofluorescent labeling of UV-induced DNA repair and transcription sites showed that the nucleolar regions were defic-ient in DNA repair despite the presence of abundant RNA pol I transcription foci. Immunological staining indicated that various NER proteins, including TFIIH (subunits p62 and p89), p53, Gadd 45 and prolifer-ating cell nuclear antigen are all enriched in the nuclei but distinctly absent in nucleoli. This lack of enrichment of NER factors in the nucleolus may be responsible for the inefficient repair of photo-products in the rDNA. UV irradiation generates two major photoproducts, the cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and the 6-4 photoproducts (6-4 PPs). The repair kinetics of these two lesions were assessed simultaneously by the immunological isolation of bromodeoxyuridine (BudR) containing excision repair patches using an antibody to BudR. We found that the repair of the photolesions was less efficient in the rDNA compared to that of the endo-genous housekeeping gene, dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). Gene specific repair of each of these two photoproducts was then measured separately in the rDNA and in the DHFR gene, which is transcribed by RNA pol II. The removal of CPDs was deficient in the rDNA as compared to the DHFR gene. On the contrary, 6-4 PPs were removed efficiently from the rDNA although somewhat slower than from the DHFR gene. The relatively efficient repair of 6-4 PPs in the rDNA is consistent with the notion that the 6-4 PPs are repaired efficiently in different genomic regions by the global genome repair pathway.
Metabolism of arachidonic acid to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, and prostaglandins in cultured rat hippocampal astrocytes

: We have recently shown that brain slices are capable of metabolizing arachidonic acid by the epoxy-genase pathway. The purpose of this study was to begin to determine the ability of individual brain cell types to form epoxygenase metabolites. We have examined the astrocyte epoxygenase pathway and have also confirmed metabolism by the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzyme systems. Cultured rat hippocampal astrocyte homogenate, when incubated with radiolabeled [3H]-arachidonic acid, formed products that eluted in four major groups designated as R17–30, R42–50, R51–82, and R83–90 based on their retention times in reverse-phase HPLC. These fractions were further segregated into as many as 13 peaks by normal-phase HPLC and a second reverse-phase HPLC system. The principal components in each peak were structurally characterized by gas chromatography/electron impact-mass spectrometry. Based on HPLC retention times and gas chromatography/electron impactmass spectrometry analysis, the more polar fractions (R17–30) contained prostaglandin D2 as the major cyclooxygenase product. Minor products included 6-keto prostaglandin F1α, prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2α, and thromboxane B2. Fractions R42–50, R51–82. and R83–90 contained epoxygenase and lipoxygenase-like products. The major metabolite in fractions R83–90 was 5, 6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET). Fractions R51–82 contained 14, 15-and 8, 9-EETs, 12-and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, and 8, 9-and 5, 6-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs). In fractions R42–50, 14, 15-DHET was the major product. When radiolabeled [3H]14, 15-EET was incubated with astrocyte homogenate, it was rapidly metabolized to [3H]14, 15-DHET. The metabolism was inhibited by submicromolar concentration of 4-phenylchalcone oxide, a potent inhibitor of epoxide hydrolase activity. Formation of other polar metabolites such as triols or epoxyalcohols from 14, 15-DHET was not observed. In conclusion, astro-cytes readily metabolize arachidonic acid to 14, 15-EET, 5, 6-EET, and their vicinal-diols. Previous studies suggest these products may affect neuronal function and cerebral blood flow.
Self- and Dependent-Care Responsibility of Adolescents with IDDM and their Parents

The purposes of this study were to describe perceptions of the division of diabetes self- and dependent-care responsibility among young adolescents and their parents in two-parent families and to e...
Trust and epistemic communities in biodiversity data sharing

Trust is a key element of knowledge work: what we know depends largely on others. This paper discusses the concepts of communities of practice and epistemic cultures, and their implication for design of digital libraries that support data sharing, with particular reference to practices of trust and credibility. It uses an empirical study of a biodiversity digital library of data from a variety of sources to illustrate implications digital library design and operation. It concludes that diversity and uncomfortable boundary areas typify, not only digital library user groups, but the design and operation of digital libraries.
Empirical Differences between COTS Middleware Scheduling Strategies

The proportion of complex distributed real-time embedded (DRE) systems made up of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software is increasing significantly in response to the difficulty and expense of building DRE systems entirely from scratch. In previous work, we showed how applying different scheduling strategies in middleware can allow COTS-based solutions to provide both assurance and optimization of real-time constraints for important classes of mission-critical DRE systems. There are few empirical studies, however, that help developers of COTS-based DRE systems to make crucial distinctions between strategies that appear similar in policy, but whose run-time effects may differ in practice.This paper provides two contributions to the study of real-time quality of service (QoS) assurance and performance in COTS-based DRE systems. First, we examine in detail two hybrid static/dynamic scheduling strategies that should behave similarly according to policy alone, but that in fact produce different results under the same conditions, both in utilization and in meeting real-time assurances. Second, we offer recommendations based on these results for developers of mission-critical DRE systems, such as the Boeing Bold Stroke platform used in the Adaptive Software Flight Demonstration (ASFD) program under which our experiments were conducted. These contributions address and highlight the importance of the following issues to real-time scheduling in COTS environments: (1) careful mapping of scheduling policies into implementation mechanisms and (2) benchmarking and analysis of actual systems in representative operational environments.
GSI-Based Four-Dimensional Ensemble–Variational (4DEnsVar) Data Assimilation: Formulation and Single-Resolution Experiments with Real Data for NCEP Global Forecast System

AbstractA four-dimensional (4D) ensemble–variational data assimilation (DA) system (4DEnsVar) was developed, building upon the infrastructure of the gridpoint statistical interpolation (GSI)-based hybrid DA system. 4DEnsVar used ensemble perturbations valid at multiple time periods throughout the DA window to estimate 4D error covariances during the variational minimization, avoiding the tangent linear and adjoint of the forecast model. The formulation of its implementation in GSI was described. The performance of the system was investigated by evaluating the global forecasts and hurricane track forecasts produced by the NCEP Global Forecast System (GFS) during the 5-week summer period assimilating operational conventional and satellite data. The newly developed system was used to address a few questions regarding 4DEnsVar. 4DEnsVar in general improved upon its 3D counterpart, 3DEnsVar. At short lead times, the improvement over the Northern Hemisphere extratropics was similar to that over the Southern Hem...
Current Therapies for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Management strategies for patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) have changed dramatically since the introduction of imatinib into clinical trials in 1998. Imatinib is generally...
Effect of mimosine on the rat fetus.

Groups of 16 pregnant rats per treatment were fed ad libitum a basal diet containing 0, 0.3, 0.5, or 0.7% mimosine or allowed a restricted intake of the diet with no mimosine until killed on day 20 of gestation. Incremental increases of mimosine caused significant (P<0.01) decreases in daily feed consumption, weight gain per unit of food, and total weight gain. A significant (P<0.01) increase in fetal resorption, but no difference in mean conceptuses per litter, was associated with 0.7% mimosine. Fetal deformities due to constriction of localized parts occurred in litters from females fed 0.5 and 0.7% mimosine. Deformities were associated with perforations in the uterus between placental attachments with partial protrusion of fetuses through the uterus. Most sacral vertebrae were missing in fetuses of females fed 0.7% mimosine and of restricted intake controls. There were no differences in hematocrit values due to treatment.
Effects of hCG and Cyclic AMP on Aromatization in Purified Leydig Cells of Immature and Mature Rats

Aromatization of testosterone to estradiol was assessed in purified Leydig cells of rats 15, 25, and 60-70 days old. Leydig cells obtained after purification by Metrizamide gradient centrifuga- tion were incubated for 4 h with a saturating concentration of (3 HI testosterone (0.6 iM). (3 HI - Estradiol was isolated and final identity established by recrystallization. Aromatization of (3 HI - testosterone to (3 HI estradiol was demonstrated in Leydig cells of all ages. Basal aromatase activity per 106 Leydig cells was highest in Leydig cells of 25-day-old rats, intermediate in Leydig cells of 1 5-day-old"cats, and lowest in Leydig cells of 60-70-day-old rats. At saturating concentrations of (3 HI testosterone, human chorionic gonadotropin or dibutyryl cyclic AMP acutely stimulated aromatization in Leydig cells of 25 and 60-70-day-old rats, but not of 15-day-old rats. A potent competitive inhibitor of aromatase, 7at-(4'-amino)phenylthioandrost-4-ene-3 ,1 7-dione, markedly inhibited estradiol production from testosterone in Leydig cells from all ages studied. These results demonstrate that Leydig cells of immature rats have the capacity for aromatization and that this step in steroidogenesis can be acutely stimulated by hCG and cAMP in Leydig cells of 25 and 60- 70-day-old rats. The similarity in degree of stimulation of aromatization by dibutyryl cyclic AMP and hCG suggests that acute stimulation of aromatization by hCG is mediated by cyclic AMP.
Toward the discovery of new antifungal agents: The design and validation of a novel 2′P-RNA probe and high throughput screening assay against 2′-phosphotransferase Tpt1p

We report the solid-phase synthesis of novel 2'P-RNA probes for use in fluorescence polarization (FP) ligand binding assays that screens for inhibitors of the yeast 2'- phosphotransferase Tpt1p. The probe was synthesized by utilizing silyl phosphoramidite chemistry and a phosphoramidite synthon containing an orthogonal (DMT) protecting group at its 2'-position. Regioselective removal of the 2'-DMT group and phosphitylation of the unmasked 2'-hydroxyl group afforded the desired 2'P-RNA sequence.
Environmental satellites enhance science education

The use of remote-sensing environmental satellites in direct broadcasts to classrooms is discussed. The kinds of information supplied by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellites are examined. The NOAA satellites and education program and the typical satellite station found in most classroom settings are described. A classroom curriculum is outlined. >
Granular Computing: Fuzzy Logic and Rough Sets

The primary goal of granular computing is to elevate the lower level data processing to a high level knowledge processing. Such an elevation is achieved by granulating the data space into a concept space. Each granule represents certain primitive concept, and the granulation as a whole represents a knowledge. In this paper, such an intuitive idea is formalized into a mathematical theory: Zadeh’s informal words are taken literally as a formal definition of granulation. Such a mathematical notion is a mild generalization of the “old” notion of crisp/fuzzy neighborhood systems of (pre-)topological spaces. A crisp/fuzzy neighborhood is a granule and is assigned a meaningful name to represent certain primitive concept or to summarize the information content. The set of all linear combinations of these names, called formal words, mathematically forms a vector space over real numbers. Each vector is intuitively an advanced concept represented by some “weighted averaged” of primitive concepts. In terms of these concepts, the universe can be represented by a formal word table; this is one form of Zadeh’s veristic constraints. Such a representation is useful; fuzzy logic designs can be formulated as series of table transformations. So table processing techniques of rough set theory may be used to simplify these tables and their transformations. Therefore the complexity of large scaled fuzzy systems may be reduced; details will be reported in future papers.
Substance Use by Immigrant Generation in a U.S.-Mexico Border City.

Immigrant generation status has an impact on substance use, with lower use rates for recent immigrants. Substance use surveillance data are reported at the national and state levels; however, no systematic collection of data exists at the city level for the general population. In particular, rates of substance use have not been published for El Paso, Texas. The aims of this study are to estimate the prevalence of substance use among Hispanics in El Paso and to determine the association between substance use and immigrant generation. Hispanic residents of El Paso (N = 837) were interviewed. Demographic, immigration, and substance use data were collected. Bivariate analysis indicated that substance use increased as immigrant generation increased, while perceived problems with substance use decreased. In comparison to Texas and national data, our data showed that the rates of tobacco, marijuana, and illicit drug use were lower among young adults in El Paso.
Abstract 3981: Evaluation of mutation detection sensitivity in exome sequencing and other genotyping platforms

An evaluation was performed to compare mutation calls from exome capture sequencing data to publicly available data sets derived from Sequenom MassARRAY and Sanger sequencing methods. We compared hot-spots KRAS and BRAF mutations using Sanger sequencing method in patient-derived tumor grafts. Mutation data of the tumor grafts were also generated with Sequenom MassARRAY using the OncoCarta panel. We also evaluated the sensitivity of mutation detection for a panel of cancer genes in >100 cancer cell lines against the data from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia Project (OncoMap mutation panel) as well as the Sanger9s Cancer Genome Project. Overall, we observed high sensitivity and concordance of the mutation calls from the exome sequencing with the other platforms and technologies. The above comparisons support the use of exome sequencing as a sensitive mutation detection method for patient-derived tumor grafts and cancer cell lines. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3981. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3981
Bioassay Study of Commercial Formulations of Several Insecticides on Platynota idaeusalis

In a laboratory test, the toxicity of four rates of methomyl, chlordimeform, azinphosmethyl, phosalone, and phosmet was evaluated on the life stages of Platynota idaeusalis (Walker). At 48 h after treatment, azinphosmethyl was the most effective in preventing hatching of 1st instars, and methomyl and azinphosmethyl were the most toxic to 1st and 2nd instars. There was a general decrease in effectiveness of materials as the larvae developed. The insecticides and concentrations included in the tests failed to result in adequate levels of mortality to 3rd, 4th, and 5th instars, and to pupae. All insecticides except chlordimeform were toxic to the adults.
Status of Iodine Nutrition in the Targeted Populations in Sichuan

Objective To understand the current status of iodine nutrition in targeted population in Sichuan province. Methods Altogether 7 counties were randomly selected,and from which 5 towns were chosen from respectively the east,the west,the south,the north and the middle part of the county. The urinary iodine level of pregnant women,breast-feeding women,0-2 year old infants and 8-10 years old children was determined by spectrophotometry with redox catalytic reaction of As-Ce. Results Respectively,350,350,334 and 400 urine samples of pregnant and breast-feeding women,0-2-year-old infants and 8-10-year-old children were collected. The median of urinary of were respectively 175. 7,165. 7,204. 8 and 230. 7μg / L. Conclusion The iodine nutrition level among the above populations stays suitable,yet the iodine nutrition level of 8-10 years old children are slightly higher than the standard level; strengthened measures of monitoring and health education should be timely carried out.
A Review of Whole-Exome Sequencing Efforts Toward Hereditary Breast Cancer Susceptibility Gene Discovery

Inherited genetic risk factors contribute toward breast cancer (BC) onset. BC risk variants can be divided into three categories of penetrance (high, moderate, and low) that reflect the probability of developing the disease. Traditional BC susceptibility gene discovery approaches that searched for high- and moderate-risk variants in familial BC cases have had limited success; to date, these risk variants explain only ∼30% of familial BC cases. Next-generation sequencing technologies can be used to search for novel high and moderate BC risk variants, and this manuscript reviews 12 familial BC whole-exome sequencing efforts. Study design, filtering strategies, and segregation and validation analyses are discussed. Overall, only a modest number of novel BC risk genes were identified, and 90% and 97% of the exome-sequenced families and cases, respectively, had no BC risk variants reported. It is important to learn from these studies and consider alternate strategies in order to make further advances. The discovery of new BC susceptibility genes is critical for improved risk assessment and to provide insight toward disease mechanisms for the development of more effective therapies.
Adaptation to vertical prisms.

(1955). Adaptation to Vertical Prisms. American Orthoptic Journal: Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 127-129.
Nanoporous silicon biosensors for DNA sensing

Abstract: This chapter discusses porous silicon (PSi) biosensors for the detection of DNA. The preparation of PSi DNA sensors is introduced, including a description of common functionalization techniques specifically designed for the capture of DNA molecules. Several different PSi DNA sensor structures are reviewed from the literature and their designs, sensitivities, and detection limits are compared. Important considerations for improved sensor performance are also presented, including the effects of corrosion in p-type PSi due to the negative charge of DNA, the influence of PSi pore size on DNA infiltration and detection efficiency, and control over DNA surface density inside PSi. The chapter ends with a discussion of recent progress toward microfluidics based lab-on-chip detectors for real-time analysis.
Goal Setting: Effective Strategies to Plan for a Successful Career

Setting goals helps one advance a career in hospital medicine. Goals focus work, help to uncover new knowledge, and can increase motivation. Setting goals is difficult, but once the type of goal is identified, several systems can be used to increase attainment. Using the SMART system can help set measurable goals while the big hairy audacious goal (BHAG) system allows you to set long term goals. Once a goal has been set, various strategies can improve goal striving. Careful planning, automating striving, and methods to preserve motivation can increase goal success. However in striving goal conflict may arise and may be minimized using several strategies. Important in goal striving is feedback which can be internal or external. Furthermore, it can be elicited from a mentor. Mentorship can improve goal success.
Effects of climate change on snowpack and fire potential in the western USA

We evaluate the implications of ten twenty-first century climate scenarios for snow, soil moisture, and fuel moisture across the conterminous western USA using the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) hydrology model. A decline in mountain snowpack, an advance in the timing of spring melt, and a reduction in snow season are projected for five mountain ranges in the region. For the southernmost range (the White Mountains), spring snow at most elevations will disappear by the end of the twenty-first century. We investigate soil and fuel moisture changes for the five mountain ranges and for six lowland regions. The accelerated depletion of mountain snowpack due to warming leads to reduced summer soil moisture across mountain environments. Similarly, warmer and drier summers lead to decreases of up to 25% in dead fuel moisture across all mountain ranges. Collective declines in spring mountain snowpack, summer soil moisture, and fuel moisture across western mountain ranges will increase fire potential in flammability-limited forested systems where fuels are not limiting. Projected changes in fire potential in predominately fuel-limited systems at lower elevations are more uncertain given the confounding signals between projected changes in soil moisture and fuel moisture.
Evaluation of informatics systems: beyond RCTs and beyond the hospital

The current focus and funding of health information technology forces the informatics research community to ask many questions. A key one is: Are we providing policy makers the evidence they need to make the best decisions? Corollary to this question are two more: Are we using the best methods? Are we looking for evidence in all the right places? Liu and Wyatt1 present their perspective on the critical role of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in the assessment of clinical information systems. The authors briefly review the sources of skepticism that claim that RCT-based evaluation is not useful in evaluating health information systems due to ethical and technical grounds. Liu and Wyatt present counter-arguments to make a compelling case that clinical information systems can be very influential in determining clinical outcomes, so they should be subject to the same rigorous evaluation standards as other types of clinical interventions, such as medications and procedures. Regardless of design, justification of the match between purpose and design is paramount. JAMIA agrees that RCTs are the preferred standard for evaluation in general, but it is not appropriate in all circumstances. As Liu and Wyatt point out, RCTs, which are often expensive, are appropriate for the evaluation of systems that expose added risk to subjects or that are associated with high costs. However, the growing field of comparative effectiveness research helps our thinking beyond RCTs and … Correspondence to Dr Harold Lehmann, Johns Hopkins University, Division of Health Sciences Informatics, 2024 E Monument St, Baltimore, MD, 20105, USA; hlehman1{at}jhmi.edu
Nonlinear Fracture Parameters for Cement Based Composites: Theory and Experiments

Many have attempted to apply linear elastic fracture mechanics to quantitatively express the fracture toughness of concrete. For example, by testing notched beams one can calculate, using the formulas developed from LEFM, fracture toughness in terms of KIc, the critical stress intensity factor for Mode I opening. Unfortunately, it has been observed that when KIc is calculated from the measured values of the maximum load and the initial notch length, its value is dependent on the dimensions of the beams. This size dependency of the single parameter LEFM based fracture criterion can be attributed primarily to the nonlinear effects associated with crack propagation in concrete. In this paper, a simple method is suggested to calculate a size-independent fracture toughness parameters.