cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anhydrates and Hydrates of Olanzapine: Crystallization, Solid-State Characterization, and Structural Relationships

Olanzapine, a novel benzodiazepine agent used in the treatment of schizophrenia and related psychoses, crystallizes in 25+ crystal forms, seven of which are pharmaceutically relevant: three anhydrates (I−III), three dihydrates (B, D, and E), and a higher hydrate. X-ray crystal structures of the thermodynamically stable anhydrous form (I), two dihydrates (B and D), a higher hydrate, and a Rietveld-refined structure of dihydrate E have permitted a detailed analysis of the conformational, hydrogen bonding, and crystal packing preferences of olanzapine. The symmetry and hydrogen-bonding interactions in the crystal forms have also been characterized by 13C and 15N CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. Using the crystallographic and spectroscopic data, significant structural relationships have been identified between the crystal forms of olanzapine. The present study demonstrates the utility of integrating crystallography, spectroscopy, and crystal modeling in detailed structural investigations of polymorphism (and solvate...
Evaluation of simulated photochemical partitioning of oxidized nitrogen in the upper troposphere

Abstract. Regional and global chemical transport models underpredict NO x (NO + NO 2 ) in the upper troposphere where it is a precursor to the greenhouse gas ozone. The NO x bias has been shown in model evaluations using aircraft data (Singh et al., 2007) and total column NO 2 (molecules cm −2 ) from satellite observations (Napelenok et al., 2008). The causes of NO x underpredictions have yet to be fully understood due to the interconnected nature of simulated emission, transport, and chemistry processes. Recent observation-based studies, in the upper troposphere, identify chemical rate coefficients as a potential source of error (Olson et al., 2006; Ren et al., 2008). Since typical chemistry evaluation techniques are not available for upper tropospheric conditions, this study develops an evaluation platform from in situ observations, stochastic convection, and deterministic chemistry. We derive a stochastic convection model and optimize it using two simulated datasets of time since convection, one based on meteorology, and the other on chemistry. The chemistry surrogate for time since convection is calculated using seven different chemical mechanisms, all of which predict shorter time since convection than our meteorological analysis. We evaluate chemical simulations by inter-comparison and by pairing results with observations based on NO x :HNO 3 , a photochemical aging indicator. Inter-comparison reveals individual chemical mechanism biases and recommended updates. Evaluation against observations shows that all chemical mechanisms overpredict NO x removal relative to long-lived methanol and carbon monoxide. All chemical mechanisms underpredict observed NO x by at least 30%, and further evaluation is necessary to refine simulation sensitivities to initial conditions and chemical rate uncertainties.
Introduction: Promoting the “Practice” of Learning From Practice

The article focuses on management education. Particular attention is given the ways people go about learning, the ways of knowing, what constitutes knowledge, and the relationship all of these thin...
The Ross procedure in children and young adults: A word of caution

Abstract Background: Disease of the aortic valve in children and young adults is a complex entity whose management is the subject of controversy. The Ross and the Ross-Konno procedures have become the primary choices for aortic valve replacement in children because of growth potential, optimal hemodynamic performance, and lack of the need for anticoagulation. However, concern persists regarding the longevity of the pulmonary autograft, especially in patients with aortic insufficiency. Methods: Between June 1993 and February 2000, 72 Ross and Ross-Konno procedures were performed at our institution: 81% of the patients were less than 15 years old. Preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up clinical, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic data were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for deteriorating autograft function. Results: Aortic insufficiency was an indication for the Ross procedure in 17 patients and mixed lesions with predominant aortic insufficiency in 10. Of the 45 other patients, 32 had aortic stenosis and 13 had mixed lesions with predominant aortic stenosis. There were no deaths during a follow-up of 5 to 80 months. Autograft reoperation was necessary in the follow-up period in 7 patients for severe aortic insufficiency. Moderate insufficiency was identified in 5 additional patients. Aortic insufficiency or predominant aortic insufficiency, as a preoperative hemodynamic indication for the Ross procedure, reached statistical significance ( P =.031) as a risk factor for autograft failure. Conclusion: The Ross and the Ross-Konno procedures have changed the prognosis of children and young adults with complex aortic valve disease. However, the Ross procedure should be performed with caution in older children in whom aortic insufficiency is a preoperative hemodynamic indication. Further follow-up to delineate the risk factors for autograft dysfunction in children and young adults is necessary to better define the indications for the Ross procedure. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001;122:147-53
Methodology of Metal Criticality Determination

A comprehensive methodology has been created to quantify the degree of criticality of the metals of the periodic table. In this paper, we present and discuss the methodology, which is comprised of three dimensions: supply risk, environmental implications, and vulnerability to supply restriction. Supply risk differs with the time scale (medium or long), and at its more complex involves several components, themselves composed of a number of distinct indicators drawn from readily available peer-reviewed indexes and public information. Vulnerability to supply restriction differs with the organizational level (i.e., global, national, and corporate). The criticality methodology, an enhancement of a United States National Research Council template, is designed to help corporate, national, and global stakeholders conduct risk evaluation and to inform resource utilization and strategic decision-making. Although we believe our methodological choices lead to the most robust results, the framework has been constructe...
Topography of membrane concanavalin A sites modified by proteolysis.

The topographic distribution of membrane Con A sites becomes more clustered after treatment with proteolytic enzymes. The clustered sites appear to be involved in the formation of intercellular Con A cross-bridges between agglutinated cells.
Gene cloning and production of active recombinant Brugia malayi microfilarial chitinase.

Abstract Canlas and coworkers [Canlas et al. (1984) Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 33, 420–424] isolated a monoclonal antibody (MF1) which, upon passive transfer, led to the clearance of Brugia malayi (Bm) microfilariae (mf) from infected jirds. The target of MF1 is a developmentally regulated mf chitinase (Cht) (Fuhrman et al. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89, 1548–1552). This paper describes the production of enzymatically active Bm Cht in Escherichia coli. Standard expression conditions resulted in production of an insoluble maltose-binding protein (MBP)::Cht fusion protein, but by optimizing expression conditions, the amount of soluble MBP: :Cht was increased 25-fold. The specific activity of the soluble MBP: :Cht isolated from the E. coli cytoplasm was low. Exporting MBP::Cht into the E. coli periplasmic space increased the specific activity by 12-fold. This suggests that secretion through the membrane and/or the environment of the periplasmic space results in improved folding of recombinant Bm Cht.
Ultrasound evaluation of multifetal gestation

(2005). Ultrasound evaluation of multifetal gestation. The Ultrasound Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology: Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 144-153.
Unsuspected urological anomalies in asymptomatic cryptorchild boys

In a period of 6 years 144 asymptomatic boys with cryptorchidism, of mean age 7±SD 3.5 years, underwent orchiopexy. None of these boys referred to a history of a known urological anomaly, urinary tract infection, haematuria, palpable mass in the renal region, bladder extrophy, epispadias, hypospadias or anorectal malformation. On the third day after orchiopexy an intravenous pyelography was done in every boy following testicular protection against irradiation. Ultrasonic investigation was not available at that time. There were minor urological abnormalities in 36 (25%) boys and major ones in 8 (5.5%) boys. A major anomaly is defined as one resulting in significant loss of renal substance (one case of single kidney and three cases of unilateral renal hypoplasia), or requiring surgical correction for conservation of the renal substance (one case of ureterocele, two cases of pelviureteric stenosis and one case of vesicoureteric stenosis with ipsilateral hydronephrosis). The unsuspected major urological abnormalities are usually ipsilateral to the more undescended testis. They may be associated with a hernia and are more frequent in bilateral cryptorchidism. In conclusion we encourage the routine use of IVP, or ultrasonic investigation or dynamic renal scanning (99mTc-DTPA), if it is possible, in all patients undergoing orchiopexy for the detection of an unsuspected major renal anomaly.
Fast track minimally invasive transmyocardial revascularization.

OBJECTIVE : We evaluated the initial results of a fast-track discharge protocol for patients undergoing minimally invasive transmyocardial revascularization (MiTMR). METHODS : Fifteen male patients, aged 64.5 ± 9.2 years, with an ejection fraction of 46.8% ± 9.9%, underwent MiTMR through a mini-left anterior thoracotomy aided by robotic-controlled thoracoscopic assistance. A postoperative management protocol included immediate extubation, early chest tube and pulmonary artery catheter removal, and mobilization within 12 hours. RESULTS : There were no operative arrhythmias or in-hospital mortalities. Three of 15 patients developed left lower lobe atelectasis, delaying discharge between 2 and 5 days. Overall hospital length of stay was 1.4 ± 1.2 days, although 12 of 15 patients (80%) were discharged to home in 23 hours. Mild-moderate cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction 30%-50%) was not associated with prolonged length of stay. Mean hospital profit margin was $1882.50. One 30-day readmission occurred on day 23 for rapid atrial fibrillation, and one death occurred on day 11. CONCLUSIONS : Despite these high-risk patients having end-staged, ischemic coronary artery disease, most MiTMR patients can be discharged to home in less than 24 hours. Perioperative morbidity and mortality rates are relatively low, and hospital profit margins are modest.
The effects of infant feeding decisions on infant growth.

ISSUES AND PURPOSE. To determine the effects of feeding decisions on infant growth in the first 6 months of life. DESIGN AND METHODS. Growth measurements were collected twice during the first 6 months of infancy as part of a larger investigation of infant feeding practices (N = 52). RESULTS. Infants who received solid foods before the age of 4 to 6 months weighed less than those who received solid foods after 4 to 6 months. There were no differences in growth measurements between formula-fed and breastfed infants, although breast-fed infants weighed more at birth. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Emphasize the importance of feeding breast milk (preferably) or formula only for the first 6 months. Advise parents to withhold fruit juices until the infant is at least 6 months old.
Renal Hemodynamic Responses to Hypoxemia during Development: Relationships to Circulating Vasoactive Substances

ABSTRACT: Chronically catheterized fetal lambs (n = 11, gestational age 111–139 days) and neonatal lambs (n = 20, postnatal age 4–30 days) were studied to explore during development the relationship of renal hemodynamic responses during hypoxemia to plasma epinephrine concentration (E), plasma norepinephrine concentration (NE), plasma arginine vasopressin concentration (AVP), and plasma renin activity (PRA). A low oxygen gas mixture (11.1 ± 0.1% O2) was administered for 30 min to the pregnant ewe or neonatal lamb to induce hypoxemia with maintenance of normal arterial pCO2 and pH. Arterial blood pressure was recorded continuously and renal blood flow (RBF) was determined by the radiolabeled micro-sphere technique. Moderate hypoxemia (pO2 16 ± 2 torr and 33 ± 6 torr in fetus and neonate, respectively) induced increases in E, NE (measured by radioenzymatic assay), and AVP (measured by radioimmunoassay) in both fetus and neonate. PRA (measured by radioimmunoassay) also increased in response to hypoxemia in neonatal lambs. The change in mean arterial pressure with hypoxemia (ΔMAP) was significant in fetuses (ΔMAP 8 ± 14%, p 0.5). Similarly, the change in renal blood flow with hypoxemia (ΔRBF) was significant (ΔRBF-51 ± 24%, p 0.1). These results reflected a change in renal vascular resistance with hypoxemia (ΔRVR) that was significant in fetal lambs (ΔRVR 169 ± 168%, p 0.2). The relationships of these renal hemodynamic responses to the measured vasoactive substances, and the influence of their interactions to produce these responses, were assessed by response surface regression analysis. The response surface regression model of responses to hypoxemia of E (ΔE), NE (ΔNE), AVP (ΔAVP), and PRA (ΔPRA) to ΔMAP and ΔRVR over the entire development period fit the data well (adjusted R2 0.8427 and 0.8274, respectively). ΔE was the most predictive of the components for both ΔMAP and ΔRVR (F ratio 7.89 and 7.25, respectively). Contour plots of the interaction of AE with postconceptional age and ΔNE demonstrated considerable age dependence of the relationship of ΔE and ΔNE to ΔMAP and ΔRVR during development. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that asynchronous maturation of vascular β-adrenergic (vasodilatory) and α-adrenergic (vasoconstrictor) effector mechanisms occurs throughout the fetal/neonatal period.
On the Value of Optimal Myopic Solutions for Dynamic Routing and Scheduling Problems in the Presence of User Noncompliance

The most common approach for modeling and solving routing and scheduling problems in a dynamic setting is to solve, as close to optimal as possible, a series of deterministic, myopic models. The argument is most often made that, if the data changes, then we should simply reoptimize. We use the setting of the load matching problem that arises in truckload trucking to compare the value of optimal myopic solutions versus varying degrees of greedy, suboptimal myopic solutions in the presence of three forms of uncertainty: customer demands, travel times, and, of particular interest, user noncompliance. A simulation environment is used to test different dispatching strategies under varying levels of system dynamism. An important issue we consider is that of user noncompliance, which is the effect of optimizing when users do not adopt all of the recommendations of the model. Our results show that (myopic) optimal solutions only slightly outperform greedy solutions under relatively high levels of uncertainty, and that a particular suboptimal solution actually outperforms optimal solutions under a wide range of conditions.
High spatial resolution and speed in MRSI.

The in vivo applications of magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) have expanded significantly over the past 10 years and have reached the point where clinical trials are underway for a number of different diseases. One of the limiting factors in the widespread use of this technology has been the lack of widely available tools for obtaining data which are localized to sufficiently small tissue volumes to make an impact upon diagnosis and treatment planning. This is especially difficult within the timeframe of a clinical MR examination, which requires that both anatomic and metabolic data are acquired and processed. Recent advances in the hardware and software associated with clinical scanners have provided the potential for improvements in the spatial and time resolution of imaging and spectral data. The two areas which hold the most promise in terms of MRSI data are the use of phased array coils and the implementation of echo planar k-space sampling techniques. These could have immediate impact for 1 H MRSI and may prove valuable for future applications of 31 P MRSI.
Phenethyl Isothiocyanate Inhibits Oxidative Phosphorylation to Trigger Reactive Oxygen Species-mediated Death of Human Prostate Cancer Cells

Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a constituent of edible cruciferous vegetables such as watercress, not only affords significant protection against chemically induced cancer in experimental rodents but also inhibits growth of human cancer cells by causing apoptotic and autophagic cell death. However, the underlying mechanism of PEITC-induced cell death is not fully understood. Using LNCaP and PC-3 human prostate cancer cells as a model, we demonstrate that the PEITC-induced cell death is initiated by production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting from inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Exposure of LNCaP and PC-3 cells to pharmacologic concentrations of PEITC resulted in ROS production, which correlated with inhibition of complex III activity, suppression of OXPHOS, and ATP depletion. These effects were not observed in a representative normal human prostate epithelial cell line (PrEC). The ROS production by PEITC treatment was not influenced by cyclosporin A. The Rho-0 variants of LNCaP and PC-3 cells were more resistant to PEITC-mediated ROS generation, apoptotic DNA fragmentation, and collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential compared with respective wild-type cells. The PEITC treatment resulted in activation of Bax in wild-type LNCaP and PC-3 cells, but not in their respective Rho-0 variants. Furthermore, RNA interference of Bax and Bak conferred significant protection against PEITC-induced apoptosis. The Rho-0 variants of LNCaP and PC-3 cells also resisted PEITC-mediated autophagy. In conclusion, the present study provides novel insight into the molecular circuitry of PEITC-induced cell death involving ROS production due to inhibition of complex III and OXPHOS.
The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus mediates the photoperiodic control of reproduction but not the effects of light of the circadian rhythm of activity

Photoperiods of less than 12.5 h of light/24 h induce gonadal regression in the golden hamster. Photic information is relayed from the retina to the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), a structure responsible for the generation of many circadian rhythms including the circadian rhythms in locomotor activity and pineal melatonin synthesis and release. Although pineal melatonin mediates the photoperiodic-neuroendocrine response, the complete neural circuit from the SCN to the pineal gland is unknown. Complete destruction of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) prevented short-day-induced testicular regression without affecting the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity. The results indicate that the PVN plays an important role in the photoperiodic-neuroendocrine circuit and is responsible for relaying information from the SCN to the pineal. A different efferent pathway connects the SCN to structures in the brain responsible for locomotor activity.
Safety of a clean air storage hood for ophthalmic instruments in the operating room.

Purpose Evaluation of the safety of a laminar flow clean air hood for the sterile storage of ophthalmic instruments in an operating room. Methods A ten-year retrospective study of 10,524 surgical procedures performed with instruments stored in a clean air hood was conducted at the Mayo Clinic. Cases of postoperative endophthalmitis were identified through review of the diagnostic indices maintained by the ophthalmology department and the institution and through review of individual patient records. Results The incidence of endophthalmitis in surgical cases in which instruments stored in a clean air hood were used was 0.076% (eight of 10,524 cases). No clusters of infection were identified. Conclusions The use of a laminar flow clean air hood provides access to surgical instruments in a high-volume operating room without exposing patients to an increased risk of endophthalmitis.
Risk Factors of Subsequent Operations After Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background:The incidence of nonrevision reoperations after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is less commonly studied and quantified.Purpose:To describe the incidence of short-term reoperations after primary ACLR for the 4 most common procedures and to evaluate the risk factors associated with these reoperations.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:Patients who underwent ACLRs and were enrolled in an ACLR registry between February 2005 and September 2011 were evaluated. First reoperations after primary ACLR performed for the 4 most common procedures (meniscal procedures, cartilage procedures, hardware removal procedures, and arthrofibrosis procedures) were the primary end points of the study. Patient, surgical, surgeon, and hospital risk factors associated with reoperations were evaluated, and Cox regression models were employed. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported.Results:A total of 14,522 ACLRs were identified. The patients had a mean age...
Brain region-specific regulation of urocortin 1 innervation and corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type 2 binding by ethanol exposure.

Background: Ethanol administration and consumption selectively activates the urocortin 1 (Ucn1)-expressing neurons of the Edinger-Westphal nucleus. We investigated whether repeated ethanol exposure affects Ucn1 and Ucn1-responsive corticotropin-releasing factor type-2 receptors (CRF2). Methods: Male C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice were exposed to 2 g/kg ethanol via intraperitoneal injection once per day for 14, seven, or zero days. Ucn1 immunoreactivity was measured in the lateral septum, dorsal raphe, and Edinger-Westphal nucleus. In a separate experiment, C57BL/6J mice were exposed to ethanol for seven, one, or zero days, and CRF2 receptor binding was measured in the lateral septum and dorsal raphe by receptor autoradiography. Results: Ethanol exposure induced parallel changes in Ucn1 immunoreactive terminal fibers in the lateral septum and dorsal raphe of both strains. Seven ethanol exposures but not one ethanol exposure significantly increased CRF2 receptor binding in the dorsal raphe and slightly increased CRF2 receptor binding in the lateral septum. Conclusions: These results provide evidence that the Ucn1/CRF2 receptor system can be modified by ethanol exposure. They additionally suggest that this system may be involved in behavioral changes during alcoholism.
Health beliefs and attitudes of Latino immigrants: rethinking acculturation as a constant.

Health disparities among Latinos have been associated with acculturation, but there is a lack of consensus about how acculturation variables translate into health beliefs that can be used to target attitude and behavior change interventions. Transcripts from three qualitative studies including 64 Latino immigrant adults were analyzed through inductive reasoning to assess relationships between more or less acculturated attitudes, and demographic variables. In the three topic areas of gender roles, sex education, and seeking professional help, attitudes ranged from conservative (less acculturated) to liberal (more acculturated), but did not seem associated with age, education or years in the United States. When dealing with specific health topics, it is not possible to infer specific attitudes, strength of attitudes or level of acculturation of intervention recipients. To develop sound, culturally competent interventions, it is necessary to assess the targets’ beliefs and attitudes and tailor messages in specific contexts.
A mutation that confers temperature sensitivity on the translation of rIIB in bacteriophage T4

Abstract HD263 is a recessive temperature-sensitive mutation which maps in the promoter proximal region of the rIIB gene of the bacteriophage T4. Expression of rIIB is temperature-dependent in this mutant strain. No rIIB polypeptide is found in HD263 infections of Escherichia coli B at high temperature, and at low temperature less rIIB polypeptide is found than in equivalent wild-type infections. This accounts for the r -type plaque which HD263 forms when plated on E. coli B at any temperature, and for the inability of HD263 to grow on a lambda lysogen at high temperature. No other differences between HD263 and wild type have been found. Possible mechanisms to account for the temperature sensitivity of HD263 have been considered. Temperature-sensitive transcription has been ruled out. Degradation of HD263 rIIB polypeptide has been impossible to detect at any temperature. This suggests that the translatability of HD263 rIIB mRNA is temperature-dependent. A revertant of HD263 which is no longer temperature-sensitive but which produces limited quantities of rIIB polypeptide is discussed. The properties of this revertant are consistent with a translational model for the temperature sensitivity of HD263.
A physical view of sustainability

Abstract We assume that natural ecological communities tend to maximize the amount of stored biomass on a given area, thereby creating the highest sustainable rate of entropy formation possible from that area. We take this climax condition to define sustainability. Human intervention, through agriculture, reduced the ecosystem in given areas to a juvenile state, a state which seems to produce entropy at a lower rate than that of the natural climax condition. The gap in entropy production rates between the natural and the agricultural system would eventually be overcome by the direct and indirect use of fossil fuels. These fossil fuels are consumed much faster than they are being formed and, therefore, a social structure based on their extensive use cannot be sustainable. What type of social structure does meet our definition of sustainability? That is, what style and size of social activity will generate entropy at a rate no greater than that of the climax ecosystem in a particular area? During the last two decades, studies of economic activities and their environmental repercussions were limited to the possible costs and benefits of pollution control and to the economically optimal extraction rates of mineral resources. The intrusion of human activities into the environment became increasingly apparent through the depletion of natural resource stocks and decreasing environmental quality. In the 1990s, sustainability of the socio-economic system within the global ecosystem has become the pressing issue. Although research is increasingly concerned with the question of sustainability, a definition based on physically measurable evidence is missing. Such a definition is proposed in this paper and an example application is given for a particular area.
A Comparison of Partially Adaptive and Reweighted Least Squares Estimation

Abstract The small sample performance of least median of squares, reweighted least squares, least squares, least absolute deviations, and three partially adaptive estimators are compared using Monte Carlo simulations. Two data problems are addressed in the paper: (1) data generated from non‐normal error distributions and (2) contaminated data. Breakdown plots are used to investigate the sensitivity of partially adaptive estimators to data contamination relative to RLS. One partially adaptive estimator performs especially well when the errors are skewed, while another partially adaptive estimator and RLS perform particularly well when the errors are extremely leptokur‐totic. In comparison with RLS, partially adaptive estimators are only moderately effective in resisting data contamination; however, they outperform least squares and least absolute deviation estimators.
The acid catalyzed conversion of 3-hydroxyflavanones to anthocyanidins

Abstract 3-Hydroxyflavanones which lack a free hydroxyl group in the 5-position are slowly isomerized and converted by alcoholic mineral acids into the corresponding anthocyanidins.
Beliefs About Alcohol Use Among Youths During Early Adolescence

Understanding alcohol use onset among young adolescents is critical in identifying their perceptions, socialization, and decision making that will assist in prevention efforts. This study examined children's beliefs about alcohol. We conducted focus groups with 18 youths in grades 3 through 8 to explore their views about (1) the risk and protective factors of underage drinking and (2) the consequences of alcohol use. Findings suggest that youths' perceptions of media content, use of family members as verbal and behavioral referents, non-family member adults' alcohol use, and peer factors are concomitant processes that youths consider in formulating beliefs about alcohol use.
Confirmation and Fine Mapping of Chromosomal Regions Influencing Peak Bone Mass in Mice

Bone mineral density (BMD) is determined by both environmental influences and polygenic inheritance. The extreme difficulty of dissecting out environmental factors from genetic ones in humans has motivated the investigation of animal models. Previously, we used quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis to examine peak BMD in 24 recombinant inbred (RI) mouse strains, derived from a cross between C57BL/6 (B6) and DBA/2 (D2) progenitors (RI-BXD). The distribution of BMD values among these strains indicated strong genetic influences and a number of chromosomal sites linked to BMD were identified provisionally. Using three additional independent mapping populations derived from the same progenitors, we have confirmed loci on chromosomes 1, 2, and 4, and 11 that contain genes that influence peak BMD. Using a novel fine-mapping approach (RI segregation testing [RIST]), we have substantially narrowed two of the BMD-related chromosomal regions and in the process eliminated a number of candidate genes. The homologous regions in the human genome for each of these murine QTLs have been identified in recent human genetic studies. In light of this, we believe that findings in mice should aid in the identification of specific candidate genes for study in humans.
Concerns About Crime for Self and Others An Analysis of Individual and Contextual Effects

The purpose of this study was to examine how individual- and contextual-level factors affect both personal concerns about crime and concerns about crime for one’s spouse or significant other, famil...
Conversion and the defense engineer

The authors examine the issue of how transferable engineering skills are from the military to the civilian sector. They argue that engineers ought to get involved in forging links between technology's capabilities and society's needs. They consider ways to bring this about. >
Latency effects on reachability in large-scale peer-to-peer networks

In this paper we study the latency effects introduced in large scale internet applications. In particular, we study the effects of heterogeneous latency on reachability in decentralized, distributed networks operating under flooding protocols. We show that the standard protocol mechanisms of time-to-live (TTL) and unique message identification (UID), used to govern flooding message transmissions, can combine to potentially devastating effect on the reachability of message broadcast. We call this combined effect short-circuiting, and we investigate consequences of this phenomenon. We show that in the worstcase, short-circuiting resulting from heterogeneous latencies can near-completely eliminate the reach of broadcast messages, even with an ability to place k g 1 broadcast servers optimally. This dramatic negative effect on reachability shows that application protocol designs need to be sensitive to latency models. In addition, we show that short-circuiting can have a negative effect on well known approximation algorithms for maximizing reachability. We show that with respect to distance measures that account for short-circuiting, the standardk-center problem can not be approximated within n1-e, unless P = NP. Our theoretical results suggest that it may be quite difficult to find near optimal solutions to certain internet server selection problems. We consider the significance of our results on a large-scale peer-to-peer searching application, that relies on related flooding protocols. We report measurements through experimental studies with both simulated networks and a large network application known as Gnutella. Our empirical results, using statistics obtained from both the simulations and real applications, support the conclusion that, on average, the real effects of short-circuiting are significant, but not devastating to the performance of an overall large-scale system.
Fast timing from a fission ionization chamber

Abstract The timing resolution of a 252 Cf-loaded fission ionization chamber connected to a new current preamplifier has been tested by looking at coincident fission fragment pulses and pulses from fission γ-rays which are detected in a plastic scintillator. A time resolution of 1 nsec fwhm could be achieved.
Interaction of metal ions with polynucleotides and related compounds. XXII. Effect of divalent metal ions on the conformational changes of polyribonucleotides.

Changes in the conformation of poly(G), poly(C), poly(U), and poly(I) in the presence of divalent metal ions Mg2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+ have been measured by means of ORD and u.v. spectra. Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions stabilize helical structures of all the polynucleotides very effectively at concentrations several orders of magnitude lower than the effective concentration of Na+ion. Cu2+ and Cd2+ destabilize the helical structure of polynucleotides to form random coils. Zn2+, Ni2+, Co2+, and Mn2+ions do not behave in such a clear-cut manner: they selectively stabilize some ordered structures, while destabilizing others, depending on the ligand strength of the nucleotide base as well as the preferred conformation of that polynucleotide.
Vitamin C hinders radiation cross-linking in aqueous poly(vinyl alcohol) solutions

Abstract Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a promising semi-crystalline material for biomedical applications. It is soluble in water and can be formed into hydrogels by freezing and thawing or crystallizing from an aqueous theta solution such as that of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Radiation cross-linking caused by sterilization or high dose irradiation of concentrated PVA solutions could compromise some properties of these hydrogels. Therefore, we hypothesized that radiation cross-linking of PVA solutions and PVA–PEG theta gels could be prevented by using the antioxidant vitamin C as an anticross-linking agent. Our hypothesis tested positive. Vitamin C concentrations of 0.75 and 4.5 mol/mol of PVA repeating unit could prevent cross-linking in 17.5 wt/v% PVA solutions made with PVA molecular weight of 115,000 g/mol irradiated to 25 and 100 kGy, respectively. Vitamin C also prevented cross-linking in 25 kGy irradiated PVA–PEG theta gels containing up to 5 wt% PEG and decreased the viscosity of those up to 39 wt%.
Microbial population dynamics associated with crude-oil biodegradation in diverse soils.

Soil bacterial population dynamics were examined in several crude-oil-contaminated soils to identify those organisms associated with alkane degradation and to assess patterns in microbial response across disparate soils. Seven soil types obtained from six geographically distinct areas of the United States (Arizona, Oregon, Indiana, Virginia, Oklahoma, and Montana) were used in controlled contamination experiments containing 2% (wt/wt) crude oil spiked with [1-14C]hexadecane. Microbial populations present during hydrocarbon degradation were analyzed using both 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and by traditional methods for cultivating hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria. After a 50-day incubation, all seven soils showed comparable hydrocarbon depletion, where >80% of added crude oil was depleted and approximately 40 to 70% of added [14C]hexadecane was converted to 14CO2. However, the initial rates of hydrocarbon depletion differed up to 10-fold, and preferential utilization of shorter-chain-length n-alkanes relative to longer-chain-length n-alkanes was observed in some soils. Distinct microbial populations developed, concomitant with crude-oil depletion. Phylogenetically diverse bacterial populations were selected across different soils, many of which were identical to hydrocarbon-degrading isolates obtained from the same systems (e.g., Nocardioides albus, Collimonas sp., and Rhodococcus coprophilus). In several cases, soil type was shown to be an important determinant, defining specific microorganisms responding to hydrocarbon contamination. However, similar Rhodococcus erythropolis-like populations were observed in four of the seven soils and were the most common hydrocarbon-degrading organisms identified via cultivation.
Percutaneous coronary sinus cannulation guided by transesophageal echocardiography

We investigated whether percutaneous cannulation of the coronary sinus could be accomplished without fluoroscopy using transesophageal echocardiography in patients undergoing minimally invasive cardiac operations. The coronary sinus was cannulated without significant complications using transesophageal echocardiography in 10 of 11 patients (mean, 10.5 minutes). Percutaneous cannulation of the coronary sinus can be accomplished in a safe and efficient manner using transesophageal echocardiography without the need for fluoroscopy.
Regulation of Free Fatty Acid Metabolism by Glucagon

Glucagon may regulate FFA metabolism in vivo. To test this hypothesis, six healthy male volunteers were infused with somatostatin, to inhibit endogenous hormone secretion, and insulin, glucagon, and GH to replace endogenous secretion of these hormones. In the hypoglucagonemia experiments, the glucagon infusion was omitted, and in the hyperglucagonemic experiments glucagon was infused at 1.3 ng/kg.min, to produce physiological hyperglucagonemia. In two sets of control experiments, glucagon was infused at 0.65 ng/kg.min, in order to maintain peripheral euglucagonemia, and the plasma glucose concentrations were clamped at the levels observed in either the hypo- or hyperglucagonemic experiments. Rates of FFA and glycerol (an index of lipolysis) appearance (Ra) were estimated with the isotope dilution method using [1-14C]palmitate and [2H5] glycerol. Plasma glucagon concentrations decreased during the hypoglucagonemic experiments (85 +/- 12 vs. 123 +/- 22 ng/L, P < 0.05) and increased during the hyperglucagonemic experiments (186 +/- 20 vs. 125 +/- 15 ng/L, P < 0.05), whereas other hormone concentrations remained the same. Hypoglucagonemia resulted in equivalent suppression of FFA Ra (3.7 +/- 0.2 vs. 5.9 vs. 0.3 mumol/kg.min, P < 0.01) and glycerol Ra (1.2 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.5 mumol/kg.min, P < 0.05). Similarly, hyperglucagonemia resulted in equivalent stimulation of FFA Ra (5.2 +/- 0.4 vs. 3.7 +/- 0.3 mumol/kg.min, P < 0.05) and glycerol Ra (1.5 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.1 +/- 0.1 mumol/kg.min, P < 0.05). These results indicate that glucagon has a physiological role in the regulation of FFA metabolism in vivo.
The role of FRET in solar concentrator efficiency and color tunability

Abstract We demonstrate concentration-dependent Forster-type energy transfer in a luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) material containing two high quantum yield laser dyes in a PMMA matrix. FRET heterotransfer is shown to be approximately 50% efficient in the regime of 2×10 −3 molal acceptor dye by weight in the host polymer. The two dyes used have been well studied for solar concentrator applications: BASF's Lumogen Red 305, and Exciton Chemical Company's DCM both demonstrate desirable stability, quantum yield, and complementary absorption spectra. We demonstrate how multiple-dye LSC devices employing FRET increase the absorption of air mass 1.5 solar irradiance without affecting the self-absorption properties of the film. Color tunability may be achieved through the addition of additional absorbers while minimizing the impact on waveguide efficiency.
Increased risk of death in community-dwelling older people with white matter hyperintensities on MRI.

Abstract Background Previous studies in subjects with a history of stroke have shown that white matter hyperintensities (WMH) on MRI are associated with increased risk of death. However, it has not been determined whether WMH are independently related to death in community-dwelling older people without stroke. Methods In a sample of community-dwelling people over 75 years with no history of stroke or other neurological diseases, WMH on brain MRI T2-weighted sequences were classified as grade 0, grade 1, or grade 2. Grade 2 WMH were identified in 36 subjects. Age- and sex-matched grade 0 and grade 1 WMH groups were selected for comparison to the grade 2 WMH group. All subjects underwent an initial clinical evaluation and were followed for a median of 11.8 years (interquartile range = 10.7 to 12.2 years). Cox proportional-hazards analysis was used to determine the independent association between WMH and time to death from any cause. Results In an unadjusted analysis, grade 2 WMH was associated with death from any cause (hazard ratio = 1.98; 95% confidence interval = 1.06, 3.70). After adjustment for hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and coronary artery disease, grade 2 WMH remained significantly associated with death (hazard ratio = 2.31; 95% confidence interval = 1.21, 4.40) in these age- and sex-matched groups. Conclusions Severe WMH increase the risk of death, even in community-dwelling elderly without stroke or other neurological disease, independent of other covariates including hypertension, age, and coronary artery disease.
The Value of Information in Some Variations of the Stopping Problem

In stopping problems, the decision maker receives a sequence of candidates and decides whether to select the current candidate and thereby stop the search or whether to continue surveying. Some examples include searching for an apartment, selecting an employee for a job, or choosing a new product or service from a sequence of vendors. Most of the literature on stopping problems assumes that the decision maker can perfectly evaluate the candidate when surveyed. We consider practical variations where surveying a candidate may provide no further information or imperfect information about its value. We show how the stopping problem can be considered an extension of the two-action (go/no-go) problem and present threshold optimal policies for the general problem. For the case where surveying candidates provides no further information and the uncertain values of candidates are normally distributed, we present analytical results that highlight how the value of information is affected by the parameters. With the h...
An automatic indexing and neural network approach to concept retrieval and classification of multilingual (Chinese-English) documents

An automatic indexing and concept classification approach to a multilingual (Chinese and English) bibliographic database is presented. We introduced a multi-linear term-phrasing technique to extract concept descriptors (terms or keywords) from a Chinese-English bibliographic database. A concept space of related descriptors was then generated using a co-occurrence analysis technique. Like a man-made thesaurus, the system-generated concept space can be used to generate additional semantically-relevant terms for search. For concept classification and clustering, a variant of a Hopfield neural network was developed to cluster similar concept descriptors and to generate a small number of concept groups to represent (summarize) the subject matter of the database. The concept space approach to information classification and retrieval has been adopted by the authors in other scientific databases and business applications, but multilingual information retrieval presents a unique challenge. This research reports our experiment on multilingual databases. Our system was initially developed in the MS-DOS environment, running ETEN Chinese operating system. For performance reasons, it was then tested on a UNIX-based system. Due to the unique ideographic nature of the Chinese language, a Chinese term-phrase indexing paradigm considering the ideographic characteristics of Chinese was developed as a multilingual information classification model. By applying the neural network based concept classification technique, the model presents a novel way of organizing unstructured multilingual information.
Mechanisms of nucleotide trafficking during siRNA delivery to endothelial cells using perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions

RNA interference (RNAi) is a useful in vitro research tool, but its application as a safe and effective therapeutic agent may benefit from improved understanding of mechanisms of exogenous siRNA delivery, including cell trafficking and sorting patterns. We report the development of a transfection reagent for siRNA delivery which employs a distinctive non-digestive mode of particle-cell membrane interaction through the formation of a hemifusion complex resulting in lipid raft transport of cargo to the cytosol, bypassing the usual endosomal nanoparticle uptake pathway. We further demonstrate markedly enhanced efficacy over conventional transfection agents for suppressing endothelial cell expression of upregulated vascular adhesion molecules.
An electrical method for finding suboptimal routes

An algorithm is presented for finding the suboptimal routes, or the kth shortest paths, between two nodes in a network. The algorithm works by building up an electric computational analogy that consists of an ideal diode in series with a DC voltage source. The computational operations increase linearly with the order of k. The algorithm also works efficiently for finding all routes between two nodes for a given network. >
ICAM1 and VCAM1 polymorphisms, coronary artery calcium, and circulating levels of soluble ICAM-1: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) may be important contributors to the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Using a stratified random sample of 2880 participants of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis we investigated the relationship of 12 ICAM1 and 17 VCAM1 SNPs and coronary artery calcium (CAC) and ICAM1 SNPs and circulating levels of soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1). There were no ICAM1 or VCAM1 SNPs significantly associated with CAC in any of the four race/ethnic groups. In a subset of 1451 subjects with sICAM-1 measurements, we observed a significant association with rs5491 in all four race/ethnic groups corroborating previous research that has shown that the T-allele of rs5491 interferes with the monoclonal antibody used to measure sICAM-1 in this study. After excluding all rs5491 T-allele carriers, several ICAM1 SNPs were significantly associated with sICAM-1 levels; rs5496 in African Americans, rs5498 and rs3093030 in European Americans, and rs1799969 in Hispanics. Our results identified ICAM1 polymorphisms that were significantly associated with sICAM-1 level but not CAC, a subclinical marker of atherosclerosis.
NetFPGA: reusable router architecture for experimental research

Our goal is to enable fast prototyping of networking hardware (e.g. modified Ethernet switches and IP routers) for teaching and research. To this end, we built and made available the NetFPGA platform. Starting from open-source reference designs, students and researchers create their designs in Verilog, and then download them to the NetFPGA board where they can process packets at line-rate for 4-ports of 1GE. The board is becoming widely used for teaching and research, and so it has become important to make it easy to re-use modules and designs. We have created a standard interface between modules, making it easier to plug modules together in pipelines, and to create new re-usable designs. In this paper we describe our modular design, and how we have used it to build several systems, including our IP router reference design and some extensions to it.