cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thalidomide: Therapeutic Potential in Hematologic Malignancies

B ECAUSE CURRENT treatments provide only temporary remission, multiple myeloma remains an ultimately fatal disease for which more effective therapies are needed.1,2 The development of drug resistance has led to several new treatment strategies.3 One involves antiangiogenic treatment, an approach based on recent observations that hematologic malignancies, including multiple myeloma, may be associated with angiogenesis (neovascularization.) in the bone marrow and may be angiogenesisdependent. 4-6 Although the role of angiogenesis in the growth, progression, and metastatic spread of solid tumors is well established,’ its potential role in hematologic tumors has been under investigation only since the 1990~.~,~-~~ In 1994, Vacca et al reported a high correlation between the extent of bone marrow angiogenesis and the labeling index (LI) of marrow plasma cells in patients with multiple myeloma, with angiogenesis significantly associated with active disease.6 Subsequent studies have confirmed substantial bone marrow vascularization in multiple myeloma,s~ll with an associated poor prognosis for patients.9 Patients with active multiple myeloma have elevated levels of angiogenic cytokines such as basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as well as increased bone marrow levels of mast cells, which secrete a variety of angiogenic factors.5,6,8J1 It was also recently reported that bone marrow angiogenesis is increased in another hematologic malignancy, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children.* These findings have provided a rationale for the use of antiangiogenic drugs in the treatment of multiple myeloma and possibly other hematologic malignancies that are suboptimally managed by cytotoxic therapy. Thalidomide, an immunomodulating agent with recently discovered antiangiogenic effects, was approved last year in the United States for the short-term treatment of the cutaneous manifestations of moderate to severe erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) and as maintenance therapy to prevent and suppress the cutaneous manifestations of ENL recurrence. Despite its withdrawal from worldwide markets in the 1960s as a sedative and antiemetic because of its teratogenic effects, thalidomide became the treatment of choice for ENL, and its broad spectrum of pharmacologic and immunologic
Mutant H-ras over-expression inhibits a random apoptotic nuclease in myeloid leukemia cells

Cell suicide, or apoptosis, is now recognized as an essential regulatory step in such diverse developmental processes as embryogenesis, thymocyte restriction, and hematopoiesis. One of the major features of apoptosis is the activation of an endogenous nuclease that cleaves DNA into nucleosomal fragments. Little is known about the activation or specificity of the apoptotic endonuclease. In this study, we investigated signalling pathways and the specificity of the apoptotic nuclease. We found that forced over-expression of activated H-ras inhibited activation of the apoptotic endonuclease. Since a high percentage of myelodysplasias and leukemias have mutations that activate ras, this finding lends insight into how ras might be leukemogenic. In addition, the phorbol ester TPA and a cyclic AMP analogue also slowed activation of this endonuclease. Interestingly, protein synthesis inhibition stimulated the endonuclease activity. In addition, by cloning and sequencing apoptotic fragments we found that the apoptotic nuclease has no sequence specificity. Thus, the apoptotic nuclease inhibited by H-ras over-expression was random in nature.
Karydakis flap repair for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease : how important is technique?

Numerous operative and conservative treatments have been described in the published work for the management of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus; yet there remains considerable debate over its ideal treatment. This report is an audit of our results using the Karydakis flap repair in the management of this condition. We analysed prospective data on 70 patients who had had a Karydakis procedure. The length of follow up ranged from 1 to 79 months (median 36 months). Seventy-one operations were carried out in 70 patients. This included 12 patients (17%) who had previously undergone between one and four procedures (median 2) for recurrent disease. Superficial wound breakdown occurred in 27 patients (38%) and complete wound breakdown occurred in six patients (8.4%). These wounds were allowed to heal by secondary intent. The median time to complete healing for superficial and complete wound breakdown was 80 and 84 days, respectively. Disease recurrence occurred in three patients (4.2%) -- two of whom had recurrent disease at the time of this presentation. Of the three patients who had a recurrence after our surgery, two had a superficial breakdown and one had a complete wound breakdown. Sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease has a low recurrence rate when treated by the Karydakis operation involving flattening of the midline cleft. This procedure avoids the need for more complicated flap repairs.
Plumage Color Genes in White Plymouth Rocks and White Wyandottes

Abstract In 1943 Jaap reported that 8 White Plymouth Rock females with dark green shanks carried gene E (extension of black) and b (non-barring). Additional information on this point has been found in crosses between White Plymouth Rocks and S. C. Rhode Island Reds and between S. C. White Wyandottes and S. C. Rhode Island Reds at this station. It has not been possible to determine the frequency of gene id in any of the strains but it has been possible to determine the frequencies of genes E (extended black), e (restricted black), B (barring), b (non-barring), S (silver), and s (gold). Genotypes for plumage color in 5 strains of White Plymouth Rocks and 1 strain of S. C. White Wyandottes have been determined and their frequency is shown in Table 1. In determining the dam’s genotype (only crosses of white female X Rhode Island Red male are considered) no dam . . .
Lensless matched spatial filter correlator experiments

By combining a matched spatial filter and holographic optical element on a single plate, a compact optical frequency plane correlator results. Experimental pattern recognition correlation data and a theoretical analysis with experimental verification of the system's shift invariance are provided.
Details that count in the surgical care of children.

Abstract Recognition of the differences of the background and the needs of the infant and the development of attitudes to cope with these differences can make a competent pediatric surgeon of any good general surgeon when the occasion requires. Unless he is prepared to recognize these variations and differences, however, he cannot rise above the level of a good surgical technician treating children. In the case of a desperately ill child the hand that tips the balance of the scale in the infant's favor is just as often that of an anesthetist, a nurse, a nurse's aid, an untiring house officer or technician in the laboratory or x-ray department as it is the surgeon's. Nevertheless, it is the alertness of the surgeon to details and his ability to impart enthusiasm to his team that leads to the successful care of the infant or child who needs surgical care.
Pharmacologic Characterization of Wool Dust Extract in Isolated Guinea Pig Trachea

Abstract Wool mill workers develop respiratory symptoms and lung function abnormalities associated with their work in the textile industry, As in other workplaces, which process organic materials, the dust generated in the manufacture of wool has been implicated as a cause of these respiratory problems. Pharmacologic studies of wool dust extract were performed in vitro on guinea pig tracheal (GPT) segments. A wool dust extract (WDE) was prepared from material collected from a mill previously surveyed. When the standardized WDE solution was added to an organ bath in increments of 10, 30, 100, 300, and 1000 μl it caused a consistent, dose-dependent constriction of GPT. Pretreatment of guinea pig tracheas, prior to WDE challenge, with atropine (10 −6 M), pyrilamine (10 −6 M), indomethacin (10 −6 M), verapamil (10 −6 M), TMB8 (10 −6 M), BW755C (10 −6 M), and LY171883 (10 −6 M) was studied in order to evaluate receptor-dependent and -independent characteristics of WDE-induced constriction. WDE-induced bronchoconstriction was partially inhibited by the antihistamine pyrilamine. Atropine and leukotriene inhibitors (LY171883 and BW755C) were not found to have a significant protective effect on WDE-induced constriction. Both TMB8 and verapamil (intra- and extracellular calcium blocking agents) suppressed the effect of wool dust extract in the range tested. These findings suggest that in this model, WDE-induced airway constriction is only partly attributable to common mediators of bronchoconstriction (e.g., histamine). The airway effects of WDE may be modulated by calcium channel blocking agents.
Massive hemothorax due to intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis in a patient with thalassemia intermedia.

We report the case of a 49-year-old woman with thalassemia intermedia who developed a massive hemothorax due to hemorrhage from a large intrathoracic, paraspinal hematopoietic mass. Thoracotomy was required for initial control of bleeding. Postoperatively she received a total of 1,500 rads to the mass and has not had recurrence of the hemothorax. This complication of extramedullary hematopoiesis has not been previously reported, to our knowledge. (Chest 1988; 94:658-60)
PHOTODYNAMIC INACTIVATION OF POLIOVIRUS.

Abstract Poliovirus, as usually found in fluids of infected cultures, cannot be inactivated photodynamically in the presence of heterotricyclic dyes. However, if the mature virus is freed of extraneous organic material, dyes can attach to the virus and render it light-sensitive. Optimal conditions for photosensitivity of poliovirus were found to be pH 8.0 in phosphate buffer in 10 −4 M dye (neutral red, toluidine blue, or proflavine). Organic buffers (Tris and glycine) prevent photosensitization of poliovirus. When the pH is lowered, the photosensitive virus-dye complex appears to dissociate and the free virus again becomes light-resistant. A cation exchange column adsorbs most of the virus-dye complex. That part of the virus which dissociates from the dye on the column is no longer photosensitive. The attachment of dye to vaccinia virus is also reversible, and virus resistant to light can be obtained by chromatographic adsorption of dye from the virus-dye complex.
Distributed object recognition via feature unmixing

Performing multi-view object recognition in distributed camera networks is of great importance but also of great challenge since the scarce resource within the network prohibits large amount of data transfer. In this paper, we study the problem of feature-based distributed object recognition where redundancy in SIFT features across multiple views is explored without the requirement of any known statistics of the environment. We present a novel concept to interpret the SIFT features from spectral unmixing point of view where SIFT features from local views of an object are modeled as linear mixtures of a small set of signature vectors, referred to as the endmembers, with associated weight vectors satisfying two conditions, sum to one and nonnegative. We show, through empirical study, that this set of endmembers is unique and sufficient to recognize individual object and yet, the number of endmembers is much smaller than the number of SIFT feature points detected, thus dramatically saving network bandwidth. We perform this feature unmixing process in a two-layer scheme to realize distributed object recognition, where unmixing is first applied at individual camera nodes to extract "local endmembers" based on local views. Only these local endmembers need to be transferred to the base station for further processing. At the base station, the ensemble of the local endmembers is undergone another unmixing process to extract the so-called "global endmembers" for object recognition purpose. Experimental results show that the feature unmixing-based distributed object recognition can achieve same level of recognition accuracy compared to the usage of the original set of SIFT features, but with much reduced data transmission.
Best bounds for expected financial payoffs II: applications

Abstract Based on a general algorithm to determine best bounds for expected piecewise linear payoffs, several important examples are treated in a unified manner. Tables of best bounds are given for the stop-loss, limited stop-loss, franchise and disappearing deductible, and two-layers stop-loss contracts. In the last example the maximal bound can only be obtained numerically
Symmetrized-lexicographic order and the method of points

A variant of lexicographic order called symmetrized-lexicographic order is defined. The symmetrized-lexicographic order finds its application in the goal programming procedure called the method of points. The symmetrized-lexicographic order is shown to be representable using linear algebra and, thus, the method of points can be implemented as a linear programming problem.
Demonstrating the Importance of Question Wording on Surveys

This classroom activity demonstrates the importance of question wording on surveys. In the activity, students compared data from 2 versions of a short questionnaire that differed only in the wording of the questions and the response scales. Class discussion focused on how wording affected the data and, consequently, how difficult it would be to draw valid conclusions from the data. After participating in the activity, students were better able to identify and correct poorly worded items and response scales on a subsequent survey.
Testing and Analysis of Early Age Stress-Strain Development of Concrete Overlay for Reactor In-Situ Decommissioning

Non-uniform moisture distribution during early age drying and curing of protective concrete overlays for Savannah River Site reactors decommissioned in-situ were expected to result in differential shrinkage that lead to tensile stresses and possible cracking. The goal was to not exceed the concrete tensile strength of 2.8 MPa or compressive strength of 23.8 MPa. An experimental study was performed on the development of shrinkage and creep strains in concrete slab specimens embedded with strain gages and relative humidity sensors at controlled ambient temperature and relative humidity conditions. The experimental data was used to verify the validity of available physics-based methods and code calculations to predict early age shrinkage and creep strains, respectively. Data on the expansive effect of a shrinkage compensating admixture based on CaO was also obtained. Prediction of the surface stress in the test specimen suggests that without the shrinkage compensating admixture, the tensile strength would be slightly exceeded. However with the admixture, the combined effects of shrinkage, creep and expansion due to the admixture is predicted to result in all compressive stresses within the full scale slab, eliminating the possibility of cracking.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Available Energy—Part I: Gibbs Revisited

The concept of available energy, as defined by Gibbs is revisited. Being more general, this concept of available energy differs from that referred to commonly by the same name, or as exergy or availability. He gave representations of available energy for two circumstances. The first was the available energy of a body, for the case when a body, alone, is in a nonequilibrium condition and therefore has energy available. In turn, he presented the available energy of the body and medium, for the energy that is available because a body is not in equilibrium with some arbitrarily specified medium or reference environment. Gibbs' did not present formulas to represent available energy. His representations were verbal descriptions regarding surfaces, curves and lines. Although his verbiage was augmented by some graphics, visualization of the geometrical entities he described depended largely on the imagination of the reader. In Part I, we take advantage of modern graphics software to illustrate more vividly not only the available energy he described verbally but also his interesting concepts of available vacuum and capacity for entropy. We argue that all of these concepts are equivalent. Since Gibbs, representations with formulas have been developed and are common for the available energy of body and medium. Gaggioli has developed formulas which are more general, to represent the available energy of the body (alone) and to assign an exergy to subsystems of the body as a measure of each subsystem's contribution to the available energy. In contrast to the available energy, exergy is an additive property, so that balance equations can be written. This exergy is independent of any reference environment, which is important both theoretically and practically because of its relevance to proper selection of the dead state. In those special cases when the dead state is one in equilibrium with a reference environment, this more generalized exergy encompasses that concept called (today) exergy in textbooks and journals.
The value and limitations of magnetic resonance angiography of the circle of Willis in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.

Magnetic resonance angiography is a useful technique to determine the patency of the circle of Willis when compared with conventional four-vessel angiography. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the integrity of the circle of Willis, assessed by magnetic resonance angiography, provides adequate collateral cerebral circulation during carotid endarterectomy and correlates with internal carotid artery back pressure. Over a recent 20-month period, 35 patients were studied preoperatively with magnetic resonance angiography of the carotid bifurcations of the circle of Willis and the vertebrobasilar system. All patients underwent standard carotid endarterectomy with intraoperative measurement of internal carotid artery back pressure. Patients with an internal carotid artery back pressure 50 mmHg had similar findings (P < 0.03). Severity of occlusive disease of the contralateral internal carotid artery and the basilar artery did not independently predict internal carotid artery back pressure. An occluded anterior branch of the circle of Willis in combination with an occluded posterior branch of the circle of Willis is associated with an internal carotid artery back pressure < 50 mmHg. Although magnetic resonance angiography of the circle of Willis may provide valuable anatomic information, it is not sufficiently accurate to predict the need for carotid shunting and therefore its use cannot be justified on a routine basis.
Coping and adjustment to genital herpes: the effects of time and social support.

The current study investigated the relationship of the passage of time and membership in a self-help group with coping behaviors and distress among people with genital herpes. A comparison between 116 people in herpes support groups and 36 community volunteers on the use of coping and level of emotional adjustment was undertaken. Results of the study indicated that people employed fewer coping strategies with increasing time since the onset of the Stressor. This pattern was particularly clear in non-support-group subjects. In comparison, support-group members did not exhibit as significant a decrease in the use of coping strategies or as great an improvement in the level of depression and degree bothered by herpes over time. Selection factors and effects of self-help group membership are discussed as alternative explanations for these differences. Future research in the area of group membership as well as helpful and nonhelpful processes in these groups is suggested.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the tree seedlings of two Australian rain forests: occurrence, colonization, and relationships with plant performance

The roots of rain forest plants are frequently colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) that can promote plant growth in the nutrient poor soils characteristic of these forests. However, recent studies suggest that both the occurrence of AMF on rain forest plants and the dependence of rain forest plants on AMF can be highly variable. We examined the occurrence and levels of AMF colonization of some common seedling species in a tropical and a subtropical rain forest site in Queensland, Australia. We also used a long-term database to compare the growth and mortality rates of seedling species that rarely formed AMF with those that regularly formed AMF. In both forests, more than one-third of the seedling species rarely formed AMF associations, while 40% of species consistently formed AMF in the tropical site compared to 27% in the subtropical site. Consistent patterns of AMF occurrence were observed among plant families at the two sites. Variation among seedling species in AMF occurrence or colonization was not associated with differences in seed mass among species, variation in seedling size and putative age within a species, or lack of AMF inoculum in the soil. Comparisons of four seedling species growing both in the shaded understory and in small canopy gaps revealed an increase in AMF colonization in two of the four species in gaps, suggesting that light limitation partially explains the low occurrence of AMF. Seedling survival was significantly positively associated with seed biomass but not with AMF colonization. Furthermore, seedling species that regularly formed AMF and those that did not had similar rates of growth and survival, suggesting that mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal strategies were equivalent in these forests. Furthermore, the high numbers of seedlings that lacked AMF and the overall low rate of seedling growth (the average seedling required 6 years to double its height) suggest that most seedlings did not receive significant indirect benefits from AMF through connection to canopy trees via a common mycorrhizal network.
Extremum seeking micro-thermal-fluid control for active two-phase microelectronics cooling

To address increasing power densities in high power electronic devices, microchannel systems operating in the two-phase regime have been explored in recent years for high heat flux cooling applications. However, flow and thermal oscillations, frequently present in two-phase microchannel cooling, may severely compromise the cooling performance and system integrity. This paper considers the thermal-fluid control of a microchannel evaporator by regulating the inlet flow rate using a pump. The control objective is two-fold: stabilize the fluid flow and maintain a low evaporator wall temperature. The first objective is easily achieved with a proportional feedback of flow acceleration. The second objective is more challenging as the achievable wall temperature depends on the heat transfer coefficient which in turn depends on the flow rate and heat load and is typically not well characterized. In this paper, we present an adaptive extremum seeking control law which first uses the wall temperature measurement to estimate the heat transfer coefficient, and then adjusts the flow rate to maximize this estimate. Simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed scheme.
GABA-based evaluation of neurologic conditions: MR spectroscopy.

SUMMARY: GABA serves as a major neurotransmitter of the brain and functions mainly to inhibit neural excitatory activity. Disruption of the GABAergic processes appears to occur in various neurologic and psychiatric conditions, including epilepsy, mood disorders, motor disorders such as focal dystonia and stiff-person syndrome, sleep disorders, neuroplasticity, and drug and alcohol dependence. These concentration differences may be ascertained by using MR spectroscopy to provide information on the concentration of different metabolites. This review briefly discusses advances in MR spectroscopy methods and explores the application of this technique to detect changes in GABA due to disease processes and medication-induced effects.
Application of sequential integration for metabolic engineering of 1,2-propanediol production in yeast

The yeast species Saccharomyces cerevisiae was engineered to produce 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PD) using the delta/UB sequential gene integration method. To study the effects of increased copy number, 2 genes (mgs and gldA from Escherichia coli) were sequentially integrated into the chromosomes of S. cerevisiae strains of opposite mating type. The resulting strains (containing 0-3 copies of either mgs or gldA) were mated to create all possible combinations of the 2 genes introduced for 1,2-PD production. Enzyme activities were generally correlated with copy number, although there was greater variation in GldA activity in the diploid cells. The integrated genes were confirmed by Southern blot and 1,2-PD production was analyzed by HPLC. The strain containing 3 copies of mgs and gldA showed the highest level of 1,2-PD; however, 1,2-PD concentration was not clearly related to gene copy number. 1,2-PD production did correlate with Mgs specific activity, and high GldA specific activity was found to be inhibitory.
Direct torque control of five-phase induction motor using space vector modulation with harmonics elimination and optimal switching sequence

In this paper an effective direct torque control (DTC) for a 5-phase induction motor with sinusoidally distributed windings is developed. First by coordinate transformation, the converter/motor models are represented by two independent equivalent d-q circuit models; and the 5-phase VSI input are decoupled into the torque producing and non-torque producing harmonics sets. Then with the torque production component of the induction motor model, the space vector modulation (SVM) can be applied to the five-phase induction motor DTC control, resulting in considerable torque ripple reduction over the lookup table method. Based on the decoupled system model, the current distortion issue due to lack of back EMF for certain harmonics is analyzed. Two equally effective SVM schemes with the harmonic cancellation effect are introduced to solve this problem. To analyze the DTC control torque ripple, an insightful perspective (also applicable to 3-phase analysis) is introduced to predict the torque ripple pattern evolution with changing motor speed and stator flux angular position. Therefore the switching sequence for lowest torque ripple can be determined and re-arranged online. Finally, with the overall optimal switching scheme adopted, detailed simulations verify the effectiveness of the new control.
Using a light microscope to measure motions with nanometer accuracy

A system for measuring nanometer motions of microscopic structures is demonstrated. Stop-action images of a target are obtained with a light microscope, CCD camera, and stroboscopic illuminator. Mo- tions are determined directly from measured images using algorithms from computer vision. The accuracy of motion measurements using the system is assessed using a moving target with calibrated displacements. Accuracy is determined for specimens viewed under our most optimal conditions as well as for a number of suboptimal conditions that illustrate important degradation mechanisms. Measured errors are compared to predictions based on computer simulations of theoretical models. Re- sults show that the most important hardware factors include substrate vibrations and camera imperfections. Measurement errors for the most optimal hardware conditions are primarily due to systematic bias in the computer vision algorithms. For our most optimal conditions, the system can resolve motions as small as nanometers. Thus, errors in motion measurements are small compared to both the wavelength of the light used to obtain the images and the pixel spacing of the video microscope. © 1998 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. (S0091-3286(98)03904-X) Subject terms: video microscopy; stroboscopic illumination; motion measure- ment; fixed-pattern noise; shot noise; substrate vibration.
Introductory analog electronics course incorporating in-class team design problems and multi-team design based laboratories

A new, single term, introductory analog electronics course was developed in conjunction with a major curriculum revision in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department. A desire to provide greater student-student interaction and team based design experiences are two of the underlying themes of the curriculum revision and of the analog course design. This paper presents an overview of the course and provides specific examples of both the in-class projects and laboratory exercises specifically designed to improve design and team based performance. Student comments/suggestions from both formally solicited surveys and informal discussions are also included. The paper concludes with recommendations for future modifications and improvements.
A Simple, Rapid Method for Paper Chromatography of Barbiturates

Barbiturates are extracted quantitatively into ethyl ether from biologic fluids buffered to pH 6. A measured portion of the ether extract is then impinged to dryness and the residue spotted on Whatman No. 2 paper that has been previously dipped in alkali and dried. The paper is developed by descending chromatography with chloroform saturated with water. The barbiturate may then be located and a quantitative estimate made by viewing with a mercury lamp; it may also be eluted into an alkaline buffer and ultraviolet spectra determined at several pH's. The extraction from the biologic fluid and development of the chromatogram may be accomplished in about 2 hr.
Developing an algorithm-based course scheduling tool

Sunset Learning Institute (SLI), a Cisco training firm based in Reston, Virginia, needs a better course scheduling system to increase profits through reducing the time and money spent on canceling and rescheduling classes. Historically, SLIpsilas staff has spent hundreds of man hours scheduling courses, only to have less than 30 percent of scheduled courses run. To achieve the goal of improving both the scheduling process and the proposed course schedule, a new Web-based tool accesses a database of historical course information and runs a scheduling algorithm to predict SLIpsilas course schedule faster and more accurately than current scheduling methods. The scheduling algorithm is the heart of this project. This algorithm pulls course data from a continually expanding database of historical information. The relevant historical data includes statistics such as the number of times a course has run in the past, the number of students in those classes, the coursepsilas profitability, and indicators concerning whether the course is a part of one or more academic sequences that SLI offers. With this data, the algorithm generates a 90 day schedule which is then run through a logic based constraint identification system. Based on current analysis, this tool improves the scheduling process for Sunset Learning Institute. It makes course scheduling faster by automating a process that had previously been completed manually. In addition, the tool allows SLI to increase the percentage of scheduled courses that run.
Integrating metabolic, transcriptional regulatory and signal transduction models in Escherichia coli

Motivation: The effort to build a whole-cell model requires the development of new modeling approaches, and in particular, the integration of models for different types of processes, each of which may be best described using different representation. Flux-balance analysis (FBA) has been useful for large-scale analysis of metabolic networks, and methods have been developed to incorporate transcriptional regulation (regulatory FBA, or rFBA). Of current interest is the integration of these approaches with detailed models based on ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Results: We developed an approach to modeling the dynamic behavior of metabolic, regulatory and signaling networks by combining FBA with regulatory Boolean logic, and ordinary differential equations. We use this approach (called integrated FBA, or iFBA) to create an integrated model of Escherichia coli which combines a flux-balance-based, central carbon metabolic and transcriptional regulatory model with an ODE-based, detailed model of carbohydrate uptake control. We compare the predicted Escherichia coli wild-type and single gene perturbation phenotypes for diauxic growth on glucose/lactose and glucose/glucose-6-phosphate with that of the individual models. We find that iFBA encapsulates the dynamics of three internal metabolites and three transporters inadequately predicted by rFBA. Furthermore, we find that iFBA predicts different and more accurate phenotypes than the ODE model for 85 of 334 single gene perturbation simulations, as well for the wild-type simulations. We conclude that iFBA is a significant improvement over the individual rFBA and ODE modeling paradigms. Availability: All MATLAB files used in this study are available at http://www.simtk.org/home/ifba/. Contact: covert@stanford.edu Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Asymmetric two-dimensional jet efflux from a channel

Irrotational flow of two-dimensional jets from a channel is treated without direct use of a logarithmic hodograph plane. An analytical approach is introduced for solving the general problem of two jets issuing from a channel with three end plates. Numerical values of the contraction coefficient and the angle of jet deflection are obtained for the special case where the two jets are located symmetrically and all the end plates are in line. Limiting cases of the resulting single-jet problem are the symmetric and asymmetric configurations solved by von Mises (1917). Results for the asymmetric case improve upon the theoretical values reported by von Mises and compare favorably with existing experimental data.
Advantages and limitations of anticipating laboratory test results from regression- and tree-based rules derived from electronic health-record data.

Laboratory testing is the single highest-volume medical activity, making it useful to ask how well one can anticipate whether a given test result will be high, low, or within the reference interval (“normal”). We analyzed 10 years of electronic health records—a total of 69.4 million blood tests—to see how well standard rule-mining techniques can anticipate test results based on patient age and gender, recent diagnoses, and recent laboratory test results. We evaluated rules according to their positive and negative predictive value (PPV and NPV) and area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve (ROC AUCs). Using a stringent cutoff of PPV and/or NPV≥0.95, standard techniques yield few rules for sendout tests but several for in-house tests, mostly for repeat laboratory tests that are part of the complete blood count and basic metabolic panel. Most rules were clinically and pathophysiologically plausible, and several seemed clinically useful for informing pre-test probability of a given result. But overall, rules were unlikely to be able to function as a general substitute for actually ordering a test. Improving laboratory utilization will likely require different input data and/or alternative methods.
Methodology and Cognitive—Behavioral Assessment

In the most recent edition of the Annual Review of Behavior Therapy (Franks et al., 1982) the point is made that behavioral assessment has moved simultaneously in two different directions. In one direction we see the heartland of assessment being entered via a more basic concern with the reliability and validity of behavioral assessment procedures. In the other direction we observe behavioral assessment to be taking a wider cut, expanding into the arena of cognitive-behavioral assessment. While the reasons for the reliability and validity studies may be apparent (i.e. to assure psychometric credibility), some have questioned the soundness and legitimacy of our excursion into the “mind”.
Brassicaceae Express Multiple Isoforms of Biotin Carboxyl Carrier Protein in a Tissue-Specific Manner

Plastidial acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase from most plants is a multi-enzyme complex comprised of four different subunits. One of these subunits, the biotin carboxyl carrier protein (BCCP), was previously proposed to be encoded by a single gene in Arabidopsis. We report and characterize here a second Arabidopsis BCCP (AtBCCP2) cDNA with 42% amino acid identity to AtBCCP1 and 75% identity to a class of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) BCCPs. Both Arabidopsis BCCP isoforms were expressed in Escherichia coli and found to be biotinylated and supported carboxylation activity when reconstituted with purified, recombinant Arabidopsis biotin carboxylase. In vitro translated AtBCCP2 was competent for import into pea (Pisum sativum) chloroplasts and processed to a 25-kD polypeptide. Extracts of Arabidopsis seeds contained biotinylated polypeptides of 35 and 25 kD, in agreement with the masses of recombinant AtBCCP1 and 2, respectively. AtBCCP1 protein was present in developing tissues from roots, leaves, flowers, siliques, and seeds, whereas AtBCCP2 protein was primarily expressed in 7 to 10 d-after-flowering seeds at levels approximately 2-fold less abundant than AtBCCP1. AtBCCP1 transcript reflected these protein expression profiles present in all developing organs and highest in 14-d leaves and siliques, whereas AtBCCP2 transcript was present in flowers and siliques. In protein blots, four different BCCP isoforms were detected in developing seeds from oilseed rape. Of these, a 35-kD BCCP was detected in immature leaves and developing seeds, whereas developing seeds also contained 22-, 25-, and 37-kD isoforms highly expressed 21 d after flowering. These data indicate that oilseed plants in the family Brassicaceae contain at least one to three seed-up-regulated BCCP isoforms, depending upon genome complexity.
The drosophila fragile X protein dFMR1 is required during early embryogenesis for pole cell formation and rapid nuclear division cycles.

The FMR family of KH domain RNA-binding proteins is conserved from invertebrates to humans. In humans, inactivation of the X-linked FMR gene fragile X is the most common cause of mental retardation and leads to defects in neuronal architecture. While there are three FMR family members in humans, there is only a single gene, dfmr1, in flies. As in humans, inactivation of dfmr1 causes defects in neuronal architecture and in behavior. dfmr1 has other functions in the fly in addition to neurogenesis. Here we have analyzed its role during early embryonic development. We found that dfmr1 embryos display defects in the rapid nuclear division cycles that precede gastrulation in nuclear migration and in pole cell formation. While the aberrations in nuclear division are correlated with a defect in the assembly of centromeric/centric heterochromatin, the defects in pole cell formation are associated with alterations in the actin–myosin cytoskeleton.
Scientific Evidence for Musculoskeletal, Bariatric, and Sports Nutrition

Kohlstadt I, ed. Boca Raton, FL, 33487, CRC Press, 2006, hardcover, 644 pp, illus, ISBN: 0-8493-3724-0, $139.95. This book is a timely and comprehensive evidence-based assimilation of nutrition into medical treatment. The book is intended to provide the latest information to practicing physicians, clinical investigators, and other researchers involved in the basic science and clinical aspects of this broad and rapidly evolving topic. The book is organized into 7 sections: “Frontiers and Technologic Advances,” “Key Nutrients,” “Fat Tissue,” “Muscle Tissue,” “Soft …
2-Trimethylsilyl-1,3-propanediol

[189066-36-2] C6H16O2Si (MW 148.2) InChI = 1S/C6H16O2Si/c1-9(2,3)6(4-7)5-8/h6-8H,4-5H2,1-3H3 InChIKey = BGMVXIDWBZLIRZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N (reagent for the protection of ketones and aldehydes under mild conditions1) Alternate Name: cyclo-SEM. Physical Data: mp 36–38 °C; bp 110–130 °C/2 mmHg. Solubility: soluble in organic solvents, insoluble in water. Form Supplied in: white, crystalline solid. Analysis of Reagent Purity: 1H NMR, capillary GC. Preparative Methods: preparation (eq 1) is performed by lithium–halogen exchange of 1-(bromovinyl)trimethylsilane 1,2 with 2.1 equiv of t-BuLi in diethyl ether at −78 °C for 0.5 h followed by cold cannulation into a slurry of paraformaldehyde in diethyl ether and warming to room temperature over 5 h.3 The crude 2-trimethylsilyl-2-propenol 2 is purified, after water work-up and extraction, by column chromatography (5% EtOAc/petroleum ether) followed by bulb-to-bulb distillation (110–114 °C/60 mmHg). Treatment of 2 with 2.1 equiv of freshly prepared thexylborane4 at −10 °C followed by 18 h at room temperature generates the boronate ester which is subsequently hydrolyzed by treatment with two equiv of methanol followed by a standard H2O2/NaOH work-up. Column chromatography on base-treated silica gel with 50% EtOAc/petroleum ether yields 2-trimethylsilyl-1,3-propanediol 3, as a white crystalline solid. (1) Purification: column chromatography using silica gel as the stationary phase and a mobile phase consisting of 50% EtOAc/petroleum ether will provide reagent of excellent quality. Recrystallization from either petroleum ether or hexanes, or bulb-to-bulb distillation (110–130 °C/2 mmHg) may also be used to purify the cyclo-SEM diol 2. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: store in a closed container. No noticeable degradation after 12 months on the bench top.
Gameplay, Gender, and Socioeconomic Status in Two American High Schools:

In a study of 195 high school students, differences by gender and socioeconomic status (SES) were found in their gaming habits and game literacy practices. Low-SES students generally preferred console video games, particularly those in the sports genre. They expressed frustration with the controls involved in long-form computer games such as those in the role-playing and first-person-shooter genres. Girls overwhelmingly rejected being identified as gamers, though they actively engaged in playing casual games in isolation. Very few students in any demographic group were found to participate in the game literacy practices described by Steinkuehler, and high-SES males were most likely to engage in these practices. These findings suggest cautious further research when generalizing from recommendations of how to harness games for education, such as those presented by Gee. Also, it appears that more attention to sports-themed digital games is warranted, particularly for those interested in reaching low-SES popu...
Voltage contours for power system visualization

Power system engineers are presented with vast amounts of information to analyze during daily operations. In systems containing thousands of buses, it can be very difficult to assess the state of the power system in an intuitive and rapid manner. The paper discusses the use of contours for visualizing power system voltage data. Also, because of the low computation requirements of the contouring algorithm, the algorithm is implemented into a real-time animation of the voltage profile of a power system. The contouring routines are implemented into the PowerWorld/sup TM/ Simulator software package, with results shown for systems with up to several thousand buses. Experiments and interviews with system engineers are also discussed to measure the applicability of voltage contouring as an add-on to practical EMS systems.
Experiments in space-time modulation

This paper reports on some experiments with multiple antenna radios. Specifically this paper compares the performance between an experimental system with training and coherent demodulation and a system using noncoherent techniques of communication. The paper also examines robustness in performance across a variety of channel conditions.
An Automated Method to Estimate Tropical Cyclone Intensity Using SSM/I Imagery

Abstract An automated method to estimate tropical cyclone intensity using Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) data is developed and tested. SSM/I images (512 km × 512 km) centered on a given tropical cyclone (TC), with a known best-track intensity, are collected for 142 different TCs (1988–98) from the North Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. Over 100 characteristic features are computed from the 85-GHz (H-pol) imagery data and the derived rain-rate imagery data associated with each TC. Of the 1040 sample images, 942 are selected as training samples. These training samples are examined in a feature-selection algorithm to select an optimal subset of the characteristic features that could accurately estimate TC intensity on unknown samples in a K-nearest-neighbor (K-NN) algorithm. Using the 15 selected features as the representative vector and the best-track intensity as the ground truth, the 98 testing samples (taken from four TCs) are presented to the K-NN algorithm. A root-mean-square error (rmse)...
The role of malate in exercise-induced enhancement of mitochondrial respiration.

Abstract Shortly after the injection of glucagon, epinephrine, norepinephrine, vasopressin, or angiotensin II into fasted rats, mitochondria isolated from their livers contained elevated concentrations of malate and oxidized citrate, α-ketoglutarate, and, in some cases, succinate more rapidly than mitochondria from fasted, control rats. The administration of tryptophan, lactate, or ethanol and refeeding of rats fasted 24 h result in similar elevations of mitochondrial malate concentration and oxidation of added substrates. Treatments that resulted in elevated mitochondrial malate resulted also in increased uptake of added citrate, α-ketoglutarate, pyruvate, and, in some cases, succinate. It is postulated that the well-documented effect of gluconeogenic hormones on mitochondrial oxidation of carboxylic substrates may be mediated by malate which not only yields oxalacetate to support the tricarboxylic acid cycle but also facilitates the transport of added substrates, and which is regenerated in the tricarboxylic acid cycle.
Hedging Sudden Stops & Precautionary Contractions

Even well managed emerging market economies are exposed to significant external risk, the bulk of which is financial. At a moment's notice, these economies may be required to reverse the capital inflows that have supported the preceding boom. While capital flows crises are sudden nonlinear events (sudden stops), their likelihood fluctuates over time. The question we address in the paper is how should a country react to these fluctuations. Depending on the hedging possibilities the country faces, the options range from pure self-insurance to hedging the sudden stop jump itself. In between, there is the more likely possibility to hedge the smoother fluctuations in the likelihood of sudden stops. The main contribution of the paper is to provide an analytically and empirically tractable model that allows us to characterize and quantify optimal contingent liability management in a variety of scenarios. We show, with a concrete example, that the gains from contingent liability management can easily exceed the equivalent of cutting a country's external liabilities by 10 percent of GDP. *This is a revision of the June 2003 version.