cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combinations of glutathione S-transferase genotypes and risk of early-onset lung cancer in Caucasians and African Americans: a population-based study.

Polymorphisms in GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTPI genes in humans are associated with the reduction of enzymatic activity toward several substrates, including those in tobacco smoke. To investigate the potential role these polymorphisms have, as modulators of early-onset lung cancer risk, a population-based case-control study involving early-onset lung cancer cases was performed. Biological samples were available for 350 individuals diagnosed < 50 years of age identified from the metropolitan Detroit Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program and 410 cases of age, race and sex-matched controls ascertained through random digit dialing. African Americans carrying at least one G allele at the GSTP1 locus were 2.9-fold more likely to have lung cancer compared with African Americans without a G allele after adjustment for age, sex, pack years of smoking and history of lung cancer in a first-degree relative (95% CI 1.29-6.20). African Americans with either one or two risk genotypes at the GSTM1 and GSTP1 loci were at increased risk of having lung cancer compared with those having fully functional GSTM1 and GSTP1 genes (OR = 2.8, 95% CI 1.1-7.2 and OR = 4.0, 95% CI 1.3-12.2, respectively). No significant single gene associations between GSTM1, GSTT1 or GSTP1 and early-onset lung cancer were identified in Caucasians, after adjusting for age, sex, pack years and family history of lung cancer. However, our results suggest that specific combinations of glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms increase the risk of early-onset of lung cancer. Joint analysis of these genotypes may identify individuals who are at a higher risk of developing early-onset lung cancer with a greater certainty than single gene studies.
The UCSB two-stage FEL experiment☆

Abstract A two stage FEL experiment is under development at the UCSB FEL facility. The experiment uses a high quality 20 A electron beam generated by an electrostatic accelerator with beam recovery. A new gun and collector were developed for this experiment. The first stage, with a helical undulator, will produce a saturation flux of the order of 107 W/cm2 of 703 μm radiation. This will be the pump for the second stage where light of 1.08 μm will be generated.
Capitalizing on the Curriculum The Challenges of Curricular Joint Ventures

For many institutions, finding new resources and positioning themselves well in the technology-rich, competitive environment has become a high priority. Universities have long capitalized on their research to both maximize prestige and generate revenue. Many institutions now view their curriculum and courses as capital. Some engage in for-profit curriculum-based ventures and others enter into strategic alliances. These activities raise questions for shared governance in initiating and operating activities intended to capitalize on the curriculum. This article explores how these new activities and traditions of shared governance and institutional autonomy intersect, identifying potential conflicts and raising questions for campus leaders.
Hafnium transistor process design for neural interfacing

A design methodology is presented that uses 1-D process simulations of Metal Insulator Semiconductor (MIS) structures to design the threshold voltage of hafnium oxide based transistors used for neural recording. The methodology is comprised of 1-D analytical equations for threshold voltage specification, and doping profiles, and 1-D MIS Technical Computer Aided Design (TCAD) to design a process to implement a specific threshold voltage, which minimized simulation time. The process was then verified with a 2-D process/electrical TCAD simulation. Hafnium oxide films (HfO) were grown and characterized for dielectric constant and fixed oxide charge for various annealing temperatures, two important design variables in threshold voltage design.
MITF and PU.1 Recruit p38 MAPK and NFATc1 to Target Genes during Osteoclast Differentiation

Transcription factors NFATc1, PU.1, and MITF collaborate to regulate specific genes in response to colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) signaling during osteoclast differentiation. However, molecular details concerning timing and mechanism of specific events remain ill-defined. In bone marrow-derived precursors, CSF-1 alone promoted assembly of MITF-PU.1 complexes at osteoclast target gene promoters like cathepsin K and acid 5 phosphatase without increasing gene expression. The combination of RANKL and CSF-1 concurrently increased the levels of MAPK-phosphorylated forms of MITF, p38 MAPK, and SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complexes bound to these target promoters and markedly increased expression of the genes. NFATc1 was subsequently recruited to complexes at the promoters during terminal stages of osteoclast differentiation. Genetic analysis of Mitf and Pu.1 in mouse models supported the critical interaction of these genes in osteoclast differentiation. The results define MITF and PU.1 as nuclear effectors that integrate CSF-1/RANKL signals during osteoclast differentiation to initiate expression of target genes, whereas a complex that includes NFATc1 may act to maintain target gene expression in differentiated cells.
Corneal development associated with eyelid opening

The development of the cornea as a tissue initiates as early as five weeks in the human embryo. This development continues gradually until the time of eyelid opening, which is associated with major developmental changes. These events, most easily observed in rodents, which are born with closed eyelids, include alterations in the rate of cell proliferation in the epithelium, stroma and endothelium; differentiation of the epithelium; appearance of a tear film and tear-film-associated proteins; and swelling and thinning of the stroma. Eyelid opening is also associated with numerous alterations in gene expression. These events are the subject of this review. Readers are directed to the article by Wolosin et al., also in this volume, for an in-depth discussion of early corneal development.
For a Compassionate Killing: Chinese Buddhism, Sericulture, and the Silkworm God AŚvaghoṣa

AbstractFor thousands of years in China, silk producers have developed ritual technologies and pantheons of deities intended to ensure healthy silkworms and abundant silk crops. Buddhist rites and deities have likewise long served the commercial interests of Chinese religionists, but so far we have little understanding of the relationships between the Buddhist institution and the ubiquitous sericulture industry. This essay represents the initial stages of a larger effort to investigate these relationships in premodern China. Here I examine a specific instance in which Buddhism was promoted as integral to silk production—as the true origin of the sericulture process, as the proper moral and soteriological framework within which to understand silkworm rearing (and killing), and as the ritual tradition most efficacious for sericulturists. These claims were advanced in medieval Chinese sources depicting the ancient Indian Buddhist patriarch Aśvaghoṣa as a local god of silk. Through this figure in particular, ...
Influence of convection on the microstructure of fibrous eutectics

Abstract We first review experimental research on the influence of convection on rod eutectic microstructure, including solidification in space, mechanical stirring, use of a magnetic field, and solidification at high gravity. Then, proposed mechanisms are discussed and their predictions compared with experimental results. It is concluded that vigorous mechanical stirring coarsens the microstructure by altering the concentration field in front of the freezing interface. Only one proposed mechanism is able to explain the observed influence of microgravity on the microstructure of fibrous eutectics. Buoyancy-driven convection was relatively gentle during the directional solidification experiments on earth. We conclude that gentle convection alters the microstructure of a fibrous eutectic only when it causes a fluctuating freezing rate and the kinetics of fiber branching differs from that for fiber termination. These fluctuations may cause the microstructure either to coarsen or to become finer, depending on the relative kinetics of fiber branching and termination. Microgravity experiments and theoretical modeling are proposed to confirm the proposed mechanism. The microgravity experiments would utilize electric current pulses during solidification in order to induce a gentle oscillation in the freezing rate. This transient process would be modeled theoretically, taking into account interface growth kinetics, the lead of the fibers in from of the matrix, and branching kinetics, without the classical assumption of minimum supercooling.
How to measure the QT interval--what is normal?

The QT interval extends from the beginning of the QRS complex to the end of the T wave. Since the report of Jervell and Lange-Nielsen in 1957, it has been difficult to determine whether to measure a QT or a QU interval. U waves are more prominent in the left chest leads and less prominent in lead II, with the end of the T wave in lead II corresponding to the end of significant repolarization in any other lead. Therefore, by convention, lead II has been chosen to measure the QT interval. Numerous attempts at correction have been made, but Bazett's correction (QT/square root of RR) remains the current standard. In stable sinus rhythm, a QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc) of > 0.44 sec is considered abnormal. In this study, in the presence of sinus arrhythmia, the QT interval following the shortest RR interval was > 0.46 sec in 98.4% of patients with the congenital long QT syndrome, but in only 3.8% of control subjects (p 0.03 seconds in a 10-sec rhythm strip of lead II in 33% of long QT syndrome patients but in 0% of controls (p < 0.01). The QT interval varied depending on autonomic tone and state of wakefulness, being approximately 19 msec longer in sleeping patients with a heart rate of 60 beats/min than in awake patients with the same heart rate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Tuning in to teacher–talk: a second language learner struggles to comprehend

This article presents findings from a 9–month ethnographic study of cross–cultural learning for the purpose of helping teachers better understand classroom conditions and behaviors that support and hinder students’ comprehension of teachers’ spoken language. Data from a close, observational study of an 8–year–old learning to get along in a new language environment illustrate conditions that caused her to tune out and those that supported her attempts to comprehend. Because spoken language often sounds like an incomprehensible string of sounds to a new language learner, this article suggests that incomprehensibility as well as students’ discomfort and sense of vulnerability can be greatly reduced when teachers scaffold their use of language in specific ways.
South African land policy: The legacy of history and current options

Abstract The highly dualistic farm structure of South Africa and the low productivity of native African farmers have been the result of systematic distortions in land allocation, output markets, the provision of infrastructure, agricultural credit, and services. The dualistic structure did not emerge because of genuine economies of scale in the large commercial sector. Other countries in Latin America and Africa that once supported a dualistic farm size structure through similar distortions have either implemented large-scale land reforms or have experienced decades of peasant revolts and civil war. The paper compares these international experiences to South Africa, and outlines judicial and market-assisted approaches to South African land reform.
Pertinence as reflected in personal constructs

Two characteristics commonly are attributed to pertinence: its personal nature and its polarity. Personal means that, because of his or her private understanding of a particular information problem, the individual need holder is the only one who may value an information source for an information problem. Polarity suggests that pertinence has two foci: one that centers on aspects of the subject matter and its universe (topicality) and one that encompasses the user and his or her insertion into and use of that universe (informativeness). This study applies Kelly's Personal Construct Theory to the concept of pertinence. Kelly's theory postulates that people seek to predict and control the course of their lives by constructing personal mental models of the world, reflected as abstracted structures which channelize behavior and activities. Personal constructs concerning pertinence were elicited from five subjects based on self-selected information sources used in an information problem. These constructs were then arranged in two ways by three other subjects: by perceived similarity and by foci. Constructs are examined for sibling similarity, consistency of application, and their relationship to relevance judgments. The arrangements of constructs were examined for congruity by examining participation of different construct builders in the same arrangement and overlap of members between sets in different arrangements. Findings show that individuals' personal constructs exhibit both similarity and dissimilarity; that individuals apply their construct system consistently; relevance may be equivalent for two documents, but the ratings of those documents on a person's constructs tend to differ; personal systems are built from similar constructs, but the structuring of constructs differs between individuals; and topicality and informativeness do emerge as observable foci of the concept of relevance. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
White‐Tailed Deer Movements in a Chronic Wasting Disease Area in South‐Central Wisconsin

Abstract To focus white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) management within a chronic wasting disease–infected area in south-central Wisconsin, USA, we assessed deer movements and related dispersal to variation in landscape pattern, deer density, and harvest intensity. We radiocollared and monitored 165 deer between 2003 and 2005. Yearling males that dispersed (45%) had greater forest edge (i.e., fragmentation) within natal home ranges. Exploratory movements were rare for adult females. Transient and migratory movements were rare among all deer (<5%). Although yearling males have low chronic wasting disease prevalence rates, they may be infected before dispersal due to variable incubation times. Managers should increase yearling male harvest and consider removing young males in areas of higher forest edge.
A Clinical Nurse Specialist's Role in the Comprehensive Management of Attention Deficit Disorder

Attention deficit disorder or the hyperactivity syndrome is a common and chronic disorder of childhood, with potential ramifications in adolescence and into adult life. Treatment directed solely toward medication management has not been demonstrated to affect the outcome of this disorder significantly, and it is clear that comprehensive treatment is in order for these children. The role of a clinical nurse specialist with skills and abilities complementary to that of the child psychiatrist or pediatrician who can provide many of the ancillary and direct services needed by these patients is described.
Trigonal bipyramidal magnetic molecules based on [MoIII(CN)6]3−

The trigonal bipyramidal molecules [M(tmphen)2]3[Mo(CN)6]2·(solvent) (M = Co, Ni; tmphen = 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) based on the [MoIII(CN)6]3− unit were prepared by loss of a cyanide ligand from [MoIII(CN)7]4− and found to exhibit ferromagnetic interactions between the MII and MoIII centers.
WE-E-134-10: Correlation of Cognitive Function with Ultrasound Strain Indices

Purpose: Instability in vulnerable plaque that generates microemboli, may be related to cognitive decline. Strain imaging to detect plaque vulnerability may be able to determine cognitive impairment. Methods: Plaque instability may be characterized by increased strain variations. Radiofrequency signals for ultrasound strain imaging was acquired on the carotid arteries of 24 human subjects using a Siemens S2000 with a 18L5 transducer. These patients were also scored for cognitive function using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Plaque regions were segmented by a radiologist at end‐diastole using the medical interaction toolkit (MITK). A hierarchical block‐matching motion tracking algorithm was utilized to estimate the cumulated axial, lateral, and shear strains within the imaging plane. Maximum, minimum and peak‐to‐peak strain indices in the plaque computed from the mean cumulated strain over a small region of interest (ROI) in the plaque with large deformations (10–20 data points), were obtained. Maximum and peak‐to‐peak mean cumulated strain over the entire plaque region was also computed. All the strain indices were then correlated to the total RBANS score and a Pearson coefficient along with significance was obtained. Results: Our results indicate correlations of the total RBANS score with maximum axial strain (r=−0.491, p=0.014), peak‐to‐peak axial strain (r=−0.401, p=0.041), maximum lateral strain (r=−0.501, p=0.012), and peak‐to‐peak lateral strain (r=−0.507, p=0.011). There was no significant correlation between the total RBANS score and shear strain, and strain indices averaged over the entire identified plaque. Conclusion: Results reveal a direct relationship between the maximum axial and lateral strain indices in carotid plaque with cognitive impairment. Ultrasound strain imaging estimates deformation and elastic properties of plaque, predicting the probability of plaque rupture, which in turn causes emboli. The correlation study indicates that these microemboli may be related to cognitive impairment. This work was supported in part by NIH grants R21 EB010098‐02, R01 NS064034‐04, and 2R01 CA112192‐06.
Brain Impairment in Child Psychiatric Disorders: Correspondencies between Neuropsychological and CT Scan Results

Computed tomography (CT) results for a mixed sample of child psychiatric patients were compared with results on both the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery and the newly developed Children's Version of the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery. Although the subjects comprised a "nonreferred" sample for whom brain dysfunction was not suspected, at least 50% were identified as neuropsychologicaly impaired. Neuropsychological abnormality appeared to be associated with two general patterns of correspondence with the CT results—one suggestive of brain damage, per se, whereas the other seemed to reflect a delay in normal brain maturation. Implications with respect to the detection of brain dysfunction among child psychiatric patients are discussed, and guidelines for further study are outlined. Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry , 24, 5:590–596, 1985.
FEEDBACK CONTROL OF VIBRATIONS IN A MICROMACHINED CANTILEVER BEAM WITH ELECTROSTATIC ACTUATORS

The problem of feedback control of vibrations in a micromachined cantilever beam with nonlinear electrostatic actuators is considered. Various forms of nonlinear feedback controls depending on localized spatial averages of the beam velocity and displacement near the beam tip are derived by considering the time rate-of-change of the total energy of the beam. The physical implementation of the derived feedback controls is discussed briefly. The dynamic behaviour of the beam with the derived feedback controls is determined by computer simulation.
AnO(n 2) incremental algorithm for modular decomposition of graphs and 2-structures

This paper gives anO(n2) incremental algorithm for computing the modular decomposition of 2-structures [1], [2]. A 2-structure is a type of edge-colored graph, and its modular decomposition is also known as the prime tree family. Modular decomposition of 2-structures arises in the study of relational systems. The modular decomposition of undirected graphs and digraphs is a special case, and has applications in a number of combinatorial optimization problems. This algorithm generalizes elements of a previousO(n2) algorithm of Muller and Spinrad [3] for the decomposition of undirected graphs. However, Muller and Spinrad's algorithm employs a sophisticated data structure that impedes its generalization to digraphs and 2-structures, and limits its practical use. We replace this data structure with a scheme that labels each edge with at most one node, thereby obtaining an algorithm that is both practical and general to 2-structures.
Process and Reliability of Copper Column Flexible Flip Chip Connection (F2C2)

This paper addresses a new flip chip interconnect technique - Flexible Flip Chip Connection (F2C2) technology and its initial reliability study. F2C2 utilizes copper columns instead of solder balls as the electrical and mechanical interconnections between the semiconductor chip and the substrate. In this study, Accelerated Thermal Cycling (ATC) tests were performed on F2C2 components as well as C4 and underfill C4 components in an air-to-air thermal shock chamber. The test results were assessed and compared.
The vascular depression subtype: evidence of internal validity.

Background Vascular depression has been proposed as a unique diagnostic subtype in late life, yet no study has evaluated whether the specified clinical features associated with the illness are jointly indicative of an underlying diagnostic class. Methods We applied latent class analysis to two independent clinical samples: the prospective, cohort design, Neurocognitive Outcomes of Depression in the Elderly (NCODE) study and the 8-week, multicenter, double blind, placebo-controlled Old-Old study. Results A two-class model consisting of vascular and nonvascular depressed patients provided an excellent fit to the data in both studies, χ 2 (6) = 2.02, p = .90 in the NCODE study and χ 2 (6) = 7.024, p = .32 in the Old-Old study. Although all of the proposed features of vascular depression were useful in identifying the illness, deep white matter lesion burden emerged with perfect sensitivity (1.00) and near-perfect specificity (.95), making it the only indicator necessary to determine class membership. Conclusions These findings, replicated across two independent clinical samples, provide the first support for the internal validity of vascular depression as a subtype of late-life depression.
Intermediate-term effectiveness of balloon valvuloplasty for congenital aortic stenosis. A prospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUNDPercutaneous balloon valvuloplasty has proven to be acutely effective in the treatment of congenital valvar aortic stenosis; however, the intermediate- and long-term effectiveness of the ...
Influence of intracoronary platelet aggregation on ventricular electrical properties during partial coronary artery stenosis.

Several clinical studies suggest that drugs which interfere with platelet function may protect persons at risk for sudden death. However, there is no direct evidence that intracoronary platelet aggregation produces cardiac arrhythmias. Induction of fixed partial coronary stenoses in dogs resulted in spontaneous cyclical reductions in coronary blood flow of 21 to 81% (p
Comparison of DNA immobilization efficiency on new and regenerated commercial amine-reactive polymer microarray surfaces

Abstract Reactive polymer-coated microarray substrates based on nucleophile-reactive N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) active ester chemistry lose their bio-immobilization reactivity to amine-terminated probe nucleophiles over time, both in print use and “dry” storage, due to their intrinsic hydrolytic instability. Poor or inconsistent DNA and protein probe immobilization efficiency is often observed with routine microarray printing conditions, with accompanying reliability and stability issues for assay. Because of surging popularity of microarraying applications, expectations for consistent assay results and the expense of losing microarray substrate immobilization performance, we report a one-step reaction to regenerate NHS-reactive chemistry in situ on these microarray polymer surfaces with simple, straightforward reaction chemistry. Surfaces regenerated with this method perform equal to freshly prepared slides in print-immobilization of oligonucleotide probes functionalized with primary amine reactive groups. DNA probe specific and non-specific surface binding due to physisorption versus nucleotide base amine covalent attachment was analyzed using both fresh and slides regenerated with NHS chemistry. Commercial reactive microarray substrates appear to retain DNA probes with both substantial covalent immobilization as well as some non-specific adsorption to the commercial arraying surface.
SU‐D‐137‐03: Bayesian Belief Network Based Personalized Adaptive Decision Support to Individualize Response‐Based Adaptive Therapy

Purpose: To develop a personalized adaptive decision support tool to aid in assigning tumor dose before actual dose delivery and then adjusted for individualized treatment during the course of therapy to maximize each patient's overall survival while maintaining a specified population‐based overall toxicity rate. Methods: As an example, a simple personalized adaptive decision support tool was developed based on data prospectively gathered from previously treated lung cancer patients and a Bayesian decision network which seeks an appropriate tumor dose (TD) and mean lung dose (MLD) combination for each individual patient at two time points, before the actual dose delivery AND during the course of treatment. The inputs of the decision support tool are initial/current TD and MLD; identified (via data mining) patient's specifics such as age, gross tumor volume (GTV), lung cancer staging; and then, as weighted by preferences to the outcome of radiation treatment (tradeoffs between predicted survival and potential for complications). Moreover, each patient's individual biomarkers before (IL‐8) and during the treatment (TGF‐β1) are important inputs as well. Satisfaction values associated with these scenarios are evaluated from the pair‐wise comparison based on an analytic hierarchy process, and are determined by the individualized preference during the course of treatment. Results: Each patient's local tumor control and toxicity can be predicted based on these inputs, and a decision alert/suggestion to adjust current TD and MLD based on preference for the patient under consideration is provided as the output of the system. Conclusion: Although our decision support tool is still in its infancy, it is a data‐driven, response‐based and patient‐centered approach, and it can help the physician make more efficient decision and improve the patient's therapeutic gain in the radiation treatment. R01CA142840
On the linear two-point boundary-value problem

In this note, a noniterative scheme for solving two-point boundary-value problems for single and multi-input, linear constant systems is developed. The scheme requires the solution of 2n differential equations.
Inter-Subunit Coordination in Hsp104, a Protein Disaggregase

Hsp104, a hexameric AAA+ ATPase from yeast, disaggregates diverse structures including stress-induced amorphous aggregates, yeast prions, and disease associated amyloid conformers. However, the mechanism by which these substrates are remodeled is unknown. We have shown that Hsp104 hexamers adapt different mechanisms of intersubunit collaboration to disaggregate amorphous aggregates versus amyloid. To resolve amorphous aggregates, Hsp104 subunits collaborate non-co-operatively via probabilistic substrate binding and ATP hydrolysis. To disaggregate amyloid, several subunits co-operatively engage substrate and hydrolyze ATP. We also found that inter-subunit co-operativity is dictated by the stability of the substrate: Hsp104 hexamers deploy more subunits to disaggregate Sup35 prion strains with more stable ‘cross-β' cores. Surprisingly, the mechanism of inter-subunit co-operativity is not conserved, as the prokaryotic homologue of Hsp104, ClpB, collaborates differently than Hsp104 and couples probabilistic substrate binding to co-operative ATP hydrolysis.
Overcoming inertia: Guiding criminal justice students through mid-semester slump

This paper outlines strategies for guiding students through the mid-point of a semester when the “honeymoon” has ended, when energies ebb and the community of learners face possible disintegration. Student apathy, stagnation, listlessness, and failure to do assigned work become emotional and cognitive challenges for professors. Left unchecked, an adversarial mood can develop, escalate and irreversibly destroy classroom harmony. Attrition and poor grades often result. In order to address these concerns, the author reviews literature and reports on his own experiences using various techniques to navigate the doldrums and minimize intrapersonal and interpersonal stress during this particularly trying time.
Molecular mechanics (MM3) parameterization of hydroxylamine and methyl derivatives

Based on results of electron diffraction, gas phase infrared spectroscopy (IR), and MP2/6-31 + G* ab initio calculations, a set of molecular mechanics (MM3) parameters was developed for molecules containing the N(sp3)—O(sp3) moiety. Using this set of parameters, MM3 is able to reproduce structures (bond lengths and bond angles) and vibrational spectra satisfactorily. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Accuracy of the TDx-FLM assay of amniotic fluid: a comparison of vaginal pool samples with amniocentesis

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of the TDx-FLM fluorescence polarization assay on vaginal pool fluid in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Methods: A prospective matched-pairs study was performed at a tertiary care center. For each patient enrolled, amniotic fluid samples were obtained by sterile speculum examination and by amniocentesis within 12 h of each other. Inclusion criteria were the presence of PPROM and a gestational age of 30-36 weeks. The samples were analyzed separately using the TDx-FLM assay in the same laboratory. The results were compared using a paired Student t test. Results: A total of 16 patients received both amniocentesis and vaginal collection of amniotic fluid. The mean gestational age at amniocentesis was 33.3 weeks (SD 1.9). In every case, the vaginal pool TDx-FLM result was lower than the amniocentesis result. The mean difference in the assays between the two fluid sources was 35% (range 17-63%, p < 0.001). Amniocentesis s...
Medical ethics and human rights in wartime.

The ethical obligations of physicians to respect and protect the human rights of all people are well articulated in international medical ethics statements. Dr Wouter Basson was charged with violating this medical ethics norm during the time he was in the military working with Project Coast and Delta G. In the author’s opinion, the most important and instructive conclusion of the PCC, charged with deciding whether he should retain his licence to practise medicine, is that if a military physician wants to put military actions before his or her medical obliation to do no harm, he or she must resign from being a physician. Restricting physicians who have engaged in crimes against humanity from practising medicine is done not to punish them (that is the purpose of a criminal trial), but to protect the public and the medical profession. Physicians are licensed by the state to practise medicine for the benefit of the public and individual patients, and we must all trust ourselves and our health to them. When that trust is betrayed and physicians use their skills to harm at the direction of the state, it is a matter of protecting the integrity of the medical profession, as well as a form of self-defence for potential patients, that their privilege to practise a healing profession be revoked or restricted.
Automated mass action model space generation and analysis methods for two-reactant combinatorially complex equilibriums: An analysis of ATP-induced ribonucleotide reductase R1 hexamerization data

Background Ribonucleotide reductase is the main control point of dNTP production. It has two subunits, R1, and R2 or p53R2. R1 has 5 possible catalytic site states (empty or filled with 1 of 4 NDPs), 5 possible s-site states (empty or filled with ATP, dATP, dTTP or dGTP), 3 possible a-site states (empty or filled with ATP or dATP), perhaps two possible h-site states (empty or filled with ATP), and all of this is folded into an R1 monomer-dimer-tetramer-hexamer equilibrium where R1 j-mers can be bound by variable numbers of R2 or p53R2 dimers. Trillions of RNR complexes are possible as a result. The problem is to determine which are needed in models to explain available data. This problem is intractable for 10 reactants, but it can be solved for 2 and is here for R1 and ATP.
Estimation of reject ratio in testing of combinatorial circuits

Estimating the reject ratio for integrated circuits is an important problem to a test engineer. Using information about the decrease in reject ratio with increasing test length, the test engineer can estimate the test length necessary to achieve a desired product quality goal. This paper suggests a method for estimation of reject ratio for random testing of combinatorial circuits that takes into account differing individual fault probabilities. The authors also suggest some ways of estimating the fault probabilities. They then demonstrate the method on an example and compare results to previous work. >
SVDMAN--singular value decomposition analysis of microarray data.

Summary: We have developed two novel methods for Singular Value Decomposition analysis (SVD) of microarray data. The first is a threshold-based method for obtaining gene groups, and the second is a method for obtaining a measure of confidence in SVD analysis. Gene groups are obtained by identifying elements of the left singular vectors, or gene coefficient vectors, that are greater in magnitude than the threshold WN −1/2 , where N is the number of genes, and W is a weight factor whose default value is 3. The groups are non-exclusive and may contain genes of opposite (i.e. inversely correlated) regulatory response. The confidence measure is obtained by systematically deleting assays from the data set, interpolating the SVD of the reduced data set to reconstruct the missing assay, and calculating the Pearson correlation between the reconstructed assay and the original data. This confidence measure is applicable when each experimental assay corresponds to a value of parameter that can be interpolated, such as time, dose or concentration. Algorithms for the grouping method and the confidence measure are available in a software application called SVD Microarray ANalysis (SVDMAN). In addition to calculating the SVD for generic analysis, SVDMAN provides a new means for using microarray data to develop hypotheses for gene associations and provides a measure of confidence in the hypotheses, thus extending current SVD research in the area of global gene expression analysis. Availability: ftp://bpublic.lanl.gov/compbio/software
The Dynamics Of Groupthink: The Cape Coral Experience

This research provides a case study and review of Groupthink literature. Groupthink theory was originated in1972 by Irving Janis and remains an area of scholarly debate. The primaryobjective of this paper is to research the effects of Groupthink in terms of beinga positive or negative force in business. Intodays dynamic business environment, many organizations are composed ofstakeholders with different objectives and different standards of what isethically right and wrong, and all environments have become diversified. Therefore, it takes an organization whichfosters effective leader involvement to ensure that employees maintain apositive outlook toward the organization. Research indicates that groupmentality can be positive or negative depending on leader involvement. This research compares and contrasts the effects of Groupthink utilizingliterature and a case example from the City of Cape Coral, Florida.
Genre et citoyenneté culturelle à San Francisco : Subjectivité et « estime de soi » dans l’organisation de la communauté latino immigrante

Cet article reconfigure la citoyennete culturelle en termes feministes en analysant comment un groupe d’activistes latino-americaines immigrantes de la Californie du tournant du XXIe siecle parvient a revendiquer des droits politiques, sociaux et individuels. Des concepts associes d’habitude au neoliberalisme, comme par exemple la notion d’estime de soi (autoestima), ont joue un grand role dans les analyses hautement politisees que ces femmes font de la societe americaine et des politiques sociales et d’immigration. La reutilisation creative de ces termes par les femmes implique que l’on comprenne la dynamique subversive autant que conservatrice du discours et des pratiques politiques democratiques dans les mouvements pour les droit des immigrants contemporains, ainsi que les racines de l’activisme actuel, qui s’inscrit dans des actions a long terme dans le but de transformer la subjectivite politique.
LEDs in automotive lighting

This chapter discusses the use of light-emitting diode (LED) sources in vehicular lighting for illumination and signaling. Photometric requirements for automotive lighting are discussed, along with the key differences between LED and filament sources in terms of visual responses. Finally, the energy and environmental implications for LEDs in automobiles are discussed.
The role of neuroticism in the association between performance-based and self-reported measures of mobility.

Objective: The present study examined the role of neuroticism in older individuals’ self-reports of mobility. The authors hypothesized that neuroticism would modify the association between performance-based and self-reported measures of mobility. Method: Using a stratified sample of 459 community-dwelling elders, a hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to assess the effects of physical performance and neuroticism in predicting self-reported mobility. Results: Composite measures of lower body performance and self-reported mobility had a moderate correlation. In the regression model of self-reported mobility, neuroticism had both a direct effect and an interaction effect with physical performance. Discussion: Given a certain level of physical performance, individuals who scored high on neuroticism were more likely to report disability. Also, the combination of poor performance and high neuroticism increased self-reported disability. The findings suggest that neuroticism may play an important role i...
Nonestrogen Treatment Modalities for Vasomotor Symptoms Associated with Menopause

OBJECTIVE:To systematically review the literature regarding the efficacy and safety of nonestrogen treatments for menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms not due to cancer or chemotherapy.DATA SOURCES:Pertinent literature and clinical studies were identified by searching MEDLINE (1966–February 2004) and EMBASE (1959–February 2004) using the key search terms vasomotor symptoms, hot flashes, and menopause. Bibliographies of relevant articles were reviewed for additional references.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:English-language articles reporting efficacy and safety of nonestrogen treatment modalities for perimenopausal and postmenopausal vasomotor symptoms were evaluated. All articles identified from the data sources were evaluated, and all information deemed relevant was included. Emphasis was placed on randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials, as these provide the best efficacy and safety data. Studies evaluating treatment of vasomotor symptoms from other causes, such as cancer o...
Atomic Model of the Thermus thermophilus 70S Ribosome Developed in Silico

Abstract The ribosome is a large molecular complex that consists of at least three ribonucleic acid molecules and a large number of proteins. It translates genetic information from messenger ribonucleic acid and makes protein accordingly. To better understand ribosomal function and provide information for designing biochemical experiments require knowledge of the complete structure of the ribosome. For expanding the structural information of the ribosome, we took on the challenge of developing a detailed Thermus thermophilus ribosomal structure computationally. By combining information derived from the low-resolution x-ray structure of the 70S ribosome (providing the overall fold), high-resolution structures of the ribosomal subunits (providing the local structure), sequences, and secondary structures, we have developed an atomic model of the T. thermophilus ribosome using a homology modeling approach. Our model is stereochemically sound with a consistent single-species sequence. The overall folds of the three ribosomal ribonucleic acids in our model are consistent with those in the low-resolution crystal structure (root mean-square differences are all 2 ) of intersubunit bridges B2a, B3, and B5, and the inherent flexibility in regions connecting the contact residues are consistent with these bridges serving as anchoring patches for the ratcheting and rolling motions between the two subunits during translocation.
The "A.B.C.D.'s" to H.E.A.R Early Identification in Nursery, Office and Clinic of the Infant Who Is Deaf

Since the ultimate language abilities of deaf children are dependent in large part upon the age at which their deafness is recognized and acted upon, early detection of hearing loss is vital. Whether the habilitation will be through auditory or oral or manual lan guage training, the earlier it is begun the more effective it will be.
Contextual determinants of childhood injury: a systematic review of studies with multilevel analytic methods

Background. The definition of injury that underpins the contemporary approach to injury prevention is an etiological definition relating to bodily damage arising from transfer of energy to tissues of the body beyond the limits compatible with physiological function. Causal factors proximal to the energy transfer are nested within a more complex set of contextual determinants. For effective injury control, understanding of these determinants is critical.Objectives. The primary aims of this study were to describe the area-level determinants that have been included in multilevel analyses of childhood injury and to quantify the relationships between these area-level exposures and injury outcomes.Search methods. We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed, English-language literature published in scientific journals between January 1997 and July 2014, reporting studies that employed multilevel analyses to quantify the eco-epidemiological causation of physical unintentional injuries to children aged 16 ye...
Nonlinear noise theory for IMPATT diodes

Previous studies have yielded good qualitative understanding of noise characteristics in IMPATT diodes under large-signal conditions. However, a coherent approach to describing correlation effects in a rigorous manner and demonstrating their relationships to AM and FM noise spectra has been lacking. The present work is intended to fill this need in the framework of a Read diode model with small back-bias. Autocorrelations and noise spectra are periodic functions of time in large-signal operation. Resulting correlation effects are quantified and shown to cause unequal AM and FM noise spectra. The short-circuit spectrum of the avalanche current is calculated and found to have resonant terms at the harmonics of the large-signal frequency. A matrix relationship with the open-circuit avalanche field spectra is derived. Simple analytical expressions are developed for these spectra by considering the interactions between the low-frequency and fundamental-frequency amplitudes. The AM and FM spectra have noise poles at the differential and the large-signal avalanche frequencies, respectively. The open-circuit noise spectra of the diode voltage are used to study noise properties of IMPATT amplifiers and oscillators. Conditions for noise stabilization are discussed. The AM and FM voltage spectra are coupled unless these conditions are met. Numerical results for the noise measures and noise-to-carrier ratios versus signal level are presented. The AM noise is found to be smaller than the FM noise when large bias resistance is used to suppress upconversion of low-frequency noise into the AM spectrum. Strong increases are found in the FM noise measure versus signal level. Previous theories are discussed, and the connections with the present work are established. A new large-signal IMPATT model is introduced to study the effects of the reverse saturation current on the efficiency and the noise measure. The present theory should be useful in designing diodes for optimum power-noise performance owing to the simplicity and the minimum of restrictive assumptions in the derived analytical expressions.
Closed-form solution+maximum likelihood: a robust approach to motion and structure estimation

A robust approach is presented to estimation motion and structure from image sequences. The approach consists of two steps. The first step is estimating the motion parameters using a robust linear algorithm that gives a closed-form solution for motion parameters and scene structure. The second step is improving the results from the linear algorithm using maximum-likelihood estimation. An algorithm using point correspondences from monocular images is discussed in detail and experimented with. An algorithm using line correspondences is briefly discussed. The simulations show that maximum-likelihood estimation achieves remarkable improvement over the preliminary estimates given by the linear algorithm. The algorithm is also tested on images of real scenes from automatically computed displacement field. The proposed approach is independent of the exact tokens used to establish correspondences, e.g. displacement flow, optical flow, or discrete features. Two or more types of tokens may be used, for monocular or binocular images. >
Spontaneous Tumor Lysis Syndrome in Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Rare Complication

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a life-threatening condition which consists of a constellation of electrolyte imbalances, acute renal failure, seizure, and arrhythmias. It is most commonly seen with hematologic malignancies after the initiation of chemotherapy. However, it can also occur spontaneously, prior to treatment with cytotoxic agents. TLS has been rarely described with non-hematologic solid tumors, and it is even more uncommon to have spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome (STLS) in solid tumors. To our knowledge, only two cases of STLS in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) were reported in the literature. Herein, we present the case of a patient with metastatic SCLC who developed STLS. Our case highlights that in the setting of metastatic solid tumors, STLS must be in the differential diagnosis, to allow prompt initiation of prophylaxis and treatment.
STUDIES OF HIGH REYNOLDS NUMBER TURBULENCE IN THE ATMOSPHERIC SURFACE LAYER OVER THE SALT PLAYA OF WESTERN UTAH

The Surface Layer Turbulence and Environmental Science Test facility resides on the salt playa of Utah's west desert. A major intended use of this facility is to take advantage of the low speeds and large length scales of the atmospheric surface layer over extremely homogeneous terrain for the purpose of probing the detailed structure of high Reynolds number turbulence, and, in particular, boundary layer turbulence. The physical attributes of the site and the dedicated infrastructure and instrumentation at the facility are described. A particularly significant issue relates to the conditions under which the flow is near neutral stratification. Wall shear stress, mean velocity and Monin-Obukhov stability parameter measurements are used to explore this issue. A discussion is provided of some of the studies that have employed the facility. Potential future studies are identified.