cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ecological Considerations in Fisheries Management: When Does it Matter?

Abstract Ecological processes are often not explicitly included in fisheries models and management, but have the potential to be a significant influence on fish stocks. I examine cases from ecosystems around the world where predation, competition, environmental regime shifts, and habitat alteration have altered population dynamics, stock abundance, and community composition. These cases demonstrate the importance of ecological processes in the regulation of fish populations. Fisheries managers and scientists have long appreciated the importance of quantifying ecological processes relative to fishing, but recognizing the consequences of ignoring these considerations and developing a feasible set of widely used tools to implement these considerations has been lagging. Very simply, given what we know about the importance of these processes, particularly at low stock abundances, we would be wise to address them. I conclude with a proposed set of questions that need to be addressed in order to more widely and ...
Favorable response to maintenance therapy of second or subsequent remissions in childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia

Twenty-two children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) who had relapsed while on therapy and for whom remissions were successfully reinduced were maintained with a combination of methotrexate, daunomycin, 6-mercaptopurine, prednisone, and vincristine (Djerassi-methotrexate with BOMB). The median duration of remission was 35 weeks (range, five to 364+ weeks). Of 8 children (36%) did not relapse while receiving this therapy, 4 are off all therapy (durations of remissions, 40+, 97+, 132+, and 216+ weeks). Improved responses were found in children with platelet counts of greater than 10(5)/mm3 at the time of index relapse. Intrathecal chemotherapy seemed to greatly prolong the duration of remission for 16 children when compared to those children who did not receive IT therapy (45.5 vs. 24 weeks). No central nervous system relapses occurred. This maintenance regimen for children with previously relapsed ALL appears to be effective and worth additional clinical trials.
Regulation of transcription factor mRNA accumulation during 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation by antagonists of adipogenesis

3T3-L1 preadipocytes differentiate into cells having the biochemical properties of adipocytes; tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF), retinoic acid (RA), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), attenuate this process. Inhibition of differentiation by these agents, thought to be at the level of transcription, has been investigated by examining the accumulation of mRNA for six transcription factors and the autocrine growth factor interleukin 6 (IL-6). Upon induction of differentiation, a rapid and major accumulation of c-fos and jun-B mRNA was observed that returned to near basal levels within 4–6 h. In contrast, c-jun mRNA, although rapidly expressed following induction of differentiation, remained at relatively constant levels throughout the time course. Exposure of the cells to 5 nM TNF potentiated the accumulation of all 3 mRNAs but most significantly c-jun (12-fold), which remained elevated for at least 24 h after treatment. In control differentiating cells, krox-20 and fox-B were expressed transiently, 30 min to 2 h, while fra-1 mRNA accumulated over an extended period, 1 to 8 h. Again, TNF enhanced the accumulation of these mRNAs. Accumulation of mRNA for C/EBP, a transcription factor proposed to control expression of genes involved in the terminally differentiated state was attenuated after exposure of the cells to TNF. C/EBP expression was also inhibited in cells exposed to RA or TGF-β. IL-6 mRNA was expressed briefly (30 min to 2 h) and again transiently (at 8 h after induction of differentiation). TNF treatment markedly enhanced accumulation of IL-6 message. We propose that increased cellular content of one or more transcription factors or the suppression of C/EBP may be responsible for the attenuation of differentiation induced by exposure of the cells to TNF, RA, and TGF-β.
Boron concentrations in carbonaceous chondrites

We have analyzed B in carbonaceous chondrites in order to clarify a factor of 100 difference between the solar system B abundance derived from the solar photosphere and that inferred from previous meteorite data. Consistent results were obtained from two instrumental methods for B analysis: (a) counting of the high energy betas from ^(12)B produced by the ^(11)B(d,p) reaction, and (b) measurement of particle track densities from ^(10)B(n,α)^7Li in a plastic track detector affixed to a homogenized meteorite sample. Contamination is a major problem in B analyses, but extensive testing showed that our results were not seriously affected. Our B concentrations are typically 1–2 ppm and are a factor of 2–6 lower than previous carbonaceous chondrite measurements. Our data for the Cl chondrites Ivuna and Orgueil would indicate a solar system B/Si atomic abundance ratio of 58 × 10^(−6), but this is still a factor of 2–10 higher than the photospheric estimates. It may be that B is depleted in the sun by thermonuclear processes; however, the similarity of photospheric and meteoritic Be abundances is a problem for this point of view. Alternatively, B may be enhanced in carbonaceous chondrites, but this would make B a cosmochemically unique element. A mm-sized (Fe,Mn,Mg)CO_3 crystal from Orgueil shows no B enrichment. We find ^(10)B ≤ 10^(16) atoms/g in two Allende fine-grained inclusions suggesting that B is not a refractory element under solar nebula conditions. This ^(10)B limit, when taken as a limit on ^(10)Be when the inclusion formed, puts constraints on the possibility of a solar system synthesis of ^(26)Al. For a proton spectrum of E^(−a), a must be ≥ 3 if a solar gas is irradiated or a ≥1.5 if dust of solar composition is irradiated.
Dominant-negative mutant phenotypes and the regulation of translation elongation factor 2 levels in yeast

The eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2 (eEF2), a member of the G-protein superfamily, catalyzes the post-peptidyl transferase translocation of deacylated tRNA and peptidyl tRNA to the ribosomal E- and P-sites. eEF2 is modified by a unique post-translational modification: the conversion of His699 to diphthamide at the tip of domain IV, the region proposed to mimic the anticodon of tRNA. Structural models indicate a hinge is important for conformational changes in eEF2. Mutations of V488 in the hinge region and H699 in the tip of domain IV produce non-functional mutants that when co-expressed with the wild-type eEF2 result in a dominant-negative growth phenotype in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This phenotype is linked to reduced levels of the wild-type protein, as total eEF2 levels are unchanged. Changes in the promoter, 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) or 3′-UTR of the EFT2 gene encoding eEF2 do not allow overexpression of the protein, showing that eEF2 levels are tightly regulated. The H699K mutant, however, also alters translation phenotypes. The observed regulation suggests that the cell needs an optimum amount of active eEF2 to grow properly. This provides information about a new mechanism by which translation is efficiently maintained.
Leverage and subset efficiencies in regression

Abstract Leverages and coleverages comprise the matrix H in regression. These traditionally serve to gauge (i) the remoteness of regressors, (ii) the impact of responses on fitted values, (iii) the predictive efficiency of an observation Y i , (iv) powers of tests for outliers, and (v) limits on critical features of deletion diagnostics. This study goes beyond traditional usage in developing leverage efficiency diagnostics to quantify the leverage exerted by subsets of data on efficiency in estimation, specifically, to identify parameters impacted adversely on subset deletions, or enhanced through augmentations, and to quantify altered efficiencies of their estimators. These topics are not covered by conventional regression diagnostics. Instead, our objectives emerge here through spectral analyses of blocks of H , independently of observed responses. Case studies utilize the methodology to evaluate comparative efficiencies among small nested second-order designs.
Inhibiting Effects of Enflurane and Isoflurane Anesthesia on Measles Virus Replication: Comparison with Halothane

Replication of measles virus in BSC cells was studied in the presence of enflurane (2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethyl difluoromethyl ether), a commonly used volatile anesthetic agent, and its isomer, isoflurane (1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl difluoromethyl ether). At clinical concentrations of the anesthetics (up to 4%), cell division was retarded, whereas only minimal toxic cellular effects were observed. The appearance of progeny virus from the cell cultures exposed to these anesthetics was decreased in a dose-related manner. Incorporation of [3H]uridine into measles virus nucleocapsids also decreased progressively with increasing anesthetic concentrations. In comparing the inhibition of measles virus replication in the presence of halothane (2-bromo-2-chloro,1,1,1-trifluoroethane), enflurane, or isoflurane, it was found that both inhibition of the appearance of infectious virus at 48 h postinfection and incorporation of [3H]uridine into measles virus nucleocapsids were proportional to the anesthetic concentrations. An equivalent degree of effect was produced by anesthetically equivalent concentrations of the three anesthetics (minimal alveolar concentration) but not by absolute concentrations. In addition, recovery of infectious virus synthesis from the inhibition encountered during exposure of infected BSC cells to halothane or isoflurane was also investigated. In cultures exposed to halothane or enflurane, recovery of infectious virus synthesis was rapid and complete. Recovery of virus synthesis was slower after isoflurane removal and did not reach the peak control titers of infected cultures not exposed to the anesthetic. Treatment with halothane resulted in the formation of a preponderance of slowly sedimenting virus nucleocapsid particles which contained less than full-length ribonucleic acids after anesthetic removal. Neither enflurane nor isoflurane treatment of BSC cultures resulted in the formation of significant levels of these slowly sedimenting particles with short genomes after anesthetic removal.
An Arrhenius-Type Viscosity Function to Model Sintering Using the Skorohod–Olevsky Viscous Sintering Model Within a Finite-Element Code

The ease and ability to predict sintering shrinkage and densification with the Skorohod–Olevsky viscous sintering (SOVS) model within a finite-element (FE) code have been improved with the use of an Arrhenius-type viscosity function. The need for a better viscosity function was identified by evaluating SOVS model predictions made using a previously published polynomial viscosity function. Predictions made using the original, polynomial viscosity function do not accurately reflect experimentally observed sintering behavior. To more easily and better predict sintering behavior using FE simulations, a thermally activated viscosity function based on creep theory was used with the SOVS model. In comparison with the polynomial viscosity function, SOVS model predictions made using the Arrhenius-type viscosity function are more representative of experimentally observed viscosity and sintering behavior. Additionally, the effects of changes in heating rate on densification can easily be predicted with the Arrhenius-type viscosity function. Another attribute of the Arrhenius-type viscosity function is that it provides the potential to link different sintering models. For example, the apparent activation energy, Q, for densification used in the construction of the master sintering curve for a low-temperature cofire ceramic dielectric has been used as the apparent activation energy for material flow in the Arrhenius-type viscosity function to predict heating rate-dependent sintering behavior using the SOVS model.
Budget Impact Analysis of Conversion from Intravenous to Oral Medication When Clinically Eligible for Oral Intake

Abstract Background Many patients receive intravenous (IV) medication while clinically eligible for oral (PO) medication intake, which represents a potential for safety improvement and substantial medication cost reduction. Objective We analyzed the potential hospital medication budget impact associated with converting from IV to PO administration of 4 targeted IV medications, each representing a different class of drug, when patients were clinically eligible for PO medication intake. Methods Chlorothiazide, voriconazole, levetiracetam, and pantoprazole were identified as 4 costly IV medications with highly bioavailable PO equivalents. Data were extracted from the computerized provider order entry (CPOE) system at Johns Hopkins Hospital and analyzed to determine the doses administered of the 4 identified IV medications, while patients were concurrently receiving PO intake. Results More than two thirds of adult inpatients were administered IV chlorothiazide, voriconazole, levetiracetam, or pantoprazole while concurrently receiving PO intake. This use of expensive IV medications rather than PO equivalents in patients eligible for PO medication intake added $1,166,759.70 to the yearly cost of care at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Conclusions Efforts to remind physicians to convert patient orders from IV to PO medications in patients eligible for PO medication intake could have a considerable impact on the total cost of health care.
Analysis of Output Fluctuations in Taiwan: An Application of the IS–MP–AS Model

Extending the IS–MP–AS model, this paper finds that real GDP in Taiwan is positively affected by real depreciation and stock values and negatively associated with the government deficit/GDP ratio, the U.S. federal funds rate, and the expected inflation rate. Therefore, current large and rising government deficits, recent appreciation of the New Taiwan dollar, and gradual increases in the federal funds rate would hurt real output in Taiwan.
Mycophenolic mofetil reduces the HLA antibody response of children to valved allograft implantation.

Abstract Background Valved allografts induce a brisk, broadly reactive human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibody response in children after implantation. Mycophenolic mofetil (MMF) is a powerful immunosuppressant that inhibits the proliferation of both T cells and B cells and has been reported to possibly reduce HLA panel reactive antibody (PRA) in sensitized transplant recipients. Methods The purpose of this study was to determine whether MMF can blunt the HLA antibody response to valved allografts in children. Eight patients completed (of 28 approached) a pilot study to determine the effects of 3 months of twice daily MMF (600 mg/m 2 /dose) on the HLA antibody response measured before surgery, at 1 month, and at 3 months after implantation. Patients were 7.5 ± 4 yrs old (mean ± standard deviation [SD]), with 5 patients undergoing repair of tetralogy of Fallot, 2 Ross procedures, and 1 aortic valve replacement. Results In contrast to historical controls with a virtual 100% HLA class I PRA response to valved allograft implantation, MMF markedly decreased the HLA class I antibody response at 1 and 3 months postimplantation. In 6 cases where the HLA type of the donor was defined, PRA specificity correlated with incompatible antigens on the allograft. One patient withdrew after 2 weeks due to a sinus infection that was successfully treated with oral antibiotics, and 3 patients had a transient adverse effect of postoperative vomiting. Conclusions This study demonstrates the ability to pharmacologically abrogate the HLA class I antibody response to valved allograft implantation in children using MMF.
Crowdsourcing Enumeration Queries: Estimators and Interfaces

Hybrid human/computer database systems promise to greatly expand the usefulness of query processing by incorporating the crowd for data gathering and other tasks. Such systems raise many implementation questions. Perhaps the most fundamental issue is that the closed world assumption underlying relational query semantics does not hold in such systems. As a consequence, the meaning of even simple queries can be called into question. Furthermore, query progress monitoring becomes difficult due to non-uniformities in the arrival of crowdsourced data and peculiarities of how people work in crowdsourcing systems. To address these issues, we develop statistical tools that enable users and systems developers to reason about query completeness. These tools can also help drive query execution and crowdsourcing strategies. We evaluate our techniques using experiments on a popular crowdsourcing platform.
p − p Interactions at 2 Bev. II. Multiple-Pion Production

Analyses have been made for 871 four-prong events and 463 two-prong events corresponding to multiple pion production, resulting from $p\ensuremath{-}p$ interactions at 2 Bev in the BNL 20-in. hydrogen bubble chamber. Cross sections have been obtained for all the observable double and triple pion production processes; the branching ratios predicted by the extended isobar model are shown to be in fair agreement with the data, but there are significant differences. The c.m. momentum distributions are also in fair agreement with the predictions of the model, although there are ambiguities in the interpretation. The pion-nucleon $Q$ values give clear evidence for the importance of the ($\frac{3}{2}, \frac{3}{2}$) resonant state in multiple pion production, but consideration of this state alone does not provide an explanation of the features of double pion production. Some contribution from another state, possibly the $I=\frac{1}{2}$ nucleon isobar, is necessary. In double production, the c.m. angular distributions of the nucleons show backward-forward peaking suggestive of a one-pion exchange process. The angular distributions of the nucleons from triple production are almost isotropic.
Effects of Annealing on Freeze‐Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus

: During a fast freeze, the high viscosity of the trehalose-phosphate solution limits ice crystal formation. Annealing of frozen samples at a temperature above Tg increases ice formation and improves the efficacy of subsequent drying processes. By varying the annealing temperature and time, one can dictate the extent of ice crystal formation and resultant residual moisture content in the freeze–dried product. For Lactobacillus acidophilus, the optimal moisture content of 5 wt% results in 30% recovery after 3 mo of storage at 37 °C. The morphology of the freeze-dried product containing 5 wt% moisture showed evidence of localized collapse, but it remains white and readily soluble after storage at 37 °C for 3 mo.
Adsorption of fibrinogen and heparin on insulator surfaces — an electrokinetic study

Abstract The adsorption of fibrinogen, a plasma protein, and heparin, an anticoagulant on insulator materials, glass and polymethyl methacrylate was investigated. The technique of streaming potential determination was employed. The protein and the drug were dissolved in a dilute Krebs solution (containing CaCl 2 , NaCl, NaHCO 3 , KH 2 PO 4 , MgSO 4 and KCl) and the streaming potentials developed when the solutions were flowed at pressures up to 40 cm of mercury were recorded. The results show that even at a very low concentration (10 μg ml −1 ) fibrinogen reduced significantly the zeta potential of glass and polymethyl methacrylate. Subsequent addition of heparin to the solution had little effect on glass but slightly enhanced the zeta potential of the acrylic polymer. The effect due to fibrinogen persists even after pre-treatment of the surface with heparin.
Freezing and storage in liquid nitrogen of axenically and monoxenically cultivated Tetrahymena pyriformis.

Abstract One-hundred-thirty genetically competent strains of Tetrahymena pyriformis representing three syngens (genetically isolated species) cultivated axenically or monoxenically are stored in liquid nitrogen. All strains stored for longer than 1 year (85) have been recovered. Representative lines of nine other known syngens grown axenically and monoxenically have also been recovered from −196 °C. The effects of some of the variables involved in the procedures are summarized and discussed. Some strains are apparently most resistant to cryoinjury during early stationary phase; for one other strain resistance was just as high after 3 days in the stationary phase. The rate of cooling below the freezing point was more critical than that above. Survival in ampules left unsealed was greater, at least during the first few days, than in duplicate samples which were sealed.
Energy transfer and trapping in photosystem I reaction centers from cyanobacteria.

Abstract A mutant strain of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803, TolE4B, was constructed by genetic deletion of the protein that links phycobilisomes to thylakoid membranes and of the CP43 and CP47 proteins of photosystem II (PSII), leaving the photosystem I (PSI) center as the sole chromophore in the photosynthetic membranes. Both intact membrane and detergent-isolated samples of PSI were characterized by time-resolved and steady-state fluorescence methods. A decay component of approximately 25 ps dominates (99% of the amplitude) the fluorescence of the membrane sample. This result indicates that an intermediate lifetime is not associated with the intact membrane preparation and the charge separation in PSI is irreversible. The decay time of the detergent-isolated sample is similar. The 600-nm excited steady-state fluorescence spectrum displays a red fluorescence peak at approximately 703 nm at room temperature. The 450-nm excited steady-state fluorescence spectrum is dominated by a single peak around 700 nm without 680-nm "bulk" fluorescence. The experimental results were compared with several computer simulations. Assuming an antenna size of 130 chlorophyll molecules, an apparent charge separation time of approximately 1 ps is estimated. Alternatively, the kinetics could be modeled on the basis of a two-domain antenna for PSI, consistent with the available structural data, each containing approximately 65 chlorophyll a molecules. If excitation can migrate freely within each domain and communication between domains occurs only close to the reaction center, a charge separation time of 3-4 ps is obtained instead.
Molecular testing for Fragile X Syndrome: lessons learned from 119,232 tests performed in a clinical laboratory.

Purpose: To examine the data from over 119,000 Fragile X Syndrome tests and 307 prenatal tests to detect unsuspected findings and obtain clinical data when indicated to optimize genetic counseling. Methods: A proprietary database containing 119,232 consecutive postnatal and 307 prenatal FXS tests performed between November 2, 1992 and June 1, 2006 was queried. Results: The distribution of normal FMR1 alleles was a bimodal distribution with a major peak at 30 repeats and a minor peak at 21 repeats. Of 59,707 tests performed for males, 1.4% had a fully expanded and methylated FMR1 allele. Of 59,525 tests performed for females, 0.61% had an affected FMR1 allele, and 1.7% had a premutation FMR1 allele for a total carrier frequency of 1.3%. When fetuses inherited an expanded maternal allele, the risk of expansion to a full affected allele was 0%, 5%, 30% and 100% for allele sizes of 100 repeats, respectively. Conclusions: These figures can be used for genetic counseling of patients presenting for carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis for Fragile X Syndrome.
Effect of 17β‐oestradiol on contraction, Ca2+ current and intracellular free Ca2+ in guinea‐pig isolated cardiac myocytes

1. The effect of 17 beta-oestradiol on cardiac cell contraction, inward Ca2+ current and intracellular free Ca2+ ([free Ca2+]i) was investigated in guinea-pig single, isolated ventricular myocytes. The changes of cell length were measured by use of a photodiode array, the voltage-clamp experiments were performed with a switch clamp system and [free Ca2+]i was measured with the Ca2+ indicator, Fura-2. 2. 17 beta-Oestradiol (10, 30 microM) caused a decrease in cell shortening at both 22 and 35 degrees C. This negative inotropic effect was accompanied by a decrease in action potential duration mainly brought about by a shortening of the plateau region of the action potential. 17 beta-Oestradiol (10, 30 microM) induced a similar decrease in cell shortening in voltage-clamped and current-clamped cells. 3. In Fura-2 loaded cells, 17 beta-oestradiol (10 and 30 microM) decreased systolic Fura-2 fluorescence to 72 +/- 7% and 47 +/- 4% (n = 6, P less than 0.001) of control respectively. 17 beta-Oestradiol (10 microM) had no significant effect on diastolic Fura-2 fluorescence, but at higher concentration (30 microM) induced a slight decrease in resting Fura-2 fluorescence. The effect of 17 beta-oestradiol was reversible after 1-2 min of washout of the steroid. 4. 17 beta-Oestradiol (10 and 30 microM) decreased the peak inward Ca2+ current (ICa), which was sensitive to [Ca2+]o, dihydropyridines and isoprenaline, to 59 +/- 3% and 39 +/- 5% (n = 7 approximately 9, P less than 0.01) respectively, without producing any significant change in the shape of the current-voltage relationship.5. The recovery time of ICa from inactivation was delayed by 17beta-oestradiol (10microM). The inhibitory effect of 17beta-oestradiol on ICa was less at a holding potential of -80 mV than at -40 mV.6. We conclude that 17beta-oestradiol has a negative inotropic effect on guinea-pig single ventricular myocytes by inhibiting ICa and so reducing systolic [Ca2+]i. 17beta-Oestradiol may therefore have a Ca2+ channel blocking property in guinea-pig isolated ventricular myocytes.
Vision for Driver Assistance: Looking at People in a Vehicle

An important real-life application domain of computer vision techniques looking at people is in developing Intelligent Driver Assistance Systems (IDAS’s). By analyzing information from both looking in and looking out of the vehicle, such systems can actively prevent vehicular accidents, improve driver safety as well as driver experience. Towards such goals, developing systems looking people in a vehicle (i.e. driver and passengers) to understand their intent, behavior, and states is needed. This is a challenging task which typically requires high reliability, accuracy, and efficient performance. Challenges also come from the dynamic background and varying lighting condition in driving scenes. However, looking at people in a vehicle also has its own characteristics which could be exploited to simplify the problem such as people typically sitting in a fixed position and their activities being highly related to the driving context. In this chapter, we give a concise overview of various related research studies to see how their approaches were developed to fit the specific requirements and characteristics of looking at people in a vehicle. From a historical point of view, we first discuss studies looking at head, eyes, and facial landmarks and then studies looking at body, hands, and feet. Despite lots of active research and published papers, developing accurate, reliable, and efficient approaches for looking at people in real-world driving scenarios is still an open problem. To this end, we will discuss some remaining issues for the future development in the area.
Effects of intravenous diazepam pretreatment on lactate-induced panic

Abstract The psychological and physiological effects of acute low-potency benzodiazepine administration on lactate-induced panic were examined in 10 patients with panic disorder (PD). The patients, who had panicked during a standard sodium-lactate infusion, underwent a repeat infusion modified by pretreatment with intravenous diazepam (5 mg). Acute Panic Inventory (API) scores preceding the second lactate infusion, which were associated with diazepam pretreatment, were significantly reduced in compared with those measured before the first lactate infusion. However, the second visit “fear of doom” item of the API was significantly reduced relative to the same time point of the first visit 35 min before lactate infusion, when diazepam had not yet been administered. Thus, the reduction of prelactate anxiety preceding the second infusion appeared to reflect both pharmacological and nonpharmacological contributions. The diazepam pretreatment condition was associated with a significantly increased infusion duration and a significant attenuation of rate of API symptom increase in response to lactate. Despite significant attenuation of lactate infusion effects associated with the diazepam pretreatment condition, 7 of 10 patients experienced a second panic attack. This pilot study suggests that diazepam pretreatment is associated with a marked reduction of symptomatic response during a second lactate infusion, although the magnitude of attenuation observed was insufficient to block lactate-induced panic in a majority of lactate-vulnerable PD patients.
New oral anticoagulants in venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in orthopaedic patients: Are they really better?

Prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism (VTE) is considered standard of care. Appropriate chemoprophylaxis for VTE has been mandated by the United States government agencies and consumer groups. However, controversies exist regarding the most clinically relevant and safe chemoprophylaxis protocols in patients undergoing joint replacement surgery. Thus, this paper reviews the clinical efficacy and safety of newer oral anticoagulants. A literature search was performed for oral anticoagulants in advanced stages of development using PubMed and abstracts from thrombosis meetings. Most clinical trial data have demonstrated equal or superior efficacy in venographic endpoints in comparison to low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH). However, bleeding complications have been reported to occur with oral anticoagulants as frequently as or more frequently than with LMWH. Other potential complications reported include liver enzyme elevation and cardiac irregularities. It remains to be established whether newer oral anticoagulants will be better alternatives to the current standard-of-care in real-life medical clinical practice.
A New Use of ‘Race’: The Evidence and Ethics of Forensic DNA Ancestry Profiling

Recent advances in population genetics have made it possible to infer an individual's ancestral origin with a high degree of reliability, giving rise to the new technology called ‘DNA Ancestry Profiling’. Bioethicists have raised concerns over using this technology within a forensic context, many of which stem from issues concerning race. In this article, I offer some reasons why we ought to allow forensic scientists to use DNA Ancestry Profiling to infer the race or ethnicity of perpetrators — on a particular understanding of race or ethnicity — in at least some cases. First, there is reason to think the process will meet our evidential standards in many cases. Second, the technology has serious prospects for improving racial justice. Third, the ethical concerns that have been raised can be addressed. And last, using Forensic DNA Ancestry Profiling to infer race or ethnicity has many benefits over its successor technology known as Molecular Photofitting. I conclude the essay by sketching the empirical work that remains to be done.
MMSE decision-feedback equalizers and coding. II. Coding results

For pt.I see ibid., vol.43, no.10, p.2582 (1995). The minimum-mean-squared-error decision-feedback equalizer (MMSE-DFE) has properties that suggest that it is a canonical equalization structure in systems that combine equalization with coded modulation. With a given symbol rate 1/T and transmit spectrum, the output signal-to-noise ratio SNR/sub MMSE-DFE,U/ of a MMSE-DFE with an unbiased decision rule is a single parameter that characterizes the channel for coding purposes. Indeed, the transmit spectrum that maximizes SNR/sub MMSE-DFE,U/ is the capacity-achieving (water-pouring) spectrum, and the capacity C(T) (in bits per two dimensions) is given by C(T)=log/sub 2/[1+SNR/sub MMSE-DFE,U/] regardless of the channel characteristics. The performance of a coded system with a MMSE-DFE equalization structure may be accurately estimated using the gain of the coding scheme at a given Pr(E). This performance is shown to be approximately the same as that of a multicarrier system using the same transmit spectrum and similar coding; such systems are known to be able to approach capacity arbitrarily closely. The MMSE-DFE can perform significantly better than a zero-forcing decision-feedback equalizer, particularly at moderate-to-low SNR's and on severe-ISI channels. Simulation results indicate that performance of the MMSE-DFE is surprisingly insensitive to transmit spectral shaping, as long as the transmit spectrum exceeds the capacity-achieving band, but that there is an optimal symbol rate that should (approximately) be used. >
Multistage cancellation of terrain scattered jamming and conventional clutter

This paper addresses the problem of adaptively cancelling both conventional clutter and terrain scattered jamming (TSJ) in airborne radar systems. Existing algorithms for this type of interference adapt first in space/fast-time to cancel the TSJ, then in space/slow-time to cancel the conventional clutter. Unfortunately, the rapid weight updating required to cancel the nonstationary TSJ will modulate the clutter and targets, making the cancellation of conventional clutter extremely difficult and reducing the accuracy of the reported target locations. This paper proposes a multistage beamformer that prevents modulated clutter from degrading cancellation performance. The processor is formulated and its properties are described. The application of this beamformer to site-specific simulated data sets is used to illustrate its performance.
Effect of radiation damping on earthquake response of pile‐supported offshore platforms

An economical approach was developed to examine the effect of radiation damping on earthquake response of pilesupported offshore platforms. Parameteric studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of radiation damping on response. Various features of this effect were found for pile head stiffnesses, and responses of platforms subjected to harmonic and earthquake excitations.
Adaptor bypass mutations of Bacillus subtilis spx suggest a mechanism for YjbH‐enhanced proteolysis of the regulator Spx by ClpXP

Summary The global regulator, Spx, is under proteolytic control exerted by the adaptor YjbH and ATP-dependent protease ClpXP in Bacillus subtilis. While YjbH is observed to bind the Spx C-terminus, YjbH shows little affinity for ClpXP, indicating adaptor activity that does not operate by tethering. Chimeric proteins derived from B. subtilis AbrB and the Spx C-terminus showed that a 28-residue C-terminal section of Spx (AbrB28), but not the last 12 or 16 residues (AbrB12, AbrB16), was required for YjbH interaction and for ClpXP proteolysis, although the rate of AbrB28 proteolysis was not affected by YjbH addition. The result suggested that the YjbH-targeted 28 residue segment of the Spx C-terminus bears a ClpXP-recognition element(s) that is hidden in the intact Spx protein. Residue substitutions in the conserved helix α6 of the C-terminal region generated Spx substrates that were degraded by ClpXP at accelerated rates compared to wild-type Spx, and showed reduced dependency on the YjbH activity. The residue substitutions also weakened the interaction between Spx and YjbH. The results suggest a model in which YjbH, through interaction with residues of helix α6, exposes the C-terminus of Spx for recognition and proteolysis by ClpXP.
Direct temporal analysis of apoptosis induction in living adherent neurons.

SUMMARY Destruction of neurons through the genetically directed process of programmed cell death (PCD) is an area of intense interest because this is the underlying mechanism in a variety of developmental and neurodegenerative diseases. The ability to identify and track viable neurons subjected to PCD could be invaluable in development of strategies to prevent or reverse the downstream mechanisms of neuronal PCD. We have developed a novel assay for PCD in viable, adherent cells using annexin V labeling. Annexin V binds to the highly negatively charged plasma membrane phosphatidylserine residues that undergo membrane translocation during PCD. Current annexin V techniques are almost exclusively restricted to flow cytometric analysis. Our unique technique permits repeated examination of individual viable neurons without altering their survival. Correlation with electron microscopy and dye exclusion assays demonstrate both sensitivity and specificity for our method to detect PCD. To our knowledge, this is the first account of a technique that positively identifies PCD in viable, adherent cells. (J Histochem Cytochem 47:661–671, 1999)
A Low Cost Flexible-Substrate Wireless Sensor Tag Based on Sensor Switch Element

Low cost, low power wireless sensor tags are essential to realize a world wide network that would connect many times more devices than the ones connected today. With the required protocol in place, these wireless sensor tags would allow automatic feeding of sensed data to the internet, rather than the present day prevalent manual approach [Scharfeld, T.A. (2001)]. This phenomenon could lead to the next technological revolution that may change the way we live. This paper details a low cost flexible-substrate wireless sensor tag based on sensor switch element. Simple design and set of integrated low cost desktop fabrication processes are significant in the realization of this tag
Two Myths: Corporate Personality and Language/Mentality Determinism

Certain myths are often perpetuated in a discipline, myths which upon later reflection are seen to be what they in fact are: unhelpful, deceptive or simply wrong. Often these myths are perpetuated in spite of good evidence to the contrary. This tendency is not unique to Biblical studies but is a pattern that is found in a range of disciplines. Thomas Kuhn, in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions , addresses this tendency in the so-called hard sciences. He does not use the term myth but rather speaks of the presuppositions of normal science, the scientific paradigm which controls the scientific community of a given time. But as is so often the case, growing evidence mounts that the model is unsatisfactory, that it fails in significant ways to explain evidence which is increasingly seen to be important. The evidence mounts, until a paradigm shift occurs, when the significant or major practitioners of a discipline realise that a new model must be invoked to explain the data at hand.
Urinary incontinence in the aging female: etiology, pathophysiology and treatment options

Not only does the prevalence of incontinence increase with age, but the incidence does as well, in no small part due to the greater recognition of its signs and symptoms and the significant negative impact on quality of life. Elderly women differ from their younger counterparts by the presence of several physiologic changes in the urinary tract, as well as the presence of concomitant morbidity and polypharmacy. While the elderly have the same treatment options as younger women, they may experience a greater incidence of adverse events due to urologic and nonurologic factors. The objective of this article is to elucidate the unique changes in the elderly population and summarize the treatment options.
Commercial Real Estate Return Cycles: Do Capital Flows Matter?

This paper examines the short- and long-run dynamics among institutional capital flows and returns in private real estate markets. The main tool of analysis we employ is a vector autoregressive (VAR) regression model in which both institutional capital flows and returns are specified as endogenous variables in a two equation simultaneous system and in which we also control for various financial and economic variables. When aggregating across U.S. CBSAs and property types, we find some evidence that both lagged NCREIF returns and lagged NCREIF flows significantly influence current returns. However, these aggregate results mask significant cross-sectional variation across different metropolitan areas and property types. In particular, we provide evidence that our aggregate results are driven by a limited number of large CBSAs. We find no evidence that returns are predictive of future NPI capital flows. We also document that institutional capital are not generally predictive of relative future capital flows.
A conserved Streptococcus pyogenes extracellular cysteine protease cleaves human fibronectin and degrades vitronectin

Streptococcus pyogenes secretes an extracellular cysteine protease that cleaves human interleukin 1 beta precursor to form biologically active IL-1 beta, a major cytokine mediating inflammation and shock. To further investigate the potential role of the cysteine protease in host-parasite interactions, the enzyme was purified to apparent homogeneity and tested for ability to degrade several human extracellular matrix proteins. Purified protease cleaved fibronectin, apparently at specific sites, and rapidly degraded vitronectin. In contrast, the protease did not have substantial activity against laminin. The cysteine protease also cleaved fibronectin from human umbilical vein endothelial cells grown in vitro. Allelic variation in the cysteine protease structural gene was studied in 67 strains expressing 39 M protein serotypes and five provisional M serologic types, and representing 50 phylogenetically distinct clones identified by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. The gene is well conserved and allelic variation is due solely to accumulation of point mutations. Based on predicted amino acid sequences, one mature cysteine protease variant would be made by clones expressing serotypes M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M9, M10, M11, M12, M14, M18, M22, M23, M25, M27, M41, M49, M56, M59, two provisional M types, and two clones non-typeable for M protein. Moreover, 33 of the 39 speB alleles identified encode one of three mature protease variants that differ from one another at only one or two amino acids clustered in a ten-amino acid region. All 39 alleles, and virtually all strains, encode a product that reacts with polyclonal antisera specific for purified cysteine protease. No compelling evidence was found for a primitive differentiation of the speB gene into two distinct classes, as has been proposed for M protein, opacity factor phenotype, and vir regulon architecture. The results demonstrate that the cysteine protease is well conserved in natural populations of S. pyogenes, provide additional evidence that this enzyme is involved in host-parasite interactions, and suggest that the protease plays a role in bacterial dissemination, colonization, and invasion, and inhibition of wound healing.
Economic Consequences of Organized Violence

In The writing of economic history at present there is a tendency tofocus attention on the quantity of material goods and of people. This is not because economists seriously maintain that the chief end of man is to produce a maximum population, each member of which has at his disposal a maximum amount of material things. I do not think many economists or economic historians hold such a materialistic belief-why then would they choose to be professors ? We merely write as if we did, or at least we too often write so that we can be thus misinterpreted; and we are the more likely to be thus misinterpreted because the great political powers of the present, the United States and the Soviet Union, using different ideologies, each extols, paradoxically, its material productivity as proof of the force and validity of its ideals.
Central Role of Conventional Dendritic Cells in Regulation of Bone Marrow Release and Survival of Neutrophils

Neutrophils are the most abundant cell type in the immune system and play an important role in the innate immune response. Using a diverse range of mouse models with either defective dendritic cell (DC) development or conditional DC depletion, we provide in vivo evidence indicating that conventional DCs play an important role in the regulation of neutrophil homeostasis. Flk2, Flt3L, and Batf3 knockout mice, which have defects in DC development, have increased numbers of liver neutrophils in the steady state. Conversely, neutrophil frequency is reduced in DC-specific PTEN knockout mice, which have an expansion of CD8(+) and CD103(+) DCs. In chimeric CD11c-DTR mice, conventional DC depletion results in a systemic increase of neutrophils in peripheral organs in the absence of histological inflammation or an increase in proinflammatory cytokines. This effect is also present in splenectomized chimeric CD11c-DTR mice and is absent in chimeric mice with 50% normal bone marrow. In chimeric CD11c-DTR mice, diphtheria toxin treatment results in enhanced neutrophil trafficking from the bone marrow into circulation and increased neutrophil recruitment. Moreover, there is an increased expression of chemokines/cytokines involved in neutrophil homeostasis and reduced neutrophil apoptosis. These data underscore the role of the DC pool in regulating the neutrophil compartment in nonlymphoid organs.
Non pharmacological knee osteoarthritis treatment

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disorder which mostly results with functional impairment and disability. The goal of the treatment program is to decrease pain and disability and to increase functional capacity and quality of life. One of the main parts of the treatment is nonpharmacological treatment modalities. These are weight loss, educational programs in modifying lifestyle and joint protective techniques, assistive devices, physical therapy (superficial and deep heat-cold applications, electrotherapeutic modalities, neuromuscular electrical stimulation), exercise and balneotherapy. Exercise therapy includes both aerobic exercise and strengthening programs. Choosing an appropriate exercise program depends on the patient's clinical evaluation and need. Although quadriceps muscle group is the primary stabilizer of knee joint, hamstring group exercises should also be recommended for a full performance. Progressive resistive exercise programs are found to have beneficial effects in pain and mobility. There are large evidence trials on the positive effects in the symptoms of OA of home-based exercise programs. Most of the studies reported the effectiveness of land-based exercises in knee OA patients. However aquatic exercises are another alternative for knee OA patients as it is safe, enjoyable and has no side effects. One of the widely used treatment option is balneotherapy and spa therapy. It was found to be effective on pain relief, functional capacity and quality of life parameters. Thermal action and chemical minerals play a significant role in its beneficial effect, however there is not an accepted clear concept about its mechanism. There is growing level of evidence about balneotherapy and spa therapy in the management of knee OA and it seems to take part in some of the treatment recommendations.
Preoperative prealbumin level as a risk factor for surgical site infection following elective spine surgery.

Background: Nutritional status is a critical factor in patient outcomes in a variety of medical contexts. In the surgical fields, there is substantial evidence suggesting that clinical outcomes including infection risk and surgical efficacy may be affected by preoperative nutritional status. The purpose of this study is to evaluate preoperative serum prealbumin levels, the currently preferred serum biomarker of nutritional deficiency, in relation to the risk of developing a surgical site infection.
Can Incentives Improve Medicaid Patient Engagement and Prevent Chronic Diseases

Under the Medicaid Incentives for the Prevention of Chronic Diseases model, 10 states are testing whether incentives can encourage Medicaid beneficiaries to lose weight, stop smoking, work to prevent diabetes, or control risk factors for other chronic diseases. This commentary describes these incentive programs and how they will be evaluated.