cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The thin layer chromatography of vat dyes

The identification and separation of vat dyes by thin layer chromatography has been investigated with reducing and non-reducing systems. The results showed that the chromatograms on silica gel plates obtained by non-reducing systems at 100 or 120°C were fast, reproducible and easy to control. Nine non-reducing eluents were developed, producing good migration and resolution of 21 vat dyes. Analyses of the chromatograms revealed that the Rf, values varied with the temperature of the system, the chemical structure of the vat dyes and the nature of adsorbent, as well as with the eluents used. The effects of molecular masses of the vat dyes on the Rf values were less significant. Despite the successful use of a novel reducing agent for vat dyes, the chromatography of reduced dye was largely unsatisfactory. The use of reversed-phase t.l.c. plates was examined and showed little benefit.
An R-Local Milnor-Moore Theorem

Over a subring R of the rationals, we explore the properties of a new functor. K from spaces to differential graded Lie algebras. We prove a Hurewicz theorem which identifies H∗K(X) with π∗(ΩX) ⊗ R in a range of dimensions. Using it, we prove an R-local version of the Milnor-Moore theorem.
SU-DD-A1-04: High-Speed Scintillation Camera to Study IMRT Delivery

Purpose: The aim of this study was to accurately obtain the beam shape and fluence of all segments delivered during IMRT. We have developed an EPID employing a fast scintillator and a high‐speed camera for this purpose. Method and Materials: A commercial high‐speed camera was combined with a Gd2O2S:Tb scintillator. The camera was equipped with an 8‐bit CMOSsensor, the pixel resolution was 0.635 mm, and the exposure time was 2.5 ms (to capture the scintillation pulses with a decay time of 0.550 ms but smaller than the 2.8 ms accelerator pulse period). The camera was synchronized to pulses from the accelerator pulse‐forming network and gated to capture every possible pulse emitted from the accelerator, at ∼360 pulses per second. An onboard 6 GB memory card allowed the capture of 60 s of delivery. A comparison of the MLC instruction files, log files, and camera data for a 42 segment IMRT beam delivery was performed. Results: The high speed camera allowed for capturing the delivered fluence without aliasing. Averaging 5 frames to 72 fps provided a signal‐to‐noise ratio that was sufficient to resolve leaf positions and segment fluence. The fluence from the log files and camera data agreed well except for the 1st segment where the log file appears to have missed the beginning of the delivery. The log files reported leaf motions at the end of 33 of the 42 segments. The camera measurements showed leaf motions in only 7 of the 42 segments. Conclusion: The high speed camera was able to resolve the IMRT beam output shape and fluence. Leaf motions were observed during beam‐on for step‐and‐shoot. We found that the log files do not accurately predict leaf motion. Finally, we note that the camera resolution is adequate to resolve dynamic delivery.
Ethical issues during the conduct of clinical trials

While the focus of ethical clinical trial conduct has been on protocol review in advance of the research, there has been a recent emphasis on monitoring subject welfare during the conduct of research. The ethical conduct of a clinical trial does not end with the formulation of study design or the obtainment of a signature on the informed consent form. This article defines and describes the necessary monitoring responsibilities to ensure the adequate protection of the rights and welfare of human subjects and the four parties who share such responsibilities: the institutional review board, the data monitoring committee (or the data safety and monitoring board), the sponsor, and the investigator. This article also reviews the numerous challenges associated with monitoring—such as overlapping responsibilities, communication gaps, and lack of standards—and attempts to provide recommendations to address some of these issues.
Modeling and analysis of automobile warranty data in presence of bias due to customer-rush near warranty expiration limit

Abstract Automobile users experiencing soft failures, often delay reporting of warranty claims till the coverage is about to expire. This results into a customer-rush near the warranty expiration limit leading to an occurrence of ‘spikes’ in warranty claims towards the end of warranty period and thereby introducing a bias into the dataset. At the same time, an occurrence of manufacturing/assembly defects in addition to the usage related failures, lead to ‘spikes’ in warranty claims near the beginning of the warranty period. When such data are used to capture the field failures for obtaining feedback on product quality/reliability, it may lead product or reliability engineers to potentially obtain a distorted picture of the reality. Although in reliability studies from automobile warranty data, several authors have addressed the well-recognized issues of incomplete and unclean nature of warranty data, the issue of ‘spikes’ has not received much attention. In this article, we address the issue of ‘spikes’ in the presence of the incomplete and unclean nature of warranty data and provide a methodology to arrive at component-level empirical hazard plots from such automobile warranty data.
COMPARING TWO GLOBAL MEASURES OF PERCEIVED NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY

This article examines and compares two global measures of perceived neighborhood quality: satisfaction and attachment. In doing this, the article expands upon the general satisfaction model by developing and testing a model of perceived neighborhood quality which is appropriate to both of these summary measures. Using survey data, the article demonstrates that satisfaction and attachment are each affected by social interaction in the neighborhood and that each can be distinguished by how strongly it taps the cognitive and affective components of well-being. The article also demonstrates the differential impact of general and local social status variables on each of the global measures as well as the impact of perceived homogeneity.
Preliminary design methods for optimizing insulated structures.

A simple method for the preliminary design of insulated structures for hypersonic cruise vehicles is presented. The method of analysis is useful for estimating the optimum combination of insulating and structural materials for a given loading and thermal environment. The techniques are applicable to structures that are subjected to multiple design conditions. A procedure for screening insulating and structural materials to select promising candidates for lightweight hypersonic structures is also discussed. Studies show that weight penalties associated with structural temperatures lower than optimum are small relative to those with higher than optimum temperatures. Except for lightly loaded structures with long heating times, the low-temperature light metals result in lower weight insulated structures than existing super alloys and refractory metals.
A Survey of Synchrocyclotron Projects

The designsof five synchrocyclotron conversion projects are discussed and compared. The operational status of these machines is presented, along with a summary of plans for their future development.
The elemental signature of transported Asian dust at Mauna Loa observatory

Dust storms in Asia's interior deserts loft immense quantities of continental crust that are blown over the North Pacific Ocean every year. The transported mineral aerosol is first lofted and then experiences mixing and fallout during the transport. Its elemental signature is no longer that of bulk soil. The concentration for many elements is greater in transported crust compared to bulk soil due to a difference in mineralogy of the small crustal particle. Small particles are defined as those below 100 μ m in diameter. The elements Al, Mg, Ca and Na do not experience an internal concentration change with particle size. Many of the elements in the MLO mineral aerosol have concentrations that are greater than 1.5 times that of bulk soil. Iron, an important biological agent, has twice the concentration in the MLO mineral aerosol than in bulk soil. The elemental to Al concentration ratios observed are consistent, implying that the transported crustal material is below 20 μ m in diameter. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0889.1996.00008.x
An investigation of phase equilibria of the Bi-Sb-Sn system

The liquidus surface and invariant reactions involving the liquid phase are calculated to determine the solidification behavior of Bi-Sb-Sn alloys. Only two U-type invariant reactions Liq. + Sb2Sn3 = SbSn + (Sn) at 517.9Kand Liq. + SbSn = (Sn) + (Sb) at 411.8K are found. Thermodynamic calculation does not predict the presence of a ternary eutectic reaction in this system. The calculated solidification behavior of ternary alloys are found to be consistent with the experimental data as determined by differential scanning calorimetry. An isothermal section of the Bi-Sb-Sn system at 398K is also established. The equilibrium composition of the solid phases are determined by analytical electron microscopy. In contrast to an earlier report, the Bi-content in the SbSn phase is found to be about 5 wt.%.
Understanding Order of Movement in Youngsters with Cerebral Palsy

A theoretical controversy exists over the role of early physical experience and motor activity in cognitive development. The purpose of this study was to contribute information to help clarify this relationship by comparing the understanding of order of movement of 30 nonambulatory youngsters with cerebral palsy and 30 nonhandicapped youngsters. Half were boys; half girls; equal numbers were in three age groups of 4 to 5 yr., 7 to 8 yr., and 10 to 11 yr. The order of movement task was designed by Piaget to describe the child's understanding of movement. Statistical analyses showed that youngsters with cerebral palsy were significantly delayed in their understanding of order of movement. These results indicated that the children's physical handicap interfered with their cognitive development.
Cylindrical millimeter-wave imaging technique for concealed weapon detection

A novel cylindrical millimeter-wave imaging technique has been developed at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for the detection of metallic and non-metallic concealed weapons. This technique uses a vertical array of millimeter- wave antennas which is mechanically swept around a person in a cylindrical fashion. The wideband millimeter-wave data is mathematically reconstructed into a series of high- resolution images of the person being screened. Clothing is relatively transparent to millimeter-wave illumination,whereas the human body and concealed items are reflective at millimeter wavelengths. Differences in shape and reflectivity are revealed in the images and allow a human operator to detect and identify concealed weapons. A full 360 degree scan is necessary to fully inspect a person for concealed items. The millimeter-wave images can be formed into a video animation sequence in which the person appears to rotate in front of a fixed illumination source.This is s convenient method for presenting the 3D image data for analysis. This work has been fully sponsored by the FAA. An engineering prototype based on the cylindrical imaging technique is presently under development. The FAA is currently opposed to presenting the image data directly to the operator due to personal privacy concerns. A computer automated system is desired to address this problem by eliminating operator viewing of the imagery.
Gm allotypes in blacks with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract Serum samples were collected from 328 healthy American Blacks and from 61 American Blacks with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Sera were typed for the Gm1,2,3,5,,,,6,13,17, and 21 allotypes as well as for the Km(1) allotype. The frequency of Gm phenotype 1,17:5,6,13 was significantly increased in the SLE patients ( p = 0.0001, RR = 3.19, EF = 0.29). Our data suggest that existence of at least two immunoglobulin allotype associated genes that somehow interact to increase susceptibility to SLE in Blacks. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an association of Gm and SLE in Blacks.
A clinical and pharmacoeconomic justification for intravenous acetylcysteine : A US perspective

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) poisoning remains the most common exposure reported to US poison information centres and the leading cause of poisoning-related fatalities, despite the availability of an effective antidote, acetylcysteine. Oral acetylcysteine solution has been approved for the management of acetaminophen poisoning in the US for four decades. Until the recent approval of intravenous acetylcysteine in the US, it was necessary to compound the oral solution for intravenous administration. The effectiveness and tolerability of oral and intravenous acetylcysteine for the prevention of hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol poisoning are well established in the literature. Intravenous acetylcysteine may be preferred over oral administration based on improved tolerability, ease of administration and the shortened course of therapy (20 hours intravenous vs 72 hours oral). The two intravenous acetylcysteine regimens documented in the literature, 48 hours and 20 hours, have similar efficacy when started within 8-10 hours of ingestion. Although there are no legal concerns with continuing the routine compounding of the oral solution to an intravenous product, new standards for pharmacy compounding of sterile preparations set forth by the US Pharmacopoeia highlight that the risk of compounding products for intravenous use must be assessed carefully. Changing the route of administration of a sterile oral solution to an intravenous preparation, when a commercial sterile and pyrogen-free product is available, may not be advisable. The best cost-containment strategies must be used for introduction of the more costly sterile, pyrogen-free intravenous acetylcysteine formulation by hospitals and healthcare systems. The intravenous acetylcysteine product is more cost effective when given for 20 hours than other treatment protocols based on the costs of acetylcysteine and hospitalisation. If used per protocol, the 20-hour intravenous acetylcysteine regimen may decrease hospital length of stay, thereby, offsetting the increased drug cost. Data conflict on the efficacy and administration of intravenous acetylcysteine for off-label uses, such as radiographic contrast media-induced nephropathy prevention and reperfusion in orthotopic liver transplantation. The costs for the intravenous formulation for these indications is significantly higher than use of the oral formulation for oral administration in radiographic contrast media-induced nephropathy prevention and compounded for intravenous use in orthotopic liver transplantation. The oral solution should be retained by healthcare systems for oral and inhalation applications, such as respiratory conditions, oral administration for radiographic contrast media nephropathy prevention, or the use of the 72-hour oral protocol to treat paracetamol poisoning, when the intravenous preparation cannot be used.
Violent events and security programs in California Emergency Departments before and after the 1993 Hospital Security Act.

INTRODUCTION: Health care workers have long been recognized as having a high risk of work-related assault. In response to a growing threat of violence in hospitals, California implemented the Hospital Security Act (AB508) in 1993. This study compares surveys of emergency nurses before and after implementation of AB508. METHODS: In 1990, the CAL/ENA surveyed emergency departments in California to enumerate violent events and describe security programs. Using the CAL/ENA membership directory, hospitals were resurveyed in 2000 to identify changes from the original survey. Surveys were mailed to the ED nurse manager or equivalent. Survey responses were anonymous. RESULTS: Most hospitals reported fewer violent episodes after the implementation of AB508. However, 32% of hospitals reported that 5 or more verbal threats occurred monthly, and 5% reported that 5 or more violent injuries occurred monthly. Overall, hospitals reported improvements in security programs. The most notable increase was in employee training, which rose from 34% to 95.6% of reporting hospitals. However, almost a quarter of hospitals reported not having general violence prevention policies, and many believed that security personnel were inadequate. DISCUSSION: Although results reported here cannot be directly attributed to AB508, the increase in security program components suggests that hospitals are responding positively to reduce violence. The high prevalence of threats and violent events reported indicates a persistent risk of violence against health care workers.
Identifying Severely Mentally Ill Inmates: Can Small Jails Comply with Detection Standards?

Abstract Most researchers conclude that from six to fifteen percent of jail detainees meet the diagnostic criteria for severe mental illnesses including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. Although legal and professional standards mandate screening for mental illness in jails, few procedures exist that can be completed within the limited time constraints under which jails function. This study compares the detection rates of the Referral Decision Scale with a short, officer-administered booking questionnaire at a low capacity jail. Although the Referral Decision Scale produced a higher number of false positives, it correctly identified more mentally ill inmates than did the booking procedure. Results suggest that combining both instruments may provide the most comprehensive screening procedure for incoming detainees that is both manageable for small jails and within compliance of standards of inmate care.
Block Copolymer Cross-Linked Nanoassemblies Improve Particle Stability and Biocompatibility of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Purpose To develop cross-linked nanoassemblies (CNAs) as carriers for superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs).
Perspectives on Teaching English in Burma Today and Yesterday

AbstractBecause of the recent military governmental takeover of Burma (Myanmar) and the university student uprisings, few teachers of English outside of Burma have access to information about conditions for English teachers in Burma. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of the problems faced by English teachers and students on all levels in Burma. The following report is based on interview data from current and former English teachers and students that I gathered during a trip to Burma several years ago. Several of the interviewees contrast the teaching of English during their student school days with the situation today faced by English teachers in public schools or private schools. Teaching methods and teacher development methods are also addressed in the interviews. From the interviews and my observations, it is evident that some problems for English teaching in Burma are similar to those occurring in other countries but that some problems are specific to Burma and are very serious.
α2,3 and α2,6 N-Linked Sialic Acids Facilitate Efficient Binding and Transduction by Adeno-Associated Virus Types 1 and 6

Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are promising vectors in the field of gene therapy. Different AAV serotypes display distinct tissue tropism, believed to be related to the distribution of their receptors on target cells. Of the 11 well-characterized AAV serotypes, heparan sulfate proteoglycan and sialic acid have been suggested to be the attachment receptors for AAV type 2 and types 4 and 5, respectively. In this report, we identify the receptor for the two closely related serotypes, AAV1 and AAV6. First, we demonstrate using coinfection experiments and luciferase reporter analysis that AAV1 and AAV6 compete for similar receptors. Unlike heparin sulfate, enzymatic or genetic removal of sialic acid markedly reduced AAV1 and AAV6 binding and transduction. Further analysis using lectin staining and lectin competition assays identified that AAV1 and AAV6 use either alpha2,3-linked or alpha2,6-linked sialic acid when transducing numerous cell types (HepG2, Pro-5, and Cos-7). Treatment of cells with proteinase K but not glycolipid inhibitor reduced AAV1 and AAV6 infection, supporting the hypothesis that the sialic acid that facilitates infection is associated with glycoproteins rather than glycolipids. In addition, we determined by inhibitor (N-benzyl GalNAc)- and cell line-specific (Lec-1) studies that AAV1 and AAV6 require N-linked and not O-linked sialic acid. Furthermore, a resialylation experiment on a deficient Lec-2 cell line confirmed a 2,3 and 2,6 N-linked sialic acid requirement, while studies of mucin with O-linked sialic acid showed no inhibition effect for AAV1 and AAV6 transduction on Cos-7 cells. Finally, using a glycan array binding assay we determined that AAV1 efficiently binds to NeuAcalpha2-3GalNAcbeta1-4GlcNAc, as well as two glycoproteins with alpha2,3 and alpha2,6 N-linked sialic acids. Taken together, competition, genetic, inhibitor, enzymatic reconstitution, and glycan array experiments support alpha2,3 and alpha2,6 sialic acids that are present on N-linked glycoproteins as primary receptors for efficient AAV1 and AAV6 viral infection.
TREATMENT OF DIFFERENTIAL COSTS AND BENEFITS UNDER RISK

In management accounting texts, the relevant costs and benefits for decision making are usually defined as those future amounts that differ between pairs of alternatives. Use of differential amounts can lead to erroneous choices in decision making under risk. This paper examines conditions under which the use of differential amounts is and is not appropriate.
Applying science and technology to combat WMD terrorism

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is developing and fielding advanced strategies that dramatically improve the nation's capabilities to prevent, prepare for, detect, and respond to terrorist use of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) weapons. The science, technology, and integrated systems we provide are informed by and developed with key partners and end users. LLNL's long-standing role as one of the two principle U.S. nuclear weapons design laboratories has led to significant resident expertise for health effects of exposure to radiation, radiation detection technologies, characterization of radioisotopes, and assessment and response capabilities for terrorist nuclear weapons use. This paper provides brief overviews of a number of technologies developed at LLNL that are being used to address national security needs to confront the growing threats of CBRNE terrorism.
Identification of a novel nidovirus in an outbreak of fatal respiratory disease in ball pythons (Python regius)

Background Respiratory infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in reptiles; however, the causative agents are only infrequently identified.
First‐price auctions, Dutch auctions, and buy‐it‐now prices with Allais paradox bidders

This paper investigates first-price and Dutch auctions when bidders have preferences exhibiting the Allais paradox. We characterize an equilibrium for both auctions, paying particular attention to the dynamic inconsistency problems that can arise with such preferences. We show that the Dutch auction systematically yields a higher revenue than the first-price auction. This stands in sharp contrast to the presumption that these auctions are strategically equivalent, which is indeed valid in the expected utility case. We also show that introducing a “buy-it-now price” to the first-price auction increases seller’s expected revenue when bidders have Allais paradox preference, while it does not for expected-utility maximizers.
Venture Capital Formation, Investment, and Regional Industrialization

Abstract Venture capital is an important element of regional capital formation, technological innovation and regional industrialization. While neoclassical economic theory assumes perfectly free capital markets, geographers have long noted the spatial dimensions of finance and investment. This paper introduces metropolitan-level data on venture capital and develops statistical models for both the location of venture capital (supply) and the spatial distribution of investment (demand). The findings suggest that venture capital is characterized by: (1) high degrees of capital mobility operating through a well-defined spatial structure, (2) investment flows to the areas of greatest opportunity and return on investment, and (3) the development of specialized sources of venture capital supply around both established financial centers and centers of high-technology industry. Geographic proximity is required to reduce uncertainty, compensate for ambiguous information, and minimize investment risk. Investment poo...
Comunidades en conflicto. Espacios políticos en las fronteras misionales del noroeste de México y el oriente de Bolivia

The present article contributes a comparative study of indigenous world systems that intersected with the Iberian imperial realms established in North and South America. This focused comparison of two distinct colonial frontier provinces complicates the concept of world system as well as the north/south and Western/non-Western dichotomies commonly used in both developmentalist and postcolonial studies. It interrogates the polysemic meanings of modernity, polity, and ethnicity through the institutions of internal governance that were forged by colonial overlords and colonized tribal peoples in northern New Spain (Mexico) and the tropical lowlands of eastern Bolivia, on the contested borders of the Portuguese and Spanish American empires. Colonialism viewed from different frontiers reveals the porosity of ecological, social, and imperial administrative boundaries in the historical production of culture.
Sealing techniques for on-chip atomic vapor cells

We have recently reported atomic spectroscopy using on-chip rubidium vapor cells based on hollow core waveguides. To make the cells more robust and capable of multiple temperature cycles, we examined several techniques for Rb introduction and sealing. To date the most successful sealing technique has been pinching off the end of a short length of copper tubing. This technique not only hermetically seals the cells, but also allows them to be evacuated to a desired pressure. We have been able to evacuate glass prototype Rb vapor cells to a pressure as low as 80 mTorr and as high as 2 Torr and successfully observe the Rb optical absorption spectrum. Along with our testing of sealing techniques we have been observing the effects of different epoxies and inert gas atmospheres on the robustness of vapor cells. With optimal parameters we have successfully observed the Rb optical absorption spectrum through multiple temperature cycles. These new Rb introduction and sealing methods will be applied to on-chip cells containing integrated hollow waveguides which can be used for a number of different optical applications, such as electromagnetically induced transparency, single-photon nonlinearities, and slow light.
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) presenting as pancreatitis

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare clinical entity. It is a multi-systemic disorder characterized by a clinical pentad of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, diffuse and nonfocal neurologic symptoms, decreased renal function, and fever. Abdominal pain is an uncommon presenting symptom for TTP. Pancreatitis may occur from TTP or, in a few cases, may trigger TTP. The clinical diagnosis of TTP is generally difficult because there are many varied clinical presentations and the full expression of the pentad may be prolonged. However, once the diagnosis is suspected or confirmed, immediate plasmapherseis with plasma exchange must be performed to reduce the severe morbidity from neurologic disability.
Women, but not men, have prolonged QT interval if depressed after an acute coronary syndrome

Aims Depression is a mortality risk marker for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. We hypothesized that the QT interval, a predictor for risk of sudden cardiac death, was related to depressive symptoms in ACS. Methods and results We performed an analysis of admission electrocardiograms from hospitalized patients with unstable angina or non-ST elevation myocardial infarction from two prospective observational studies of depression in ACS. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and depression was defined as BDI score ≥10, compared with <5. Patients with QRS duration ≥120 ms and/or who were prescribed antidepressants were excluded. QT intervals were adjusted for heart rate by two methods. Our analyses included 243 men (40.0% with BDI ≥10) and 139 women (62.0% with BDI ≥ 10). Among women, average QT corrected by Fridericia's method (QTcF) was 435.4 ± 26.6 ms in the depressed group, vs. 408.6 ± 24.3 ms in the non-depressed group ( P < 0.01). However, among men, average QTcF was not significantly different between the depressed and non-depressed groups (415.4 ± 23.6 vs. 412.0 ± 25.8 ms, P = 0.29). In multivariable analyses that included hypertension, diabetes, ACS type, left ventricular ejection fraction <0.40, and use of QT-prolonging medication, there was a statistically significant interaction between depressive symptoms and gender ( P < 0.001). Conclusions In this ACS sample, prolongation of the QT interval was associated with depressive symptoms in women, but not in men. Further investigation of the mechanism of the relationship between depression and abnormal cardiac repolarization, particularly in women, is warranted to develop treatment strategies.
Patterns of referral and examination for retinopathy in pregnant women with diabetes by primary care physicians.

Purpose Family practice (FP), General Practice (GP) and obstetrics-gynecology (OB/GYN) physicians were surveyed to determine whether they routinely referred pregnant patients with diabetes to an ophthalmologist, looked into the patient's eyes to screen for retinopathy, and dilated the eyes for fundi examination.Methods Hospitals providing obstetrical services were contacted to identify primary-care physicians. Physicians identified as having obstetrical privileges were surveyed by mail to determine if they were actively providing obstetrical care. Physicians who provided both obstetrical and diabetes care were mailed a survey.Results Of 668 physicians surveyed, 429 responded: 224 FPS, 184 OB/GYNS and 21 GPS. A relatively small percentage (27%) of physicians in both groups routinely refer all of their pregnant patients with pre-existing diabetes to an ophthalmologist. Family practice physicians were more likely to perform an eye exam to screen for retinopathy in patients with both pre-existing and gestatio...
Biocontrol of Plant Pathogens and Plant Growth Promotion by Bacillus

Numerous Bacillus strains have been investigated for their capacities to protect plants from pathogens and stimulate plant growth. Studying the diversity of these bacteria provides clues to the distinctiveness of beneficial strains and raises questions regarding the scale and evolutionary forces that led to the development of biocontrol activities. Soils harbor vast spore banks of Bacillus, subsets of which germinate, propagate or go dormant in patches varying size according to the availability of various resources. While the genus as a whole does not seem to be as competitive as some other genera, there do appear to be strains that are truly rhizosphere competent. Those that are will be well positioned to access resources and express activities that can lead to plant disease suppression and/or directly stimulate plant growth. It is now known that many different types of secreted products can affect both pathogens and plants in a variety of ways, all of which might lead to reductions in disease development. A greater understanding of this genus will help to accelerate the development and application of active strains and their products into biopesticidal products that improve crop quality and yields.
The association of insular stroke with lesion volume

The insula has been implicated in many sequelae of stroke. It is the area most commonly infarcted in people with post-stroke arrhythmias, loss of thermal sensation, hospital acquired pneumonia, and apraxia of speech. We hypothesized that some of these results reflect the fact that: (1) ischemic strokes that involve the insula are larger than strokes that exclude the insula (and therefore are associated with more common and persistent deficits); and (2) insular involvement is a marker of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. We analyzed MRI scans of 861 patients with acute ischemic hemispheric strokes unselected for functional deficits, and compared infarcts involving the insula to infarcts not involving the insula using t-tests for continuous variables and chi square tests for dichotomous variables. Mean infarct volume was larger for infarcts including the insula (n = 232) versus excluding the insula (n = 629): 65.8 ± 78.8 versus 10.2 ± 15.9 cm3 (p < 0.00001). Even when we removed lacunar infarcts, mean volume of non-lacunar infarcts that included insula (n = 775) were larger than non-lacunar infarcts (n = 227) that excluded insula: 67.0 cm3 ± 79.2 versus 11.5 cm3 ± 16.7 (p < 0.00001). Of infarcts in the 90th percentile for volume, 87% included the insula (χ2 = 181.8; p < 0.00001). Furthermore, 79.0% infarcts due to MCA occlusion included the insula; 78.5% of infarcts without MCA occlusion excluded the insula (χ2 = 93.1; p < 0.0001). The association between insular damage and acute or chronic sequelae likely often reflects the fact that insular infarct is a marker of large infarcts caused by occlusion of the MCA more than a specific role of the insula in a range of functions. Particularly in acute stroke, some deficits may also be due to ischemia of the MCA or ICA territory caused by large vessel occlusion.
Getting Informed on Informed Consent and Inspection Findings

This issue’s column focuses on a variety of concerns regarding the recent draft guidance on electronic informed consent and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection results. Q: Does the information regarding significant findings of misconduct during an FDA inspection ever get
Frank H. Knight on Democracy as Discussion

Over the last thirty years of his life, the Chicago economist Frank H. Knight concentrated his efforts on the elaboration of a new liberalism for the post-war era. Three things were necessary, he argued, to restore health to liberalism. First, free society required an appreciation for the basic economic principles of a free market economy, and of their limitations as guides to action. Secondly, democratic society needed to recognize the benefits and limitations of political solutions to social problems. Democratic action was essentially government by discussion, and hence the potential for persuasion, fraudulent speech and salesmanship should be recognized alongside the acceptance of the exploratory nature of all social action. Finally, a free society required free and responsible individuals, which meant that liberalism needed an independent conception of the ethics of freedom.The dilemma of Knight’s theory of liberalism is that his three-fold conception of liberalism stalled on his inability to articulate how liberalism could generate an independent conception of ethics. Thus, while he raised key issues regarding the prospects of free societies, he could not settle the fundamental question of whether “human nature has what it takes to solve the problems … raised by its liberation” (Knight, Intelligence and Democratic Action, p. 141).
Variation-Tolerant Write Completion Circuit for Variable-Energy Write STT-RAM Architecture

In this paper, we demonstrate an energy-reduction strategy that overcomes the stochastic switching characteristics of the spin-torque-transfer magnetic-RAM (STT-RAM) write operation and propose a write completion circuit needed for it. In contrast to the traditional worst case approach, which fixes the write duration for all cells, the proposed write technique terminates the write pulse after a write process finishes by monitoring the state of a cell. Since the average write duration is far shorter than the worst case duration, the average write energy is significantly reduced by the proposed architecture. We developed a write completion circuit for state change detection and bitline termination, and evaluated it using a compact STT-RAM model targeting an implementation in a 16-nm technology node. We also developed a variation-tolerant version of the design specifically suited for handling significant variation in process parameters for both FETs and magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs), and the low value of tunnel magnetoresistance of practical MTJs. Analysis indicates that at the required write-error rate, the proposed architecture reduces write energy by 36%–97% compared with the conventional designs relying on the worst case approach.
Tunable mid-infrared localized surface plasmon resonances in silicon nanowires.

We observe and systematically tune an intense mid-infrared absorption mode that results from phosphorus doping in silicon nanowires synthesized via the vapor–liquid–solid technique. The angle- and shape-dependence of this spectral feature, as determined via in-situ transmission infrared spectroscopy, supports its assignment as a longitudinal localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Modulation of resonant frequency (740–1620 cm–1) is accomplished by varying nanowire length (135–1160 nm). The observed frequency shift is consistent with Mie–Gans theory, which indicates electrically active dopant concentrations between 1019 and 1020 cm–3. Our findings suggest new opportunities to confine light in this ubiquitous semiconductor and engineer the optical properties of nontraditional plasmonic materials.
Transfer functions composition for volume data mining

Analytic, simulated, scanned datasets were used to evaluate two representative data-centric methods for designing transfer functions (TFs), which are a key factor determining the quality of volume rendered images. They map the physical fields of a given volume dataset to the optical properties, such as color and opacity. Designing proper TFs is difficult because they depend on both the context of the target volume dataset and the purpose of the visual exploration. A system called “Ivory” was developed to assist in the design of TFs. With it, a better TF can be composed so as to inherit different features from two original TFs.
Effect of insulin and cortisol on organ cultures of adult mouse mammary gland.

SummaryCortisol plus insulin, and to some extent insulin alone, maintained normal and hyperplastic mouse mammary lobules in organ culture in a defined medium.
Chapter 4 - Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptor Ubiquitination

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) are large (∼300kDa) proteins that associate into tetrameric ion channels in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. Activation and opening of the channel upon binding of IP3 and Ca(2+) allows the flow of Ca(2+) ions from stores within the ER lumen to the cytosol, thereby promoting a number of Ca(2+)-dependent cellular events, such as secretion, neurotransmitter release, and cell division. Intriguingly, it appears that the same conformational change that IP3Rs undergo during activation makes them a target for degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and that this mode of processing allows the cell to tune its internal Ca(2+) response to extracellular signals. Here, we review recent studies showing that activated IP3Rs interact with an array of proteins that mediate their degradation, that IP3Rs are modified by a complex array of ubiquitin conjugates, that this ubiquitination and degradation functions to regulate IP3-mediated Ca(2+) responses in the cell, and that mutations to different proteins involved in IP3R degradation result in a set of similar diseases.
8-Oxoguanine DNA glycosylase1–driven DNA repair—A paradoxical role in lung aging

Age-associated changes in lung structure and function are some of the most important predictors of overall health, cognitive activities and longevity. Common to all aging cells is an increase in oxidatively modified DNA bases, primarily 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG). It is repaired via DNA base excision repair pathway driven by 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase-1 (OGG1-BER), whose role in aging has been the focus of many studies. This study hypothesizes that signaling and consequent gene expression during cellular response to OGG1-BER "wires" senescence/aging processes. To test OGG1-BER was mimicked by repeatedly exposing diploid lung fibroblasts cells and airways of mice to 8-oxoG base. Results showed that repeated exposures led to G1 cell cycle arrest and pre-matured senescence of cultured cells in which over 1000 genes were differentially expressed -86% of them been identical to those in naturally senesced cells. Gene ontology analysis of gene expression displayed biological processes driven by small GTPases, phosphoinositide 3-kinase and mitogen activated kinase cascades both in cultured cells and lungs. These results together, points to a new paradigm about the role of DNA damage and repair by OGG1 in aging and age-associated disease processes.
Wireless subsurface sensors for remote transportation infrastructure management

Damage to secondary, remote roads occur during time periods when roadways are weakened due to weather extremes. A few heavy trucks traveling on a weakened road equate to an entire years' worth of normal traffic load. Roadway damage can be prevented by restricting heavy vehicle traffic during weakened roadway periods. This paper describes wireless underground sensors connected to a data driven decision support system using an Internet of Things connectivity method designed to provide real-time seasonal load restriction, roadway health forecasting capabilities for use by state and national roadway management agencies.
Investigating RNAP Search Dynamics in Live E. Coli Cells using Single Molecule and Statistical Methods

Transcription is an essential component of gene regulation and one of the most highly regulated processes in the cell. Because bacteria lack a nuclear envelope, genes transcribed by RNA polymerase (RNAP), the key enzyme of transcription, are essentially immediately translated into protein, leaving the kinetics of transcription significantly influencing the resulting protein expression timing and levels. However, while the kinetics of transcription is greatly studied in vitro, the in vivo dynamics of RNAP, including the typical search time and transcription time, are difficult to obtain. Our lab takes advantage of the sensitivity and fast time scale of single-molecule tracking to determine the kinetics of RNAP binding and transcription in live E. coli cells. We used a strain of E. coli in which the β’ subunit (rpoC) of RNAP is tagged with a photoactivatable fluorescent protein, PAmCherry, replacing the endogenous chromosomal copy. We discovered there are three states of RNAP with distinct diffusion coefficients. Using genetic manipulations and drug treatments, we were able to assign each diffusion state to a particular function of RNAP, i.e. RNAP that is bound to the DNA, RNAP that is undergoing rapid association and dissociation from the nucleoid, and freely diffusing RNAP. Further, using a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm, we were able to form a hidden Markov model of our data to parse out the dynamics of RNAP switching states, which enabled us to parse out a complete dynamical model of RNAP in living cells. We obtainined a wide variety of important parameters, including the non-specific dwell time, the typical promoter search time, and the typical transcription time for an average gene. These parameters will be useful for future gene regulations studies of all kinds, as well as to help understand general protein-nucleic acid interactions and dynamics within the crowded cytoplasm of a live cell.
Costs of substance use disorders from claims data for Medicare recipients from a population-based sample

Abstract Medicare spending is projected to increase over the next decade, including for substance use disorders (SUD). Our objective was to determine whether SUDs are associated with higher six-year Medicare costs (1999–2004) among participants in the Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) Study. Medicare claims data for the years 1999–2004 from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services were linked to four waves of data from the Baltimore ECA cohort collected between 1981 and 2005 (n=566). A generalized linear model with a log link and gamma distribution was used to examine direct Medicare costs associated with SUD status. Medicare recipients with no history of SUD had mean six-year costs of $42,576. Those with a history of SUD based on both Baltimore ECA and Medicare data, or based on Medicare claims data alone, had significantly higher costs ($98,754 and $64,876, respectively). A history of SUD based solely on Baltimore ECA data alone had lower average costs ($25,491). Findings indicate that Medicare costs differ by source of SUD diagnosis when comparing treatment versus survey data. This may have future implications for projecting Medicare costs among SUD individuals as healthcare coverage expands under the Affordable Care Act.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an immune complication of heparin therapy caused by antibodies to complexes of platelet factor 4 (PF4) and heparin. Pathogenic antibodies to PF4/heparin bind and activate cellular FcγRIIA on platelets and monocytes to propagate a hypercoagulable state culminating in life-threatening thrombosis. It is now recognized that anti-PF4/heparin antibodies develop commonly after heparin exposure, but only a subset of sensitized patients progress to life-threatening complications of thrombocytopenia and thrombosis. Recent scientific developments have clarified mechanisms underlying PF4/heparin immunogenicity, disease susceptibility, and clinical manifestations of disease. Insights from clinical and laboratory findings have also been recently harnessed for disease prevention. This review will summarize our current understanding of HIT by reviewing pathogenesis, essential clinical and laboratory features, and management.
Stochastic effects and time-filtered leapfrog schemes for Maxwell’s equations

We consider Maxwell’s equations where the conductivity contains fast random fluctuations in time. Using an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process, we study the effects of correlations between the random fluctuations of two different time scales, with one an order of magnitude smaller than the other. We show that this asymptotic regime gives rise to a limiting equation where the effects of the fluctuations in the conductivity are captured in additional terms containing deterministic and stochastic corrections. For deterministic dynamics, numerical solutions to the time dependent Maxwell’s equations using a new time stepping scheme are presented. This scheme, which is based on the leapfrog method and a fourth-order time filter, significantly reduces the short oscillations generated by numerical dispersion. It uses staggering in space only, allowing explicit treatment of the electric current density terms and application of numerical smoothers. Comparisons of simulation results where Maxwell’s equations are integrated in a presence of the scattering of an electromagnetic pulse by a perfectly conducting square and those obtained with the unfiltered leapfrog show that the developed method is robust and accurate.