cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improved biliary stenting using a balloon catheter and the combined technique for difficult stenoses

target and accurately define and position the bleeding site. To obtain a wider operative field, we developed a transparent ligating device with an operative field angle of 120 degrees and were able to successfully obtain the same endoscopic view as that without using the ligating device. Because the operative field mainly depends on the transparency of the hoods but not on the diameter of the opening, the non-transparent, original device has a narrow operative field. Even in patients with acute bleeding the bleeding site was as quickly and easily found with the transparent device as in patients treated without the device. The larger diameter of the device allows for larger esophageal varices or gastric varices to be ligated, but additional caution should also be paid to the possibility of accidentally ligating tissue deep in the submucosa. In conclusion,
Paradoxical Marker of Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis

Excerpt To the editor: In the April issue, Koziol and colleagues (1) conclude that antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) serves as a marker for non-A, non-B hepatitis agents in donated bl...
Searching for Cioran

Ilinca Zarifopol-Johnston, Searching for Cioran, edited by Kenneth R. Johnston, Foreword by Matei Calinescu (Bloomington and Indianapolis, IN: Indiana University Press, 2009), xxiii + 284 pp., £31....
Tackling Corruption at its Source: The National Corruption Prevention Bureau

In Spring 2007 as part of its ongoing anticorruption efforts, the PRC announced the establishment of a new organization called the “National Corruption Prevention Bureau” (NCPB). The article first examines the origins of the NCPB and its position in the current Chinese anticorruption regime. The NCPB will concentrate primarily on information collection and coordination work. Given these goals, This article examines the organization’s potential for improving work in three areas related to information collection and coordination; increased oversight of the private sector, improving information quality and dissemination, and strengthening routine anticorruption activities. The final section examines potential problems that will likely limit the ability of this new organization to improve anticorruption work, such as the possibility of increasing complexity within the anticorruption system, and the NCPB’s limited independence from the agencies it seeks to coordinate.
A Finite-Element Perturbation Approach to Fluid/Rotor Interaction in Turbomachinery Elements. Part 2: Application

The vibrational characteristics of a rotor that is in contact with a fluid in an annular clearance gap are investigated. The disturbance under consideration involves the axis of rotation, and includes a virtual lateral eccentricity, together with a whirling motion around the housing centerline. The fluid reaction components arise from infinitesimally small deformations with varied magnitudes which are experienced by an assembly of finite elements in the rotor-to-housing gap. A perturbation model is presented in which the perturbation equations emerge from the flow-governing equations in their discrete finite-element form. It is concluded that restrictions on the rotor-to-housing gap geometry, or the manner in which the rotor virtual eccentricity occurs are practically nonexisting. This model is used to compute the rotordynamic coefficients of an annular seal. The rotordynamic behavior of a hydraulic seal with a clearance gap depth/length ratio of 0.01 is analyzed under a cylindrical type of rotor whirl and several running speeds.
Finding popular categories for RFID tags

As RFID tags are increasingly attached to everyday items, it quickly becomes impractical to collect data from every tag in order to extract useful information. In this paper, we consider the problem of identifying popular categories of RFID tags out of a large collection of tags, without reading all the tag data. We propose two algorithms based on the idea of group testing, which allows us to efficiently derive popular categories of tags. We evaluate our solutions using both theoretical analysis and simulation.
Volume-Controlled, Two-Carrier Currents in Solids: The Injected Plasma Case

Double injection into semiconductors and insulators is studied under conditions where the injected electrons and holes are free (injected plasma), the current is volume-controlled, i.e., determined by distributed space charge, and the current is field-driven (diffusion negligible). The major results are, assuming a one-dimensional geometry and carrier lifetime independent of injection level, for extrinsic semiconductors, (i) an extended voltage region over which $J\ensuremath{\propto}{V}^{2}$ ($J$ current density and $V$ voltage), and (ii) depression of the current, at fixed voltage, in the square-law region through increase in the number of thermal minority carriers, $J\ensuremath{\propto}|{n}_{T}\ensuremath{-}{p}_{T}|$, with ${n}_{T}$, ${p}_{T}$ the thermal-equilibrium densities of electrons and holes, respectively. This unusual behavior is shown to be a direct consequence of recombination kinetic requirements. For insulators, assuming trapping is negligible, $J\ensuremath{\propto}{V}^{3}$. A rigorous solution is obtained for the constant-lifetime problem, valid for both semiconductors and trap-free insulators. This solution furnishes a good approximation also for variable-lifetime cases, e.g., bimolecular recombination kinetics.
An approach to the design of nonmutagenic azo dyes : analogs of the mutagen CI direct black 17

Abstract The effect on mutagenicity caused by incorporating an alkoxy substituent into the structure of a disazo hydrophilic dye has been investigated. The results of this study indicate that while bulky alkoxy groups are useful in lowering the mutagenicity of certain analogs of CI Direct Black 17, the decrease observed is less than that noted for a series of monoazo disperse dyes. The color and fastness properties of these novel disazo dyes are also described.
Computing the effective resistance in a system of conducting sticks

Abstract The problem of determining the effective resistance of a network of resistors is modeled as a quadratic min-cost network flow problem. Using duality theory, it can be reformulated as an unconstrained quadratic program. Based on computational comparison with standard primal methods such as the Frank-Wolfe algorithm, the unconstrained version can be solved for more efficiently by the conjugate gradient technique. Computational results are presented for five large-scale problems from physicists' studies of conducting fibers (sticks) embedded in an insulatng polymer.
A Systematic Review of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression in Veterans

Research conducted in the civilian population demonstrates that cognitive-behavioral therapies are effective for depression, but some evidence suggests that Veterans' treatment response may differ from civilians. This review examined cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for depression in Veteran samples. A literature search for treatment outcome studies with Veteran samples was conducted using PsycInfo, PubMed, and SCOPUS databases. Nine studies met inclusion criteria and were assessed for methodological rigor (randomized controlled trials = 5; open trials = 4). Controlled effect sizes were compared for randomized controlled trials, and pre-post effect sizes were used to compare treatment groups across all studies. The open trials reviewed demonstrated large pre-post effect sizes, though these studies were of lower methodological quality. CBT performed better than control treatment in only two of five randomized controlled trials reviewed, a finding that contrasts with research in non-Veteran samples. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed, including psychosocial factors that may influence the course of depression treatment in Veterans. Additional high quality research is needed to conclusively determine if depression treatment outcomes differ for Veterans and, if so, what modifications to current CBT protocols might enhance response to treatment.
QUANTITATIVE GENETICS OF SIZE AND PHENOLOGY OF LIFE-HISTORY TRAITS IN CHAMAECRISTA FASCICULATA.

Despite numerous adaptive scenarios concerning the evolution of plant life-history phenologies few studies have examined the heritable basis for and genetic correlations among these phenologies. Documentation of genetic variation for and covariation among reproductive phenologies is important because it is this variation/covariation that will determine the potential for response to evolutionary forces. To address this problem, I conducted a breeding experiment to determine narrow-sense heritabilities for and genetic correlations among the phenologies of life-history events and plant size in Chamaecristafasciculata, a temperate summer annual plant species. Paternal families showed no evidence of heritable variation for two estimates of plant size, six measures of reproductive phenology or two fitness components. Similarly, paternal estimates of genetic correlations among these traits were low or zero. In contrast, maternal estimates of heritability suggested the influence of maternal parent on one estimate of plant size and four phenological traits. Likewise, maternal effects influenced maternal estimates of genetic correlations. These maternal effects can arise from three sources: endosperm nuclear, cytoplasmic genetic and/or maternal phenotypic. The degree to which the phenology of one life-history trait acts as a constraint on the evolution of other phenological traits depends on the source of the maternal influence in this species.
Inhaled antibiotic therapy for ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis and ventilator-associated pneumonia: an Update

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in mechanically-ventilated patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) was previously believed to be an intermediate stage between colonization of the lower respiratory tract and VAP. More recent data, however, suggest that VAT may be a separate entity that increases morbidity and mortality, independently of the occurrence of VAP. Some, but not all, patients with VAT progress to develop VAP. Although inhaled antibiotics alone could be effective for the treatment of VAP, the current consensus of opinion favors their role as adjuncts to systemic antimicrobial therapy for VAP. Inhaled antibiotics are increasingly employed for salvage therapy in patients with VAP due to multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria. In contrast to VAP, VAT could be effectively treated with inhaled antibiotic therapy alone or in combination with systemic antimicrobials.
Brillouin scattering studies of poly(vinylidene fluoride) films subject to uniaxial stretching

Brillouin scattering spectra of poly(vinylidene fluoride) films subject to stretching have been studied as a function of draw (stretch) ratios. The longitudinal sound velocity is found to be isotropic for the unoriented film, but as the film is stretched, the velocity along the direction of stretch becomes higher than that perpendicular to it. The increase in the sound velocity is due to the induced orientation of the chains in the amorphous and the crystalline regions. The Hermans orientation parameter has been determined as a function of stretch from the velocity data. The result indicates the occurrence of recrystallization and reorganization as a result of transformation to form I crystallites from the amorphous phase as the film is stretched.
SELF-DEFEATING PERSONALITY, SELF-REINFORCEMENT, AND DEPRESSION

51 men who were more self-defeating were observed to use lower frequency of self-reinforcement and to be more depressed. The results were seen as supporting Beck's early work which proposed a relat...
Novel Pt/Mg(In)(Al)O catalysts for ethane and propane dehydrogenation

Catalysts for the dehydrogenation of light alkanes were prepared by dispersing Pt on the surface of a calcined hydrotalcite-like support containing indium, Mg(In)(Al)O. Upon reduction in H2 at temperatures above 673 K, bimetallic particles of PtIn are observed by TEM, which have an average diameter of 1 nm. Analysis of Pt LIII-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data shows that the In content of the bimetallic particles increases with increasing bulk In/Pt ratio and reduction temperature. Pt LIII-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) indicates that an increasing donation of electronic charge from In to Pt occurs with increasing In content in the PtIn particles. The activity and selectivity of the Pt/Mg(In)(Al)O catalysts for ethane and propane dehydrogenation reactions are strongly dependent on the bulk In/Pt ratio. For both reactants, maximum activity was achieved for a bulk In/Pt ratio of 0.48, and at this In/Pt ratio, the selectivity to alkene was nearly 100%. Coke deposition was observed after catalyst use for either ethane or propane dehydrogenation, and it was observed that the alloying of Pt with In greatly reduced the amount of coke deposited. Characterization of the deposit by Raman spectroscopy indicates that the coke is present as highly disordered graphite particles <30 nm in diameter. While the amount of coke deposited during ethane and propane dehydrogenation are comparable, the effects on activity are dependent on reactant composition. Coke deposition had no effect on ethane dehydrogenation activity, but caused a loss in propane dehydrogenation activity. This difference is attributed to the greater ease with which coke produced on the surface of PtIn nanoparticles migrates to the support during ethane dehydrogenation versus propane dehydrogenation.
RETHINKING ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT TRAINEES'LIFE EXPERIENCE

A breadth of previous life experience in marriage and family therapy (MFT) trainees is viewed by many theoreticians, clinicians, and supervisors as a prerequisite for practicing MFT. This study assessed the relationship of trainees' life experiences and therapeutic outcome. We predicted that trainees with more life experience would have better therapeutic outcomes during the process of training than those with less experience. Surprisingly, the results indicated that trainees with greater life experience are not generally perceived by clients as more effective. This finding challenges us to rethink our assumptions about the role of life experience in selecting trainees.
Integrated System ID and Control Design for an IC Engine Variable Valve Timing System

This paper applies integrated system modeling and control design process to a continuously variable valve timing (VVT) actuator system that has different control input and cam position feedback sample rates. Due to high cam shaft torque disturbance and high actuator open-loop gain, it is also difficult to maintain the cam phase at the desired constant level with an open-loop controller for system identification. As a result, multirate closed-loop system identification becomes necessary. For this study, a multirate closed-loop system identification method, pseudo-random binary signal q-Markov Cover, was used for obtaining linearized system models of the nonlinear physical system at different engine operational conditions; and output covariance constraint (OCC) controller, an H2 controller, was designed based upon the identified nominal model and evaluated on the VVT test bench. Performance of the designed OCC controller was compared with that of the well-tuned baseline proportional-integral (PI) controller on the test bench. Results show that the OCC controller uses less control effort and has significant lower overshoot than those of PI ones. DOI: 10.1115/1.4003263
DINGO: differential network analysis in genomics.

Motivation: Cancer progression and development are initiated by aberrations in various molecular networks through coordinated changes across multiple genes and pathways. It is important to understand how these networks change under different stress conditions and/or patient-specific groups to infer differential patterns of activation and inhibition. Existing methods are limited to correlation networks that are independently estimated from separate group-specific data and without due consideration of relationships that are conserved across multiple groups. Method: We propose a pathway-based differential network analysis in genomics (DINGO) model for estimating group-specific networks and making inference on the differential networks. DINGO jointly estimates the group-specific conditional dependencies by decomposing them into global and group-specific components. The delineation of these components allows for a more refined picture of the major driver and passenger events in the elucidation of cancer progression and development. Results: Simulation studies demonstrate that DINGO provides more accurate group-specific conditional dependencies than achieved by using separate estimation approaches. We apply DINGO to key signaling pathways in glioblastoma to build differential networks for long-term survivors and short-term survivors in The Cancer Genome Atlas. The hub genes found by mRNA expression, DNA copy number, methylation and microRNA expression reveal several important roles in glioblastoma progression. Availability and implementation: R Package at: odin.mdacc.tmc.edu/~vbaladan. Contact: gro.nosrednadm@areev Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Hardware Security: Preparing Students for the Next Design Frontier

Hardware security (HS) has emerged as a premier design and manufacturing objective due to the confluence of economic, social, and technology forces. HS encompasses a wide spectrum of research and development directions ranging from intellectual property (IP) protection, hardware metering, and hardware Trojan horse detection, to design of secure smart cards, voting hardware, detection of explosives and chemical and biologic toxic materials, and protection of physical containers using electronic locks. Development ofHS synthesis and evaluation tools have recently received a great deal of attention. However, to the best of our knowledge, no HS courses have been introduced into computer engineering curricula. We summarize the course that was introduced at UCLA and Rice University, present its evaluation, and anticipate future directions to create an even more influential class.
Mechanical regulation of collective cell behavior via microtopographic substrates

This paper demonstrates the feasibility in utilizing microtopographic substrates to maintain or inhibit collective cell behavior via micromachined posts and thin-film stencils. This technique enables groups, or collectives, of cells to be localized and directly cultured onto microposts for studying effects of substrate stiffness on collective cell behavior. Preliminary results show that bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) collectively contract on soft substrates and disperse into single cells on stiff substrates after 16-hour studies. The micropost mechanical stiffness required for collective-to-single-cell transitions is characterized as 65 ± 41 nN/µm. As such, this work provides an essential foundation for growing and controlling collective cells under in vitro environments for interrogating a wide range of growth and pathological biological phenomena.
Whole Genome Approaches in Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose— The field of ischemic stroke genetics is moving beyond candidate gene studies into the realm of genomewide association studies. Such studies have resulted in discoveries in diverse, complex disorders. Methods— The author conducted an informal qualitative review of peer-reviewed medical literature. Results— The power of genomewide association studies to confirm prior associations and establish new ones is illustrated by recent work focusing on type 2 diabetes mellitus. A pilot genomewide association study of ischemic stroke failed to identify a single gene of major effect. Conclusions— Follow-up studies with substantially greater statistical power are essential and are being planned by the Wellcome Trust and others.
Rethinking Randolph Bourne's Trans-National America: How World War I Created an Isolationist Antiwar Pluralism

The intellectual and cultural critic Randolph Bourne originated the concept of a “transnational America” in 1916. More than a mere label, “trans-national America” was the articulation of Bourne's visionary new form of pluralism. This article aims to rethink Bourne's transnationalism as a form of isolationist antiwar idealism, thus helping to bridge his writings on domestic reform and foreign policy. Further, it illuminates an important moment in the intellectual history of isolationism as it assumed a positive, pluralist cast. This analysis also opens new vistas onto the development of a wide-ranging liberal opposition to American entry into World War I. Bourne's potent pluralistic, cosmopolitan ideas and the actions he took—along with those of other antiwar activists, politicians, and thinkers—helped to set the ideological parameters for antiwar thought in the period from 1916 to 1918 as well as for later American dissent, particularly in wartime.
Spontaneous Activity In The Eighth Cranial Nerve of The Cat

Spontaneous discharges of single units in the eighth cranial nerve of anesthetized cats were recorded with micropipets and studied by means of interspike-interval histograms. The histograms for units in the auditory branch generally have modes less than 10 msec, high skew and high coefficients of variation (CV). The histograms for units in the superior division of the vestibular branch generally have modes longer than 10 msec but have either low skew and low CV, low skew and high CV, or high skew and low CV. Units with high and low skews are found in almost equal numbers in the anterior portion of the superior division, whereas an overwhelming proportion of the units in the posterior portion have low skew.
High energy density permanent magnetic motors for underwater systems

This paper addresses the application of high energy density, permanent magnet technology to (1) the brushless, axial field, permanent magnet motor, and (2) the integrated electric motor/pump impeller system for underwater applications. Finite element analysis (FEA) and lumped parameter magnetic circuit models were developed and used to calculate the motor parameters and performance characteristics. New compact, efficient, reliable, and quiet underwater systems are attainable due to advances in high energy density permanent magnets, power electronic devices, and power integrated circuit technology.
Recommender Systems for the Web

Recommender systems already provide substantial user value by personalizing a number of sites on the Web. The Semantic Web brings forward rich opportunities for improving these interfaces, and for striking a better balance between content and collaborative personalization methods.
Birds Caught in Spider Webs: A Synthesis of Patterns

Abstract Results of queries through public avian list-servers and a thorough literature search formed a data base to synthesize patterns of birds trapped in spider webs. Sixty-nine cases of birds, representing 54 species in 23 families, were reported trapped in webs. Hummingbirds were the most diverse family (9 species) and had the most cases of entrapment (n = 20). Archilochus colubris represented the species with the most cases of entrapment (n = 6). Mean mass and wing chord length of all species trapped were 11 g and 61 mm, respectively. Eighty-seven percent of all individuals had mass ≤15 g and 88% had a wing chord <90 mm. Phaethornis longuemareus and Mellisuga minima represented the smallest species (mass = 2 g, wing chord = 37 mm), and Streptopelia senegalensis was the largest (mass = 80 g, wing chord = 138 mm). Thirty cases of birds were entrapped without human intervention: 22 died and eight not wrapped in silk freed themselves. Those wrapped in silk invariably died unless freed by a h...
Some Thyroxine Analogs I*: Substituted beta-Phenylsetines and Related Substances

The synthesis of a possible thyroxine antagonist is presented. This, substituted beta -phenylserine was prepared in order to explore the possibility that thyroxine analogs containing a hydroxyl group substituted for a hydrogen atom on the beta -carbon atom might prove to be thyroxine antagonists.
Cognitive speed in nondemented Parkinson's disease

Studies of speed of cognitive processing in Parkinson's disease (PD) have yielded mixed results. This may relate in part to a differential effect on cognitive speed by the type of information to be processed. In the present study, we compared medication fasted, nondemented individuals with mild idiopathic PD ( N = 26) with age-matched controls ( N = 12) on a test requiring easy and hard same–different discriminations for verbal, quantitative, and spatial information, as well as on a traditional memory scanning paradigm. A voice-activated relay rather than a key press was used to eliminate the need for limb and finger movements. Simple reaction time and movement time were also measured in a task requiring subjects to move a hand held stylus to a designated target. The PD group performed as fast as the control group across all tasks except movement time. Thus, in our paradigm, the presence of PD alone does not predict cognitive slowing in the presence of motor slowing. ( JINS , 1998, 4 , 584–592.)
Effect of Surface Cooling and Blood Flow on the Microwave Heating of Tissue

The one-dimensional heat transport equation has been solved for a semi-infinite plane of tissue irradiated by microwave radiation, to determine the effects of thermal convection due to blood flow and transfer of heat from the tissue surface into space on the steady-state temperature distribution in the tissue. For microwaves in the 1 to 10-GHz range, the effective heating depth is 1 to 2 cm, and can be much deeper than the penetration depth of the radiation in the tissue. The position of the maximum tissue temperature can be varied by a centimeter or so by cooling the surface. The results suggest that microwave irradiation of simulated biomaterials is not likely to provide accurate estimates of the actual microwave-induced temperature distribution in tissue.
Characterisation of interface bonding between hot-mix asphalt overlay and concrete pavements: modelling and in-situ response to accelerated loading

This study investigates the effects of pavement interface conditions on hot-mix asphalt (HMA) overlay response using the laboratory and field measurements accompanied by a numerical analysis. A laboratory and accelerated testing programme were conducted as part of a comprehensive study to determine the optimum tack coat application rate for HMA–Portland cement concrete (PCC) composite pavements by Leng et al. (2008, Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2057, 46–53; 2009, Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2127, 20–28). This study synthesises the accelerated and laboratory test results with a 3D finite element (FE) model to evaluate the effects of various bonding conditions on the overlay response as well as the interface behaviour. The model outcome was validated using the laboratory and field results. The FE model was utilised to extend the findings of this study to different temperatures, tyre configurations and loading ...
A Quantitative Histological Evaluation of the Dilated Ureter of Childhood. II: Ectopia, Posterior Urethral Valves and the Prune Belly Syndrome

ABSTRACTA quantitative histological study was performed on specimens of 33 ureters obtained from 14 male and 19 female patients 5 days to 14 years old (mean age 1.2 years). A high resolution color image video analysis system was used to quantify and compare collagen and smooth muscle components of the muscularis layers to normal control ureters from patients of similar ages. In comparing ureters with ectopia (7), ureters with ectopic ureteroceles (20) and control ureters (4) there was not a statistically different collagen-to-smooth muscle ratio among the groups. In the patients with posterior urethral valves the amount of collagen and smooth muscle was not statistically different from controls (p >0.01), although the collagen-to-smooth muscle ratio was increased. The 4 patients with the prune belly syndrome had a collagen-to-smooth muscle ratio that was markedly elevated (1.21 versus 0.39) compared with controls. When this group was analyzed as 2 separate groups (obstructed versus refluxing ureters) the ...
Differences between Mexican-American and White Children in Interpersonal Distance and Social Touching:

Summary.-Two studies examined differences in children's social immediacy tendencies expressed through interpersonal distance and touching. It was predicted that Mexican-Americans would space closer and touch more frequently than whites. Study 1 showed among 40 second graders that 20 MexicanAmericans did space significantly closer than 20 whites. Among 40 eighth graders the ethnic difference disappeared. Study 2 indicated among second graders that the greatest tactual behavior occurred for Mexican-American females (16 boys, 16 girls). Extensive measures were taken in Study 1 to avoid a number of confounds that characterized previous research. Results were discussed in terms of social learning and ethnic socialization.
High-accuracy prediction of transmembrane inter-helix contacts and application to GPCR 3D structure modeling

Motivation: Residue–residue contacts across the transmembrane helices dictate the three-dimensional topology of alpha-helical membrane proteins. However, contact determination through experiments is difficult because most transmembrane proteins are hard to crystallize. Results: We present a novel method (MemBrain) to derive transmembrane inter-helix contacts from amino acid sequences by combining correlated mutations and multiple machine learning classifiers. Tested on 60 non-redundant polytopic proteins using a strict leave-one-out cross-validation protocol, MemBrain achieves an average accuracy of 62%, which is 12.5% higher than the current best method from the literature. When applied to 13 recently solved G protein-coupled receptors, the MemBrain contact predictions helped increase the TM-score of the I-TASSER models by 37% in the transmembrane region. The number of foldable cases (TM-score40.5) increased by 100%, where all G protein-coupled receptor templates and homologous templates with sequence identity 430% were excluded. These results demonstrate significant progress in contact prediction and a potential for contact-driven structure modeling of transmembrane proteins.
Bioinformatics approaches and resources for single nucleotide polymorphism functional analysis

Since the initial sequencing of the human genome, many projects are underway to understand the effects of genetic variation between individuals. Predicting and understanding the downstream effects of genetic variation using computational methods are becoming increasingly important for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) selection in genetics studies and understanding the molecular basis of disease. According to the NIH, there are now more than four million validated SNPs in the human genome. The volume of known genetic variations lends itself well to an informatics approach. Bioinformaticians have become very good at functional inference methods derived from functional and structural genomics. This review will present a broad overview of the tools and resources available to collect and understand functional variation from the perspective of structure, expression, evolution and phenotype. Additionally, public resources available for SNP identification and characterisation are summarised.
How Subject and Experimenter Variables Influence Estimates of Hearing Protector Attenuation Using Ansi-Standardized Testing Procedures

Hearing threshold levels (HTLs) were determined using audiometrically-normal subjects with and without earplugs for two hearing protection device (HPD) laboratory fitting protocols. The experimenter-fit (EF) protocol intended to estimate the optimum attenuation of an HPD. EF involved a high level of experimenter participation and a low level of subject participation—the experimenter optimally fit earplugs to the subject. The subject-fit (SF) protocol, on the other hand, intended to estimate the more typical attenuation achievable in the real-world by well-run hearing conservation programs (HCPs), therefore, inexperienced-in-HPD-use subjects fit one of two types of earplugs on themselves using only the manufacturer's on-package instructions and without experimenter assistance. The objective was to compare the attenuation performance of the two HPD fitting protocols which varied in subject and experimenter testing participation and involvement. As expected, significantly greater attenuation resulted under E...
Antenatal diagnosis of acephalus acardia: A proposed management scheme

The known association of congenital anomalies with hydramnios has underscored the necessity for careful ultrasound evaluation of the intrauterine contents. Numerous studies and case reports have demonstrated the usefulness of ultrasound in diagnosing the more common congenital abnormalities, as well as the unusual ones. The ability to diagnose these entities and alter both the antenatal and intrapartum management of afflicted fetuses has yielded a variety of new approaches to perinatal care. We present two cases of
Extravesical Pagetoid Spread of Urothelial Carcinoma in Situ. A Report of Five Cases.

BACKGROUND Urothelial carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder is classified as a flat lesion of the urothelium; it has a tendency to be multifocal and carries a high risk of recurrence and persistence. Approximately one-third of patients with urothelial CIS of the bladder develop invasive carcinoma if left untreated. There are a few reported cases of extravesical intramucosal extension (pagetoid spread) of urothelial CIS without prior documentation of primary muscle-invasive carcinoma. CASES We present 5 cases of urothelial CIS that exhibited pagetoid spread to prostatic ducts, seminal vesicles, and the vagina. CONCLUSION Pagetoid spread of urothelial CIS of the bladder may introduce uncertainty with regard to assignment of proper disease staging, and therefore uncertainty about appropriate cancer management.
Defining the role of chest pain units

Safe, cost-effective management of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) because of chest pain compatible with myocardial ischemia continues to present a major clinical challenge. Current standards mandate rapid institution of proven therapy for reduction of mortality and morbidity in
The Art of Gene Redesign and Recombinant Protein Production: Approaches and Perspectives

In recent years, the demand for recombinant proteins for use in research laboratories or in medical settings has increased dramatically. Although a wide variety of recombinant protein expression systems and gene redesign approaches are available, obtaining active, correctly folded recombinant proteins in sufficient amounts remains a challenge in many cases. One of the main approaches to gene redesign with the potential to increase protein production involves introduction of synonymous codon substitutions in mRNAs aimed at increasing the rate/efficiency of translation. However, a number of recent studies have shown that synonymous codon substitutions can also negatively impact mRNA biogenesis, mRNA decoding, as well as protein folding and function. Maximizing the speed and output of translation may put conflicting demands on the protein synthesis machinery resulting in reduced accuracy of the decoding process and/or improper protein folding. An improved understanding of the impact of synonymous codon substitutions on mRNA/protein biogenesis and function is critically important for the development of safer and more effective recombinant protein therapeutics. This review discusses the most common approaches to gene redesign that involve synonymous codon substitutions and provides recommendations for their optimal use in light of recent developments in the field regarding the impact of synonymous codon usage on various aspects of protein production and function.
Evaluation of staining and color changes of a resin infiltration system

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the staining and color changes of a resin infiltrant system used for management of white spot lesions (WSLs). Materials and Methods: WSLs were artificially created on left buccal halves of 48 extracted human teeth. These sites were then treated with resin infiltration (RI) while the right halves of the teeth remained as nonresin (NRI) areas. Six groups were formed (n = 8 teeth/group) and were exposed to the following: red wine, coffee, orange juice, combined staining agents, accelerated aging, and distilled water for 1 week. The teeth were then polished with a prophy cup and polishing paste. Color properties were assessed using a spectrophotometer at baseline (T0), after each exposure (T1), and after polishing (T2). Color difference (ΔE*) was calculated between each time point for both halves of the teeth (RI and NRI). Data were analyzed with a two-way analysis of variance with presence of resin infiltration and staining agents as the main effects for each time point pair. M...
A new communication hub in the RNA world.

During assembly of spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), the RNA-binding protein (RBP) Gemin5 recognizes the snRNP code and interacts with the large Gemin2–SMN complex. So et al. now find that Gemin2 also interacts with U1-70K, thereby conferring a preferential advantage on U1 snRNP assembly, and they extrapolate that SMN–Gemin2 serves a general ribonucleoprotein-exchange function.
Using a Mobile Health Intervention to Support HIV Treatment Adherence and Retention Among Patients at Risk for Disengaging with Care

Less than half of the 1.2 million HIV-infected individuals in the United States are in consistent medical care, with only a third receiving treatment resulting in viral suppression. Novel interventions to improve engagement are necessary to ensure medical adherence, improve long-term outcomes, and reduce HIV transmission. Mobile health (mHealth) strategies including cell phone and text messaging have shown success in the developing world for medical adherence, yet mHealth interventions have not been developed and evaluated to improve retention in HIV care in the United States. We conducted a 6-month pilot study investigating the use of a clinic-based bi-directional texting intervention to enhance engagement in HIV care among those with higher risk of loss to follow up, including those with a recent HIV diagnosis or those re-engaging in HIV care at a large urban clinic in New England.
Thermodynamics of CO2/2-Methylpiperazine/Water

Aqueous 2-methylpiperazine (2MPZ) is an attractive solvent for CO2 capture from coal-fired power plants. Quantitative NMR spectroscopy was used to speciate at 40 °C 8 m 2MPZ loaded with CO2. 13C NMR spectra were acquired from 0 to 0.37 mol CO2/mol alkalinity (or per amino group). 13CO2 was used for solution preparation to amplify signals from carbamate and bicarbonate. The NMR spectra show that the unhindered 2MPZ monocarbamate is the dominant carbamate species and accounts for more than 75% of the total dissolved CO2; bicarbonate and 2MPZ dicarbamate each only account for up to 10% of the total absorbed CO2. Hindered 2MPZ was not detected. This speciation and CO2 solubility were represented by an electrolyte nonrandom two liquid thermodynamic model developed through data regression. At a CO2 loading giving 1.5 kPa CO2 partial pressure at 40 °C the heat of CO2 absorption varies from 50 to 75 kJ/mol at 40–140 °C. At 40 °C the equilibrium CO2 partial pressure was 0.5 kPa at 0.265 mol CO2/mol alkalinity and ...
Effect of salt concentration on the conformation of TAR RNA and its association with aminoglycoside antibiotics.

RNA is an important biological target because it plays essential roles in many pathogenic and normal cellular processes. The design of inhibitors that target RNA involves optimization of noncovalen...
Optical detection and eradication of dysplastic Barrett's esophagus.

Dysplastic Barrett's esophagus is a condition that offers multiple diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The diagnosis of dysplasia within Barrett's esophagus currently relies on periodic endoscopic surveillance with multiple biopsies, a methodology limited by random sampling error, inconsistent histopathologic interpretation and delay in diagnosis. Optical spectroscopic and imaging techniques have the potential to identify dysplastic or early neoplastic lesions in real-time. These diagnostic modalities are needed to enhance the endoscopic surveillance of Barrett's esophagus in the future as well as help to define lesions for endoscopic therapy. Esophagectomy has been the standard of care for Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia although it is a procedure associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Minimally invasive endoscopic ablative therapies are attractive and less morbid alternatives to esophagectomy, with promising results obtained from the use of light-activated drugs (i.e., photodynamic therapy). The combination of novel optical diagnostic techniques and therapies will provide the endoscopist with much needed tools that can considerably enhance the management of patients with Barrett's esophagus. This article reviews the current status and future prospects of optical-based modalities for diagnosis and therapy of dysplastic Barrett's esophagus.
Attitudes of College Career Counselors Towards Stuttering and People Who Stutter

Research has addressed college students who stutter and perceptions of instructors, peers, and romantic partners. Yet, there have been no studies on the perceptions of college career counselors on ...
A Semiclassical Treatment of Absorption and Emission of Electromagnetic Radiation by Atomic Dipoles

The atomic dipole is a very useful approximate model for an atomic system, and there are already many classical and quantum treatments dealing with its absorption and emission of electromagnetic radiation. Mandel obtained some heuristic results about this problem by the analysis of classical electrodynamics and an ansatz with some quantum mechanical conditions[l]. These include the lifetime of spontaneous emission, the exponential decay law and a viewpoint that the energy absorbed by the atomic dipole is stored within the near field, and may later transfer to the radiation field during emission.
Shades of Sense

An appeal to truth looks unlikely to take us far in explaining differences in meaning between such near synonyms as ‘close’ and ‘shut’, or ‘precisely’ and ‘exactly’, pairs for which the supplementary notion of tone is also unsuited. Hence, another reason for dissatisfaction with Tarski’s T-sentences: across a wide range of uses intersubstitutivity has no effect on the truth of their putative meaning-giving biconditionals. True, coextensiveness is not to be taken for synonymy; yet no difference in anything like Frege’s mode of presentation discriminates ‘Close the door’ from ‘Shut the door’.
When Theory Meets Practice: Undermining the Principles of Tradition and Modernity in Africa

Ideology, although a seemingly metaphysical exercise, is known to have concrete effects on our perception of the world around us. It builds up a particular understanding of everyday situations, through which we engage in the world. Whatever ideology is followed, however, we should be aware of its specific limits and boundaries within which it functions. A re-reading of this ideology on different terms, or the discovery of practical inconsistencies within it, points us to those limitations and allow us to take a critical look. Through constant criticism and re-interpretation, any ideology can be adapted to help best deal with the current realities that we are facing. The ideology of tradition and modernity, for example, has been in use for as long as it can be remembered by contemporary society. It is particularly popular with recent generations of the Western world, creating the context for a humanist conception of progress, which affects their social, political, and economic realities. In the colloquial sense, tradition remains old-fashioned, attached to the past, and unchanging, while modernity claims constant renewal, movement towards the future, and continuous change. Although on the surface these terms seem to have more of a harmless, descriptive character, without this theory meeting practice, the tradition-modernity ideology divide is bound to create problems due to the lack of a critical standpoint.
Refining Learning Maps with Data Fitting Techniques: Searching for Better Fitting Learning Maps.

Learning sciences needs quantitative methods for comparing alternative theories of what students are learning. This study investigated the accuracy of a learning map and its utility to predict student responses. Our data included a learning map detailing a hierarchical prerequisite skill graph and student responses to questions developed specifically to assess the concepts and skills represented in the map. Each question aligned to one skill in the map, and each skill had one or more prerequisite skills. Our research goal was to seek improvements to the knowledge representation in the map using an iterative process. We applied a greedy iterative search algorithm to simplify the learning map by merging nodes together. Each successive merge resulted in a model with one skill less than the previous model. We share the results of the revised model, its reliability and reproducibility, and discuss the face validity of the most significant merges.
Adverse effects of female obesity and interaction with race on reproductive potential

Across the reproductive spectrum, obesity is associated with greater risks for adverse health outcomes, including higher rates of infertility, subfertility, early pregnancy loss, fetal deaths and stillbirths, congenital anomalies, and pregnancy complications. The excess reproductive morbidity associated with obesity may increase with longer duration, making the current trends among children and young adults particularly critical in terms of their future reproductive potential. Obese women have a lower chance of pregnancy following in vitro fertilization (IVF), require higher dosages of gonadotropins, and have reduced rates of implantation, clinical intrauterine gestation, and live birth rates and increased rates of pregnancy loss, as well as greater risks for prematurity and preeclampsia even when stratified by plurality. Racial and ethnic differences by overweight and obesity in IVF outcomes have been reported. Compared with normal-weight women, failure to achieve a clinical intrauterine gestation is significantly more likely among obese women overall, normal-weight and obese Asian women, normal-weight Hispanic women, and overweight and obese Black women. Among women who do conceive, compared with normal-weight women, failure to achieve a live birth is significantly more likely among overweight and obese women overall, and among overweight and obese Asian women, overweight and obese Hispanic women, and normal-weight and obese Black women. Although weight loss should theoretically be the first line of therapy for obese women, other lifestyle factors, such as regular physical exercise, elimination of tobacco use and alcohol consumption, and stress management, may be of more immediate benefit in achieving conception.
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) markers and nanomechanical signatures of circulating tumor cells (CTC) for prediction of men with castrate-sensitive versus castration-resistant prostate cancer (PCa).

11045 Background: Advance PCa patients (pts) on androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) eventually develop castrate-resistance (CR) disease. Men failing to achieve PSA ≤ 4ng/mL after 7 months of ADT hav...
Mammary epithelial polarity and macrophage infiltration

Loss of epithelial cell polarity and inflammation are hallmarks of breast cancer development. Although the association between the disruption of tissue polarity and inflammation has been demonstrated, we know little about how these two events are coupled. Using the 3D co-culture model of mammary epithelial cells and monocytes, a recent study reveals a link between disruption of epithelial polarity and monocytes infiltration.