cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of “nontraditional” relationships under assortative mating

The set of conditions on the genetical and developmental mechanisms of quantitative characters as well as on selection and mating system presented in (Gimelfarb, 1981) is expanded, thus enabling one to obtain the genotypic covariances between relatives for a larger variety of relationships. It is also demonstrated that the frequency of a relationship in a population under assortative mating may in general be different from the frequency of this relationship in the population under random mating. A subpopulation of relatives is not necessarily a representative sample of the whole population with respect to the quantitative character distribution. However, for any relationship which is a combination of descendant-ancestor, full sib, Type 1 and Nth uncle-niece relationships, its frequency in a population under assortative mating is the same as in the population under random mating, and the subpopulation of such relatives is a representative sample of the whole population.
Diverticular rupture during colonoscopy: fact or fancy?

Uncomplicated colonic diverticula have been regarded as weak points in the bowel wall which have a predisposition to rupture during colonoscopy. We attempted to prove or disprove this assumption. Eleven segments of diverticula-containing sigmoid colon were insufflated via a colonoscope and the rupture pressure manometrically recorded. The mean ±sem pressure causing serosal tear was 202±15 mm Hg and mucosal rupture 226 ± 14 mm Hg. No diverticular blowouts occurred. Intraluminal sigmoid pressures were measured manometrically in 15 patients with and 15 patients without colonic diverticula during routine colonoscopy. The pressure recordings were read in a blinded fashion, and the values were then grouped and analyzed in those patients with and without sigmoid colon diverticula. Intrarectal, sigmoid, peak sigmoid, peak sigmoid with cough, and peak sigmoid with Valsalva pressures were similar in both groups. Furthermore, the pressure levels generated during colonoscopy were much lower than those required for colonic rupture in the cadaver colons. We conclude that the reason most colonic perforations occur in the sigmoid area is not due to diverticular blowout. Rather, excluding instances where electrocautery is used, we feel it is due to instrument trauma. Less commonly, excessive air insufflation can result in serosal laceration and mucosal rupture, whereas diverticular blowout is probably limited to the setting of acute diverticulitis.
HLA genotypes and rubella vaccine immune response: additional evidence.

Recent population-based studies have demonstrated the genetic heritability of rubella vaccine response and assessed that the HLA system may explain about 20% of the inter-individual variance in humoral immune response to this vaccine. Our earlier studies compared HLA allelic associations with rubella vaccine-specific antibodies between two smaller cohorts of healthy Rochester, MN, children (346 and 396 subjects) after two doses of rubella-containing vaccine. This study found that specific HLA alleles were consistently associated with rubella-specific antibody titers (B*27:05, DPA1*02:01, and DPB1*04:01 alleles). The current study examined HLA associations in an independent larger cohort of 1012 healthy San Diego, CA, subjects (age 19–40 years) after rubella vaccine in order to replicate our previous findings in the Rochester subjects. Two HLA associations of comparable magnitudes were consistently observed between B*27:05 (median NT50 Rochester cohort 48.9, p = 0.067; San Diego cohort 54.8, p = 0.047) and DPB1*04:01 (median NT50 Rochester cohort 61.6, p < 0.001; San Diego cohort 70.8, p = 0.084) alleles and rubella virus-neutralizing antibody titers. Additional HLA alleles resulted in consistent effects on IL-6 production in both cohorts, but did not meet criteria for statistical significance. Our data suggest these HLA alleles play a role in rubella vaccine-induced immunity and provide the basis for future studies that may explain the mechanism(s) by which these HLA polymorphisms affect immune responses to rubella vaccine.
Some quantum weirdness in physiology

Quantum mechanics seems alien to physiology. Alarm bells go off in our heads when we hear even people of such genius as Sir Roger Penrose (1) invoke the weird coherence of quantum mechanical wave functions to explain biological function. Of course, it is only some of the “weirder” parts of quantum mechanics that bother us. Structural biochemistry is founded on the rigid geometrical relationships involved in chemical bonding that arise from quantum mechanics; the α-helix could only have been discovered by Pauling by acknowledging the power of quantum mechanical resonance to flatten the peptide bonding unit (2). Nevertheless, most modern biomolecular scientists view quantum mechanics much as deists view their God; it merely sets the stage for action and then classically understandable, largely deterministic, pictures take over. In this issue of PNAS Ishizaki and Fleming (3), by combining experimental and theoretical investigations, demonstrate that quantum coherence effects play a big role in light energy transport in photosynthetic green sulfur bacteria under physiological conditions. Quantum coherence allows a nonclassical simultaneous exploration of many paths of energy flow through the many chromophores of a light-harvesting complex, thereby significantly increasing the efficiency of the energy capture process, presumably helping the bacteria to survive in low light.
Anesthesia recordkeeping and monitoring system (ARMS)

ARMS was designed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of patient monitoring and recordkeeping. An IBM PS/2-based controller provides automatic acquisition of digitized RS-232C physiologic signals from existing medical monitors. Rapid, standardized manual entry of patient data and pertinent events is achieved by mouse-controlled pull-down menus. This information is archived in Lotus 1-2-3 format. Effectiveness of visual information is increased by an integrated single display of cerebral perfusion/oxygenation, cardiopulmonary function, anesthetic delivery/adequacy, and neuromuscular blockade. A speech synthesizer generates specific verbal warnings or error conditions. These unambiguous auditory warnings can increase patient safety by decreasing physician response time. >
A mean-variance approach to forecasting with the consumer confidence index

This article refines the way consumer confidence survey data are used in forecasting models. The refinement is easy to describe: it extends existing models by controlling for statistically significant changes in consumer confidence index values. The motivation behind this refinement is simply that not all changes in the confidence index are statistically significant, and mean index values alone provide a noisy signal. Using Michigan Index of Consumer Confidence from 1967 through 2013, we show that controlling for significant versus insignificant changes in the consumer confidence index materially enhances the explanatory power of household expenditure forecasting models.
Variable-step variable-order algorithm for the numerical solution of neutral functional differential equations

Abstract The variable-step variable-order algorithm based on predictor-corrector methods for neutral functional differential equations is described. The algorithm is implemented in interpolation mode, i.e. we use fixed-step formulation of Adams-Bashford Adams-Moulton formulas while all back-values are computed by interpolation. The local discretization error is estimated by Milne's device. Although the assumptions under which this estimate is asymptotically correct are rather strong and not always expected to be satisfied in practice, the numerical experiments up to date indicate that this algorithm can be quite accurate and efficient.
Tutorial on Drug Development for Central Nervous System

Many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer`s and Parkinson`s disease, are devastating disorders that affect millions of people worldwide. However, the number of therapeutic options remains severely limited with only symptomatic management therapies available. With the better understanding of the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, discovery efforts for disease-modifying drugs have increased dramatically in recent years. However, the process of translating basic science discovery into novel therapies is still lagging behind for various reasons. The task of finding new effective drugs targeting central nervous system (CNS) has unique challenges due to blood-brain barrier (BBB). Furthermore, the relatively slow progress of neurodegenerative disorders create another level of difficulty, as clinical trials must be carried out for an extended period of time. This review is intended to provide molecular and cell biologists with working knowledge and resources on CNS drug discovery and development.
Influence of atmospheric nutrients on primary productivity in a coastal upwelling region

[1] Atmospheric deposition is an important source of nutrients to the coastal and open ocean; however, its role in highly productive upwelling regions like coastal California has not been determined. Approximately 0.1%–0.2% of new production is attributable to atmospheric deposition of nitrogen (N) annually, but if the estimate is expanded to encompass the effects of iron (Fe), aerosols may support 1%–2% of new production on average, and up to 5% on days with high deposition fluxes. Laboratory culture and in situ incubation experiments confirm the bioavailability of N from dry deposition in this region. A significant positive relationship between aerosol optical thickness and chlorophyll a derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer is observed for the summer months and is stronger offshore than near the coast. Moreover, the portion of productivity supported by atmospheric deposition is higher on days without upwelling and during El Nino periods when nutrient input from upwelling is suppressed, a phenomenon that could become more prevalent due to climate warming. Expanding the results from California, we estimate that dry deposition could increase productivity in other major coastal upwelling regions by up to 8% and suggest that aerosols could stimulate productivity by providing N, Fe, and other nutrients that are essential for cell growth but relatively deplete in upwelled water.
Building Interdisciplinary Research Models: A Didactic Course to Prepare Interdisciplinary Scholars and Faculty

Many academicians assume that anyone can engage in interdisciplinary research, but it is clear that successful interdisciplinary efforts require mastery of specific competencies that can be learned and improved. This paper describes the development and implementation of a course designed for Master's, pre- and postdoctoral students and research faculty on models of interdisciplinary research skills, based on a set of core competencies. Major challenges included working through institutional structures that made it difficult to offer cross-school courses, and interpersonal challenges among a diverse group of students from a number of disciplines. Although universities may be poised for interdisciplinary research, strategies for faculty preparation and support are lacking. Institutions embracing the concept of team and interdisciplinary science must focus not only on the structural barriers and facilitators, but also on direct support to faculty. The didactic course described in this paper is one approach to enhance interdisciplinary research skills of scholars-in-training and faculty, and we recommend that similar efforts be widely implemented.
Generation and in vivo persistence of polarized Th1 and Th2 memory cells

In vitro generated CD4 cell lines and effectors often produce either Th1 or Th2 cytokines, but stimulation of resting CD4 cells from animals leads to production mostly of IL-2. To determine whether polarization of CD4 effector cells results in development of polarized memory, I generated antigen-specific Th1 and Th2 effectors in vitro and transferred them to adoptive hosts. The effectors gave rise to long-lived populations of CD4 T cells with the phenotype of resting memory cells. Recovered cells responded vigorously to specific antigen, producing a pattern of cytokines closely related to that of the transferred effectors. Thus, encounter with a peptide antigen and directive cytokines at the initiation of culture can lead to generation of both effector and long-lived memory cell populations that produce restricted patterns of cytokines.
Graphical Analysis of Photographic Exposure and a New Theoretical Formulation of the H and D Curve

A graphical analysis of the photographic exposure problem is given based on the assumption that the sensitivity variation among grains of a photographic emulsion depends upon an inherent variation in grain sensitivity among grains of the same size class as well as upon the size distribution. Using the graphical model developed, a theoretical equation of the H and D curve is derived. On account of the mathematical form, the equation cannot be integrated. It is necessary, therefore, to obtain the theoretical curves from this equation by graphical methods. Curves obtained by means of the equation are compared with experimental curves for three widely different types of emulsions, and the agreement is quite satisfactory.
Pressure Reconstruction for Microrolling Process Monitoring

Microrolling is an advanced manufacturing process for the mass production of miniaturized components. At the micrometer scale, small deviation in material thickness or roll misalignment may significantly alter pressure distribution across the product, resulting in variations in the imprinted texture dimension. An embedded sensing method has been developed to monitor the pressure distribution across the workpiece. A key component of the sensing method is a pressure retrieving algorithm that determines deformation across the roll structure from a limited number of sensing points and converts the data subsequently into pressure distribution, based on the theories of interpolation and back-projection. In this paper, a combination of interpolation (Bezier Curve, Thin Plate Spline, and Kriging) and Tikhonov regularization have been used to resolve the inverse problem.
Chronic naltrexone increases opiate binding in brain and produces supersensitivity to morphine in the locus coeruleus of the rat.

Abstract Rats were implanted subcutaneously for 2–4 weeks with slow-release pellets of naltrexone (10mg) or placebo and then the pellets were removed. One day after removal of the pellet, animals were either (1) sacrificed and various CNS regions examined for specific binding of [ 3 H]naloxone, [ 3 H]etorphine or [ 3 H]rauwolscine or (2) they were anesthetized and prepared acutely for assessing morphine-induced changes in the spontaneous activity of neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC). Naltrexone treatment significantly increased the number of specific binding sites for opiates, but not fot α 2 -adrenergic antagonists, in spinal cord, hypothalamus, striatum and cortex. Specific binding of [ 3 H]naloxone was also increased in the LC. The spontaneous activity of neurons in the LC was reduced by the chronic naltrexone treatment, suggesting that these neurons became supersensitive to the tonic inhibitory effect of endogenous opioid peptides. Moreover, neurons in the LC of chronic naltrexone-treated rats exhibited an enhanced response to the inhibitory effects of morphine administered systemically. These results demonstrate that chronic opiate receptor blockade increases the number of receptor sites for morphine and that this increase in receptors is accompanied by a neuronal supersensitivity in the LC to morphine which can be assessed electrophysiologically.
Regularized Inversion of Noisy Laplace Transforms

In this paper we construct a sequence of regularized inverses of the Laplace transform by relating this transform to a convolution operator for functions on the group of the positive real numbers with multiplication. Estimation of the mixing distribution, when a mixture of exponential distributions is observed, is an example. Inversion of perturbed Laplace transforms also plays a role in system theory.
Transcutaneous monitors during one-lung ventilation: are they reliable?

During one-lung ventilation, levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood are commonly assessed by intermittent blood gas sampling. Transcutaneous PO2 (tcPO2) and transcutaneous PCO2 (tcPCO2) have been reported to accurately reflect arterial PO2 (PaO2) and arterial PCO2 (PaCO2) in hemodynamically stable patients. Transcutaneous monitors appear to be ideal for detecting trends toward hypoxia and hypercarbia, conditions that may not be evident when using intermittent blood gas sampling, while pulse oximetry, since it reflects saturation, may not detect hypoxia until it has already occurred. Thirty: one patients undergoing one-lung ventilation were monitored using both transcutaneous electrodes applied to the upper arm (group 1) or chest (group 2) and arterial blood gas sampling. Arterial blood gases were sampled while tcPO2 and tcPCO2 values were being recorded. Regression, correlation, and covariance analyses were performed. Correlation coefficients of PaO2 to tcPO2 varied from .05 to .99 for each patient. The slopes of individual regression lines varied from 0.03 to 1.16. Correlation coefficients of PaCO2 to tcPCO2 varied from .01 to .99, while the slopes of individual regression lines ranged from 0.02 to 5.89. Covariance analyses revealed considerable variation in PaO2 to tcPO2 and PaCO2 to tcPCO2 in individual patients even under stable hemodynamic conditions. Analysis of covariance also demonstrated that in group 2 the slopes comparing arterial and transcutaneous values were significantly different for PaO2 200 mmHg. In group 1, for PaO2 200 mmHg. It is concluded that transcutaneous monitoring is useful to indicate trends in arterial values in some patients, but blood gas analysis is still necessary to verify the reliability of such monitoring.
Some experimental observations on the pressure driven flow of biomass suspensions

Abstract This paper is devoted to the experimental investigation of the pipeline flow of low volume fraction suspensions. Our experimental observations of low volume fraction biomass suspensions such as mulch, coffee powder, crushed leaves, in water, show an unusual, non-linear relationship between flow rate and pressure drop which is not observed in homogeneous systems. While it is well known that in Newtonian liquids, the flow rate increases monotonically with the pressure drop, our experiments indicate that increasing pressure drop across the pipe can cause the flow rate to drop at an exponential rate. The observations are seen to be consistent for the varying concentrations and for different kinds of solute particles.
First-Row Transition Metal Complexes of the Strongly Donating Pentadentate Ligand PY4Im

The new ligand PY4Im, which incorporates an axial N-heterocyclic carbene and four equatorial pyridine donors, is readily prepared on a multigram scale. Six-coordinate first row transition metal complexes of the general formula [(PY4Im)M(MeCN)]2+ (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu), where the PY4Im ligand coordinates in a square pyramidal pentadentate fashion, have been prepared. Structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical characterization of these compounds provides evidence that PY4Im is a strongly donating ligand that favors the formation of low-spin complexes. Chemical oxidation of the iron(II) complex provides a low spin iron(III) complex, which has also been structurally and spectroscopically characterized. In the case of manganese(II), the PY4Im ligand is unable to either enforce a low-spin state or fully accommodate the metal ion. Rather, the ligand binds in a tridentate, face-capping mode.
A current generation by Compton scattering in a relativistic plasma with velocity shear and temperature gradient

Current generation by Thomson scattering in a non-relativistic plasma with the velocity shear and the temperature gradient (Hinata and Daneshvar, 1983) is extended to a relativistic plasma by replacing Thomson cross section by the Klein-Nishina formula. Because of the energy dependence of the cross-section, a numerical rather than analytic result is presented. The present calculation may be applied to a supernova implosion where the temperature may reach several MeV and a strong differential rotation is expected. It may also find applications in the early universe, and laser-pellet interaction.
EEG correlates of fatigue during administration of a neuropsychological test battery

Abstract Objective Mental fatigue, a poorly understood symptom of sports-related concussion, ideally requires assessment across multiple modalities. Our study aimed to examine mental fatigue effects among 10 neurologically normal, athletically active students undergoing typical concussion testing. It is our intention to ultimately address the question whether fatigue effects due to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) may become confounded with fatigue effects due to testing effort. Methods Fourteen athletically active and neurologically normal volunteers were initially recruited from Penn State University. Self-reported fatigue, neuropsychological performance, and electroencephalographic (EEG) activity were measured throughout the whole testing duration. EEG measures in frequency domain (e.g., relative power of theta, alpha, and beta bands) were examined over the course of neuropsychological (NP) test administration. Results Predicted fatigue effects over the course of testing included: (a) increased self-reported fatigue; (b) increased errors on the Stroop Interference Test; (c) significantly increased relative power of theta activity during the Stroop Interference Test in frontal–central and parietal regions; and (d) migration of alpha activation from the occipital to anterior (left parietal and pre-central) regions during the Stroop Interference task administered at the beginning compared with the end of testing. Conclusions Results supported predictions related to subjective fatigue and cognitive performance and offered partial support for predictions related to EEG activation patterns over the course of administering the NP testing. Significance Neurologically intact and athletically active college students demonstrate effects related to fatigue after undergoing a typical sports concussion assessment battery, including an increase in subjectively experienced fatigue, a decrease in cognitive task performance accuracy and associated modulations in EEG activity. This finding should be considered by clinical practitioners while evaluating the symptoms of concussion and making a decision regarding the return-to-sport participation.
TU-E-141-05: Dosimetric and Anatomical Evaluation of Normal Tissue Changes During IMRT Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer

Purpose: To measure changes to parotid, submandibular glands and oral cavity using weekly CBCT and to determine factors predictive of weekly volume and mean dose changes. Methods: Weekly CBCT images were reviewed for seven patients undergoing standard IMRT. Parotid, submandibular glands (SMG) and oral cavity were segmented both manually and through free‐form deformable registration of the CBCT to the planning CT. Structure volume, center‐of‐mass (COM) and manual/deformed similarity on each CBCT was recorded. All structures were then mapped back to the planning CT and weekly delivered mean doses were calculated. Temporal changes in volume, COM and dose were correlated to pre‐and on‐treatment anatomic and dosimetric parameters. Results: On average, 6.5 scans per patient were available for review. Mean decrease in parotid, submandibular gland and oral cavity volume by the end of treatment was 18.9% (σ=10.0), 21.9% (σ=13.1) and 3.1% (σ=7.8), respectively. Volume changes translated into an average 2.9 Gy (σ=2.8) increase in parotid gland mean dose. No significant change in mean dose to SMG or oral cavity was observed. Deformable registration commonly failed in areas of dental fillings requiring subsequent manual editing of parotid and oral cavity volumes. Average Dice Similarity Coefficients of 0.841 (σ=0.051), 0.752 (σ=0.089) and 0.892 (σ=0.037) for the parotids, submandibular glands and oral cavity were obtained. On multivariate analysis, factors correlated with volume and dose change during treatment included the planned dose‐to‐date, patient weight and changes in structure COMs. Conclusion: Dosimetric consequences of on‐treatment volume changes of normal tissues during head and neck IMRT treatment were limited to an increase in mean dose to the parotid glands. Planned dose‐to‐date, patient weight, and center‐of‐mass changes were all predictive of volume changes during treatment. Improvements in CBCT image quality are essential before these images can be used for treatment decisions or adaptive therapy.
Our new president-ralph A. Giannella, M.D

Ralph A. Giannella will become the 93rd president of the American Gastroenterological Association during Digestive Disease Week in May 1999. His path to the presidency has been illuminated by a distinguished career as an educator, researcher, clinician, and administrator. He will bring to the presidency the energy, dedication, critical analysis skills, and open-mindedness that has characterized his academic career.
Prospective review of 278 endoscopic carpal tunnel releases using the modified chow technique

Summary The results of 278 endoscopic carpal tunnel releases using the extrabursal dual portal Chow technique were analyzed prospectively. The majority of patients were pain free by the 57th postoperative day. The perioperative complication rate was 1.7%. The late complication rate was 2.8%. Two cases were converted to open carpal tunnel release. The average time to return to full-duty work was 65 days in those patients covered by worker's compensation, whereas it was 21 days in the privately insured (non-worker's compensation) patients. The endoscopic release of the transverse carpal ligament is an effective technique for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome with a low complications rate. Return to full employment requires more time in those patients covered by worker's compensation.
Infrared Characterization of Rh Surface States and Their Adsorbates during the NO−CO Reaction

Rh surface states and their adsorbates during the NO−CO reaction have been characterized by the in situ infrared (IR) coupled with temperature-programmed reaction (TPR) technique. The TPR profiles of adsorbates and CO2 show that Rh surface states and their adsorbates are governed by the redox reaction cycle of NO−CO. Adsorbed oxygen from dissociated NO oxidizes Rh0 to Rh+; adsorbed CO reduces Rh+ to Rh0. The extent of oxidation and reduction of Rh0/Rh+ is in part reflected in the intensity of the adsorbates residing on these sites (i.e., Rh+(CO)2, Rh0−CO, Rh−NO+, and Rh0−NO-). An increasing NO/CO ratio shifts the TPR profiles of Rh+(CO)2, NO conversion, and light-off to higher temperatures. The results reveal that a high NO/CO ratio or high concentration of oxidant enhances the extent of oxidation of Rh0 to Rh+, resulting in low catalyst activity for NO reduction. Keeping the Rh surface in the Rh0 state by a low NO/CO ratio decreases the Rh+(CO)2 intensity and shifts the light-off to a lower temperature. ...
Propagation of transient quantum coherence

We perform a time-resolved quantum interference experiment based on the effect of induced coherence without induced emission using two pulsed parametric down-conversion sources. We periodically vary the transmission of the first source's idler beam and measure the time-dependent visibility of fringes in the interference between the two signal beams. The visibility is found to be correlated with the transmissivity with a time delay corresponding to a combined path of the first idler and the second signal beam. The experiment is discussed in the context of the delayed choice experiments.
A role for actin dynamics in individualization during spermatogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster.

In order to better understand the mechanism of sperm individualization during spermatogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster, we have developed an in vitro culture system in which we can perform live observation of individualization in isolated cysts. The whole process of individualization, during which a bundle of 64 syncytial spermatids is separated into individual sperm, takes place in these cultures. Individualization complexes, which consist of 64 cones of actin that assemble around the sperm nuclei, move to the basal end of the tails, forming a characteristic `cystic bulge9 that contains an accumulation of cytoplasm, syncytial membrane and vesicles. The cystic bulge is the site of membrane remodeling and its movement was used to follow the progress of individualization. The speed of cystic bulge movement is fairly constant along the length of the cyst. Actin drugs, but not microtubule drugs inhibit cystic bulge movement, suggesting that the movement requires proper actin dynamics but not microtubules. GFP-tagged actin was expressed in the cyst and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching was monitored using confocal microscopy to analyze actin dynamics in cones. Actin turns over throughout the cone, with that at the leading edge of the cones turning over with slightly faster kinetics. Actin does not treadmill from the front to the back of the cone. Actin in moving actin cones turns over in about 12 minutes, although prior to onset of movement, turnover is much slower. Visualization of membrane using FM1-43 reveals that the cystic bulge has an extremely complicated series of membrane invaginations and the transition from syncytial to individualized spermatids occurs at the front of the actin cones. We also suggest that endocytosis and exocytosis might not be important for membrane remodeling. This system should be suitable for analysis of defects in male sterile mutants and for investigating other steps of spermatogenesis.
Quality of life after early mitral valve repair using conventional and robotic approaches.

Background Early mitral valve (MV) repair of degenerative mitral regurgitation is associated with superior clinical outcomes compared with prosthetic replacement and restores normal life expectancy, even in those without symptoms. Although current guidelines recommend prompt referral for effective MV repair in those with severe mitral regurgitation, some are reluctant to pursue early correction due to the perception that short-term quality of life (QOL) may be adversely affected by the operation. Methods Between January 2008 and November 2009, 202 patients underwent conventional transsternotomy or minimally invasive port-access robot-assisted MV repair, with or without patent foramen ovale closure or left Maze, and were mailed a postsurgical QOL survey. Results Unadjusted QOL scores for patients undergoing MV repair were excellent early after the operation using both approaches. Robotic repair was associated with slightly improved scores on the Duke Activity Status Index, the Short Form-12 Item Health Survey Physical domain, and the Linear Analogue Self-Assessment frequency of chest pain and fatigue indices during the first postoperative year; however, differences between treatment groups became indistinguishable after 1 year. Robotic repair patients returned to work slightly quicker (median, 33 vs 54 days, p Conclusions Functional QOL outcomes within the first 2 years after early MV repair are excellent using open and robotic platforms. A robotic approach may be associated with slightly improved early QOL and return to employment-based activities. These results may have implications regarding future evolution of clinical guidelines and economic health care policy.
Intrauterine device use among women with uterine fibroids: a systematic review.

Background There are concerns that intrauterine device (IUD) use by women with uterine fibroids might increase their uterine bleeding or risk for device expulsion. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate evidence concerning the safety and effectiveness of IUD use among women with uterine fibroids. Key questions included whether IUD use is associated with increased risk for uterine bleeding among women with uterine fibroids and whether the presence of uterine fibroids is associated with an increased risk for device expulsion among IUD users. Study design We searched the PubMed database for peer-reviewed articles relevant to IUD (copper or levonorgestrel-releasing) use and uterine fibroids published in any language from database inception through June 2009. We used standard abstract forms and a grading system to summarize and assess the quality of the evidence. Results From 202 articles found in the database search, we identified 11 studies that met our inclusion criteria, all of which examined outcomes among users of the levonorgestrel-releasing IUD (LNG-IUD). Evidence from 10 of 11 noncomparative studies (Level II-3, fair) suggests that LNG-IUD use among women with fibroids does not increase menstrual bleeding, and results from all 11 showed that menstrual blood loss decreased among women who continued to use the LNG-IUD through the end of the study period. Overall, serum levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit and ferritin increased among LNG-IUD users in studies that assessed these outcomes. Several studies reported some occurrences of irregular bleeding. Findings from two cohort studies (Level II-2, fair to poor) showed rates of LNG-IUD expulsion to be higher among women with uterine fibroids (11% in each) than among women without uterine fibroids (0% and 3%); however, in one study the difference was not statistically significant, and in the other significance testing was not conducted. Six prospective noncomparative studies reported expulsion rates of 0-20% among women with uterine fibroids. Conclusions Most women with uterine fibroids are likely to have less menstrual blood loss and higher serum levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit and ferritin after insertion of an LNG-IUD, despite some occurrences of irregular bleeding. LNG-IUD users with uterine fibroids may have higher rates of expulsion than those without fibroids.
Phonon detection using quasi one-dimensional quantum wires

We show that quasi-one-dimensional quantum wires fabricated using GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures can be used to detect near THz acoustic phonons in the presence of magnetic field. A ballistic beam of phonons generated either electrically or optically at the backside of the substrate causes a transient change in the resistance of the quantum wire. The transient response is strongly dependent on the magnetic field, and is most likely caused by the absorption of phonons by edge states.
On computing equally spaced samples of a complex Gaussian function

This correspondence extends the simple nonlinear recursion presented by Kaiser in [3] to the fast generation of equally spaced samples of a complex Gaussian "chirp" function \exp (C_{0} + C_{1}t + C_{2}t^{2}) using only two complex multiplications per point.
A New Approach to Strategic Forecasting

Projecting demand can be made more credible and insightful for developing strategy when it is based on an understanding of underlying drivers. These include societal trends, demographics, and the possibility of product substitution.
The KH domain of the branchpoint sequence binding protein determines specificity for the pre-mRNA branchpoint sequence

The yeast and mammalian branchpoint sequence binding proteins (BBP and mBBP/SF1) contain both KH domain and Zn knuckle RNA-binding motifs. The single KH domain of these proteins is sufficient for specific recognition of the pre-mRNA branchpoint sequence (BPS). However, an interaction is only apparent if one or more accessory modules are present to increase binding affinity. The Zn knuckles of BBP/mBBP can be replaced by an RNA-binding peptide derived from the HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein or by an arginine-serine (RS)7 peptide, without loss of specificity. Only the seven-nucleotide branchpoint sequence and two nucleotides to either side are necessary for RNA binding to the chimeric proteins. Therefore, we propose that all three of these accessory RNA-binding modules bind the phosphate backbone, whereas the KH domain interacts specifically with the bases of the BPS. Proteins and protein complexes with multiple RNA-binding motifs are frequent, suggesting that an intimate collaboration between two or more motifs will be a general theme in RNA-protein interactions.
Decisional Capacity of Depressed Elderly to Consent to Electroconvulsive Therapy

The purpose of this article is to determine the abilities of severely depressed elderly to consent to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and to investigate the impact of educational intervention on their capacity. Forty severely depressed adults referred for ECT, with Mini-Mental State Examination scores greater than 20, were recruited. Using the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment (MacCAT-T), decisional capacities were assessed at baseline and reassessed after education. Between the 2 assessments, all subjects received standard education, and half of the group was subsequently randomized to receive further education. At baseline, the geriatric group scored lower on understanding, reasoning, and choice and higher on appreciation. After education, all MacCAT-T scores increased for both age groups. Depressed elderly in the sample, as a group, had adequate decisional capacities to consent to ECT. They showed greater improvement in decisional capacity with education. The findings highlight the importance of providing education to the elderly to optimize their ability to give informed consent.
The splicing-factor related protein SFPQ/PSF interacts with RAD51D and is necessary for homology-directed repair and sister chromatid cohesion

DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) are among the most severe forms of DNA damage and responsible for chromosomal translocations that may lead to gene fusions. The RAD51 family plays an integral role in preserving genome stability by homology directed repair of DSBs. From a proteomics screen, we recently identified SFPQ/PSF as an interacting partner with the RAD51 paralogs, RAD51D, RAD51C and XRCC2. Initially discovered as a potential RNA splicing factor, SFPQ was later shown to have homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining related activities and also to bind and modulate the function of RAD51. Here, we demonstrate that SFPQ interacts directly with RAD51D and that deficiency of both proteins confers a severe loss of cell viability, indicating a synthetic lethal relationship. Surprisingly, deficiency of SFPQ alone also leads to sister chromatid cohesion defects and chromosome instability. In addition, SFPQ was demonstrated to mediate homology directed DNA repair and DNA damage response resulting from DNA crosslinking agents, alkylating agents and camptothecin. Taken together, these data indicate that SFPQ association with the RAD51 protein complex is essential for homologous recombination repair of DNA damage and maintaining genome integrity.
Elevated Expression of DNA Ligase I in Human Cancers

Purpose: Human DNA ligase I plays an essential role in DNA replication, recombination, and repair by catalyzing the formation of phosphodiester bonds between adjacent 5′-phosphoryl and 3′-hydroxyl termini at single breaks in duplex DNA molecules. DNA ligase I is responsible for the majority of DNA ligase activity present in proliferating cells among four different forms of DNA ligases, designated DNA ligase I, II, III, and IV. In this study, we were interested in comparing DNA ligase I level in human tumors versus normal tissues and in studying whether the inhibition of DNA ligase I could lead to tumor cell death. Experimental Design: DNA ligase I level was measured by Western immunoblot assay in various human malignant tumor specimens and benign tissues obtained from patients, in peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from healthy donors, and in human tumors grown in nude mice. We also have designed antisense oligonucleotides (ODNs) targeting the mRNA of DNA ligase I and tested whether DNA ligase I antisense ODNs could control tumor cell growth. Results: The amount of DNA ligase I enzyme in malignant tumors was considerably higher than that in benign normal tissues and peripheral blood lymphocytes. The level of DNA ligase I in human tumors grown in nude mice was also very high, and the expression of DNA ligase I appears to be constitutive during in vivo tumor development. We have observed that DNA ligase I antisense ODN inhibited tumor cell growth in a dose-response manner, but nonspecific control ODNs had little effect on the growth of the same cell lines. Conclusions: The presence of DNA ligase I at higher levels in human tumors than in benign normal tissues and normal peripheral lymphocytes suggests DNA ligase I plays more of a role in proliferating cells than in resting cells. These results, together with our finding that DNA ligase I antisense ODNs can suppress tumor cell proliferation, warrant the design and testing of human DNA ligase I inhibitors as new anticancer agents.
Entity resolution with iterative blocking

Entity Resolution (ER) is the problem of identifying which records in a database refer to the same real-world entity. An exhaustive ER process involves computing the similarities between pairs of records, which can be very expensive for large datasets. Various blocking techniques can be used to enhance the performance of ER by dividing the records into blocks in multiple ways and only comparing records within the same block. However, most blocking techniques process blocks separately and do not exploit the results of other blocks. In this paper, we propose an iterative blocking framework where the ER results of blocks are reflected to subsequently processed blocks. Blocks are now iteratively processed until no block contains any more matching records. Compared to simple blocking, iterative blocking may achieve higher accuracy because reflecting the ER results of blocks to other blocks may generate additional record matches. Iterative blocking may also be more efficient because processing a block now saves the processing time for other blocks. We implement a scalable iterative blocking system and demonstrate that iterative blocking can be more accurate and efficient than blocking for large datasets.
A Complete Detonator, Booster, and Main Charge Study of LX-07/PBX 9502

A complete study of an exploding bridgewire detonator (EBW), an LX-07 hemispherical booster and a PBX 9502 outer shell are described. Breakout times from all three are listed in terms of first impact on the booster, i.e., code times. Lucite windows are also used to obtain particle velocities at the edges of each explosive, and these are converted into explosive pressures. The key to modeling is the use of the profile of the aluminum detonator can as it impacts the booster, i.e., we need to know the curvature of the end of the booster can. Modeling even with coarse zoning shows that (i) using reactive flow in the booster is better than programmed burn, (ii) creating the flyer curvature helps, and (iii) creating the time differences of flyer impact helps even more.
A Comparative Analysis of Number Sense Instruction in Reform-Based and Traditional Mathematics Textbooks:

This study compared number sense instruction in three first-grade traditional mathematics textbooks and one reform-based textbook (Everyday Mathematics [EM]). Textbooks were evaluated with regard to their adherence to principles of effective instruction (e.g., big ideas, conspicuous instruction). The results indicated that traditional textbooks included more opportunities for number relationship tasks than did EM; in contrast, EM emphasized more real-world connections than did traditional textbooks. However, EM did better than traditional textbooks in (a) promoting relational understanding and (b) integrating spatial relationship tasks with other more complex skills. Whereas instruction was more direct and explicit and feedback was more common in traditional textbooks than it was in EM, there were differences among traditional textbooks with respect to these two criteria. Although EM excelled in scaffolding instruction by devoting more lessons to concrete and semiconcrete activities, traditional textbooks...
Out of the shadows: CXC chemokines in promoting aberrant lung cancer angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis is a pervasive, normal biological event related to critical new blood vessel growth under both physiologic and pathologic conditions. The absolute dependence of tumorigenesis on angiogenesis has taught us several important things about aberrant angiogenesis involving neoplasia,
Nonparametric scene parsing: Label transfer via dense scene alignment

In this paper we propose a novel nonparametric approach for object recognition and scene parsing using dense scene alignment. Given an input image, we retrieve its best matches from a large database with annotated images using our modified, coarse-to-fine SIFT flow algorithm that aligns the structures within two images. Based on the dense scene correspondence obtained from the SIFT flow, our system warps the existing annotations, and integrates multiple cues in a Markov random field framework to segment and recognize the query image. Promising experimental results have been achieved by our nonparametric scene parsing system on a challenging database. Compared to existing object recognition approaches that require training for each object category, our system is easy to implement, has few parameters, and embeds contextual information naturally in the retrieval/alignment procedure.
Efficiently distributing component-based applications across wide-area environments

Distributed deployment of network applications in wide-area environments has proven effective for improving enduser experience. Another trend is the use of component frameworks for building network services. Their component-based nature makes such applications natural candidates for distributed deployment, but it is unclear if the design patterns underlying component frameworks also enable efficient service distribution. In this paper, we investigate the application design rules and accompanying system-level support essential to a beneficial and efficient service distribution process. Our study targets the widely used Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) component platform and Java Pet Store, a sample component-based e-commerce application. Our results present strong experimental evidence that component-based applications can be efficiently distributed in wide-area environments using a small set of generally applicable design rules for orchestrating interactions and managing component state. We additionally discuss enforcement of these rules, and their automated implementation by container frameworks.