cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Consistency of Stromgren-Beta Photometry for Northern Galactic Clusters. I - The Hyades and Coma

We have compared the Hyades, Coma, and a set of field standard stars in the V and Stromgren-Beta systems. If Stromgren data by Crawford and his collaborators are considered, all the data turn out to be on the same system; no corrections as large as several mmag are required to achieve this state. For Beta, similar consistency between the Hyades and Coma is already known to exist. We find that for the standard stars, Beta values from the literature are consistent with the Hyades-Coma system. For V, we adopt corrections derived previously by Joner and Taylor for published cluster photometry. Given these corrections, we find that within rather generous accidental-error limits, the V systems for the field star and the clusters agree. With one puzzling exception (namely, b - y for the field stars and the Hyades), recent results published by Stetson agree with ours. Because our result is from direct comparison, we suggest that it should be preferred in this case. However, we also note the need for further comparison between our adopted standard stars and the Gronbech-Olsen stars which Stetson used.
Drag coefficient equations for small particles in high speed flows

The paper determines the effect of various available drag coefficient equations on particle velocity calculations for typical two phase flows encountered in supersonic and turbulent laser velocimeter applications. The predictions of the particle drag coefficient equations are compared with experimental sphere drag data. For the laser velocimeter applications, the relative Mach number less than 2 and the relative Reynolds number less than 200 are of particular importance.
Interpretation of the observed age-dependency of cadmium body burdens in man☆

A one-compartment model for cadmium accumulation in the human body is used to assess the impact on cadmium body burdens of recent increases in environmental levels of cadmium, changes in smoking patterns, and age-dependent morphological or functional changes in the kidney. The model suggests that the observed decline in kidney cadmium concentrations after about age 45 cannot be explained by changes in environmental levels of cadmium and smoking patterns alone. The inclusion of age-dependent renal changes brings model predictions into line with observations. An age-dependent biological half-time for cadmium is a necessary consequence of the assumed renal change.
Display Aids for Remote Control of Untethered Undersea Vehicles

A "predictor" display superimposed on slow-scan video or sonar data is proposed as a method to allow better remote manual control of an untethered submersible. Simulation experiments show good control under circumstances which otherwise make control practically impossible.
The use of a minicomputer for on-line control of a taxi fleet

As a direct data interface between dispatcher and driver, a 4K minicomputer with a very efficient program helps resolve many thorny problems in large fleet dispatching. Data bursts of 300 mS at the beginning of each radio transmission reliably convey the identification and address information with little interference to voice transmissions. The concept of city-wide as opposed to zone coverage is feasible due to the even loading of dispatchers made possible by random access to any channel. Performance objectives of more rapid dispatching, improved load factor on vehicles, and better management are being met, with the result that an early expansion and the addition of other facilities is predicted.
FUNGAL ENDOPHYTES IN OAK TREES: EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSES OF INTERACTIONS WITH LEAFMINERS

Endophytic fungi are diverse and abundant in woody plants and are thought to increase resistance of host trees to invertebrate and vertebrate herbivores. We performed two experimental manipulations of endophytic fungi in the field to test the long-term and short-term effects of individual endophyte species on growth, development, and survival of leafmining larvae of Cameraria sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae). In the first ex- periment, we compared long-term survival and mass of larvae surviving to pupation on branches with elevated infections of the endophytic fungus Asteromella sp. to survival and mass of larvae inhabiting control branches. In the second experiment, we compared short- term survival, developmental time, and mass of pupae in mines injected with one of three common endophytic fungal species Asteromella sp., Plectophomella sp., or a filamentous yeast, relative to controls. Long-term survival and size of surviving larvae did not differ between leafminers on control branches and leafminers on branches with elevated endophyte infections. Likewise, larvae within mines injected with known quantities of spores and hyphae from three en- dophytic fungal species did not differ in survival or pupal mass from larvae in control mines. However, larvae in leaf mines injected with two of the endophytes developed more slowly than did larvae in control branches and thus may suffer more mortality from leaf abcission. Our results call into question the generality of mutualisms between endophytic fungi and their host plants predicated on increasing resistance to macroherbivores. Interactions between micro- and macroherbivores in foliage of woody plants are likely to be as highly variable and complex as interactions in other well-studied communities.
Rurality and well-being during the middle years of life

Popular stereotypes and theorizing by social scientists suggest that rural people are more satisfied with their communities and happier with their life situations than are their nonrural counterparts. This enhanced well-being is believed to result at least partly from the presence of kinship and friendship ties in the local community and the adherence to traditional religious beliefs. Data from a panel study of nearly 1200 middle aged persons from Pennsylvania surveyed in 1971 and 1984 provided indices of community satisfaction and happiness. When income was controlled, country residents expressed slightly higher levels of community satisfaction than did town or urban dwellers in both time periods. Happiness was not related to residence location. Income was a relatively more important predictor of community satisfaction and happiness among urban than among country residents, while number of friends was relatively more important for rural residents. Number of kin living nearby and adherence to traditional religious beliefs were not related to well-being regardless of residence location.
Nonlinear functional modeling of scalp recorded auditory evoked responses to maximum length sequences

The purpose of this study was to model the adult human's scalp recorded evoked response to auditory pulses separated by varying inter pulse intervals (IPIs). The responses modeled probably reflect auditory nerve and brainstem generators. The subjects were 10 young adult humans with normal hearing. They were presented pseudo random sequences of pulses (maximum length sequences, MLSs) in order to characterize their system response. For the stimuli and the responses modeled accounting for temporal nonlinearities (interactions among the pulses) improved model performance only marginally. Nonlinear contributions to the models decreased with increasing interval between the input pulses. Increasing the memory of the model beyond 20 ms did not increase modeled performance dramatically. Model performance varied as a function of minimum IPI (MIPI) of the MLSs. At the shortest MIPI overall model performance deteriorated (due, in part, to a decrease in SNR), but nonlinear effects became relatively more important. At the longest MIPI performance also deteriorated, possibly due to the increasing influence of longer latency, more variable evoked potential components. Modeled performance generalized to responses recorded in the same recording session to the same and different MLSs. This study confirms the similarity between MLS linear kernels and conventionally averaged evoked responses- both are adapted responses reflecting the IPIs of the evoking stimuli.
32 DOSE DEPENDENT EFFECTS OF METHYLPHENIDATE ON HYPERACTIVE CHILDREN

The clinical problem of hyperactivity is primarily regarded as an attentional deficit. The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature of this attentional deficit and the effect of various dosage schedules of methylphenidate (MP) upon it. 41 hyperactive (HA) children, ages 7-11 years, were tested prior to drug, at two week intervals for eight weeks, after eight weeks on maximum dosage, and after two weeks off drug. Initial dosage was .2 mg/kg and, in the absence of adverse effects, was increased by .2 mg/kg every two weeks up to .8 mg/kg/day. 33 of the 41 subjects were judged to successfully respond to MP . There was a significant improvement in parent and teacher's rating scores and a significant increase in accuracy in attentional performance from pre-drug to end of drug treatment; further there were significant decrements in these measures during the off-drug period. The mean dosage at which greatest response was obtained was .4-.5 mg/kg. Increasing dosage beyond this range did not improve ratings or performance for most drug responders. These findings provide objective evidence that methylphenidate often improves the ability to sustain attention, decreases impulsive responding, and improves behavior as rated by parents and teachers. Such improvement is achieved with relatively low dosage schedules. Higher doses are associated with the appearance of adverse personality changes, such as nervousness, apathy, and aggression, and defeat the purposes of improving school or social adaptation of hyperactive children.
Lipid and other changes occurring during the fermentation and frying of tempeh

Abstract Three phases can be distinguished in the tempeh fermentation of soybeans with Rhizopus oligosporus . During the first phase a rapid increase in free fatty acid (FFA) content, number of bacteria and temperature is observed, along with a copious growth of the mould. The second phase is characterised by little or no change in FFA content, bacterial and mould growth and by a declining temperature. During the third phase the FFA development and bacterial growth recommence. Organoleptically, tempeh scores best at the end of the first phase ( 30 h at 32 ° C) and keeps its good quality during the second phase (one additional day at 32 ° C), but deteriorates rapidly during the third phase. Upon frying in coconut oil, tempeh undergoes a sharp reduction in FFA content with a concomitant increase in the FFA content of the frying oil. While frying alters the percentage composition of the glycerides of tempeh because of coconut oil absorption, the glyceride composition of the frying oil barely changes.
Is it just reading?: Comments on the papers by Mann, Morrison, and Wolford and Fowler

Abstract Comments on the stimulating papers by V. A. Mann (Reading skill and language skill. Developmental Review, 1984, 4, 1–15) , F. Morrison (Reading disability: A problem in rule learning and word decoding. Developmental Review, 1984, 4, 36–47) , and G. Wolford and C. A. Fowler (Differential use of partial information by good and poor readers. Developmental Review, 1984, 4, 16–35) come under four headings. First, their differences with respect to the organizing themes are identified. Second, the central difficulty, for theories of reading disability, posed by the high correlation between reading and IQ, and ways of dealing with this difficulty, are discussed. In the third and fourth sections, comments on the individual papers and a summary of the main lessons to be learned from this collection are presented.
Growth of nanometer‐size metallic particles on CaF2(111)

Fe, Co, and Ag particles grown on various CaF2 substrates have been studied using ultrahigh vacuum scanning electron microscopy with nanometer resolution. Fe and Co show a very high nucleation density which is remarkably independent of deposition temperature in the range 20<T<300 °C, on both bulk CaF2(111), and on thin CaF2(111) films grown on Si(111). This feature is characteristic of nucleation at defect sites with a high trapping energy. An atomistic nucleation model has been extended to cover this case. The comparison with experiment requires adsorption, pair binding, and defect trapping energies all to be around 1 eV. The trapping sites occupy 1% of the surface, and are thought to be chemical (F‐vacancy, oxide, or hydroxide) in nature. In contrast, the growth of Ag on the same substrates shows a more usual nucleation and growth pattern, though the growth of Ag on Fe islands shows interesting features which are discussed. A self‐similar coalescence model is tested using the data obtained. The agreement is excellent for Ag, while Co and Fe show the expected deviations due to limited surface diffusion around the islands.
Outcomes studies of epiglottic and base of tongue prolapse in children.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare previously reported flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy (FFL) findings of a grading system for children with epiglottic and base of tongue (EBT) prolapse with findings at follow-up FFL. Surgical outcomes and tracheotomy decannulation are also reported. Study Design: Retrospective medical record review. Methods: Fourteen children with EBT prolapse had transnasal FFL in the supine position on at least two occasions. Findings were graded for initial versus most recent FFL. The previously published EBT prolapse grading system was reapplied. Mean age was 8.7 years at the last evaluation. Mean interval between initial and most recent FFL was 1.9 years. Results: At follow-up FFL, six (43%) children had the same grade of EBT prolapse, five (36%) had a milder grade, and three (21%) had a more severe grade. Five (36%) children were decannulated, and nine (64%) children remain tracheotomy dependant. Of nine children who had surgery, four (44%) were decannulated. Eight (89%) of nine children who were not decannulated have a history of developmental delay (P < .03). Twelve (86%) children had gastroesophageal reflux disease, and six (43%) had abnormal swallowing function. Conclusions: The grading system was successfully reapplied to compare initial with follow-up findings in a cohort of children with EBT prolapse. Gastroesophageal reflux disease and swallowing dysfunction are common in this population. Judicious surgery may have some efficacy for EBT prolapse in selected patients. Many children with EBT prolapse still require tracheotomy, especially those with developmental delay.
Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Severe Mood Disorders in an Acute Psychiatric Naturalistic Setting: A Benchmarking Study

The current study examined the effectiveness of brief cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for severe mood disorders in an acute naturalistic setting. The sample included 951 individuals with either major depressive disorder (n = 857) or bipolar disorder with depressed mood (n = 94). Participants completed a battery of self-report measures assessing depression, overall well-being, and a range of secondary outcomes both before and after treatment. We found significant reductions in depressive symptoms, worry, self-harm, emotional lability, and substance abuse, as well as significant improvements in well-being and interpersonal relationships, post-treatment. Comparable to outpatient studies, 30% of the sample evidenced recovery from depression. Comparison of findings to benchmark studies indicated that, although the current sample started treatment with severe depressive symptoms and were in treatment for average of only 10 days, the overall magnitude of symptom improvement was similar to that of randomized controlled trials. Limitations of the study include a lack of control group, a limitation of most naturalistic studies. These findings indicate that interventions developed in controlled research settings on the efficacy of CBT can be transported to naturalistic, "real world" settings, and that brief CBT delivered in a partial hospital program is effective for many patients with severe depressive symptoms.
Identification of Melanoma Antigens That Are Immunogenic in Humans and Expressed In Vivo

Background: In the development of an antimelanoma vaccine, a critical factor is the identification of antigens that induce a strong immune response in humans and that are expressed by melanoma cells in vivo. The aim of this study was to identify candidate antigens for such vaccine. Methods: Sixtynine patients with surgically resected melanomas (American Joint Commission on Cancer [AJCC] stage III) were immunized with a polyvalent vaccine containing multiple melanoma antigens. Antimelanoma antibodies generated in the patients’ sera were used as probes to identify the melanoma antigens that are immunogenic in humans and that are expressed on the tumor tissue in vivo. Such responses were determined by an immunoblotting assay that employed an antigen source prepared from membrane fractions of freshly excised melanoma tissue. Results and Conclusions: Vaccine treatment stimulated antibody responses in 35 (51%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 39%‐63%) of 69 sequentially enrolled patients. The antibodies were directed to one or more antigens with molecular masses of 45, 59, 68, 79, 89, 95, and/or 110 kd. The most immunogenic antigens were p110 and p68, which induced responses in 33% (95% CI = 22%‐44%) and 25% (95% CI = 15%‐35%) of patients, respectively. Both antigens were commonly expressed on different melanomas, but they were absent on autologous normal tissue and on an unrelated allogeneic tumor. All the above antigens are attractive candidates for vaccine construction. [J Natl Cancer Inst 1998;90:
Expression of neuronal and glial polypeptides during histogenesis of the human cerebellar cortex including observations on the dentate nucleus.

In order to gain a more complete understanding of the sequential pattern of gene expression during neurogenesis and gliogenesis in humans, we followed the expression of well-characterized, developmentally regulated polypeptides in the cerebellar cortex and dentate nucleus by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies of highly defined specificity. At 8–10 weeks gestational age (GA), progenitor cells and their immediate progeny in the rhombencephalic ventricular zone expressed vimentin and nestin and, to a lesser extent, microtubule-associated protein 5 (MAP5) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), but not the low affinity nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR). In contrast, postmitotic, migrating immature neurons in the intermediate zone gave strong reactions for MAP2, tau, and a nonphosphorylated form of middle molecular weight neurofilament (NF) protein (NF-M) and weak reactivity for NGFR. At 15 weeks GA, proliferating cells of the superficial part of the cerebellar external granular layer stained only for NGFR, while more deeply situated cells of the external granular layer stained positively for NGFR, MAP2, MAP5, tau, and chromogranin A, which correlates with the early outgrowth of parallel fibers. All phosphoisoforms of NF-M as well as the low (NF-L) and high (NF-H) molecular weight NF proteins and alpha-internexin were expressed in the somatodendritic domain of Purkinje cells and dentate nucleus neurons from about 20 weeks GA with a gradual compartmentalization of highly phosphorylated forms of NF-M and NF-H into axons by the end of gestation. Alpha-internexin was also expressed strongly in axons of the deep white matter from 20 weeks GA to adulthood. MAP2, synaptophysin, and NGFR showed early, transient expression in the somatodendritic domain of Purkinje cells followed by the appearance of a 220 kDa nestin-like peptide that continued to be expressed in adult Purkinje cells. Notably, developing dentate nucleus neurons expressed many of these proteins in a similar temporal sequence. Early in the developing cerebellar cortex, the expression of NF protein and synaptophysin occurred in discrete patches or columns similar to those described for other antigens (i.e., zebrins). Finally, radial glia were positive for vimentin, GFAP, and nestin from 8 weeks GA to 8 months postnatal. This study describes the distinct molecular programs of lineage commitment in cerebellar progenitor cells and in differentiating neurons and astrocytes of the human cerebellum. The acquisition of a mature molecular neuronal phenotype correlates with the establishment of structural polarity in cerebellar neurons. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sire Evaluation By Second Lactation Records of Daughters

Abstract A model describing the selection of cows to have a second lactation is developed. This model allows for factors independent of milk yield in first lactation to influence the variable upon which selection is based. Under this model a procedure for estimating the biases in best linear unbiased predictors, which assume no selection, is presented. This procedure was used to obtain estimates of biases for 1109 Holstein sires in artificial insemination in the northeastern United States. Estimated biases for assumed selection models were small relative to changes in ranking of bulls from first to second lactations of daughters. Rank correlation was .77 between rank of bulls based on first lactation and rank for second lactations of daughters where selection is ignored.
Gastroschisis: a plea for risk categorization

Abstract Background: The incidence of gastroschisis has increased in the past decade. A differing clinical course between "complex" (those with atresias, perforation, or stenosis) and "simple" cases has prompted a review of risk assessment factors. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of 103 infants with gastroschisis over 5 years (1992 to 1997). Results: Of 103 infants, 52 were girls and 51 were boys. Seventy-one infants (69%) had a simple defect, and 32 (31%) were complex. The simple group had an average estimated gestational age of 37.5 weeks (range, 26 to 40), and a birth weight of 3.0 kg (range, 1.7 to 3.8). A total of 71% underwent primary repair, whereas 29% required a silo. Mechanical ventilation averaged 6.8 days (range, 1 to 19). Enteral feedings were initiated at 15 days (range, 3 to 27) with full enteral intake achieved by 22.4 days (range, 5 to 40). Three infants required home parenteral nutrition. The average length of stay (LOS) was 26.4 days (range, 10 to 57). Complications occurred in 26 infants (36%), including intravenous catheter sepsis (n = 15), pneumatosis (n = 2), pneumonia (n = 1), bowel obstruction (n = 7), wound infection (n = 5), and SVC thrombosis (n = 1). Survival rate was 100%. Thirty-two infants had complex defects; 27 patients had atresias, stenosis, or perforations; and 3 had volvulus. The average estimated gestational age was 34 weeks (range, 26 to 38), and birth weight was 2.0 kg (range, 0.9 to 4.0). Primary repair was performed in 65% and silo placement in 35%. Mechanical ventilation was required for 22.3 days (range, 2 to 14). Enteral feedings were initiated at 22.5 days (range, 6 to 56) with full feedings achieved at 50 days (range, 21 to 113). Fourteen infants required home total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The LOS was 85.4 days (range, 24 to 270). A total of 47 complications occurred in the complex group including catheter sepsis (n = 15), short bowel syndrome (n = 7), pneumatosis (n = 3), bowel obstruction (n = 4), pneumonia (n = 2), superior vena cava thrombosis (n = 1), enterocutaneous fistula (n = 1), and 9 deaths (28% mortality rate). Conclusions: These data indicate gastroschisis can be divided into low-risk (simple) and high-risk (complex) categories. These 2 groups have significant differences in clinical behavior, postsurgical complications, LOS, and mortality rate (0 v 28%). Although the overall survival rate was 91% (94 of 103), parents, referring physicians, and insurers must be made aware of the impact of risk categorization on the estimated cost, LOS, and outcomes. J Pediatr Surg 36:51-55. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Early participant attrition from clinical trials: role of trial design and logistics.

Background Participant attrition from randomized controlled trials reduces the statistical power of the study and can potentially introduce bias. Early identification of potential causes of attrition can help reduce patient attrition. We performed secondary analyses of two trials involving cancer patients.Purpose To identify predictors of attrition during two early phases, i.e., from consent to screening (Phase-1), and from screening to intake interview (Phase-2) in two clinical trials.Methods Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were asked to enroll in one of two clinical trials. In each trial the benefits of a cognitive behavioral intervention were compared with a psycho-educational intervention to assist patients to manage cancer and treatment-related symptoms. Following consent patients were screened for their symptoms' severity to determine their eligibility.Results Of the 885 consenters 785 completed screening and of the 782 eligible for participation, 713 completed intake interview. In the first...
Obviation of Wheat Resistance to the Hessian Fly Through Systemic Induced Susceptibility

Unlike most documented plant-insect interactions, Hessian fly-resistance [Mayetiola destructor (Say)] in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is initiated by a gene-for-gene recognition event in which plants carrying a specific R gene recognize salivary effectors encoded by a corresponding larval avirulence gene. However, dual infestation resulting from oviposition by virulent insects from 5 d before to 3 d after oviposition by avirulent insects on the same host plant, lead to systemic induced susceptibility, obviation of resistance, and ultimately the survival of both virulent and genetically avirulent progeny to adulthood. Simultaneous oviposition allowed greater survival of avirulent progeny than ovipositions separated by larger intervals. Because of the induction of plant resistance, hatch of avirulent larvae before virulent was more detrimental to rate of development than hatch of virulent before avirulent larvae. Obviation of resistance was not localized to the leaf being attacked by the virulent larvae, but also functioned across spatial distance into younger leaves. This research suggests that virulent Hessian fly larvae directly suppress the defense response of wheat, thus providing a refuge for avirulent genotypes, preserving diversity in field populations and increasing durability of deployed resistance genes.
Organization and Development of Brain Stem Auditory Nuclei of the Chicken: Dendritic Gradients in Nucleus Laminaris

Nucleus laminaris (NL) is a third-order auditory nucleus in the avian brain stem which receives spatially-segregated binaural inputs from the second-order magnocellular nuclei. The organization of dendritic structure in NL was examined in Golgi-impregnated brains from hatchling chickens. Quantitative analyses of dendritic size and number were made from camera lucida drawings of 135 neurons sampled from throughout the nucleus. The most significant results of this study may be summarized as follows: (1) The preponderant neuron in n. laminaris may be characterized as having a cylindrical-to-ovoid cell body, about 20 micrometer in diameter. The neurons comprising NL were found to be nearly completely homogeneous in issuing their dendrites in a bipolar fashion: one group of dendrites is clustered on the dorsal surface of the cells, the other group on the ventral. The dendrites of NL are contained within the glia-free neuropil surrounding the nucleus. From the rostromedial to the caudolateral poles of NL there is a gradient of increasing extension of the dendrites, increasing number of tertiary and higher-order dendrites, and increasing distance from the somata of the occurrence of branching. (2) The total dendritic size (sum of the dorsal) and ventral dendritic lengths of the cells) increases 3-fold from the rostromedial to the caudolateral poles of NL. About 50% of the variance in dendritic size is accounted for by the position of the cells in NL, and the gradient of dendritic size increase has the same orientation across NL as the tonotopic gradient of decreasing characteristic frequency in NL. (3) From the rostromedial pole to the caudolateral pole of NL there is an 11-fold decrease in the number of primary dendrites along a gradient coinciding with the length and frequency gradients. Sixty-six percent of the variance in dendrite number is accounted for by position in the nucleus. (4) The correlation of dorsal and ventral dendritic size on a cell-by-cell basis is not high (r = 0.47), indicating a fair amount of variability on the single-cell level. On the other hand, the average dorsal dendritic length within an isofrequency band in NL correlates very highly with the average ventral dendritic length. Thus, on an areal basis, the amount of dendritic surface area offered to the dorsal and ventral afferents is tightly regulated. (5) The dorsal and ventral dendrites have separate gradients of increasing length and number across NL. The dorsal gradients are skewed toward the rostrocaudal axis, while the ventral dendritic gradients are skewed mediolaterally. (6) There was no correlation between either dendritic size or number of primary dendrites and the size of the somata in NL, which remains relatively constant throughout the nucleus. Several hypotheses about the ontogenetic control of dendritic structure are examined in light of the above data. Of these, the hypotheses that the ontogeny of dendritic size and number is largely under afferent control receives a great deal of circumstantial support.
Improving Primary Care for Patients With Chronic Illness

The chronic care model is a guide to higher-quality chronic illness management within primary care. The model predicts that improvement in its 6 interrelated components—self-management support, clinical information systems, delivery system redesign, decision support, health care organization, and community resources—can produce system reform in which informed, activated patients interact with prepared, proactive practice teams. Case studies are provided describing how components of the chronic care model have been implemented in the primary care practices of 4 health care organizations.
On the aromaticity of heterocycles containing the amine nitrogen or the ether oxygen

A new method of predicting aromaticity [B. A. Hess, Jr. and L. J. Schaad, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 93, 305 (1971)] is extended to conjugated heterocyclic systems containing the amine nitrogen or the ether oxygen. Coulomb and resonance integrals for these atoms were determined using experimental heats of atomization. Empirical π bond energies for the carbon-heteroatom bonds were determined from heteroatom containing acyclic molecules. These were in turn used to calculate the HMO π resonance energies of a wide variety of heterocyclic compounds. An excellent correlation between calculated resonance energy and experimental aromaticity was found.
Molecular analysis of the INK4A and INK4B gene loci in human breast cancer cell lines and primary carcinomas

The INK4A and INK4B loci are located at 9p21 and have been implicated in the tumorigenesis of various human malignancies. The INK4A gene encodes two cell cycle regulators, p16(INK4A) and ARF, while INK4B encodes p15(INK4B). Previously, we have shown that the p16(INK4) tumor suppressor was not mutated or deleted in primary breast carcinomas. However, primary and metastatic breast carcinomas exhibited a relative hypomethylation of p16(INK4A), which is associated with expression, compared to normal breast tissue. The present study was conducted to determine if inactivation of p15(INK4B) and INK4A exon 1beta (ARF) are common events in breast carcinoma. Mutational analysis was performed by PCR-SSCP, and mRNA expression was evaluated by RT-PCR. Methylation-specific PCR was used to determine the methylation status of the p15(INK4B) promoter. Our results demonstrate that the p15(INK4B) gene was altered in 3 (21%) of the 14 breast cell lines; one had a silent mutation and two had homozygous deletion of the gene. None of the cell lines showed methylation of p15(INK4B). Two (14%) cell lines had homozygous deletion of INK4A exon 1beta. All normal and malignant breast tissue samples were wild-type and non-methylated for p15(INK4B) and wild-type for exon 1beta. Our results show that these structurally and functionally related genes are not invariably affected together, and the most frequently observed alteration at the INK4A and INK4B loci in breast carcinoma appears to be p16(INK4A) hypomethylation.
The distinctive nature of HER2-positive breast cancers.

The history of HER2 and trastuzumab treatment is a triumphal narrative of translational research. Dr. Harold Burstein writes that like all good stories, this one has a profound lesson: not all breast cancers are the same.
The occurrence of fingerprint characteristics as a two-dimensional poisson process

The individuality of n fingerprint is based on the configuration of occurences of the ten Galton characteristics ( ridge endings, forks, etc. ). A model ( Osterburg, Parthasarthy, Raghavan, Sclove, 1977 ) for the occurence of these characteristics, in terms of a grid of cells, is further developed. The occurence of the characteristics is modelled as a two-dimensional multivariate Poisson process. This approach allows one to treat multiple occurrences in a more satisfying way than in Osterburg, Parthasarathy, Raghavan and Sclove ( 1977 ) or Sclove ( 1978 )
IL-33 and M2a Alveolar Macrophages Promote Lung Defense against the Atypical Fungal Pathogen Pneumocystis murina

We have recently reported that mice deficient in the myeloid Src-family tyrosine kinases Hck, Fgr, and Lyn (Src triple knockout [TKO]) had augmented innate lung clearance of Pneumocystis murina that correlated with a higher ability of alveolar macrophages (AMs) from these mice to kill P. murina. In this article, we show that despite possessing enhanced killing, AMs from naive Src TKO mice did not demonstrate enhanced inflammatory responses to P. murina. We subsequently discovered that both AMs and lungs from P. murina-infected Src TKO mice expressed significantly greater levels of the M2a markers RELM-α and Arg1, and the M2a-associated chemokines CCL17 and CCL22 than did wild-type mice. IL-4 and IL-13, the primary cytokines that promote M2a polarization, were not differentially produced in the lungs between wild-type and Src TKO mice. P. murina infection in Src TKO mice resulted in enhanced lung production of the novel IL-1 family cytokine IL-33. Immunohistochemical analysis of IL-33 in lung tissue revealed localization predominantly in the nucleus of alveolar epithelial cells. We further demonstrate that experimental polarization of naive AMs to M2a resulted in more efficient killing of P. murina compared with untreated AMs, which was further enhanced by the addition of IL-33. Administration of IL-33 to C57BL/6 mice increased lung RELM-α and CCL17 levels, and enhanced clearance of P. murina, despite having no effect on the cellular composition of the lungs. Collectively, these results indicate that M2a AMs are potent effector cells against P. murina. Furthermore, enhancing M2a polarization may be an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of Pneumocystis.
The effects of a new soluble dietary fiber on weight gain and selected blood parameters in rats

This study was designed to investigate a new dietary fiber, α-cyclodextrin, marketed under the trade name FBCx (Wacker Biochem, Adrian, MI), for beneficial effects on weight reduction and the improvement of certain blood parameters in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups and fed ad libitum for a period of 6 weeks: (1) a normal low-fat diet (LF; 4% fat wt/wt); (2) an LF diet with FBCx added; (3) a high-fat diet (HF, 40% fat wt/wt); and (4) an HF diet with FBCx. The FBCx was added at the rate of 10% (wt/wt) of the fat in the diet. Body weight and food intake were recorded 3 times per week. Plasma constituent levels and liver and fecal lipid contents, as well as body composition were determined at sacrifice. Adding FBCx to the diet significantly reduced weight gain in rats fed with an HF diet relative to rats fed with the HF control diet (P < .05). FBCx also elicited a reduction in plasma triglyceride levels of 30%, total cholesterol of 9%, and increased the fat content of the feces in the rats fed with the HF diet with FBCx. In addition, the serum leptin levels were normalized, and the calculated insulin sensitivity was improved. No adverse effects were observed in the rats consuming FBCx. It would appear that FBCx might be effective in reducing body weight gain and improving metabolic syndrome.
Hybrid clock network for altera structure ASIC devices

Clock performance becomes a challenge in Structure ASIC world when system performance requirement keep increasing and logic density grows rapidly. In general, clock performance is evaluated through the clock skew and the clock integrity. The difficulty in ensuring minimum clock skew while maintaining clock integrity becomes more challenging when the device size grows and clock frequency increases. In this paper, we are introducing a new clock network structure for Altera Structure ASIC device (Hardcopy II), namely hybrid clock network. The hybrid clock network provides better performance on clock skew and clock integrity compared to previous generation Altera Structure ASIC device (Stratix HC) and FPGA.
Statistical natural language understanding using hidden clumpings

We present a new approach to natural language understanding (NLU) based on the source-channel paradigm, and apply it to ARPA's Air Travel Information Service (ATIS) domain. The model uses techniques similar to those used by IBM in statistical machine translation. The parameters are trained using the exact match algorithm; a hierarchy of models is used to facilitate the bootstrapping of more complex models from simpler models.
Application of Microchannel Condensers for Small Scale Kalina Waste Heat Recovery Systems

Thermally driven ammonia/water Kalina cycles have shown some promise for improving the efficiency of electricity production from low temperature reservoirs (T < 200°C). However, there has been limited application of these systems to exploiting widely available, disperse, waste heat streams for smaller scale power production (∼ 1 kWe). Factors limiting increased deployment of these systems include large, costly heat exchangers, and concerns over safety of the working fluid. The use of mini and microchannel (D < 1 mm) heat exchangers has the potential to decrease system size and cost, while also reducing the working fluid inventory, enabling penetration of Kalina cycles into these new markets.To demonstrate this potential, a detailed heat exchanger model for a liquid-coupled microchannel ammonia/water condenser is developed. The heat exchanger is sized to provide the required heat transfer area for a 1 kWe Kalina system with a source and sink temperature of 150° and 20°C, respectively. An additional constraint on heat exchanger size is that the fluid pressure loss is maintained below some threshold value. A parametric analysis is conducted to assess the effect of different correlations/models for predicting the underlying heat and mass transfer and pressure drop of the ammonia/water mixture on the calculated heat exchanger area. The results show that accurately minimizing the size of the overall system is dependent upon validated zeotropic heat and mass transfer models at low mass fluxes and in small channels.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Taxation and Representation in Africa: Determinants of Local and State Budgeting Priorities

Under what conditions are African local and state governments more likely to spend public revenues on public service delivery? Local and state governments, increasingly important to the execution of African democracy, serve as a mechanism for participatory integration people into the fold of governance. In order to facilitate the execution of their growing duties, local and state legislatures are endowed with the power to raise revenue. Given these varied obligations, what determines local and state government spending priorities? Scholars have continuously linked the development of representative institutions to citizen taxation. Originating in studies of Western Europe, theory suggests, in order to raise revenue for war/border protection, rulers enter into a contract with citizens: citizens agree to provide tax revenue in exchange for an enhanced role in governance. With taxation comes the incentive for political leaders to shift public policy and spending toward citizen interests (Tilly, 1985/1990; Bates and Lien, 1985; Levi, 1988; North and Weingast, 1989; Acemoglu and Robinson, 2005). In an application of this theory to Africa, Gibson and Hoffman (2005) find that in Tanzania and Zambia, local governments deriving a larger portion of their revenue from citizen taxation are also more likely to spend revenue on public service delivery, and less likely to spend income on recurrent expenditures (e.g. government salaries). I attempt to further test the applicability of this theory to Africa, focusing on the Nigerian case, where interactions between income from citizen taxation and petroleum create varied sub-national revenue compositions. Using 1999 – 2009 budgetary data collected from the Central Bank of Nigeria during fieldwork (October 2010 – July 2011), I test the Gibson and Hoffman hypothesis, not only the local government level, but also state government level. I expect a positive relationship between tax dependence and public service delivery (in both local and state governments) and a negative relationship between non-tax based sources of revenue (federal transfers from petroleum and value added tax, grants/foreign aid) and expenditures on public services. Utilizing random effects Generalized Least Squares models, analysis confirms that as revenue from taxation increases, both local and state government spending on public service provision increases. A relationship between taxation and representative government suggests that building the local and state governments’ tax administrative capacity and can also bolster responsive and democratic governance.
Securitization of Retail and Shopping Center Properties’ Mortgages

Securitization is the process of transforming an illiquid loan agreement into a marketable security that is sold to investors in the secondary market. Its purpose is to create, from a single asset or pool, high-quality new asset classes that both reduce the cost of capital and increase the availability of capital. Securitization provides improved access to and more efficient pricing of capital, greater liquidity, better rates and terms in the financing of certain types of debt, opportunities to spread the risks of real estate, higher long-term valuation of equity interests, reduced transaction costs of investing and lending, and better matching of real estate to investors’ risk-return-equity preferences. Also, the process allows institutions to earn fees on the packaging and servicing of such mortgage portfolios. Over the period 1980 through mid-1991, commercial mortgage debt outstanding increased from $425 billion to $1.08 trillion; therefore, the potential for commercial mortgage securitization (CMS) is enormous.
Pathway-Based Genomics Prediction using Generalized Elastic Net

We present a novel regularization scheme called The Generalized Elastic Net (GELnet) that incorporates gene pathway information into feature selection. The proposed formulation is applicable to a wide variety of problems in which the interpretation of predictive features using known molecular interactions is desired. The method naturally steers solutions toward sets of mechanistically interlinked genes. Using experiments on synthetic data, we demonstrate that pathway-guided results maintain, and often improve, the accuracy of predictors even in cases where the full gene network is unknown. We apply the method to predict the drug response of breast cancer cell lines. GELnet is able to reveal genetic determinants of sensitivity and resistance for several compounds. In particular, for an EGFR/HER2 inhibitor, it finds a possible trans-differentiation resistance mechanism missed by the corresponding pathway agnostic approach.
Do Anesthesiologists Know What They Are Doing? Mining a Surgical Time-Series Database to Correlate Expert Assessment with Outcomes

Anesthesiologists are taught to carefully manage patient vital signs during surgery. Unfortunately, there is little empirical evidence that vital sign management, as currently practiced, is correlated with patient outcomes. We seek to validate or repudiate current clinical practice and determine whether or not clinician evaluation of surgical vital signs correlate with outcomes. Using a database of over 90,000 cases, we attempt to determine whether those cases that anesthesiologists would subjectively decide are “low quality” are more likely to result in negative outcomes. The problem reduces to one of multi-dimensional time-series classification. Our approach is to have a set of expert anesthesiologists independently label a small number of training cases, from which we build classifiers and label all 90,000 cases. We then use the labeling to search for correlation with outcomes and compare the prevalence of important 30-day outcomes between providers.To mimic the providers’ quality labels, we consider several standard classification methods, such as dynamic time warping in conjunction with a kNN classifier, as well as complexity invariant distance, and a regression based upon the feature extraction methods outlined by Mao et al. 2012 (using features such as time-series mean, standard deviation, skew, etc.). We also propose a new feature selection mechanism that learns a hidden Markov model to segment the time series; the fraction of time that each series spends in each state is used to label the series using a regression-based classifier. In the end, we obtain strong, empirical evidence that current best practice is correlated with reduced negative patient outcomes. We also learn that all of the experts were able to significantly separate cases by outcome, with higher prevalence of negative 30-day outcomes in the cases labeled as “low quality” for almost all of the outcomes investigated.
Microfabricated multiphase packed-bed reactors : Characterization of mass transfer and reactions

A microchemical device has been built in silicon and glass by using microfabrication methods including deep-reactive-ion etch technology, photolithography, and multiple wafer bonding. The microchemical system consists of a microfluidic distribution manifold, a microchannel array, and a 25-μm microfilter for immobilizing solid particulate material within the reactor chip and carrying out different heterogeneous chemistries. Multiple reagent streams (specifically, gas and liquid streams) are mixed on-chip, and the fluid streams are brought into contact by a series of interleaved, high-aspect-ratio inlet channels. These inlet channels deliver the reactants continuously and cocurrently to 10 reactor chambers containing standard catalytic particles. The performance of the microfabricated “packed-bed” reactor is compared to that of traditional multiphase packed-bed reactors in terms of fluid flow regimes, pressure drop, and mass transfer. The hydrogenation of cyclohexene is used as a model reaction to measure t...