cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring Evidence Aggregation Methods and External Expansion Sources for Medical Record Search.

Abstract : This paper describes and analyzes experiments we performed for the Medical Records track in the 2012 Text REtrieval Conference (TREC). We mainly investigated three research problems: 1. Evidence Aggregation: In last year's track there were two different methods in general for obtaining a visit ranking out of reports (smaller document units), i.e., (A) using reports as indexing and retrieval units and then converting a report ranking into a visit ranking, and (B) using visits as indexing and retrieval units by concatenating reports at the very first stage and then obtain a visit ranking directly. Method A avoids the potential problem of varying visit document length, while Method B naturally aggregates evidence scatter over multiple reports and easily obtains a visit ranking. It is unclear which method is better based on all reported results. Thus, we compared the two approaches, tried various score aggregation methods for (A), and combined both approaches in a way that further improved the system performance. 2. Expansion Sources: We tested a variety of external collections (ranging from general web datasets to domain-specific thesauri, and from Megabyte datasets to Terabyte datasets) for query expansion, compared their effectiveness, and obtained useful insights into the data. 3. Retrieval Models: We tested several statistical IR models (proven to be effective on news and web collections) on this medical collection, and explored ways to combine these models to address different aspects of task. For instance, we used MRF model to model term proximity since most medical concepts are phrases. We also used a mixture of relevance models to obtain various relevant expansion terms covered by different expansion collections respectively, which is expect to significantly alleviate the vocabulary mismatch between medical terminologies.
Quality assurance for investigator-initiated trials.

e18160Background: The quality assurance program (QAP) at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center strives to ensure the safety of clinical trials subjects, accuracy of data, compliance to regulatory man...
Heme oxygenase-1 is required for iron homeostasis and mitochondrial respiration

Heme is an essential cofactor in several enzymes of the electron transport chain (ETC) where its primary function is the coordination of iron to facilitate redox reactions. Unbound, free heme is strongly oxidative such that the cell has evolved mechanisms to prevent it from causing oxidative damage. This includes the catalytic breakdown of heme by heme oxygenase (HO-1), generating antioxidants CO and biliverdin. However the catabolism of heme also releases highly toxic free iron which seems counter productive to the antioxidant effort. We sought to explore the role of HO-1 in iron homeostasis using HO-1 knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts and HO-1 deficient human liver cells. By Western blot these cells showed dysregulated iron handling including increased expression of transferrin receptor and decreased expression of ferritin and ferroportin compared to wild type controls. Additionally cytosolic aconitase activity was decreased in HO-1 deficient cells while the mutually exclusive mRNA binding activity of aconitase was increased. This switch is indicative of reduced FeS cluster availability. Consistent with FeS cluster deficiency we observed decreased frataxin mRNA levels, the product of which is involved in FeS cluster assembly in the mitochondria. Because FeS clusters are important in the ETC we examined mitochondrial respiration with a Seahorse Bioanalyzer (Agilent) and found it to be markedly reduced in HO-1 knockout cells. Interestingly, this was partially rescued by exogenous iron (1nM transferrin). Our findings suggest that an additional and important role of HO-1 is the maintenance of cellular iron homeostasis via the release of iron upon breakdown of heme.
EEG-Based Driver Distraction Detection via Game-Theoretic-Based Channel Selection

In recent years, there has been much effort to estimate drivers’ state with the goal of improving their driving behavior and preventing vehicle crashes in the first place. Physiological based detection has shown to be the most direct method of measuring driver state among which, electroencephalogram (EEG) is the most comprehensive method. However, EEG-based driver state detection faces the challenge of computational complexity of data mining algorithms given high density and resolution of EEG signals recorded from multiple channels. On the other hand, in order to early detection and prevention of driver critical states real-time responsiveness of the monitoring system is necessary. This challenges can be tackled by localizing the regional impact by selecting a small subset of coherent channels and reducing the processing load on all channels. In this paper, we present and investigate a Game-Theoretic-Based approach for EEG channel selection, in order to localize the most efficient sub-set of channels in addition to maximizing the driver distraction detection accuracy. In this way, we apply game theory based channel selection algorithm based on the utility measure, Shapley value, in exact to estimate overall usefulness of each EEG channel. We then consider the combination of channels and evaluate their performance. Empirical comparison of best combination of channels, best ordered channel based on Shapley value with another existing feature selection method shows that the sub-set of channels leads to the best detection performance in terms of accuracy (90.12% accuracy).
Ideas and Origins of the Planning Commission in India

This paper explores the various economic ideas in the early twentieth century that may have contributed to the formation of the Planning Commission of India in the 1950s. The paper reviews the debates on economic ideas in the early twentieth century around the world and connects these ideas and debates to the Indian intellectuals and nationalists during the first several decades of the twentieth century.
Die wirtschaftliche Betätigung der öffentlichen Hand

Die offentliche Hand wirkt in vielfaltiger Weise auf die Wirtschaft ein. Sie betreibt Wirtschaftspolitik, d.h. sie interveniert in einen „an sich” als staatsfrei vorgestellten Raum, sie beaufsichtigt die Wirtschaft anhand von normativ vorgegebenen Masstaben und sie betatigt sich als Wirtschaftssubjekt, indem sie als wirtschaftlicher Unternehmer selbst am Marktverkehr teilnimmt, Waren oder Dienstleistungen anbietet. Diese wirtschaftliche Betatigung von Bund, Landern, Gemeinden und anderen verselbstandigten offentlichrechtlichen Einheiten (offentliche Hand) kann grundsatzlich in offentlichrechtlichen oder privatrechtlichen Organisations- und Handlungsformen ausgeubt werden. Sie wirft juristische Probleme vor allem deshalb auf, weil je nach der Zwecksetzung der Wirtschaftsbetatigung unterschiedliche Rechtsregeln gelten sollen — fur unternehmerisches bzw. erwerbswirtschaftliches Handeln die allgemeinen Regeln des privaten Rechts, fur die Teilnahme am Wirtschaftsverkehr in Verfolgung besonderer Verwaltungszwecke die Grundsatze der Leistungsverwaltung. Allerdings sind weder diese Abgrenzung noch die aus ihr gezogenen Folgen eindeutig; denn einmal wird bei Differenzierungen nach dem Zweck einer Tatigkeit nie absolute Trennscharfe zu erreichen sein1, zum anderen sollen im Bereich der Leistungsverwaltung, wenn diese in privatrechtlichen Rechtsformen handelt, die Bindungen des offentlichen Rechts nur modifiziert gelten; der Begriff des „Verwaltungsprivatrechts”2 kennzeichnet dies schlagwortartig.
The perceived role of null results in school psychology research and publication

Researchers appear to assume that published research is limited to significant findings. If that is the case, it may be related to perceived or actual publication bias (i.e., journals publishing on...
Age at Lead Exposure Influences Lead Retention in Bone

More than 90% of the body lead burden in rats and people is in the skeleton (1–3). The half-life of bone lead is long, 5–20 years or more, with lead in cortical bone having a longer biological residence time than lead in trabecular bone (1–3). The long half-life suggests that environmental exposure of children to lead can result in bone lead accumulation that may persist for many years. However, it has been hypothesized that the high rate of bone remodeling during childhood and the related high turnover of calcium and lead results in a substantial reduction in bone lead stores, so that much of the lead incorporated into bone during childhood does not persist into adulthood (4). We tested the alternative hypothesis that younger age at lead exposure results in a greater accumulation of lead stored in the skeleton as well as in soft tissues. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of age during lead exposure on blood and organ lead concentrations one month later. Organ concentrations of the essential divalent metals calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc were also measured for comparison to lead.
Investigation of the tensile properties in fibre-reinforced additive manufacturing and fused filament fabrication

This research project examines how fibre orientation affects the strength of a part produced by fibre-reinforced additive manufacturing (FRAM) process. Tensile specimens with varying fibre orientations were made using a 3D printer capable of printing with carbon fibre (CF), Kevlar (KV), and fibre glass (FG). Various tensile tests have been performed for different fibre orientation and materials. The strongest fibre orientations, in descending order, were two rings concentric with isotropic fill and five ring concentric fill. While fibre orientation and infill percentage could be specified for each layer, the fibre starting location was automatically determined which sometimes resulted in decreasing strength of the part by introducing stress concentration. Currently, industrial trends in the utilisation of fused filament fabrication (FFF) printers are mostly on PLA and ABS-based polymer materials. And, there is no comprehensive study available investigating the relations between these traditional FFF processes and continuous FRAM processes. The aim of this study is to provide an in-depth tensile property analysis showing the advantageous of FRAM compared to conventional FFF technologies.
Exploring Gesture-Based Tangible Interactions with a Lighting AI Agent

The paper explores a gestural and visual language to interact with an Artificial Intelligent agent controlling connected lighting systems. Six interaction modalities (four gestural and two visual) were designed and tested with users in order to collect feedback on their intuitiveness, comfort and engagement level. A comparison between traditional voice-based interaction modalities with AI and the proposed gesture-based language was performed. Preliminary results are discussed, including the importance of cognitive metaphors in gesture-based interaction, the relation between intuitiveness, innovation, and engagement, and the advantages provided by gesture-based interactions in terms of privacy, subtleness, and pleasantness, versus the limited options and the need to learn a codified language. Insights will help designers in the development of seamless interactions with AI agents for ambient intelligent systems.
Science, God, and Nature: A Textual and Frequency Analysis of Facebook Comments on News Articles About Agricultural and Environmental Gene Editing

To understand online discussions of agricultural and environmental gene editing, this study undertook a thematic analysis of 107 Facebook comments and a frequency analysis of 1,290 Facebook comment...
Myelodysplastic syndromes: 2021 update on diagnosis, risk stratification and management

Disease overview The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a very heterogeneous group of myeloid disorders characterized by peripheral blood cytopenias and increased risk of transformation to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Myelodysplastic syndromes occur more frequently in older males and in individuals with prior exposure to cytotoxic therapy. Diagnosis Diagnosis of MDS is based on morphological evidence of dysplasia upon visual examination of a bone marrow aspirate and biopsy. Information obtained from additional studies such as karyotype, flow cytometry and molecular genetics is usually complementary and may help refine diagnosis. Risk-stratification Prognosis of patients with MDS can be calculated using a number of scoring systems. In general, all these scoring systems include analysis of peripheral cytopenias, percentage of blasts in the bone marrow and cytogenetic characteristics. The most commonly accepted system is the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R). Somatic mutations can help define prognosis and therapy. Risk-adapted therapy Therapy is selected based on risk, transfusion needs, percent of bone marrow blasts, cytogenetic and mutational profiles, comorbidities, potential for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) and prior exposure to hypomethylating agents (HMA). Goals of therapy are different in lower-risk patients than in higher-risk individuals and in those with HMA failure. In lower-risk MDS, the goal is to decrease transfusion needs and transformation to higher risk disease or AML, as well as to improve survival. In higher-risk disease, the goal is to prolong survival. In 2020, we witnessed an explosion of new agents and investigational approaches. Current available therapies include growth factor support, lenalidomide, HMAs, intensive chemotherapy and alloSCT. Novel therapeutics approved in 2020 are luspatercept and the oral HMA ASTX727. At the present time, there are no approved interventions for patients with progressive or refractory disease particularly after HMA-based therapy. Options include participation in a clinical trial, cytarabine-based therapy or alloSCT.
Heart Failure Hospitalization Trends During the Early Phase of the COVID 19 Pandemic

Purpose To quantify the change in heart failure (HF) hospitalizations observed in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic across a large, multi-center health care system. Methods MHealth Fairview encompasses four hospitals (one academic, three community-based) in the Minneapolis, Minnesota metro area. To compare HF hospitalization trends, two inpatient samples were created using HF discharges in the following time periods: pre COVID-19 (February 28, 2019-February 28, 2020) and post COVID-19 (April 1, 2020- May 15, 2020). March 2020 was excluded as this represented a transition point of the pandemic in the United States. Average number of discharges per day as well as demographics, diagnosis related group (DRG) codes, and inpatient mortality was then compared between the two inpatient HF samples. Results The pre COVID-19 group had 2,601 patients with an average of 7.1 (+/-3) discharges per day. The post COVID-19 group had 210 patients with an average of 4.7 (+/-1.7) discharges per day, which represented a 34% reduction in HF discharges (p Conclusion HF hospitalizations have decreased significantly during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in this multi-center health care system, however the make-up of hospitalized patients remains similar. There is an urgent need to provide continued access to safe hospital care during the pandemic and to inform HF patients that inpatient care remains available.
Online Energy-optimal Routing for Electric Vehicles with Combinatorial Multi-arm Semi-Bandit

We have seen a rapid growth in the adoption of electric vehicle in today’s commercial mobility service market, from carrying passengers to the delivery of goods. One cardinal issue concerning the operation of EVs is the optimal routing of EV fleets with limited battery capacity. In this study, we investigate the energy-optimal online routing problem for the fleet of EVs, which focuses on identifying real-time minimum electricity consumption paths (MECP) for multiple OD pairs with limited information. We develop a multi-OD combinatorial multi-arm semi-bandit model (MCMAB) that uses the fleet of EVs as sensors in the transportation network and promotes the utilization of common information shared by different OD pairs. We further enrich the model with the path elimination policy to obtain MECP of high confidence while significantly reducing the number of learning iterations and the number of explorations needed. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the MCMAB and the efficiency of the path elimination policy with comprehensive numerical experiments in Manhattan, NYC. The results show that the proposed online routing algorithms can achieve near-optimal MECPs efficiently, and the quality of the solutions is significantly better than using the shortest travel time paths as approximate MECPs.
Scalable kernel two-sample tests via empirical likelihood and jackknife

Two-sample hypothesis testing is a classical problem in statistics. Given i.i.d. samples X1,…,Xm∼P and Y1,…,Yn∼Q, the two-sample testing is to test whether P is significantly different from Q or no...
Expression of human AID in yeast induces mutations in context similar to the context of somatic hypermutation at G-C pairs in immunoglobulin genes

Antibody genes are diversified by somatic hypermutation (SHM), gene conversion and class-switch recombination. All three processes are initiated by the activation-induced deaminase (AID). According to a DNA deamination model of SHM, AID converts cytosine to uracil in DNA sequences. The initial deamination of cytosine leads to mutation and recombination in pathways involving replication, DNA mismatch repair and possibly base excision repair. The DNA sequence context of mutation hotspots at G-C pairs during SHM is DGYW/WRCH (G-C is a hotspot position, R = A/G, Y = T/C, W = A/T, D = A/G/T). To investigate the mechanisms of AID-induced mutagenesis in a model system, we studied the genetic consequences of AID expression in yeast. We constructed a yeast vector with an artificially synthesized human AID gene insert using codons common to highly expressed yeast genes. We found that expression of the artificial hAIDSc gene was moderately mutagenic in a wild-type strain and highly mutagenic in an ung1 uracil-DNA glycosylase-deficient strain. A majority of mutations were at G-C pairs. In the ung1 strain, C-G to T-A transitions were found almost exclusively, while a mixture of transitions with 12% transversions was characteristic in the wild-type strain. In the ung1 strain mutations that could have originated from deamination of the transcribed stand were found more frequently. In the wild-type strain, the strand bias was reversed. DGYW/WRCH motifs were preferential sites of mutations. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that AID-mediated deamination of DNA is a major cause of mutations at G-C base pairs in immunoglobulin genes during SHM. The sequence contexts of mutations in yeast induced by AID and those of somatic mutations at G-C pairs in immunoglobulin genes are significantly similar. This indicates that the intrinsic substrate specificity of AID itself is a primary determinant of mutational hotspots at G-C base pairs during SHM.
Minor and trace sterols in marine invertebrates 39.11For part 38, see ref. 10. 24ξ,25ξ-24,26-cyclocholest-5-en-3β-ol, a novel cyclopropyl sterol.

Abstract The novel cyclopropyl sterol, 24ξ, 25ξ-24, 26-cyclocholest-5-en-3β-ol (24, 26-cyclocholesterol), has been isolated from the sponge Spheciospongia sp . ( Spirastrella vagabunda Ridley) and its structure established by spectral analysis and by correlation with papakusterol.
Synthesis, structures and properties of cubic R3In and R3InZ phases (R = Y, La; Z = B, C, N, O)

Abstract Samples of La3In, Y3InCx and La3InZx for 0.3 ⩽ x ⩽ 1.5 , Z = C and O, La3InBx for 0.7 ⩽ x ⩽ 1.5, and La3InN were synthesized in welded Ta containers by powder sintering, fusion and annealing techniques. Y3In and La3Ga could not be obtained. All of the R3InZx examples were single phase between x ≈ 0.3–0.5 and x ≈ 1.0 and had the inverse perovskite structure (stuffed Cu3Au). Single crystal refinements for Y3InC and La3InN confirmed the type and stoichiometry (Pm¯3m, a = 4.9023(7)A˚, 5.102(1)A˚, and R(F)/Rw = 1.1/1.3%, 2.2/2.4% respectively). Magnetic susceptibilities measured for both normal and superconducting states showed Tc ≈ 10K and 104χRT ≈ 4 emu mol−1 were retained through the B and O series, with some enhancement of density and supercurrent shielding for B and a reduction of both for O. The absence of superconductivity (greater than 2 K) for Y3InC, La3InC and La3InN parallels their 104χRT values of less than or equal to 2 emu mol−1; the temperature dependencies of χ for these were also notably less than for the superconductors. These last phases are also more brittle. Extended Hu¨ckel band calculations indicated appreciable In and B (La In and La B) contributions at EF for La3InB. Thereafter, the La Z bonding states rapidly fall in energy as does the amount of La In bonding at EF, the last returning somewhat with the electron-richest oxygen interstitial. The decrease in Tc with increasing x in La3InCx parallels a decrease in densities-of-states at EF.
Psychotherapy Process and Outcome Research

Psychotherapy process and outcome research is defined as the scientific investigation of psychotherapy as a treatment for mental and behavioral health problems. This area of research examines both the effectiveness of psychotherapy as a treatment (outcome research) and the means by which psychotherapy produces its effects (process research). This area of research has important implications for clinical practice, including implications regarding what types of treatments should be used in clinical settings as well as implications about how those treatments should be provided. In this entry we review the methods that are frequently used in this field of study, its history, and future directions. Keywords: Eysenck, Hans; psychotherapies; placebo effect
Foraging efficiency of juvenile bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, among different vegetated habitats

Optimal foraging theory is devoted to understanding how organisms maximize net energy gain. However, both the theory and empirical studies lack critical components, such as effects of environmental variables across habitats. We addressed the hypothesis that energetic returns of juvenile bluegill are affected by environmental variables characteristic of the vegetated habitats. Predicted optimal diet breadths were calculated and compared to prey items eaten by juvenile bluegill to determine if bluegill were foraging to maximize energetic gain. Differences in habitat profitability among vegetated sites were determined by comparing predictions of maximized energetic return rates (cal s-1) with prey contents of bluegill stomachs. Sizes of most prey items eaten by juvenile bluegill throughout the vegetated sites were smaller than the predicted optimal diet breadths. However, inclusion of smaller prey items in the diet did not seem to affect rate of energetic gain. Energetic return rates were maximized at the 1.5 and 2 mm prey size classes and declined only slightly with inclusion of smaller prey sizes. Predicted energetic return rates and average mass in bluegill stomachs were related negatively. Average mass in bluegill stomachs also was associated negatively with Elodea canadensis stem densities and percent of light transfer, suggesting that foraging efficiency of bluegill decreased as plant density and percent of light increased. Results of our research indicate that maximization of energetic return rates is dependent upon availability of prey sizes that contribute to optimal foraging. Thus, determination of those habitats that provide the highest availability of benthic invertebrate prey with the least interference by stems is critical. Enhanced foraging capabilities can promote recruitment, faster growth, better body condition and survival.
Hereditary dysplasia of the pulmonary valve in beagle dogs. Pathologic and genetic studies.

Abstract Pathologic and genetic studies were conducted in a colony of beagle dogs with pulmonary stenosis. The pulmonary valve lesions were shown in 70 affected dogs to consist of thickening, fusion and hypoplasia of valve leaflets, which occurred in varying degrees of severity and in various combinations. The gross anatomic structure of the pulmonary valve in some affected dogs resembled that seen in “typical” pulmonary stenosis in human beings; in others it was similar to what has been called pulmonary valve dysplasia. Both types, and intermediate forms, occurred in members of the same litter, indicating that these two types of pulmonary valve deformity are not separate etiologic or developmental entities in the beagle. Pulmonary valve atresia was present in two pups. Light and electron microscopic examination of affected and normal valves indicated that valve thickening, the most prominent feature of the valve abnormality, was due to an increase in the thickness of the valve spongiosa. Blood vessels and sinuses lined with endothelium were common in affected leaflets. We propose that the term hereditary pulmonary valve dysplasia be used to describe the entire range of pulmonary valve abnormalities in this hereditary defect of beagles. Genetic studies, including matings of affected to affected, outcrosses, F1 crosses and repeated backcrosses showed that pulmonary valve dysplasia is not inherited as a simple Mendelian trait. Genes at more than one locus predispose to abnormal development of the pulmonary valve. The risk of pulmonary valve dysplasia increased with inbreeding, indicating that homozygosity for specific alleles at these loci increases the probability of abnormal development. There is no evidence in affected beagles that other body systems are involved. The genetic data in beagles are consistent with available evidence concerning genetic factors involved in isolated pulmonary stenosis in human beings.
Interactive Television (ITV) Instructor Behaviors: Implications of Frequency and Importance

Two hundred students majoring in education responded to the Validation of Effective Behaviors of Distance Instructors Inventory (McKenzie, Kirby, & Mims, 1997). The 41 items measured two dimensions: frequency and importance of effective behaviors in delivering distance instruction. A two-way within-subjects ANOVA was conducted. Of the 41 items, 14 were rated higher in importance than in frequency. The 14 items were then analyzed using Principal Component Analysis with Varimax rotation, which yielded two factors: Effective Learning Methods and Student Guidance. This study suggests that the behaviors of Interactive Television (ITV) instructors may be lacking in these two important factors.
Social media: Influencing customer satisfaction in B2B sales

Abstract Social media have changed how buyers and sellers interact, and increased involvement through social media may yield positive results for sales organizations if salespeople utilize it in facilitating their behaviors. Through the perspective of value creation, we test the mediating effects of salesperson information communication behaviors between social media use and customer satisfaction. Using salesperson-reported data, within a B2B context, we empirically test a model using structural equation modeling. Salesperson's use of social media is found to impact information communication behaviors, which enhance salesperson responsiveness and customer satisfaction. Also, salesperson responsiveness is found to have a positive relationship with customer satisfaction. Findings suggest that social media plays an important role in communicating information to customers, but as an antecedent enhancing salesperson behaviors to increase customer satisfaction rather than a direct factor. This encourages managers to carefully assess goals related to social media use of their sales force.
Introduction and Overview of Stem Cells

One of the most exciting advances in medicine today has been the use of stem cell and gene therapy for repair in all forms of acute and chronic illness. Stem cells have been shown to be the primary mechanism for tissue repair everywhere in the body, and not limited to cardiovascular disease. Some have even opined that diseases like atherosclerosis represent a failure of stem cells. However, because cardiovascular disease has become the leading cause of death and morbidity in the world, it is the area that has seen the greatest evaluation by clinical trials of cell therapy in what is known as regenerative medicine. This introductory chapter is designed as a guide to understanding all the new sources and types of stem cells now in clinical trials, as well as the surface markers that help identify each type of cell.
Highly stereoselective Friedel–Crafts alkylations of unactivated benzenes by episulfonium ion cyclizations

Abstract Intermolecular additions of highly enantiomerically enriched episulfonium ions onto activated benzene rings are known to accomplish chiral Friedel–Crafts alkylations. Unactivated benzenes are either unreactive or can give low stereoselectivities. Intramolecular cyclizations should be faster than intermolecular additions; thus, cyclization reactions should be able to avoid undesired episulfonium ion racemization. The work reported here tests that hypothesis and demonstrates that cyclizations of enantiomerically enriched episulfonium ions onto unactivated benzene rings are highly stereoselective.
Norrie Disease Protein (Norrin) Forms Disulfide-linked Oligomers Associated with the Extracellular Matrix

COS-7 cells transfected with a DNA construct encoding the 133 amino acids in norrin plus six histidine residues at its carboxyl terminus were pulse-labeled with [35S]cysteine, and the labeled norrin was examined in cell lysates, the medium, and the extracellular matrix. SDS-gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions showed that the norrin expressed had an apparent M r = 14,000 and was present only in cell lysates and the extracellular matrix. Under nonreducing conditions, most of the norrin in the extracellular matrix was oligomers that contained up to ∼20 monomers. One of the major extracellular species of norrin under reducing conditions after cross-linking of norrin oligomers with bis(sulfosuccinimidyl)suberate had an apparent M r = 28,000, consistent with covalent cross-linked dimers. Thus the covalently cross-linked dimers are key structural components of norrin oligomers. By site-directed mutagenesis, the codon for half-cystine 95 in norrin was changed to one encoding alanine. The norrin C95A found in the extracellular matrix of cells transfected with this mutant was the size of dimers, indicating that half-cystine 95 is involved in oligomer formation. The corresponding half-cystine residue in human prepro-von Willebrand factor is also involved in interchain disulfide bond formation, which is consistent with the sequence identity of the half-cystine residues in norrin and part of the half-cystine residues in a disulfide-rich domain of von Willebrand factor. Replacement of valine at residue 60 in norrin by glutamic acid, a mutation found in humans with a severe type of Norrie disease, results in a considerable reduction (50%) in the amount of norrin in the extracellular matrix of transfected COS-7 cells. Replacement of arginine at residue 121 by glutamine, which is associated with a less severe type of Norrie disease, results in a reduction in the amount of norrin R121Q in the extracellular matrix (26%). These studies suggest that norrin is a secreted protein that forms disulfide-bonded oligomers that are associated with the extracellular matrix upon secretion from cells. Moreover, the disulfide-rich motif of norrin and prepro-von Willebrand factor promotes interchain disulfide bond formation among polypeptides in which it is found.
On mouse dynamics as a behavioral biometric for authentication

The idea of using one's behavior with a pointing device, such as a mouse or a touchpad, as a behavioral biometric for authentication purposes has gained increasing attention over the past decade. A number of interesting approaches based on the idea have emerged in the literature and promising experimental results have been reported; however, we argue that limitations in the past experimental evaluations of these approaches raise questions about their true effectiveness in a practical setting. In this paper, we review existing authentication approaches based on mouse dynamics and shed light on some important limitations regarding how the effectiveness of these approaches has been evaluated in the past. We present the results of several experiments that we conducted to illustrate our observations and suggest guidelines for evaluating future authentication approaches based on mouse dynamics. We also discuss a number of avenues for additional research that we believe are necessary to advance the state of the art in this area.
Management consultancy: a modern folly?

Reflecting on the growth of state spending on management consultancy this brief article argues that much of this spending has been wasteful or misdirected. Observing that in Britain much of the state’s spending on consultancy has taken place during periods of recession the article argues that spending on consultancy may be likened to spending on public works, or the “follies” commissioned by private benefactors, which traditionally have been designed to maintain levels of economic activity and employment.
Flexural Behavior of Biaxial Braided Composites

Braided composites have more balanced properties than traditional tape laminates, and have potentially better fatigue and impact resistance due to the interlacing. The natural conformability of biaxial braided tubes makes it the ideal preform for three-dimensional complex components. Braid tube fits on complex components with ease just like pulling socks on feet. Thus cutting, stitching, or manipulation of fiber placement is not needed, as in the use of woven fabrics. Biaxial braided composites find applications in aerospace, automotive, construction, medical, and recreational industry. Some of the products are automobile cross beams, lamp and utility poles, prosthetic limbs, hockey sticks, baseball bats, and bicycle components. Vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) is a low-cost manufacturing process with the capability of manufacturing complex parts with higher fiber volume fractions than those from hand lay-up. To utilize the braided composites to the fullest advantage (and hence to avoid underutilization), it is necessary to understand their behavior under flexural, impact, and fatigue loading. Flexural loading is dominant in the above-mentioned applications of braided composites. This research addresses the effect of braid angle on flexural behavior and failure mechanisms of biaxial braided composites manufactured using VARTM.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Immunoblotting patterns of cytoskeletal dendritic protein expression in human neocortex

Qualitative and quantitative evaluations of cytoskeletal proteins are critical for understanding physiological and pathological processes affecting the nervous system. Most of such studies on human samples have only used immunohistochemical techniques. We describe a complementary immunoblotting approach, for the assessment of neuronal cytoskeletal proteins, which employs fresh frozen postmortem tissues. We found that cytosolic fractions are suitable for qualitative and quantitative evaluations of four major dendritic cytoskeletal proteins: microtubule-associated protein (MAP)-2, MAP-5, and high- and medium-molecular-weight nonphosphorylated neurofilaments. The enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) technique revealed consistent and distinctive immunoblotting patterns for all four proteins in both monkey (no postmortem delay) and human (17–34 h postmortem interval) samples, some of which differed from those found in rodents. Quantitations of blots, by tissue protein-optical density curves that demonstrated linearity of the measurements in the 0- to 100-μg range, support the feasibility of these immunoassays for the study of neurologic disorders.
Rural Long‐term Care: What Do We Need to Know to Improve Policy and Programs?

This article examines what is known and what we need to know about rural long-term care populations and the formal and informal service systems that support their long-term care needs. The article provides a framework for identifying some of the critical policy and research questions concerning the financing and delivery of rural long-term care that merit the attention of health services researchers and policymakers. It documents differences in the demographic and health characteristics of the rural and urban elderly and in the availability, organization, and use of health and long-term care services in rural areas that have significant implications for long-term care policy and programs. With this background in mind, the author discusses specific topics and questions relevant to long-term care policy and program improvements for rural communities and people: (a) the changing role of the rural nursing home; (b) residential care alternatives in rural areas; (c) health personnel and rural long-term care; (d) the quality of rural long-term care; (e) innovations in long-term care financing and service delivery; (f) use of technology in rural long-term care; and (g) the effects of Medicaid and Medicare policy changes on the rural long-term care system.
LH-RH in the mesencephalic central grey can potentiate lordosis reflex of female rats

The lordosis reflex, which characterises female reproductive behaviour in rodents, can be potentiated in oestrogen-primed ovariectomised female rats by electrical stimulation of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN). Subsequent demonstration of an immediate and large facilitation of the lordosis reflex from the mesencephalic central grey (CG) prompted us to speculate that the VMN may exert an oestrogen-dependent tonic bias on the mesencephalic circuitry for lordosis via its heavy descending projections. Moreover, we considered that luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) could be involved in this system. LH-RH can potentiate lordosis when given systemically to oestrogen-primed ovariectomised rats, and neurotropic effects of this peptide have been shown by microiontophoresis. Also, some axons in the CG have been stained with antiserum to LH-RH. The present study examined a possible role of LH-RH in the CG in the regulation of the lordosis reflex of oestrogen-primed ovariectomised female rats. Infusion of exogenous LH-RH in the CG had an immediate facilitative effect on the lordosis reflex, whereas passive immunisation against endogenous LH-RH by anti-LH-RH gamma-globulin diminished the reflex.
Prestack Exploding-reflectors Modeling For Migration Velocity Analysis

nmigrations, in contrast with the conventional use of iterative Kirchhoff migrations. If computational cost were not a consideration, we also should be updating the velocity eld using a waveeld tomographic operator (Symes and Carazzone, 1991; Pratt, 1999; Sava and Biondi, 2004a,b) instead of the computationally cheaper conventional ray tomography. Unfortunately, the high computational cost of waveeld migration (and modeling) stands on the way to the practical achievements of these goals. In this abstract I present a method that has the potential of substantially reducing the computational cost of Migration Velocity Analysis (MVA) based on waveeld migration. The method could be applied to both MVA based on conventional ray tomography as well as MVA based on waveeld operators. The computational saving is achieved by synthesizing a new data set that has a number of independent experiments lower than the number of shot gathers in the original data set, but that contains all the information needed to estimate migration velocity. This new data set is synthesized from a prestack image obtained using a waveeld-continuatio n migration. This initial prestack image is assumed to be only partially focused, with the defocusing related to an inaccurate migration velocity. In principle, the better focused the initial image is, the fewer independent experiments are needed for the new data set to contain all the information needed by MVA.
Electron-Accepting Dithiarubicene (Emeraldicene) and Derivatives Prepared by Unprecedented Nucleophilic Hydrogen Substitution by Alkyllithium Reagents

By understanding the role of DMF as a hydride source via a Pd-catalyzed reaction and switching to CH(3)CN solvent, an efficient route for the synthesis of emeraldicene and some new substituted derivatives is reported with potential application in organic electronics. Additionally, the nucleophilic alkylation of emeraldicene 4 a with alkyllithium reagents provides monosubstituted compounds 7 a and 7 b, the latter crystallizing in columnar stacks, with π-π overlap between adjacent molecules in the stack.
Gestational hypertension: a neglected cardiovascular disease risk marker

Objective The purpose of this study is to examine hypertension and cholesterol screening, knowledge of heart attack symptoms, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among women with a history of gestational hypertension. Study Design We used weighted 2008 National Health Interview Survey data to examine health indicators and modifiable CVD risk factors and to estimate prevalence and adjusted odds ratios for recommended CVD screening and knowledge of heart attack symptoms by hypertension history among 11,970 adult women. Results Among women with gestational hypertension only (n = 301), 93% received the recommended screening for hypertension; 75% received screening for dyslipidemia, and 40% correctly identified 5 of 5 heart attack symptoms. The odds of CVD screenings and knowledge did not differ between women with a history of gestational hypertension and those with no hypertension. However, women with gestational hypertension had higher rates of obesity (43%), CVD (18%), and diabetes mellitus (13%), compared with women without a history of hypertension (21%, 8%, and 3%, respectively). Conclusion A history of gestational hypertension is a neglected CVD risk marker.
Removal of embedded central venous catheters

Abstract Background/Purpose Long-term central venous access devices (CVAD) play an integral role in the management of children who require nutritional support, chemotherapy, blood drawing, and transfusion of blood products. Infrequently, the CVAD may be difficult or impossible to remove with traction. Patient Population Four patients, with ages ranging from 6 to 13 years, had 4 CVAD in place for 431, 730, 2232, and 3285 days which could not be removed by manual traction and local exploration. Results With the use of technology developed for removal of embedded transvenous pacemaker catheters, each CVAD was successfully dislodged using a lead locking device (n = 3) or a lead locking device and an excimer laser (n = 1). There were no complications of the procedure in our series. Conclusions There is no consensus on optimal management of embedded CVADs. In this small series, devices used routinely to remove embedded transvenous pacemaker wires were used to extract 4 embedded CVADs without complication; however, use of this technology in pediatric surgical patients is controversial because a small percentage of adult cases have resulted in tamponade or hemothorax, potentially resulting in death. Selection of patients and use of the technology in the appropriate setting are important considerations in weighing the risks vs the benefits of extracting such catheters or leaving them in place.
The importance of nutrient pulses in tropical forests

Recent research shows that nutrient fluxes are often pulsed In tropical forests, and that pulsed versus gradual inputs have different effects on the fates of nutrients in the ecosystem. Synchrony of nutrient mineralization with plant uptake can lower competition between microbes and plants for limiting nutrients while maintaining tight nutrient cycling, whereas asynchrony can lead to losses of nutrients from the system. Thus, nutrient pulses may play a critical role in maintaining productivity in tropical forests with tight nutrient cycling.
Habitat, predation, growth, and coexistence: Could interactions between juvenile red and blue king crabs limit blue king crab productivity?

Abstract Since the 1970s, dominance of the shallow water Pribilof Islands king crab populations has shifted from blue king crab (Paralithodes platypus) to red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus), potentially influenced by interactions at the juvenile stage. In laboratory experiments, we determined whether habitat and temperature could mediate competitive and predatory interactions between juveniles of both species. We examined how density and predator presence affect habitat choice by red and blue king crabs. Further experiments determined how temperature and habitat affect predation by year-1 red king crab on year-0 blue king crab. Finally, long-term interaction experiments examined how habitat and density affected growth, survival, and intra-guild interactions between red and blue king crab. Red king crabs had a greater affinity for complex habitat than blue king crabs and the presence of predators increased preference for complex habitat for both species. Predation on year-0 blue king crabs by year-1 red king crabs was lower in complex habitats and at colder temperatures. When reared alone, red king crab survival was higher at low densities and in complex habitats. When reared with blue king crab, survival of red king crab was higher in complex habitats and in the presence of blue king crab. Blue king crab survival was substantially lower in the presence of red king crabs regardless of habitat. In both rearing experiments, differences in changes in crab size appeared to be driven by mortality rates and size-selective predation. This demonstrates that interactions between juvenile red and blue king crabs are primarily driven by intra-guild predation and not competition for resources. These results, suggest that juvenile red king crabs have an advantage over blue king crabs which could lower productivity of the Pribilof Islands blue king crab stock since the former became dominant in that system.
Inversions in k -sorted permutations

Abstract When a list of size n is nearly sorted, a straight insertion sort algorithm is highly efficient since only a number of comparisons equal to the number of inversions in the original list, plus at most n − 1, is required. We use a definition of nearly sorted, k -sorted, as given in Berman (1997) and determine the maximum number of inversions in k -sorted permutations of size n . This number is approximately 0.6 kn .
The inhibition by nitrogen of the chemisorption of carbon monoxide on an unpromoted iron catalyst

Abstract The effect of chemisorbed nitrogen on the adsorption of carbon monoxide at −195 °C was studied on an unpromoted iron catalyst. The results indicate that the adsorption of 1 cm 3 of nitrogen at 300 °C causes a decrease of 0.5 cm 3 in the amount of carbon monoxide adsorbed at −195 °C. The inhibition appears to be greater the lower the temperature at which the nitrogen is chemisorbed, being as high as 0.75 cm 3 when the nitrogen is adsorbed at 200 ° and as low as 0.25 cm 3 when it is adsorbed at 400 °C. The inhibitive effect of chemisorbed nitrogen is greater on the pure iron sample than previously noted for a promoted iron catalyst, though for both promoted and unpromoted iron the chemisorbed nitrogen at a synthesis temperature of 450 °C appears to be primarily in an atomic rather than molecular form on the surface.