cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of patient reassignment on future continuity in a pediatric resident continuity practice.

Background When residents complete their pediatric training, patients from their continuity practices in academic settings must be reassigned to either a known resident of their selection or an unknown, incoming intern. Objectives To determine what antecedent factors were associated with patient reassignment to a known resident of their selection, whether such reassignment was associated with increased health care use, and what factors were associated with continuity with the new resident provider. Design Nonconcurrent cohort study. Setting Hospital-based resident continuity clinic practice. Participants Patients of residents graduating in June 1993. Results Seven hundred fifty-eight patients of 18 graduating residents required reassignment: 86 patients (11%) were assigned to a resident colleague, defined as the study group. From the remaining 673 patients who were assigned to unknown, incoming interns, a control group was randomly selected (n=160), with approximately 2 patients for each study group subject. Looking at antecedent factors, study group patients were more likely to have chronic medical problems and to have seen their graduating resident more often and more recently. Univariate analysis explored the consequent factors of health care use and found that study group patients were more likely to return for a visit and to make more visits with the new provider. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that being in the study group, younger age at the original encounter with the graduating resident, and a shorter interval since the last visit with the graduating resident were all associated with increased continuity with the new resident. Conclusions The method of patient reassignment at a continuity clinic was associated with chronic disease of the patient and regularity of visits with the graduating resident. Increased continuity with a new resident, as determined by multivariate analysis, was associated with the method of reassignment, a younger age at first encounter with the graduating resident, and a shorter interval since the last visit with the graduating resident. This study has implications at ambulatory sites where transitions occur.
Diphosphine probe molecules and solid-state NMR investigations of proximity between acidic sites in zeolite HY

Abstract The proximity between acidic sites in zeolite HY with different n (Si)/ n (Al) ratios was investigated by applying 31 P MAS NMR and diphosphine probe molecules, with two phosphorous atoms that can bind to two nearby acidic sites. By careful analyses of NMR spectra of samples with appropriate loading levels, the fractions of species which are connected to two/one/zero acidic sites were determined. The results presented suggest that there are no acidic clusters in the high Si/Al-content zeolite HY samples investigated in this study.
Intrathecal IgG from patients with multiple sclerosis target patient-specific phage peptides

evidence for B cell antigen presentation during EAE and MS, we chose to explore the role of antigen presentation by myelin antigen-specific B cells. We hypothesized that antigen presentation by cognate antigen-specific B cells during EAE is sufficient to support CD4mediated neuroinflammation. We induced active EAE using MOG protein or peptide immunization and induced passive EAE using encephalitogenic CD4 T cell lines in mice expressing MHCII by DCs alone and those in which B cells are deficient in MHCII expression. Further, we examined mice expressing MHCII by B cells alone with or without an increase in precursor frequency for MOG-specific B cell receptors. We found that maximal disease in protein-induced active EAE models is dependent upon B cell antigen presentation. Further, increasing the precursor frequency of MOG-specific B cells, but not the addition of soluble MOG-specific antibody, is sufficient to facilitate passive EAE in mice expressing MHCII by B cells alone. This is the first direct demonstration in vivo that B cells can serve as the sole APC and coordinate CD4 T cell autoreactivity to myelin antigens during EAE. These data support a model in which expansion of antigen-specific B cells during CNS autoimmunity amplifies cognate interactions between B and CD4 T cells and independently drives neuro-inflammation at later stages of disease.
Reuse: the two concurrent life cycles paradigm

Since its introduction, Ada has held out the promise of significant productivity gains resulting from the ability to reuse design and code components more effectively. However, these gains will not occur simply because of the powerful features of the language or the good intentions of the Ada software engineers. The search for dramatic productivity increases will require considerable up-front investment and will need to be carefully focused and planned.This paper offers a paradigm of two concurrent life cycles to establish the groundwork for effectively employing reusable products to develop application systems. The model identifies a “Generic Product Development Life Cycle” to develop reusable products for a selected application domain. This life cycle runs before and concurrently with the “Application-Specific Product Development Life Cycle” which makes use of general purpose and domain-specific reusable products to develop applications. The “Generic Product Development Life Cycle” is concerned with creating, reworking and/or acquiring the reusable assets necessary to support application development. The resulting assets would include such things as domain models, specifications of common domain problems to be solved (specification of recurring patterns), generic architectures to address those problems, process models and Ada software components. The motivation for a generic products development process results from the realization that reuse requires a well-defined domain focus [PRIETO-DIAZ-90], careful planning outside the scope of any specific application development and an investment in the domain.
The role of abdominal drainage to prevent of intra-abdominal complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis: prospective randomized trial.

Routine drainage of the abdominal cavity after surgery has been a robust dogma for many decades. Nevertheless, the policy of routine abdominal drainage is increasingly questioned. Many surgeons believe that routine drainage after surgery may prevent postoperative intra-abdominal infection. The goal of this study was to assess the role of drains in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for acute cholecystitis. From May 2008 to July 2012, 160 patients that underwent LC due to acute cholecystitis at Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea, were enrolled in this study. After surgery, patients were randomly allocated to undergo drain placement in the subhepatic space (Group A) or no drainage (Group B). There was no significant difference in the intra-abdominal abscess rate, which was 0.0 % with Group A and 1.3 % with Group B (P = 0.319). The median subhepatic fluid collection was 4.1 mL (1.1–60 mL) in Group A and 4.5 mL (1.1–80.0 mL) in Group B (P = 0.298). However, the median hospital stay was 2 days (1–4 days) in Group B and 3 days (2–7 days) in group A (P = 0.001). The subgroup of empyema patients did not have any significant differences in intra-abdominal fluid collection or intra-abdominal abscess rate. This study suggests that postoperative routine drainage of the abdominal cavity for acute cholecystitis does not prevent intra-abdominal infections.
Growth Regulators and the Control of Nucleotide Sugar Flux

A small number of plant growth regulators are involved in the control of cell expansion. Despite knowledge of some of their signal transduction cascades, surprisingly little is known of how basic cell expansion–related processes, such as cell wall biosynthesis, are affected during growth. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutant root hair defective1 (rhd1) lacks a functional UDP-glucose 4-epimerase gene, UGE4, which is involved in channeling UDP-d-galactose (UDP-d-Gal) into cell wall polymers. Here, we use rhd1 as a genetic model to analyze the physiological and genetic controls of nucleotide sugar flux. We find that ethylene specifically suppresses all visible aspects of the rhd1 phenotype. The ethylene-triggered suppression of rhd1 is negatively regulated by CONSTITUTIVE TRIPLE RESPONSE1 and requires the function of the wild-type genes ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE2 (EIN2), EIN4, AUXIN-RESISTENT1, and ETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE ROOT1 but does not depend on the activity of wild-type ETHYLENE RECEPTOR1 or EIN3 genes, highlighting the nonlinearity of ethylene signal transduction. Ethylene does not induce the expression of alternative UGE genes but, instead, suppresses the expression of two isoforms, UGE1 and UGE3, in a tissue-specific manner. Ethylene restores the biosynthesis of galactose-containing xyloglucan and arabinosylated galactan cell wall polymers in rhd1 back to wild-type levels. However, the dependence on UGE4 of pectic (1→4)-β-d-galactan and glucuronosyl-modified AGP biosynthesis is exacerbated. Our data suggest that ethylene and auxin together participate in the flux control of UDP-d-Gal into cell wall polymers and that the genetic control of this process is qualitatively distinct from previously described responses to ethylene.
Asymptotic Properties of Bayes Risk for the Horseshoe Prior

In this paper, we establish some optimality properties of the multiple testing rule induced by the horseshoe estimator due to Carvalho, Polson, and Scott (2010, 2009) from a Bayesian decision theoretic viewpoint. We consider the two- groups model for the data and an additive loss structure such that the total loss is equal to the number of misclassified hypotheses. We use the same asymptotic framework as Bogdan, Chakrabarti, Frommlet, and Ghosh (2011) who introduced the Bayes oracle in the context of multiple testing and provided conditions under which the Benjamini-Hochberg and Bonferroni procedures attain the risk of the Bayes oracle. We prove a similar result for the horseshoe decision rule up to Op1q with the constant in the horseshoe risk close to the constant in the oracle. We use the Full Bayes estimate of the tuning parameter . It is worth noting that the Full Bayes estimate cannot be replaced by the Empirical Bayes estimate, which tends to be too small.
The future of organic pigments

Today's narrowing environment requires new ways of looking at the organic pigments industry. In particular a reconstruction of organic pigments is needed in relation to “TOSCA” the Toxic Substances Control Act (USA), which has swiftly become the issue of the hour.
Molecular beam epitaxial growth and optical properties of strained rectangular and asymmetric triangular InGaAs quantum well structures

Abstract We present the growth and optical properties of rectangular and asymmetric triangular strained layer quantum well (QW) structures involving InxGa1-xAs. The growth, as monitored by reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED), indicated some form of surface disorder and a two-dimensional growth mode throughout. In addition, the surface morphologies suggest no lattice relaxation and hence no strain-relieving defects in the layers. The low temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra for the various QW structures were dominated by a single feature attributed to the n = 1 electron to heavy hole excitonic recombination. The linewidth for a single 50 A In0.13Ga0.87As/GaAs QW was measured to be 1.8 meV, indicative of high quality InGaAs material as well as smooth heterointerfaces. Also observed are higher PL intensities for the asymmetric triangular MQWs as compared to the rectangular well case.
A simple model for demonstrating abnormal slitlamp findings.

This article describes a simple, inexpensive model for demonstrating abnormal slitlamp findings to students, residents, and general physicians.
Applications of fractal analysis in the evaluation of halftoning algorithms and a fractal-based halftoning scheme

Fractals are mathematical sets that model many natural phenomena and physical object such as clouds, mountains, trees, and coastlines. The principal features of fractal objects are: (1) a large degree of heterogeneity, (2) scaling similarity over many scales of observation, and (3) the lack of a well-defined (or characteristic) scale. In this paper, we investigate the applications of fractal analysis in halftoning. Specifically, we first investigate and compare the fractal properties of aperiodic constant-gray-level halftone patterns produced by error diffusion, the blue-noise mask, and white noise. Then, given that the fractal dimension of an image area can predict the perceived smoothness or roughness of this area's texture, we describe an error diffusion scheme where the error weights depend on the local fractal dimension of the gray scale image prior to halftoning. The resulting halftones have less grainy flat areas and sharper edges than standard error diffusion with perturbed weights. This can be attributed to incorporation of texture information in the ehalftoning scheme that distributes the halftoning error in proportion to local texture roughness and therefore diffuses it in the areas where it is least visible.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Electrically evoked compound action potentials of guinea pig and cat: responses to monopolar, monophasic stimulation

We recorded electrically evoked compound action potentials (EAPs) from guinea pigs and cats using monophasic current pulses delivered by a monopolar intracochlear electrode. By using simple stimuli, we sought results that could shed light on basic excitation properties of the auditory nerve. In these acute experiments, the recording electrode was placed directly on the auditory nerve. Responses to anodic and cathodic stimulus pulses were recorded separately to evaluate stimulus polarity effects. Several polarity-dependent properties were observed. Both EAP morphology and latency were polarity-dependent, with greater latencies for cathodic stimulation. Threshold stimulus level was also polarity-dependent, but in different directions in the two species: cats had lower cathodic thresholds while guinea pigs had lower anodic thresholds. We also observed that the slopes of the EAP amplitude-level functions depended upon stimulus polarity. In most cases where EAP saturation amplitude could be measured, that amplitude was similar for anodic and cathodic stimuli, suggesting that either stimulus polarity can recruit all fibers, or at least a comparable numbers of fibers. The common findings (e.g., EAP morphology and polarity-dependent latency) observed in these two species suggest results that can be extrapolated to responses obtained in humans, while the species-specific findings (e.g., dependence of threshold on polarity) may point to underlying anatomical differences that caution against overgeneralization across species. Some of our observations also bear upon hypotheses of how electrical stimuli may excite different sites on auditory nerve fibers.
Some factors in solute partitioning between water and micelles or polymeric micelle analogues

Abstract Micelle—water partition coefficients of p-nitroaniline and p-nitrophenol have been determined for several alkyltrimethylammonium salts including a polymer of undecenltrimethylammonium bromide. Solubilization depends upon the “concentration” of micellizedd alkyl carbon atoms regardless of micelle size. Counterion effects are an important aspect of the process. Micelle-like polymers may be useful in theoretical studies by eliminating some of the interactive variables which complicate pseudophase liquid chromatography with ordinary micelles.
Design and synthesis of a new class of fluorescent photoaffinity label with specific reference to 4-benzoyl-1-benzamidofluorescein: a new photolabel for adenine nucleotide binding domains on enzymes

Benzophenone was used as the photoreactive moiety in the synthesis of several water soluble, fluorescent photoaffinity labels. The following compounds were synthesized: 5-(2-(p- benzoylbenzamido)ethylamino-1-napthalenesulfonate (BzEDANS); 5-(2-(p- benzoylbenzamido)hexylamino-1-napthalenesulfonate (BzHDANS); and 4-benzoyl-1- benzamidofluorescein (BzAF). BzEDANS and BzHDANS were found to be unsuitable for use as photochemical probes. They were incapable of photoinduced covalent binding to methylene carbon due to intramolecular triplet-triplet energy transfer. BzAF was synthesized because its fluorescent moiety, fluorescein, is an inefficient acceptor for intramolecular quenching of the benzophenone triplet state diradical intermediate. BzAF was found to be a suitable and efficient photolabel and is presently a prototype for a new class of fluorescent photolabel.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of Person-Group and Intragroup Attitude Similarity on Perceived Group Attractiveness and Cohesiveness: II:

The generalizability of the Byrne-Nelson attraction function to the evaluation of group attractiveness and group cohesiveness was investigated by varying both the proportion of person-group attitude similarity (.25, .50, or .75) and the proportion of intragroup similarity (.33, .50, or .83) and having the experimental S evaluate the stimulus group for its attractiveness and its probable level of cohesive functioning. Group attractiveness was measured by scales for liking and desire to work with the group, and group cohesiveness was assessed with scales asking for evaluations of the group’s probable level of productivity, efficiency, feelings of belongingness, and morale. It was found that the evaluation of group attractiveness is a positive function of person-group attitude similarity (p <.001), whereas the evaluation of group cohesiveness is a positive function of intragroup similarity or the similarity of the group members to one another, independent of their similarity to the nonmember evaluator (p <.001).
Inequivalent sites for Hg at the HgTe(110) surface

Abstract We present a high-resolution synchrotron radiation photoemission study of cleaved HgTe(110) surfaces at room temperature and 35 K. Analysis of the Hg 5d lineshape indicates the presence of three inequivalent environments for Hg within the sampling depth. The relative abundance of the three types of sites is temperature independent, while cleave quality is shown to affect the relative contribution of two of the sites. The observed binding energy, intensity and escape depth dependence of the Hg spectral features suggest that, in addition to Hg atoms in the semiconductor bulk, metallic Hg inclusions in the near surface region and extrinsic surface states contribute to the overall Hg emission.
Photoluminescence in Si‐implanted InP

Photoluminescence measurements at various temperatures and excitation intensities have been performed with Si‐implanted InP (Fe) suitable for device applications. The implantation dose and energy of 28Si+ varied in the range (0.5–1.0)×1013 cm−3 and 100–200 keV, respectively. Post‐implantation annealing was done at 670 and 700 °C with a proximity cap. The superior optical quality of the samples were evidenced by the strength of the bound exciton doublet centered at 1.414 eV in all samples and the appearance of the free‐excitron‐polaritron transition at 1.418 eV in the spectra of some samples at low temperatures. The dominant transition centered at 1.375 eV is ascribed to Zn impurities in the starting material. Analysis of temperature‐dependent data yields an activation energy of 49.0 meV. The origin of a transition at 1.379 eV appearing in the unimplanted heat‐treated samples is not clear. A new transition, whose emission intensity increases with the implant dose, appears in the implanted samples at 1.35 e...
Determining aquifer parameters from the impulse response to pumping

Abstract The impulse response of non-leaky and leaky confined aquifers is used to determine aquifer properties. The impulse response is determined by differentiating the response observed from a constant rate pumping test. A linearized form of the impulse response is then fitted using least-squares regression to determine values for transmissivity, storage coefficient, and leakance. This approach appears to be best suited for a preliminary analysis. Estimated values can then be refined or checked by calculating complete time-drawdown responses. Advantages of the impulse method include its simplicity and that there is no requirement for starting values.
ESL student revision after teacher-written comments: Text, contexts, and individuals

Abstract In this study, we investigate the relationship between written comments and students' subsequent revisions for one teacher and three students in an advanced ESL composition course. Data include the teacher's comments, the students' drafts before and after the comments, and discussions during conferences that shed light on the students' revision processes. Associations between characteristics of the comments and the success of students' subsequent revisions are first examined. While it initially appears that certain formal characteristics of the comments were associated with successful revision (e.g., declaratives rather than questions), further analysis reveals that only one feature typically related to revision success: The type of revision problem that was addressed. Students tended to be successful in resolving many types of revision problems (e.g., adding examples, increasing cohesion), but they were unsuccessful in revising problems related to explanation, explicitness, and analysis. However, there were exceptions to this typical pattern, and to better understand these exceptions, we describe each student's revision process. Factors such as content knowledge, strongly-held beliefs, the course context, and the pressure of other commitments provide explanations for students' revision decisions and account for unexpected success or lack of success in their revising. The study shows that, in order to understand how students revise in response to written feedback, we must look not only at the nature of the comments themselves, but also at the types of problems students are being asked to revise and at individual factors affecting the students.
A Theory on Radar Reflections from the Lower Atmosphere

A theory is presented, supported by several sample sets of data, which indicate that the curious phenomenon dubbed "angels" (radar reflections from the lower atmosphere) may be attributed to sharp changes in the dielectric constant. The required magnitudes of the changes are computed from reflection theory and compared to sample meteorological data obtained from rapid-response instruments. The near-discontinuities in the dielectric constant are produced by atmospheric turbulence. It is proposed that the observed radar reflections are the result of turbulent motion in the lower atmosphere.
Postmarketing surveillance for drug safety in pregnancy: the Organization of Teratology Information Services project.

BACKGROUND Although medications are frequently used during pregnancy, premarketing studies exclude pregnant women, with the result that maternal and fetal risks of medications are largely unknown prior to marketing. METHODS To demonstrate the feasibility of using Teratology Information Services (TISs) to identify potential subjects who may participate in postmarketing surveillance studies regarding medications taken during pregnancy, maternal characteristics and pregnancy exposure data routinely collected from callers to member agencies of the Organization of Teratology Information Services (OTIS) were pooled for two one-month periods. RESULTS A total of 3536 calls inquiring about 7746 different agents were received from pregnant women. Of the 40 medications about which pregnant women most frequently asked, the top two were nonprescription acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine, three were prescription drugs with a U.S. Food and Drug Administration pregnancy label category D designation, and five were prescription antidepressants. CONCLUSIONS TISs are well positioned to prospectively ascertain medication exposures in large numbers of pregnant women and may be an exceptional resource for conducting postmarketing surveillance for the safety of medications taken during pregnancy. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2004. Published 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Desorption of Pentachlorophenol from Soils Using Mixed Solvents

Desorption of pentachlorophenol (PCP) from contaminated soils in mixed solvents of water and ethanol was investigated using desorption isotherm experiments. The following cosolvent volume fractions of ethanol in the mixed solvent were considered: 0.03, 0.56, 0.79. 0.95, and 1.0. Three fractions of a synthetic soil (Edison soil) with approximately 1% organic matter were the main soils used in this study in addition to K-10 montmorillonite clay and Ottawa sand. The effect of soil organic matter and soil surface area on desorption in mixed solvents was evaluated. Analysis of desorption data revealed that PCP desorption increased with PCP solubility in mixed solvent up to 0.79, 0.95, and 0.56 fraction ethanol for Edison soil, K-10 montmorillonite, and Ottawa sand, respectively. Lower desorption of PCP from Edison soil in solvents with more than 0.79 fraction ethanol resulted from interactions between solvent and soil organic matter. For Edison soil, highest PCP desorption in all mixed solvents was obtained for the soil fraction with the smallest surface area. Desorption of PCP in mixed solvents containing more than 0.79 fraction ethanol was lower for soils with organic matter than for other soils.
Earth‐based observations of Faraday rotation in radio bursts from Jupiter

New observations have been made of Faraday rotation in decameter-wavelength radio bursts from the planet Jupiter. Data obtained during six Io-B storms clearly indicate that an appreciable fraction of the observed Faraday rotation occurs in the Jovian magnetosphere. All of the Faraday rotation observed during a single Io-A storm can be accounted for by earth's ionosphere. Measurements of the Faraday effect in Io-B emissions indicate that the source is in Jupiter's northern magnetic hemisphere. Observations of the Faraday effect in Io-C emissions are proposed to determine its location as well.
Utilization of assisting features in contact-hole mask repair

The present study aims to evaluate the utilization of assisting features in the contact-hole mask repair. Several different types of assisting features were considered, including positive serifs, constant bias, assisting bars, and assisting dimples. In brief, a test mask was fabricated to render various extent of quartz damage using a focused- ion beam mask repair tool, followed by adding assisting features. The repaired contact holes were examined first by AIMS 193 (193 nm aerial image measurement system) for their optical transmission, critical dimension (CD), and exposure- defocus window (ED). Figure 1 and 2 illustrate some preliminary results acquired from AIMS 193. As revealed from Figure 2, the center of the exposure-defocus window is shifted by variant extend with adding different types of assisting features. Wafer printed results would be used to further verify AIMS 193 observation. Optical simulation results of these repaired holes with assistant features will also be presented using Solid C simulation tool.
Water table depths and color patterns in soils developed from red parent materials in Michigan, USA

Abstract Relationships between soil color patterns and depth and duration of water tables were studied using piezometers in three soil hydrosequences that had developed from different colored parent materials. Correlation coefficients relating color indices and percent of time saturated were less for the hydrosequences developed from red (5YR and 7.5YR) parent materials (5YR materials are lacustrine deposits, 7.5YR materials are till) than those developed from 10YR parent materials (till). A modified color index was a better predictor of water saturation in soils developed from 5YR parent materials. The presence of hematite in the soils developed from red parent materials is thought to cause these soils to be less gray than would be predicted from landscape position and piezometer data. Iron mineralogy, at least partially, explains why hue was not as important as chroma in predicting water saturation in these hydrosequences. Iron contents in high chroma mottles were greater, whereas, those of low chroma mottles were less than those in matrices, suggesting Fe has moved in saturated horizons of these soils. Insufficient low chroma colors was the primary reason for misclassification of soils developed from red parent materials and is thought to be related to the presence of hematite.
Cognitive strategies for the visual search of hierarchical computer displays

This article investigates the cognitive strategies that people use to search computer displays. Several different visual layouts are examined: unlabeled layouts that contain multiple groups of items but no group headings, labeled layouts in which items are grouped and each group has a useful heading, and a target-only layout that contains just one item. A number of plausible strategies were proposed for each layout. Each strategy was programmed into the EPIC cognitive architecture, producing models that simulate the human visual-perceptual, oculomotor, and cognitive processing required for the task. The models generate search time predictions. For unlabeled layouts, the mean layout search times are predicted by a purely random search strategy, and the more detailed positional search times are predicted by a noisy systematic strategy. The labeled layout search times are predicted by a hierarchical strategy in which first the group labels are systematically searched, and then the contents of the target group. The target-only layout search times are predicted by a strategy in which the eyes move directly to the sudden appearance of the target. The models demonstrate that human visual search performance can be explained largely in terms of the cognitive strategy that is used to coordinate the relevant perceptual and motor processes, a clear and useful visual hierarchy triggers a fundamentally different visual search strategy and effectively gives the user greater control over the visual navigation, and cognitive strategies will be an important component of a predictive visual search tool. The models provide insights pertaining to the visual-perceptual and oculomotor processes involved in visual search and contribute to the science base needed for predictive interface analysis.
Accurate laser wavelength measurements in the infrared and far infrared using a Michelson interferometer

Long path difference vacuum Michelson interferometer application to far IR and IR laser wavelength measurements compared with 6328 A He-Ne wavelength
Termination Detection of Diffusing Computations in Communicating Sequential Processes

D i j k s t r a a n d S c h o l t e n [4] h a v e i n t r o d u c e d t h e n o t i o n of di f fusing computat ion in a d i s t r i b u t e d s y s t e m of p r o c e s s e s a n d sugges t a n e l e g a n t a l g o r i t h m for d e t e c t i n g t h e t e r m i n a t i o n o f a n a r b i t r a r y d i f fus ing c o m p u t a t i o n in a n y ne twork . T h e g e n e r a l i t y of t h e s o l u t i o n m a k e s i t s u i t a b l e for a p p l i c a t i o n to a n u m b e r o f p r o b l e m s a r i s ing in d i s t r i b u t e d p r o g r a m m i n g . Us ing th i s a l go r i t hm, D i j k s t r a [3] g ives a s o l u t i o n to t h e p r o b l e m of d e t e r m i n i n g w h e t h e r a p roc e s s is in a kno t . W e h a v e a p p l i e d a v a r i a t i o n of th i s a l g o r i t h m to c o m p u t e s h o r t e s t p a t h s in we igh ted , d i r e c t e d n e t w o r k s [2]. In th i s p a p e r , we show h o w D i j k s t r a a n d S c h o l t e n ' s s c h e m e can be u sed to d e t e c t d e a d l o c k ( a n d / o r p r o p e r t e r m i n a t i o n ) in a s y s t e m of c o m m u n i c a t i n g s e q u e n t i a l p r o c e s s e s [6]. T h i s d e a d l o c k d e t e c t i o n a l g o r i t h m h a s f o u n d use in d i s t r i b u t e d s i m u l a t i o n [1]. W e a s s u m e t h e p r o t o c o l p r o p o s e d b y H o a r e [6]; t h a t is, a m e s s a g e can be s en t f rom p roces s P1 to p roce s s P2 on ly i f P1 is w a i t i ng to s end to P2 a n d P2 is wa i t i ng to r ece ive f rom P1. T h u s , a p roce s s m a y h a v e to wa i t i nde f in i t e l y to s e n d as wel l as to rece ive . T h i s p r o t o c o l is d i f f e ren t f rom t h a t u sed b y D i j k s t r a a n d Scho l t en . T h e y
A meaningful theory of creativity: design as knowledge: implications for engineering design

Creativity is a much sought after quality, particularly in education, but it is very often misunderstood and ungraspable. This paper is a new attempt at unraveling the mystery, clarifying the ambiguous, and focusing in on the higher truths that seem to evade a common sense understanding of creativity. Creativity will be seen as a process as well as a quality so that it is possible to follow the progression of events as they happen in the cognitive sphere. The author discusses what creativity may represent to engineering practitioners.
Design of a new peptidomimetic agonist for the melanocortin receptors based on the solution structure of the peptide ligand, Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-Pro-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2

Abstract The solution structure of a potent melanocortin receptor agonist, Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-Pro- d Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH 2 ( 1 ) was calculated using distance restraints determined from 1 H NMR spectroscopy. Eight of the lowest energy conformations from this study were used to identify non-peptide cores that mimic the spatial arrangement of the critical tripeptide region, d Phe-Arg-Trp, found in 1 . From these studies, compound 2a , containing the cis -cyclohexyl core, was identified as a functional agonist of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) with an IC 50 and EC 50 below 10 nM. Compound 2a also showed 36- and 7-fold selectivity over MC3R and MC1R, respectively, in the binding assays. Subtle changes in cyclohexane stereochemistry and removal of functional groups led to analogues with lower affinity for the MC receptors.
Evaluation of Four Commercially Available Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Phenotypic Confirmation Tests

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production in members of the Enterobacteriaceae can confer resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins, aztreonam, and penicillin. As such, the accurate detection of ESBL producers is essential for the appropriate selection of antibiotic therapy. Twenty previously characterized isolates and 49 clinical isolates suspected of ESBL production were tested by four ESBL phenotypic confirmatory methods for accuracy and ease of use. The four ESBL phenotypic confirmation tests included Dried MicroScan ESBL plus ESBL Confirmation panels (Dade Behring, Inc., West Sacramento, Calif.), Etest ESBL (AB BIODISK, Piscataway, N.J.), Vitek GNS-120 (bioMerieux, Inc., Hazelwood, Mo.), and BD BBL Sensi-Disk ESBL Confirmatory Test disks (BD Biosciences, Sparks, Md.). Results were compared to frozen microdilution panels prepared according to NCCLS specifications, and discrepant isolates were sent for molecular testing. The test sensitivities for the ESBL phenotypic confirmatory test methods used in this study were as follows: MicroScan ESBL plus ESBL confirmation panel, 100%; VITEK 1 GNS-120, 99%; Etest ESBL, 97%; and BD BBL Sensi-Disk ESBL Confirmatory Test disks, 96%. The test specificities were as follows: BD BBL Sensi-Disk ESBL Confirmatory Test disks, 100%; MicroScan ESBL plus ESBL confirmation panel and VITEK 1 GNS-120, 98%; and Etest ESBL, 94%. All methods were easy to perform; however, the Etest method required more expertise to interpret the results. All tests offer a feasible solution for confirming ESBL production in the clinical laboratory.
Promotion to Change Lifestyle: Securing Participation and Success

Corporate wellness programs designed to promote employee health are becoming increasingly popular due to their improved productivity, lower health care costs, and reduced absenteeism. The success of the lifestyle intervention measures they promote depends on employees' participation, which is a key challenge. The study uses partial least squares (PLS) path modeling and logistic regression to (a) identify, based on the health belief model, the factors likely to influence employee participation in personal coaching and health challenges, and (b) study their impact on lifestyle and overall health among participants. Results show that participation is influenced by initial lifestyle, attendance in educational events, peer influence, and communication through different channels.
Xenopus Staufen2 is required for anterior endodermal organ formation

Summary: Defining the regulatory molecular networks involved in patterning the developing anterior endoderm is essential to understand how the pancreas, liver, stomach, and duodenum are discretely specified from each other. In this study, we analyzed the expression and function of the double-stranded RNA-binding protein Staufen2 in Xenopus laevis endoderm. We found that staufen2 was broadly expressed within the developing endoderm beginning at gastrulation becoming localized to the anterior endoderm at later stages. Through morpholino-mediated knockdown, we demonstrate that Staufen2 function is required for proper formation of the stomach, liver, and pancreas. We define that its function is required during gastrulation for proper patterning of the dorsal-ventral axis and that it acts to regulate expression of BMP signaling components. genesis 50:251–259, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The APC subunit Doc1 promotes recognition of the substrate destruction box.

Abstract Background: Accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis requires the coordinated destruction of the mitotic regulators securin and cyclins. The anaphase-promoting complex (APC) is a multisubunit ubiquitin-protein ligase that catalyzes the polyubiquitination of these and other proteins and thereby promotes their destruction. How the APC recognizes its substrates is not well understood. In mitosis, the APC activator Cdc20 binds to the APC and is thought to recruit substrates by interacting with a conserved target protein motif called the destruction box. A related protein, called Cdh1, performs a similar function during G1. Recent evidence, however, suggests that the core APC subunit Doc1 also contributes to substrate recognition. Results: To better understand the mechanism by which Doc1 promotes substrate binding to the APC, we generated a series of point mutations in Doc1 and analyzed their effects on the processivity of substrate ubiquitination. Mutations that reduce Doc1 function fall into two classes that define spatially and functionally distinct regions of the protein. One region, which includes the carboxy terminus, anchors Doc1 to the APC but does not influence substrate recognition. The other region, located on the opposite face of Doc1, is required for Doc1 to enhance substrate binding to the APC. Importantly, stimulation of binding by Doc1 also requires that the substrate contain an intact destruction box. Cells carrying DOC1 mutations that eliminate substrate recognition delay in mitosis with high levels of APC substrates. Conclusions: Doc1 contributes to recognition of the substrate destruction box by the APC. This function of Doc1 is necessary for efficient substrate proteolysis in vivo.
Regulation of Terminal Differentiation Programs in the Nervous System

The generation of individual neuron types in the nervous system is a multistep process whose endpoint is the expression of neuron type-specific batteries of terminal differentiation genes that determine the functional properties of a neuron. This review focuses on the regulatory mechanisms that are involved in controlling the terminally differentiated state of a neuron. I review several case studies from invertebrate and vertebrate nervous systems that reveal that many terminal differentiation features of a neuron are coregulated via terminal selector transcription factors that initiate and maintain terminal differentiation programs.
The experience and communication of envy among siblings, siblings-in-law, and spouses

For this study 109 spouse/sibling/sibling-in-law triads reported the degree of envy, communication of envy, and triggers of envy experienced in the triadic system. The relationship between envy and relational satisfaction and closeness was also assessed. Envy was largely experienced differentially in each relationship type. Siblings reported more occurrences of envy than did the siblings-in-law or spouses. Spouses were more likely than siblings or siblings-in-law to use communicative responses to envy. The sibling-in-law relationship shared similarities with both spousal and sibling relationships. Relational closeness and satisfaction for all relationships in the triad were correlated. Envy was not related to relational closeness and was inversely related to relational satisfaction for siblings and spouses only.
Cell Biology of the 5-Lipoxygenase Pathway

The initial enzymatic steps in leukotriene synthesis occur at the nuclear envelope. Cytosolic phospholipase A2 translocates from the cytoplasm to selectively hydrolyze nuclear envelope phospholipids, releasing free arachidonate. 5-Lipoxygenase-activating protein, an arachidonate transfer protein, then binds arachidonate and presents it to 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), which catalyzes a two-step reaction to produce leukotriene A4. In resting human and rat peripheral blood neutrophils, 5-LO is localized to the cytoplasm; in rat basophilic leukemia cells and human alveolar macrophages, however, it is found predominantly in the nucleus. Immunofluorescence microscopy studies demonstrate that both cytoplasmic and nuclear 5-LO move to the nuclear envelope following cell activation. Many questions remain unanswered regarding the significance of nuclear 5-LO, potential autocrine actions of leukotrienes, and intracellular trafficking of these enzymes and their products. Peters-Golden M. Cell biology of the 5-lipoxygenase ...
The Geography of Capital Flows : What We Can Learn from Benchmark Surveys of Foreign Equity Holdings

To provide insight into the accuracy of U.S. data on international equity transactions, we compare estimates of U.S. holdings of equities in over 40 countries with actual holdings given by comprehensive U.S. benchmark surveys. If the rate of return used to revalue U.S. holdings in a given country is accurate, accurate holdings estimates imply accurate transactions data. For some countries, such as Canada and much of Latin America, the holdings estimates are quite accurate. For the majority of countries, however, there is a great disparity between our estimates and actual amounts, likely because U.S. data on international equity transactions record the country of the transactor, not the country of the issuer. Our estimates are far too high for financial centers - because many U.S. transactions that go through these countries involve securities issued in other countries - and far too low in most other countries, particularly in Europe and Asia. To illustrate the potential pitfalls of using estimated country-specific holdings data, we briefly present two cases in which the use of actual data leads to different conclusions. One case examines the determinants of U.S. equity holdings across countries; the other concerns the turnover rate of foreign equity portfolios.
A Pilot Study Examining Undesirable Events Among Emergency Department–Boarded Patients Awaiting Inpatient Beds

Study objective We describe the frequency of undesirable events among patients boarding at a single, urban, tertiary, teaching emergency department (ED) through retrospective chart abstraction. Methods This was a chart review of all patients admitted during 3 randomly selected days in 2003 (n=162) to track the frequency of undesirable events such as missed relevant home medications, missed laboratory test results, arrhythmias, or other adverse events. Results One hundred fifty-one charts were abstracted (93.2%); 27.8% had an undesirable event, 17.9% missed a relevant home medication, and 3.3% had a preventable adverse event. There was a higher frequency of undesirable events among older patients (35.9%, aged >50 years; 7.3%, aged 20 to 49 years; 28.6%, aged 0 to 19 years) and those with more comorbidities (44.4% among Charlson score ≥3; 30.8% score 2; 36.1% score 1; 14.5% score 0). Conclusion A substantial frequency of undesirable events occurs while patients board in the ED. These events are more frequent in older patients or those with more comorbidities. Future studies need to compare the rates of undesirable events among patients boarding in the ED versus inpatient units.
Methods and models to determine perinatal status of Florida manatee carcasses

Differences in perinatal mortality can be indicators of differences in physiology, behavior, toxicology, population dynamics, and ecology of species and individuals. Extensive data collected under the Florida Manatee Carcass Recovery Program provide important information about manatee perinatal mortality. However, early age at death can be difficult to determine for often highly decomposed carcasses. Here, I provide quantitative methods to identify perinatal status for manatee carcasses. First, perinatal and nonperinatal mortality were defined based on physiological indicators. After review of necropsy reports, specific length classes became clear indicators of perinatal status: carcasses 160-cm long were always nonperinatal. Using data from carcasses 82-160 cm long of known perinatal status, Bayesian models quantify the relationship among age at death, carcass length, and carcass recovery month. The models predict the perinatal status of carcass 82-160 cm long when physiological indicators are unavailable. Overall, perinatal status could be determined for 98.2% of carcasses collected from 1978 to 2005. Initial examination of the fraction of perinatal mortalities within the entire carcass sample reveals interesting spatial and temporal patterns that warrant further analyses.
Pharmacophore modelling of stereoselective binding to the human organic cation transporter (hOCT1).

Background and purpose: The human organic cation transporter-1 (hOCT1) is a polyspecific transporter that plays a role in drug distribution, metabolism and excretion. Previous studies have demonstrated that hOCT1 binding can be stereoselective, but the mechanism for stereochemical recognition has not been described. The purpose of this study was to develop a pharmacophore model to describe stereoselective binding to hOCT1. Experimental approach: A set of 22 compounds including 8 pairs of enantiomers and five pairs of diastereomers was used to develop a pharmacophore model. The pharmacophore modeling was carried out using Catalyst version 4.11 and HypoGen and was based upon the correlation of the structures and activities (Ki values) of the compounds used in the study. Key results: The resulting model contained a positive ion, hydrophobic and two hydrogen-bond acceptor interaction sites. The relative enantioselectivity of 8/8 enantiomeric pairs and diastereoselectivity of 5/5 diastereomers was described by mapping to a combination of at least 3 of the 4 functional feature sites of the model. Conclusions and implications: The pharmacophore model describes stereoselective interactions with hOCT1 at one of the binding sites on the molecule. British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 151, 1305–1314; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707341; published online 25 June 2007