cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adverse drug reaction discovery from electronic health records with deep neural networks

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are detrimental and unexpected clinical incidents caused by drug intake. The increasing availability of massive quantities of longitudinal event data such as electronic health records (EHRs) has redefined ADR discovery as a big data analytics problem, where data-hungry deep neural networks are especially suitable because of the abundance of the data. To this end, we introduce neural self-controlled case series (NSCCS), a deep learning framework for ADR discovery from EHRs. NSCCS rigorously follows a self-controlled case series design to adjust implicitly and efficiently for individual heterogeneity. In this way, NSCCS is robust to time-invariant confounding issues and thus more capable of identifying associations that reflect the underlying mechanism between various types of drugs and adverse conditions. We apply NSCCS to a large-scale real-world EHR dataset and empirically demonstrate its superior performance with comprehensive experiments on a benchmark ADR discovery task.
Constructing marketing thought: the case of Islamic marketing

This study conducts a bibliographic and content analysis of articles published to-date in the Journal of Islamic Marketing and the International Journal of Islamic Marketing and Branding in order to assess the scope of coverage and topics/themes discussed. The study found that the highest number of articles have been published on banking and finance-related issues in both journals. On the other hand, such other areas as new product development and comparative analysis have not experienced much research activity. The results of these analyses serve as a guide to areas where researchers could shine more light and to editors on where to encourage more submissions.
Peirce F. Lewis, 1927–2018

All geography rests, finally, upon the land. Few geographers have stayed as connected to the land throughout their professional careers as Peirce F. Lewis, few relished the immediacy of being in th...
Characterization of seawater and aerosol particle surfactants using solid phase extraction and mass spectrometry

Abstract Surface-active organic molecules (surfactants) may influence the ability of an aerosol particle to act as a cloud condensation nuclei by reducing its surface tension. One source of organic mass in aerosol particles, which may also contain surfactants, is bubble bursting on the sea surface. In order to directly compare these molecules in the ocean and aerosol particles, we developed a method using multiple solid phase extractions and high resolution mass spectrometry to characterize surface active organic molecules in both. This method has extraction efficiencies greater than 85%, 75%, and 60% for anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactant standards, respectively. In this study, we demonstrate the presence of three ionic classes of surface active organics in atmospheric aerosol particles and estuarine water from Skidaway Island, GA. With this extraction method, organic molecules from both estuarine water and atmospheric aerosol particles significantly reduced surface tension of pure water (surface tension depression of ~ 18 mN/m) and had high ratios of hydrogen to carbon (H/C) and low ratios of oxygen to carbon (O/C), indicative of surfactants. While previous work has observed a larger fraction of anionic surface active organics in seawater and marine aerosol particles, here we show cationic surface active organics may make up a large fraction of the total surface active molecules in estuarine water (43%–47%).
Changes in Emergency Department Patient Volume and Acuity Associated with Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Unique Environment.

INTRODUCTION: Hospitals and emergency departments (EDs) faced profound uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Early concerns regarding demand far exceeding capacity were balanced by anecdotal reports of decreased patient visits, including those for specific high-acuity conditions. This study sought to identify changes in ED volume and acuity, within a specific managed care environment, associated with the onset of the pandemic. METHODS: Data from patient visits to 2 San Diego, California, EDs-within an integrated health-care system-were extracted from the electronic health record. Daily patient visits, hospital admissions from the ED, Emergency Severity Index scores, and mode of arrival were compared between two 28-day periods, with the 28 days following a "stay at home" order issued by the governor of California and a control period of the same dates in 2019. RESULTS: These EDs observed a significant decrease in daily visits (42% compared to the previous year) associated with the pandemic. An increased rate of hospital admissions (16.6%-21.6%) was suggestive of an overall increase in acuity; however, changes in the distribution of Emergency Severity Index scores were less pronounced. The overall number of admissions declined significantly. Although overall ambulance traffic decreased, the proportion of patients arriving by ambulance was unchanged. CONCLUSION: Patient volume in 2 EDs dropped significantly in association with a statewide response to the COVID-19 pandemic. There was also a shift in acuity as measured by the proportion of patients admitted to the hospital, but overall admissions declined, suggesting sicker patients also did not seek care.
Maternal Pre- and Post-release Behaviors in a Residential Parenting Program (Prison Nursery)

The current study examined maternal behaviors during incarceration and following release in a sample of corrections-involved mothers who lived with their infants in a Residential Parenting Program (RPP). Using a longitudinal dataset, several factors thought to be associated with behavior were examined including mothers’ length of stay in the program, level of risk and needs, and history of visitation. Maternal outcomes were defined in terms of institutional behavior during participation in the prison nursery program (i.e., misconduct) and field violations during supervision after release into the community. Descriptive and bivariate correlational analyses were conducted to investigate associations between potential explanatory variables and maternal behavioral outcomes. Results are consistent with existing evidence documenting low rates of recidivism following participation in a prison nursery. More importantly, this work begins to move beyond recidivism alone to identify meaningful metrics of success for this highly vulnerable and largely understudied population of incarcerated women.
Knowledge Relatedness and the Performance of Multibusiness Firms

This study examines the relationship between "knowledge relatedness" and performance of multibusiness firms. It defines knowledge relatedness as the extent to which a multibusiness firm uses common knowledge resources across its business units. It argues that cross-business knowledge synergies arising from knowledge relatedness are likely to improve firm performance. The study construes knowledge relatedness in terms of three complementary dimensions: (1) product knowledge relatedness, (2) customer knowledge relatedness, and (3) managerial knowledge relatedness. In a sample of 303 Fortune1000 firms, the study finds that the individual dimensions of knowledge relatedness do not have significant effects on firm performance on their own. The joint effect of the three types of knowledge relatedness on firm performance is positive and significant. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Site-specific acetylation of adenine nucleotide translocase 1 at lysine 23 in human muscle.

Abstract Evidence suggests acetylation of human adenine nucleotide translocase 1 (ANT1) at lysine 23 (Lys23) reduces binding of ADP. Lys23 contributes to the positive charge that facilitates this interaction. This study was undertaken to characterize ANT1 abundance and acetylation by a novel method using small amounts of human skeletal muscle biopsies. Lysates of whole muscle or mitochondria from the same tissue were prepared from needle biopsies of vastus lateralis muscle of healthy volunteers. Lysed proteins were resolved on gels, the section containing ANT1 (surrounding 30 Kd) was excised, digested with trypsin, spiked with labeled unacetylated and acetylated synthetic standard peptides and analyzed by mass spectrometry. Natural logarithm transformation of data linearized ion intensities over a 10-fold range of peptide mass. Coefficients of variation ranged from 7 to 30% for ANT1 abundance and Lys23 acetylation. In three volunteers, ANT1 content was 8.36 ± 0.33 nmol/g wet weight muscle and 0.64 ± 0.05 nmol/mg mitochondria, so mitochondrial content was 13.3 ± 2.4 mg mitochondria per gram muscle. Acetylation of Lys23 averaged 14.3 ± 4.2% and 4.87 ± 1.84% in whole muscle and mitochondria, respectively. This assay makes it possible to assess effects of acetylation on the function of ANT1 in human muscle.
Minimum Lung Volume Spared for Lung Stereotactic Ablative Therapy: A Useful Metric or Outdated Endpoint?

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is the preferred treatment for malignant lesions of the lung in patients unable to tolerate an anatomic resection. While this modality is typically well-tolerated, there is potential for morbidity or even mortality in this population. Radiation pneumonitis (RP) is one such toxicity, and ongoing NRG protocols recommend Lung V20 100 Gy) fractionation schemes (e.g., 50-55/5, 48-50/4, 60/8) were included. A minimum clinical follow-up of 6 months or documentation of RP was required. Symptomatic RP was defined as imaging consistent with RP and indication for corticosteroids (CTCAE Grade 2-3). Various dosimetric parameters and patient factors were recorded. The univariate logistic regression and dosimetric constraints from Institution #1 to predict probabilities of symptomatic RP have been published [1]. The accuracy of these predictive probabilities was assessed by applying derived dosimetric values predicting a 20%, 33% and 50% probability of developing symptomatic RP to Institution #2. RESULTS For the sample from Institution #2, 25.7% (n = 17/66) developed symptomatic RP, which is higher than the published rate of 8.6% (n = 8/93) observed in the Institution #1. Minimum volume of lung spared (MVLS) from 12.4 or 13.5 Gy > 1000 ccs was achieved by all but one patient (a pediatric patient with small lung volumes). Multiple DVH thresholds predicting a 20% rate of symptomatic RP from Institution #1 correlated well with Institution #2 (Table 1). However, the model was not reliable for the 33% and 50% predicted probability cutoffs. CONCLUSION This study of symptomatic RP identified several dosimetric parameters that accurately captured RP between two cohorts. MVLS appears to have limited utility in the clinical setting. In addition to Lung V20, future SBRT consortium trials may benefit from more correlative dose constraints.
Effect of staggered rice sowing and flowering on incidence of false smut

False smut caused by Ustilaginoidea virens is currently an important disease of rice. The disease regularly occurs in many parts of India resulting in significant economic losses. To find an eco-friendly method of false smut management, the effect of staggered rice sowing and flowering on false smut incidence were evaluated in 2018 and 2019 seasons. Six rice varieties were sown at 15-day intervals from 24th May to 20th August in both the years. Most varieties developed false smut when their flowering occurred during September and October in both seasons of 2018 and 2019 irrespective of their sowing dates. The relative humidity showed positive correlation with Pooja and Sarala but negatively correlated with Anjali, Durga, Geetanjali and Naveen. Therefore, avoiding the flowering period during the critical months can considerably limit the false smut severity and help to manage the disease.
Work-Based Learning in Rural America: Employer Participation in School-To-Work Programs and Apprenticeships

This article is one of several in a special collection for which Lionel J. Beaulieu and Robert M. Gibbs served as guest editors (http://www.umaine.edu/jrre/20-12.pdf). Earlier versions of these articles were presented at the 2003 conference, “Promoting the Economic and Social vitality of Rural America: The Role of Education,” which was sponsored by the Southern Rural Development Center, the Economic Research Service of the USDA, and the Rural School and Community Trust. This research is supported by the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Research Initiative, under Agreement No. 00-35401-9319. Any opinion, finding, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Gary Paul Green, Department of Rural Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1450 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 537061562. (gpgreen@wisc.edu) Citation: Green, G. P. (2005, December 22). Work-based learning in rural America: Employer participation in school-to-work programs and apprenticeships. Journal of Research in Rural Education, 20(16). Retrieved [date] from http://jrre.psu.edu/articles/20-16.pdf
Available at: Introducing a Nearly Vast Amount of Work to Be Done

This article is about two things. First, it is about the perplexing failure of law reviews (or law schools, or law professors) to do something that is undoubtedly worthwhile and within their reach: put online the sources, or at least the hard-to-find sources, cited in the law review articles they publish (or subsidize, or write). Second, it is about a plan to put those sources online anyway, by starting small and simple. The website is, at least for starters, a plain online home for those hard-to-find cited sources that should and can be shared with readers – with a little bit of help from authors and law reviews.
Lessons Learned? Brooksley Born & the OTC Derivatives Market (A)

This (B) case provides the 2009 reflections of former SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt on CFTC Chairman Brooksley Born's 1998 efforts to consider regulating the OTC derivative market. It also provides a summary of the aspects of the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act that regulate these derivatives.Learning Objective:To understand one of the failures that contributed to the financial crisis and to explore what policy makers, regulators and business leaders could have done differently.
OCCULT BLOOD LOSS IN IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA OF INFANCY

Blood loss from the gastrointestinal tract was measured in 13 infants with iron deficiency anemia, using radioiron as a tracer. The radioiron was given intravenously; radioactivity in the erythrocytes and feces was measured for the following 3 to 4 weeks. The percentage of total Fe administered that was recovered in the stools varied between 0.75 and 16.4%, with a mean of 5.75%. This represents loss of whole blood in the stools varying from 7 to 107 ml, with a mean of 41 ml during the observation period. Occult blood loss from the gastrointestinal tract appears to be a significant factor in the development of iron deficiency in early childhood.
An Analysis of Current Whistleblower Laws: Defending a More Flexible Approach to Reporting Requirements

retaliated against Watkins with legal impunity.2 Under Texas's whistleblower law, employees of private employers receive legal protection against retaliation only if they report wrongdoing to an external law enforcement agency.3 Because Watkins reported her concerns only to Enron CEO Kenneth Lay,4 her actions did not meet Texas's strict report recipient requirement.5 The Texas whistleblower law is not unique. Most state whistleblower statutes restrict the parties to whom a whistleblower may report in order to receive protection from retaliation. The majority of states, for example, protect only those employees who file reports with external government bodies.7 In
CXCR3 modulates obesity-induced visceral adipose inflammation and systemic insulin resistance.

Objective Chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 3 (CXCR3) is a chemokine receptor involved in the regulation of immune cell trafficking and activation. Increased CXCR3 expression in the visceral adipose of obese humans and mice was observed. A pathophysiologic role for CXCR3 in diet-induced obesity (DIO) was hypothesized. Methods Wild-type (WT) C57B/L6J and chemokine receptor 3 knockout (CXCR3−/−) mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 20 weeks followed by assessment of glucose metabolism and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) inflammation. Results CXCR3−/− mice exhibited lower fasting glucose and improved glucose tolerance compared with WT-HFD mice, despite similar body mass. HFD-induced VAT innate and adaptive immune cell infiltration, including immature myeloid cells (CD11b+ F4/80lo Ly6C+), were markedly ameliorated in CXCR3−/− mice. In vitro IBIDI and in vivo migration assays demonstrated no CXCR3-mediated effect on macrophage or monocyte migration, respectively. CXCR3−/− macrophages, however, had a blunted response to interferon-γ, a TH1 cytokine that induces macrophage activation. Conclusions A previously unreported role for CXCR3 in the development of HFD-induced insulin resistance (IR) and VAT macrophage infiltration in mice was demonstrated. Our results support pharmaceutical targeting of the CXCR3 receptor as a potential treatment for obesity/IR.
Physical Therapy and Mobility 2 and 6 Months After Hip Fracture

OBJECTIVES To examine the relationship between early physical therapy (PT), later therapy, and mobility 2 and 6 months after hip fracture.
The CBM complex underwrites NF-κB activation to promote HER2-associated tumor malignancy

The HER2/Neu protein is overexpressed in a large fraction of human breast cancers. NF-κB is one of several transcription factors that are aberrantly activated in HER2-positive breast cancers; however, the molecular mechanism by which HER2 activates NF-κB remains unclear. The CARMA3–BCL10–MALT1 (CBM) complex is required for GPCR- and EGFR-induced NF-κB activation. In the current study, the role of the CBM complex in HER2-mediated NF-κB activation and HER2-positive breast cancer was investigated. Interestingly, HER2-mediated NF-κB activation requires protein kinase C (PKC) activity rather than AKT activity. Using biochemical and genetic approaches, it was shown that the CBM complex is required for HER2-induced NF-κB activation and functionally contributes to multiple properties of malignancy, such as proliferation, avoidance of apoptosis, migration, and invasion, both in vitro and in vivo . In addition, CARMA3-mediated NF-κB activity was required for the upregulation of two matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), MMP1 and MMP13, both of which contribute to tumor metastasis. To further access the physiologic role of CBM complex-mediated NF-κB activation in HER2-positive breast cancer progression, Malt1 knockout mice ( Malt1 −/− ) were crossed with MMTV-Neu mice, in which mammary tumors spontaneously developed with HER2 overexpression. We observed delayed onset and prolonged progression time in mammary tumors in Malt1 knockout mice compared with control mice. In summary, these data demonstrate that the CBM complex is a crucial component mediating HER2-induced NF-κB signaling and tumor malignancy in HER2-positive breast cancer. Implications: The CBM complex bridges key signaling pathways to confer malignant phenotypes and metastatic potential in HER2-associated breast cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 14(1); 93–102. ©2015 AACR .
Cyclic deformation and fatigue behavior of polyether ether ketone (PEEK)

Abstract In this study, the fatigue behavior of a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is investigated. A series of tests at ambient temperature, including uniaxial monotonic (tension and compression) at different strain rates and uniaxial fully-reversed strain-controlled cyclic tests at strain amplitudes ranging from 0.02 mm/mm to 0.04 mm/mm at various frequencies, were conducted. The frequency influence on the strain-controlled fatigue lives of unfilled PEEK specimens was found to be highly dependent on the strain level. A minimal frequency effect was observed at a lower strain amplitude of 0.02 mm/mm, whereas increasing the test frequency at higher strain amplitudes resulted in longer fatigue lives. Additionally, load-controlled cyclic tests that utilized applied loads corresponding to stress responses obtained from the strain-controlled fatigue tests were performed. The cyclic behavior under the two control modes were compared and discussed. Three types of fatigue models, including a strain-based (Coffin–Manson) model, a strain–stress-based (Smith–Watson–Topper) model, and an energy-based model, were employed to correlate the data in this study. Among the three fatigue models, the energy approach was found to better correlate the PEEK experimental data at various frequencies.
Chronic cough associated with interferon/ribavirin therapy for hepatitis C.

Summary What is known and Objective: The combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin has become standard therapy for chronic hepatitis C infection. The occurrence of chronic cough associated with this treatment regimen has been reported, but the mechanism by which cough occurs has not previously been investigated. We measured cough reflex sensitivity, during and after completion of therapy, in four patients who developed chronic cough associated with interferon/ribavirin therapy. Case summary: Four patients without history of respiratory symptoms developed chronic cough temporally related to initiation of therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C infection. Cough resolved within 2–6 weeks after completion of a 48-week course of therapy. To measure cough reflex sensitivity, capsaicin cough challenge testing was performed 1 month prior to cessation of therapy, and 1 and 2 months after completion of treatment. In all patients, cough reflex sensitivity, as measured by C5, the concentration of capsaicin inducing 5 or more coughs, was significantly enhanced during treatment compared to 1 month after completion of therapy (P = 0·016). What is new and Conclusion: Previous studies have observed that cough occurs more commonly in patients receiving the combination of interferon and ribavirin compared to interferon alone, thus implicating ribavirin as the causal agent. Our data demonstrate that it does so by reversible enhancement of cough reflex sensitivity. Clinicians should be aware of this potential treatment-related effect, so as to avoid unnecessary and costly diagnostic evaluations seeking an alternative aetiology of cough.
Sources on Liberal Arts in the Community College

This chapter provides an annotated bibliography of articles about liberal arts education in the contemporary community college. It also provides links to websites featuring related information.
Application of holographic interferometry to the static meniscus.

The method of holographic interferometry is applied to the exploration of the static meniscus at an air–water interface inside a cylindrical tube. Analysis of the interference patterns permits formulation of an empirical equation describing the surface near the axis of the tube and the examination of certain properties of the surface.
Abstract 1786: UV damage-induced histone H3 lysine 56 deacetylation regulates nucleotide excision repair and checkpoint signaling.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is the major pathway in cells for the removal of bulky photoproducts and ensuring integrity of the genome. NER constitutes lesion recognition, excision of damaged DNA, synthesis of a DNA fragment, and ligation of the repair patch. Nonetheless, DNA within the cells is compacted into chromatin and lesion recognition requires chromatin to be remodeled to permit access of repair and checkpoint machinery to the damage site. Consequent to repair of the lesions, chromatin structure is restored to its original state so that cells resume cell cycle progression. Although several reports have demonstrated the role of chromatin remodelers, histone modifications and histone chaperones in DNA damage response (DDR), knowledge of how these epigenetic mechanisms control the DDR is largely in its infancy. We and others have recently observed that histone H3 is deacetylated on lysine 56 immediately in response to UV-induced DNA damage. Acetylation is promptly restored upon completion of repair and is necessary for recovery from DNA damage induced cell cycle arrest. However, the function of H3K56 deacetylation in the DDR remains to be determined. We found that UV-induced deacetylation of H3K56 is abrogated in the presence of TSA and sodium butyrate, both of which inhibit class I histone deacetylases (HDACs). Knockdown of either HDAC1 or HDAC2 alone did not affect UV-induced deacetylation of H3K56. However, simultaneous knockdown of both HDAC1 and 2 resulted in retention of H3K56 acetylation after UV irradiation. Consistently, both HDAC1 and HDAC2 localized to sites of UV damage. These observations are consistent with that reported by Miller et. al., indicating that HDAC1 and HDAC2 are responsible for the deacetylation of H3K56 in response to DNA damage. Since the deacetylation of H3K56 is one of the most immediate responses to UV-irradiation, we assumed it to play a crucial role in NER. Accordingly, we observed that CPD removal was affected in H1299 cells with histone H3K56Q mutation that mimics constitutive acetylation. Furthermore, we found that localization of the checkpoint kinase ATM to UV damage sites was affected in these cells. Consequently, ATM-mediated H2AX phosphorylation was also found to be defective in the mutant cells. Based on our observations, we speculate that HDAC1 and 2 mediated H3K56 deacetylation regulates NER and checkpoint signaling cascade in response to UV damage. This work was supported by PHS grants ES2388, ES12991 and CA93413 and Pelotonia postdoctoral fellowship to AB. Citation Format: Aruna Battu, Altaf Ahmad Wani. UV damage-induced histone H3 lysine 56 deacetylation regulates nucleotide excision repair and checkpoint signaling. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1786. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1786
Optimal active suspension structures for quarter-car vehicle models

Abstract The preliminary design of active vehicle suspensions can be naturally cast into an equivalent linear-quadratic Gaussian (LQG)-optimization problem, where the performance index is an appropriate combination of ride comfort, vehicle handling and suspension design constraints. The vehicle models vary in complexity with the simplest one being the one degree-of-freedom (DOF) quarter-car model which neglects wheel dynamics. The present paper explores the connections between LQG-optimal one DOF and two DOF models. In a recent study (Hrovat, 1987), it was shown that for the optimal two DOF systems, both ride and handling can be improved by reducing the unsprung mass. The limiting one DOF case of zero unsprung mass then represented the maximum possible improvement within the constraint of a single active actuator. It is shown in the present paper that in practice these limiting benefits can be approached via passive dynamic absorbers attached to the unsprung mass. Moreover, the structural constraint of a single active actuator has been relaxed to allow for both secondary suspension and unsprung mass active actuators. Here the maximum possible ride and handling improvements for two DOF systems are obtained in the limiting case of singular control with zero penalty on unsprung actuator force. This absolutely optimal structure turns out to be yet another special one DOF system, which in practice could be approached with the help of active dynamic absorbers.
Spontaneous self-alkalinization in spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome.

A 64-year-old white male presented to the hospital with a scrotal mass, diffuse pelvic lymphadenopathy, and right hydronephrosis due to a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. He was also found to have a left staghorn calculus. The patient was treated with a right orchiectomy and placement of a right-sided ureteral stent. Before initiation of chemotherapy, however, he was readmitted with a spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome (uric acid 25 mg/dl, creatinine 6 mg/dl) and was also found to have a left hydronephrosis. A left-sided nephrostomy tube was placed, and the patient was dialyzed. After nephrostomy placement it was noted that the urine from his Foley catheter contained a lot of sediment (Figure 1d) whereas the urine from the left-nephrostomy tube was clear (Figure 1c). A urine dipstick analysis demonstrated a pH of 8.0 (Figure 1a, circled in red) in the urine from the left nephrostomy (side of staghorn calculus), whereas the pH of the urine in the Foley bag was 5.0 (Figure 1b, circled in black).
Determination of absolute transport efficiencies of Be, Cd, In, Pb and Bi for electrothermal vaporization sample introduction into an inductively coupled plasma using an in-line electrostatic precipitator

Abstract A novel laboratory-constructed electrostatic precipitator for the determination of analyte transport efficiencies from a tube furnace electrothermal vaporization (ETV) sample introduction system is described. This simple experimental set up captures the analyte electrostatically using a negative corona discharge. The absolute transport efficiencies using experimental conditions typical of those applied to real analysis by ETV–ICP-MS were determined for Be, Cd, In, Pb and Bi to be 26±3, 39±8, 35±1, 50±11 and 35±1%, respectively. Pd and NaCl were evaluated as ‘carriers’ and were found to only marginally increase analyte transport for the elements investigated. Pd enhanced efficiencies 20–50% for all but Bi, which decreased by 17%. The NaCl produced transport enhancements of 10–50% for all five analytes. However, uncertainties in the measurements made several of the individual improvements statistically insignificant. The mean precipitator collection efficiency of the aerosol leaving the ETV for the five elements studied was found to be greater than 90% and was determined using the ICP-MS signal with the in-line precipitator's voltage either on or off. While 30 ETV firings were used for a single efficiency determination, reasonable precision could be obtained with approximately 10 firings while still employing reasonable analyte masses, i.e. approximately 20 ng. The transport results are in good agreement with previous studies using similar ETV design and analyte masses.
Successful nasoendoscopic and aerodynamic examinations of children with speech/voice disorders

An 8-year retrospective analysis of aerodynamic and nasoendoscopic examinations of children with a variety of speech and voice disorders shows that these examinations can be completed with a high rate of success. Moreover, the examinations were achieved with relative ease in children as young as 2 years old. Several clinicians were involved in the examinations, illustrating the viability of the methods. It is suspected that the failures to complete the examinations relate more to the examiners' methods and skills than to the child's tolerance of the instrumentation.
Computer Aided Bearing Design and Analysis

I have written a program using visual basic called Bearing Design. Students in a machine elements course will use the program to size and select bearings. The program is written to aid students in the understanding of bearing design. The program is part of a series of programs used to assist the students in learning how to design and select machine components. Some of the other programs used are Designing Spur Gears and Sizing Belt Drives Components.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Calcium signaling stimulates translation of HIF-α during hypoxia

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are ubiquitous transcription factors that mediate adaptation to hypoxia by inducing specific sets of target genes. It is well accepted that hypoxia induces accumulation and activity of HIFs by causing stabilization of their alpha subunits. We have demonstrated that hypoxia stimulates translation of HIF-1alpha and -2alpha proteins by distributing HIF-alpha mRNAs to larger polysome fractions. This requires influx of extracellular calcium, stimulation of classical protein kinase C-alpha (cPKC-alpha), and the activity of mammalian target of rapamycin, mTOR. The translational component contributes to approximately 40-50% of HIF-alpha proteins accumulation after 3 h of 1% O2. Hypoxia also inhibits general protein synthesis and mTOR activity; however, cPKC-alpha inhibitors or rapamycin reduce mTOR activity and total protein synthesis beyond the effects of hypoxia alone. These data show that during general inhibition of protein synthesis by hypoxia, cap-mediated translation of selected mRNAs is induced through the mTOR pathway. We propose that calcium-induced activation of cPKC-alpha hypoxia partially protects an activity of mTOR from hypoxic inhibition. These results provide an important physiologic insight into the mechanism by which hypoxia-stimulated influx of calcium selectively induces the translation of mRNAs necessary for adaptation to hypoxia under conditions repressing general protein synthesis.
Market structure, sales to government, and the theory of oligopoly

Abstract This paper examines the relationship between industry profitability, sales to government, market structure, and firm size. The empirical results consistently show that government purchases of goods and services from the private sector significantly raise the profits of small firms across all industries, but that there is no significant relationship between large firm profitability and sales to government, even in highly concentrated industries. It is concluded that sales to government do not appear to facilitate collusion among large firms. Instead, the main impact of government purchases is to transfer wealth from the general taxpayer to small business. The problem implicitly raised by these remarks is why all sales to the government are not at collusive prices. Part of the answer is that the government is usually not a sufficiently large buyer of a commodity to remunerate the costs of collusion [Stigler (1968, p. 45)].
ISOLATION OF AN INHIBITOR OF Aspergillus parasiticus FROM WHITE POTATOES (Solanum tuberosum)

White potatoes did not support the growth of A. parasiticus NRRL 2999 unless they were heated to above 60° C. The mold grew well on autoclaved potatoes and produced, on an average, 8 μg/g total aflatoxins (mainly B1 and G1) at 27°C and 95–97% relative humidity in 20 days. When soluble potato starch was substituted for sucrose in yeast extract-sucrose (YES) medium, the maximum growth of A. purasiticus was 80% of that observed in YES medium, but total aflatoxin production was only 0.5–1.0% of the production in YES medium. Chlorogenic acid and solanine, at levels normally found in the white potato, did not show appreciable fungitoxic activity towards A. parasiticus in vitro. Caffeic acid partially inhibited the growth of A. parasiticus and the production of aflatoxins at 0.01M concentration in YES medium. A compound with high inhibitory activity towards A. parasiticus was isolated from the potatoes. The compound is extractable with ethyl acetate. From its behavior on TLC systems, its ultraviolet spectrum and its reactions with chromagenic spray reagents, it is inferred that the compound is phenolic in nature. It appears to be a hydroxy-cinnamic acid derivative structurally similar to caffeic acid but lacking the ortho-dihydroxy structure of caffeic acid.
Estimation of the target stem-cell population size in chronic myeloid leukemogenesis.

Estimation of the number of hematopoietic stem cells capable of causing chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is relevant to the development of biologically based risk models of radiation-induced CML. Through a comparison of the age structure of CML incidence data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program and the age structure of chromosomal translocations found in healthy subjects, the number of CML target stem cells is estimated for individuals above 20 years of age. The estimation involves three steps. First, CML incidence among adults is fit to an exponentially increasing function of age. Next, assuming a relatively short waiting time distribution between BCR-ABL induction and the appearance of CML, an exponential age function with rate constants fixed to the values found for CML is fitted to the translocation data. Finally, assuming that translocations are equally likely to occur between any two points in the genome, the parameter estimates found in the first two steps are used to estimate the number of target stem cells for CML. The population-averaged estimates of this number are found to be 1.86×108 for men and 1.21×108 for women; the 95% confidence intervals of these estimates are (1.34×108, 2.50×108) and (0.84×108, 1.83×108), respectively.
Xylem structure and water transport in a twiner, a scrambler, and a shrub of Lonicera (Caprifoliaceae)

Wood structure and function was investigated in different growth forms of temperate honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.). All three species had many narrow vessels and relatively few wide ones, with the measured Kh (flow rate/pressure gradient) approximately 24–55% of the theoretical Kh predicted by Poiseuille's law. Only the twiner, Lonicera japonica, had some vessels greater than 50 μm in diameter. The twiner also had the narrowest stem xylem diameters, suggesting the greater maximum vessel diameter hydraulically compensated for narrow stems. Conversely, the free-standing shrub, L. maackii, had the greatest annual increments of xylem but the least percent conductive xylem implying that a great portion of the wood was involved with mechanical support. The scrambler, L, sempervirens had low maximum vessel diameter, high Huber values (= xylem area/leaf area), and low specific conductivities (= measured Kh/xylem area), much like the shrub. The greatest vessel frequency occurred in the scrambler (901 vessels · mm-2), the highest thus far recorded in vines. The lowest Huber value and highest specific conductivity occurred in the twiner, suggesting little self-support but relatively efficient water conduction. LSC (= measured Kh/leaf area) and maximum vessel diameter of Lonicera vines were near the low end of the range for vines in general.
The Digital Correction Unit: A Data Correction/Compaction Chip

The Digital Correction Unit (DCU) is a semi-custom CMOS integrated circuit which corrects and compacts data for the SLD experiment. It performs a piece-wise linear correction to data, and implements two separate compaction algorithms. This paper describes the basic functionality of the DCU and its correction and compaction algorithms.
PKMζ Differentially Utilized between Sexes for Remote Long-Term Spatial Memory

It is well established that male rats have an advantage in acquiring place-learning strategies, allowing them to learn spatial tasks more readily than female rats. However many of these differences have been examined solely during acquisition or in 24h memory retention. Here, we investigated whether sex differences exist in remote long-term memory, lasting 30d after training, and whether there are differences in the expression pattern of molecular markers associated with long-term memory maintenance. Specifically, we analyzed the expression of protein kinase M zeta (PKMζ) and the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor subunit GluA2. To adequately evaluate memory retention, we used a robust training protocol to attenuate sex differences in acquisition and found differential effects in memory retention 1d and 30d after training. Female cohorts tested for memory retention 1d after 60 training trials outperformed males by making significantly fewer reference memory errors at test. In contrast, male cohorts tested 30d after 60 training trials outperformed females of the same condition, making fewer reference memory errors and achieving significantly higher retention test scores. Furthermore, given 60 training trials, females tested 30d later showed significantly worse memory compared to females tested 1d later, while males tested 30d later did not differ from males tested 1d later. Together these data suggest that with robust training males do no retain spatial information as well as females do 24h post-training but maintain this spatial information for longer. Males also showed a significant increase in synaptic PKMζ expression and a positive correlation with retention test scores, while females did not. Interestingly, both sexes showed a positive correlation between retention test scores and synaptic GluA2 expression. Furthermore, the increased expression of synaptic PKMζ, associated with male memory but not with female memory, identifies another potential sex-mediated difference in memory processing.
METABOLISM OF JUVENILE HORMONE IN CULTURES OF OVARIES AND FAT BODY IN THE COCKROACH PERIPLANETA AMERICANA

The time course of juvenile hormone (JH) metabolism is examined in cultures ofPeriplaneta americana fat body and ovaries in medium containingManduca sexta carrier protein or cockroach hemolymph. In the absence ofM. sexta carrier protein or cockroach hemolymph, both tissues extensively catabolize exogenous [3H]JH in the medium. Addition of the carrier protein or hemolymph to the culture system prevents the hydrolysis of the hormone in the medium. Within the tissues JH is degraded whether or not carrier protein or hemolymph is present which suggests that the protective role of these molecules is exclusively extracellular. Incubation of [3H]JH with medium preconditioned with tissue results in destruction of the hormone. This suggests that the fat body secretes esterases into the medium. In contrast, the ovarioles hydrolyze the hormone by means of cell-associated enzyme. The relationship of these phenomena to insect development is discussed.
Repression as the Monitoring and Censoring of Images: An Empirical Study

The results of the present research show, first, that repressers' waking images are less vivid than sensitizers' waking images. They show, also, that hypnosis increases the vividness of repressers'...
Risk factors for methadone outside treatment programs: implications for HIV treatment among injection drug users.

Background Diversion of methadone outside treatment programs occurs, yet reasons for use of ‘street methadone’ are characterized poorly. Self-medication for withdrawal symptoms is one plausible hypothesis. Among HIV-infected drug users, some antiretroviral medications can reduce potency of methadone, yet any association between such effects and the use of supplemental methadone sources remains undetermined. Objective To estimate the frequency and risk factors for use of street methadone. Methods Injection drug users (IDUs) recruited through extensive community outreach in 1988–89 and 1994 were followed semi-annually with questionnaires about health history, use of licit and illicit drugs including methadone and HIV-related assays. Analyses were performed using generalized estimating equation logistic regression. Results Of 2811 IDUs enrolled and eligible for analysis, 493 people reported use of street methadone over 12 316 person-years of follow-up (4.0/100 person-years). In multivariate analyses, street methadone use was more common among women, whites, those 40–59 years old, those who reported withdrawal symptoms, past methadone program attendance (6–12 months before visit), recent heroin injection with or without cocaine (but not cocaine alone), smoking or sniffing heroin and reported trading sex. Street methadone was not associated with HIV infection or treatment. Conclusion The results suggest that older IDUs still using heroin may be using street methadone to treat signs of withdrawal. The absence of a higher rate of street methadone use in HIV seropositive IDUs reveals that antiretroviral/methadone interactions are not a primary determinant of use outside of treatment settings.
On slot-coupled microstrip antennas and their applications to CP operation-theory and experiment

A simple theory based on the cavity model is developed to analyze microstrip antennas excited by a slot in the ground plane. By using an equivalent magnetic current source at the feed, the electric field under the patch is obtained in terms of a set of cavity modes. In particular, the loci of the slot feed location for achieving the circular polarization and the input impedance are computed and found to be in excellent agreement with the experimentally measured results. Simple but surprisingly accurate formulas for slot-fed circularly polarized microstrip antennas are derived and compared with those for probe-fed counterparts. >
Parallel computing with patterns and frameworks

Exploiting parallelism may require developers to think differently about how their programs are written.
Laminar flow at the trailing edge of a flat plate

Numerical solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations for laminar flow around and beyond the trailing edge of a flat plate at a Reynolds number of 10E5 are presented. The size of the computational domain has been varied over a wide range to show that previous calculations of this type have employed domains which were too small to obtain a domain-independent solution. The present large-domain solutions are compared with those obtained with the triple-deck and interactive boundary-layer theories. Satisfactory agreement is found in regions of validity of these theories. However, the present results are more complete insofar as they extend well into the asymptotic wake.
Lipid antioxidants: free radical scavenging versus regulation of enzymatic lipid peroxidation

The essentiality of polyunsaturated lipids makes membranes susceptible to peroxidative modifications. One of the most contemporary examples includes selective peroxidation of cardiolipin in mitochondria of cells undergoing apoptosis. Cardiolipin peroxidation products are required for the mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, release of pro-apoptotic factors and completion of the cell death program. Therefore, search for effective inhibitors of cardiolipin peroxidation is critical to discovery and development of anti-apoptotic antioxidants. Mitochondria contain significant amounts of α-tocopherol, a well known scavenger of reactive free radicals. In the present study, we used an oxidative lipidomics approach to evaluate the effect of α-tocopherol and its homologues with different lengths of the side-chain such as 2,5,7,8,-tetramethyl-2(4-methylpentyl)-6-chromanol and 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethyl-6-chromanol, on oxidation of tetralinoleoyl cardiolipin induced by cytochrome c in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Our data indicate that vitamin E homologues inhibit not only accumulation of tetralinoleoyl cardiolipin hydroperoxides but also hydroxy-derivatives of tetralinoleoyl cardiolipin formed in the enzymatic peroxidase half-reaction catalyzed by cytochrome c. This suggests that protective effects of vitamin E homologues against tetralinoleoyl cardiolipin peroxidation catalyzed by cytochrome c/hydrogen peroxide are realized largely due to their effects on the peroxidase activity of cytochrome c towards tetralinoleoyl cardiolipin rather than via their scavenging activity.
The Landé g-factor in atomic spectroscopy

The role of the Laude g-factor in atomic spectroscopy is explored through theoretical studies for Ne I and Ne II where some experimental values are available. Extended correlation studies in the Breit-Pauli approximation for spectrum calculations are analysed and compared with experiment and other theory. For Ne II, the multiconfiguration Dirac-Hartree-Fock method was also applied, but correlation was restricted only to the effect of core-polarization on the outer electron.