cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Q&A: Targeting metabolism to diagnose and treat cancer.

Interview Dr Ralph J DeBerardinis is a paediatrician, medical geneticist and cancer researcher. He earned MD and PhD degrees from the University of Pennsylvania before a residency at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He then completed postdoctoral training with Craig B Thompson at the Penn Cancer Center where he made novel observations connecting growth factor signaling to metabolic pathways. These early studies suggested that alterations in metabolism may be a requirement for tumor growth. He now diagnoses and treats children with inborn errors of metabolism at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where he is Director of their metabolic disease program, as well as continuing his research into cancer metabolism in the Children’s Medical Center Research Institute.
Pulmonary-renal syndrome of bacterial endocarditis mimicking Goodpasture's syndrome.

T HE ASSOCIATION between glomerulonephritis and pulmonary hemorrhage has long been credited to the observation reported by Goodpasture in 1919. 1 Since the initial description, it has been recognized that the pathogenesis of Goodpasture's syndrome results from the presence of a circulating anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody which crossreacts with the alveolar basement membrane. It is also well recognized that other disease states, either cell-mediated or immune complex-mediated, may lead to a similar presentation which is clinically indistinguishable from Goodpasture's syndrome. 24 These disorders have been immunologically defined, and their categorization has major therapeutic implications. The renal biopsy and serological evaluation have been essential diagnostic tools used to differentiate these disorders. The following case illustrates a patient presenting with pulmonary hemorrhage and glomerulonephritis initially diagnosed and treated as Goodpasture's syndrome. After a thorough evaluation, his pulmonary-renal syndrome was found to be a result of bacterial endocarditis associated with type III cryoglobulinemia.
Atherosclerosis imaging for risk assessment and primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Imaging for atherosclerotic disease as a modality of risk assessment to guide clinical intervention for primary prevention is becoming more widely acceptable. The greatest infomation about risk can be obtained by combining measures of atherosclerotic plaque burden with risk factors. Both contain useful and independent information. An unresolved issue is how best to combine risk factors and atherosclerosis imaging to yield a quantitative estimate of risk. Several alternative approaches are outlined in this article. If atherosclerosis imaging is to be used as an element in risk assessment, it must be done by physicians who are well versed in the concepts of global risk assessment and who are able to adjust preventive testing and therapies in ways to be cost-effective.
Simplified Technique of Total Aortic Arch Replacement With Minimal Circulatory and Myocardial Ischemia

This manuscript describes the initial experience of 15 patients undergoing aortic arch replacement using a modification of the trifurcate arch technique described by Spielvogel and coworkers [1]. This technique provides continuous antegrade cerebral perfusion and minimal myocardial ischemia with mild hypothermia.
The Effect of an Antimicrobial Restriction Program on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Resistance to β‐Lactams in a Large Teaching Hospital

Study Objectives. To compare the use of β-lactams and subsequent Pseudomonas aeruginosa sensitivity patterns before and after implementation of a clinical pharmacist-facilitated antimicrobial restriction program in August 1997. Design. Retrospective consecutive data collection. Setting. Large university-affiliated medical center. Intervention. The study results are the accumulation of the daily intervention activities of the antimicrobial restriction program. Data on antimicrobial grams purchased/1000 patient-days and susceptibility patterns were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Measures and Main Results. Annual grams of ceftazidime, piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, and other antipseudomonal β-lactams purchased/1000 patient-days were compared during the 2 full calendar years before the antimicrobial restriction program (1995–1996) with the 4 full calendar years after the program was implemented (1998–2001). Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistance trends for the antipseudomonal β-lactams, ciprofloxacin, and tobramycin also were compared for the 2 years before the program (1995–1996) with the last 2 years of the program (2000–2001). A 44% reduction in ceftazidime use was documented; ostensibly, minimal changes occurred in the overall use of piperacillin and piperacillin-tazobactam. During the same time period, ceftazidime resistance fell from 24% to 11.8% (p<0.001), whereas piperacillin resistance fell from 32.5% to 18.5% (p<0.001). Imipenem resistance declined from 20.5% to 12.3% (p<0.001) with an 18% reduction in use. Aztreonam resistance declined from 29.5% to 16.5% (p<0.001) despite a 57% increase in use. No changes in resistance to either ciprofloxacin or tobramycin were found. Conclusion. Through an antimicrobial restriction program, a dramatic reduction in ceftazidime use was achieved with judicious use of other antipseudomonal antimicrobials, which resulted in reduced resistance of P. aeruginosa to other β-lactams.
Interactive effect of changes in the shape of the yield curve and conditional term spread on expected equity returns

Recent research has noted that the change in the shape of the yield curve can serve as a proxy for economic activity and contains economic information not present in other explanatory variables. This article extends previous research by examining the combined effect of changes in the shape of the yield curve (yield pattern) and term spread on ex ante equity returns. We find specific yield patterns do affect future equity returns, that changes in the expected long rate is a significant factor, and that, when conditioned on the change in yield curve, the term spread is time variant and significant in specific yield pattern environments and insignificant in others. Specifically, we find that average ex ante equity returns are significant and positive when the yield pattern shows signs of the expected long rate declining. In addition, we find the efficacy of the conditional term spread to predict future equity returns increased after 1980. Our results are consistent with the Expectation Theory of interest rat...
The relationship between the Brazilian interest payments moratorium and bank equity returns: evidence from the London Stock Exchange 1

This study examines the effects of the Brazilian interest payments moratorium announcement on the equity return levels of several large US and European commericial banks traded on the London Stock Exchange. The empirical evidence suggests that, in general, the equity prives of the sample banks immediately reflected the relevant information associated with the announcement. However, some degree of pricing inefficiency was determined to exist, as the market was unable to discriminate among banks of the basis of exposure to Brazilian loans.
Spinal anesthetic agents.

Lidocaine, tetracaine, and bupivacaine are the local anesthetic agents most commonly employed for spinal anesthesia in the U.S. Lidocaine provides a short duration of anesthesia and is primarily useful for surgical and obstetrical procedures lasting less than one hour. Tetracaine and bupivacaine are used for procedures lasting 2 to 5 hours. Tetracaine appears to provide a somewhat longer duration of anesthesia and a more profound degree of motor block than does bupivacaine. On the other hand, compared with tetracaine, bupivacaine has been demonstrated to be associated with a decreased incidence of hypotension. In addition, bupivacaine may be better than tetracaine for use in orthopedic surgical procedures since it appears to be associated with a lower incidence of tourniquet pain. Vasoconstrictors can prolong the duration of spinal anesthesia of all three agents. However, the greatest duration is seen when vasoconstrictors are added to tetracaine solutions. Lidocaine and bupivacaine do not appear to benefit as much from the addition of vasoconstrictors. In general, the local anesthetic agents that are currently available for spinal anesthesia provide significant versatility. By carefully considering the planned surgical procedure, the surgeon's requirements, and the patient's characteristics (e.g., age, height, gravidity), and by understanding the factors that influence spinal anesthesia, the anesthesiologist can select a local anesthetic agent that will assure adequate and satisfying spinal anesthesia.
Mechanical four-pole parameters and their application

Abstract Analysis of the sinusoidal vibration of damped mechanical systems by the use of four-pole parameter theory is described. Values of the four-pole parameters are derived or stated for lumped systems, such as a dynamic absorber, and for distributed systems, such as a uniform rod in longitudinal vibration. Also stated are the parameters that describe the bending vibrations of a Bernoulli-Euler beam and a thin circular plate, both of which may be envisaged as four-pole systems when they are driven and terminated so that only symmetrical vibrations about their mid-points are excited. Numerical results are plotted for two examples in which four-pole theory is used: (i) to predict the force transmissibility to the clamped boundary of a center-driven circular plate when a dynamic absorber with optimum tuning and damping is attached to its mid-point; (ii) to predict the response ratio and force transmissibility across a two-stage or compound mounting system having a central impedance which ceases to remain masslike at high frequencies.
Low bone mineral density, coronary heart disease, and stroke mortality in men and women: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Purpose The aim of this study is to determine the long-term association of bone mineral density and cardiovascular disease mortality. Methods The data used are from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), a nationally representative sample of noninstitutionalized civilians. A cohort of white, black, and Mexican-American persons ages 50 years and older at baseline (1988–1994) was followed through 2000 for coronary heart disease (CHD; n = 4690) and stroke mortality (n = 5272) using the NHANES III Linked Mortality File. Results Death certificates were used to identify 369 CHD and 166 stroke deaths. Results were evaluated to determine the relative risk of CHD or stroke per one standard deviation lower bone mineral density after adjusting for multiple risk factors. In Cox proportional hazards models, risk of CHD death and risk of stroke death were not associated with low bone mineral density among men. For women, no significant associations were found for stroke (relative risk, 1.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.86–2.07, p = 0.20) or CHD (relative risk, 1.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.88, 1.80; p = 0.21). Conclusions Low bone mineral density was not associated with risk of cardiovascular disease in men. Among women with low bone mineral density, risk of CHD and stroke were elevated, but no significant associations were found.
Ceramic Composites with Multilayer Interface Coatings

Silicon carbide matrix composites have been fabricated from either ceramic-grade NicalonTM or Hi-NicalonTM fibers coated with an interface material consisting of six alternating carbon and silicon carbide layers. Initial efforts involved the use of chemical vapor infiltration to produce minicomposites (single tows of fibers). In subsequent work, forced-flow thermal-gradient chemical vapor infiltration was used to produce a single composite plate with a multilayer interface from ceramic-grade Nicalon fabric and two plates from Hi-Nicalon fabric, one with a single carbon layer and one with a multilayer interface. Tensile testing of the minicomposites and of specimens cut from the plates revealed typical composite behavior and strengths for the as-processed samples. Exposure of tensile specimens to 950°C air for 100 h resulted in large losses in strength and strain tolerance regardless of the interface coating. The results demonstrate that forced-flow thermal-gradient chemical vapor infiltration can be used to prepare multilayer interface material. The results also verified that relatively thick (>100 nm) single or multiple carbon layers are susceptible to oxidation that causes the loss of composite properties.
A unified charge model for symmetric double-gate and surrounding-gate MOSFETs

This paper presents a unified analytical charge model for long channel symmetric double-gate (DG) and surrounding-gate (SGT) MOSFETs. The proposed analytical charge model continuously covers all the operation regions and achieves both computation efficiency and high accuracy. Unified intrinsic capacitance model for both DG and SGT MOSFETs is also presented for AC simulation. A detailed comparison between the analytical model and numerical solution is conducted to demonstrate the accuracy of the model.
Mitoses in cell cultures from cardiac tissue of the surf clam Spisula solidissima.

Abstract Cell cultures derived from cardiac tissue of the surf clam Spisula solidissima have been grown as cell monolayers for extended periods. Disaggregated cells from pooled cardiac tissue were obtained by treatment with 0.25% Trypsin-EDTA in 2.6% NaCl solution. Medium consisted of known components supplemented with fetal calf serum and whole egg ultrafiltrate. Cells were incubated at 24°C and all stages of mitosis observed.
Novel Epoxynorbornane Monomers. 1. Synthesis and Characterization

The synthesis of a series of mono-, di-, and multifunctional monomers bearing the epoxynorbornane group has been carried out. Key to their preparation is the chemoselective epoxidation of 5-vinyl-2-norbornene, which affords the 5-vinyl-exo-2,3-norbornane epoxide in high yields. Monomers were prepared using this substrate and carrying out hydrosilations to make mono-, di-, tri-, and tetrafunctional epoxides. The esterification and etherification of 5-norbornene-2-methanol with succinic acid and 1,4-butanediol gives the corresponding bisnorbornene compounds, which were epoxidized to give diepoxynorbornane monomers containing ester and ether linkages. All monomers were fully characterized by means of IR and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and by elemental analysis.
A Small particle model as a possible explanation of recently reported cavity lights

Abstract Very unusual light phenomena have been observed inside superconducting niobium cavities under an electrical excitation equivalent to an average acceleration of ∼4 MV / m . Of particular interest is the observation of what appear to be objects executing elliptical orbits. A small particle model that yields a cylindrical harmonic oscillator potential well inside such a cavity is developed and appears to offer considerable promise as an analytical framework in which to understand these observations; the harmonic oscillator potential well has elliptical orbits as general solutions. However, explicit calculations indicate that with the cavity excitation parameters associated with this data, it is highly unlikely that a small object orbiting in such a potential well can be made of any known material. Deficiencies of the model are discussed, and avenues for further study, both theoretical and experimental, are indicated..
Studies on planar reflectarrays with spherical-phase distribution for 2-D beam-scanning

Planar reflectarray antennas with spherical phase distribution are studied in this paper. Analytical expressions are derived for the aperture phase distribution, and the restricted aperture approach is used to minimize the effects of spherical aberration. The optimal feed position is determined by means of a phase error analysis, and a planar reflectarray with 30 dB gain and 30 degrees elevation coverage is studied for two-dimensional beam-scanning. These studies show that planar reflectarrays with spherical phase distribution can be a suitable choice for high-gain two-dimensional beam-scanning applications.
Hydrogen content and the goal of stable efficient amorphous-silicon-based solar cells

Abstract Solar cell and film analyses indicate that electron mobility in amorphous hydrogenated silicon-germanium decreases with increasing hydrogen C H and germanium C Ge contents. The hole mobility-lifetime product μτ is less dependent on germanium content than the electron μτ product. Thin (less than 1000 A) graded band gap alloy solar cells were prepared by photochemical vapor deposition with greater than 5% efficiency (at air mass 1.5) and 40% quantum efficiency at 800 nm. Unalloyed a-Si:H with C H values of 7% and 11% having similar annealed state dangling bond densities was prepared by photochemical vapor deposition. Under light exposure or high temperature current injection, high C H materials were markedly less stable.
Theories of Multiple Equilibria-A Critical Reexamination. Part I: Barotropic Models

Abstract Previous results claiming the existence of multiple equilibria based on simple barotropic or two-layer models of the atmosphere are reexamined. While not ruling out the existence of multiple equilibria we find that the application of these results to the atmosphere, especially with regard to high/low zonal index and zonal/blocked situations, is probably problematic. Results based on truncated low-order models are found to change drastically when full nonlinearity is retained. Although multiple equilibria may still exist in some nonlinear models in some restricted parameter regimes, it is argued that the parameter values adopted in previous studies are probably not physically based. Mathematically interesting properties of the nonlinear system, such as resonance bending, hysteresis, bifurcation and multiplicity of solutions are also discussed.
Chemical Communication Across the Zinc Tetrathiolate Cluster in Escherichia Coli Ada, a Metalloactivated DNA Repair Protein

The Escherichia coli Ada protein repairs methylphosphotriesters in DNA through direct, irreversible transfer to a cysteine residue on the protein, Cys 69. Methylation of Cys 69 increases the sequence-specific DNA-binding activity of Ada by 10(3)-fold, enabling the methylated protein to activate transcription of a methylation-resistance regulon. The thiolate sulfur atom of Cys 69 is coordinated to a tightly bound zinc ion in the Ada N-terminal domain, and this metal-ligand interaction plays a direct role in promoting the DNA repair chemistry. Ada is thus the founding member of a mechanistic class of proteins that employ metalloactivated thiolates as nucleophiles, other examples of which include protein prenyltransferases and cobalamin-independent methionine synthase. Here we have probed the role of the three other Cys residues in Ada that together with Cys 69 coordinate the zinc through mutation to the alternative ligand residues Asp and His. All of the mutant proteins folded properly and bound zinc, but none of them exhibited measurable levels of DNA repair activity. Significantly, the Cys-to-His mutant proteins retained nearly wild-type sequence-specific DNA-binding activity in the unmethylated state. These findings demonstrate that the three "spectator" Cys ligands communicate chemically with Cys 69 through the bound metal ion.
STUDIES ON CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM METABOLISM IN DISEASE : I. CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM METABOLISM IN LEPROSY.

In leprosy there is a definite retention of calcium. The more advanced the stage of the disease the greater is the degree of retention. This behavior on the part of leprous individuals may be taken as an indication that the organism is in need of calcium. Magnesium may also be retained in leprosy, but .the degree of retention is much less marked than in the case of calcium. With the exception of the retention of calcium and magnesium the leprous organism responds to changes in the intake of calcium and magnesium in the same manner as normal individuals. The results of this investigation suggest that in leprosy administration of calcium may be of benefit as an additional therapeutic measure in an endeavor to retard or arrest the progress of the bone changes characteristic of the disease.
Natural history of Sanfilippo syndrome type A.

To describe the natural history of Sanfilippo syndrome type A. We performed a retrospective review of 46 children (21 boys, 25 girls) with Sanfilippo syndrome type A evaluated between January 2000 and April 2013. Assessments included neurodevelopmental evaluations, audiologic testing, and assessment of growth, adaptive behavior, cognitive behavior, motor function, and speech/language skills. Only the baseline evaluation was included for patients who received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Median age at diagnosis was 35 months, with a median delay between initial symptoms to diagnosis of 24 months. The most common initial symptoms were speech/language delay (48 %), dysmorphology (22 %), and hearing loss (20 %). Early behavioral problems included perseverative chewing and difficulty with toilet training. All children developed sleep difficulties and behavioral changes (e.g., hyperactivity, aggression). More than 93 % of the children experienced somatic symptoms such as hepatomegaly (67 %), abnormal dentition (39 %), enlarged tongue (37 %), coarse facial features (76 %), and protuberant abdomen (43 %). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a 60 % probability of surviving past 17 years of age. Sanfilippo type A is characterized by severe hearing loss and speech delay, followed by a rapid decline in cognitive skills by 3 years of age. Significant somatic disease occurs in more than half of patients. Behavioral difficulties presented between 2 and 4 years of age during a rapid period of cognitive decline. Gross motor abilities are maintained during this period, which results in an active child with impaired cognition. Sleep difficulties are concurrent with the period of cognitive degeneration. There is currently an unacceptable delay in diagnosis, highlighting the need to increase awareness of this disease among clinicians.
Fluoxetine in adolescents with comorbid major depression and an alcohol use disorder a five-year follow-up study

The goal of this five-year follow-up evaluation was to characterize the long-term (five-year) clinical course following the completion of an acute phase study with fluoxetine in comorbid adolescents. At the five-year follow-up evaluation, the group continued to demonstrate significantly fewer DSM criteria for an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and fewer BDI depressive symptoms, and also consumed fewer standard drinks than they had demonstrated at the baseline of the acute phase study. Also, between the three- and five-year follow-up assessments, the level of self-reported depressive symptoms showed a significant decrease. Three of the 10 participants demonstrated Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) at the five-year follow-up assessment, but only one demonstrated Alcohol Dependence (AD), and none demonstrated Cannabis Dependence (CD). Eight of the 10 participants (80%) had demonstrated MDD at some time during the five-year follow-up study. The presence of a current AUD was significantly associated with the presence of a current MDD episode at both the one-year and the three-year follow-up evaluations. Six of the participants (60%) restarted SSRI medications at some point during the five-year follow-up period, but none were still taking SSRI antidepressants at the time of the 5-year assessment. Despite their substantial residual depression and alcohol use, a strong majority (8/10, 80%) of the subjects graduated from college during the five-year follow-up period. We conclude that the long-term (5-year) prognosis for the AUD, CD, and academic functioning of comorbid adolescents following acute phase treatment with SSRIs is surprisingly good. However, the long-term prognosis for their depression was surprisingly poor, and was worse than is typically seen among non-comorbid adolescents or adults.
A Quasi-Static Analysis of Open-Ended Coaxial Lines (Short Paper)

A quasi-static analysis of an open-ended coaxial line terminated by a semi-infinite medium on ground plane is presented in this paper. The analysis is based on a variation formulation of the problem. A comparison of results obtained by this method with the experimental and the other theoretical approaches shows an excellent agreement. This analysis is expected to be helpful in the inverse problem of calculating the permittivity of materials in vivo for a given input impedance of the coaxial line.
Accurate thermal analysis of GaN HFETs

Abstract AlGaN–GaN heterostructure field effect transistors (HFETs), while capable of delivering large output power densities at high efficiency into the mm W range of frequencies, also dissipate high power densities in the form of heat. Elevated channel temperatures reduce device performance and raise reliability concerns. Understanding the temperature and power dissipation dependence of the thermal resistance of GaN HFETs is also important for accelerated life testing. This work employs an accurate channel temperature measurement technique to extract the thermal resistance of the GaN device structures. Three dimensional numerical modeling using temperature dependent thermal conductivities was also performed. Simulation results agree well with measured thermal resistance. Further simulations were used to design low thermal resistance device structures which exploit the high thermal conductivity properties of diamond.
Minimum number of tardy jobs in single machine scheduling with release dates—an improved algorithm

Abstract Scheduling of n -jobs on a single machine is studied here where each job i has a specified ready time, processing time and due date. It is assumed that early jobs have early due dates. An algorithm that minimizes the number of tardy jobs for this problem has been presented in Kise et al . [1]. We adopt the “blocks” concept to modify their algorithm to eliminate unnecessary computations. The improved algorithm developed here also employs a backward searching process for tardy jobs and uses a stopping rule for this search to further reduce the computational requirements.
EndNote and Reference Manager Citation formats compared to "instructions to authors" in top medical journals

The study compared citation format in EndNote version 7 and Reference Manager version 11 with the citation format for references found in the instructions to authors from the most significant medical literature. The resulting information should be very useful to those who depend on citation management software to format and organize their references for publication in medicine, and librarians and others who teach the use of citation management software.
Non-indigenous grasses impede woody succession

With the proliferation of old fields and the decline of native grasslands in North America, non-indigenous grasses, which tend to colonize and dominate North American old fields, have become progressively more abundant. These new grasses can differ from native grasses in a number of ways, including root and shoot morphology (e.g., density of root mat, height of shoots), growth phenology (e.g., cool season vs. warm season growth), and plant–soil–water relations due to differences in photosynthetic physiology (C3 vs. C4). Woody plants have been slow to colonize some old fields in the prairie-forest border area of North America and it is hypothesized that non-indigenous grasses may be contributing to the poor establishment success of woody plants in this region, possibly through more intense competition for resources. To test this hypothesis, a multi-factorial field experiment was conducted in which water, nitrogen, and grass functional group (non-indigenous C3 and native C4 species) were manipulated in a study of survival of oak seedlings. The grass type variously affected some of the different growth measurements, however, the effects of grass type on seedling growth were small compared to the effects on seedling survival. The results showed that when grown under dry conditions, seedlings growing in non-indigenous grasses experienced up to a 50% reduction in survival compared to those growing in native grasses under the same conditions. Analyses of root and shoot competition showed that the cause for the reduced survival in the non-indigenous grasses was due primarily to underground processes. The findings confirmed our initial hypothesis that non-indigenous grasses are likely contributing to the poor establishment success of woody plants in these old fields. However, the explanation for the reduced oak seedling survival in non-indigenous grasses does not appear to be due to reduced resource availability since soil water levels did not differ between non-indigenous and native grass plots and other resource levels measured (light, NO3, and NH4) were higher in non-indigenous grass plots under dry conditions. An alternative explanation is that the non-indigenous grasses modify the soil environment in ways that, under dry conditions, are deleterious to emerging oak seedlings. Since current climate projections for the upper Midwest are for hotter and drier summers, the results suggest that the resistance of these old fields to oak encroachment will likely increase in the future.
The interacting effects of food, spring temperature, and global climate cycles on population dynamics of a migratory songbird

Although long-distance migratory songbirds are widely believed to be at risk from warming temperature trends, species capable of attempting more than one brood in a breeding season could benefit from extended breeding seasons in warmer springs. To evaluate local and global factors affecting population dynamics of the black-throated blue warbler (Setophaga caerulescens), a double-brooded long-distance migrant, we used Pradel models to analyze 25 years of mark-recapture data collected in New Hampshire, USA. We assessed the effects of spring temperature (local weather) and the El Nino Southern Oscillation index (a global climate cycle), as well as predator abundance, insect biomass, and local conspecific density on population growth in the subsequent year. Local and global climatic conditions affected warbler populations in different ways. We found that warbler population growth was lower following El Nino years (which have been linked to poor survival in the wintering grounds and low fledging weights in the breeding grounds) than La Nina years. At a local scale, populations increased following years with warm springs and abundant late-season food, but were unaffected by spring temperature following years when food was scarce. These results indicate that the warming temperature trends might have a positive effect on recruitment and population growth of black-throated blue warblers if food abundance is sustained in breeding areas. In contrast, potential intensification of future El Nino events could negatively impact vital rates and populations of this species.
On the secrecy of timing-based active watermarking trace-back techniques

Timing-based active watermarking schemes are developed to trace back attackers through stepping stone connections or anonymizing networks. By slightly changing packet timing, these schemes achieve robust correlation for encrypted network connections under timing perturbation. However, the manipulation on packet timing makes the schemes themselves a potential target of intelligent attackers. In this paper, we analyze the secrecy of the timing-based active watermarking techniques for tracing through stepping stones, and propose an attack scheme based on analyzing the packet delays between adjacent stepping stones. We develop attack techniques to infer important watermark parameters, and to recover and duplicate embedded watermarks. The resulting techniques enable an attacker to defeat the tracing systems in certain cases by removing watermarks from the stepping stone connections, or replicating watermarks in non-stepping stone connections. We also develop techniques to determine in real-time whether a stepping stone connection is being watermarked for trace-back purposes. We have performed substantial experiments using real-world data to evaluate these techniques. The experimental results demonstrate that for the watermark scheme being attacked (1) embedded watermarks can be successfully recovered and duplicated when the watermark parameters are not chosen carefully, and (2) the existence of watermarks in a network flow can always be quickly detected.
The use of radionuclide retinal scintigraphy for the assessment of retinopathy in diabetes mellitus.

Abstract A computerized radiotracer technique for the detection of loss of retinal vascular integrity secondary to diabetes is presented. Radionuclide retinal scintigraphy with Technetium-99m DTPA was performed on 40 insulindependent diabetics and 10 nondiabetics. A ratio of eye to brain activity was used to eliminate errors associated with absolute counting. Ratios were found to be significantly higher in diabetics, especially those with active neovascularization. This technique may prove useful in the assessment and staging of eyes prone to retinopathy.
Muscle Firing Patterns in two Arachnids using different methods of Propulsive Leg Extension

Activity patterns of six morphologically similar, homologous muscles were recorded from the fourth leg pair in two species of arachnids that use different mechanisms to extend the femur-patella (knee) joint during locomotion. The giant whipscorpion Mastigoproctus giganteus (Uropygi) lacks femur-patella extensor muscles but extends this joint with hydraulic pressure, a mechanism that appears to be phylogenetically primitive in arachnids. The black emperor scorpion Pandinus imperator (Scorpiones) has an unusual muscle that promotes simultaneous extension at the femur-patella joint and distally adjacent patella-tibia joint. Comparison of electromyograms from freely walking animals revealed similarities in muscle firing patterns of the two species, including asymmetrical alternation of trochanter-femur levator and depressor muscles, transfemoral muscle activation during protraction and abrupt termination just prior to levator activation, and persistence of flexor activity during retraction (extension). These results indicate that the apparent evolutionary transition from hydraulic to muscular extension occurred without substantial alteration of several components of the primitive motor programme. It is suggested that the patterns of extension force generated by hydraulic pressure and by bifunctional extensors are similar and that this similarity is associated with conservation of the motorprogramme.
Laboratory biology of Chetogena scutellaris (Diptera: Tachinidae), a parasitoid of noctuidae, reared on fall armyworm and cabbage looper.

Abstract The tachinid parasitoid Chetogena scutellaris (Wulp) was reared from southern armyworm, Spodoptera eridania (Cramer), a new host record. When reared in cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), (a new host) and in fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), in the laboratory, C. scutellaris developed successfully ca. 30% of the time. Success of parasitism depended on the numbers of eggs laid per host, host age, and host species. Parasitoid development was not synchronized with host development. C. scutellaris developed mostly as a solitary parasitoid. Female flies preferred fifth instar hosts for oviposition. Cabbage looper was a better host than fall armyworm for mass rearing of this parasitoid.
A test system to evaluate the susceptibility of Oregon, USA, native stream invertebrates to triclopyr and carbaryl

The susceptibility of six indigenous macroinvertebrate species representative of U.S. Pacific Northwest streams (Ameletus sp., Brachycentrus americanus, Calineuria californica, Cinygma sp., Lepidostoma unicolor, Psychoglypha sp. early and late instar) to formulated triclopyr ester (herbicide) and carbaryl (insecticide) was determined using laboratory bioassays. Acute toxicity was expressed as the lethal concentration to 50% (LC50) and 1% (LC1) of the test population based on a 96-h exposure duration. Carbaryl was found to be 1,000 times more toxic than triclopyr for all the organisms tested. The LCI values (7.5, 28.8, 9.0, 3.0, 9.5, 14.8, 33.8 microg/L, respectively, for carbaryl and 1.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.2, 29.0, 16.1 mg/L, respectively, for triclopyr) were used in the calculation of hazardous concentration to 5% of the stream macroinvertebrate community (HC5) based on the lower 95% confidence limit (HC5/95). The hazardous concentration (HC5/95) for triclopyr was 0.11 mg/L and for carbaryl ranged from 0.43 to 0.66 microg/L, respectively. Triclopyr and carbaryl symptomology were analyzed for two organisms, C. californica and Cinygma sp. Carbaryl symptomology included knockdown and moribund states with severity and time of appearance being a function of dose. In triclopyr poisoning, death occurred suddenly with little or no symptomology. Time to 50% mortality (LT50) values were consistently higher for C. californica than for Cinygma sp. exposed to both chemicals at similar concentrations.
The interaction of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors with an anandamide carrier protein using (19)F-NMR.

It has been reported that the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) binds to a class of fatty acid-binding proteins and serum albumin which can serve as carrier proteins and potentiate the cellular uptake of AEA and its intracellular translocation. Here, we employed 19F nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study the interactions of serum albumin with two inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the enzyme involved in the deactivation of anandamide. We found that, for both inhibitors AM5206 and AM5207, the primary binding site on serum albumin is drug site 1 located at subdomain IIA. Neither inhibitor binds to drug site 2. While AM5207 binds exclusively to drug site 1, AM5206 also interacts with other fatty acid-binding sites on serum albumin. Additionally, AM5206 has an affinity for serum albumin approximately one order of magnitude higher than that of AM5207. The data suggest that interactions of FAAH inhibitors with albumin may provide added advantages for their ability to modulate endocannabinoid levels for a range of applications including analgesia, antiemesis, and neuroprotection.
ZONE-SUBSOILING EFFECTS ON POTATO YIELD AND GRADE

Soil compaction and erosion are problems in many Pacific Northwestern potato fields. We wanted to determine if zone-subsoiling would reduce these problems and improve potato yields and or grade without adversely impacting other production practices. Studies were conducted in Southern Idaho at six locations over two years on different soils and with different irrigation methods to assess the effects of zone-subsoiling immediately after planting on tuber yield and grade. Reservoir-tillage comparisons were made at three locations where sprinkler water application rates were higher than soil infiltration rates. Russet Burbank was represented by eight location-years and Russet Norkotah by two. Zone-subsoiling consistently improved tuber grade or increased tuber size. The biggest improvement was under furrow irrigation. Zone-subsoiling also tended to increase total yield in eight of ten location-years. Reservoir-tillage improved yield and grade, but zone-subsoiling did not without reservoir-tillage when water application rates were high. At no location did zone-subsoiling significantly decrease tuber grade or yield. Zone-subsoiling had no appreciable effects on hill configuration or seed-piece dislocation. Surface cracking and "water piping" occurred under furrow irrigation but were not significant problems. Results were similar for both cultivars. Additional studies will be needed to successfully incorporate zone-subsoiling into commercial production practices.
Multimeric assembly of host-pathogen adhesion complexes involved in apicomplexan invasion.

Apicomplexan parasites are the causative agents of diseases that include malaria, toxoplasmosis, and coccidiosis. These obligate intracellular parasites have evolved to use a conserved mechanism for host-cell invasion. The apicomplexan phylum is defined by the presence of micronemes and rhoptries, which are distinct organelles located at the apical end of the parasite. These organelles secrete molecules necessary for host-cell invasion [1]. Apicomplexan parasites can invade disparate cell types, including hepatocytes, erythrocytes, lymphocytes, macrophages, and cells lining the digestive tract. Unlike viruses and intracellular bacteria, apicomplexans actively invade host cells without relying on host uptake pathways. As such, host-cell sensing and subsequent invasion are driven entirely by the parasite in a dynamic and rapid process. Intracellular residence protects the parasite from immune attack and enables parasite replication prior to host-cell lysis and subsequent invasion of neighboring host cells. The repertoire of ligand-receptor complexes utilized by parasites for entry into host cells is diverse. Some interactions occur through cell-specific receptors resulting in high-affinity interactions, while others occur through multiple lower-affinity interactions via surface moieties found on several cell types. Receptor-specific and general cell binding may explain host-cell tropism of different pathogens, although additional factors are important. There is growing evidence that multimeric assembly of parasite ligands and host surface molecules strengthens the host-pathogen interactions necessary for invasion. We discuss recent work that has advanced our knowledge of the assembly of adhesive complexes from two critical apicomplexan pathogens and highlight areas of research that require further investigation.
Performance of Screening Mammography among Women with and without a First-Degree Relative with Breast Cancer

Cancer detection rates in women who had a first-degree relative with a history of breast cancer were similar to those in women a decade older without a family history. The sensitivity of screening ...
Denial of emergency department authorization of potentially high-risk patients by managed care

This study was designed to evaluate patients presenting to a large urban university emergency department (ED) who were subsequently denied authorization for reimbursed care by their managed care provider and to characterize the denial as potentially safe or unsafe based on published triage criteria. A consecutive case surveillance was performed from October 1, 1994 to September 30, 1995 at a university-based ED (30,000 visits per year) for adult patients in inner-city Chicago. Cases were comprised of adult managed care participants whose providers refused by telephone to authorize payment for ED services and who then left the ED without treatment. Chief complaints and vital signs were used to categorize patients as high-risk or nonemergent based on previously published criteria. A total of 2,965 adult managed care patients presented to the ED during the study period, representing 11.1% of the total ED census. Of these patients, 244 (8.2%) were denied authorization for payment of their care. By previously established criteria, 115 (47.1%) were identified as potentially unstable, 61 (53%) due to abnormal vital signs and 54 (47%) with other high-risk indications such as severe pain, chest pain, or abdominal pain. These potentially high-risk patients may subsequently suffer adverse outcomes. Current guidelines used for telephone triage by managed care to divert patients from our ED do not meet previously published safe triage criteria.
Performance and acoustic prediction of counterrotating propeller configurations

The Davidson (1981) numerical method is used to predict the performance of a counterrotating propeller configuration over a range of different front and back disk rotation speeds with constant-speed propellers; this has yielded such overall performance parameters as integrated thrust, torque, and power, as well as the radial variation of blade torque and thrust. Since the unsteady component of the noise from a counterrotating propeller configuration is minimal in the plane of the propeller disk, this approach is restricted to noise-level predictions for observer locations in this region.
Diagnosis of spinal disease in dogs

Diagnosing spinal conditions in dogs requires an ability to conduct and interpret a neurological examination and a knowledge of ancillary diagnostic tests. This paper discusses the approach to the dog in which spinal disease is suspected, the performance of the neurological examination, and the diagnostic aids available. The differential diagnosis of various presenting syndromes is also considered.
Optimization of fed-batch Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation using dynamic flux balance models

We developed a dynamic flux balance model for fed-batch Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation that couples a detailed steady-state description of primary carbon metabolism with dynamic mass balances on key extracellular species. Model-based dynamic optimization is performed to determine fed-batch operating policies that maximize ethanol productivity and/or ethanol yield on glucose. The initial volume and glucose concentrations, the feed flow rate and dissolved oxygen concentration profiles, and the final batch time are treated as decision variables in the dynamic optimization problem. Optimal solutions are generated to analyze the tradeoff between maximal productivity and yield objectives. We find that for both cases the prediction of a microaerobic region is significant. The optimization results are sensitive to network model parameters for the growth associated maintenance and P/O ratio. The results of our computational study motivate continued development of dynamic flux balance models and further exploration of their application to productivity optimization in biochemical reactors.
Forest Succession and Distance from Forest Edge in an Afro-Tropical Grassland1

Abstract Forest succession on degraded tropical lands often is slowed by impoverished seed banks and low rates of seed dispersal. Within degraded landscapes, remnant forests are potential seed sources that could enhance nearby forest succession. The spatial extent that forest can influence succession, however, remains largely unstudied. In abandoned agricultural lands in Kibale National Park, Uganda, recurrent fires have helped perpetuate the dominance of tall (2–3 m) grasses. We examined the effects of distance from forest and grassland vegetation structure on succession in a grassland having several years of fire exclusion. At 10 and 25 m from forest edge, we quantified vegetation patterns, seed predation, and survival of planted tree seedlings. Natural vegetation was similar at both distances, as was seed (eight species) and seedling (six species) survival; however, distance may be important at spatial or temporal scales not examined in this study. Our results offer insight into forest succession on de...
Null Hypothesis Significance Testing Does Not Show Equivalence

Null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) allows researchers to find differences between groups, such as differences between men and women, Blacks and Whites, or heterosexual and same-sex couples. In contrast, this article will show that NHST is mathematically incapable of allowing researchers to conclude that two groups are the same. Because of this, NHST leads to a research literature that emphasizes differences between groups and ignores similarities. To examine similarities between groups, either Bayesian statistics or confidence intervals should be used. Thus, Frost and Gola (2015) should have used one of these approaches when examining similarities between heterosexual and same-sex couples.
The Quality Library: A Guide to Staff-Driven Improvement, Better Efficiency, and Happier Customers, by Sara Laughlin and Ray W. Wilson

Sara Laughlin and Ray Wilson have prepared a wonderful book that carefully and systematically demonstrates a series of techniques library staff can use to improve library processes. Because the wor...