cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic Base for Cow Evaluation

Abstract Cow Indexes computed by the United States Department of Agriculture combine a cow's deviated yield with evaluations of her sire and dam. Formulas are given for indexes relative to the 1982 genetic base defined by sire merit. Although the deviated yield portion of Cow Indexes is adjusted for merit of sires of contemporaries, merit of dams of contemporaries was ignored through 1983. This resulted in a small but consistently increasing downward bias across time, which was discovered during investigations on adjusting the Cow Index formula for the change of genetic base in January 1984. An addition to the formula was needed for Cow Indexes to have the same base as sire evaluations and for that relationship to be maintained across time. The formula was changed both to reflect the base change and to incorporate an adjustment for average merit of dams of contemporaries. This adjustment was approximated by average Cow Index by year of calving and applied according to year of birth of cow. Resulting indexes decreased less with the change to the new base than did sire evaluations because cows generally had been underevaluated slightly under the previous base.
Towards a programming apprentice

The Planner Project is constructing a programming apprentice to assist in knowledge based programming. The programming apprentice is designed for interactive use by expert programmers in the meta-evaluation of implementations in the context of their contracts and background knowledge. Meta-evaluation produces a justification which makes explicit exactly how the module depends on the contracts of other modules and on the background knowledge. The justification is used in answering questions on the behavioral dependencies between modules and in analyzing the implications of perturbations in specifications and/or implementation.
Effects of KATP channel openers diazoxide and pinacidil in coronary-perfused atria and ventricles from failing and non-failing human hearts

This study compared the effects of ATP-regulated potassium channel (K(ATP)) openers, diazoxide and pinacidil, on diseased and normal human atria and ventricles. We optically mapped the endocardium of coronary-perfused right (n=11) or left (n=2) posterior atrial-ventricular free wall preparations from human hearts with congestive heart failure (CHF, n=8) and non-failing human hearts without (NF, n=3) or with (INF, n=2) infarction. We also analyzed the mRNA expression of the K(ATP) targets K(ir)6.1, K(ir)6.2, SUR1, and SUR2 in the left atria and ventricles of NF (n=8) and CHF (n=4) hearts. In both CHF and INF hearts, diazoxide significantly decreased action potential durations (APDs) in atria (by -21±3% and -27±13%, p<0.01) and ventricles (by -28±7% and -28±4%, p<0.01). Diazoxide did not change APD (0±5%) in NF atria. Pinacidil significantly decreased APDs in both atria (-46 to -80%, p<0.01) and ventricles (-65 to -93%, p<0.01) in all hearts studied. The effect of pinacidil on APD was significantly higher than that of diazoxide in both atria and ventricles of all groups (p<0.05). During pinacidil perfusion, burst pacing induced flutter/fibrillation in all atrial and ventricular preparations with dominant frequencies of 14.4±6.1 Hz and 17.5±5.1 Hz, respectively. Glibenclamide (10 μM) terminated these arrhythmias and restored APDs to control values. Relative mRNA expression levels of K(ATP) targets were correlated to functional observations. Remodeling in response to CHF and/or previous infarct potentiated diazoxide-induced APD shortening. The activation of atrial and ventricular K(ATP) channels enhances arrhythmogenicity, suggesting that such activation may contribute to reentrant arrhythmias in ischemic hearts.
Ultrasonic absorption measurements of thorium complexation

Abstract Ultrasonic absorption measurements were carried out on Th IV solutions in water as a function of ligand. In the frequency range 10–170 MHz, ultrasonics predicts outer sphere complexes for Th IV with Cl − , Br − , ClO 4 − and SCN − and inner sphere complexes with NO − 3 and SO 2− 4 .
Nitric oxide influences the maturation of cumulus cell-enclosed mouse oocytes cultured in spontaneous maturation medium and hypoxanthine-supplemented medium through different signaling pathways.

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) has been recently shown to act with a dual action in mouse oocyte meiotic maturation depending on its concentration, but the mechanism(s) through which it influences oocyte maturation has not been fully clarified to date. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that different signaling mechanisms exist for NO-stimulated and NO-inhibited in vitro maturation of meiosis in cumulus cell-enclosed oocytes (CEOs) from PMSG-primed immature female mice. CEOs were cultured in both spontaneous maturation model and hypoxanthine (HX) arrested model to investigate the mechanism(s). Sodium nitroprusside (SNP, an NO donor) at a concentration of 1 mM delayed significantly germinal vesical breakdown (GVBD) during the first 5 h of incubation period and further inhibited the formation of first polar body (PB1) at the end of 24 h of incubation. While SNP, at a concentration of 10 μM, stimulated significantly the meiotic maturation of oocytes by overcoming the inhibition of HX. Methinine blue (MB, 10 μM) or 1-H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 10 μM)), two soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitors, could reverse SNP-inhibited spontaneous oocyte maturation, but had no effect on SNP-stimulated meiotic maturation in the presence of HX. 8-Br-cGMP (1 mM), a cell-permeating cGMP analogue, demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect on both spontaneous meiotic maturation and HX-arrested meiotic maturation. The delay effect of SNP on GVBD occurrence was similar to that of forskolin (6 μM, an adenylate cyclase stimulator) and rolipram (250 μM, a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor), two cAMP elevating reagents. Both forskolin and rolipram reversed significantly the SNP-stimulated meiotic maturation, but did not reverse the SNP-inhibited spontaneous meiotic maturation. Cilostamide (1 μM), the selective inhibitor of phosphodiestrase 3 (PDE3), could mimic the inhibitory effect of HX on the spontaneous meiotic maturation in CEOs and this inhibitory effect could also be reversed by SNP (10 μM). Moreover, sphingosine (3 μM), a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, blocked the SNP-inhibited spontaneous meiotic maturation, but did not block the SNP-stimulated meiotic maturation. Clearly, these results suggest that pathway differences are present between SNP-inhibited spontaneous meiotic maturation and SNP-stimulated meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes.
Cytoprotective Effects of Modulators of Oxidative Xenobiotic Metabolism in Precocene II-Induced Hepatotoxicity

Abstract This investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of modulation of several phase I xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme activities on the expression of precocene II-induced hepatotoxicity. Precocene II (175–200 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally to male Sprague-Dawley rats that had been exposed previously to inducers (phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene) or inhibitors (SKF 525-A and cimetidine) of oxidative xenobiotic metabolism. Hepatic damage was measured both biochemically (leakage of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine amino-transferase into the serum) and histologically. Significant protection from precocene II-induced hepatotoxicity was observed in all treated animals regardless of whether the modulator employed was an inducer or an inhibitor of microsomal oxidative enzymes. These results indicate that the level of activity of various forms of cytochrome P -450 significantly influences the severity of hepatic necrosis induced by precocene II. Furthermore, these results suggest that inducible non- P -450 factors, such as glutathione S -transferases, may be important in modulating precocene II-induced hepatotoxicity.
The Nature And Reactivity Of The Elemental Carbon (SOOT) Surface As Revealed By Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy

The characterization of the surface of elemental carbon (soot) generated by the combustion of hexane, taken as a model for petroleum fuel, has been accomplished with Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy combined with thermal desorption measurements. Carbon-oxygen functionalities on the fresh carbon surface include acid anhydride, a carbonyl conjugated with an aromatic segment, an alkyl ketone, and aryl ether linkages. Also present, confirmed by isotopic substitution, is a quantity of unsaturated C-H dependent upon the conditions of soot formation. The reactivity of this surface toward some oxides of sulfur and nitrogen also has been studied by FT-IR. SO2 reacts selectively with surface groups in the absence of 02 to form sulfate. The formation of carboxylate and nitro groups, through the reaction of NO2 with the functional groups of the soot surface, has been observed.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
CD5 and cCLLa Expression in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Demonstration of Their Relative Prevalence and that of Other Common B-CLL Markers

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a malignant lymphoproliferation most frequently involving B-cells. Characteristically, B-CLL cells express a number of surface antigens collectively known as CLL markers. Some of the most prevalent CLL markers have been used for the immunophenotypic diagnosis and for targeted immunotherapy of B-CLL. In order to ascertain the relative prevalence of CLL markers, we assessed the immunophenotypic profile of 112 consecutive B-CLL patients. Patients were diagnosed according to International CLL Workshop criteria extended to include preclinical B-CLL. Immunophenotypic profiles were based on fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. In decreasing order of frequency, the B-CLL clone was cCLLa +, CD19+, MosIg+ or CD5+ in 100%, 97%, 92% and 78% of patients, respectively. Likewise, in 14 CD5- patients the B-CLL clone was cCLLa, CD19+ and MosIg+ in 100%, 100% and 93% of patients, respectively. Co-expression of cCLLa, CD 19 and Moslgs by CD5- B-CLL cells was inferred from the hig...
A general algorithm for approximate inference and its application to hybrid bayes nets

The clique tree algorithm is the standard method for doing inference in Bayesian networks. It works by manipulating clique potentials - distributions over the variables in a clique. While this approach works well for many networks, it is limited by the need to maintain an exact representation of the clique potentials. This paper presents a new unified approach that combines approximate inference and the clique tree algorithm, thereby circumventing this limitation. Many known approximate inference algorithms can be viewed as instances of this approach. The algorithm essentially does clique tree propagation, using approximate inference to estimate the densities in each clique. In many settings, the computation of the approximate clique potential can be done easily using statistical importance sampling. Iterations are used to gradually improve the quality of the estimation.
Three regions of cauliflower mosaic virus strain W260 are involved in systemic infection of solanaceous hosts.

Abstract We have identified regions of CaMV strain W260 involved in systemic infection of Nicotiana bigelovii and Datura stramonium by constructing chimeric viruses between W260 and CM1841, a strain that is unable to systemically infect any solanaceous host. All of the chimeric viruses systemically infected turnips, demonstrating the viability of the chimeric viruses in a host that is susceptible to both CM 1841 and W260. Three regions of W260, containing primarily genes I, IV, and VI, influenced the ability of that virus to induce systemic symptoms in the solanaceous hosts. The involvement of the regions containing gene I, and to a lesser extent gene IV, were affected by environmental conditions. When infected plants were grown under conditions of low light, low temperatures (18°), and short days (9.5-hr day), the source of genes I and IV no longer influenced whether a chimeric virus moved systemically. As light intensity and day length were increased, the genetic requirements became more stringent and genes I and IV, as well as gene VI, had to be derived from W260.
Effect of sodium fluoride on the clinical course and metabolic balance of an infant with osteogenesis imperfecta congenita

pophysectomy and the loading experiment increased, the bilirubin retention after loading increased. Hepatic morphology as well as other liver functions, including alkaline phosphatase and serum protein levels, remained normal. Hepatic glueuronyl transferase activity was also normal. Loading experiments with Bromsulphalein, in a dose of 25 nag. per kilogram intravenously, revealed that an inability to excrete this dye efficiently was also characteristic of the hypophysectomized bu t not the control rats. These findings suggest that the hypophysis may play a critical role in the control of hepatic excretion of dyes and pigments. Since glucuronyl transferase levels were not altered, the data suggest that hypophysectomy may have affected hepatic transport mechanisms.
Surface temperatures under high solar flux illumination

Abstract Aluminum samples were heated in air in the bulk temperature range of 350–520°C using two different methods; infrared oven and solar flux heating. The oxidized samples were inserted in a UHV chamber and elemental composition of the surface was performed using Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES). The oxide films also were depth profiled using inert gas ion beam sputtering. The results of such analyses for infrared oven heated and solar high and low flux exposed samples were compared. Such results indicate that, at equivalent bulk temperatures, the solar flux heated samples have significantly higher surface temperatures than those of the oven heated samples. Also, Photon Stimulated Desorption (PSD) of CO2 from the top surface region of the solar exposed samples was observed, thus changing the surface composition of the oxide and the temperature differential in the sample.
A Generic Approach Towards Nanostructured Surfaces Based on Supramolecular Nanostamping on Reactive Polymer Coatings

Various surfaces can successfully be coated with reactive polymer coatings and then patterned with DNA features using supramocular nanostamping (SuNS). Surfaces as different as silicon, quartz, polystyrene, PMMA and PDMS have been patterned using the same protocol. In addition to the previously demonstrated high resolution and high information transfer of SuNS this approach makes it a substrate-independent method.
Use of Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance Technique to Track Electrochemically Assisted Removal of Heavy Metals from Aqueous Solutions by Cation-Exchange Composite Polypyrrole-Modified Electrodes

Abstract The removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions is of great importance. A new method of electrochemically assisted removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions is presented. Composite polypyrrole films with cation-exchange properties were synthesized on the electrode surface. The uptake of cations by the polymer film is based on the counterion effect and occurs without any change in their oxidation state. The incorporation of cations and their preconcentration inside the polymer matrix take place during the negative potential step. The regeneration of the membrane and the release of accumulated cations occur upon the potential reversal step. No chemicals for the regeneration of the membrane are required. The use of the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) technique allowed us to characterize the ion dynamics in composite polymer films and to trackin situthe incorporation and release of heavy metal cations such as Pb+2, Cd+2, and Ni+2.
Granulomatous hepatitis, choroiditis and aortoduodenal fistula complicating intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy: Case report

Intravesical instillation of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is the treatment of choice for superficial bladder carcinoma. Complications of BCG therapy include local infections and disseminated BCG infection with multiple endorgan complications. We report a case of disseminated, post-treatment BCG infection that initially presented with granulomatous hepatitis and choroiditis. After successful anti-mycobacterial therapy and resolution of the hepatic and ocular abnormalities, the patient developed an acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage from an aortoduodenal fistula that required emergency surgery. The resection specimen revealed multifocal, non-caseating granulomas, indicating mycobacterial involvement. This case highlights the varied end organ complications of disseminated BCG infection, and the need for vigilance even in immuno-competent patients with a history of intravesical BCG treatment.
Parietal cell protrusions in gastric ulcer disease

Oxyntic mucosal biopsy specimens from patients receiving omeprazole therapy have been described as frequently showing characteristic tonguelike protrusions of parietal cell cytoplasm (PCP) into the gland lumen. Although protrusion of parietal cell cytoplasm is believed to be associated with omeprazole therapy and has been implicated in the histogenesis of fundic gland polyps, we have observed it in a wide variety of different conditions unrelated to peptic ulcer disease or omeprazole therapy. To establish the incidence of PCP and analyze its relationship to gastritis, gland dilatation, cystic change, and fundic gland polyps, we studied 400 gastric mucosal biopsy specimens from gastric ulcer patients who were not receiving omeprazole therapy and who did not receive any medications for at least 2 weeks. Severity of each of these changes was graded on a scale of I to III. PCP was observed in oxyntic mucosal biopsy specimens from 60 (15%) patients and was associated with varying grades of chronic superficial or interstitial gastritis in 25 (Helicobacter pylori was identified in 12). Although chronic atrophic gastritis, cystic change, or fundic gland polyps were not identified in any of the cases with PCP, gland dilatation was present in 25 of 60 (42%) biopsy specimens. No consistent linear correlation was observed between increasing grades of PCP and gastritis or gland dilatation. Our findings of PCP in 15% of gastric ulcer patients who were off all medications for 2 weeks indicate that PCP is not always related to omeprazole usage. It appears to be a change encountered in a wide variety of diverse settings and, therefore, should not be used to monitor omeprazole therapy. In gastric ulcer patients, there is no linear correlation between PCP and gland dilatation or severity of gastritis. The lack of association of PCP with such cardinal features of fundic gland polyps as gland dilatation and cystic change suggests that PCP per se has little if any role in the development of such polyps. The exact clinical and functional significance of PCP remain to be established and merits further investigation.
Down syndrome: patterns of disturbed lung growth.

Abstract Abnormal pulmonary development characterized by decreased alveolar complexity has been previously reported in patients with Down syndrome. We investigated the state of pulmonary development and found several undescribed patterns of disburbed lung growth. The axial branches of intrasegmental airways were counted in 13 Down syndrome patients; in nine, airway generation was reduced by 25% or more of the predicted number. The radial alveolar counts were evaluated in 11 lungs: five were 143% to 162% above expected (four to above adult values), five were as expected, and one was below expected (82%). No correlation was found between airway number and radial alveolar count. Our finding of the reduction in airway branching in the lungs of patients with Down syndrome suggests interference with development before birth. Disturbances in alveolar multiplication are also found.
Gallium scanning for the detection of abdominal abscesses

The use of gallium scanning for the diagnosis of abdominal abscesses was studied in 59 cases in which the diagnosis was verified by laparotomy or autopsy. In 23 of the cases the patients were subsequently found to have abdominal abscesses and 11 patients had abdominal malignancies. Excluding the latter group, the scan was specific for abscess in 86 per cent of the cases and sensitive for abscess in 67 per cent. Recent abdominal incisions, concurrent intestinal, hepatic, biliary and pancreatic inflammatory conditions, without abscess, seldom caused gallium accumulation. False-negative scans (18 per cent) occurred more frequently than false-positive scans (8 per cent) and were seen in patients with large (often palpable) masses of short evolution and with secondarily infected lesions such as hematomas and pseudocysts. The gallium scan was of little help in the search for abdominal lesions in patients with obscure febrile illnesses without abdominal symptoms or signs.
Superfocusing terahertz waves below λ/250 using plasmonic parallel-plate waveguides

We experimentally demonstrate complete two-dimensional (2-D) confinement of terahertz (THz) energy in finite-width parallel-plate waveguides, defying conventional wisdom in the century-old field of microwave waveguide technology. We find that the degree of energy confinement increases exponentially with decreasing plate separation. We propose that this 2-D confinement is mediated by the mutual coupling of plasmonic edge modes, analogous to that observed in slot waveguides at optical wavelengths. By adiabatically tapering the width and the separation, we focus THz waves down to a size of 10 μm (≈λ/260) by 18 μm (≈λ/145), which corresponds to a mode area of only 2.6 × 10−5 λ2.
Strategies to Accommodate Resident Work-Hour Restrictions: Impact on Surgical Education

Background The introduction of duty-hour restrictions has impacted surgical training. Several strategies were introduced by training programs in response to these restrictions. The purpose of this study was to assess the various strategies employed by residency programs to comply with work-hour restrictions with respect to the impact on the quality of surgical education. Methods A national survey was developed and distributed to resident members of the Resident and Associate Society of the American College of Surgeons in all accredited residency programs across North America. Questions in the survey addressed 10 separate accommodation strategies used by training programs to adhere to resident work-hour restrictions. Resident respondents completed a 5-point Likert scale rating each strategy according to its impact on surgical education (detrimental, not very helpful, neutral, somewhat helpful, and very helpful). Results A total of 599 (9.7%) responses were received from 6186 members of the Resident Associate Society. The use of health information technology (IT), nurse practitioners, and physician assistants were most highly rated. Hiring clinical fellows, establishing nonteaching services, and shift-work scheduling were the three most poorly rated accommodations to work-hour restrictions with respect to resident education. Conclusions Hospital IT and nonphysician care providers were rated by residents to optimize surgical education in the current work-hour limitation environment. We infer that strategies which lead to increased efficiency and redistribution of resident workload allow surgical trainees to spend more time on activities perceived to have higher educational value.
The American Identity Measure: Development and Validation across Ethnic Group and Immigrant Generation

Two studies were designed to validate a measure of American identity for use with diverse ethnic groups. The American Identity Measure (AIM) was created by adapting the Multi-Group Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) to refer to exploration and affirmation of individuals' identification with the United States. In Study 1, students from nine U.S. universities (N = 1,773) completed the AIM and the MEIM. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the AIM fit the data well and that the factor structures of ethnic and American identity were equivalent. In Study 2 students from 30 U.S. universities (N = 10,573) completed the AIM, a comparison measure of American identity drawn from recent qualitative work, and measures of American cultural practices and individualist values. The factor structure of scores generated by the AIM was equivalent across ethnicity and immigrant generation, and latent mean scores on the AIM were only modestly different across ethnicity and immigrant generation. Whites and later-generation ...
Methodologies for establishing validity in surgical simulation studies.

Background Validating assessment tools in surgical simulation training is critical to objectively measuring skills. Most reviews do not elicit methodologies for conducting rigorous validation studies. Our study reports current methodological approaches and proposes benchmark criteria for establishing validity in surgical simulation studies. Methods We conducted a systematic review of studies establishing validity. A PubMed search was performed with the following keywords: “validity/validation,” “simulation,” “surgery,” and “technical skills.” Descriptors were tabulated for 29 methodological variables by 2 reviewers. Results A total of 83 studies were included in the review. Of these studies, 60% targeted construct, 24% targeted concurrent, and 5% looked at predictive validity. Less than half (45%) of all the studies reported reliability data. Most studies (82%) were conducted in a single institution with a mean of 37 subjects recruited. Only half of the studies provided rationale for task selection. Data sources included simulator-generated measures (34%), performance assessment by human evaluators (33%), motion tracking (6%), and combined modes (28%). In studies using human evaluators, videotaping was a common (48%) blinding technique; however, 34% of the studies did not blind evaluators. Commonly reported outcomes included task time (86%), economy of motion (51%), technical errors (48%), and number of movements (25%). Conclusion The typical validation study comes from a single institution with a small sample size, lacks clear justification for task selection, omits reliability reporting, and poses potential bias in study design. The lack of standardized validation methodologies creates challenges for training centers that survey the literature to determine the appropriate method for their local settings.
Laddering in initial public offerings

Abstract Laddering is a practice whereby the allocating underwriter requires the ladderer to buy additional shares of the issuer in the aftermarket as a condition for receiving shares at the offer price. This paper identifies factors that create incentives to engage in this type of manipulation and models the effect of laddering on initial public offering (IPO) pricing. I show that laddering has a bigger effect on the market price of IPOs with greater expected underpricing (without laddering) and greater expected momentum in the aftermarket; laddering increases the IPO offer price, the aftermarket price, and the money left on the table but does not necessarily increase the percentage underpricing; laddering contributes to long-run underperformance and creates a negative correlation between short-run and long-run returns; and profit-sharing increases the extent of laddering and the percentage underpricing.
THE PHOTON STRUCTURE AND THE PRODUCTION OF W AND Z BOSONS AT ep COLLIDERS

A new mechanism for the production of W and Z bosons at ep colliders is discussed which makes use of the quark content of the photon. It is shown that the inclusion of these processes roughly doubles the total cross sections. These processes allow us to probe the photon structure at values of Q2 two orders of magnitude above the presently accessible region.
Access to care: Management of hepatitis C viral infection in remote locations†

effective drug therapies have been developed to combat this growing disease, few patients have access to treatment. In 2007, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases had 3362 dues-paying members, and 55% of these members considered their primary profession to be treating liver disease. 4 In 2009, the association had 3500 members; this illustrates the slow growth in the number of practicing hepatologists. 5 In addition, hepatologists practice primarily at academic medical centers, and this limits access to care for patients in remote locations away from academic medical centers. Because of the complexity of HCV care and the limited access to liver disease specialists, many people in remote locations do not receive treatment. To help to address this growing disparity, Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) was established in 2003 at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. Using state-ofthe-art telehealth technology, ECHO links remote primary care clinicians (PCCs) to a team of specialists at an academic medical center to help with the management of a patient’s care. ECHO trains and supports PCCs and thus enables them to develop self-efficacy and gain knowledge about complex and chronic diseases not usually considered in their scope of practice. To accomplish this, ECHO operates regularly scheduled telehealth or tele-ECHO clinics called knowledge networks that community partners join by either video or audio. ECHO is not traditional telemedicine in which specialists interact with patients directly; instead, PCCs retain responsibility for patient care under the guidance of ECHO and its team of specialists. As PCCs gain more self-efficacy and experience in treating patients, they begin to operate with increas
Optimal allocation in sequential tests comparing the means of two Gaussian populations

SUMMARY The invariant sequential probability ratio test used in testing for a difference between the means of two Gaussian populations is set up. The error probabilities for this test are effectively constant over a rich class of data-dependent allocation rules. The additional risk, average sample number plus (y - 1) times the expected number of observations to the inferior population, for y > 1, is introduced and the optimal allocation rule is found for the continuous-time analogue to this problem. Analytical results show this rule to be asymptotically optimal in discrete time, and simulations indicate its near optimal per- formance for the finite case. The problem of two-population hypothesis testing with data-dependent allocation of observations has been treated by several authors. Also, the applications of this decision model, especially to clinical testing, have been well documented. Recent results show that when the test is sequential and the termination rule is of the sequential probability ratio test type, the probability of correct hypothesis selection is constant, ignoring overshoot, for a rich class of data-dependent allocation rules; see Flehinger, Louis, Robbins & Singer (1972) and an as yet unpublished paper of mine. This constancy permits one to search the class for a rule which performs well with respect to some additional cost structure, one usually based on the number of observations taken on the superior and inferior populations. Flehinger & Louis (1972) and Robbins & Siegmund (1974) give simulations showing that a substantial reduction in the expected number of observations on the inferior popu- lation is possible using data-dependent allocation rules, as opposed to equal assignment, for the case of comparing two Gaussian populations with known variances. The simulation results of Flehinger & Louis (1971) show the same reduction for the exponential distri- bution. In the present paper the risk function formed from the average sample number plus (y - 1) x the expected number of observations allocated to the inferior population, for y > 1, is introduced into the Gaussian testing model. Here y is the relative cost of taking an observation from the inferior as opposed to the superior population, and varying y allows one to balance the two components of risk. In ? 2 first the Gaussian allocation and testing problem is set up and previous results are summarized. Using the above risk function, in Appendix A the optimal allocation and its risk are obtained for the continuous-time idealization, that of comparing the drifts of two Brownian motions. Back in ? 2 this optimal rule is related to the discrete testing situation.
Network Effects in the Academic Market: Mechanisms for Hiring and Placing Ph.D.s in Communication (2007-2014)

We analyze hiring and placement dynamics across communication Ph.D. programs using data collected in 2014. We assess changes compared to data collected in 2007 (as reported in Barnett, Danowski, Feeley, & Stalker, 2010), and we identify the factors that underlie the formation of recruitment ties. Our findings challenge prior conclusions that faculty-hiring patterns offer a good proxy to the quality of doctoral education. Instead, we find evidence that the recruitment network results from inter-organizational dynamics that are likely to emerge from faculty mobility; these dynamics are manifested in the form of reciprocity, transitivity, and cumulative advantage. Once we control for these network characteristics, institutional prestige, faculty seniority, and reputational rankings modestly drive the formation of recruitment ties.
Potentiation of the radiation effect with genistein in cervical cancer cells

Abstract Objective. Early stage cervical cancer is treated with surgery or radiation with equivalent results. Radiation is used for curative therapy of locally advanced disease and is combined with additional anti-tumor agents to improve control. We determined the potential role of genistein as a radiosensitizer for cervical cancer cells. Methods. Human cervical cell lines (CaSki and ME180) were used. Sensitivity of cells to genistein, radiation and the combination was determined by colony assays. Western blotting was used to study the expression of cell-response-related gene products. Results. Genistein results in the dose-dependent inhibition of all cell lines (2.5–40.0 μM). Effect of genistein on the radiosensitivity of the two cervical tumor cells was variable. Me180 cells were more sensitive at 20 and 40 μM of genistein. At 40 μM, less than 5% of Me180 cells survived the radiation (200–800 cGy). Potentiation of the radiation effect in CaSki cells was seen (500–800 cGy). The most significant enhancement of radiosensitivity was seen at 20 and 40 μM genistein at 500 and 800 cGy. G 2 M arrest was demonstrated only in ME180 cells with genistein. There was significant inhibition of Mcl-1 by genistein that correlated with increase in radiosensitivity in Me180 cells. Activated pAKT (Thr 308) was inhibited with genistein and radiation in CaSki cells. Conclusions. Genistein inhibits growth of cervical cancer cells. Genistein results in variable and significant enhancement of the radiation effect that may be partially mediated by G 2 M arrest, Mcl-1 and activation of the AKT gene.
Models of Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Care for Individuals in the United States With Genetic Disorders

Approaches to providing comprehensive coordinated care for individuals with complex diseases include the medical home approach, the chronic care model in primary care, and disease-specific, multidisciplinary specialty clinics. There is uneven availability and utilization of multidisciplinary specialty clinics for different genetic diseases. For 2 disorders (ie, hemophilia and cystic fibrosis), effective national networks of specialty clinics exist and reach large proportions of the target populations. For other disorders, notably, sickle cell disease, fewer such centers are available, centers are less likely to be networked, and centers are used less widely. Models of comanagement are essential for promoting ongoing communication and coordination between primary care and subspecialty services, particularly during the transition from pediatric care to adult care. Evaluation of the effectiveness of different models in improving outcomes for individuals with genetic diseases is essential.
Nonlinear control of buck power converters containing time-varying uncertainty

The dynamic surface control technique can simplify the backstepping design and overcome the problem of ldquoexplosion of complexityrdquo. In this paper, by incorporating this design technique into the function approximation with Fourier series, an adaptive dynamic surface controller is designed for buck power converters containing time-varying uncertainty on load resistance. It can track the reference output voltage trajectory well, and has good robustness with respect to the parameter uncertainty. The effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is verified by the simulation.
Systems genetic analysis of multivariate response to iron deficiency in mice

The aim of this study was to identify genes that influence iron regulation under varying dietary iron availability. Male and female mice from 20+ BXD recombinant inbred strains were fed iron-poor or iron-adequate diets from weaning until 4 mo of age. At death, the spleen, liver, and blood were harvested for the measurement of hemoglobin, hematocrit, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation, and liver, spleen and plasma iron concentration. For each measure and diet, we found large, strain-related variability. A principal-components analysis (PCA) was performed on the strain means for the seven parameters under each dietary condition for each sex, followed by quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis on the factors. Compared with the iron-adequate diet, iron deficiency altered the factor structure of the principal components. QTL analysis, combined with PosMed (a candidate gene searching system) published gene expression data and literature citations, identified seven candidate genes, Ptprd, Mdm1, Picalm, lip1, Tcerg1, Skp2, and Frzb based on PCA factor, diet, and sex. Expression of each of these is cis-regulated, significantly correlated with the corresponding PCA factor, and previously reported to regulate iron, directly or indirectly. We propose that polymorphisms in multiple genes underlie individual differences in iron regulation, especially in response to dietary iron challenge. This research shows that iron management is a highly complex trait, influenced by multiple genes. Systems genetics analysis of iron homeostasis holds promise for developing new methods for prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia and related diseases.
Oral dipyridamole increases plasma adenosine levels in human beings

Plasma adenosine levels in five healthy volunteers for 5 consecutive days showed far less intrasubject than intersubject variation (p less than 0.0001), indicating that plasma adenosine levels are relatively constant during this period. Plasma adenosine levels were then measured in a different group of five healthy subjects for a 5-day control period and during a 5-day course of oral dipyridamole at a dose of 100 mg every 6 hours. Intrasubject comparisons showed that plasma adenosine levels were significantly higher during the 5 days of dipyridamole administration than during the control period (p = 0.017) and that this increase was most significant after 48 hours of drug (p less than 0.001) administration. The average increase was 0.133 mumol/L (60%) with a range of 0.063 to 0.197 mumol/L (37% to 212%) during the last 3 days. A significant positive correlation was noted between plasma adenosine and dipyridamole levels (p = 0.001). We conclude that adenosine levels are relatively stable for an individual and are maximally increased after 2 days of oral dipyridamole.
Alternative polyadenylation sites reveal distinct chromatin accessibility and histone modification in human cell lines

Motivation: In addition to alternative splicing, alternative polyadenylation has also been identified as a critical and prevalent regulatory mechanism in human gene expression. However, the mechanism of alternative polyadenylation selection and the involved factors is still largely unknown. Results: We use the ENCODE data to scan DNA functional elements, including chromatin accessibility and histone modification, around transcript cleavage sites. Our results demonstrate that polyadenylation sites tend to be less sensitive to DNase I. However, these polyadenylation sites have preference in nucleosome-depleted regions, indicating the involvement of chromatin higher-order structure rather than nucleosomes in the resultant lower chromatin accessibility. More interestingly, for genes using two polyadenylation sites, the distal sites show even lower chromatin accessibility compared with the proximal sites or the unique sites of genes using only one polyadenylation site. We also observe that the histone modification mark, histone H3 lysine 36 tri-methylation (H3K36Me3), exhibits different patterns around the cleavage sites of genes using multiple polyadenylation sites from those of genes using a single polyadenylation site. Surprisingly, the H3K36Me3 levels are comparable among the alternative polyadenylation sites themselves. In summary, polyadenylation and alternative polyadenylation are closely related to functional elements on the DNA level. Contact: ude.csu@nehc.gnail
Classifying visual knowledge representations: a foundation for visualization research

An exploratory effort to classify visual representations into homogeneous clusters is discussed. The authors collected hierarchical sorting data from twelve subjects. Five principal groups of visual representations emerged from a cluster analysis of sorting data: graphs and tables, maps, diagrams, networks, and icons. Two dimensions appear to distinguish these clusters: the amount of spatial information and cognitive processing effort. The authors discuss visual information processing issues relevant to the research, methodology and data analyses used to develop the classification system, results of the empirical study, and possible directions for future research. >
Strategic Approaches to Decrease Breast Milk Transmission of HIV-1: The Importance of Small Things

This editorial contains the results of a study conducted to determine the benefit of maternal highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the prevention of late breast milk transmission of HIV-1. It also provides several notable findings relevant to expanding prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs.
Substance Abuse Potential and Job Stress

A study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of substance abuse among pharmacists and to assess the relationship benveen job stress and substance abuse potential. Data was gathered via a four-page questionnaire which was mailed to 1,400 pharmacists across the United States. Data from the Hohann-Lumry substance abuse screening scale indicated that 17.2 percent of the pharmacists would be class~fied as high likelihood substance abusers; males were approximately twice as likely as females to be so classified. Frequency of exposure to 11 potentially stressful job situations was related significantly to substance abuse potential. Several suggestions are made for reducing job stress and substance abuse among pharmacists.
Network-based multicomputers: a practical supercomputer architecture

Multicomputers built around a general network are an attractive architecture for a wide class of applications. The architecture provides many benefits compared with special-purpose approaches, including heterogeneity, reuse of application and system code, and sharing of resources. The architecture also poses new challenges to both computer system implementers and users. First, traditional local-area networks do not have enough bandwidth and create a communication bottleneck, thus seriously limiting the set of applications that can be run effectively. Second, programmers have to deal with large bodies of code distributed over a variety of architectures, and work in an environment where both the network and nodes are shared with other users. Our experience in the Nectar project shows that it is possible to overcome these problems. We show how networks based on high-speed crossbar switches and efficient protocol implementations can support high bandwidth and low latency communication while still enjoying the flexibility of general networks, and we use three applications to demonstrate that network-based multicomputers are a practical architecture. We also show how the network traffic generated by this new class of applications poses severe requirements for networks.
Replicated shape variation between simple and complex habitats in two estuarine fishes

A replicated pattern of habitat-associated morphology among different lineages may represent adaptive convergence. Deviation from the replicated (shared) pattern of diversification reflects unique (e.g. species specific) effects resulting from site- or species-specific selection, intrinsic factors (e.g. G matrix differences) or chance historical events (e.g. genetic drift). For two distantly-related estuarine fishes [Lagodon rhomboides (Sparidae; Linnaeus) and Leiostomus xanthurus (Sciaenidae; Lacepede)], we examined shared and unique instances of body shape variation between seagrass (complex) and sand (simple) microhabitats at four sites. We found extensive shape variation between microhabitats for both species. As a shared response, both species from sand had subterminal snouts and long caudal peduncles, whereas those from seagrass had terminal snouts and deep bodies. Unique responses involved a greater difference in Lagodon rhomboides head shape between microhabitats compared to L. xanthurus. Patterns of shape variation fit ecomorphological predictions for foraging in the respective microhabitats (simple versus complex) because deep bodies are expected for fish that must negotiate complex habitats and subterminal snouts facilitate benthic foraging common in barren habitats. Parallel differentiation between microhabitats simultaneously suggests that individuals of each species use a particular microhabitat within estuaries for development and the differentiation in shape represents adaptive convergence. Spatial variation in the magnitude of shape differences between microhabitats was an unexpected finding and suggests that phenotypic variation operates at multiple scales within estuaries.
Electrochemical Testing of Potential Molecular Devices

Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to study the reduction potentials of 2,5- di(ethynylphenyl)-4-nitroaniline and 2,5-di(ethynylphenyl)nitrobenzene. Although no absolute reduction potentials can be used in the correlation between solution (CV) and solid state (nanopore) embodiments, each CV plot showed two reductions. The first and second reduction might correspond to switching events of recently reported molecular electronic devices in a nanopore. Cyclic voltammetry results are also reported for other potential molecular scale electronic devices.
Role of ceramide in TNF-α-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in coronary arteries

The present study tested the hypothesis that ceramide, a sphingomylinase metabolite, serves as an second messenger for tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) to stimulate superoxide production, thereby de...