cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonrelativistic conformal field theory and trapped atoms: Virial theorems and the state-operator correspondence in three dimensions

The field theory of nonrelativistic fermions interacting via contact interactions can be used to calculate the properties of few-body systems of cold atoms confined in harmonic traps. The state-operator correspondence of nonrelativistic conformal field theory (NRCFT) shows that the energy eigenvalues (in oscillator units) of $N$ harmonically trapped fermions can be calculated from the scaling dimensions of $N$-fermion operators in the NRCFT. They are also in one-to-one correspondence with zero energy, scale-invariant solutions to the $N$-body problem in free space. We show that these two mappings of the trapped fermion problem to free space problems are related by an automorphism of the $SL(2,R)$ algebra of the conformal symmetry of fermions at the unitary limit. This automorphism exchanges the internal Hamiltonian of the gas with the trapping potential and hence provides a method for deriving virial theorems for trapped Fermi gases at the unitary limit. We also show that the state-operator correspondence can be applied directly in three spatial dimensions by calculating the scaling dimensions of two- and three-fermion operators and finding agreement with known exact results for energy levels of two and three trapped fermions at the unitary limit.
CHANGES IN PHOSPHOGLYCERIDE FATTY ACIDS OF RAT BRAIN INDUCED BY LINOLEIC AND LINOLENIC ACIDS AFTER PRE‐ AND POST‐NATAL FAT DEPRIVATION

— Pregnant rats were maintained on a fat-free diet, starting at 10–12 days after impregnation and the offspring continued on the diet during a developmental period of 120 days. Brain fatty acids showed decreases in the level of (n-3) and (n-6) fatty acids of brain phophoglycerides, except for 22:5 (n-6) which increased. These changes preceded an increase in the (n-9) fatty acids (20:3 and 22:3). Supplementation with either linoleic or linolenic acid for 10 or 30 days after induction of the deficiency state caused an increase in the (n-6) and (n-3) fatty acids respectively, to control levels. The level of 22:5 (n-6) was increased additionally by linoleic supplementation while linolenic refeeding to deficient animals decreased 22:5 (n-6) to near control levels. The anomalous results obtained on 22:5 (n-6) with 18:3 (n-3) supplementation is attributed to competitive inhibition of linoleate desaturation by linolenate. Linoleic and linolenic acid were equally effective in reducing the elevated levels of the (n-9) fatty acids toward control levels, although control levels with either fatty acid was not reached after 30 days supplementation. The increase of the (n-6) and (n-3) fatty acids to normal values precedes the decrease of (n-9) fatty acids following supplementation of linoleic or linolenic acid to fat-deficient rats. No change in fatty acid composition in control animals between 30 and 120 days was observed. In fat deficient as well as supplemented animals the total saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsatur-ated fatty acid composition was constant as was the unsaturation index.
Marking of boll weevils inside cotton squares with Calco Oil Red N-1700.

Boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, were marked in growing cotton without any manual or mechanical manipulation of the insect by injecting Calco Oil Red N-1700® dye into the square with a syringe. After 21 days as an adult, 199 of 203 marked boll weevils contained enough dye to be seen readily under the integument of the abdomen. The 4 boll weevils not detected by the visual examination were found to be marked after being crushed and placed in a small vial containing acetone and a strip of filter paper.
Post-environmentalism: an internal critique

‘Post-environmentalism’ is an approach to ecological modernisation in the United States which criticises mainstream environmentalism's emphasis on placing limits on economic activity to address the climate crisis. Building upon Ronald Inglehart's analysis of shifting cultural values, post-environmentalists Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger reject this antipathy towards economic growth because it undermines the material conditions that enable post-material, quality of life concerns like environmentalism to flourish in the first place. Yet some of the policies advocated by Nordhaus and Shellenberger to promote economic growth actually serve as obstacles to the realisation of post-material values. An alternative account of the emergence of modern environmentalism situates it within the transition from a Fordist to a post-Fordist model of economic growth. This analysis reveals more promising possibilities for promoting post-material values such as autonomy, self-realisation, and environmental concern tha...
Phytoestrogens Regulate mRNA and Protein Levels of Guanine Nucleotide-Binding Protein, Beta-1 Subunit (GNB1) in MCF-7 Cells

Phytoestrogens (PEs) are non-steroidal ligands, which regulate the expression of number of estrogen receptor-dependent genes responsible for a variety of biological processes. Deciphering the molecular mechanism of action of these compounds is of great importance because it would increase our understanding of the role(s) these bioactive chemicals play in prevention and treatment of estrogen-based diseases. In this study, we applied suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) to identify genes that are regulated by PEs through either the classic nuclear-based estrogen receptor or membrane-based estrogen receptor pathways. SSH, using mRNA from genistein (GE) treated MCF-7 cells as testers, resulted in a significant increase in GNB1 mRNA expression levels as compared with 10 nM 17beta estradiol or the no treatment control. GNB1 mRNA expression was up regulated two- to fivefold following exposure to 100.0 nM GE. Similarly, GNB1 protein expression was up regulated 12- to 14-fold. GE regulation of GNB1 was estrogen receptor-dependent, in the presence of the anti-estrogen ICI-182,780, both GNB1 mRNA and protein expression were inhibited. Analysis of the GNB1 promoter using ChIP assay showed a PE-dependent association of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and beta (ERbeta) to the GNB1 promoter. This association was specific for ERalpha since association was not observed when the cells were co-incubated with GE and the ERalpha antagonist, ICI. Our data demonstrate that the levels of G-protein, beta-1 subunit are regulated by PEs through an estrogen receptor pathway and further suggest that PEs may control the ratio of alpha-subunit to beta/gamma-subunits of the G-protein complex in cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 584-594, 2009. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Developing integrated antenna subsystems for laptop computers

The design, development, testing, and integration methodology for antennas integrated into laptop computers is described. Two key parameters are proposed and discussed for laptop antenna design and evaluation: standing wave ratio (SWR) and average antenna gain. A novel averaging technique was developed and applied to these to yield a measurable, repeatable, and generalized metric. A prototype antenna was built using this methodology, and measurements indicate that the resulting design attains both performance and cost targets. A PC-card-version wireless system is also discussed and compared with the integrated one. The impact of the antenna on the overall wireless system is studied through a link budget model.
Virtual community of interest at capella university

Among the challenges faced by the administrators of post-baccalaureate degree programs are those of satisfying student needs and wants in ways which cannot be accommodated in the classroom. While every conceivable need and want cannot be addressed by any degree program or school, a subset of needs and wants which contributes to achieving and maintaining a suitable completion rate and improving student perception of the quality of the education experience can be identified.This paper describes the rationale for and development of a community of interest" (COI) that empowers students, professors, staff members, and other individuals to share, discuss, and reflect on material which may be vital to individuals and their degree programs outside of the formal classroom. Because the COI is to serve an accredited online university, it must be online. Factors that may improve completion rates and student perception of the quality of the education experience are being taken into account in designing the COI.
Decomposition of chemically activated ethyltrimethylgermane the arrhenius A‐factors for rupture of group IVA—methyl bonds

The decomposition rate of chemically activated ethyltrimethylgermane from the reaction 1CH2 + (CH3)4Ge, where 1CH2 was produced from diazomethane photolysis at 3660 A, is 8.6 × 105 sec−1. This result combined with RRKM theory and critical energy estimates yields an Arrhenius A factor of log[A (sec−1)/methyl] = 14.7 ± 0.8 for methyl rupture from germanium. Log A values for methyl rupture from carbon, silicon, and germanium linearly correlate with the vibrational-rotational entropies of the corresponding tetramethyls. Extrapolation predicts log[A (sec−1)/methyl] = 14.4 and 14.3 for methyl rupture from tin and lead, respectively.
Beam characteristics of the varian 6 MV CLINAC-6X accelerator

Abstract Those characteristics of the Varian CLINAC-6X accelerator which are important for clinical dosimetry are described. Percentage depth-dose data and tissue maximum ratios were measured and are reported herein. Beam profiles for a variety of field sizes and depths also were measured for demonstration of beam fiatness—the fiatness being found superior to that of the CLINAC-4 equipped with a lead flatness filter. The depth dose data was parameterized and a simple method for converting percentage depth dose from one source to skin distance (SSD) to another is presented.
Social validation in mental retardation

Abstract In the last several years, adaptive skills and community functioning have been accorded an increasingly important role in defining mental retardation. With increased emphasis on community placement and normalized living conditions, treatment and rehabilitation programs have shifted their focus to more adaptive skills. Successful community placement requires not only identifying the relevant behaviors but also ensuring that the magnitude of effects achieved in treatment are sufficient. Social validation refers to a methodology to identify the appropriate focus of treatment empirically and to determine levels of treatment gains required for success. The present paper discusses alternative methods of identifying behaviors for treatment and evaluating the magnitude of treatment effects. Social validation is discussed as a means for operationalizing and evaluating many of the goals of successful community placement and acceptance implicit in the normalization concept.
Proximate determinants of fertility and mortality: A review of recent findings

Social, cultural, and economic factors that influence fertility must work through the intermediate variables or proximate determinants that directly affect reproduction. This paper reviews the proximate determinants framework and recent advances in knowledge of its components. In addition, efforts to develop a comparable model for analysis of mortality are described. It is concluded that, for fertility, although gaps in knowledge of proximate determinants remain and continuing periodic measurement is necessary to monitor their levels and changes, the primary need now is to improve understanding of the causal links between the social and economic features of a population and the proximate determinants.
Berkelium and Californium Isotopes Produced in Neutron Irradiation of Plutonium

Californium isotopes of mass numbers 249, 250, 251, and 252 have been identified by mass spectrometric analyses of californium samples produced from neutron-irradiated plutonium. The half-lives of ${\mathrm{Bk}}^{249}$, ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{249}$, ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{250}$, ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{252}$, and ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{253}$ are 290\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}20 days, 470\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}100 years, 10.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.4 years, 2.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 years, and 18\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3 days, respectively. The alpha-particle energies of the most prominent alpha peaks for ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{249}$, ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{250}$, and ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{252}$ are 5.81\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03, 6.033\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010, and 6.117\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010 Mev, respectively. The plot of alpha-particle energies vs mass number for the isotopes of californium shows a break (i.e., the alpha energy of ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{252}$ is larger than the alpha energy of ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{250}$) indicating an irregularity in the nuclear energy surface. The alpha spectra of ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{250}$ and ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{252}$ exhibit characteristic even-even nuclide fine structure peaks. The beta-particle energy of ${\mathrm{Bk}}^{249}$ is 80\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}20 kev. The spontaneous fission half-lives of ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{250}$ and ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{252}$ are 1.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{4}$ and 66\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10 years, respectively. Lower limits of 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{8}$ and 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{6}$ years have been placed on the partial spontaneous fission half-lives of ${\mathrm{Bk}}^{249}$ and ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{249}$. The pile (Materials Testing Reactor at Arco, Idaho) neutron capture cross sections of ${\mathrm{Bk}}^{249}$, ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{250}$, ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{251}$, and ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{252}$ are 350, 1500, 3000, and 25 barns, respectively.
Management of the Failed Pyeloplasty

AbstractPurpose: We present our experience with repeat surgery for persistent ureteropelvic junction obstruction.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction between 1984 and 1994, focusing on those who underwent repeat surgery for persistent ureteropelvic junction obstruction after initial pyeloplasty.Results: During the 10-year period 127 pyeloplasties were done by a single surgeon (R. D. W.). Three cases of persistent ureteropelvic junction obstruction occurred in this primary pyeloplasty series (success rate 97.6 percent). During the same period 9 other patients were referred to us from elsewhere for persistent ureteropelvic junction obstruction after initial pyeloplasty (total 12 patients). Ten patients underwent repeat pyeloplasty with a postoperative stent in place. Two patients needed nephrectomy at the initial repeat procedure and 1 of the 10 repeat pyeloplasty patients ultimately underwent nephrectomy....
Social Workers' Knowledge about AIDS: A National Survey

A study was conducted to assess social workers' knowledge about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. A questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 500 members of the National Association of Social Workers in July 1988. Three hundred seventy-nine (75.8 percent) members responded, and limited demographic comparisons indicated that the sample was representative of the association's membership. Results showed that social workers have much to learn about acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); less than half the questions were answered correctly. Respondents had the most information about transmission of the virus and the least information about the impact of the epidemic on specific populations. Of particular concern was the small number of respondents who reported that they had professional reasons for being knowledgeable about AIDS, given the pervasive nature of the AIDS epidemic and every social worker's professional responsibility to be knowledgeable about HIV infection.
Recent insights into Pasteurella multocida toxin and other G-protein-modulating bacterial toxins

Over the past few decades, our understanding of the bacterial protein toxins that modulate G proteins has advanced tremendously through extensive biochemical and structural analyses. This article provides an updated survey of the various toxins that target G proteins, ending with a focus on recent mechanistic insights in our understanding of the deamidating toxin family. The dermonecrotic toxin from Pasteurella multocida (PMT) was recently added to the list of toxins that disrupt G-protein signal transduction through selective deamidation of their targets. The C3 deamidase domain of PMT has no sequence similarity to the deamidase domains of the dermonecrotic toxins from Escherichia coli (cytotoxic necrotizing factor [CNF]1–3), Yersinia (CNFY) and Bordetella (dermonecrotic toxin). The structure of PMT-C3 belongs to a family of transglutaminase-like proteins, with active site Cys–His–Asp catalytic triads distinct from E. coli CNF1.
Shock temperatures in anorthite glass

Temperatures of CaAl2Si2O8 (anorthite glass) shocked to pressures between 48 and 117 GPa were measured in the range from 2500 to 5600 K, using optical pyrometry techniques. The pressure dependence of the shock temperatures deviates significantly from predictions based on a single high pressure phase. At least three phase transitions, at pressures of about 55, 85, and 100 GPa and with transition energies of about 0.5 MJ/kg each (approximately 1.5 MJ/kg total) are required to explain the shock temperature data. The phase transition at 100 GPa can possibly be identified with the stishovite melting transition. Theoretical models of the time dependence of the thermal radiation from the shocked anorthite based on the geometry of the experiment and the absorptive properties of the shocked material yields good agreement with observations, indicating that it is not necessary to invoke intrinsic time dependences to explain the data in many cases.
Calcium Phosphate Bioceramics with Tailored Crystallographic Texture for Controlling Cell Adhesion

The orientation distribution of crystalline grains in calcium phosphate coatings produced by pulsed laser deposition was investigated using an X-ray pole-figure diffractometer. Increased laser energy density of a KrF excimer laser in the 4–7 J/cm 2 range leads to the formation of hydroxyapatite grains with the c-axis preferentially aligned perpendicularly to the substrates. This preferred orientation is most pronounced when the plume direction of incidence is normal to the substrate. This crystallographic texture of hydroxyapatite grains in the coatings is associated with the highly directional and energetic nature of the ablation plume. Anisotropic stresses, transport of hydroxyl groups, and dehydroxylation effects during deposition all seem to play important roles in texture development. Studies of mesenchymal stem cell/biomaterial interactions show that the surfaces with an oriented distribution of hydroxyapatite grains promote significantly better cell adhesion than surfaces with random grain distribution.
High frequency single photon sources

Recent years have shown tremendous progress in the fabrication of single photon sources (SPS) based on quantum dots (QDs) embedded in semiconductor micro and nanocavities which are of interest for applications in quantum information science. Here we will review our recent work on high-frequency single photon sources operating at single photon emission rates above 100MHz. To effectively harvest the radiative recombination of QD excitons and to overcome the total internal reflection losses of high index semiconductor materials the emission can be coupled into a cavity mode.
Potassic Granophyre Associated with Precambrian Diabase, Sierra Ancha, Central Arizona

Lenses of granitic and syenitic granophyre unusually rich in potassium crop out at and near the roof of a Precambrian sill complex of olivine diabase intruded into the Apache Group. The lenses locally are 45 m thick; the diabase is 210 to 240 m thick in the same area. Granophyre contains 7 to 11 wt percent K2O, whereas intruded rocks of the Dripping Spring Quartzite contain 9 to 14 wt percent K_2O. The sedimentary rocks were enriched in potassium before emplacement of diabase, probably during diagenesis while saturated with saline water. The granophyre apparently was mostly liquid when emplaced. Chemical data, together with arguments based on mineralogy, textures, and field relations, indicate that most of the granophyre was derived from Dripping Spring Quartzite. The granophyre, however, contains more Na, Ca, and P and less K than the sedimentary rocks. Rocks representing a differentiated fraction of diabase magma are concentrated below the granophyre at the roof of the complex. The unusual crystallization profile may reflect an influx of water from the overlying sedimentary rocks into the magma. The influx of water may have been responsible for the extensive interaction between magma and country rock. Country rock fused during the interaction appears to have migrated to local structural highs. Because the evidence that the granophyre formed largely from country-rock material is unusually clearcut, this granophyre may serve as a petrogenic model for some other silica-rich igneous rocks associated with intrusions of basaltic magma.
Investigation of the effect of finite pulse errors on the BABA pulse sequence using the Floquet–Magnus expansion approach

This paper presents a study of finite pulse widths for the BABA pulse sequence using the Floquet–Magnus expansion (FME) approach. In the FME scheme, the first order is identical to its counterparts in average Hamiltonian theory (AHT) and Floquet theory (FT). However, the timing part in the FME approach is introduced via the function not present in other schemes. This function provides an easy way for evaluating the spin evolution during the time in between’ through the Magnus expansion of the operator connected to the timing part of the evolution. The evaluation of is particularly useful for the analysis of the non-stroboscopic evolution. Here, the importance of the boundary conditions, which provide a natural choice of , is ignored. This work uses the function to compare the efficiency of the BABA pulse sequence with and the BABA pulse sequence with finite pulses. Calculations of and are presented.
On the Semantics of Negation

It will be my purpose in this paper to examine some aspects of the meaning of negative sentences, in particular, those containing the morpheme not. Although the analysis will be presented within the framework of an ‘interpretive theory’ similar to those of Chomsky (1970) and Jackendoff (1972), I do not intend to concentrate my attention here on defending any particular theory.1 Rather, I wish to illustrate some ways in which negative sentences differ from corresponding non-negative sentences, and to examine structural and phonetic properties of sentences that seem to correlate with the particular meaning properties discussed.
Generic drugs in dermatology: part I.

In part I, we discussed new drug development, reviewed the history of the generic drug industry, described how generic drugs are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, and defined the concepts of bioequivalence and therapeutic equivalence. Herein, we explore various factors impacting generic drug use across the different parties involved: the prescriber, the pharmacist, the patient, and the payer. We also include original cost analysis of dermatologic brand name and generic drugs and show the potential cost savings that can be achieved through generic substitution. We conclude with a review of the data addressing potential differences in the effectiveness of brand name versus generic drugs in dermatology. The cost of brand name and generic medications is highly variable by pharmacy, state, and payer. We used one source (www.drugstore.com) as an example and for consistency across all medications discussed herein. Prices included here may not reflect actual retail prices across the United States.
Co-expression of MGMTP140K and α-l-iduronidase in primary hepatocytes from mucopolysaccharidosis type I mice enables efficient selection with metabolic correction

Background Systemic in vivo gene therapy has resulted in widespread correction in animal models when treated at birth. However, limited improvement was observed in postnatally treated animals with mainly targeting to the liver and bone marrow. It has been shown that an O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase variant (MGMTP140K) mediated in vivo selection of transduced hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in animals. Methods We investigated the feasibility of MGMTP140K-mediated selection in primary hepatocytes from a mouse model of mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) in vitro using lentiviral vectors. Results We found that multiple cycles of O6-benzylguanine (BG)/1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) treatment at a dosage effective for ex vivo HSC selection led to a two-fold increase of MGMT-expressing primary hepatocytes under culture conditions with minimum cell expansion. This enrichment level was comparable to that obtained after selection at a hepatic maximal tolerated dose of BCNU. Similar levels of increase were observed regardless of initial transduction frequency, or the position of MGMT (upstream or downstream of internal ribosome entry site) in the vector constructs. In addition, we found that elongation factor 1α promoter was superior to the long-terminal repeat promoter from spleen focus-forming virus with regard to transgene expression in primary hepatocytes. Moreover, the levels of therapeutic transgene expression in transduced, enzyme-deficient hepatocytes directly correlated with the doses of BCNU, leading to metabolic correction in transduced hepatocytes and metabolic cross-correction in neighbouring non-transduced MPS I cells. Conclusions These results demonstrate that MGMTP140K expression confers successful protection/selection in primary hepatocytes, and provide ‘proof of concept’ to the prospect of MGMTP140K-mediated co-selection for hepatocytes and HSC using BG/BCNU treatment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The complementary roles of RSVP and differentiated services in the full-service QoS network

With the growth of the Internet and intranets, QoS technology that has been developed over a span of several years is quickly becoming more relevant. This article first defines QoS and introduces a taxonomy for QoS mechanisms. The evolution of several major QoS mechanisms is described with a special focus on RSVP and differentiated services. Special attention is paid to the role of the IETF in developing QoS mechanisms. We describe a QoS network that combines RSVP and differentiated services in a manner that realizes the benefits of each. We show that, in general, the adoption of increasingly sophisticated QoS mechanisms can enhance the ability of a network to offer high-quality service guarantees while simultaneously making efficient use of raw network resources. These mechanisms carry a cost in the form of increased overhead, which must be weighed against the benefits of the mechanism.
MLJ Notes and News

Colloquium of the Council of Europe, 2-4 April, Strasbourg. Information F. Rosenstiel, Council of Europe, BP 431 R6, F-67006 Strasbourg, France. Simone de Beauvoir: Her Life, Her Work, Her Influence, 2-6 April, Philadelphia. Information Deirdre Bair, Dept. of English, 410 Logan Hall/CN, Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Conference on Foreign Languages for Business and the Professions, 5-7 April, Dearborn, MI. Information Geoffrey M. Voght, Dept. of Foreign Languages and Bilingual Studies, Eastern Michigan Univ., Ypsilanti 48197.
Comparison of costs of care between patients with Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies

Abstract Background The objective of this study was to compare total costs of care and its major components for community-living patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). This cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Predictors II Study took place in three university-based AD centers in the U.S. Methods Community-living patients clinically diagnosed with probable AD (n = 170) or DLB (n = 25) with a modified Mini-Mental State examination (mMMS) score ≥30, equivalent to a score of approximately ≥16 on the Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), participated in this study. Patient and informant reported on patients' use of direct medical care, direct nonmedical care, and informal care. Patients' clinical and demographic characteristics included global cognitive status (measured by MMSE), functional capacity (measured by Blessed Dementia Rating Scale), psychotic symptoms, behavioral problems, depressive symptoms, extrapyramidal signs, comorbidities, age, and sex. Costs were compared by using covariate matching methods. Results Unadjusted total costs and direct medical costs were not significantly different between AD and DLB patients. Compared with AD patients, unadjusted indirect costs were significantly higher and unadjusted direct nonmedical costs were significantly lower among DLB patients. After adjusting for age, sex, cognitive and functional status, differences in all cost components between DLB and AD patients were no longer statistically significant. Conclusions Apparent cost differences were largely attributed to differences in patients' cognitive and functional status. However, the small sample size for DLB patients might have limited power to detect statistically significant differences in costs of care between these groups.
Brief paper: Optimal preview-based stable-inversion for output tracking of nonminimum-phase linear systems

In this article, a new approach to output tracking of nonminimum-phase systems is proposed. The proposed technique extends the preview-based stable-inversion method to optimally utilize finite-preview (in time) of the future desired output trajectory to find the feedforward input (called the inverse input) for achieving precision output tracking for nonminimum-phase systems. It has been shown that having a large enough preview time is critical to ensure the precision in the preview-based output tracking. The available preview time, however, can be limited due to the physical constraints, and more generally, the associated cost and/or hardware limits. Therefore, we propose obtaining the optimal preview-based inverse input by minimizing, within the preview time window, the predicted tracking error (under the preview-based inverse input) relative to the input energy. A simulation study on a piezoelectric actuator model is used to illustrate the proposed technique.
Examining Cuphea as a potential host for western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): larval development.

Abstract In previous crop rotation research, adult emergence traps placed in plots planted to Cuphea PSR-23 (a selected cross of Cuphea viscosissma Jacq. and Cuphea lanceolata Ait.) caught high numbers of adult western corn rootworms, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), suggesting that larvae may have completed development on this broadleaf plant. Because of this observation, a series of greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that Cuphea could serve as a host for larval development. Greenhouse-grown plants infested with neonates of a colonized nondiapausing strain of the beetle showed no survival of larvae on Cuphea, although larvae did survive on the positive control (corn, Zea mays L.) and negative control [sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] plants. Soil samples collected 20 June, 7 July, and 29 July 2005 from field plots planted to Cuphea did not contain rootworm larvae compared with means of 1.28, 0.22, and 0.00 rootworms kg−1 soil, re...
Assessing Research Data Management Practices of Faculty at Carnegie Mellon University

INTRODUCTION Recent changes to requirements for research data management by federal granting agencies and by other funding institutions have resulted in the emergence of institutional support for these requirements. At CMU, we sought to formalize assessment of research data management practices of researchers at the institution by launching a faculty survey and conducting a number of interviews with researchers. METHODS We submitted a survey on research data management practices to a sample of faculty including questions about data production, documentation, management, and sharing practices. The survey was coupled with in-depth interviews with a subset of faculty. We also make estimates of the amount of research data produced by faculty. RESULTS Survey and interview results suggest moderate level of awareness of the regulatory environment around research data management. Results also present a clear picture of the types and quantities of data being produced at CMU and how these differ among research domains. Researchers identified a number of services that they would find valuable including assistance with data management planning and backup/storage services. We attempt to estimate the amount of data produced and shared by researchers at CMU. DISCUSSION Results suggest that researchers may need and are amenable to assistance with research data management. Our estimates of the amount of data produced and shared have implications for decisions about data storage and preservation. CONCLUSION Our survey and interview results have offered significant guidance for building a suite of services for our institution.
Probing Conformational Equilibria in Flexible Recognition by Molecular Dynamics and EPR

We have developed a combined experimental and computational approach for understanding the conformational equilibria of opacity associated adhesin (Opa) protein binding to human carcinoembryonic cell adhesin molecule 1 (CEACAM). This binding is a flexible recognition process: although the Opa-CEACAM binding event is high-affinity and shows some specificity, the unliganded state of Opa is extremely flexible, and Opa is highly tolerant of mutations that still permit CEACAM recognition. To elucidate the nature of this binding process, we combine electron paramagnetic resonance experiments and molecular dynamics simulation as follows. Double electron electron resonance (DEER) distance measurements between Opa and CEACAM residues are used to inform molecular dynamics simulations of the Opa-CEACAM complex. We incorporate DEER measurements by adding spring potentials to the system Hamiltonian. In order to thoroughly sample the system's free energy landscape, we use a MARTINI coarse-grained model, cluster the resultant trajectories, and begin additional atomistic simulations from cluster centers. The benefits of this approach are twofold. First, we can direct DEER experiments by identifying under-determined regions of phase space. We identify these regions via a maximum-information-minimum-redundancy approach: the mutual information is computed between each pair Opa-CEACAM residue pair and the system's configuration, and then highly informative pairs are measured using DEER. Second, once the model is validated by DEER, we can use the same clustering methods to identify which conformational states and specific interactions contribute to Opa-CEACAM binding.
The risk of kidney stones following bariatric surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AbstractBackground With rising prevalence of morbid obesity, the number of bariatric surgeries performed each year has been increasing worldwide. The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess the risk of kidney stones following bariatric surgery. Methods A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from inception through July 2015. Only studies reporting relative risks, odd ratios or hazard ratios (HRs) to compare risk of kidney stones in patients who underwent bariatric surgery versus no surgery were included. Pooled risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method. Results Four studies (One randomized controlled trial and three cohort studies) with 11,348 patients were included in analysis to assess the risk of kidney stones following bariatric surgery. The pooled RR of kidney stones in patients undergoing bariatric surgery was 1.22 (95% CI, 0.63–2.35). The type of bariatri...
The laboratory investigation of mucopolysaccharidoses

The mucopolysaccharidoses have been classified into several different types according to clinical and genetic criteria, and also according to qualitative and quantitative assessment of urinary, glycosaminoglycans (GAG). As part of a general screening programme for the investigation of retarted individuals, a number of screening tests were used to detect increased GAG in random urine samples. The results showed that most screening tests gave a large number of false positives. Chromatographic characterization of the major types of GAG present in the urine of 8 cases of mucopolysaccharidosis diagnosed on clinical grounds, showed a pattern characteristic of the mucopolysaccharidoses type. However equivocal patterns were recorded in a number of cases where at least one screening test was positive, and the clinical evidence was not convincing. The laboratory investigation of the mucopolysaccharidoses currently based on the analysis of urinary GAG, is far from ideal, and this department has taken steps to introduce enzyme analysis on tissue extracts to improve the position.
Direct Tissue Visualization of Normal Cross-reacting Antigen in Neoplastic Granulocytes

Normal cross-reacting antigen, a glycoprotein that shares some antigenic determinants with carcinoembryonic antigen, was consistently demonstrated by tissue immunoperoxidase staining in the cytoplasm of both non-neoplastic and neoplastic neutrophilic granulocytes. It was absent in lymphoid cells, but occasional cells of the macrophage/histiocyte series showed variable staining. Malignant cells from patients who had non-Hodgkin or Hodgkin lymphomas were negative for normal cross-reacting antigen. These findings were in contrast to the findings of specific normal cross-reacting antigen positivity in neoplastic granulocytes from three patients who had acute granulocytic leukemia, three who had chronic granulocytic leukemia, and one who had a granulocytic sarcoma. Similar normal cross-reacting antigen positivity was also seen in granulocytes from two patients who had granulocyte dysplasia. It is suggested that direct tissue visualization of normal cross-reacting antigen using immunoperoxidase technics may be of value in the classification and diagnosis of hematologic malignancies, and may provide an additional marker for cells of the granulocytic series.
Hyperlipemia and hemolysis. III. Acceleration of oleate lysis of human erythrocytes by homologous plasma.

Summary1. Pretreatment of fatty acid with human plasma, plasma albumin or globulin, unesterified cholesterol, or cyanide retards or prevents hemolytic activity. Once lytic quantities of fatty acid are bound by human erythrocytes, the above substances reverse their protective activity and accelerate hemolysis. 2. Plasma and plasma factors appear to accelerate intrinsic oleate hemolytic activity rather than act via a secondary superimposed lytic mechanism; the mode of cyanide action is unknown. 3. The oleate hemolysis protective and accelerating properties of human plasma can be inhibited progressively and simultaneously by pretreatment with oleate. Both mechanisms appear to depend upon plasma ability to bind fatty acid. 4. The intensity of oleate hemolysis acceleration by human plasma or plasma fractions is not uniform. Variations can be attributed to differences in fatty acid binding capacities and to inhibitors which possess unesterified fatty acid activity. 5. A hypothesis is suggested for linking incre...
The Detection of Prostate Specific Antigen, MHS-5, and Other Markers in Invasive Prostate Cancer and Seminal Vesicle

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is the most useful serum marker for following the disease status of prostate cancer patients after therapy. While PSA is felt to be an organ specific marker, lack of PSA expression in the seminal vesicles has not been adequately established. MHS-5 is a monoclonal antibody which recognizes an epitope on seminal vesicle specific antigen. Our objectives were to define PSA expression by the seminal vesicles, to determine whether MHS-5 could serve as an adjunct in the diagnosis of seminal vesicles invasion by carcinoma of the prostate, and to determine whether carcinoma, having invaded seminal vesicles would retain its expression of PSA and other prostate markers. Using an immunoperoxidase procedure, we studied thirteen seminal vesicles without histologic evidence of prostate cancer invasion and five seminal vesicles with locally invasive cancer. No seminal vesicles expressed PSA, whereas prostate cancer invading the seminal vesicles expressed PSA in all cases. MHS-5 expression was more variable. Only two of five cases of locally invasive tumor demonstrated seminal vesicles expression for MHS-5. Our findings further support the specificity of PSA. While MHS-5 may be helpful in delineating seminal vesicles in some instances, it is not a consistently reliable marker.
Benefits of exercise for older adults. A review of existing evidence and current recommendations for the general population.

Currently available data are of variable rigor and from a variety of sources, yet they do support several conclusions about the potential value of exercise for whole groups of elderly persons. (1) Exercise of moderate intensity may benefit many elderly persons in numerous and complementary ways (e.g., cardiovascular status, fracture risk, functional ability, and mental processing). (2) There are few complications associated with such increases in activity. Indeed, a remarkable aspect of research on exercise in the elderly has been the virtual absence of reports of serious cardiovascular or musculoskeletal complications in any published trials. Cardiac rehabilitation programs, enrolling many persons over 65 years of age with known coronary artery disease, also report few major cardiovascular complications. Thus, exercise should be viewed as safe for most older adults. (3) Exercise in the elderly probably needs to be tailored, and when possible, individualized, with the specific objectives of the person or group in mind. Some benefits are probably related to the intensity of exercise (e.g., cardiovascular disease), others due to the type of exercise (weight-bearing versus nonweight-bearing for osteoporosis, or racket sports for hand-eye coordination), and still others possibly relate to the setting in which exercise occurs (social-psychological benefits). (4) The authors believe the known physiologic effects of exercise on age-related changes and existing clinical research support the general notion that vigorous weight-bearing exercises such as walking are the safest, cheapest, easiest, and most widely beneficial for the average senior. (5) Research has yet to define good ways by which to stimulate large numbers of sedentary elderly persons to exercise regularly. The potential and complementary benefits appear to be great enough to justify widespread efforts at the community and individual level, however.
Differential effect of interleukin 3 on the metabolism of high-dose cytosine arabinoside in normal versus leukemic human bone marrow cells

We have examined the effect of recombinant interleukin 3 (rIL-3) on the metabolism of high-dose cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C), an S-phase-specific agent, in normal human bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) and leukemic blasts from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Exposure to rIL-3 for 24 h significantly increased the percentage of cycling S-phase cells in normal BMMC as well as leukemic cells. A concomitant expansion of intracellular deoxycytidine triphosphate (dCTP) levels occurred to a significantly greater extent in normal BMMC. Compared to treatment with Ara-C (10 mumol/liter) alone, prior and coadministration of rIL-3 with Ara-C increased Ara-CTP levels in leukemic blasts. However, an identical treatment produced significantly higher dCTP levels in normal BMMC, resulting in a significantly lower mean Ara-CTP to dCTP pool ratio in normal BMMC compared to that observed in each of the samples of AML blasts. Following treatment with Ara-C plus rIL-3 versus Ara-C alone, the alteration in Ara-C DNA incorporation corresponded with the change in Ara-CTP to dCTP ratio observed in normal BMMC and AML blasts. The differential effect of rIL-3 on the metabolism of high-dose Ara-C in normal versus leukemic cells may indicate a role for rIL-3 in enhancing the selectivity of Ara-C toward leukemic myeloblasts.
Attitudes of Great Plains producers about best management practices, conservation programs, and water quality

Since the adoption of the Clean Water Act in 1972, there has been increased attention paid to agricultural operations as potential contributors of surface water pollutants including sediments, nutrients, and pesticides. Many of these pollutants enter into the surface water through erosion and runoff events on cropland. Over the past 35 years, millions of dollars have been spent on the promotion, installation, and maintenance of cropland best management practices (BMPs), which have proven effective at reducing soil erosion and nutrient and pesticide runoff. Adoption of cropland BMPs is critical for restoring and protecting surface water quality in agricultural watersheds. Because BMPs result in many societal benefits, there are various conservation programs in place through national and state agencies that encourage adoption through cost-share and incentive payments. The goal of these payments is to compensate the producer for one-time installation costs, annual operation and maintenance costs, and overall profit losses. This approach has had notable success to date; however, many producers still choose not to participate in conservation programs and/or decide not to implement BMPs on their cropland fields (Conservation Technology Information Center 2002). Why is this the case? If a BMP is, in fact, profit neutral (or …
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Mycophenolic Acid

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is an immunosuppressant requiring therapeutic drug monitoring. Although immunoassays are commercially available, there is significant positive bias using this approach when compared to high-performance liquid chromatography or LC combined with mass spectrometry (LC/MS) or tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Positive bias is due to variable cross-reactivity of MPA acyl glucuronide with antibodies traditionally used in immunoassay formats. As can be expected, the magnitude of bias varies considerably. MPA strongly binds albumin and, as a result, disproportionate increases in free MPA occur in patients with uremia, hypoalbuminemia, and hepatic dysfunction. As such, monitoring free MPA poses additional challenges. Because MPA inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, monitoring this enzyme may provide an alternative approach.
Light trapping in 2D subwavelength period gold nanotrench grating and its application for sensing

In this work, we investigated near-perfect light absorption in a 2D subwavelength period nanotrench granting fabricated on a gold metal surface. Optical reflectivity spectra from the device were measured at different angles of incidence for TE and TM polarizations, respectively. Near perfect light absorption was observed at different wavelengths at oblique angles of incidence for two polarizations. It was found that for TM polarization, near perfect absorption wavelength changes dramatically as the angle of incidence changes. The peak absorption wavelength of TE polarization remains insensitive to change of incident angle. With finite-difference time-domain numerical simulations, strong magnetic field enhancement was revealed inside nanotrenches, indicating strong light trapping in the nanostructure device. The fabricated device was also investigated as a refractive index chemical sensor. It was found that sensitivity changes differently with angle of incidence for TE and TM polarizations.