cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incorporating Historical Models with Adaptive Bayesian Updates

This article considers Bayesian approaches for incorporating information from a historical model into a current analysis when the historical model includes only a subset of covariates currently of interest. The statistical challenge is 2-fold. First, the parameters in the nested historical model are not generally equal to their counterparts in the larger current model, neither in value nor interpretation. Second, because the historical information will not be equally informative for all parameters in the current analysis, additional regularization may be required beyond that provided by the historical information. We propose several novel extensions of the so-called power prior that adaptively combine a prior based upon the historical information with a variance-reducing prior that shrinks parameter values toward zero. The ideas are directly motivated by our work building mortality risk prediction models for pediatric patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We have developed a model on a registry-based cohort of ECMO patients and now seek to expand this model with additional biometric measurements, not available in the registry, collected on a small auxiliary cohort. Our adaptive priors are able to use the information in the original model and identify novel mortality risk factors. We support this with a simulation study, which demonstrates the potential for efficiency gains in estimation under a variety of scenarios.
Consenting to Surgery: Assessing the Patient’s Capacity to Make Decisions About Own Medical Care

Informed consent is the cornerstone of the therapeutic relationship between physician and patient. However, the peri-surgical setting poses several challenges to implementing an effective informed consent process. This clinically oriented chapter provides an overview of the informed consent process in surgical care including making recommendations for enhancing patient comprehension, identifying issues while assessing capacity, and enumerating next steps to take if patients are found to be incapacitated. The chapter will also identify several special issues relating to mental and physical illness that surgical teams may encounter.
Lab review: Molecular dissection of the signal transduction pathways associated with PTEN deletion-induced optic nerve regeneration.

Background Permanent loss of vital functions after central nervous system (CNS) injury occurs in part because axons in the adult mammalian CNS do not regenerate after injury. PTEN was identified as a prominent intrinsic inhibitor of CNS axon regeneration about 10 years ago. The PTEN negatively regulated PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway, which has been intensively explored in diverse models of axon injury and diseases and its mechanism for axon regeneration is becoming clearer. Objective It is timely to summarize current knowledge about the PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway and discuss future directions of translational regenerative research for neural injury and neurodegenerative diseases. Methods Using mouse optic nerve crush as an in vivo retinal ganglion cell axon injury model, we have conducted an extensive molecular dissection of the PI3K-AKT-mTORC1/mTORC2 pathway to illuminate the cross-regulating mechanisms in axon regeneration. Results AKT is the nodal point that coordinates both positive (PI3K-PDK1-pAKT-T308) and negative (PI3K-mTORC2-pAKT-S473) signals to regulate adult CNS axon regeneration through two parallel pathways, activating mTORC1 and inhibiting GSK3β. However, mTORC1/S6K1-mediated feedback inhibition after PTEN deletion prevents potent AKT activation. Conclusions A key permissive signal from an unidentified AKT-independent pathway is required for stimulating the neuron-intrinsic growth machinery. Future studies into this complex neuron-intrinsic balancing mechanism involving necessary and permissive signals for axon regeneration is likely to lead to safe and effective regenerative strategies for CNS repair.
Towards General-Purpose Acceleration: Finding Structure in Irregularity

Programmable hardware accelerators (e.g., vector processors, GPUs) have been extremely successful at targeting algorithms with regular control and memory patterns to achieve order-of-magnitude performance and energy efficiency improvements. However, they perform far under the peak on important irregular algorithms, like those from graph processing, database querying, genomics, advanced machine learning, and others. This work posits that the primary culprit is specific forms of irregular control flow and memory access. By capturing the problematic behavior at a domain-agnostic level, we propose an accelerator that is sufficiently general, matches domain-specific accelerator performance, and significantly outperforms traditional CPUs and GPUs.
Black widow formation by pulsar irradiation and sustained magnetic braking

Black widows are millisecond pulsars with low-mass companions, a few per cent the mass of the sun, on orbits of several hours. These companions are presumably the remnants of main sequence stars that lost their mass through a combination of Roche-lobe overflow and ablation by the host pulsar's high-energy radiation. While ablation itself is too weak to significantly reduce the mass of the companion star, the ablated wind couples to its magnetic field, removes orbital angular momentum, and thus maintains stable Roche-lobe overflow. We use the MESA stellar evolution code, complemented by analytic estimates, to track initially main sequence companions as they are reduced to a fraction of their original mass by this ablation-driven magnetic braking. We argue that magnetic braking remains effective even for low-mass companions. A key ingredient of our model is that the irradiating luminosity of the pulsar $L_{\rm irr}$ deposits energy in the companion's atmosphere and thereby slows down its Kelvin--Helmholtz cooling. We find that the high-energy luminosities measured by Fermi $L_{\rm irr}=0.1-3\,{\rm L}_\odot$ can explain the span of black widow orbital periods. The same $L_{\rm irr}$ range reproduces the companions' night-side temperatures, which cluster around 3000 K, as inferred from optical light curves.
Fast and accurate object detection in high resolution 4K and 8K video using GPUs

Machine learning has celebrated a lot of achievements on computer vision tasks such as object detection, but the traditionally used models work with relatively low resolution images. The resolution of recording devices is gradually increasing and there is a rising need for new methods of processing high resolution data. We propose an attention pipeline method which uses two staged evaluation of each image or video frame under rough and refined resolution to limit the total number of necessary evaluations. For both stages, we make use of the fast object detection model YOLO v2. We have implemented our model in code, which distributes the work across GPUs. We maintain high accuracy while reaching the average performance of 3–6 fps on 4K video and 2 fps on 8K video.
Novel Expression-Template-Based Automatic Differentiation of Fortran Codes for Aerodynamic Optimization

An elegant and robust approach for discrete adjoint-based automatic differentiation of the Fortran codes is proposed in this work. The technique aims at bridging the gap within the Fortran programm...
Co-expression of drug metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzymes and estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) in human liver: racial differences and the regulatory role of ESR1.

Objectives The function and expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) drug metabolizing enzymes is highly variable, greatly affecting drug exposure, and therapeutic outcomes. The expression of these enzymes is known to be controlled by many transcription factors (TFs), including ligand-free estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1, in the absence of estrogen). However, the relationship between the expression of ESR1, other TFs, and CYP enzymes in human liver is still unclear. Methods Using real-time PCR, we quantified the mRNA levels of 12 CYP enzymes and nine TFs in 246 human liver samples from European American (EA, n = 133) and African American (AA, n = 113) donors. Results Our results showed higher expression levels of ESR1 and six CYP enzymes in EA than in AA. Partial least square regression analysis showed that ESR1 is the top-ranking TF associating with the expression of eight CYP enzymes, six of which showed racial difference in expression. Conversely, four CYP enzymes without racial difference in expression did not have ESR1 as a top-ranking TF. These results indicate that ESR1 may contribute to variation in CYP enzyme expression between these two ancestral backgrounds. Conclusions These results are consistent with our previous study showing ESR1 as a master regulator for the expression of several CYP enzymes. Therefore, factors affecting ESR1 expression may have broad influence on drug metabolism through altered expression of CYP enzymes.
Does voicing affect patterns of transfer in nonnative cluster learning

Purpose Previous studies have demonstrated that speakers can learn novel speech sequences, although the content and specificity of the learned speech motor representations remain incompletely under...
A Study of Fifty-Six In-Use Catalyst Vehicles: Emissions and Fuel Economy

Emissions and fuel economy have been measured for two years on a group of 56 catalyst vehicles in consumer use and maintenance. Data presented here include idle CO; mass emissions of HC, CO, NOx, sulfate, and SO2; and fuel economy. Test cycles used were the 1975 FTP, one hour 50 mph cruise, CFDS and HFET. Fuel economy data are also presented for the same vehicles for over-the-road driving from on-board totalizing fuel and engine hour meters on each car. Sulfur dioxide emissions characteristics of two identifiable modes of carburetor tune were observed upon deceleration to idel and are discussed. Catalyst activity was measured at idle, 30 and 50 mph by exhaust sampling before and after the catalyst. Although 70 percent of the catalysts were established to be active at 30 and 50 mph, catalyst activity at idle was observed to be much lower when CO was greater than 1 percent. /SASI/
Detection of Lactobacillus acidophilus in Feces of Humans, Pigs, and Chickens

Lactobacilli in fecal material from humans, pigs, and chickens were enumerated on lactobacillus selective agar (LBS). In all samples, higher numbers of lactobacilli were detected when plates were incubated in a system flushed with CO2 rather than in air. Much higher numbers of bacteria from human feces were detected when the LBS agar plates were incubated anaerobically in a hydrogen-carbon dioxide atmosphere (GasPak) than when incubated in CO2. The bacteria from human feces isolated on LBS agar incubated anaerobically were predominately bifidobacteria. Cultures from all three sources isolated on LBS agar incubated under CO2 were lactobacilli, including Lactobacillus acidophilus. Differences were observed in biochemical characteristics of some of the L. acidophilus isolated from all three sources. Guanine plus cytosine base ratios of deoxyribonucleic acid isolated from L. acidophilus cultures from humans were lower, in most cases, than those from pigs and chickens.
Lipases from extremophiles and potential for industrial applications

Publisher Summary This chapter describes lipases from extremophiles and discusses their potential for industrial applications. Lipases constitute the most important group of biocatalysts for biotechnological applications. They have conserved 3D structures but lack a high-sequence homology and display a wide diversity of properties. Commercially, they are used in multiple applications and because of this, the search for novel lipases continues. The more enzymes being discovered from organisms in extreme environments, the more exceptional features will be discovered. An example is the two lipases from the slightly alkalithermophile Thermosyntropha lipolytica exhibiting high thermostability and activity above 90 °C and at alkaline pH. However, for industrial application, besides exhibiting the desired properties, these enzymes also have to have a high level of expression—that is, efficient over expression of their genes in a suitable host. The special stability and activity ranges of lipases from extremophiles, different from most mesophilic host protein, offer easy and simple purification steps by employing the extreme conditions.
Testing VLSI chips with weighted random patterns

A test methodology utilizing weighted random patterns (WRP) has recently been developed for level-sensitive scan design (LSSD) logic devices. An automated WRP test generation system combined with a tester modified to apply weighted random patterns has been implemented for the production testing of high-performance VLSI (very-large-scale-integration) chips. The advantages observed in using WRP are the following: (1) It provides full stuck fault coverage, unlike a random pattern test, and improves the coverage of nonmodeled faults compared to a deterministic test; (2) it can apply at least an order of magnitude more patterns to a device than a DET tet in less times on present testers, with many times fewer test data; (3) the computer time spent to generate the WRP test data is small compared to a deterministic test; (4) these advantages are realized with no chip circuit overhead other than that required for LSSD. WRP testing has resulted in a higher quality test at a significantly lower cost. >
Auditing against Multiple Policies

I should preface this by saying that I’m not actually going to give you a solution to anything, I’m just going to explain why auditing against multiple policies is actually useful. Well it’s both irritating and useful. It’s a necessity for some people.
Approximate instance retrieval on ontologies

With the development of more expressive description logics (DLs) for the Web Ontology Language OWL the question arises how we can properly deal with the high computational complexity for efficient reasoning. In application cases that require scalable reasoning with expressive ontologies, non-standard reasoning solutions such as approximate reasoning are necessary to tackle the intractability of reasoning in expressive DLs. In this paper, we are concerned with the approximation of the reasoning task of instance retrieval on DL knowledge bases, trading correctness of retrieval results for gain of speed. We introduce our notion of an approximate concept extension and we provide implementations to compute an approximate answer for a concept query by a suitable mapping to efficient database operations. Furthermore, we report on experiments of our approach on instance retrieval with the Wine ontology and discuss first results in terms of error rate and speed-up.
Pattern-based inference approach for data mining

Information theory and statistical analysis are discussed as two fundamental conceptual tools for data mining. A data mining technique based on these two conceptual tools consists of three steps. The first step is a statistical approach for discovering data patterns. The second step is an information-theoretic approach for identifying models that encapsulate the statistical behavior of the data patterns. The last step is a probabilistic approach for pattern-based inference that predicts unknown significant event patterns.
INTEGRABLE FIELD THEORY OF THE q-STATE POTTS MODEL WITH 0<q<4

Two-dimensional quantum field theory obtained by perturbing the q-state Potts-model CFT (0<q<4) with the energy-density operator Φ(2, 1) is shown to be integrable. The particle content of this QFT is conjectured and the factorizable S matrix is proposed. The limit q→1 is related to the isotropic-percolation problem in 2D and so we make a few predictions about the size distributions of the percolating clusters in the scaling domain.
Thermal tolerances and the timing of sea turtle hatchling emergence

Abstract 1. Threshold sand temperatures appear to be the cue for the timing of sea turtle hatchling emergence from the sand. 2. We recorded sand temperatures at depths of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 30 cm below the surface over Lepidochelys olivacea ( n =20), Chelonia mydas agassizi ( n =1), and Dermochelys coriacea ( n =20) nests and at reference locations up to two hours prior to hatchling emergence from the sand. Rates of temperature change were 0–2°C/h; frequency of negative thermotaxic occurrence was low above nests, but high at reference locations, and hatchlings emerged when sand temperatures were below 36°C ( D. coriacea ) and 34°C ( L. olivacea ). 3. Critical thermal maxima (CTM) was 41.3°C for L. olivacea , 41.3°C for C. m. agassizi , and 40.2°C for D. coriacea hatchlings. They exhibited uncoordinated movements at 35.7°C, 33.4°C, and 33.6°C, respectively. 4. Hatchling body temperatures prior to emergence were above the uncoordinated movement temperatures exhibited in the CTM experiments. 5. L. olivacea and D. coriacea hatchlings should not emerge when sand temperatures are above 37.5°C and 36°C, respectively.
The Brief Pain Inventory and its “Pain at its Worst in the last 24 Hours” Item: Clinical Trial Endpoint Considerations

Context. In 2006, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a draft Guidance for Industry on the use of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) Measures in Medical Product Development to Support Labeling Claims. This draft guidance outlines psychometric aspects that should be considered when designing a PRO measure, including conceptual framework, content validity, construct validity, reliability, and the ability to detect clinically meaningful score changes. When finalized, it may provide a blueprint for evaluations of PRO measures that can be considered by sponsors and investigators involved in PRO research and drug registration trials. Objective. In this review we examine the short form of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and particularly the “pain at its worst in the last 24 hours” item in the context of the FDA draft guidance, to assess its utility in clinical trials that include pain as a PRO endpoint. Results and Conclusions. After a systematic evaluation of the psychometric aspects of the BPI, we conclude that the BPI and its “pain at its worst in the last 24 hours” item generically satisfy most key recommendations outlined in the draft guidance for assessing a pain-reduction treatment effect. Nonetheless, when the BPI is being considered for assessment of pain endpoints in a registration trial, sponsors and investigators should consult with the appropriate FDA division early during research design to discuss whether there is sufficient precedent to use the instrument in the population of interest or whether additional evaluations of measurement properties are advisable.
More results on orthogonal wavelets with optimum time-frequency resolution

Signal decomposition techniques are an important tool for analyzing nonstationary signals. The proper selection of time-frequency basis functions for the decomposition is essential to a variety of signal processing applications. The discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is increasingly being used for signal analysis, but not until recently has attention been paid to the time-frequency resolution property of wavelets. This paper describes additional results on our procedure to design wavelets with better time-frequency resolution. In particular, our optimal duration-bandwidth product wavelets (ODBW) have better duration-bandwidth product, as a function of wavelet-defining filter length N, than Daubechies' minimum phase and least- asymmetric wavelets, and Dorize and Villemoes' optimum wavelets over the range N equals 8 to 64. Some examples and comparisons with these traditional wavelets are presented.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Thermal effects on crackling noise

We present a systematic study of thermal effects on crackling noise. We identify three different scaling regimes in the power spectra, and give explicit expressions for the corner frequencies separating the different regimes. We show a new low-frequency regime arising from hierarchical dynamics induced by the finite temperature and show that our predictions are universal and apply to generic crackling systems. We suggest that thermal effects are responsible for several ubiquitous, yet unexplained, behavior in a number of crackling systems.
N-of-1 Trials: Not Just for Academics

To the Editors:—It was with great interest that we read the study by Scuffham et al.1 and the accompanying editorial by Larson2 about the use of n-of-1 trials. Traditional medical training often emphasizes large, randomized, controlled trials as being perched on the highest tier in the hierarchy of research, but as the authors clearly state, these studies’ findings may not be applicable to specific individuals. After reading these two articles, we came away both extremely impressed by their contents and this heretofore little known process, but extremely daunted by the prospect of employing it in most practitioners’ daily practice, especially with Scuffham’s definition of it being “multi-cycle within-patient, randomized, double-blind, cross-over comparisons of a drug and placebo (or another drug) using standardized measures of effect.” However, with additional reflection, we realize that busy general medicine clinicians geographically or psychologically far from academic centers have the opportunity to employ similar concepts, just as many dermatologists have been doing for years. This practical approach demonstrates particular utility in the setting of chronic inflammatory skin conditions, such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis. For diffuse and often bilateral disease, one half of a patient’s body can serve as the control for the other half. In this way, patients can determine the relative efficacy of certain topical agents and individualize the long-term approach to their condition. In the case of psoriasis, patients may use a single agent (topical corticosteroids, vitamin D analogues, retinoids or even coal tar) on one side with comparison to another single agent or even combination therapy on the other side. Similarly, patients with atopic dermatitis often experience a chronic course of their disease with periods of variable severity. This approach may be utilized to determine individual patient response to treatment with topical steroids (which vary by medication, strength and vehicle) and/or the non-steroidal topical immunomodulators. For these patients, the efficacy of topical therapy is determined by a combination of the efficacy intrinsic to the medications, their individual response to therapy, and even more important the patients’ preference and subsequent adherence to regular application. These slightly inelegant, less than formal studies have proven invaluable in our own personal experience, and we encourage practitioners to consider this in some of their patients.
Joint transform correlation for fingerprint identification

The pattern matching for fingerprints requires a large amount of data and computation time. Practical fingerprint identification systems require minimal errors and ultrafast processing time to perform real time verification and identification. By utilizing the two-dimensional processing capability, ultrafast processing speed and noninterfering communication of optical processing techniques, fingerprint identification systems can be implemented in real time. Among the various pattern matching systems, the joint transform correlator (JTC) has been found to be inherently suitable for real time matching applications. Among the various JTCs, the fringeadjusted JTC has been found to yield significantly better correlation output compared to alternate JTCs. In this paper, we review the latest trends and advancements in fingerprint identification system based on the fringeadjusted JTC. Since all pattern matching systems suffer from high sensitivity to distortions, the synthetic discriminant function concept has been incorporated in fringe-adjusted JTC to ensure distortion-invariant fingerprint identification. On the other hand a novel polarization-enhanced fingerprint verification system is described where a polarized coherent light beam is used to record spatially dependent response of the scattering medium of the fingerprint to provide detailed surface information, which is not accessible to mere intensity measurement. It is shown that polarization-enhanced database improves the accuracy of the fingerprint identification or verification system significantly. Keywords: Fringe-adjust joint transform correlation, finger print identification, polarization, synthetic discriminant function
A Comparison of Five Competing Lymph Node Staging Schemes in a Cohort of Resectable Gastric Cancer Patients

New classifications for lymph node (LN) staging have recently been proposed to improve upon the UICC/AJCC N category staging convention. Ratio-based systems and logarithmic odds (LODDS) scores are two families of novel competing staging systems. We compared UICC/AJCC staging with 5 ratio and LODDS systems in predicting overall survival (OS) in patients with resected gastric cancer. Using a large population-based dataset, we identified 12,184 nonmetastatic resectable gastric cancer patients between 1988 and 2004. We compared each subject’s UICC/AJCC N stage with five novel staging schemes. We analyzed the OS for each method. Our comparison metric was the log-rank Chi squared statistic; larger Chi squared statistics indicate improvements in N stage discrimination. Median OS was 2.1 years (95 % CI 2.0–2.2 years), while median patient follow-up for surviving patients was 8.3 years (range, 1 month–22 years). Although all 5 staging systems were either comparable or superior to the UICC/AJCC convention, a LN ratio method outperformed others in N stage discrimination based on log-rank tests for OS. This trend was independent of the number of LNs examined. Novel LN staging methods have a higher degree of discrimination utility than the UICC/AJCC N convention. These methods may have a role in reducing the prognostic impact of LN count variability. Of the systems assessed, the LN ratio system that assigns greater risk attribution to cases with <16 LNs was the best classification method to predict OS in patients with resectable gastric cancer.
Computer simulation and flow visualization of thermocapillary flow in a silicone oil floating zone

Abstract Computer simulation and flow visualization were conducted to study thermocapillary flow in a small zone of silicone oil held between two differentially heated rods. Despite significant zone necking, converting calculated streamlines to flow patterns that could be compared with the observed flow patterns was possible, by incorporating the lens effect of the oil zone. It was found that the lens effect causes the streamlines to appear to shift toward the free surface and away from the top and bottom of the zone. It also causes the vortex to appear to shift upward and outward. The calculated and converted flow patterns agree very well with the observed ones.
EATING DISORDER EXAMINATION QUESTIONNAIRE (EDE-Q): NORMS FOR UNDERGRADUATE MEN

Normative data on the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire for samples of undergraduate men in the United States are presented. Participants were 404 undergraduate men aged 18-26 who completed the EDE-Q as part of two larger survey studies. Mean scores, standard deviations, and percentile ranks for the Global score and four subscale scores are provided. Data regarding the frequency of objective binge eating episodes and compensatory behaviors also are reported. Although the overall prevalence of full threshold eating disorders remains lower in men than in women, body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors are fairly common among young men. These results will help researchers and clinicians interpret the EDE-Q scores of undergraduate men.
U.S. National Seismograph Network improves earthquake monitoring

The concept of a United States National Seismograph Network (USNSN) dates back nearly 30 years. The idea was revived several times over the decades but never funded. For example, a national network was proposed and discussed at great length in the so-called “Bolt Report” (U.S. Earthquake Observatories: Recommendations for a New National Network, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1980). From the beginning, a national network was viewed as augmenting and complementing the dense, predominantly short-period vertical coverage of selected areas provided by the Regional Seismograph Networks (RSNs) with a sparse, well-distributed network of three-component, observatory-quality, permanent stations.
Correlation of plasma level with spinal cord depressant action of mephenesin and its carbamic acid ester.

SummaryMephenesin and its ester with carbamic acid have been shown to be of equal potency when their effect on a multineuron reflex was correlated with their plasma levels.
Critical behavior from Landau theory in nanothermodynamic equilibrium

Abstract Two modern thermostatistical techniques are used to treat classical Landau-like theories. A Ginzburg–Landau model is simplified using Kadanoff blocks that fluctuate independently, and the Landau energy is lowered using a nanothermodynamic ensemble with no constraints. Advantages of these techniques include eliminating explicit surface terms between real-space blocks, and minimizing the free energy to give the true thermal equilibrium. The theory yields non-uniform clustering, non-exponential relaxation, and non-classical critical scaling, similar to behavior found near the liquid-glass and ferromagnetic transitions.
Analyzing the sensitivity of hydrogen vehicle sales to consumers' preferences

Abstract The success of hydrogen vehicles will depend on consumer behavior as well as technology, energy prices and public policy. This study examines the sensitivity of the future market shares of hydrogen-powered vehicles to alternative assumptions about consumers' preferences. The Market Acceptance of Advanced Automotive Technologies model was used to project future market shares. The model has 1458 market segments, differentiated by travel behavior, geography, and tolerance to risk, among other factors, and it estimates market shares for twenty advanced power-train technologies. The market potential of hydrogen vehicles is most sensitive to the improvement of drive train technology, especially cost reduction. The long-run market success of hydrogen vehicles is less sensitive to the price elasticity of vehicle choice, how consumers evaluate future fuel costs, and the importance of fuel availability and limited driving range. The importance of these factors will likely be greater in the early years following initial commercialization of hydrogen vehicles.
Expression of alternate forms of brain opioid 'orphan' receptor mRNA in activated human peripheral blood lymphocytes and lymphocytic cell lines.

Abstract We screened a PHA (phytohemagglutinin)-activated human lymphocyte cDNA library for clones with homology to the recently cloned brain opioid receptors. A cDNA clone, AT7-5EU, was isolated which encodes the opioid ‘orphan’ receptor, a molecule with very high homology to the opioid receptor gene family, but which has not been shown to bind opioids or any other known compounds. The protein coding region of AT7-5EU has complete homology with a reported opioid ‘orphan’ clone isolated from human brain, but the 5′ untranslated regions of AT7-5EU and the human brain clones are divergent, suggesting mechanisms for tissue-specific expression of this receptor. Northern analysis of AT7-5EU mRNA demonstrates the expression of this message in human lymphocytic cell lines of both B-and T-cell lineages. Furthermore, analysis of mRNA from human peripheral blood lymphocytes demonstrates that activation of the lymphocytes with PHA results in at least a 10-fold induction of the AT7-5EU message. These results suggest that the opioid ‘orphan’ receptor may have an important immunological function in addition to its function in the nervous system.
On nontrivial types of U -rank 1

Theorem A. Suppose that T is superstable and p is a nontrivial type of U-rank 1. Then R(p, L , ∞)= 1. Theorem B. Suppose that T is totally transcendental and p is a nontrivial type of U-rank 1. Then p has Morley rank 1.
Effects of nifedipine on electrical activity of cardiac cells

Abstract The effects of nifedipine were studied on action potentials recorded from (1) normal canine Purkinje fibers, (2) Purkinje fibers exposed to barium chloride (0.1 to 0.25 m M ), which reduces their membrane potential and produces enhanced pacemaker activity (abnormal automaticity), and (3) subendocardial Purkinje fibers underlying infarct zones at 24 hours after ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. In concentrations of 0.1 to 0.3 mg/liter, nifedipine did not significantly alter the resting transmembrane potential, action potential amplitude or maximal upstroke velocity of normal Purkinje fibers. The action potential duration (to 50 and 100 percent repolarization) was significantly shortened. These concentrations of nifedipine did not suppress the slope of phase 4 depolarization of automaticity in Purkinje fibers with maximal diastolic potentials between −85 and −95 mV. Abnormal automaticity in fibers exposed to barium chloride (Ba ++ ), having maximal diastolic potentials of −40 and −60 mV, was promptly abolished by nifedipine in concentrations of 20 to 200 μg/liter (n = 12). In slightly higher concentrations (0.2 to 0.6 mg/liter), nifedipine slowed or stopped abnormal automaticity in infarct zone Purkinje fibers (n = 3). In two subendocardial Purkinje fiber preparations, salvos of spontaneous impulses were observed that were terminated with delayed afterdepolarizations; nifedipine (0.1 to 0.2 mg/liter) quickly abolished these impulses. It is concluded that nifedipine can suppress abnormal automatic activity in canine cardiac Purkinje fibers in concentrations of 20 to 200 μg/liter, concentrations that will only shorten the plateau of normal action potentials. Nifedipine may prove to be a useful antiarrhythmic drug.
Predicting the Quality of Mother–Child Reminiscing Surrounding Negative Emotional Events at 42 and 48 Months Old

Researchers have speculated that a number of factors likely predict the quality of reminiscing between preschool children and their mothers. This study was designed to investigate three such factors, including child temperament, maternal personality, and maternal caregiving representations. Seventy mothers and their preschool children were recruited for the study. When the child was 42 months of age, mothers completed measures of her personality and the child's temperament. Mothers also took part in the shortened Parent Development Inventory, which was coded for coherence, pleasure, comfort, and perspective taking. At both 42 and 48 months, the mother–child dyad reminisced about a past event in which the child experienced a negative emotion. These conversations were coded for the amount of maternal elaboration, the discussion of emotion, and dyadic qualities (such as collaboration and intersubjectivity). At 42 months, aspects of maternal personality and child temperament were most associated with reminisc...
Meditation is Everywhere

Excerpted from the book Coming to Our Senses: Healing Ourselves and the World Through Mindfulness by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Copyright (c) 2005 Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. Published by Hyperion. All Rights Reserved.
High Surface Area Substrates for DNA Arrays

High-density, spatially addressable arrays of DNA probes offer a high-throughput approach to DNA sequence analysis that is likely to have a major impact on biological and genetic research. These arrays are comprised of short strands of immobilized DNA (“probe”) sequences prepared synthetically on a planar glass support. Samples of unknown, fluorescentlylabeled strands of “target' DNA can be analyzed by sequence-specific binding (“hybridization”) to the arrays in order to extract detailed sequence information. The detection sensitivity of these arrays is dependent on quantity and density of immobilized probe molecules on the surface, as well as the thermodynamics of nucleic acid hybridization. In this report, substrates with a porous, “3-dimensional” surface layer were investigated as a means of increasing the number of available probes, and therefore the amount of detectable bound target per unit area. Two methods for creating porous silica layers were investigated - a “subtractive” method and an “additive” method. For the systems investigated, the additive method, sol-gel processing, offered the most promising route for high density DNA arrays.
Role of sulfhydryls in the hepatotoxicity of organic and metallic compounds

Endogenous sulfhydryl compounds serve a critical role in maintaining the function and viability of living systems. Glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant of these nonprotein thiols. During the past decade it has been demonstrated that sulfhydryls such as GSH also serve an important role in protecting vital nucleophilic sites in the liver from electrophilic attack by numerous classes of reactive chemicals. Organocompounds such as bromobenzene and acetaminophen which undergo microsomal metabolism yield reactive intermediates that are specifically inactivated by conjugation with sulfhydryls in the form of GSH. Thus, for organocompounds GSH is extremely important in protecting against toxic insults. More recently, other sulfhydryl compounds also have been found to serve a specific but as yet less defined role in protecting biological systems against chemically induced injury. Metals such as cadmium have a high affinity for sulfhydryls and the metal binding protein metallothionein binds cadmium with high affinity. The highly specific association of the metal with this sulfhydryl-enriched protein serves to effectively sequester the reactive cadmium ion. The central role of sulfhydryl equivalents in the detoxication of organo- and metallocompounds is similar; however, the mechanism by which this is achieved is fundamentally different.
What should we clinicians do for healthy, asymptomatic, HBsAg-positive carriers?

Objective: To assess the long-term outcome in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers who have normal liver function tests, focusing on survival and the development of severe liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Design: Cohort study with a mean follow-up of 130 months. Setting: Liver clinic of a referral center. Patients: Ninety-two HBsAg-positive blood donors with normal liver function tests. Measurements: Histologic evaluation of liver specimens at baseline; clinical, biochemical, and serologic follow-up; and repeat liver biopsy if clinically indicated or after 10 years of follow-up. Results: At baseline, 69 subjects had normal histologic findings or only minor abnormalities, 18 had chronic persistent hepatitis, and 5 had mild chronic active hepatitis. Serum enzyme levels remained normal in 58 of 68 patients who had regular follow-up. Three patients had biochemical changes consistent with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; in one of these patients, a later histologic evaluation showed progression to chronic active hepatitis. One patient developed alcoholic cirrhosis. Six other patients had mild or transient transaminase elevations, with no evidence of HBV replication, hepatitis D virus infection, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, or histologic deterioration. Liver histologic findings also remained unchanged in 21 patients who showed no biochemical changes during 10 years of follow-up and consented to have repeated liver biopsy. Ten patients showed loss of HBsAg; 2 of these patients acquired antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). All patients who did not have regular follow-up, except 1, were interviewed by telephone during 1990; All denied having liver disease. No patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusions: Italian HBsAg carriers with initially normal liver function tests have an excellent prognosis: Delta superinfection is infrequent and the risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma is low.
SimWIND: A geospatial infrastructure model for optimizing wind power generation and transmission

Abstract Wind is a clean, enduring energy resource with the capacity to satisfy 20% or more of U.S. electricity demand. Presently, wind potential is limited by a paucity of electrical transmission lines and/or capacity between promising wind resources and primary load centers. We present the model SimWIND to address this shortfall. SimWIND is an integrated optimization model for the geospatial arrangement and cost minimization of wind-power generation–transmission–delivery infrastructure. Given a set of possible wind-farm sites, the model simultaneously determines (1) where and how much power to generate and (2) where to build new transmission infrastructure and with what capacity in order to minimize the cost for delivering a targeted amount of power to load. Costs and routing of transmission lines consider geographic and social constraints as well as electricity losses. We apply our model to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) Interconnection, considering scenarios that deliver up to 20 GW of new wind power. We show that SimWIND could potentially reduce ERCOT's projected ∼$5B transmission network upgrade line length and associated costs by 50%. These results suggest that SimWIND's coupled generation–transmission–delivery modeling approach could play a critical role in enhancing planning efforts and reducing costs for wind energy integration.
Identification of RF Power Amplifier Memory Effect Origins using Third-Order Intermodulation Distortion Amplitude and Phase Asymmetry

This paper describes a technique to determine the physical origins of memory effects in RF power amplifiers using amplitude and phase asymmetries of two-tone third order intermodulation distortion (IMD) products measured over a range of power levels and frequency spacing. Determining the origins of the memory effects is done by extracting the portion of the IMD product in each sideband that contributes to the asymmetry, and comparing these on a statistical basis to the responses of simple equivalent circuit models that represent thermal self-heating, and bias voltage feedback. A 90W, singled-ended GaN pHEMT PA stage is compared to a 650W push-pull combined Si LDMOS PA at 2.14 GHz. It is shown that the GaN PA memory effects are dominated by bias feedback (which is later improved), and that the LDMOS PA memory effects are dominated by thermal self-heating. These results are further quantified by comparing memory ratios.
Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography Can Be Used to Assess the Microvascular Response to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-121

Background— Therapeutic angiogenesis is a new approach to treating ischemic heart disease, and the optimal method for assessing its efficacy is unclear. We used myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) to evaluate the therapeutic response to the angiogenic agent, vascular endothelial growth factor-121 (VEGF121). Methods and Results— After placement of an ameroid constrictor (day 0) around the left anterior descending artery (LAD), dogs were given intracoronary VEGF121 protein (108 μg, n=6) or placebo (n=6) on days 7 and 21, and subcutaneous VEGF121 (1 mg) or placebo on days 8 to 20 and 22 to 27. On day 48, MCE was performed during rest and dobutamine stress. Videointensity (y) and pulsing interval (t) were fit to an exponential model (y=A[1−e−βt]) used to derive indices of red cell velocity (β) and capillary area (A), and parameters were compared with radiolabeled microsphere flow data. VEGF121 treatment resulted in higher resting left anterior descending artery/left circumflex flow ratio compared with ...
Autonomous communicative behaviors in avatars

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Program in Media Arts & Sciences, 1997.
Responses of primate dentate neurons to different trajectories of the limb

The activity of neurons in the dentate nucleus of the squirrel monkey was studied during the execution of a controlled, sequential movement that required different trajectories of the forelimb. Examination of 207 dentate neurons ipsilateral to the performing limb revealed that over 80% of the neurons isolated were distinctly correlated with performance. The majority of these neurons had a tonic discharge pattern that usually increased coincident with the start of the movement and was maintained throughout most of the performance. A smaller group of cells had a burst of activity that was restricted only to a narrow part of the performance. About 30% of the tonic neurons altered their pattern of discharge whenever different limb trajectories were required, but burst cells showed essentially no change. Detailed analysis of spike patterns revealed that no dentate neurons were phasically correlated with individual flexionextension cycles of the performance sequence. Dentate neurons appear to be related to some general function of motor performance rather than the actions of joints or muscles used to execute the task.
Applying strategic management to economic development: benefits and challenges

Strategic management has become one of the popular managerial techniques emphasized by policy makers and public managers in recent years. Many local government officials are especially interested in applying this technique to improve the effectiveness of their economic development policies and programs. This paper examines issues associated with the application of strategic management concepts to local economic development. The paper first provides an overview of basic concepts of strategic management and special issues of public strategic management. It then focuses on the background of local economic development and the linkage between strategic management and economic development. The paper finally addresses the benefits and challenges associated with the development of strategic economic development.
Radiative corrections for H→W+W−(γ) in the standard model

Abstract The HW + W − three-point function with all external particles being off-mass-shell is calculated in the one-loop approximation of the minimal standard model of electroweak interactions. The effect of radiative corrections on the Higgs-boson decay mode H→W + W − ( γ ) is examined. The soft-photon bremsstrahlung is resummed using Yennie-Frautschi-Suura exponentiation and the hard-photon spectrum is integrated analytically. The impact of a fourth generation of heavy fermions is investigated. Approximation formulae are presented for the light-fermion contribution and for the case that the Higgs boson is heavy as compared to the weak vector bosons. In the modified on-mass-shell scheme the partial decay width may be enhanced by up to 15% if the masses of both the Higgs boson and the top quark assume values close to their theoretical upper bounds.
Inflammatory Protein Expression in Human Subglottic Stenosis Tissue Mirrors That in a Murine Model

Objectives:We undertook to describe the genetic and protein composition of subglottic stenosis (SGS) by measuring an array of protein expression and messenger RNA levels within human SGS tissue. We...
Examining Biological Abstracts on Two Platforms: What Do End Users Need to Know?

The information retrieval systems of Biological Abstracts on SilverPlatter and EBSCOhost were evaluated to determine the levels of sophistication and search expertise required by end users to locate information efficiently. Novice, expert, and natural language queries were used and the search results were compared and analyzed to determine what factors end users need to consider for comprehensive information retrieval while searching Biological Abstracts. It was evident from the search results that effective information retrieval using Biological Abstracts on two vendors' platforms largely depended on users' search skills, their knowledge of the information retrieval systems and the search mechanisms they support. The article is an indicator of the criteria that should be taken into account by the librarians and other information professionals in evaluating databases to make the best choices for their institutions and users. It also confirms the need to train the end users who search databases and other d...