cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parsimonious Parameterization of Vector Autoregressive Moving Average Models

It is not uncommon to hear the complaint that there are many difficulties in building vector autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models, such as too many parameters in a model. In this article, I show that the complaint can be avoided if a proper method is used at the model-specification stage to obtain the detailed structure of the vector process under study. Two such methods, one from the engineering literature and the other from the statistical literature, are discussed. The beauty of these methods is that they can reveal the simplifying structure of a vector ARMA model and hence achieve parsimony in parameterization. More specifically, the simplifying structure can identify those parameters that require estimation and those that can be set to 0. The methods discussed, therefore, can substantially reduce the complexity involved in vector time series modeling. I also compare the two methods and suggest modifications of some model-specification statistics available in the literature. An example is given.
Middle Class Growth and Economic Development in Latin America

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ANALYSTS have long been preoccupied with those dimensions and forces at work in traditional culture and belief that affect the direction of change and the receptivity of a society to innovation. One element of social organization and social structure commonly associated with modernization and economic development is the availability of a pool of commercial, entrepreneurial, professional, and technical abilities and talents which generally tend to be drawn from those occupational groups often referred to as middle class (1). In point of historical fact, middle class growth was a powerful driving force in the economic and sociopolitical development of Western Europe. Economic power became diffused throughout a new, individualistic, and independent class which successfully broke the political and cultural monopoly of a traditional landowning elite. Recognizing the historical importance of an expanding middle class in social and economic change, contemporary conventional theory assigns it a vital developmental role: "It is clear from many country studies that the growth of a robust middle class remains of crucial importance in contemporary low-income nations" (2). Despite the usefulness of the theories of Marx, Sombart, Schumpeter, Gerschenkron and others for interpreting middle class growth and understanding the historical changes which accompanied it in the West, it is argued here that the dynamic forces of change and modernization in Latin America may be radically different from those that operated in the presently developed Western countries. In their institutional apparatuses occupational groupings, technologies, and ideologies, the economically underdeveloped countries of Latin America are neither wholly in the position of the Western countries of today nor of those countries two or four centuries past. In some respects the Latin American countries are already developed societies, but not in ways that can provide their populations with the economic opportunity and freedom, the productivity, and hence the standard of life to which they aspire. Theories generalizing from earlier, successful development experiences must be applied with extreme caution in analyzing economic, social, and political change in contemporary low-income countries (3). The possible existence of putatively positive aspects of middle class
Vehicular network sensor placement optimization under uncertainty

Uncertainty is one of the major factors that transportation system analysts and planners have to deal with when making transportation planning decisions. Finding the set of optimal sensor locations under uncertainty is a network design problem. This paper presents a nonlinear two-stage stochastic model. The first stage provides a sensor location plan to maximize the origin–destination (OD) flow coverage and link information gains, subject to a budgetary limitation, before considering any random events, while the recourse function associated with the second stage calculates the expected cost of vehicular flow changes, after random events occur. This novel two-stage stochastic bi-objective model simultaneously maximizes a weighted combination of link information gains and OD flow coverage to locate network passive point sensors. An iterative heuristic solution algorithm, hybrid Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedure (HGRASP), is developed to find the near-optimal locations for this problem. The proposed methodology is tested on the Coordinated Highways Action Response Team network (Washington DC–Baltimore, Maryland corridor), in a mesoscopic traffic simulator. The results confirm the expectations that, under stochastic conditions, the sensor location plans obtained under the assumption of stochastic conditions result in better performance than plans developed for deterministic (normal) conditions. Also as expected, a greater number of optimally deployed sensors reduces demand uncertainty for both normal and incident conditions.
Two broad-spectrum blast resistance genes, Pi9( t) and Pi2( t), are physically linked on rice chromosome 6.

To understand the molecular basis of broad-spectrum resistance to rice blast, fine-scale mapping of the two blast resistance (R) genes, Pi9(t) and Pi2(t), was conducted. These two genes were introgressed from different resistance donors, previously reported to confer resistance to many blast isolates in the Philippines, and were mapped to an approximately 10-cM interval on chromosome 6. To further test their resistance spectrum, 43 blast isolates collected from 13 countries were used to inoculate the Pi2(t) and Pi9(t) plants. Pi9(t)-bearing lines were highly resistant to all isolates tested, and lines carrying Pi2(t) were resistant to 36 isolates, confirming the broad-spectrum resistance of these two genes to diverse blast isolates. Three RAPD markers tightly linked to Pi9(t) were identified using the bulk segregant analysis technique. Twelve positive bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones were identified and a BAC contig covering about 100 kb was constructed when the Pi9(t) BAC library was screened with one of the markers. A high-resolution map of Pi9(t) was constructed using BAC ends. The Pi2(t) gene was tightly linked to all of the Pi9(t) markers in 450 F2 plants. These data suggest that Pi9(t) and Pi2(t) are either allelic or tightly linked in an approximately 100-kb region. The mapping results for Pi9(t) and Pi2(t) provide essential information for the positional cloning of these two important blast resistance genes in rice.
Importance of System Components and Fault Tree Events.

Abstract A new measure of the importance of the components in a coherent system and of the basic events in a fault tree is defined and its properties derived. The importance measure is a useful guide during the system development phase as to which components (or alternatively, which basic events) should receive more urgent attention in achieving system reliability growth. The new measure of component importance has certain desirable properties not possessed by the previous measure of component importance proposed by Birnbaum [6]. The measure is extended to minimal cut sets and to systems of components undergoing repair. A number of commonly occurring systems are treated in detail for illustrative purposes.
Cyclosporine Inhibits the Expression of Receptors for Interleukin 2 and Transferrin on Mitogen-Activated Human T Lymphocytes

The effect of cyclosporine A (CsA) on the mitogen-induced expression of Interleukin 2 receptor (IL2R) and transferrin receptor (TR) was monitored using receptor-specific monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. For all mitogens tested (PHA, Con A, OKT3, and Leu 4), expression of IL2R and TR, as well as DNA synthesis (3H-thymidine incorporation), were significantly reduced in the presence of CsA (0.5 microgram/ml). Titration experiments in the OKT3 system, the mitogen system most profoundly affected by CsA, revealed that CsA concentrations as low as 0.05 microgram/ml inhibited IL2R and TR expression and DNA synthesis, and that changes in DNA synthesis reflected changes in IL2R and TR expression. The addition of exogenous IL2 partially abrogated the CsA-mediated inhibition of all three activation parameters (IL2R, TR, DNA synthesis) in response to PHA, OKT3, and Leu 4. In contrast, exogenous IL2 did not reverse CsA-mediated reductions in Con A-stimulated activation parameters. These findings indicate that CsA inhibits mitogen-induced expression of IL2R and TR, and for some mitogen systems, this inhibition appears, at least in part, to be secondary to decreased IL2 production.
Sea-quark effects in nucleon structure

Abstract We report results of our calculation on the π N σ term and the flavor-singlet axial charge of the nucleon in the framework of quenched lattice QCD. The disconnected insertions which involve contributions from the sea quarks are evaluated with the stochastic estimator with the Z 2 noise which yields minimum variances. We find the sea-quark contribution to the π N sigma term to be ∼ 1 2 − 1 4 of that of the dynamical fermion calculation. Whereas, the sea-quark contribution to the flavor-singlet g A is negative and large enough to cancel the valence (connected insertion) contribution substantially to resolve the “proton spin crisis”.
Increased urinary excretion of a basement membrane like glycoprotein in acute uranium nephropathy.

Les effets de l'uranium sur l'excretion de la glycoproteine urinaire principale du rat out ete etudies chez 10 animaux. La principale glycoproteine urinaire augmente de 50% dans les 24 h qui suivent l'administration de l'uranium.
Secretory Vesicle Cytochrome b561: A Transmembrane Electron Transporter

The major function of cytochrome b561 is now clear. This transmembrane protein transports electrons across a secretory vesicle bilayer to supply electrons to monooxygenases inside the secretory vesicle. Cytochrome b561 has been localized not only to adrenergic secretory vesicles, where it supplies electrons to dopamine beta-hydroxylase, but also to peptidergic secretory vesicles that contain peptidyl alpha-amidating monooxygenase. Thus, one would expect to find cytochrome b561 in the membranes of all neuroendocrine cells that contain amidated peptide secretory products. In addition, its wide occurrence as an integral membrane protein of secretory vesicles may make it useful for investigation of vesicle biogenesis and turnover. One of the most important potential roles of cytochrome b561 is that it can be used as a model protein to investigate long-range biological electron transport. This cytochrome is a single polypeptide, which can be purified easily and reconstituted into a functional assembly. It also catalyzes an experimentally unambiguous transmembrane transport of electrons. A full molecular characterization of the structure and function of this cytochrome may provide insights into biological electron transfer which would otherwise be difficult or impossible to obtain.
Respiratory and olfactory turbinal size in canid and arctoid carnivorans

Within the nasal cavity of mammals is a complex scaffold of paper-thin bones that function in respiration and olfaction. Known as turbinals, the bones greatly enlarge the surface area available for conditioning inspired air, reducing water loss, and improving olfaction. Given their functional significance, the relative development of turbinal bones might be expected to differ among species with distinct olfactory, thermoregulatory and/or water conservation requirements. Here we explore the surface area of olfactory and respiratory turbinals relative to latitude and diet in terrestrial Caniformia, a group that includes the canid and arctoid carnivorans (mustelids, ursids, procyonids, mephitids, ailurids). Using high-resolution computed tomography x-ray scans, we estimated respiratory and olfactory turbinal surface area and nasal chamber volume from three-dimensional virtual models of skulls. Across the Caniformia, respiratory surface area scaled isometrically with estimates of body size and there was no significant association with climate, as estimated by latitude. Nevertheless, one-on-one comparisons of sister taxa suggest that arctic species may have expanded respiratory turbinals. Olfactory surface area scaled isometrically among arctoids, but showed positive allometry in canids, reflecting the fact that larger canids, all of which are carnivorous, had relatively greater olfactory surface areas. In addition, among the arctoids, large carnivorous species such as the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) and wolverine (Gulo gulo) also displayed enlarged olfactory turbinals. More omnivorous caniform species that feed on substantial quantities of non-vertebrate foods had less expansive olfactory turbinals. Because large carnivorous species hunt widely dispersed prey, an expanded olfactory turbinal surface area may improve a carnivore's ability to detect prey over great distances using olfactory cues.
AGEPC (platelet activating factor) induced stimulation of rabbit platelets: Effects on phosphatidylinositol, DI- and TRI-phosphoinositides and phosphatidic acid metabolism

Abstract Stimulation of washed rabbit platelets with AGEPC (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl- sn -glyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine) caused a 15–20% decrease in their phosphatidylinositol level within 15 seconds without affecting other major classes of phospholipids. In the same time frame the level of phosphatidic acid (PA) increased dramatically some four fold. LysoGEPC, which is inactive in stimulating rabbit platelets, did not cause any change in PI or PA. When [32Pi] was present during the stimulation of platelets by AGEPC, the incorporation of radiolabel into PI-4-phosphate (DPI), PI-4,5-bis phosphate (TPI) and PA was enhanced significantly within one minute while the incorporation into PI increased only after one minute. These results clearly established that AGEPC induced stimulation of rabbit platelets was associated with the metabolism of inositol phospholipids and phosphatidic acid. The relevance of these findings to the mode of action of AGEPC and Ca2+ mobilization is also discussed.
The FAD- and O2-Dependent Reaction Cycle of Ero1-Mediated Oxidative Protein Folding in the Endoplasmic Reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) supports disulfide formation through an essential protein relay involving Ero1p and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). We find that in addition to having a tightly associated flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) moiety, yeast Ero1p is highly responsive to small changes in physiological levels of free FAD. This sensitivity underlies the dependence of oxidative protein folding on cellular FAD levels. FAD is synthesized in the cytosol but can readily enter the ER lumen and promote Ero1p-catalyzed oxidation. Ero1p then uses molecular oxygen as its preferred terminal electron acceptor. Thus Ero1p directly couples disulfide formation to the consumption of molecular oxygen, but its activity is modulated by free lumenal FAD levels, potentially linking disulfide formation to a cell's nutritional or metabolic status.
Compressible boundary-layer density cross sections by UV Rayleigh scattering.

Rayleigh scattering has been used to image density cross sections of a compressible boundary layer for the first time to our knowledge. These cross sections were made from a Mach 2.5 boundary layer by illuminating it with a UV laser sheet from an argon–fluoride laser (193 nm). Since Rayleigh scattering is linearly proportional to density, quantitative values are measured, which leads to new instantaneous and statistical information about the structure of this turbulent field.
A new nodal expansion for classical plasmas

Abstract In calculating the equation of state for plasmas we find that diagrammatic expansions for the free energy become unwieldy at high density. At best, many terms must be retained in order to obtain meaningful results. We present a new expansion technique which can be applied to plasmas in the interiors of Jupiter and white dwarf stars. In such cases the older techniques are unsatisfactory because of the size of the ion coupling parameter. Our work yields expansions for which this parameter is supplanted by ion correlation functions, which can be supplied by external computations. In this paper we assume a two-species plasma of classical particles, thereby focusing on combinatorial techniques. The final result is a new nodal expansion in terms of ion correlation functions and an electron coupling parameter.
CNS infections in patients with cancer.

Purpose of review This article provides a practical clinical approach to potential CNS infections in patients with cancer, discusses problematic presentations of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, and includes specific testing and treatment recommendations for bacterial meningitis, invasive fungal infections, and opportunistic viral infections. Recent findings The major deficits predisposing patients with cancer to CNS infection are neutropenia, barrier disruption, B-lymphocyte or immunoglobulin deficiency, and impaired T lymphocyte-mediated immunity. Evolving patterns of drug resistance and prophylactic antimicrobial regimens have altered the timing and range of organisms causing infections. Increasingly intensive immunosuppression has made new groups of patients vulnerable to infections such as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. New MRI sequences offer the potential to diagnose such infections earlier, at a stage when they are more treatable. Summary Despite improved prophylactic and therapeutic antibiotic regimens, CNS infections remain an important source of morbidity and mortality among several cancer patient groups, particularly those patients undergoing craniotomy and those with hematologic malignancies receiving either hematopoietic cell transplantation or other intensive chemotherapy regimens.
Insights into oil cracking based on laboratory experiments

Abstract The objectives of this pyrolysis investigation were to determine changes in (1) oil composition, (2) gas composition and (3) gas carbon isotope ratios and to compare these results with hydrocarbons in reservoirs. Laboratory cracking of a saturate-rich Devonian oil by confined, dry pyrolysis was performed at T=350–450 °C, P=650 bars and times ranging from 24 h to 33 days. Increasing thermal stress results in the C15+ hydrocarbon fraction cracking to form C6–14 and C1–5 hydrocarbons and pyrobitumen. The C6–14 fraction continues to crack to C1–5 gases plus pyrobitumen at higher temperatures and prolonged heating time and the δ 13Cethane–δ13Cpropane difference becomes greater as oil cracking progresses. There is considerable overlap in product generation and product cracking. Oil cracking products accumulate either because the rate of generation of any product is greater than the rate of removal by cracking of that product or because the product is a stable end member under the experimental conditions. Oil cracking products decrease when the amount of product generated from a reactant is less than the amount of product cracked. If pyrolysis gas compositions are representative of gases generated from oil cracking in nature, then understanding the processes that alter natural gas composition is critical.
Are all α-blockers created equal? An update

alpha-Receptor blockers, used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms, exert effects on areas of the body other than the prostate where alpha-receptors are located, including the blood vessels and the central nervous system. alpha-Receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system may be involved in bladder activation. alpha(1a)-Receptors are the appropriate target in men with obstructive symptoms, although alpha(1d)-receptors may also be important in patients with irritative symptoms. There is conflicting evidence about the selectivity of alpha-blockers. Clinical trials of these agents do not necessarily reflect results observed in animal and laboratory studies on uroselectivity. The few published comparator studies of alpha-blockers indicate similar efficacies, although side-effect profiles differ somewhat. Randomized, controlled studies of different alpha-blockers with sufficient power to detect differences in side effects between agents are needed.
Control of DC-Fault-Resilient Voltage Source Converter-Based HVDC Transmission System Under DC Fault Operating Condition

Voltage source converter (VSC)-based high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems have attractive advantages compared to classical thyristor-based HVDC transmission systems. However, VSC-based HVDC transmission systems are vulnerable to dc side fault, and expensive dc circuit breakers are required to protect them against dc fault. This paper proposes a control method of a dc fault-resilient VSC which can be protected against dc fault without using expensive dc circuit breakers. In the VSC configuration, several H-bridge modules are connected in cascade, so the voltage balancing control of several floating dc capacitors is required. In this paper, an appropriate control structure with the capacitor voltage balancing controller is proposed. The appropriate control algorithm for dc fault operation and recovery after dc fault is also proposed. PSCAD simulation results are presented to validate the proposed control structure under normal and dc fault operating conditions. Real-time-digital-simulator results are also presented to verify the control structure.
Chromosome abnormalities involving band 13q14 in hematologic malignancies

Abstract Fifteen patients with hematologic disorders showed abnormalities involving chromosome band 13q14. Nine patients had an interstitial deletion of this band, similar to that reported in some retinoblastoma tumors and as a constitutional abnormality in a small proportion of cases of familial retinoblastoma. In five patients, band 13q14 was involved in translocations and in one case there was a deletion of one chromosome #13 and a translocation involving the homologous #13. The diagnosis in the majority of our patients (11 of 15) was chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In these patients the abnormalities were detected in cultures stimulated with 4-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). It is possible that the utilization of this agent is a fundamental requirement for the reliable demonstration of abnormalities involving 13q14 in patients with B-cell malignancies. The incidence of abnormalities involving 13q14 and their significance in the development of neoplasias, other than retinoblastoma, is discussed.
Fast subsystem bifurcations in strongly coupled heterogeneous collections of excitable cells.

A continuum model for a heterogeneous collection of excitable cells electrically coupled through gap junctions is introduced and analysed using spatial averaging, asymptotic and numerical techniques. Heterogeneity is modelled by imposing a spatial dependence on parameters which define the single cell model and a diffusion term is used to model the gap junction coupling. For different parameter values, single cell models can exhibit bursting, beating and a myriad of other complex oscillations. A procedure for finding asymptotic estimates of the thresholds between these (synchronous) behaviors in the cellular aggregates is described for the heterogeneous case where the coupling strength is strong. This procedure is tested on a model of a strongly coupled heterogeneous collection of bursting and beating cells. Since isolated pancreatic β-cells have been observed to both burst and beat, this test of the spatial averaging techniques provides a possible explanation to measured discrepancies between the electrical activities of isolated β-cells and coupled collections (islets) of β-cells.
Experimental and geochemical evidence for derivation of the El Capitan Granite, California, by partial melting of hydrous gabbroic lower crust

Partial melting of mafic intrusions recently emplaced into the lower crust can produce voluminous silicic magmas with isotopic ratios similar to their mafic sources. Low-temperature (825 and 850°C) partial melts synthesized at 700 MPa in biotite-hornblende gabbros from the central Sierra Nevada batholith (Sisson et al. in Contrib Mineral Petrol 148:635–661, 2005) have major-element and modeled trace-element (REE, Rb, Ba, Sr, Th, U) compositions matching those of the Cretaceous El Capitan Granite, a prominent granite and silicic granodiorite pluton in the central part of the Sierra Nevada batholith (Yosemite, CA, USA) locally mingled with coeval, isotopically similar quartz diorite through gabbro intrusions (Ratajeski et al. in Geol Soc Am Bull 113:1486–1502, 2001). These results are evidence that the El Capitan Granite, and perhaps similar intrusions in the Sierra Nevada batholith with lithospheric-mantle-like isotopic values, were extracted from LILE-enriched, hydrous (hornblende-bearing) gabbroic rocks in the Sierran lower crust. Granitic partial melts derived by this process may also be silicic end members for mixing events leading to large-volume intermediate composition Sierran plutons such as the Cretaceous Lamarck Granodiorite. Voluminous gabbroic residues of partial melting may be lost to the mantle by their conversion to garnet-pyroxene assemblages during batholithic magmatic crustal thickening.
Neoadjuvant trastuzumab and docetaxel in breast cancer: preliminary results.

Abstract Trastuzumab/chemotherapy combinations have already shown superior results in metastatic breast cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical efficacy of neoadjuvant trastuzumab and docetaxel in women with locally advanced breast cancer, with or without metastatic disease. Treatment-naive women with HER2-overexpressing locally advanced breast cancer, with or without metastatic disease, were included. Patients received trastuzumab 4 mg/kg loading dose intravenously then 2 mg/kg weekly. On day 22, docetaxel 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks for 4 cycles was added to weekly trastuzumab. Patients then underwent surgery and subsequent 4 cycles of AC (doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide; 60/600 mg/m2) without trastuzumab. Weekly trastuzumab was resumed 1 month after completion of AC and continued for a year. Preliminary results from the first 22 patients with median follow-up of 15.5 months (range, 2-38 months) are reported. Of these, 9 patients (40.9%) had inflammatory breast cancer, and 6 patients (27.3%) had stage IV breast cancer. Seventeen of 22 patients (77.3%) had objective clinical response, with a clinical complete response in 9 patients (40.9%). Two patients (9.1%) had decline in cardiac function and 7 patients (31.8%) experienced neutropenia, with 2 deaths (9.1%) from neutropenic sepsis. Eight patients (36.4%) have relapsed, 3 with local skin recurrence (13.6%) and 5 with distant recurrence, of whom 1 had liver metastasis (4.5%) and 4 had brain metastasis (18.2%). Combined neoadjuvant trastuzumab and docetaxel induced high clinical response rates for HER2- overexpressing breast cancer, in particular for inflammatory breast cancer. A high rate of brain metastasis was noted, particularly in patients with baseline metastatic disease.
Transcription of G-Protein Coupled Receptors in Corporeal Smooth Muscle is Regulated by the Endogenous Neutral Endopeptidase Inhibitor Sialorphin

Purpose: Several reports suggest that the rat Vcsa1 gene is down-regulated in models of erectile dysfunction. The Vcsa protein product sialorphin is an endogenous neutral endopeptidase inhibitor and its down-regulation could result in prolonged activation of G-protein activated signaling pathways by their peptide agonists. We investigated whether Vcsa1 down-regulation could result in an adaptive change in GPCR (G-protein coupled receptor) expression.Materials and Methods: Gene expression in cultured rat corporeal smooth muscle cells following treatment with siRNA directed against Vcsa1 or the neutral endopeptidase gene was analyzed using microarray and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. In rats Vcsa1 is one of the most down-regulated genes following bilateral transection of the cavernous nerves. In that animal model we also investigated whether Vcsa1 down-regulation was accompanied by similar changes in gene expression in corporeal smooth muscle cells in which Vcsa1 was knocked ...
The Transition to an Electronic Journal Collection

Much has been written about the economic impact of electronic publishing on publishers. There has also been considerable discussion of library costs associated with the various methods of purchasin...
Association between family history of cancers and risk of prostate cancer

Abstract Introduction Family history of prostate cancer is an established risk factor for prostate cancer. However, the relationship between family history of cancers other than prostate cancer and prostate cancer risk is inconclusive. This study sought to examine the association between family history of cancers and prostate cancer. Methods A case–control study was conducted in which cases and controls were randomly selected from a large urology clinic in Central Virginia. Cases were 600 histologically confirmed prostate cancer patients who were diagnosed between January 2000 and December 2005, and controls were 686 patients who visited the clinic during the same period and were diagnosed with urological illnesses other than cancers and prostate-related problems. Data on family history of cancers, lifestyle and demographic factors were collected through mail survey utilizing the method suggested by Dillman. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) after adjustment for potential confounding factors including body mass index (BMI), alcohol intake, physical activity, smoking, diet, history of vasectomy and sexually transmitted disease (STD), age, race, marital history, education, and income. Multiple comparisons adjustments were made using the Bonferroni adjustment. Results Men with a family history of any cancer in first-degree relatives including parents (OR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.53–3.84) and parents only (OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.23– 2.94) were at increased risk of developing prostate cancer. Significant increased risk was also observed with family history of prostate cancer in first-degree relatives (OR = 2.68, 95% CI = 1.53–4.69) and parents only (OR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.71–6.24). Even after adjustments for multiple comparisons, the significance persisted both in first-degree relatives (OR = 2.68, 95% CI = 1.16–6.21) and parents alone (OR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.24– 8.63). Conclusion This study demonstrated an increased prostate cancer risk for men with a family history of any cancer or prostate cancer in first-degree relatives and parents alone. Health care providers need to be aware of the potential risk of family history of cancers on prostate cancer.
Transport in C4 mesophyll chloroplasts: evidence for an exchange of inorganic phosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate.

Abstract 1. Mesophyll chloroplasts of the C 4 plant Digitaria sanguinalis contain endogenous phosphoenolpyruvate which appears to distribute across the envelope according to the existing pH gradient. The phosphoenolpyruvate remaining in the stroma can be rapidly released by external inorganic phosphate or 3-phosphoglycerate while external pyruvate did not affect the distribution. 2. Phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) was a competitive inhibitor ( K i (PEP) = 450 μ M) of 32 P i uptake ( K m ( P i ) = 200 μ M) by chloroplasts in the dark and also reduced the steady-state internal concentration of 32 P i , which is consistent with phosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate sharing a common carrier. 3. Phosphoenolpyruvate formation by chloroplasts in the light in the presence of pyruvate but in the absence of inorganic phosphate was slow and the concentration ratio of phosphoenolpyruvate (internal/external) was high. Addition of 0.1 mM phosphate induced a high rate of phosphoenolpyruvate formation and the concentration ratio (internal/external) decreased 15-fold. It is proposed that external phosphate is required both for phosphoenolpyruvate formation and efflux from the chloroplast.
A Two-Dimensional Formulation for Path-Placement in the Workcells of Planar 3-R Robots

A new systematic formulation is presented that determines suitable locations for a workpiece, and its associated task-motion, in the workspace of a three-hinged planar (SCARA) robotic workcell. It determines all acceptable positions for the first joint of the robot relative to the workpiece; therefore, all solutions are represented as an area in two dimensions, unlike existing methods of motion-planning that present them as a volume in a three-dimensional joint-space for the same planar robot. This simplifies the solution-space by reducing its dimension from three to two. All possible acceptable designs appear in a graphical form that can be readily visualized and directly measured in a Cartesian frame of reference in the workcell. Applications include locating workpieces with tool-paths for fusion welding and for deposition of adhesives.
Impact of Title III Funded Feeding Program on Nutrient Intake and Blood Profiles of Elderly in Mississippi

Dietary intake and blood profile data was obtained on 68 free-living Mississippi senior citizens. Forty-three percent of citizens were regular participants in a Title III funded feeding center, and 75% were female. Serum iron was higher for males than females, but was not influenced by the feeding program. No citizen had low serum iron values. Calcium, vitamin A and ascorbic acid intakes were higher for participants than non-participants. Participation in the program decreased the number recording inadequate intakes for most nutrients. Calcium intake for non-participants was similar to those recorded in the Health and Nutrition Examination survey of 547 mg/d, while participants ingested 747 mg/d which approached the Recommended Dietary Allowance for the nutrient.
The development of competence-related and motivational beliefs: An investigation of similarity and influence among friends.

This research examined the degree to which children's achievement-related beliefs could be predicted from their friends' beliefs, both concurrently and over time. For 3 semesters, 4th-, 5th-, and 6th-grade students (N = 929) completed measures of their competence-related beliefs, motivational beliefs, and friendship choices. Concurrent analyses indicated that friends showed consistent, albeit modest, similarities with regard to their self-perceptions of competence, academic standards, importance of meeting standards, and preference for challenge. During the academic year, friends appeared influential with regard to children's ability attributions for success and the importance they placed on meeting academic standards. Over a grade-level transition, friends appeared influential with regard to children's ability attributions for failure. Overall, associations were stronger among reciprocated than among unilateral friends. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Towards identifying optimal doses for alpha-2 adrenergic modulation of colonic and rectal motor and sensory function

Rationale: Visceral sensation and motility are important in functional gut disorders and are partly controlled by adrenergic innervation. Objectives: To characterize the α2-adrenergic control of motor and sensory function of descending colon and rectum. Methods: In 32 healthy volunteers, we assessed compliance, fasting and postprandial tone, and sensations of gas, urgency and pain during phasic distentions. Each subject received one agent at clinically approved doses: clonidine (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 or 0.3 mg p.o.); or the α2 antagonist yohimbine (0.0125 mg, 0.05 mg, 0.125 mg or 0.2 mg intravenously and infusion over 2.5 h). Results: Clonidine increased colonic and rectal compliance, and reduced tone, pain, gas sensation and rectal urgency. Clonidine showed large pairwise differences in sensation and motility between 0.05 and 0.1 mg doses, which did not interfere with the colon’s motor response to feeding. Conversely, yohimbine dose-dependently altered the compliance curve, increased tone and sensations of gas, pain and urgency. Drug effects in the colon were more marked at low distensions; α2 modulation of rectal sensation was observed at all levels of distension. Conclusions: α2-adrenergic mechanisms modulate colorectal sensations and motility; at doses as low as 0.05 mg, clonidine reduced colorectal sensation while the tone response to feeding was preserved. These studies provide insight into the potential use of α2 agents in disease states.
Validation of Simulation Results

Simulation models are designed and used with a goal of learning about a process. Validation is the act of increasing to an acceptable level the confidence that an inference about a simulated process is correct for the actual process. There is no such thing as “the test”. The experimenter selects a set of tests from the many possible---a standard decision problem of balancing the cost of testing against the cost of an incorrect inference. This paper outlines possible validation actions and suggests considerations that enter into their choice. Three major classes of actions are finding models with face validity, testing assumptions and testing input-output transformations. Actions range from such highly technical approaches as spectral analysis to behaviorally oriented ones such as the “Turing” test. Validation often becomes more tractable if simulation is viewed as one of several modes of investigation. Complementary research activities---related experiments, empirical analysis, analytic models, or prototypes---are widely used in the physical sciences to increase validity and appear equally appropriate for the management sciences. Some of the ideas and problems of validation are illustrated briefly in an example that involves all-machine simulation, man-machine simulation, related psychological experiments and a field test.
CELL DIVISION IN CYANOPHORA PARADOXA

Summary Mitosis in the nucleus of Cyanophora paradoxa is shown to be generally typical of other eukaryotic cells. Basal bodies and the flagella apparatus appear to replicate before nuclear division. At preprophase, microtubules approach the nucleus from the periphery of the cell to form the usual extranuclear spindle by prophase; at this stage the nucleolus begins its breakdown, which is soon complete. The spindle poles, clearly defined by the orientation of microtubules, never contained any obvious structural component, and basal bodies were never associated with the spindle. By prometaphase, breakdown of the nuclear envelope is accompanied by invasion of the nucleus by the extranuclear microtubules. During anaphase, two plates of chromosomes separate inside the spindle containing both continuous and chromosomal microtubules. Remnants of the nuclear envelope often coat the chromosomes. Cleavage, initiated by early anaphase, is achieved by an asymmetric, longitudinal constriction of the cell membrane, which passes between the replicated flagellar apparatuses. The plane of cleavage was always oriented at right angles to the spindle axis, and did not involve any detectable microfibrillar elements. Telophase nuclei reform as normal. These observations indicate that the host cell of the symbiotic pair cannot be considered as a dinoflagellate as had been previously suggested. Division of the cyanelles is independent of nuclear division in the host, which therefore contains variable numbers of these symbionts. ‘Wall’ material is secreted into the furrow of the cleaving cyanelles. Furthermore, a very characteristic organelle was discovered in many cells invariably appressed to the cyanelles. Its dense granular contents were contained within a single unit membrane, and it was also frequently associated with endoplasmic reticulum. It was always inserted into the cleavage of dividing cyanelles and apparently it divided along with them, so that each daughter cyanelle remained associated with one of these inclusions. This organelle is thought to be a peroxisome and its possible significance in the host-cyanelle relationship (and also in the evolution of chloroplasts) is briefly indicated.
Thermochemistry and Kinetics of Gas-Phase Reactions Relevant to the CVD of Coatings: New Data for Process Models

Understanding the role of gas-phase reactions is an important step in the development of useful CVD process models. In this article, we review the general types of gas-phase reactions that can occur and discuss quantum-chemistry techniques for predicting their thermochemistry and kinetics. We also describe the use of high-temperature flow reactors to measure gas-phase reaction kinetics. Coupling these theoretical and experimental methods is a powerful approach to the characterization of CVD precursor chemistry. We illustrate this in a discussion of the reaction between BC13 and NH3, which is important in the deposition of hexagonal boron nitride coatings.
Disorder and coherence in heavy-fermion systems.

The effects of disorder on the formation of the coherent state in heavy-fermion systems are studied. The renormalized heavy band, characterized by an effective hybridization parameter, is destabilized by a critical strength of impurity scattering leading to self-energy corrections of order ${T}_{K}$. For a higher degree of disorder the heavy-fermion system will behave much like a collection of independent Kondo impurities, lacking the characteristic signatures of coherence in resistivity, specific heat, etc. The substitution of impurities on the conduction-electron side has a little influence on coherence; most of the effect comes from the strength of impurity scattering on the f-electron sites. The results are discussed in connection with experimental data.
Shiga Toxin 1-Induced Proinflammatory Cytokine Production Is Regulated by the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling Pathway

Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1) transiently increases the expression of proinflammatory cytokines by macrophage-like THP-1 cells in vitro. Increased cytokine production is partly due to activation of the translation initiation factor eIF4E through a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)- and Mnk1-dependent pathway. eIF4E availability for translation initiation is regulated by association with eIF4E binding proteins (4E-BP). In this study, we showed that Stx1 transiently induced 4E-BP hyperphosphorylation, which may release eIF4E for translation initiation. Phosphorylation of 4E-BP at priming sites T37 and T46 was not altered by Stx1 but was transiently increased at S65, concomitant with increased cytokine expression. Using kinase inhibitors, we showed that 4E-BP phosphorylation was dependent on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation but did not require MAPKs. Stx1 treatment resulted in increased levels of cytosolic Ca2+. PI3K and Akt activation led to the phosphorylation and inactivation of the positive cytokine regulator glycogen synthase kinase 3α/β (GSK-3α/β). PI3K, Akt, and mTOR inhibitors and small interfering RNA knockdown of Akt expression all increased, whereas a GSK-3α/β inhibitor decreased, Stx1-induced soluble tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1β production. Overall, these findings suggest that despite transient activation of 4E-BP, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway negatively influences cytokine induction by inactivating the positive regulator GSK-3α/β.
The causes of evolutionary radiations in archipelagoes: passerine birds in the Lesser Antilles.

To investigate why some lineages undergo evolutionary radiation, we compare the passerine avifaunas of the Hawaiian and Galapagos archipelagoes, which have supported well-known radia- tions of birds, with those of the Lesser Antilles, which have not. We focus on four steps required for the buildup of diversity through allopatric speciation and secondary sympatry: genetic divergence in isolation, persistence of island populations, recolonization of source islands, and ecological compatibility in secondary sympatry. Analysis of genetic divergence among island populations in the Lesser Antilles reveals evidence of both prolonged independent evolution and re- expansion of differentiated island populations through the archi- pelago but little evidence of secondary sympatry of divergent genetic lineages. Archipelagoes with high rates of colonization from conti- nental or nearby large-island sources might fail to promote evolu- tionary radiations because colonists fill ecological space and constrain diversification through competition. However, morphological anal- ysis demonstrated similar divergence between allopatric populations in species in Hawaii, Galapagos, and the Lesser Antilles, although the rate of divergence between secondarily sympatric species evidently is more rapid in Hawaii and the Galapagos. Alternatively, endemic buildup of diversity might be facilitated by the relative absence of pathogens in Hawaii and Galapagos that otherwise could prevent the secondary sympatry of populations owing to disease-mediated com- petition.
Improving service delivery through integrated quality initiatives: a case study

Providers of highly reliable information technology (IT) services have historically adopted multiple service delivery quality standards and have obtained certificates of registration or certification associated with these standards. In this paper, we present a case study involving a provider of IT infrastructure services and solutions. We describe the business context of the service provider, its approach to the analysis of the requirements of multiple standards, process integration efforts (both local and global), and the reuse of documentation and other evidentiary data in the context of obtaining certificates of registration or certifications. We compare the evidentiary data (e.g., documentation, observations, and interviews) used in the diagnostics of the International Standards Organization 9001:2000 standard and the eSourcing Capability Model for Service Providers standard to evaluate the unique value that each standard contributes to IT service delivery. The case study also provides initial examples of measures resulting from the adoption of these two quality standards that may be used to improve service delivery.
Parallel timing simulation on a distributed memory multiprocessor

We present a parallel timing simulator, PARSWEC, that exploits speculative parallelism and runs on a distributed memory multiprocessor. It is based on an event-driven timing simulator called SWEC. Our approach uses optimistic scheduling to take advantage of the latency of digital signals. Using data from trace-driven analysis, we demonstrate that optimistic scheduling exploits more parallelism than conservative scheduling for circuits with feedback signal paths. We then describe the PARSWEC implementation and discuss several design trade-offs. Speedups over SWEC on large circuits are as high as 55 on a 64-node CM5 multiprocessor. These results indicate that the feasibility of using distributed memory multiprocessors for large-scale circuit simulation.
Single- and Multiple-Track-Location Shear Wave and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging: Matched Comparison of Contrast, Contrast-to-Noise Ratio and Resolution

Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging and shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI) use the dynamic response of tissue to impulsive mechanical stimulus to characterize local elasticity. A variant of conventional, multiple-track-location SWEI, denoted single-track-location SWEI, offers the promise of creating speckle-free shear wave images. This work compares the three imaging modalities using a high push and track beam density combined acquisition sequence to image inclusions of different sizes and contrasts. Single-track-location SWEI is found to have a significantly higher contrast-to-noise ratio than multiple-track-location SWEI, allowing for operation at higher resolution. Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging and single-track-location SWEI perform similarly in the larger inclusions, with single-track-location SWEI providing better visualization of small targets ≤ 2.5 mm in diameter. The processing of each modality introduces different trade-offs between smoothness and resolution of edges and structures; these are discussed in detail.