cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ASIP genetic variants and the number of non-melanoma skin cancers

Patients with primary non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) tend to develop these cancers at multiple independent sites. We examined the genetic factors in the development of multiple NMSCs among Caucasian women with 28 years of follow-up. We initially evaluated 19 SNPs in nine pigmentation genes with the number of NMSCs in 492 cases and 619 controls without a history of NMSC. We found nominal significant associations between two ASIP gene–related SNPs, rs1885120 and rs910873, and an ASIP haplotype (AH) (rs4911414 allele T and rs1015362 allele G) and an increased number of NMSCs, with p-values of 0.008, 0.01, and 0.01, respectively. We further evaluated these two SNPs and AH haplotype in three data sets. In a joint analysis with 1,507 cases and 4,335 controls, AH haplotype was independently associated with the number of NMSCs with odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) of 1.45(1.25–1.68) (p-value = 6.2E–07). The AH haplotype was associated with an increased risk of developing one NMSC (OR 1.32; 95% CI, 1.07–1.63). The OR increased to 1.45(1.18–1.78) for those with 2–4 NMSCs and 1.84(1.34–2.53) for those with at least five. The findings suggest that ASIP locus is associated with the number of NMSCs.
Pure and shear-enhanced compaction bands in Aztec Sandstone

Abstract We report on the occurrence of deformation bands in Jurassic eolian Aztec Sandstone at Valley of Fire, Nevada, that accommodated roughly equal amounts of shear and band-perpendicular compaction by grain rearrangement and porosity collapse. These bands, referred to as shear-enhanced compaction bands, differ in orientation, structural arrangement, and microtexture from pure compaction bands that form perpendicular to the shortening direction. Shear-enhanced compaction bands are planar over tens of meters, and commonly composed of multiple parallel thinner strands. Pure compaction bands are less commonly planar, typically wavy or chevron in geometry, and composed of single strands. Shear-enhanced compaction bands are inferred to form at 38–53° relative to the maximum compressive principal stress, and thus differ from compactive shear bands that form at distinctly lower angles. While shear offsets along shear-enhanced compaction bands are only about 1/10th of the band thickness, by contrast, shear offsets may be large for compactive shear bands with formation of slip surfaces. Based on inferred timing and burial conditions, we interpret that the formation of shear-enhanced and pure compaction bands requires large initial porosity close to the loose packing porosity, good sorting, and high effective maximum compressive principal stress of about 20 MPa.
Reovirus morphogenesis: characterization of subviral particles in infected cells.

Abstract Subviral particles which sedimented at 400 and 600 S were identified in reovirus-infected cells. The 600 S particles (immature virions) contained 10 segments of double-stranded RNA, the major capsid polypeptides λ1, λ2, μ2, σ2, σ3, and a small amount of the nonstructural polypeptide μ0. They lacked A-rich oligonucleotides. Kinetic experiments demonstrated that the acquisition of these oligonucleotides by virions is a very late event in viral morphogenesis. The 400 S particles, which contained 10 segments of double-stranded RNA, consisted of two kinds of particles: (1) short-lived intermediates which contained the core polypeptides λ1, λ2 (in reduced amounts), σ2, and polypeptide μ0; and (2) particles that accumulated in infected cells and that contained the core polypeptides only. When observed in the electron microscope, the latter particles ranged in size from 25 to 54 nm. They lacked the spikes present on the surface of viral cores, but possessed surface detail similar to that on viral cores.
Paroxysmal hypertension and tachycardia as the only manifestations of partial seizures in a paralyzed child

Abstract A case of an infant who experienced prolonged and refractory paroxysmal hypertension with tachycardia on the first day after cardiosurgery is described. The episodes were related to epileptic seizures, which were unrecognized because of paralysis induced during mechanical ventilation. In paralyzed patients with paroxysmal modification of arterial pressure and heart rate, a possible epileptic origin must always be investigated to avoid the disastrous effects that unrecognized epileptic activity can have on the brain and to minimize the consequences that otherwise intractable hypertension and tachycardia can have on the cardiovascularsystem.
A covalent affinity column for the purification of acetylcholinesterase

2-Aminoethyl p-nitrophenyl methylphosphonate, a potential inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (acetylcholine hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.7), was coupled to extended sepharose, thus forming covalent affinity support for purification of acetylcholinesterase. Cholinesterase from electric eel was trapped on the column by forming a covalent bond with the insoluble matrix. The enzyme was recovered from the column in very good quality by using the reactivator 2-(hydroximinomethyl)-1-methylpyridinium iodide (2PAM) or 1,1′-trimethylene bis(4-hydroximinomethyl pyridinium) dibromide (TMB4). The column functioned as a covalent affinity column for eel cholinesterase and α-chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.4.5).
Counselling psychologists in academia: Life satisfaction and work and family role commitments

We examined the life satisfaction of men and women counselling psychology faculty who were Division 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology) members of APA (American Psychological Association). Self-efficacy for multiple role management, coping style, and work-family role orientation were considered as predictors of life satisfaction. Results indicated that men scored significantly higher on employee role and self role self-efficacy as compared to women, and that women as compared to men scored higher on seeking social support coping. No significant sex difference was found for role orientation or life satisfaction. Findings revealed that spouse/partner self-efficacy and problem-solving coping emerged as significant predictors of men and women's life satisfaction and accounted for 31% of the total variance.
Glutaraldehyde fixation increases retention of low molecular weight proteins (growth factors) transferred to nylon membranes for Western blot analysis

Western blotting of low molecular weight (Mr) acidic and basic isoelectric point (pI) proteins was studied to optimize detection sensitivities. Radioiodinated epidermal growth factor (EGF, Mr 6045, pI 4.4), transforming growth factor type alpha (TGF alpha, Mr 5623, pI 6.8), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I, Mr 7649, pI 8.3), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, Mr 15,000-17,000, pI 9.6) all transferred with high efficiency (74.1 +/- 12.6%) to a positively charged nylon membrane. Sequential application of standard unoccupied site blocking, antibody incubation, and washing steps resulted in significant losses of all growth factors (46-98%). Basic FGF was retained best. Treatment of transfer membranes with 0.5% (v/v) glutaraldehyde prior to blocking and immunodetection increased the retention of the growth factors 1.5- to 12-fold over untreated controls. Without fixation, 100 ng of EGF, TGF alpha, and IGF-I were not detectable while 6.25-100 ng was identified on fixed membranes. The methods described were equally sensitive for detecting both acidic and basic pI proteins.
The atomistic structure and energy of nascent dislocation loops

An harmonic lattice theory is used, in conjunction with Mura's theory of eigendistorsions, to study the structure and energetics of nascent dislocation loops in face-centred-cubic (FCC) crystals. An analytical expression for the activation energies of such loops is derived. The results obtained herein indicate that thermal activation of small dislocation loops is possible at high stress levels such as those found in the vicinity of a crack tip. The implications of these results in understanding phenomena such as the brittle-ductile transition are discussed.
Novel pneumoviruses (PnVs): evolution and inflammatory pathology

Abstract A previous report of a novel pneumovirus (PnV) isolated from the respiratory tract of a dog described its significant homology to the rodent pathogen, pneumonia virus of mice (PVM). The original PnV–Ane4 pathogen replicated in and could be re-isolated in infectious state from mouse lung but elicited minimal mortality compared to PVM strain J3666. Here we assess phylogeny and physiologic responses to 10 new PnV isolates. The G/glycoprotein sequences of all PnVs include elongated amino-termini when compared to the characterized PVMs, and suggest division into groups A and B. While we observed significant differences in cytokine production and neutrophil recruitment to the lungs of BALB/c mice in response to survival doses (50 TCID 50 units) of representative group A (114378-10-29-KY-F) and group B (7968-11-OK) PnVs, we observed no evidence for positive selection (d N >d S ) among the PnV/PnV, PVM/PnV or PVM/PVM G/glycoprotein or F/fusion protein sequence pairs.
Legal Action Taken Against College and University Counseling Centers 1986–2008

In this exploratory study, archival survey data were examined in an effort to determine the general prevalence and nature of legal action taken against college and university counseling centers during the 23 years from 1986 and 2008. While relatively infrequent, a variety of lawsuits and other sorts of legal complaints were filed by student clients and their families as well as by counseling center staff and trainees during this period. Certain types of complaints were more common, such as inappropriate boundary crossing, misdiagnosis, and wrongful hospitalization, and centers affiliated with larger schools appeared more likely to be the target of legal action. The outcomes of these legal challenges were also examined.
Does the use of hydrochloric acid damage silicone rubber central venous catheters

Background : Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is commonly used to clear obstructions in central venous catheters (CVC). Methods : To determine if HCl adversely affects the integrity of a CVC we infused 0.1 N HCl daily into CVC in vitro. At weekly intervals sections of the CVC were removed and examined using scanning electron microscopy. Results : Over 8 weeks, no damage to the CVC was visible. Conclusions : HCl administration poses no threat to the structural integrity of a CVC. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 19 :407-409, 1995)
Conversational involvement and loneliness.

The relationship of conversational involvement to loneliness was assessed. Sixty chronically lonely and 60 nonlonely people were selected from a pool of 968 college students with known loneliness scores. Each participant had a 10‐minute, videotaped, “get acquainted” conversation with an opposite‐sex “partner.” Afterwards, participants recalled as many details of their conversations as possible. Participants and partners completed measures of communication satisfaction, liking, and desires for future interaction and friendship. They also rated participants' levels of conversational involvement. The involvement construct was operationalized with nine involvement behaviors, coded from the videotapes, and five cognitive involvement variables, derived from comparisons of the memory protocols to transcripts of the conversations. Lonely participants had lower rates of talkativeness, interruptions, vocal back‐channels, and attention than nonlonely participants. They were also perceived as less involved and less i...
Fertility considerations in nerve-sparing retroperitoneal lymph-node dissection.

Nerve-sparing retroperitoneal lymph-node dissection (RPLND) maintains the patient's ability to ejaculate postoperatively. However, since testicular cancer patients sometimes have diminished spermatogenesis, questions have been raised as to the advisability of nerve preservation relative to ultimate fertility. Fertility status was assessed in clinical stage A patients by two methods. These included standard semen analysis and a post-RPLND survey. The results show that approximately 75% of nonseminomatous testicular cancer patients who present in clinical stage A have fertility potential as based on semen analysis. Additionally, of those patients responding to the post-RPLND survey who had attempted pregnancy following RPLND, 76% reported attainment of pregnancy. Nerve-sparing RPLND maintains fertility potential in clinical stage I patients; furthermore, this fertility potential appears to be worth preserving as many patients will be capable of impregnating their partners.
Memory and Brain Volume in Adults Prenatally Exposed to Alcohol.

The impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on memory and brain development was investigated in 92 African-American, young adults who were first identified in the prenatal period. Three groups (Control, n=26; Alcohol-related Neurodevelopmental Disorder, n=36; and Dysmorphic, n=30) were imaged using structural MRI with brain volume calculated for multiple regions of interest. Memory was measured using the Verbal Selective Reminding Memory Test and its nonverbal counterpart, the Nonverbal Selective Reminding Memory Test, which each yielding measures of learning and recall. For both Verbal and Nonverbal Recall and Slope, linear trends were observed demonstrating a spectrum of deficits associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. Dysmorphic individuals performed significantly poorer than unexposed controls on 5 of 6 memory outcomes. Alcohol-exposed individuals demonstrated significantly lower total brain volume than controls, as well as lower volume in a number of specific regions including hippocampus. Mediation analyses indicated that memory performance associated with effects of prenatal alcohol exposure was mediated from dysmorphic severity through hippocampal volume, particularly right hippocampus. These results indicate that the association between the physical effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and deficits in memory are mediated by volumetric reduction in specific brain regions.
Plasma Membrane Association of p63 Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor (p63RhoGEF) Is Mediated by Palmitoylation and Is Required for Basal Activity in Cells

Activation of G protein-coupled receptors at the cell surface leads to the activation or inhibition of intracellular effector enzymes, which include various Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoGEFs). RhoGEFs activate small molecular weight GTPases at the plasma membrane (PM). Many of the known G protein-coupled receptor-regulated RhoGEFs are found in the cytoplasm of unstimulated cells, and PM recruitment is a critical aspect of their regulation. In contrast, p63RhoGEF, a Gαq-regulated RhoGEF, appears to be constitutively localized to the PM. The objective of this study was to determine the molecular basis for the localization of p63RhoGEF and the impact of its subcellular localization on its regulation by Gαq. Herein, we show that the pleckstrin homology domain of p63RhoGEF is not involved in its PM targeting. Instead, a conserved string of cysteines (Cys-23/25/26) at the N terminus of the enzyme is palmitoylated and required for membrane localization and full basal activity in cells. Conversion of these residues to serine relocates p63RhoGEF from the PM to the cytoplasm, diminishes its basal activity, and eliminates palmitoylation. The activity of palmitoylation-deficient p63RhoGEF can be rescued by targeting to the PM by fusion with tandem phospholipase C-δ1 pleckstrin homology domains or by co-expression with wild-type Gαq but not with palmitoylation-deficient Gαq. Our data suggest that p63RhoGEF is regulated chiefly through allosteric control by Gαq, as opposed to other known Gα-regulated RhoGEFs, which are instead sequestered in the cytoplasm, perhaps because of their high basal activity.
AN AUTORADIOGRAPHIC AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF COLLAGEN SYNTHESIS IN DIFFERENTIATING CARTILAGE.

The synthesis of the proline-rich collagen component of cartilage matrix has been studied by autoradiography using both the light and electron microscope. Amblystoma maculatum larvae had their forelimbs amputated, were allowed to regenerate for 12–15 days, and then injected intraperitoneally with tritiated proline. The animals were fixed at various times (1 min. to 28 days) after the injection and sections of the developing limbs were coated for autoradiography by dipping in Ilford L 4 or Gevaert 3.07 emulsion. The sequential labeling of the organelles of the cartilage cell which occurred is illustrated in light and electron micrographs. Radioactive products first appeared in the ergastoplasm and were associated with the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum. Twenty to thirty minutes after the injection, labeled material began to appear in the Golgi zone. There, the newly synthesized protein accumulated within large vacuoles. The fibrillar material within the vacuoles may represent collagen and the more amorphous material, mucoprotein. The vacuoles subsequently (∼2 hrs. later) discharge their labeled contents into the extracellular space. The secreted protein is probably soluble collagen (tropocollagen) for it diffuses readily through the matrix to polymerize into striated collagen fibrils some distance from the cell. These findings contradict some widely held opinions that the fibrillar component of the matrix arises by excortication and appositional growth of fibrils originating from the ectoplasm of chondrocytes. It seems reasonable to conclude that the secretory pathway by which extracellular proteins are produced in cartilage is analogous to that suggested for epithelial gland cells.
Reducing Tensile Stress Concentration in Perforated Hybrid Laminate by Genetic Algorithm

Holes are a common geometric discontinuity in composite structures. Since stress concentrations at a hole can decrease strength, it is desirable that such concentrations be as low as possible. This paper demonstrates ability to minimize tensile stress concentrations in a perforated laminated composite. Synergizing a genetic algorithm optimization method with a specially developed FEM program enables one to optimally orient the fibers locally both within the plies and from ply-to-ply, and thereby significantly reduced the tensile stress concentration associated with a hole. The present evolutionary technique provides more than just a favorable stacking sequence of various rectilinearly orthotropic plies having different fiber orientations.
Global ubiquity of dynamic earthquake triggering

Surface waves that were generated by 12 out of 15 earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 7 since 1990 led to a global increase in the number of small earthquakes. This suggests that dynamic triggering of earthquakes is common and is independent of the tectonic environment. Earthquakes can be triggered by local changes in the stress field (static triggering1,2,3,4,5,6,7) due to nearby earthquakes or by stresses caused by the passage of surface (Rayleigh and Love) waves from a remote, large earthquake (dynamic triggering8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18). However, the mechanism, frequency, controlling factors and the global extent of dynamic triggering are yet to be fully understood. Because Rayleigh waves involve compressional and dilatational particle motion (volumetric changes) as well as shearing, whereas Love waves only involve shearing, triggering by either wave type implies fundamentally different physical mechanisms. Here, we analyse broadband seismograms from over 500 globally distributed stations and use an automated approach to systematically identify small triggered earthquakes—the low-amplitude signals of such earthquakes would normally be masked by high-amplitude surface waves. Our analysis reveals that out of 15 earthquakes studied of magnitude (M) greater than 7.0 that occurred after 1990, 12 are associated with significant increases in the detection of smaller earthquakes during the passage of both the Love and Rayleigh waves. We conclude that dynamic triggering is a ubiquitous phenomenon that is independent of the tectonic environment of the main earthquake or the triggered event.
Regulation of brittle diabetics by a pre-planned insulin infusion programme

Eleven brittle diabetics, mean duration 11.5 years, all treated with highly purified porcine NPH insulin twice daily, were placed on highly purified porcine regular insulin 4 times daily for 2 days. Thereafter pre-planned intravenous insulin infusion was started. Insulin in an amount corresponding to the daily insulin requirement was infused by a mobile electric infusion pump at precalculated rates between 30 and 7 ml/hour during 2 days. The patients were ambulatory. Capillary blood glucose was taken every 30 min after meals and every two hours during the night. After an equilibration period of 7 hours, blood glucose fluctuations were in the physiological range in nearly all patients during the infusion period. [Only 1.3% of the blood samples showed glucose levels lower than 2.5 mmol/l and 2.9% levels exceeding 10.0 mmol/l during the infusion days]. Mean blood glucose (MBG) was 6.0±0.9 mmol/l (mean ± s. d.), the standard deviation of MBG was 1.8±0.5 mmol/l, the mean amplitude of blood glucose excursions (MAGE) 4.7±1.4 mmol/l, and glucosuria 3.1±3.9 g/day. All these data of glucose homeostasis were significantly lower during the infusion days. The incidence of hypoglycaemic attacks was low (0.32/patient/day) and not significantly higher than during NPH treatment. It is concluded that near normal blood glucose fluctuations can be achieved in brittle diabetics by preplanned insulin infusion without `blood glucose monitoring.
Analysis of transference as transformation of enactment.

In the course of conducting hypnosis to resolve his patients’ hysterical symptoms, Freud discovered that limits on their cooperation were set by their tendencies to transfer onto him sexual and/or negative feelings and attitudes related to significant others. Rather than allowing this to remain an obstacle, Freud seized on a brilliant, creative idea, which spawned a whole psychotherapeutic discipline, psychoanalysis: namely, that psychopathology could be most effectively resolved through analyzing this transference onto the analyst of pathogenic ideas and feelings. Implicit in this approach from the beginning, and increasingly clear and explicit via recent theoretical advances, is that analysis of transference is a complex transformational process, entailing the analyst’s interactive, intersubjective engagement with the patient. The classic formulation of analysis of transference as a complex transformational process is that of Strachey (1934). The analyst is seen as providing transformation by way of interrupting the patient’s “neurotic vicious circle” through “mutative transference interpretation” (p. 346). In essence, the patient’s transference toward the analyst is conceptualized as a superego projection onto the analyst. To the extent that the analyst responds to this projection with understanding, conveyed through a transference interpretation, rather than reacting in a way that confirms the projection, the patient introjects the understanding attitude of the analyst as a modification of his superego. The difficulty in
The development of an ESL OWL, or learning how to tutor writing online

Abstract This essay describes the development of an ESL OWL by grounding practices in language and literacy pedagogy theory. An initial discussion explores OWLs emulating physical writing center spaces. Two areas of concern are then addressed in meeting the needs of second language writers as they relate to practices and training for online tutoring: error correction—an area of frequent concern to second language writers—and increased interactivity—meeting second language writer expectations and creating autonomous learners. Issues of plagiarism by second language writers are discussed as related to the type of feedback OWL tutors can provide. Highlighted throughout are samples of interactions between tutors and writers that show a process of learning how to create dialogue rather than dictations from the tutor to clean up a single essay.
Mechanically Tunable Negative-Index Photonic Crystal Lens

We report the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-enabled mechanically tunable negative-index photonic crystal lens, which was comprised of 2-D photonic crystal and symmetrical electro-thermal actuators. The 2-D photonic crystal was made of a honeycomb lattice of silicon rods embedded in an SU-8 membrane. A silicon input waveguide and deflection block were also fabricated for light in-coupling and monitoring of focused spot size, respectively. When actuated, the electro-thermal actuators stretched the photonic crystal and consequently modified the photonic band structure. This, in turn, modified the focal length of the photonic crystal lens. The fabricated device was fully characterized using a tunable laser and an infrared camera while being actuated with a constant current source. The intensity and lateral spot size observed at the deflection block gradually increased as the applied current increased from 0 to 0.3 A. The observed behavior was in excellent agreement with finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, confirming the mechanical tuning of negative-index imaging.
Attenuation correction of small animal SPECT images acquired with /sup 125/I-iodorotenone

Iodine-125 is an inexpensive and widely available radioisotope that is used frequently in biological experiments. It is also possible to perform small animal imaging experiments with this isotope, although its low photon energy (27.5 keV) may lead to significant photon attenuation. We have developed a method to calibrate x-ray computed tomography (CT) image data in order to use microCT images to provide objective specific attenuation maps that are included in an iterative reconstruction algorithm to correct for photon attenuation. Phantom experiments with iodine-125 show that this method can compensate for the effects of photon attenuation. A uniform phantom (3.8 cm diameter) imaged without attenuation correction has a decrease in image intensity at its center of approximately 25%, but reconstruction with attenuation correction virtually eliminates the decreased image intensity in the center of the phantom. Using /sup 125/I-iodorotenone, an experimental myocardial flow tracer, we demonstrate photon attenuation correction for iodine-125 imaging in a rat. The addition of attenuation correction improves the uniformity of the resulting perfusion images, better matching the results obtained with autoradiography.
The new mechanical engineering curriculum at the University of Michigan

This paper describes the new undergraduate program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The restructuring of the program was initiated by a comprehensive review in 1992 that included surveys of alumni, students, and industrial representatives, as well as faculty assessment of current trends and future needs. The program is intended to address the changing backgrounds of incoming students, to prepare the students for new and diverse challenges in the workplace, and to provide a structure for the curriculum to evolve with changing technology. The new curriculum consists of three integrated courses in Design and Manufacturing, two Laboratory courses, and several redesigned courses in the Engineering Sciences. The redesigned program provides students with extensive hands-on experience, a comprehensive experience in teamwork and technical communication, and the opportunity to exercise and develop their creativity.
DETECTION AND INCIDENCE OF Geotrichum candidum IN FROZEN BLANCHED VEGETABLES

Trials in which frozen vegetables had been inoculated with known concentrations of Geotrichum filaments showed that two steeping and washing procedures permitted recoveries of over 70%. Application of one method to frozen blanched vegetables processed in 24 factories revealed 16% of the packages to contain Georrichum with an average count of 170 filaments per 500g in the Geotrichum-positive samples. There was little correlation between aerobic plate counts and the incidence of the mold. In-plant studies revealed that most of the Geotrichum filaments on pre-blanch samples of green beans were removed by blanching and hydro-cooling.
Cholesterol screening in children: insights from Project HeartBeat! and NHANES III

Abstract Cholesterol screening in children and adolescents with a positive family history of cardiovascular disease or parental history of hypercholesterolemia was recommended by the Expert Panel on Blood Cholesterol Levels in Children and Adolescents in 1991. A serum total cholesterol concentration of 170–199 mg/dl is classified as ‘borderline’ and 200 mg/dl or greater as ‘high’, for males and females aged 2–19 years. The cutpoints, 170 and 200 mg/dl were thought to approximate the 75th and 95th percentiles of the Lipid Research Clinics Prevalence Study (North America) distribution for ages 0–19 years. However, total cholesterol concentration varies by age and sex in childhood and adolescence. This knowledge prompted analysis of recent data from Project HeartBeat!, a community-based longitudinal study in Texas, and from a national population sample survey, the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, to investigate the impact of this variation on projected screening results. Effects of age (from 8 to 17 years), sex, and race (black and non-black or white) were evaluated through linear regression techniques. The models demonstrate a marked decline in serum total cholesterol concentration with age following the pre-teen peak. Significant effects of sex are observed in both data sets and by race in one of them. The 75th and 95th percentile values range from 164 to 200 and 193 to 229 mg/dl, respectively, with the highest values at the earliest ages. Substantially greater proportions of children and adolescents than 25% or 5% would be screened positive at cutpoints of 170 or 200 mg/dl, especially at younger ages—but for older males smaller proportions would be positive. Considering the merits of variable vs. fixed screening criteria for total cholesterol concentration, we conclude that age- and sex-specific criteria are preferable for selective screening.
Steady-state ranked Gibbs sampler

Gibbs sampler as a computer-intensive algorithm is an important statistical tool both in application and in theoretical work. This algorithm, in many cases, is time-consuming; this paper extends the concept of using the steady-state ranked simulated sampling approach, utilized in Monte Carlo methods by Samawi [On the approximation of multiple integrals using steady state ranked simulated sampling, 2010, submitted for publication], to improve the well-known Gibbs sampling algorithm. It is demonstrated that this approach provides unbiased estimators, in the case of estimating the means and the distribution function, and substantially improves the performance of the Gibbs sampling algorithm and convergence, which results in a significant reduction in the costs and time required to attain a certain level of accuracy. Similar to Casella and George [Explaining the Gibbs sampler, Am. Statist. 46(3) (1992), pp. 167–174], we provide some analytical properties in simple cases and compare the performance of our meth...
Low Dielectric, Hydrophobic Polyimide Homopolymers and Poly(Siloxane Imide) Segmented Copolymers for Electronic Applications

Polyimides generally possess excellent thermal and mechanical properties, making them attractive candidates for high performance applications. To be useful for microelectronic applications, however, these materials must also be good insulators, as well as be readily processable. The incorporation of flexible polysiloxane segments into the polyimide backbone structure has been shown to yield soluble, processable copolyimides with good thermal and mechanical properties. In addition, the siloxane component imparts a number of other significant benefits for electronic applications. These include reduced water sorption, surface modification , good thermal and ultraviolet stability , and resistance to degradation in oxygen plasma environments . For polar polyimide systems, siloxane incorporation will also reduce the dielectric constant . The use of other less polar, more hydrophobic monomers will consistently yield soluble systems with lower dielectric constants as well. In this work, a series of high molecular weight, soluble polyimide homopolymers and segmented polysiloxane-polyimide copolymers were synthesized by a solution technique. The solution procedure, conducted at lower temperatures (˜170°C) than the classical bulk thermal imidization (300°C), has been shown to yield polyimides of enhanced solubility. In order to further enhance processability, molecular weight was controlled through the incorporation of monofunctional reagents such as phthalic anhydride and maleic anhydride, yielding nonreactive or potentially reactive endgroups, respectively. A series of maleic anhydride terminated imide oligomers with varying molecular weights were synthesized based upon the hexafluoropropane linked dianhydride and bisaniline diamine. In their oligomeric state, they exhibited enhanced solubility compared with their linear high molecular weight analogue. As these monomers were relatively nonpolar and hydrophobic, they afforded polyimides of low dielectric constant and a low level of water sorption. After thermally crosslinking the endgroups , the advantages of insoluble network systems could be realized. Particular advantages for electronic applications include thermal and dimensional stability over a wide temperature range, good mechanical properties, and chemical resistance. Structure-property characterization, including water sorption, dielectric constants, solubility behavior and thermal/mechanical properties will be reported.
Ichthyophonus in Puget Sound Rockfish from the San Juan Islands Archipelago and Puget Sound, Washington, USA

Abstract In vitro explant cultures identified Ichthyophonus in 10.9% of 302 Puget Sound rockfish Sebastes emphaeus sampled from five sites in the San Juan Islands archipelago and Puget Sound, Washington, in 2003. None of the infected fish exhibited visible lesions and only a single fish was histologically positive. Significantly more females were infected (12.4%) than males (6.8%), and while infected males were only detected at two of the five sites, infected females were identified at all sites, with no significant differences in infection prevalence. Genomic sequences of Ichthyophonus isolates obtained from Puget Sound rockfish, Pacific herring Clupea pallasii, and Yukon River Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha were identical in both the A and B regions of the small subunit 18S ribosomal DNA but were different from Ichthyophonus sequences previously isolated from four different species of rockfish from the northeastern Pacific Ocean. Ich-thyophonus in Puget Sound rockfish may not have been previous...
An intelligent agent for the game of Age of Mythology: the Titans

In this paper, we describe an intelligent agent for the game of Age of Mythology: the Titans. Through implementing known economic theories that were developed by some of the world’s best players, the agent has a superior rushing performance when compared with the original game engine. Specifically the agent looks to reduce unspent resources and tailor the gathering of resources for military unit production in order to push out the first attack before the opponent and to outnumber the opponent’s army when the attack arrives. The increased efficiency in military production has led to better protection of resource gatherers, buildings, and expanded territory, and pinned the opponent to its own base. In our experiments, the overall win-loss record for the agent is 35 wins and 10 losses. Though our focus in the study is on the Rush tactic, the approach we adopt can be applied to other aspects of the game.
Feasibility and efficacy of different tracheal occlusion methods in a fetal rat model

A FETAL RAT MODEL LOURENCO SBRAGIA, JAAN TOELEN, RIK GIJSBERS, PAUL LEWI, DEBYSER ZEGER, JAN DEPREST, Catholic University Leuven, Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Leuven, Belgium, Catholic University Leuven, Woman and Child, Leuven, Belgium OBJECTIVE: Tracheal occlusion (TO) triggers lung growth and may therefore be considered in cases of severe lung hypoplasia associated to isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Most experimental studies are done in sheep and rabbits with surgically induced CDH. Toxic murine models have the advantage that molecular and genetic studies are easier. However experience with TO in these smaller models is limited. We aimed to establish feasibility of TO in fetal rats in our hands. STUDY DESIGN: Time mated pregnant Wistar rat (term=21 days) underwent at E19 general anesthesia, laparotomy and hystertomomy in max 50% of fetuses, to carry out either ligation (n=20), coagulation (n=20), microclipping (n=20) or a sham (n=20) operation on the fetal trachea. These and unmanipulated fetuses (internal controls; n=20) were harvested at E21 to determine survival, lung weight (LW), body weight (BW) and lung to body weight ratio (LBWR). Adequate lung response was defined as lung weight C 2SD above that of controls. To assess the effects of anesthesia and surgery, 20 fetuses were also harvested in unmanipulated rats (external controls; n=20). (Table; *p!0.05 comparing to controls). RESULTS: Fetuses from non-operated mothers weighed more at birth (p!0.005). TO at E19 increases LW and LBWR, but response was best after clipping (efficacy =64%; p!0.005). Fetal surgery decreased BW and LW but not LBWR. TO increases LBWR independent of technique (p!0.005). CONCLUSION: In a fetal rat model, tracheal microclipping is well tolerated and was most effective in increasing lung weight. These experiments will now be repeated with nitrofen exposed fetuses.
Censoring in distributed radar tracking systems with various feedback models

In this paper, various methods to control censoring of local state estimates in a distributed multisensor radar tracking system are proposed. The data flow architectures that are used include three different feedback methods in order to achieve the goal of adequate state estimation using the fewest number of local state estimates sent to the fusion center as possible. The main novelty introduced in this paper is the use of J-Divergence for censoring the local state estimates in conjunction with the various feedback architectures. A simulation was run on these architectures with three spatially diverse sensors and a simple non-maneuvering target. Results show that distributed architectures that provide feedback from the fusion center to the local censoring processes or to the local state estimators, yield better estimates with more one-way communication savings.
Small Cell Lung Cancer

Among patients with lung cancers, the proportion of those with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has decreased over the last decade. SCLC is staged as limited-stage disease and extensive-stage disease. Standard staging procedures for SCLC include CT scans of the chest and abdomen, bone scan, and CT scan or MRI of the brain. The role for positron emission tomography scanning in the staging of SCLC has yet to be defined. Limited-stage disease is treated with curative intent with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, with approximately 20% of patients achieving a cure. The median survival time for patients with limited-stage disease is approximately 18 months. Extensive-stage disease is treated primarily with chemotherapy, with a high initial response rate of 60 to 70% and a complete response rate of 20 to 30%, but with a median survival time of approximately 9 months. Patients achieving a complete remission should be offered prophylactic cranial irradiation. Currently, there is no role for maintenance treatment or bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of patients with SCLC. Relapsed or refractory SCLC has a uniformly poor prognosis. In this section, evidence-based guidelines for the staging and treatment of SCLC are outlined.
Apolipoprotein A-IV regulates chylomicron metabolism - mechanism and function

Dietary fat is an important mediator of atherosclerosis and obesity. Despite its importance in mediating metabolic disease, there is still much unknown about dietary fat absorption in the intestine and especially the detailed biological roles of intestinal apolipoproteins involved in that process. We were specifically interested in determining the physiological role of the intestinal apolipoprotein A-IV (A-IV) using A-IV knockout (KO) mice. A-IV is stimulated by fat absorption in the intestine and is secreted on nascent chylomicrons into intestinal lymph. We found that A-IV KO mice had reduced plasma triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol levels and that this hypolipidemia persisted on a high-fat diet. A-IV KO did not cause abnormal intestinal lipid absorption, food intake, or adiposity. Additionally, A-IV KO did not cause abnormal liver TG and cholesterol metabolism, as assessed by measuring hepatic lipid content, lipogenic and cholesterol synthetic gene expression, and in vivo VLDL secretion. Instead, A-IV KO resulted in the secretion of larger chylomicrons from the intestine into the lymph, and those chylomicrons were cleared from the plasma more slowly than wild-type chylomicrons. These data suggest that A-IV has a previously unknown role in mediating the metabolism of chylomicrons, and therefore may be important in regulating plasma lipid metabolism.
Minimum-power multicast routing in static ad hoc wireless networks

Wieselthier et al. (2000) proposed three greedy heuristics for Min-Power Asymmetric Broadcast Routing: SPT (shortest-path tree), MST (minimum spanning tree), and BIP (broadcasting incremental power). Wan et al. (2001) proved that SPT has an approximation ratio of at least (n/2) where n is the total number of nodes, and both MST and BIP have constant approximation ratios. Based on the approach of pruning, Wieselthier et al. also proposed three greedy heuristics for Min-Power Asymmetric Multicast Routing: P-SPT (pruned shortest-path tree), P-MST (pruned minimum spanning tree), and P-BIP (pruned broadcasting incremental power). In this paper, we first prove that the approximation ratios of these three heuristics are at least (n-1/2),n-1, and n-2-o(1), respectively. We then present constant-approxiation algorithms for Min-Power Asymmetric Multicast Routing. We show that any /spl rho/-approximation Steiner tree algorithm gives rise to a c/spl rho/-approximation heuristic for Min-Power Asymmetric Multicast Routing, where c is a constant between 6 and 12. In particular, the Takahashi-Matsuyama Steiner tree heuristic leads to a heuristic called SPF (shortest-path first), which has an approximation ratio of at most 2c. We also present another heuristic, called MIPF (minimum incremental path first), for Min-Power Asymmetric Multicast Routing and show that its approximation ratio is between (13/3) and 2c. Both SPF and MIPF can be regarded as an adaptation of MST and BIP, respectively, in a different manner than pruning. Finally, we prove that any /spl rho/-approximation Steiner tree algorithm also gives rise to a 2/spl rho/-approximation algorithm for Min-Power Symmetric Multicast Routing.
Global dynamics of nucleosome arrays: influence of variant histone H2A.Z

Nucleosomal arrays are one of the fundamental levels of chromatin organization. They often occur in the gene promoter areas, thus being important for transcription regulation. Investigating the effect of variant histone H2A.Z over the dynamic structure of single nucleosomes and their arrays is important for understanding the transcription within chromatin. Recently we highlighted the influence of histone variants over the functional dynamics of single nucleosome. The present work further analyzes the higher order structures of the nucleosome arrays (dimer, trimer and tetramer) with regular histones as well as with H2A.Z variant. The analysis reveals that the modeled nucleosome dimer with both histone types exhibits a completely relaxed motion with respect to the linker DNA. The dimer also possesses the symmetric dynamics as of the monomeric nucleosome more pronounced in the dimer of variant histones. The trimer expresses larger amplitude of dynamics either by keeping the central nucleosome as a rigid one or the edged nucleosome as a rigid domain in the global modes. The tetramer expresses a symmetric coupled dynamics between the two non-adjacent nucleosomes, consistent with the collective motion of the trimer in the second slowest mode. Like those of the dimer, the dynamics of the trimer and tetramer are considerably enhanced by the presence of variant histone H2A.Z as follows from the larger fluctuations in the respective conformations.
Randomized trial of a Slip-Coat cannula for early abortion

Abstract The objective of the study was to determine the effectiveness of a 6-mm coated cannula with Slip-Coat lubrication to avoid mechanical dilatation for abortion up to 7 1 2 weeks gestation. A blinded, randomized control trial of 50 healthy women, ≥18 years old, up to 54 days pregnant by ultrasound, requesting a surgical abortion was conducted. A successful outcome was defined as a completed abortion without the need for mechanical cervical dilatation. Of the 50 women, 29 received a Slip-Coat cannula, and 21 received a standard cannula. There were no overall differences in efficacy of the Slip-Coat cannula (17/29 or 59%) compared with the control group (12/21 or 57%, p = 0.91), or the acceptability of the procedure (93% versus 91%, respectively, p = 0.74), the level of pain (48 vs. 35, respectively, p = 0.052), acceptability of pain (66% vs. 67%, respectively, p = 0.93), or acceptability of bleeding (90% vs. 86%, respectively, p = 0.67). It was concluded that Slip-Coat cannulae were more effective than standard control cannulae for women who had no prior live births (6/10 or 60% vs. 0/7 or 0%, respectively, p = 0.01). This finding warrants further study.
Development of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors in cancer therapy

The matrix metalloproteinases represent an attractive target for cancer treatment, and a number of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors are undergoing clinical trials. The results of these studies will establish whether any of these compounds are therapeutically useful. Independent of the conclusions from the first generation of studies, the field of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors remains attractive for creative and innovative research. In the future, the development of novel, less toxic, and more effective matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors, and the combination of conventional agents with these novel anticancer agents will constitute the main focus of research efforts.