cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of microbiome modulation on the intestinal health of poultry

Abstract The chicken gastrointestinal (GI) tract is home to a complex microbial community that underlines the links between diet and health. The GI tract is rich in microbial biodiversity, playing home to ≥500 phylotypes or ∼1 million bacterial genes, which equates to 40–50 times the number in the chicken genome. Manipulating the microbiota would serve as promising therapeutic paradigm; albeit not a new concept for the poultry industry as evidenced by competitive exclusion where newly hatched chickens could be protected against colonization by Salmonella enteritidis by dosing a suspension of gut contents derived from healthy adult chickens. This concept of adding beneficial bacteria to the intestine has led to the development of probiotics and prebiotics. Unlike the host genome, which is rarely manipulated by xenobiotic intervention, the microbiome is readily changeable by diet, ingestion of antibiotics, infection by pathogens and other host- and environmental-dependent events. The plasticity of the microbiome has been implicated in numerous disease conditions, and an unfavorable alteration of the commensal structure of gut microbiota is referred to as dysbiosis; this includes a reduction in the number of tolerogenic bacteria and an over-growth of potentially pathogenic bacteria (pathobionts) that can penetrate the intestinal epithelium and induce diseases in certain genetic or environmental contexts. This review highlights the plasticity of the avian microbiome that allows defined interventions as a means of enhancing poultry health and productivity. The ability to intentionally manipulate the microbiota by providing nutrients, modulating host immunity, inhibiting/preventing pathogen intestinal colonization, or improving intestinal barrier function has led to a number of novel methods to prevent disease, but also led to improved body weight, feed conversion, and carcass yield.
MRAM and FinFETs team up

Integrating magnetoresistive random access memory with advanced fin field-effect transistor technology provides a route towards energy-efficient computing.
Pulsating transcriptional dynamics generates cell-to-cell variability in E. coli flagellum synthesis

Abstract The three-tiered transcriptional cascade of flagellar genes in E. coli has long been used as a model system for the study of hierarchical transcriptional networks. In this cascade, master regulator genes (class I) drive the expression of two other groups of genes that mainly consists of the basal body of the motor (Class II) and the filament (Class III). An appealing inference based on this “simple” topology is that environmental cues that promote the master regulator transcription should deterministically “turn on” the rest of the flagellar cascade. Surprisingly, we find that in individual E. coli cells growing in a steady environment, constitutive transcription of the master regulator results in stochastic pulsatile activity of downstream (Class II and III) genes. These pulses alternate between periods of inactivity and strong flagellar gene transcription, each lasting multiple generations. We also find that while transcriptional pulses are simultaneous for genes within the same class, Class III pulses can sometimes skip Class II pulses. We demonstrate that this skipping behavior is governed by a checkpoint for the formation of the flagellar basal body. Finally, we discover that pulses arise from an underlying circuit with memory that controls the cellular commitment to flagellar synthesis. We speculate that this pulsating mode of regulation might allow individual cells to sample different phenotypes under “neutral” environments.
Vibrational Property Study of SrGa2H2 and BaGa2H2 by Inelastic Neutron Scattering and First Principles Calculations

Vibrational properties of the gallium hydrides SrGa2H2 and BaGa2H2 have been investigated by means of inelastic neutron scattering (INS) and first-principles calculations. The compounds contain Ga-H units being part of a two-dimensional polyanionic layer, [(GaH)(GaH)]2-. The INS spectra are composed of dispersed internal Ga-H bending and stretching modes at frequencies above 600 cm(-1) and external lattice modes at frequencies below 220 cm(-1). Frequencies of the internal modes are not susceptible to the metal countercation, indicating a strong integrity of the polyanionic layer as a building unit in the structures of SrGa2H2 and BaGa2H2. The Ga-H stretching modes have frequencies between 1200 and 1400 cm(-1), which is very low compared to molecular gallium hydrides. The weak Ga-H bond in SrGa2H2 and BaGa2H2 is balanced by Sr(Ba)-H interactions.
Assessing a Novel Method of Calculation of the Cobb Angle for Scoliosis: Interexaminer Reliability and Student Satisfaction.

Abstract Objective The objectives of this pilot study were to compare the interexaminer reliability of 2 different methods of Cobb angle measurement and to determine whether the participants considered 1 of the 2 methods easier to learn, understand, and apply. Methods Entry-level anatomy students who have familiarity with vertebral column anatomy but have not had previous radiology training were instructed on how to measure a Cobb angle. Each student measured 2 curves (thoracic and lumbar) on a single radiograph, first with the traditional method of Cobb angle measurement and second with a novel method of Cobb angle measurement using a digital level. Results The variance of measurements decreased by using the novel method from thoracic to lumbar measurements and for the moderate and severe scoliosis films. All decreases in variance were statistically significant except for the lumbar measurement variance for the severe scoliosis film. The novel method of Cobb angle measurement with these same participants showed interexaminer reliability. More than 78% of naive participants considered the proposed method easier to learn, understand, and apply when compared with the traditional method. Conclusion In this group of naive students, there was improved interrater reliability, greater satisfaction, and reduced measurement variances in some cases, with a novel method using a digital level to measure the Cobb angle compared with the traditional method of measurement.
Prosecutors and Use of Subpoenas

How some prosecutors have been treating victims, witnesses, and others has recently been in the news. News reports include prosecutors arresting victims for failing to testify, including a rape victim who was incarcerated for 27 days in order to ensure that she would testify. The woman, who suffered from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, had a mental breakdown on the stand on the first day of trial and spent 10 days in a mental hospital. In a recent disciplinary case, a disciplinary panel has recommended a public reprimand against a prosecutor who used subpoenas in an effort to pressure and embarrass people who filed character letters for use at a sentencing hearing. These instances illustrate the controversy surrounding some prosecutors’ use of subpoenas. When does a prosecutor cross the line when using coercive measures, such as subpoenas, to obtain cooperation by victims, witnesses, and others in pursuing the conviction and punishment of those accused of violating the law? In this paper, we explore where that line may be.
Bayesian cancer clinical trial designs with subgroup-specific decisions

Two illustrative applications are presented of Bayesian clinical trial designs that make adaptive subgroup-specific decisions based on elicited utilities of patient outcomes to quantify risk-benefit trade-offs. The first design is for a randomized trial to evaluate effects of nutritional prehabilitation on post-operative morbidity in esophageal cancer patients undergoing surgery. The second design is for a dose-finding trial of natural killer cells to treat advanced hematologic malignancies, with five time-to-event outcomes. Each design is based on a Bayesian hierarchical model that borrows strength between subgroups. Computer simulation is used to evaluate each design's properties, including comparison to a simpler design ignoring treatment-subgroup interactions. The simulations show that accounting prospectively for treatment-subgroup interactions yields designs with very desirable properties, is greatly superior to a simplified comparator design that ignores subgroups if treatment-subgroup interactions actually exist, and each design is robust to deviations from the assumed underlying model.
Neuro-Developmental and Epilepsy Outcomes of Children with West Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study from North India

Objectives: To assess the neurodevelopmental outcome of West syndrome (WS) in Indian children, who differ in their clinical profile from the western population. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled children aged 2--5 years with prior diagnosis of WS between November 2013 and March 2015. They were assessed for epilepsy outcome and developmental outcome using developmental profile 3 (DP3) and vineland adaptive behavioral scale II (VABS II). Results: Sixty-one children were enrolled. Perinatal asphyxia (40.9%), neonatal hypoglycemia (14.8%), and neonatal meningitis (9.8%) were predominant causes among the children with known etiology. Favorable epilepsy outcome (seizure freedom for >6 months) was observed in 29/61 patients (47.5%). Moderate to severe developmental delay was observed in 55/61 children (91.8%). Favorable developmental outcome (GDS by DP3 >70) was observed in just 5/61 (8%) patients. Conclusions: This study highlights the high prevalence of developmental delay in this population of children with WS, with adverse perinatal events being the most common etiology.
Novel lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase-based therapeutic approaches.

Purpose of review To review recent lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferas (LCAT)-based therapeutic approaches for atherosclerosis, acute coronary syndrome, and LCAT deficiency disorders. Recent findings A wide variety of approaches to using LCAT as a novel therapeutic target have been proposed. Enzyme replacement therapy with recombinant human LCAT is the most clinically advanced therapy for atherosclerosis and familial LCAT deficiency (FLD), with Phase I and Phase 2A clinical trials recently completed. Liver-directed LCAT gene therapy and engineered cell therapies are also another promising approach. Peptide and small molecule activators have shown efficacy in early-stage preclinical studies. Finally, lifestyle modifications, such as fat-restricted diets, cessation of cigarette smoking, and a diet rich in antioxidants may potentially suppress lipoprotein abnormalities in FLD patients and help preserve LCAT activity and renal function but have not been adequately tested. Summary Preclinical and early-stage clinical trials demonstrate the promise of novel LCAT therapies as HDL-raising agents that may be used to treat not only FLD but potentially also atherosclerosis and other disorders with low or dysfunctional HDL.
From streetlights to phosphors: A review on the visibility of roadway markings

Abstract Roadway marking visibility has made substantial improvements since the beginning of the 20th century. The most common solution for increasing the visibility of road markings is the use of retroreflective beads, which suffer from decreased performance under wet conditions. To remedy this, alternative road marking visibility techniques such as luminescent paint have been investigated. A promising new technology involves the use of phosphors such as strontium aluminate doped with europium and dysprosium ions (SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+). This technology shows potential to be seen throughout the night. The two hurdles blocking the path for the use of phosphors in road marking paint are the need to stabilize the particles in the paint matrix, and the tendency of the phosphor to hydrolyze. In this review, an explanation of the science behind stabilization is set forth alongside several methods that show potential for mitigating hydrolysis.
Outcomes Associated with the Use of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Blockade in Hospitalized Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Background Data regarding the benefits or harm associated with the continuation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), especially the effect on inflammation, in patients who are hypertensive and hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States are unclear. Methods This is a single-center cohort study of patients sequentially hospitalized with COVID-19 at Stony Brook University Medical Center from March 7, 2020 to April 1, 2020, inclusive of these dates. Data collection included history of known comorbidities, medications, vital signs, and laboratory values (at admission and during the hospitalization). Outcomes include inflammatory burden (composite scores for multiple markers of inflammation), AKI, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), need for invasive mechanical ventilation, and mortality. Results Of the 300 patients in the study cohort, 80 patients (27%) had history of ACEI or ARB use before admission, with 61% (49/80) of these patients continuing the medications during hospitalization. Multivariable analysis revealed that the history of ACEI or ARB use before hospitalization was not associated with worse outcomes. In addition, the continuation of these agents during hospitalization was not associated with an increase in adverse outcomes and predicted fewer ICU admissions (odds ratio, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.81) with a decrease in the severity of inflammatory burden (peak C-reactive protein, 6.9±3.1 mg/dl, P=0.03; peak inflammation score, 2.3±1.1 unit reduction, P=0.04). Conclusions Use of ACEI or ARBs before hospitalization was not associated with adverse outcomes in COVID-19, and the therapeutic benefits of continuing ACEI or ARB in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 was not offset by adverse outcomes.
Physiological responses of Holstein calves to hot weather conditions

The objectives of the study described were to (1) compare environmental temperature-humidity index (THI) with the THI measured within two different calf housing systems and (2) determine how THI affects Holstein heifer calf body temperatures, serum cortisol concentrations, and serum thyroxine concentrations. At 24 to 48 h of age, calves were assigned to one of two individual housing treatments: (1) stalls in a three-sided barn (n = 8) or 2) hutches placed outside (n = 8). Calves were observed until 42 days of age during the summer months. Ambient temperature and relative humidity within housing systems were recorded hourly. Calf body temperatures were measured hourly using devices attached to the underside of each calf’s tail. Blood samples were collected at 7, 21, and 42 days of age via jugular venipuncture. Blood serum was analyzed for cortisol and thyroxine concentrations using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Overall average THI was higher in hutches than in stalls (P < 0.0001). Calves housed in hutches had higher body temperatures (39 ± 0.18 °C vs 38 ± 0.15 °C, P = 0.005). No differences occurred in serum cortisol concentrations (P = 0.89) but at 21 days of age, calves housed in hutches had higher serum thyroxine concentrations (16.55 ± 0.51 μg/dl vs 13.91 ± 0.54 μg/dl, P = 0.0006) than calves housed in stalls. Although both housing systems in this study were located on the same dairy, calves housed in hutches were exposed to higher THI values, had higher body temperatures, and at 21 days of age had higher serum thyroxine concentrations than calves housed in stalls inside a three-sided barn.
Intimate Partner Violence Experienced by Physicians.

Purpose:World Health Organization (WHO) defines intimate partner violence (IPV) as physical, sexual or psychological harm caused by an intimate partner or ex-partner. There are few studies describi...
Correlating the entropy of a fluid with live collective behaviors.

Given a group of individuals inside a fluid flow (e.g., air or water) that behaves as a collective to some degree, factors like the shape of a group or the distance between its individuals can affect the forces that each individual inside the group may notice, such as drag or lift forces. Bird flocks , swarms or cycling riders are just some group behavior examples where the topology of fluid flow and information exchange affects the aerodynamics of the whole group, and may also interact with other groups or external individuals. This group dynamics and interaction can be numerically correlated by entropy. The fundamental basis of the most of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) problems is the Navier–Stokes (NS) equations, which define many single-phase fluid flows with some multi-phase flow extensions. NS equations are written as a function of the fluid velocity and pressure (in addition to other variables that describe the fluid properties), but they can also be re-written as a function of entropy . However, it is not easy to find a direct methodology that relates the entropy of a system, the fluid dynamics and the collective behavior of a system inside this fluid. In this work we propose a method to easily calculate the entropy of a CFD solution by computing the pixels of its image based on Shannon entropy . Using the results obtained, we study the relation between information mechanics, fluid dynamics and fluid forces.
The Evaluation of Cloud Feedback at Local Scale either Cooling or Warming

Clouds influence the climate through both positive and negative feedback. To study these effects at local scale, a radiation station was set up, which used two CM21 Kipp & Zonen pyranometers (one inverted), and two CG1 Kipp & Zonen pyrgeometers (one inverted) in Logan, Utah, USA. Four CV2 Kipp & Zonen ventilation systems were used to ventilate the pyranometers and pyrgeometers. The ventilation of pyranometers and pyrgeometers prevent dew, frost and snow accumulation, which would otherwise disrupt the measurement. Knowing that available energy (Rn) as Rn = Rsi ? Rso + Rli ? Rlo where Rsi and Rso are downward and upward solar radiation, respectively, and Rli and Rlo as atmospheric and terrestrial, respectively, on a daily and annual basis, the consequences of cloudiness were assessed. The findings indicate that for the partly cloudy days of 4 and 5 September, 2007, cloudiness caused less available energy (Rn) in the amounts of -1.83 MJ·m-2·d-1 and -3.83 MJ·m-2·d-1 on these days, respectively. Because of the cloudiness at the experimental site, as illustrated,, the net radiation loss was 2,804 ? 4,055 = -1,251 MJ·m-2·y-1, As a result of the cloudiness, this implies a negative feedback.
Chapter 8 Chloride Channels in Epithelial Cells

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the properties and regulation of the chloride (Cl) channels that contribute to the physiology of absorptive and secretory epithelial cells. Cl channels play a variety of functions in the physiology of cells. Cl channels contribute to the capacity of many cell types to regulate their intracellular composition and volume. In the response to cell swelling, Cl channel activation appears to be the rate-determining step in the ability of cells to reduce their volume toward normal values. In epithelial cells, Cl channels function in salt absorption and secretion. It is apparent that knowledge of Cl channels in secretory cells is more extensive than that for absorptive epithelia. The chapter categorizes the Cl channels of different cell types on the basis of their membrane location, biophysical properties, and mode of regulation. It mentions the relation of Cl channel properties to the physiology of absorptive and secretory cells. The chapter also compares epithelial cell Cl channels with those observed in a variety of other cell types.
WE-B-210-00: Carson/Zagzebski Distinguished Lectureship

In the last fifteen years, the introduction of plane or diverging wave transmissions rather than line by line scanning focused beams has broken the conventional barriers of ultrasound imaging. By using such large field of view transmissions, the frame rate reaches the theoretical limit of physics dictated by the ultrasound speed and an ultrasonic map can be provided typically in tens of micro-seconds (several thousands of frames per second). Interestingly, this leap in frame rate is not only a technological breakthrough but it permits the advent of completely new ultrasound imaging modes, including shear wave elastography, electromechanical wave imaging, ultrafast doppler, ultrafast contrast imaging, and even functional ultrasound imaging of brain activity (fUltrasound) introducing Ultrasound as an emerging full-fledged neuroimaging modality. At ultrafast frame rates, it becomes possible to track in real time the transient vibrations – known as shear waves – propagating through organs. Such “human body seismology” provides quantitative maps of local tissue stiffness whose added value for diagnosis has been recently demonstrated in many fields of radiology (breast, prostate and liver cancer, cardiovascular imaging, …). Today, Supersonic Imagine company is commercializing the first clinical ultrafast ultrasound scanner, Aixplorer with real time Shear Wave Elastography. This is the first example of an ultrafast Ultrasound approach surpassing the research phase and now widely spread in the clinical medical ultrasound community with an installed base of more than 1000 Aixplorer systems in 54 countries worldwide. For blood flow imaging, ultrafast Doppler permits high-precision characterization of complex vascular and cardiac flows. It also gives ultrasound the ability to detect very subtle blood flow in very small vessels. In the brain, such ultrasensitive Doppler paves the way for fUltrasound (functional ultrasound imaging) of brain activity with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution compared to fMRI. Combined with contrast agents, our group demonstrated that Ultrafast Ultrasound Localization could provide a first in vivo and non invasive imaging modality at microscopic scales deep into organs. Many of these ultrafast modes should lead to major improvements in ultrasound screening, diagnosis, and therapeutic monitoring. Learning Objectives: 1. Achieve familiarity with recent advances in ultrafast ultrasound imaging technology. 2. Develop an understanding of potential applications of ultrafast ultrasound imaging for diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring. Dr. Tanter is a co-founder of Supersonic Imagine,a French company positioned in the field of medical ultrasound imaging and therapy.
TCP friendly rate adaptation for multimedia streaming in mobile ad hoc networks

Transport protocol for supporting multimedia streaming in mobile ad hoc networks has to cope with the rich dynamics, such as mobility-induced disconnection and reconnection, high out-of-order delivery ratios, channel errors, and network congestion. In this work, we design and implementate ADTFRC, a TCP-friendly transport protocol for ad hoc networks. ADTFRC adapts wireline TFRC protocol to ad hoc networks with improved rate adaptation behavior, the capability of application layer framing and selective retransmission. ADTFRC detects different packet loss behaviors based on end-to-end measurements of multiple metrics. This allows ADTFRC to more accurately gauge the network behavior and achieve higher throughput. Simulations show that the performance of ADTFRC is higher than standard TFRC and TCP with explicit-link-failure-notification (ELFN) support in terms of throughput, rate adaptation behavior and application level quality while still maintaining the TCP-Friendliness property.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH—EDUCATION: Recommendations for Improving Sexual Health Curricula in Medical Schools: Results from a Two-Arm Study Collecting Data from Patients and Medical Students

ABSTRACT Introduction Although patients commonly have sexual concerns, providers often feel uncomfortable or inadequately trained to address these concerns. Aims The first aim of this study was to determine how patients most prefer to receive sexual health information and how provider characteristics affect patient comfort. The second aim was to look at the sexual health curriculum at one medical school and determine its effectiveness. The third aim was to incorporate student and patient responses to create guidelines for more effective sexual health curricula. Methods Undergraduate and graduate students served as the study sample in arm one (N = 501). Medical students in their third and fourth year served as the study sample in arm two (N = 125). Participants were surveyed anonymously using standard forms. Main Outcome Measures A cross-sectional descriptive analysis was generated from all collected data using SPSS software. Results Patients most prefer to receive sexual health information from their provider who initiates the conversation (45.1%) and least prefer information from the Internet (25.4%). Patients are most comfortable with providers who are “knowledgeable about sexual concerns” (74.5%) and “seem comfortable addressing sexual concerns” (68.3%). The majority of medical students (75.2%) feels that taking a sexual history will be an important part of their future careers, yet only 57.6% feel adequately trained to do so. Furthermore, 68.8% feel that addressing and treating sexual concerns will be an important part of their future careers, and only 37.6% feel adequately trained to do so. Conclusion Patients prefer to receive sexual health information from knowledgeable providers who are comfortable with sexual health. Current medical students see value in sexual health curricula and feel this training will be important to their future careers, however, they feel inadequately trained. Sexual health curricula must be modified for increased effectiveness with additional lectures and opportunity for students to practice these skills. Wittenberg A, and Gerber J. Recommendations for improving sexual health curricula in medical schools: Results from a two-arm study collecting data from patients and medical students. J Sex Med 2009;6:362–368.
Where are nuclear tracks leading

Abstract Historical and current technical activity in particle track etching is assessed. Presently 280 ± 60 papers per year on the average are being published. Areas of increasing activity are noted in dosimetry of neutrons and of radon, and in fission track dating, where thermal dating is adding a useful new dimension to geochronology. After a rise from 1960 to 1980 productivity appears to have been stable over the last decade.
Transvaginal 3D Image‐Guided High Intensity Focused Ultrasound Array

The goal of this project is to develop a transvaginal image‐guided High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) device using piezocomposite HIFU array technology, and commercially‐available ultrasound imaging. Potential applications include treatment of uterine fibroids and abnormal uterine bleeding. The HIFU transducer was an annular phased array, with a focal length range of 30–60 mm, an elliptically‐shaped aperture of 35×60 mm, and an operating frequency of 3 MHz. A pillow‐shaped bag with water circulation will be used for coupling the HIFU energy into the tissue. An intra‐cavity imaging probe (C9‐5, Philips) was integrated with the HIFU array such that the focal axis of the HIFU transducer was within the image plane. The entire device will be covered by a gel‐filled condom when inserted in the vaginal cavity. To control it, software packages were developed in the LabView programming environment. An imaging algorithm processed the ultrasound image to remove noise patterns due to the HIFU signal. The device will be equipped with a three‐dimensional tracking system, using a six‐degrees‐of‐freedom articulating arm. Necrotic lesions were produced in a tissue‐mimicking phantom and a turkey breast sample for all focal lengths. Various HIFU doses allow various necrotic lesion shapes, including thin ellipsoidal, spherical, wide cylindrical, and teardrop‐shaped. Software control of the device allows multiple foci to be activated sequentially for desired lesion patterns. Ultrasound imaging synchronization can be achieved using hardware signals obtained from the imaging system, or software signals determined empirically for various imaging probes. The image‐guided HIFU device will provide a valuable tool in visualization of uterine fibroid tumors for the purposes of planning and subsequent HIFU treatment of the tumor, all in a 3D environment. The control system allows for various lesions of different shapes to be optimally positioned in the tumor to cover the entire tumor volume. Real‐time ultrasound imaging for guidance and monitoring of HIFU treatment provides an effective method for outpatient‐based procedures.
Random vibration of hysteretic degrading systems

A differential equation model for hysteretic systems with strength, stiffness or combined degradation is presented. Solution under white noise, Kanai filtered white noise and temporally modulated filtered white noise is obtained by equivalent linearization, without recourse to the Krylov-Bogoliubov approximation typically required for hysteretic systems. Resulting zero time lag covariance response matrices agree well with simulated solutions at all excitation levels. First passage predictions are nonconservative, because of the non-Gaussian character of the response.
Death Induced by CD95 or CD95 Ligand Elimination

CD95 (Fas/APO-1), when bound by its cognate ligand CD95L, induces cells to die by apoptosis. We now show that elimination of CD95 or CD95L results in a form of cell death that is independent of caspase-8, RIPK1/MLKL, and p53, is not inhibited by Bcl-xL expression, and preferentially affects cancer cells. All tumors that formed in mouse models of low-grade serous ovarian cancer or chemically induced liver cancer with tissue-specific deletion of CD95 still expressed CD95, suggesting that cancer cannot form in the absence of CD95. Death induced by CD95R/L elimination (DICE) is characterized by an increase in cell size, production of mitochondrial ROS, and DNA damage. It resembles a necrotic form of mitotic catastrophe. No single drug was found to completely block this form of cell death, and it could also not be blocked by the knockdown of a single gene, making it a promising way to kill cancer cells.
Economic and developmental considerations for pharmacogenomic technology.

In this paper we use a cost-effectiveness framework to model the strategic decision-making considerations by pharmaceutical manufacturers as they relate to drug development and the new technology of PG (the science of using genetic markers to predict drug response). In a simple, static, one-period model we consider three drug development strategies: a drug is exclusively developed and marketed to patients with a particular genetic marker; no distinguishing among patients based on the expression of a genetic marker is made (traditional approach); and a strategy whereby a drug is marketed to patients both with and without the genetic marker but there is price discrimination between the two subpopulations. We developed three main principles: revenues under a strategy targeting only the responder subpopulation will never generate more revenue than that which could have been obtained under a traditional approach; total revenues under a targeted PG strategy will be less than that under a traditional approach but higher than a naive view would believe them to be; and a traditional approach will earn the same total revenues as a price discrimination strategy, assuming no intermarket arbitrage. While these principles relate to the singular (and quite narrow) consideration of drug revenues, they may nevertheless partially explain why PG is not being used as widely as was predicted several years ago when the technology first became available, especially in terms of pharmaceutical manufacturer-developed tests.
Opportunities to Upgrade Main Memory

Hybrid Memory Cube (HMC), in production by Micron Technology, is a new DRAM component that has multiple advantages over current parts including higher bandwidth, lower energy, abstract and more pin efficient interface and other benefits. The memory technology can be used as a base for even further improvements, including upgrading memory scalability to multiple terabytes and terabyte per second bandwidths per processor and resilience such that even large supercomputers with 100s of petabytes of memory will have reliable memory systems. Future systems, from desktops up, will have memory systems of multiple levels, including DRAM and non-volatile (NAND?) components that are both first-level memory capabilities, along with DRAM or SRAM scratch memory such that total data motion is greatly reduced. The result can be improved system performance and reduced system power.
CHROMOSOME 16 ALLELIC LOSS ANALYSIS OF A LARGE SET OF MICRODISSECTED PROSTATE CARCINOMAS

AbstractPurpose: To perform loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis on chromosome 16 in 102 highly purified DNA samples isolated from one or more adenocarcinomas, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), and matched benign prostatic epithelium from 95 radical prostatectomy patients.Materials and Methods: Specimens were procured by microdissection of frozen tissue samples, thus ensuring that highly select pure populations of cells were obtained for DNA extraction and LOH analysis. Multiple microsatellite markers were used to determine allelic loss on chromosome 16q.Results: Overall loss on 16q was seen in 31% of the cancers, and occurred more frequently in high stage cancers than low stage cancers. In contrast, allelic loss in PIN failed to exceed 6% at any of the loci that were examined.Conclusions: These results suggest that inactivation of a putative tumor suppressor gene on 16q may be involved in the progression of some prostate cancers.
Race-Related Differences in Promotions and Support: Underlying Effects of Human and Social Capital

This study examined two alternative explanations for disparity in reported work-related experiences and outcomes between black and white managers: treatment discrimination because of race, and differences in human and social capital. Education and training, representing human capital, and racial similarity of network ties and proportion of strong ties, representing social capital, were used to predict whether human and social capital would mediate the relationship between race and the work-related experiences and outcomes under investigation.Results of a survey of black and white managers in a Fortune 500 financial services firm indicate that black managers reported a slower rate of promotion and less psychosocial support than white managers. Race had both a direct and an indirect effect on these outcomes. Participation in company training significantly predicted reported promotion rates, but race remained a significant predictor. Additional analysis revealed that race moderates the relationship between human capital and promotion rate and suggests a type of treatment discrimination against blacks. Contrary to predictions, social capital did not predict promotion rate, although social capital mediated the relationship between race and psychosocial support. Black managers reported having less social capital than whites, and social capital, in turn, was positively related to the receipt of psychosocial support. No differences were found between blacks and whites in their receipt of career-related support.
Reversal of thymine xyloside inhibition in Escherichia coli by glutathione.

AN unexpected competitive relationship between thymine xyloside and glutathione has been found. Thymine xyloside inhibits the growth of Escherichia coli in a synthetic medium. This inhibition is competitively reversed by glutathione.
Comparison of reporting of seat belt use by police and crash investigators: variation in agreement by injury severity.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate agreement between police and trained investigators regarding seat belt use by crash victims, according to injury severity. Methods: We used data from the National Accident Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System (CDS) for front seat occupants, 16 years and older, in crashes during 1993–2000. Crashworthiness Data System investigators determined belt use from vehicle inspection, interviews, and medical record information; their assessment was considered the gold standard for this analysis. Occupant severity of injury was categorized in five levels from no injuries to death. We estimated the sensitivity, specificity, and area under receiver operating characteristic curves for police reports of belt use. Results: Among 48,858 occupants, sensitivity of a police report that a belt was used was 95.8% overall and varied only modestly by injury severity. Specificity of a police report that a belt was not used was 69.1% overall; it was the lowest among the uninjured (53.2%) and greatest among the dead (90.4%). The area under the curve was 0.82 (95% confidence interval 0.82–0.83) overall; this was lowest among those not injured (0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.74–0.76) and increased with injury severity to 0.91 (95% confidence interval 0.90–0.93) among those who died. Conclusion: Police usually classify belted crash victims as belted, regardless of injury severity. But they often classify unbelted survivors as belted when they were not. This misclassification may result in exaggerated estimates of seat belt effectiveness in some studies.
A Course on the Design of Reliable Digital Systems

A graduate course on the design of reliable digital systems is described. One of the unique features of this course is the teaching of design methodologies. The concepts learned in class are solidified through a required course project where the students apply the techniques and the design methodologies studied. The project consists of developing a preliminary design of a highly reliable and fault-tolerant flight-control system for an aircraft. The students must perform numerous design tradeoffs and make design decisions to produce a system that meets the stringent requirements of the application. A second unique feature of this course is the use of numerous practical examples of the technology during the discussion of the design and analysis techniques.
Angiopoietin-2 in CLL

Elevated plasma levels of the angiogenic factor Ang-2 correlated with poor prognosis in a larger series of CLL patients. Ang-2 levels may reflect crosstalk between CLL cells and their microenvironment, specifically related to angiogenesis and endothelial cells, and therefore emphasize the importance of angiogenesis in CLL. .
Tertiary Structural Propensities Reveal Fundamental Sequence/Structure Relationships

Summary Extracting useful generalizations from the continually growing Protein Data Bank (PDB) is of central importance. We hypothesize that the PDB contains valuable quantitative information on the level of local tertiary structural motifs (TERMs). We show that by breaking a protein structure into its constituent TERMs, and querying the PDB to characterize the natural ensemble matching each, we can estimate the compatibility of the structure with a given amino acid sequence through a metric we term "structure score." Considering submissions from recent Critical Assessment of Structure Prediction (CASP) experiments, we found a strong correlation (R = 0.69) between structure score and model accuracy, with poorly predicted regions readily identifiable. This performance exceeds that of leading atomistic statistical energy functions. Furthermore, TERM-based analysis of two prototypical multi-state proteins rapidly produced structural insights fully consistent with prior extensive experimental studies. We thus find that TERM-based analysis should have considerable utility for protein structural biology.
A Cross-Cultural Study of News Media Preferences African Versus White U.S. Students

Research evidence has consistently shown that there is a high dependence on the mass media for news among U.S. audiences in general. Roper surveys (Roper Organization, 1985) have, since 1959, showed a consistent preference by the American public for the mass media as their source of most news. Other studies have a]so reported that, although the mass media were the most pervasive first source of information, interpersonal communication played a significant role in the diffusion of news that was "shocking" or was of near-epic or crisis proportion (Adams, Mullen, & Wilson, 1969; Fathi, 1973; Gantz, 1983; Gantz, Trenholm, & Pittman, 1976; Haroldsen & Harvey, 1979; Troldahl & Dam, 1965-1966). Even then, there was the dependence on the mass media to which people turned for the verification of and for additional information about the interpersonally disseminated news. Occasionally, the use of interpersonal sources was dependent on factors such as (a) the need to cross-check information from other sources with interpersonal sources, (b) the atypicality of the news event and the time of day of its occurrence, (c) access to the mass media, (d) interruption of regular programming with frequent bulletins, and (e) the ease and appropriateness of the use of interpersonal channels (see, e.g., Faber & O'Guinn, 1984; Fry & McCain, 1983; Gantz, 1983). However, among these audiences, racial differences between Blacks and Whites have been identified in media exposure, perception, and effects. Whites expose themselves to more print media than do Blacks (Bogart, 1972). Blacks consider television the most
Additive pair breaking in the re-entrant superconducting matrix-impurity system La0.80Th0.20Ce☆

Abstract Measurement of the upper critical magnetic fiedl as a function of temperature are reported for the re-entrant superconducting matrix-impurity system La 0.80 Th 0.20 Ce. The multiple pair breaking theory of Fulde and Maki, generalized to allow for temperature-dependent spin depairing of Cooper pairs via exchange scattering of conduction electrons by the paramagnetic Ce impurities, provides a self-consistent description of the superconductive properties of the La 0.80 Th 0.20 Ce system in zero and finite magnetic fields.
Theory and computational techniques for analysis of discrete-time control systems with disturbances

Control problems with hard bounds on the control values, restrictions on the state trajectory over a finite time horizon, and guaranteed behaviour despite the disturbances, are difficult to solve using frequency-based design methods. Such problems have received much attention over the past decade. In order to address them one needs to study system evolution in the time domain. The central concept that emerges in such studies is that of the reach set. This paper is devoted to the formulation of the reachability problem for discrete-time dynamical systems with disturbances. The concept of maxmin and minmax forward and backward reach sets is addressed. Invariance of the backward reach set is discussed. The emphasis of the paper is on discrete-time linear systems, for which the ellipsoidal computational method is described. The synthesis of maxmin and minmax closed-loop control for steering the system to a given target set using ellipsoidal backward reach set approximations is explained. The ellipsoidal method covered in the paper is implemented in the Ellipsoidal Toolbox for MATLAB, a popular collection of ellipsoidal calculus routines freely available online.
Twelve hour anaesthesia in a patient with epidermolysis bullosa.

Epidermolysis bulbsa (EB), an inherited disorder presents clinically with recurrent cutaneous blister formation with possible involvement of mucous membranes and other organs. The sequelae of this disease pose multiple challenges to the anaesthetist and operating mom team. Recent literature describes several anaesthetic techniques for the short surgical procedures this patient population may undergo. We describe the anaesthetic technique employed in a 28-yr-old woman with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis hullosa who underwent 12 hr reconstructive surgery followed by a review of the literature that includes a recent description of the possible association of EB with at least two distinct neuromuscular diseases. A detailed description of airway and skin management is described in addition to preoperative concerns. We conclude that a prolonged operative procedure can be undertaken successfully in this population with minimal sequelae involving skin integrity and airway management.
Elastic Moduli of Silica Gels Prepared with Tetraethoxysilane

The elastic moduli of several organometallic silica gels were measured using pulse-superposition interferometry (PSP). A series of gels were prepared under acid-catalyzed conditions where the molar ratio of water to tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the sol was varied (4:1, 12:1, 16:1, and 24:1). It was found that the elastic moduli varied systematically with the hydrolysis conditions used to prepare the gels, as well as with the relative humidity used to equilibrate the gels before and during the PSP measurement. The experimental PSP data for the gels were evaluated using a composite model (matrix plus pores) and then the elastic moduli of the gel matrix were determined by applying a correction for porosity based on a self-consistent-scheme (SCS) approximation. The results show that the elastic moduli of the gel matrix also exhibit a systematic dependence upon the preparation conditions, but they always fall below the corresponding values for fused silica. Even when excess water Was used to hydrolyze the TEOS, this did not lead to a fully polymerized silica matrix structure. It is suggested that the lowered matrix moduli values are due to the presence of residual hydroxy and ethoxy groups which are internal to a polymeric structure.
Parotid duct transposition in the horse

Summary A 15 month old thoroughbred colt with keratoconjunctivitis sicca showed only marginal improvement after several months treatment with tear replacement therapy. Medical management had become inconsistent and difficult while the horse was in training. Parotid duct transposition was performed to obviate the necessity of frequent instillations of tear replacement therapy to the eye.
Critical Incorporation Concentration of Surfactants Added to Micellar Solutions of Hydrophobically Modified Polyelectrolytes of the Same Charge

Polymer−surfactant interactions in aqueous solutions of the surface-active copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-g-poly(acrylic acid) and a homologous series of alkyl sulfates are studied. When surfactants of the same charge are added to copolymer solutions that already have micelles, the surfactant starts to incorporate into the existing polymer micelle at the critical incorporation concentration (CIC). Surface tension measurements determine the CIC as a local minimum in surface tension as a function of added surfactant. Fluorescence emission measurements using a selective fluorescent probe indicate that the surfactant incorporation is noncooperative. Because the initial incorporation at the CIC only involves a single surfactant entering a nonionic micelle, no counterion condensation is needed, making the tail-length dependence of the CIC similar to the tail-length dependence of the critical micelle concentration of nonionic surfactants.