cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Raising orphans from a metadata morass: A researcher's guide to re-use of public 'omics data.

Abstract More than 15 petabases of raw RNAseq data is now accessible through public repositories. Acquisition of other ’omics data types is expanding, though most lack a centralized archival repository. Data-reuse provides tremendous opportunity to extract new knowledge from existing experiments, and offers a unique opportunity for robust, multi-’omics analyses by merging metadata (information about experimental design, biological samples, protocols) and data from multiple experiments. We illustrate how predictive research can be accelerated by meta-analysis with a study of orphan (species-specific) genes. Computational predictions are critical to infer orphan function because their coding sequences provide very few clues. The metadata in public databases is often confusing; a test case with Zea mays mRNA seq data reveals a high proportion of missing, misleading or incomplete metadata. This metadata morass significantly diminishes the insight that can be extracted from these data. We provide tips for data submitters and users, including specific recommendations to improve metadata quality by more use of controlled vocabulary and by metadata reviews. Finally, we advocate for a unified, straightforward metadata submission and retrieval system.
Impact of embodied training on object recognition

The ability to perform robust, precise, real-time visual recognition is extremely critical for the use of robotic systems in real-world applications. This paper explores the use of Convolution Neural Networks (CNN) and human assisted training in teaching a robot to recognize novel objects. We investigated the impact of providing instructions to a human teacher during a training scenario for novel objects. Participants in the naive condition were provided verbal instructions by the robot, and participants in the embodied condition were provided embodied demonstrations by the robot. The results showed that a vision system trained by participants with embodied instructions clearly outperformed a system trained by naive participants. The latest computer vision techniques combined with human assisted teaching was found to provide excellent results for novel object recognition.
Systematic review of May-Thurner syndrome with emphasis on gender differences.

Abstract Objective May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) is increasingly recognized as a frequent source of leg swelling and a precipitating factor for venous thromboembolism. This paper is a systematic review of the English literature on MTS with an analysis focusing on gender differences in presentation and treatment. Methods A systematic review of the English literature between April 1967 and December 2014 was performed using the following terms: “May-Thurner syndrome,” “Cockett syndrome,” and “iliac vein compression syndrome.” After review, there were 174 articles in the analysis. We first analyzed all presented cases, followed by a gender comparison if case reports and case series had detailed description. Asymptomatic patients with just anatomic compression without symptoms were excluded. Statistical differences between data sets were assessed using χ2 test and Student t-test. Results There were 1569 patients with MTS after exclusion of articles based on our criteria. The female to male ratio was 2:1 (976 [67.1%] vs 480 [32.9%]). Women presented at a younger age compared with men (38.7 ± 14.0 years vs 46.2 ± 16.9 years; P = .02). Gender comparison at presentation, which was available for 254 patients, showed that men had significantly more reported leg swelling (92.7% vs 80.8%; P = .037) and more leg pain (88% vs 74.3%; P = .045) compared with women. There was no difference in the reported proportion of patients presenting with deep venous thrombosis between the two groups (88.9% vs 81.7%; P = .14). However, women were significantly more likely to have a pulmonary embolus on presentation compared with men (9.9% vs 1.6%; P = .035). Treatment modalities included endovascular interventions without thrombolysis (53%) or with thrombolysis (33.2%), open surgery (6.8%), and medical management (7%). Endovascular treatment was more common than surgical or medical treatment (P Conclusions Based on the reported literature, MTS is more common in women and is at least twice as frequent in women as in men. Men tend to have more pain and swelling in the legs, whereas women tend to be younger and more likely to have a pulmonary embolus on presentation. MTS and iliac vein compression are sometimes used interchangeably in an inaccurate manner.
Electronic Residency Application Service Application Characteristics Associated with Successful Residency Matching in Neurosurgery in 2009–2016

Background Resident applicants in neurosurgery often wonder what factors impact their chances of successfully matching. Using data published by the National Residency Match Program for 2009–2016, we examined which components of the Electronic Residency Application Service application correlated with successful residency matching. Methods Data were collected from the National Residency Match Program publication Charting Outcomes in the Match from all years it was available for neurosurgery (2009, 2011, 2014, 2016). Individual factors reported (number of contiguous ranks, research projects, publications and presentations, work experiences, volunteer experiences, United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 and 2 score deciles, categorical data about Alpha Omega Alpha status, Ph.D. degree, other degree, and strength of medical school National Institutes of Health funding) were aggregated for all 3 years. Categorical data were available only for U.S. seniors. Spearman correlation and χ2 were used for ranked data and categorical data, respectively. Separate analyses were run for U.S. seniors and independent applicants. Results For U.S. seniors applying to neurosurgery, number of contiguous ranks, United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 and 2 scores, research projects, Alpha Omega Alpha status, and medical school top 40 National Institutes of Health funding were significantly associated with successful matching of applicants. Number of volunteer experiences was nearly statistically significant. For independent applicants, only United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 and 2 scores and number of research projects were statistically significant. Conclusions This is the first study to analyze National Residency Match Program data for predictors of success in neurosurgical matching. Students applying to neurosurgery residency and their mentors should be aware of which baseline objective factors are associated with match success.
Fallacies, Flaws, and Flimflam

(1994). Fallacies, Flaws, and Flimflam. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 309-311.
Does Sharing Backfire? A Decomposition of Household and Urban Economies in CO2 Emissions

Abstract Both multi-person households and dense urban areas reduce per capita carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by enabling people to share carbon-intensive goods within and between households. In this paper we estimate these household and urban economies in CO2 emissions using detailed household expenditure data for the United States. We then decompose these economies into their primary sources and investigate any potential rebound effects, or diseconomies. The results show that the bulk of household and urban economies come from reductions in emissions from residential energy use and private vehicle transportation. We also find some evidence of rebound effects, with both residential density and multi-person households increasing expenditures on air travel and restaurant meals in particular. These effects are small in comparison to the size of total net economies, suggesting that fears of large rebound effects or backfire effects may be overstated. These results further suggest that policies targeted at the provision of social and technological infrastructure, such as public transportation, mixed-use zoning, and public internet may be most effective in reducing the rural-urban divide in private vehicle emissions.
Evaluation of texture analysis for the differential diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia from hepatocellular adenoma on contrast-enhanced CT images.

To explore the value of CT texture analysis (CTTA) for differentiation of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) from hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) on contrast-enhanced CT (CECT). This is a retrospective, IRB-approved study conducted in a single institution. A search of the medical records between 2008 and 2017 revealed 48 patients with 70 HCA and 50 patients with 62 FNH. All lesions were histologically proven and with available pre-operative CECT imaging. Hepatic arterial phase (HAP) and portal venous phase (PVP) were used for CTTA. Textural features were extracted using a commercially available research software (TexRAD). The differences between textural parameters of FNH and HCA were assessed using the Mann–Whitney U test and the AUROC were calculated. CTTA parameters showing significant difference in rank sum test were used for binary logistic regression analysis. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. On HAP images, mean, mpp, and skewness were significantly higher in FNH than in HCA on unfiltered images (p ≤ 0.007); SD, entropy, and mpp on filtered analysis (p ≤ 0.006). On PVP, mean, mpp, and skewness in FNH were significantly different from HCA (p ≤ 0.001) on unfiltered images, while entropy and kurtosis were significantly higher in FNH on filtered images (p ≤ 0.018). The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the mean, mpp, and entropy of medium-level and coarse-level filtered images on HAP were independent predictors for the diagnosis of HCA and a model based on all these parameters showed the largest AUROC (0.824). Multiple explored CTTA parameters are significantly different between FNH and HCA on CECT.
A promising, novel, and unique BACE1 inhibitor emerges in the quest to prevent Alzheimer's disease.

A major hallmark of Alzheimer9s disease (AD) is the deposition of amyloid‐beta (Aβ) plaques in the brain. Sequential cleavage of amyloid precursor protein by BACE1 and γ‐secretase generates Aβ. Thus, BACE1 is an attractive AD drug target. Although many BACE1 inhibitors have advanced to clinical trials, most have failed. Some failures may be due to treatment occurring at a late stage when Aβ levels have already led to irreversible neurodegeneration; therefore, there has been a shift toward therapeutic intervention during presymptomatic AD. In this issue of EMBO Molecular Medicine , Neumann et al comprehensively introduce the novel BACE1 inhibitor, CNP520. Their rigorous and robust results stem from in vitro studies, animal models, as well as initial human clinical studies that indicate CNP520 is an exquisitely safe therapeutic agent making it particularly attractive for the prevention of AD. As CNP520 is currently in a clinical trial of presymptomatic individuals at risk for AD, it will be among the first of BACE1 inhibitors to test the prevention paradigm for AD.
Patterns of failure and toxicity profile following proton beam therapy for pediatric bladder and prostate rhabdomyosarcoma

Purpose/objective(s) Bladder and prostate are unfavorable sites for rhabdomyosarcoma (B/P-RMS), and represent a challenging location for radiotherapy. Materials/methods Nineteen patients with B/P-RMS were enrolled on a prospective registry protocol (2008-2017) and treated with chemotherapy, proton beam therapy (PBT), and surgical resection (n = 8; 42%). Emphasis was given to treatment technique, disease-related outcomes, and toxicity associated with PBT. Results The majority of patients had bladder RMS (74%) of embryonal histology (95%), Group III (68%), and intermediate-risk disease by Children's Oncology Group (COG) risk stratification (89%). Seven patients (37%) had primary tumors >5 cm in size. All patients were treated according to COG protocols. With a median follow-up of 66.2 months, 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 76%. Four patients (21%) experienced disease relapse, all presenting with local failure. The 5-year local control (LC) rate was 76%. Tumor size predicted LC, with 5-year LC for patients with >5 cm tumors being 43% versus 100% for those with ≤5 cm tumors (P = .006). Univariate analysis demonstrated an effect of tumor size on OS (tumor >5 cm, hazard ratio [HR] 17.7, P = .049) and PFS (HR 17.7, P = .049). Acute grade 2 toxicity was observed in two patients (11%, transient proctitis). Late grade 2+ toxicity was observed in three patients (16%; n = 1 grade 2 skeletal deformity; n = 3 transient grade 2 urinary incontinence; one patient experienced both). Conclusions PBT for B/P-RMS affords promising disease-related outcomes with an acceptable toxicity profile. Higher local failure rates were observed for larger tumors, supporting dose-escalation components of ongoing RMS clinical trials.
Variability between individual surgeons in route of hysterectomy for patients with endometrial cancer in Florida.

Abstract Objectives Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) was designated as a quality measure for endometrial cancer in 2014. However, national database analyses demonstrate that laparotomy is still performed for this indication. This study aims to assess the route of hysterectomy performed by gynecologic surgeons who manage endometrial cancer in the state of Florida. Materials and methods All patients in Florida who were diagnosed with endometrial cancer (both ICD-9 Code 182.0 and ICD-10 Code C54.10), and who received a related surgical procedure from 2014 to 2016 were included. Eligible patients were identified using the Florida Inpatient Discharge Dataset, the Florida Ambulatory and Emergency Discharge Dataset, the Hospital Compare dataset, and the Healthcare Cost Report Information System. The primary surgeon was identified using their national provider identifier (NPI) number. Each surgeon's overall operative volume, MIS volume, and percentage of MIS procedures were collected. Results Hysterectomy for endometrial cancer was performed in 6086 patients; 4959 (81.5%) underwent MIS and 1127 (18.5%) had an abdominal approach. Hysterectomy for endometrial cancer was performed by 368 providers in Florida (range of 2–244 surgeries). The percentage of MIS to total hysterectomies for providers who performed 1–10 cases was 72.1%; 11–25 cases was 40.9%; 26–100 cases was 80.1%; and more than 100 cases was 86.1%. Variation in operative route exists amongst low- and high-volume providers. Conclusions Statewide databases can be used to identify surgical trends for policy purposes. These findings support the referral of patients with endometrial cancer to surgeons with high MIS volumes.
Cloud-Assisted On-Sensor Observation Classification in Latency-Impeded IoT Systems

The combination of computation and communication constraints within the Internet of Things systems require intelligent allocation of decision making and learning processes across a network of sensing and computing devices. In this paper, we present the problem of observation selection for reactive on-sensor decision-making, where the most accurate decision rule cannot be used unaided neither at the sensor (due to limited computing power), nor in the cloud (due to high communication latency). To make time-sensitive adaptation possible in these conditions, we consider learning a decision rule that is computationally viable for on-sensor use and is continuously adjusted by the cloud using the optimal decision rule for supervision. We pose a constrained stochastic optimization problem for online learning of such instrumental on-sensor classifier, propose an algorithm for updating its parameters, and establish the conditions under which convergence to a local extremum is guaranteed, at least for samples of independent observations.
Is There Benefit in Identifying Asthma Triggers During an Exacerbation

Introduction. Allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) testing provides an objective assessment of sensitization to an allergen. Goal. To identify the time when serum measurements of sIgE would be most sensiti...
Measurements of supersonic nitrogen flow properties with the resonant Doppler velocimter

We report the first use of the resonant Doppler velocimeter (RDV) for complete field measurements and for field visualization in a supersonic nitrogen flow. The RDV is a new nonintrusive diagnostic tool which takes advantage of laser absorption effects to measure the velocity, temperature, and pressure of a flowing gas.
Rate of Intracranial Hemorrhage After Minor Head Injury.

INTRODUCTION Computed tomography scans of the head (CTH) are an important component of the initial patient evaluation after blunt head trauma in select patients. Here we review findings of CTH performed for mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) at a Level I trauma center over a two-year period. We subsequently discuss the role and limitations of published clinical decision rules aiming to decrease unnecessary CTH in mild TBI patients. METHODS We reviewed all Emergency Department CTH obtained after blunt head trauma between 2010 and 2011. Patient demographics and radiology report texts were collected. Reports were cross-referenced with our institutional trauma database to obtain initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Mild TBI was defined by an initial GCS 13-15 with or without loss of consciousness or post-traumatic amnesia. RESULTS There were 5,634 mild TBI patients evaluated with CTH. A total of 477 scans (8.5%) were positive for intracranial hemorrhage. Of these, 188 (39.4%) showed more than one type of intracranial hemorrhage. The most common findings were subdural hematomas (262, 4.7% of scans), traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhages (252, 4.5% of scans), and cerebral contusions/intraparenchymal hematomas (212, 3.8% of scans). Older age (p<0.001) and male gender (p<0.001) were associated with positive CTH. CONCLUSIONS The rate of positive CTH in mild TBI patients in our population falls within a historical range. The clinical and medicolegal implications of missed intracranial hemorrhage have remained important factors limiting the implementation of clinical decision rules in screening mild TBI patients for CTH.
Quantification and Verification of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Adults with Prehypertension

Background: Low cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with increased risk of hypertension and atherosclerosis in adults with prehypertension. The purpose of this study was to quantify cardiorespiratory fitness and to examine the utility of supramaximal constant-load verification testing for validating maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) attainment in adults with prehypertension. Methods: Eleven adults (four women) with prehypertension (22.5 ± 2.9 y; body mass index (BMI): 24.6 ± 3.2 kg·m2) underwent an incremental exercise test followed 15 min later by a verification test at 105% of maximal work rate on a cycle ergometer. Results: There was no statistical difference in VO2 between the incremental (2.23 ± 0.54 L·min−1) and verification tests (2.28 ± 0.54 L·min−1; p = 0.180). Only three out of eleven participants had a higher VO2 during the verification when compared with the incremental test. If the verification test had not been conducted, one participant would have been incorrectly classified as having low cardiorespiratory fitness based on incremental test results alone. Conclusions: Verification testing validates the attainment of VO2max and can potentially reduce the over-diagnosis of functional impairment (i.e., deconditioning) in adults with prehypertension.
Comparative advantages in U.S. bilateral services trade with China and India

Abstract Using bilateral trade data for 16 service categories, this paper examines the patterns, evolution, and determinants of comparative advantage (CA) in U.S. services trade with China and India from 1992 to 2010. The results indicate that the U.S. has a CA in most services, except in more traditional ones, such as travel and transportation. However, India, and more recently China, gained a CA in modern services, such as computer and information services during the period considered in this paper. An examination of the distributional dynamics indicates that the likelihood of U.S. gaining CA over an initial position of comparative disadvantage (CDA) in its trade of a particular service with India is higher than the probability of losing its initial dominance. In contrast, the U.S. CA or CDA vis-a-vis China exhibits high levels of persistence over time. The regression results suggest that relative abundance of sector-specific labor, human capital, and FDI inflows have been significant sources of CA for the U.S. over both China and India.
Profit Evaluation for Virtual Power Plant in Power Load Response: From the Perspective of Power Grid

Virtual power plant (VPP) is a new generation of intelligent control technology and interactive model integrating power resources, power network and power load in power system. Based on advanced modern information and communication technologies, VPP can efficiently integrate and manage distributed power resources, flexible power load, energy storage and other assets under its control. However, the construction of VPP requires certain investment in equipment transformation, technology upgrade, etc. Scientific calculation for VPP potential benefits is therefore helpful to VPP development. Among existing VPP profit evaluation methods, however, most approaches focus on VPP internal cost and its whole life expense, while the influence from the power grid side is normally ignored. Without considering the power grid demand and constraints, the economic value brought by VPP operation cannot be comprehensively assessed. In this work, a method for assessing VPP revenue in participating into load response from the power grid perspective is proposed. It considers the load response percentage, annual load data, and incentive prices, and can reasonably evaluate VPP benefits providing load demand response. A simulation case presents the application of this method. In addition, the calculation is simple and convenient, thus provide an effective means for comprehensively evaluating VPP benefits.
Disrupted glucose homeostasis and skeletal-muscle-specific glucose uptake in an exocyst knockout mouse model

Skeletal muscle is responsible for the majority of glucose disposal following meals, and this is achieved by insulin-mediated trafficking of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) to the cell membrane. The eight-protein exocyst trafficking complex facilitates targeted docking of membrane-bound vesicles, a process underlying the regulated delivery of fuel transporters. We previously demonstrated the role of exocyst subunit EXOC5 in insulin-stimulated GLUT4 exocytosis and glucose uptake in cultured rat skeletal myoblasts. However, the in vivo role of EXOC5 in skeletal muscle remains unclear. Using mice with inducible, skeletal-muscle-specific knockout of exocyst subunit EXOC5 (Exoc5-SMKO), we examined how muscle-specific disruption of the exocyst would affect glucose homeostasis in vivo. We found that both male and female Exoc5-SMKO mice displayed elevated fasting glucose levels. Additionally, male Exoc5-SMKO mice had impaired glucose tolerance and lower serum insulin levels. Using indirect calorimetry, we observed that male Exoc5-SMKO mice have a reduced respiratory exchange ratio during the light period and lower energy expenditure. Using the hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamp method, we further showed that insulin-stimulated skeletal muscle glucose uptake is reduced in Exoc5-SMKO males compared with wild-type controls. Overall, our findings indicate that EXOC5 and the exocyst are necessary for insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and regulate glucose homeostasis in vivo.
Development of the Gender Embodiment Scale: Trans Masculine Spectrum

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people have a variety of ways of embodying their gender. We present preliminary work on The Gender Embodiment Scale for trans masculine individuals as a collabo...
A randomized controlled trial of structured palliative care versus standard supportive care for patients enrolled in phase 1 clinical trials.

Purpose Patients enrolled in Phase 1 clinical trials have typically exhausted standard therapies and often are choosing between a clinical trial and hospice care. Significant symptom burden can result in early trial discontinuation and confound trial outcomes. This study aimed to examine differences in study duration, symptom burden, adverse events (AE), and quality of life (QOL) between those receiving structured palliative care versus usual supportive care. Patients and methods Sixty-eight patients enrolled in phase 1 clinical trials and 39 of their CGs were randomly assigned to receive structured palliative care or usual supportive care. Patient QOL was measured monthly using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy and Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. The Quality of Life in Life-Threatening Illness-Family Care Version and Caregiver Reaction Assessment were used for CGs. AEs and use of palliative care resources were compared between arms. Results Mean duration of the phase 1 study was 142 days in the palliative care arm versus 116 days in the usual care arm (p = 0.55). Although not statistically significant, patients in the palliative care arm experienced fewer AEs and better QOL, as did their CGs, compared to those receiving usual care. Conclusions Phase 1 patients and their CGs have physical and psychosocial needs warranting palliative care services. Results suggest that structured palliative care is associated with the increased duration of the study and improved patient and CG QOL.
America: A World/Imperial Power—William McKinley to Herbert Hoover

As the United States began to develop as a global power, and as the movement West of settlers reached the Pacific Ocean, U.S. Native American relations focused on new issues of how best to manage “the problem of native populations.” In this transforming period, a bureaucratization of Native American problems took center stage.
Family Trusts and Federal Taxes

SINCE the enactment of the federal income tax in I9I3 and the federal estate tax in I916, inter vivos private trusts have offered the major opportunities for minimization of tax burdens on family wealth. Under any long term plan, income and transfer taxes are reduced primarily by four means: by taking advantage of all statutory exemptions and deductions, by "splitting" to obtain lower brackets under progressive rates, by delaying and sometimes ultimately avoiding the realization of taxable gain, and by reducing the occasions for the imposition of tax. Inter vivos trusts of well recognized types, created for other purposes before 1913, have been used successfully for the past quarter century to reduce income and transfer taxes by three of these four basic means.' But for almost a decade there have been ominous signs in the sky, and in the past two years the scene has changed with startling speed. Uncertainties which always lay a trifle below the surface have emerged and various dangers are now too apparent to be ignored. The careful counselor or draftsman must not be content to study the statutory section seemingly in point on his particular problem and the most recent case in which it has been construed. Tax law has never been a static field. Both the statutes and their interpretation have always changed from year to year, and recently the interrelation of various sections in the statutes has received increasing notice from the courts. Wise counsel requires a panoramic view of the internal revenue code, with understanding of the relation of its parts and of the principles on which taxes are incurred or avoided, and a historic view of the development of statutory and case law with apparent trends projected into the future. With such an approach it may be difficult to offer "guaranteed tax saving plans," but at least illusory certainty can be avoided. Refraining from unsound advice is also part of the lawyer's task. To obtain the essential perspective on trusts and taxes, one should look first at the two revenue measures chiefly involved and at the principles by which relief from their burdens may be obtained.
The meiotic behavior of the Drosophila oocyte.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the events that take place during meiosis of the Drosophila oocyte. Prior to the meiotic prophase, the chromosomes attach to specific sites on the inner surface of the nuclear envelope. The chromosomes replicate their entire DNA except for the synaptomeres. During leptonema, histone-deficient synaptomeres pair, reducing the length of each chromosome by a factor of 500 times. The reaction serves to zip homologous chromosomes together, starting at the telomeres and ending at the centromeres. Eventually, a synaptonemal complex extends from one end of the bivalent to the other. The paracentric heterochroinatin transcribes rcrRNA, which causes nearby recombinases to detach from the chromosomes. Recombinases detach prematurely from chromosomes if the nonsister chromatids contain nonallelic DNA segments. During diplonema, the zygosomes detach and the bivalents open up. However, separation of the bivalents is prevented by chiasmata. Chromosomes lacking chiasmata undergo an end-to-end pairing with chromosomes of similar size. In each gametocyte, the centromeres of the chromatids making up each homolog become functional. The second meiotic division distributes each sister chromatid to a separate gametic nucleus.
Making the most of NSF funding opportunities

This tutorial will highlight NSF Division of Undergraduate Education programs of interest to college faculty, discussing the requirements and guidelines. It will include discussion of the characteristics of a competitive proposal and the proposal submission/review award process. Our intent is to help you take your idea andturn it into the most competitive proposal possible.If time allows, attendees will participate in a simulated panel review using an actual funded proposal in order to get a deeper understanding of the review process. We will discuss how the review process should impact proposal development in order to maximize the competitiveness of a submitted proposal.
Association between insomnia symptoms and weight change in older women: caregiver--study of osteoporotic fractures study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether self-reported insomnia symptoms were associated with weight change in older women and whether caregiving, comorbidities, sleep medication, or stress modified this association. DESIGN: One-year prospective study conducted in four communities from 1999 to 2003 nested within a larger cohort study. SETTING: Home-based interviews. PARTICIPANTS: Nine hundred eighty-eight participants (354 caregivers and 634 noncaregivers) from the Caregiver�Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. MEASUREMENTS: Self-reported insomnia symptoms in the previous month: trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, and waking early and having trouble getting back to sleep. Weight was measured at baseline and 12 months. RESULTS: The average weight change was -1.9±7.8 pounds. Trouble staying asleep was significantly associated with an average weight loss of 1.3 pounds (P=.03) in multivariable analyses. Neither of the other insomnia symptoms was associated with weight change. Use of sleep medications modified the association between trouble falling asleep (interaction term P=.03) and weight change. Insomnia symptoms were associated with weight loss only in women not taking sleep medications. Neither caregiving status, presence of multiple comorbidities, nor stress modified the association. CONCLUSION: Trouble staying asleep was associated with weight loss over 12 months in older women. Practitioners should inquire about sleep habits of patients presenting with weight loss, because this may identify a marker of declining health and may be a factor that can be modified.
Learning to Refine Indexing by Introspective Reasoning

A significant problem for case-based reasoning (CBR) systems is determining the features to use in judging case similarity for retrieval. We describe research that addresses the feature selection problem by using introspective reasoning to learn new features for indexing. Our method augments the CBR system with an introspective reasoning component which monitors system performance to detect poor retrievals, identifies features which would lead retrieval of more adaptable cases, and refines the indexing criteria to include the needed features to avoid future failures. We explore the benefit of introspective reasoning by performing empirical tests on the implemented system. These tests examine the effect of introspective index refinement, and the effects of problem order on case and index learning, and show that introspective learning of new index features improves performance across the different problem orders.
Nano-scale imaging and dynamics of amylin-membrane interactions and its implication in type II diabetes mellitus.

Abstract Amylin, a 37‐amino acid peptide hormone produced and secreted by pancreatic β‐cells, is the principal constituent of amyloid deposits in Type II Diabetes Mellitus (TTDM). Although much progress has been made in the understanding of amylin aggregation, molecular determinants that contribute to amylin aggregation in the pancreas and TTDM remain largely unknown. In order to better understand amylin aggregation and how membranes contribute to this process, visualization of amylin aggregation and deposition on membrane surface is of utmost importance. Here, we describe a new atomic force microscopy (AFM) approach to visualize amylin aggregation and to asses amylin–surface interactions. Using AFM in contact or tapping mode in fluid, amylin phase transitions on different supports were studied in real time and with high spatial nanometer‐resolution. On mica, a two‐stage sequential conversion of amylin from soluble monomer to small oligomers and further to mature amyloid fibrils was revealed by the AFM. This amylin conversion was accompanied by peptide conformational transition from random coil to β‐sheets assessed by CD spectroscopy. In contrast to mica, amylin formed amorphous amyloid deposits on planar lipid membranes consistent with pathological findings in diabetic subjects. Anionic lipid phosphatidylserine (PS) and membrane cholesterol had opposing effect on the kinetics and the extent of amylin aggregation. PS stimulated amylin aggregation, whereas cholesterol reversed the effect of PS. In addition, cholesterol sequestered amylin aggregates into membrane microdomains that in turn decreased amyloid deposition across the membranes. Hence, this reconstituted AFM approach offers new molecular insights to the etiology of diabetes that could be extended to investigate amylin aggregation in living islet cells at a subcellular resolution.
Secretion of interferon gamma from human immune cells is altered by exposure to tributyltin and dibutyltin

Tributyltin (TBT) and dibutyltin (DBT) are widespread environmental contaminants found in food, beverages, and human blood samples. Both of these butyltins (BTs) interfere with the ability of human natural killer (NK) cells to lyse target cells and alter secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) from human immune cells in vitro. The capacity of BTs to interfere with secretion of other pro-inflammatory cytokines has not been examined. Interferon gamma (IFNγ) is a modulator of adaptive and innate immune responses, playing an important role in overall immune competence. This study shows that both TBT and DBT alter secretion of IFNγ from human immune cells. Peripheral blood cell preparations that were increasingly reconstituted were used to determine if exposures to either TBT or DBT affected IFNγ secretion and how the makeup of the cell preparation influenced that effect. IFNγ secretion was examined after 24 h, 48 h, and 6 day exposures to TBT (200 − 2.5 nM) and DBT (5 − 0.05 µM) in highly enriched human NK cells, a monocyte-depleted preparation of PBMCs, and monocyte-containing PBMCs. Both BTs altered IFNγ secretion from immune cells at most of the conditions tested (either increasing or decreasing secretion). However, there was significant variability among donors as to the concentrations and time points that showed changes as well as the baseline secretion of IFNγ. The majority of donors showed an increase in IFNγ secretion in response to at least one concentration of TBT or DBT at a minimum of one length of exposure. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 559–571, 2015.
Ethics in hospitality and tourism education: the new managers.

(1991). Ethics in Hospitality and Tourism Education: The New Managers. Hospitality & Tourism Educator: Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 33-37.
Reconfigurable arrays for airborne radars

The concept of reconfigurable, multiple beam antenna arrays is discussed as a likely step in the development of future airborne radar systems. The system advantages of reconfigurable multiple beams are explored in terms of airborne tactical radars and their application. Implementation and design issues associated with a reconfigurable, multiple beam antenna array are discussed. A reconfigurable subarray approach is postulated as the most advantageous architecture. >
La emergencia del table dance en el contexto del Tratado de Libre Comercio en México Impacto simbólico y descomposición de su oferta erótica

Con la utilizacion de una metodologia cualitativa, ademas de fuentes documentales indirectas, esta investigacion se propone desnaturalizar la industria erotica del table dance en Mexico. Se considera el contexto del libre comercio y las expectativas que este detono. La explicacion considera lo contextual, lo simbolico y lo institucional. A partir de la significacion del cuerpo y de la pornotopia, se analizan sus contenidos conceptuales. Se ofrece tambien la categoria de poliperformatividad, como un agregado de actos performativos, con el proposito de entender la semiotica del table dance. Esto sirve, a partir de los relatos, para dimensionar el problema del estigma social dentro del colectivo de bailarinas eroticas en Mexico.
The effect of induced yellowing on the physicochemical properties of specialty rice.

BACKGROUND: Postharvest yellowing (PHY) of rice kernels can be a major problem in the rice industry. This is especially true with high-valued specialty rice, because profit loss will be greater. The objective of this work was to determine whether a significant change occurs in the physicochemical properties (apparent amylose and protein concentrations, viscosity profile and gelatinisation temperature) as a result of induced PHY. RESULTS: In this study, four specialty rices (Basmati, Jasmine, Arborio and Sushi) were yellowed using a laboratory method. PHY increased apparent amylose concentration. It also significantly increased onset and peak gelatinisation temperatures. However, peak, breakdown and setback Rapid ViscoAnalyzer viscosities were decreased by PHY. Trough viscosity for Basmati and Jasmine decreased, whereas it increased for Arborio. Moisture and protein concentrations were unchanged by the yellowing process. Attempts to rehydrate the kernels after induced PHY caused them to fracture, thus making them unsuitable for their intended purpose. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that rice that has been subjected to PHY shows a reduction not only in appearance but also in cooking and processing quality, decreasing its value. However, the changes differed for each rice type, with Jasmine being affected the least. Published 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In praise of wasteful spending

In the presence of distortionary taxation, the destruction of wealth–either by an act of government or an act of God–can be welfare improving, because it increases the supply of labor and therefore (holding government spending constant) allows distortionary taxes to be lowered. We show that under reasonable assumptions, there must be tax rates at which this effect occurs.
Two-photon microscopy: Visualization of kidney dynamics

The introduction of two-photon microscopy, along with the development of new fluorescent probes and innovative computer software, has advanced the study of intracellular and intercellular processes in the tissues of living organisms. Researchers can now determine the distribution, behavior, and interactions of labeled chemical probes and proteins in live kidney tissue in real time without fixation artifacts. Chemical probes, such as fluorescently labeled dextrans, have extended our understanding of dynamic events with subcellular resolution. To accomplish expression of specific proteins in vivo, cDNAs of fluorescently labeled proteins have been cloned into adenovirus vectors and infused by micropuncture to induce proximal tubule cell infection and protein expression. The localization and intensity of the expressed fluorescent proteins can be observed repeatedly at different time points allowing for enhanced quantitative analysis while limiting animal use. Optical sections of images acquired with the two-photon microscope can be 3-D reconstructed and quantified with Metamorph, Voxx, and Amira software programs.
Identification of active bacterial communities in a model drinking water biofilm system using 16S rRNA-based clone libraries

Recent phylogenetic studies have used DNA as the target molecule for the development of environmental 16S rRNA gene clone libraries. As DNA may persist in the environment, DNA-based libraries cannot be used to identify metabolically active bacteria in water systems. In this study, an annular reactor was used to generate model drinking water biofilms grown on polycarbonate slides. High-quality RNA was extracted from 2-month-old biofilms and used to generate 16S rRNA-based clones. Sequencing analyses of 16S rRNA-based clones suggested that the active bacterial fraction consisted of a few dominant bacterial groups related to Nevskia ramosa and to uncultured bacteria. Several of these bacterial groups were closely related to clones characterized in a DNA-based clone library also generated in this study. Altogether, these results suggest that some of the predominant drinking water bacteria identified using DNA-based techniques are indeed active.
Effects of paraformaldehyde fixation on nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding in adult and developing rat brain sections.

Abstract In vitro receptor autoradiography requires unfixed tissue sections, but incubation and washing procedures often result in substantial tissue damage in sections from developing brain, hindering quantitative and qualitative analysis. Formaldehyde fixation greatly preserves morphology. However, fixation can interfere with pharmacological properties of receptors, increase in non-specific background labeling, or even destroy ligand binding sites. Two mild fixation protocols, 0.2% paraformaldehyde (pFA) and pFA vapor fixation, were compared for their ability to improve tissue morphology in postnatal day 7 (P7) brain slices and maintain binding of [ 125 I]-epibatidine and [ 125 I]-α-bungarotoxin to heteromeric and homomeric nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, respectively. Fixation greatly improved the ability of P7 brain slices to withstand incubation and washing procedures during binding, resulting in minimal or no loss of tissue after prior 0.2% pFA or vapor fixation, respectively. In adults, distribution pattern of [ 125 I]-epibatidine was identical in fixed and unfixed slices, with no difference in total and non-specific labeling. Distribution of [ 125 I]-αBTX labeling was similarly unaffected by 0.2% pFA fixation, but vapor fixation increased total and non-specific binding signal. Thus, mild fixations greatly improve tissue quality during receptor binding procedures and can preserve pharmacological properties of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. However, different receptors or ligands might exhibit differential sensitivity to fixation protocols.
Experimental setup and testing for verification of similarity between road-tire interaction characteristics of scaled models and full-scale vehicles

This paper presents the setup for conducting experiments, and some results obtained in these experiments, on scaling issues between scaled models and full scale vehicles as they are related to road-tire interactions. The work presented in this paper has profound implications on the applicability of the flexible low-cost automated scaled highway laboratory being developed at Virginia Tech. The laboratory is a proposed 1/15th scale hardware working model of Automated Highway Systems. The vehicles are equipped with ultrasonic sensors for longitudinal guidance. IR and vision system for lateral guidance. They are controlled by HC11 microprocessor boards, and have wireless two way communication infrastructure for vehicle-highway communication. This paper describes the hardware, software, and design issues for the experimental setup and results of some preliminary experiments conducted on scaling issues which provide encouraging results.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Irrigation Method and Water Quality Effect on Peanut Yield and Grade

(...) Virginia-type peanuts (cv. VA 81B) were grown on a Kenansville loamy sand (loamy, siliceous, thermic Arenic Hapludult) in Suffolk, VA from 1984 to 1987. Peanuts were irrigated with either overhead sprinklers or deep buried trickle lines using deep-well (142 m) and shallow-well (10 m) water. Trickle lines were buried 350 to 410 mm below each row (...)
Dimerization of the ketene cation radical in the gas phase

The dimerization of the ketene cation radical was investigated by using tandem mass spectrometry. Ketene was ionized by low-energy charge-exchange with CS· reagent ions. The high-pressure environment in the ion source permits collisional stabilization of the ion/molecule adduct, which was characterized by obtaining its collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) mass spectrum. Comparison with the CAD spectrum of diketene+· revealed that the structure of the adduct is identical with that of the ionized diketene species. The singly occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (SOMO-LUMO) interaction was invoked to explain the formation of the ion/molecule adduct.
Multiple DNA polymerase activity solubilized from higher plant chromatin.

DNA polymerase preparations solubilized from chromatin of unwashed and washed sugar beet storage tissue exhibit multiple activity peaks when separated by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography. Activity peaks isolated from unwashed and washed tissue required Mg2+, all four deoxynucleoside triphosphates and added DNA. Activity from peaks isolated from washed tissue was completely sensitive to pancreatic DNase and insensitive to RNase. Enzyme activity was increased in the tissue during the washing period. In addition, there was a drastic change in template specificity from single-stranded primer in unwashed tissue to double-stranded DNA in washed tissue.
Oligonucleotide probes for HLA-DQA and DQB genes define susceptibility to type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.

We have typed 27 Caucasoid families for DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms and specific sequences using HLA class II specific cDNA, genomic and oligonucleotide probes. DNA haplotypes were identified by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis that correlated with previously serologically-defined extended major histocompatibility haplotypes. These DNA haplotypes sort into positive, neutral or negative associations with Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. The DNA susceptibility haplotypes are even more simply and specifically defined by oligonucleotide probes for sequences of DQA and DQB genes. Our oligonucleotide probes define variabilities in nucleotide sequences coding for amino acid residues 26, 37 and 38 in the DQβ-chain. Probes defining DQA sequences are also important for defining susceptibility since certain DQA genes appear to modify DQB susceptibility by conferring resistance. Thus, major histocompatibility conferred susceptibility to diabetes cannot be adequately explained by an amino acid change at a single position in the DQβ-chain. These probes allow the direct identification of major histocompatibility susceptibility genes in Type 1 diabetes without the necessity of determining full haplotypes.