cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Functional Below-the-Knee Brace for Tibial Fractures: A Report on Its Use in One Hundred and Thirty-Five Cases

Experiences with the treatment of 135 fractures of the tibia with a below-the-knee brace suggest that uneventful healing of tibial fractures can be obtained while function of the knee and ankle joints is maintained. The early resumption of nearly normal physiological conditions in the limb is conducive to uninterrupted osteogenesis.
An exon-based comparative variant analysis pipeline to study the scale and role of frameshift and nonsense mutation in the human-chimpanzee divergence.

Chimpanzees and humans are closely related but differ in many deadly human diseases and other characteristics in physiology, anatomy, and pathology. In spite of decades of extensive research, crucial questions about the molecular mechanisms behind the differences are yet to be understood. Here I report ExonVar, a novel computational pipeline for Exon-based human-chimpanzee comparative Variant analysis. The objective is to comparatively analyze mutations specifically those that caused the frameshift and nonsense mutations and to assess their scale and potential impacts on human-chimpanzee divergence. Genomewide analysis of human and chimpanzee exons with ExonVar identified a number of species-specific, exon-disrupting mutations in chimpanzees but much fewer in humans. Many were found on genes involved in important biological processes such as T cell lineage development, the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, and antigen induced cell death. A “less-is-more” model was previously established to illustrate the role of the gene inactivation and disruptions during human evolution. Here this analysis suggested a different model where the chimpanzee-specific exon-disrupting mutations may act as additional evolutionary force that drove the human-chimpanzee divergence. Finally, the analysis revealed a number of sequencing errors in the chimpanzee and human genome sequences and further illustrated that they could be corrected without resequencing.
Texture evolution of continuous cast and direct chill cast AA 3003 aluminum alloys during cold rolling

Abstract The texture evolution of continuous cast (CC) and direct chill cast (DC) AA 3003 aluminum alloys during cold rolling was investigated by X-ray diffraction. The relationship between texture volume fractions and rolling true strain was described quantitatively by mathematical formulae. The effect of processing method (CC vs. DC) on texture evolution was determined.
A new high energy scintillating fiber optic single photon computed tomography detector

A new detector for imaging annihilation radiation is designed as an auxiliary unit for single photoncomputed tomography(SPECT) systems. Increased interest in higher energymedical imaging creates a demand for a low cost device that can be used with existing SPECT units. Key design features are: a custom high-resolution collimator, a scintillator formed from plastic optical fibers, and a position-sensitive photomultiplier. The optical fiber core is a ternary scintillator: Polystyrene (solvent) with solutes PPO and BS–MSB. High-energy resolution (7.5 mm full-width at half max (FWHM) at a source-to-collimator distance of 10 cm), improved total efficiency (2.7×10 −5 at a SCD of 10 cm), and low cost are hallmarks of the new detector. The FWHM is more than twice that available imaging 511 keV gammas with conventional SPECT cameras. Images are formed using Compton electrons, which are limited to one interaction inside the detector as opposed to detection by photoelectric interactions in conventional cameras. Computer simulations with the radiation transport code EGS4 verified the basic imaging concept and were then used to optimize the detector and collimator designs. A working prototype detector was manufactured, tested, and characterized. Positron emitting Germanium-68 (Ge-68) was used as a laboratory point source of annihilation radiation for testing. A larger area detector (4×4 array of 16 identical modules, each 5 cm ×5 cm ×20 cm with an expected planar sensitivity of 4×10 −4 ) specifically for augmented breast cancer diagnosis was then proposed and simulated as a possible application of this technology.
506 IDENTIFICATION OF INHERITED PROTEIN VARIANTS IN CELLS INDIVIDUAL HUMAN RED CELLS

Identification of genetic phenotypes in individual red cells could elucidate intercellular variation in specific locus gene products as may accompany chromosome inactivation or allelic exclusion, cell-aging, and cell mixtures. Furthermore, concurrent identification of phenotype and either replicative or protein synthesizing stages would allow phenotype correlation with stage of cell history. Electrophoresis of the contents of individual erythrocytes from adults or cord blood in ultra-thin layer agar plates, allowed microscopic identification of specific hemoglobins (F,A,S,C) and variants of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (A,B). Fetal red cells were sequentially incubated in C14-amino acids, suspended in an ultra-thin layer of agar, incubated with fluorescein-conjugated antibodies against specific hemoglobins (F,A,S, or C), and covered with radiosensitive emulsion. Pericellular immunoprecipitates and autoradiographic grains were identified concurrently in individual synthetically active cells. Marrow erythroid cells cultured in plasma clots were incubated with H3-thymidine. Evidence for cell replication and specific Hb in the same cell were obtained by autoradiography and pericellular immunoprecipitates. These findings confirm the feasibility of phenotyping certain proteins in individual red cells.
Thermal expansion of the crystal lattice of novel thermoplastic polyimides

Measurements of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the crystalline lattice of two semicrystalline thermoplastic polyimides are reported. NEW-TPI and LARC-CPI polyimides were studied using elevated temperature WAXS from 25°C to 325°C. To examine possible shifts in the c-axis, a novel approach developed in our lab was used to create highly oriented samples. Films were treated in NMP at the reflux temperature, washed and then dried under constraint. The films treated in this manner were highly oriented, with c-axes preferentially aligned along the film normal. The advantage of this orientation is that it allows numerous reflections of type (00l) to be examined for temperature shifts of the c-axis using reflection mode WAXS. No systematic shift of the c-axis lattice parameter as a function of temperature was observed in either NEW-TPI or LARC-CPI. The c-axis thermal expansion is concluded to be smaller than 8×10 -6 / o C for LARC-CPI, and for NEW-TPI may be weakly negative. From WAXS of unoriented films, systematic shifts in the a and b lattice parameters were deduced as a function of temperature. The linear CTEs relating these unit cell parameters at temperature T to their values at 0°C are: NEW-TPI a= 7.82(1+93x10 -6 T) b= 6.36(1+60x10 -6 T); LARC-CPI a= 8.06(1+117x10 -6 T) b= 6.12(1+75x10 -6 T).
SubmiRine: assessing variants in microRNA targets using clinical genomic data sets

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression by binding to partially complementary sequences on target mRNA transcripts, thereby causing their degradation, deadenylation, or inhibiting their translation. Genomic variants can alter miRNA regulation by modifying miRNA target sites, and multiple human disease phenotypes have been linked to such miRNA target site variants (miR-TSVs). However, systematic genome-wide identification of functional miR-TSVs is difficult due to high false positive rates; functional miRNA recognition sequences can be as short as six nucleotides, with the human genome encoding thousands of miRNAs. Furthermore, while large-scale clinical genomic data sets are becoming increasingly commonplace, existing miR-TSV prediction methods are not designed to analyze these data. Here, we present an open-source tool called SubmiRine that is designed to perform efficient miR-TSV prediction systematically on variants identified in novel clinical genomic data sets. Most importantly, SubmiRine allows for the prioritization of predicted miR-TSVs according to their relative probability of being functional. We present the results of SubmiRine using integrated clinical genomic data from a large-scale cohort study on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), making a number of high-scoring, novel miR-TSV predictions. We also demonstrate SubmiRine's ability to predict and prioritize known miR-TSVs that have undergone experimental validation in previous studies.
Patent foramen ovale presenting as refractory hypoxemia after heart transplantation

Hypoxemia can be an early life-threatening complication of orthotopic heart transplantation. Commonly, hypoxemia after orthotopic heart transplantation is due to pulmonary hypertension or pulmonary complications. Rarely, structural defects either in the donor or recipient heart can lead to life-threatening hypoxemia. This case illustrates hypoxemia after orthotopic heart transplantation caused by the development of a right-to-left shunt through a patent foramen ovale in the recipient which had preoperatively been hemodynamically insignificant. The refractory hypoxemia required emergency surgical correction of the patent foramen ovale within the first postoperative week. In addition, this case illustrates the unique application of different methods of echocardiograms providing noninvasive diagnosis of structural defects in orthotopic heart transplantation.
Neurodevelopmental Outcome of Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants With Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus Requiring Shunt Insertion

During the past 2 decades, there has been remarkable improvement in the survival of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants; however, the most immature of these infants remain at increased risk for neonatal complications that potentially affect long-term neurodevelopmental outcome, including intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). The risk for severe IVH varies inversely with gestational age (GA) with an overall incidence of 7% to 23%.1–6 Approximately one third of ELBW infants with an IVH develop posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH), 15% of whom will require shunt insertion.7–10 As the limits of viability continue to expand to lower GA groups, it is important for clinicians to identify specific risk factors that modify the risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcome. The high incidence of neurocognitive impairment in the ELBW population cannot solely be attributed to severe IVH; however, IVH is clearly a predictor of adverse outcome and an indicator of brain injury. Contemporary data regarding the neurodevelopmental outcome of ELBW infants with PHH that requires shunt insertion are lacking, and it is unclear how much the requirement for shunt insertion modifies that risk. Although physicians are unable to predict which infant with a severe IVH will progress to require shunt insertion, specific data outlining the relative risk for affected infants provide evidence-based information to help guide family counseling and medical decision-making. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to compare the neurodevelopmental outcome of infants with PHH that required shunt insertion with that of their age-adjusted peers of similar birth weight in a large contemporary cohort of ELBW infants.
A multivariate empirical‐orthogonal‐function‐based measure of climate model performance

[1] A measure of the average distance between climate model predictions of multiple fields and observations has been developed that is based on the use of empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs). The application of EOFs provides a means to use information about spatial correlations in natural variability to provide a more balanced view of the significance of changes in model predictions across multiple fields, seasons, and regions. A comparison is made between the EOF-based measure and measures that are normalized by grid point variance and spatial variance for changes in the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Climate Model, Version 3.10 (CCM3.10), parameter controlling initial cloud downdraft mass flux (ALFA), an important parameter within the Zhang and McFarlane [1995] convection scheme. All measures present consistent views that increasing ALFA from its default value creates significant improvements in precipitation, shortwave radiation reaching the surface, and surface latent heat fluxes at the expense of degrading predictions of total cloud cover, near-surface air temperature, net shortwave radiation at the top of the atmosphere, and relative humidity. However, the relative importance of each of these changes, and therefore the average view of the change in model performance, is significantly impacted by the details of how each measure of model performance handles regions with little or no internal variability. In general, the EOF-based measure emphasizes regions where modeledobservational differences are large, excluding those regions where internal variability is small. INDEX TERMS: 3309 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Climatology (1620); 3314 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Convective processes; 3337 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Numerical modeling and data assimilation; 3394 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Instruments and techniques; KEYWORDS: climate prediction, skill scores, numerical modeling
Social Network, Cognitive Function, and Dementia Incidence Among Elderly Women

Objectives. We examined whether social networks had a protective association with incidence of dementia among elderly women.Methods. We prospectively studied 2249 members of a health maintenance organization who were 78 years or older, were classified as free of dementia in 2001, and had completed at least 1 follow-up interview in 2002 through 2005. We used the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status–modified, the Telephone Dementia Questionnaire, and medical record review to assess cognitive status. We used the Lubben Social Network Scale–6 to assess social network. We estimated hazard ratios for incident dementia with Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for age at entry, education, hormone use, cognitive status scores, and health conditions.Results. We identified 268 incident cases of dementia during follow-up. Compared with women with smaller social networks, the adjusted hazard ratio for incident dementia in women with larger social networks was 0.74 (95% confidence interval=0.57, 0.97).Conclu...
Pineal lysosomal enzymes in the Syrian hamster: circadian rhythm and effects of castration or short photoperiod treatment

Abstract A circadian rhythm in acid phosphatase and hexosaminidase was found in adult male hamsters exposed to a long photoperiod ( 14:10 h light/dark [LD]; lights on 06.00 h) and killed at 08.00, 14.00, 20.00, 02.00, 04.00, 05.50 and 0.615 h. Hexosaminidase and β-glucuronidase activity at 02.00, 04.00 and 05.50 h (values pooled for these times before lights on) were significantly elevated compared to enzyme activity at 06.15 and 08.00 h (pooled values after lights on), suggesting a fall in activity associated with lights on. Hypogonadism was induced in female Syrian hamsters by exposure to a short photoperiod ( 10:14 h LD) until a majority of them were vaginally acyclic. Pineal lysosomal enzyme activities (acid phosphataseβ-glucuronidase, hexosaminidase, α-arabinosidase and β-galactosidase) were significantly elevated in short photoperiod-exposed animals compared to animals in 14:10 LD, when measured near the middle of the light phase. In the third experiment, castrated animals were used to determine if lowered androgen levels might also affect pineal lysosomal enzyme activity. The results indicated that light phase β-glucuronidase, hexosaminidase and β-glucosidase activities were lower in castrated males compared to their intact controls. In summary, these results demonstrate that (1) lysosomal enzyme activity is present in the Syrian hamster pineal, (2) changes can be observed which suggest involvement of this activity in pineal function and, (3) a circadian rhythm in enzyme activity is present with peak activity occurring during the night. In the short photoperiod and castration experiments, the changes in lysosomal enzyme activity could reflect either a hormonal manipulation or a change in circadian regulation of enzyme activity. In the circadian rhythm experiment, the timing of changes of two enzymes raises the question of possible lysosomal involvement in the hamster pineal adrenergic responsiveness that is known to be lost with the onset of morning light. Furthermore, daytime enzyme activity is influenced by neuroendocrine manipulations, indicating that lysosomal activity may represent a pineal function influenced by light restriction and by gonadal system hormonal activity.
Dip-pen microarraying of molecular beacon probes on microgel thin-film substrates

The integration of microarray-based nucleic acid detection technologies and microfluidics is attractive, because the combination of small sample volumes, relatively short diffusion distances, and solid-phase detection enhances the development of multiplexed assays with improved sensitivity and minimal sample size. However, traditional microarray spotting methods typically create probe spot sizes of ∼50–100 μm diameter, comparable to the dimensions of many microfluidic channels. In addition, detection of hybridization events typically requires a post-hybridization labeling step. We address both issues by exploring the use of dip-pen nanolithography (DPN) to pattern linear oligonucleotides and self-reporting molecular beacon (MB) probes on streptavidin-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) microgel thin-film substrates. In contrast to many systems involving DPN deposition, the fluorescence of the labeled probes enables their amount and spatial distribution to be characterized by optical microscopy. Their deposition rate decreases with increasing DPN dwell time, consistent with a Langmuir adsorption model, but the linear relationship between spot diameter and time1/2 indicates that spot size is diffusion controlled. We then use DPN to pattern MB probes for the mecA and spa genes in Staphylococcus aureus as a 2-column array with 1 μm spot sizes and 5 μm spot spacings, and we use this array to differentiate targets characteristic of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus. This duplexed self-reporting gel-tethered MB microarray not only shows high specificity but also a high signal-to-background ratio.
Arteriovenous fistula of the kidney; new observations and report of three cases.

Only 5 reports of cases of renal arteriovenous fistula appeared before or in 1953. Subsequently, 7 isolated reports brought the total to 12, and the 3 that we are reporting make 15. In reviewing the subject, the classification, incidence, causation, clinical features, diagnostic procedures, and pathophysiologic features were considered. Good evidence supports the thesis that in cases of congenital arteriovenous fistula an eroding renal arterial aneurysm is etiologic. Outstanding clinical features were hypertension (to group 4) and myocardial insufficiency; these contrast markedly with features of the usual peripheral arteriovenous fistula. Dramatic relief of heart failure and lowered reserve followed corrective operation in every case in which these features were recorded; relief of hypertension followed corrective operation in 11 of 12 cases in which this feature was mentioned. A loud, diffuse, continuous bruit invariably was present. Preoperative and postoperative catheterization and indicator-dilution ...
3D Vesicle Membrane Simulation

We have developed a numerical code for simulating fully three-dimensional vesicle membranes. We will test candidate mathematical models of membranes and generate pictures and movies for comparison with microscopy experiment of red blood cells. Membrane shape changes as a dynamic process are based on physical principles, the Navier-Stokes fluid flow equations, and phase field method. Through our simulations, we will determine the strength of the shear flow conditions that compromise the integrity of a cell membrane. One beneficial application of this simulation is in the field of hematology. Since hematology deals with the behavior of red blood cells, the numerical experiment provides quantitative and visual data, which is challenging to extract experimentally. This project will become an important computational tool for understanding membrane fusion.
Natural Genetic Variation in Complex Mating Behaviors of Male Drosophila melanogaster

Mating behavior, including courtship and copulation, is a main component of male fitness, especially in species with no parental care. Variation in this behavior can thus be a target for mate choice and sexual selection, and can lead to evolution. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has well-documented complex male courtship comprised of a sequence behaviors, and is an ideal model for behavior-genetic analysis. In order to evaluate genetic differences in the temporal pattern of mating behavior, we developed a high-throughput method that allows us to document the progression of male courtship and copulation using an ordinal scale (male mating progression scale, MMP). Using this method, we document natural genetic variation in the temporal pattern of behavior that was not detected using other metrics. This method was robust enough to detect genetic variation in this trait for males placed with both virgin and mated female targets.
Plasminogen activators and their inhibitors in normal, hyperplastic and carcinomatous human endometrium.

Plasminogen activators (PA) and inhibitors of urokinase were determined by a solid phase 125I-fibrin assay in endometrial tissue homogenates from 87 patients. PA was also determined by a histochemical method. Patients were divided according to histopathological diagnosis into three groups; normal, hyperplastic and cancerous. The mean values and S.D. of PA in control endometria, in hyperplastic endometria and in endometrial cancer were 0.68 + 0.55 units per mg protein, 1.9 + 1.6 units per mg protein and 3.21 + 1.03 units per mg protein, respectively. The results of the Fistochemical assay of PA correlated with the results of 125I-fibrin assay (R = 0.818, p<0.001). The relative PA activity of urokinase-type was the lowest in normal endometrium; it increased in hyperplastic and it was the highest in carcinomatous endometrium. The urokinase inhibitor activity was similar in control and carcinomatous groups; it was slightly but significantly higher in hyperplasia. The results support the contention that PA reflects malignant transformation of endometrial cells. We suggest that determination of PA may facilitate diagnosis and proper treatment of precancerous and cancerous states of endometrium.
On the acquisition of pattern encoding skills

Abstract These experiments evaluated two potential sources of developmental changes in pattern encoding: advances at a perceptual level enabling better representation of the spatial relations among elements, and acquisition of metaperceptual knowledge supporting a deliberate search for distinguishing features. Children 6, 10, and 12 years old, as well as adults encoded high level distortions of random dot configurations. These materials were originally used by Posner and Keele (1968) . In the first experiment, subjects matched exemplars to their prototypes. In two other experiments, subjects learned to categorize distortions under two different training conditions—one designed to focus attention on individual exemplars, the other designed to facilitate comparison of exemplars within and across categories. Following training, subjects classified new instances into the learned categories. The same pattern of developmental change was found in the matching task and in the classification task: major gains between ages 6 and 12 and continued gains to adulthood. Several aspects of the results identify change at a perceptual level after age 10 as a source of this development, independent of possible contributions from metaperceptual advances.
Oxidation kinetic studies of oils derived from unmodified and genetically modified vegetables using pressurized differential scanning calorimetry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Abstract Evaluation of oxidative stability of a series of vegetable oils and oils derived from genetically modified vegetables were carried out using pressure differential scanning calorimetry (PDSC). The purpose of including the genetically modified oils along with other oils were to illustrate the effect of high oleic and linoleic content on the thermal and oxidative behavior of these oils. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were computed and variation of results explained in terms of structural data derived from quantitative 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. For a variety of vegetable oil samples used in the study, log b (program rate of heating; i.e. 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20°C/min) was linearly related (R2=0.99) to the reciprocal of absolute temperature corresponding to maximum oxidation rate (peak height temperature). From the resulting slope it was possible to compute activation energy (Ea) for oxidation reaction and various other kinetic parameters, e.g. rate constant (k), Arrhenius frequency factor (Z) and half-life period (t1/2). The presence of C–C unsaturation in the fatty acid (FA) chain, their nature and relative abundance, affect thermal and oxidative stability of the oil and subsequently their kinetic and thermodynamic parameters. Quantitative analysis of the NMR spectra yielded various other structural parameters that were correlated with start (TS) and onset (TO) temperature of vegetable oil oxidation, and certain important kinetic parameters (Ea and k). This is a novel approach, where statistical models were developed as a predictive tool for quick assessment of oxidative and thermodynamic data. The correlations developed have an adjusted R2 of 0.922 and higher using 3 or 4 NMR derived predictor variables. These correlations revealed that in addition to nature and abundance of CC, relative abundance of other structural parameters (e.g. bis-allylic methylene group, allylic-CH2, α-CH2 to CO, etc.) influence oxidation and kinetic data.
The influence of task and organismic constraints on intralimb and pen-point kinematics in a drawing task

Abstract Intralimb and joint-stylus kinematic couplings were examined as a function of various task and organismic constraints in a circle drawing task. The constraints manipulated included natural limb dominance (left- versus right-handers), the use of the dominant or nondominant limb, writing orientation (horizontal versus vertical), and circle diameter. No differences in the relative change in correlations of the proximo to distal joint comparisons were observed between left- and right-handers, although there was a higher degree of phase-locking between the joints in the nondominant limb of right-handed subjects in the horizontal orientation. Correlations between the limb linkages significantly increased with the scaling of circle diameter, and with changing the drawing orientation from horizontal to vertical. The topological features of the stylus kinematics remained invariant under the task constraints imposed, inspite of the systematic changes that occured in the topological features of the intralimb joint motions. It is proposed that invariances and transitions in joint and stylus kinematics are a function of the task constraints that need to be optimized.
Granzyme B cleavage of autoantigens in autoimmunity

The systemic autoimmune diseases are a complex group of disorders characterized by elaboration of high titer autoantibodies and immune-mediated damage of tissues. Two striking features of autoimmune rheumatic diseases are their self-sustaining nature and capacity for autoamplification, exemplified by disease flares. These features suggest the presence of a feed-forward cycle in disease propagation, in which immune effector pathways drive the generation/release of autoantigens, which in turn fuel the immune response. There is a growing awareness that structural modification during cytotoxic granule-induced cell death is a frequent and striking feature of autoantigens, and may be an important principle driving disease. This review focuses on granzyme B (GrB)-mediated cleavage of autoantigens including (i) features of GrB cleavage sites within autoantigens, (ii) co-location of cleavage sites with autoimmune epitopes, and (iii) GrB sensitivity of autoantigens in disease-relevant target tissue. The mechanisms whereby GrB-induced changes in autoantigen structure may contribute to the initiation and propagation of autoimmunity are reviewed and reveal that GrB has the potential to create or destroy autoimmune epitopes. As there remains no direct evidence showing a causal function for GrB cleavage of antigens in the generation of autoimmunity, this review highlights important outstanding questions about the function of GrB in autoantigen selection.
Identifying requirements for physics-based reasoning on function structure graphs

Function-based design and modeling have been taught, studied, and practiced in various forms for several years with efforts centered on using function modeling to help designers understand problems or to facilitate idea generation. Only limited focus has been placed on potential use for qualitative and quantitative reasoning and analysis of the design concept. This potential for early stage analysis has not been fully explored partly because computational reasoning tools have not been developed for this express purpose. This paper presents a set of requirements and their justification to realize this design enabling tool. The requirements include coverage, consistency, validity against physics laws, domain neutrality, physics-based definitions, normative and descriptive modeling, and qualitative and quantitative modeling and reasoning. Each requirement is defined in concrete terms and illustrated with examples and logic. With the requirements for function-based reasoning and representation clearly identified, future research toward formalizing of function-based design will be more focused and objective validation of proposed representations against these requirements would be possible.
C-Reactive Protein as a Clinically Useful Biomarker of Metastasis of Renal Cell Carcinoma

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase reactant that can increase dramatically in response to a variety of pathologic states. Elevated pre- and postoperative CRP levels have been associated with an increased tumor burden and metastasis in kidney cancer. We report on a case that serves to highlight a potentially novel use for CRP monitoring in the postoperative management of renal cell carcinoma. Recently, we treated a patient who presented with a localized renal cell carcinoma and an elevated preoperative CRP level. Surgical pathology demonstrated negative surgical margins and absence of nodal metastasis. Postoperatively, the patient’s serum CRP levels remained relatively low, consistent with his continued negative staging on CT scans. However, at 6 months postoperatively, the patient’s CRP level increased 13-fold. His subsequent CT scan revealed “multiple pulmonary nodules consistent with progression of metastatic disease.” This case demonstrates the potential for monitoring CRP in addition to, or instead of, standard restaging imaging
Elevated Plasma Aldosterone Levels Despite Complete Inhibition of the Vascular Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme in Chronic Heart Failure

Background— Plasma aldosterone levels are elevated in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) taking angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Elevated aldosterone levels may reflect incomplete inhibition of the vascular converting enzyme during long-term ACE inhibition. We simultaneously measured plasma aldosterone levels and the degree of inhibition of the vascular converting enzyme in patients with CHF. Methods and Results— Thirty-four subjects with CHF receiving the maximum recommended doses of ACE inhibitors for a duration of 3 to 105 months were studied. The pressor response to exogenous angiotensin I (AI) was measured and normalized for the pressor response to angiotensin II (AII) to assess inhibition of the vascular converting enzyme (AII/AI ratio). Aldosterone levels were determined by solid-phase radioimmunoassay. Eleven of the 34 subjects had plasma aldosterone levels above the upper limit of normal, ie, >15.0 ng/dL. Seven of these 11 subjects (64%) had an AII/AI ratio ≤0.05, indicating...
Membrane wing aerodynamics for micro air vehicles

Abstract The aerodynamic performance of a wing deteriorates considerably as the Reynolds number decreases from 106 to 104. In particular, flow separation can result in substantial change in effective airfoil shape and cause reduced aerodynamic performance. Lately, there has been growing interest in developing suitable techniques for sustained and robust flight of micro air vehicles (MAVs) with a wingspan of 15 cm or smaller, flight speed around 10 m / s , and a corresponding Reynolds number of 104–105. This paper reviews the aerodynamics of membrane and corresponding rigid wings under the MAV flight conditions. The membrane wing is observed to yield desirable characteristics in delaying stall as well as adapting to the unsteady flight environment, which is intrinsic to the designated flight speed. Flow structures associated with the low Reynolds number and low aspect ratio wing, such as pressure distribution, separation bubble and tip vortex are reviewed. Structural dynamics in response to the surrounding flow field is presented to highlight the multiple time-scale phenomena. Based on the computational capabilities for treating moving boundary problems, wing shape optimization can be conducted in automated manners. To enhance the lift, the effect of endplates is evaluated. The proper orthogonal decomposition method is also discussed as an economic tool to describe the flow structure around a wing and to facilitate flow and vehicle control.
Wdr1-mediated cell shape dynamics and cortical tension are essential for epidermal planar cell polarity

During mouse development, core planar cell polarity (PCP) proteins become polarized in the epidermal plane to guide angling/morphogenesis of hair follicles. How PCP is established is poorly understood. Here, we identify a key role for Wdr1 (also known as Aip1), an F-actin-binding protein that enhances cofilin/destrin-mediated F-actin disassembly. We show that cofilin and destrin function redundantly in developing epidermis, but their combined depletion perturbs cell adhesion, cytokinesis, apicobasal polarity and PCP. Although Wdr1 depletion accentuates single-loss-of-cofilin/destrin phenotypes, alone it resembles core PCP mutations. Seeking a mechanism, we find that Wdr1 and cofilin/destrin-mediated actomyosin remodelling are essential for generating or maintaining cortical tension within the developing epidermal sheet and driving the cell shape and planar orientation changes that accompany establishment of PCP in mammalian epidermis. Our findings suggest intriguing evolutionary parallels but mechanistic modifications to the distal wing hinge-mediated mechanical forces that drive cell shape change and orient PCP in the Drosophila wing disc.
The bishops' pastoral: A new theory of justice

It is maintained that the American Catholic bishops' pastoral on the economy proceeds from and expounds a distinctive theory of justice. Central to this new theory is a close analogy between the economy of a nation and its political society. Since living in a nation entitles everyone to rights of participation in the political realm, so should it be in the economic. The theory is distinguished from various others, and its implications are analyzed. An explanation is given of how the theory is rooted in scripture and Catholic thought; speculation is made as to why the theory was developed.
The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction between propafenone and lidocaine.

Although propafenone is a known substrate and inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 4-hydroxylation pathway of debrisoquin (CYP2D6 isozyme), its effects on other hepatic mixed- function oxidative isozymes have not been extensively evaluated. We studied the influence of propafenone on the disposition of continuously infused lidocaine in 12 healthy male volunteers. Placebo or propafenone (225 mg every 8 hours) was orally administered for 4 days before and during lidocaine administration (2 mg/kg/hr for 22 hours). In the 11 (92%) subjects phenotyped as extensive metabolizers, propafenone significantly increased the lidocaine area under the plasma concentration time curve (81.7 +/- 16.2 versus 76.3 +/- 15.6 micrograms.hr/ml; p < or = 0.05) and reduced systemic lidocaine clearance (9.53 +/- 1.77 versus 10.27 +/- 2.24 ml/min/kg; p < or = 0.05), but did not significantly affect volume of distribution at steady state (2.48 +/- 0.33 versus 2.64 +/- 0.45 L/kg; p = 0.10) or mean residence time (4.37 +/- 0.92 versus 4.47 +/- 0.87 hours; difference not significant) compared with placebo, respectively. Adverse central nervous system effects were significantly worse in severity and duration during the propafenone phase (p < or = 0.05). Propafenone minimally inhibits the metabolism of lidocaine. This suggests that the ability of propafenone to inhibit metabolic pathways exclusive of the CYP2D6 isozyme may be limited. In addition, potentiation of disturbing central nervous system adverse effects may occur during combination therapy of propafenone and lidocaine.
Feminine language strategies as effective persuasion techniques for online technical editors

This study of 70 Epinions.com Advisor comments on 58 product reviews examined the language strategies Advisors used in updated and non-updated reviews. Out of 30 Advisor comments on updated reviews, 20 (66%) contained hedges (a feminine language strategy); out of 40 comments on non-updated reviews, only 13 (33%) contained hedges. Conversely, only 2 (8%) comments on updated reviews contained commanding language, and 4 comments (12%) contained direct advice (masculine language strategies). Comments on non-updated reviews contained 8 (20%) instances of commanding language and 14 (35%) instances of direct advice respectively. This ongoing study suggests that using masculine language strategies in online editorial comments reduces the likelihood that the writer will update (i.e., edit), while hedged language increases this likelihood.
"India and China's growing economic involvement in sub-Saharan Africa"

India and China have dramatically increased their economic and commercial ties with sub-Saharan Africa during the past decade and a half, centered on mineral exploitation, although this is slowly changing. Many of the natural resource-rich states in sub-Saharan Africa suffer from the resource curse – the failure of resource-abundant countries to benefit from their natural endowments. China and India’s increasing involvement will likely exacerbate, where it exists, the resource curse in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, such involvement could help the curse spread wider and deeper into heretofore less-affected countries. Key words: Economic development, resources, governance, trade, investment, economic growth, energy, international economics.
Krylov implicit integration factor methods for spatial discretization on high dimensional unstructured meshes: Application to discontinuous Galerkin methods

Abstract Integration factor methods are a class of “exactly linear part” time discretization methods. In [Q. Nie, Y.-T. Zhang, R. Zhao, Efficient semi-implicit schemes for stiff systems, Journal of Computational Physics, 214 (2006) 521–537], a class of efficient implicit integration factor (IIF) methods were developed for solving systems with both stiff linear and nonlinear terms, arising from spatial discretization of time-dependent partial differential equations (PDEs) with linear high order terms and stiff lower order nonlinear terms. The tremendous challenge in applying IIF temporal discretization for PDEs on high spatial dimensions is how to evaluate the matrix exponential operator efficiently. For spatial discretization on unstructured meshes to solve PDEs on complex geometrical domains, how to efficiently apply the IIF temporal discretization was open. In this paper, we solve this problem by applying the Krylov subspace approximations to the matrix exponential operator. Then we apply this novel time discretization technique to discontinuous Galerkin (DG) methods on unstructured meshes for solving reaction–diffusion equations. Numerical examples are shown to demonstrate the accuracy, efficiency and robustness of the method in resolving the stiffness of the DG spatial operator for reaction–diffusion PDEs. Application of the method to a mathematical model in pattern formation during zebrafish embryo development shall be shown.
Atg18 regulates organelle morphology and Fab1 kinase activity independent of its membrane recruitment by phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate.

The lipid kinase Fab1 governs yeast vacuole homeostasis by generating PtdIns(3,5)P2 on the vacuolar membrane. Recruitment of effector proteins by the phospholipid ensures precise regulation of vacuole morphology and function. Cells lacking the effector Atg18p have enlarged vacuoles and high PtdIns(3,5)P2 levels. Although Atg18 colocalizes with Fab1p, it likely does not directly interact with Fab1p, as deletion of either kinase activator—VAC7 or VAC14—is epistatic to atg18Δ: atg18Δvac7Δ cells have no detectable PtdIns(3,5)P2. Moreover, a 2xAtg18 (tandem fusion) construct localizes to the vacuole membrane in the absence of PtdIns(3,5)P2, but requires Vac7p for recruitment. Like the endosomal PtdIns(3)P effector EEA1, Atg18 membrane binding may require a protein component. When the lipid requirement is bypassed by fusing Atg18 to ALP, a vacuolar transmembrane protein, vac14Δ vacuoles regain normal morphology. Rescue is independent of PtdIns(3,5)P2, as mutation of the phospholipid-binding site in Atg18 does not prevent vacuole fission and properly regulates Fab1p activity. Finally, the vacuole-specific type-V myosin adapter Vac17p interacts with Atg18p, perhaps mediating cytoskeletal attachment during retrograde transport. Atg18p is likely a PtdIns(3,5)P2“sensor,” acting as an effector to remodel membranes as well as regulating its synthesis via feedback that might involve Vac7p.
Learning Classification with Unlabeled Data

One of the advantages of supervised learning is that the final error metric is available during training. For classifiers, the algorithm can directly reduce the number of misclassifications on the training set. Unfortunately, when modeling human learning or constructing classifiers for autonomous robots, supervisory labels are often not available or too expensive. In this paper we show that we can substitute for the labels by making use of structure between the pattern distributions to different sensory modalities. We show that minimizing the disagreement between the outputs of networks processing patterns from these different modalities is a sensible approximation to minimizing the number of misclassifications in each modality, and leads to similar results. Using the Peterson-Barney vowel dataset we show that the algorithm performs well in finding appropriate placement for the codebook vectors particularly when the confuseable classes are different for the two modalities.
Standard Cell and Custom Circuit Optimization using Dummy Diffusions through STI Width Stress Effect Utilization

Starting at the 65 nm node, stress engineering to improve performance of transistors has been a major industry focus. An intrinsic stress source - shallow trench isolation - has not been fully utilized up to now for circuit performance improvement. In this paper, we present a new methodology that enables the exploitation of STI stress for performance improvement of standard cells and custom integrated circuits. We start with process simulation of a 65 nm STI technology, and generate mobility models for STI stress based on these simulations. Based on these models, we are able to perform STI stress-aware modeling and simulation using SPICE. We then present our optimization of STI stress in standard-cell and custom designs using active-layer (dummy) fill insertion to alter the STI widths. Circuit level experimental results are based on a miscellaneous ring oscillator, which is known to correlate well to silicon. Using a generic 65 nm cell library, we show that the STI-optimized designs provide up to 8% improvement in clock frequency. The frequency improvement through exploitation of STI stress comes at practically zero cost with respect to area and wire length.
Analysis of Transit Service Coverage Level-of-Service Measures at Border Regions and Suggested Alternative Procedure

Transit service spatial availability is a key parameter in attracting rider-ship. The TCRP Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual (TCQSM) provides a simple methodology to analyze service coverage level of service (SC-LOS) for fixed-route transit service. SC-LOS is determined from the percentage of transit-supportive area (TSA) that has transit service coverage, that is, that lies within a certain walking distance from a bus stop. The TCQSM method of determining TSA is based on zonal demographic and economic data and may not lead to the most accurate estimation of SC-LOS for an area with a significant influx of transit passengers from external sources, such as from across an international border. When such a ridership pattern exists or is suspected, the onboard passenger origin-destination (O-D) survey method proposed in this research can be used to gather trip data to supplement the TCQSM's TSA estimates. Analysis showed that neglecting the data obtained from a recent onboard O-D survey conducted ...
The Flynn Effect in the WISC Subtests Among School Children Tested for Special Education Services

The Flynn effect, a secular rise in IQ seen throughout the world, was examined on the WISC-R and WISC-III subtests in a longitudinal sample of more than 2,500 school children who were tested between 1974 and 2002. Multivariate analysis of variance and multiple regression analyses revealed that all the subtests experienced significant decreases in scores on the introduction of the WISC-III, as expected because of the Flynn effect, with the exception of Information and Digit Span. (Mazes was not included in the analyses because of a limited sample size.) On Picture Arrangement and Coding, however, children who were repeatedly tested on the WISC-III also experienced significant decreases compared with children who were repeatedly tested on the WISC-R. These findings add to the growing literature comparing the magnitude of the Flynn effect on crystallized versus fluid measures. Implications for special education testing and the current WISC-IV are discussed.
Estimating winter wheat yield from hyperspectral data

Spectral data are strongly related to canopy parameters, which are related to final yield at a critical stage of the crop growth, so it is possible to estimate wheat yield from spectral data. In this paper, firstly, the yield data were related to the field hyperspectral reflectance data in 8 different growth stages from regreening stage to milking stage. The statistical results show that yield is positive correlative with spectral reflectance in NIR bands and negative correlative in visible and SWIR bands. Secondly, the normalized difference spectral indices defined by [860 nm, 1200 nm], [890 nm, 980 nm], [820 nm, 1650 nm], [820 nm, 1650 nm] and [820 nm, 2200 nm] are designed and related to yields in all the 8 growth stages. Compared with NDVI, these spectral indices can predict yield earlier and more reliably. Finally, the remote sensing models in different growth stages for yield were built by [820 nm, 1650 nm] weak water absorption index.