cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The exceptional responsiveness of certain human myeloid leukemia cells to colony-stimulating activity

We have studied the marrow cells from a patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) for their responsiveness to colony-stimulating activity (CSA) in vitro. The AML cells were stimulated by CSA to rapid and extended growth in liquid culture. In the absence of CSA, the majority of cells died. CSA also stimulated the clonal growth of AML cells, and the minimum requirement for CSA was one-tenth to one-fiftieth that required to stimulate the growth of normal marrow CFU-C. CSA for AML cells was eluted from Sephacryl S-200 columns in fractions that represented an apparent molecular weight of 45,000 daltons. This fraction also produced optimal stimulation of normal human marrow. During remission, the patient's marrow cells did not grow in liquid culture and produced normal numbers of granulocytic and erythroid colonies in response to CSA and erythropoietin. Extended culture of the AML cells resulted in cell differentiation evidenced by decreasing proliferative capacity and by morphological and histochemical changes. These studies indicate that certain AML cells are extraordinarily responsive to CSA, an in vitro mediator of normal granulopoiesis.
Isolation of uridine 5'-diphosphate L-rhamnose from Salmonella typhimurium.

Abstract A nucleotide isolated from a rough mutant of Salmonella typhimurium LT2 has been identified as uridine 5'-diphosphate L-rhamnose on the basis of chemical, enzymatic, and chromatographic analysis. Other nucleotide-linked sugars were isolated from this organism and tentatively identified as cytidine diphosphate abequose, cytidine diphosphate glucose, uridine diphosphate glucose, uridine diphosphate galactose, deoxythymidine diphosphate rhamnose, adenosine diphosphate hexose, and guanosine diphosphate mannose.
Output from Statistical Predictive Models as Input to eLearning Dashboards

We describe how statistical predictive models might play an expanded role in educational analytics by giving students automated, real-time information about what their current performance means for eventual success in eLearning environments. We discuss how an online messaging system might tailor information to individual students using predictive analytics. The proposed system would be data-driven and quantitative; e.g., a message might furnish the probability that a student will successfully complete the certificate requirements of a massive open online course. Repeated messages would prod underperforming students and alert instructors to those in need of intervention. Administrators responsible for accreditation or outcomes assessment would have ready documentation of learning outcomes and actions taken to address unsatisfactory student performance. The article’s brief introduction to statistical predictive models sets the stage for a description of the messaging system. Resources and methods needed to develop and implement the system are discussed.
Fish oil in the treatment of dyslipidemia.

Purpose of review The recent availability of a concentrated prescription omega-3 fatty acid preparation provides physicians with an additional anti-dyslipidemic agent at a time when limitations of statin therapy in dyslipidemic high-risk patients are recognized. This review examines the evidence supporting the use of omega-3 fatty acid treatment in dyslipidemic states. Recent findings There is now considerable evidence that omega-3 fatty acid treatment at the prescription strength of 4 g/day effectively and safely lowers triglyceride levels and increases low-density lipoprotein size, as well as affecting high-density lipoprotein metabolism. Similar effects have been noted in patients treated with statins, and add-on prescription omega-3 fatty acid therapy significantly increases the proportion of statin-treated dyslipidemic patients reaching their non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals. In addition to past studies showing a cardioprotective effect of low-dose omega-3 fatty acid treatment against sudden death, a recent controlled clinical trial showed that 1.8 g of omega-3 fatty acid in statin-treated patients reduced major coronary events by 19% compared with statin plus placebo treatment. Summary Omega-3 fatty acid treatment should be considered in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia as well as in high-risk patients with an atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype.
Microsomal oxidases in the mole crickets, Scapteriscus acletus Rehn and Hebard and Scapteriscus vicinus Scudder

Abstract An active microsomal oxidase system was found in various tissues of the mole cricket adults, Scapteriscus acletus Rehn and Hebard and Scapteriscus vicinus Scudder. Aldrin epoxidase activity was mainly located in the midgut and Malpighian tubules. p -Nitroanisole O -demethylase and p -chloro- N -methylaniline N -demethylase activities were also detected in these two tissues. The overall oxidase activities in the two species were generally similar. Seasonal variation in epoxidase activity was evident in the two species with the spring populations having more activity than the fall populations. Spectral characterization of the cytochrome P -450 revealed that the enzyme was not of “resistant type” in both species. S. vicinus was four- to fivefold more susceptible to the insecticide propoxur than S. acletus .
Eicosanoid production in experimental alcoholic liver disease is related to vitamin E levels and lipid peroxidation.

We investigated the association between vitamin E, lipid peroxidation and eicosanoid production in experimental alcoholic liver injury. We used the intragastric feeding rat model in which animals were fed corn oil and ethanol (CO+E) and corn oil and dextrose (CO+D) for 2 and 4 week periods. At sacrifice, we measured plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol, 8-isoprostane, thromboxane B2(TXB2) and 6-ketoprostaglandin F1α(6-KetoPGF1α). Animals fed CO+E had significantly lower concentrations of α-tocopherol and higher concentrations of 8 isoprostane at both 2 and 4 weeks. a significant inverse correlation was seen between α-tocopherol concentrations and the TXB2: PGF1α ratio (r=0.72, p<0.01). A positive correlation was seen between the TXB2: PGF1α ratio and 8 isoprostane levels (r=0.84, p<0.001). These results suggest that vitamin E depletion and enhanced lipid peroxidation may affect eicosanoid metabolism in experimental alcoholic liver disease in such a way so as to increase the thromboxane to prostacyclin ration.
Exploring the use of multimedia examination formats in undergraduate teaching: Results from the fielding testing

Abstract Students' and faculty's perspectives toward using the multimedia examination format will influence whether digital testing can be implemented successfully or not. This study examined the students' attitudes and anxiety toward taking the multimedia examinations, factors (i.e. gender, major, student classification, and computer experience) that may influence their attitudes, and faculty's attitudes toward creating multimedia tests. Students in two undergraduate courses [a regular course ( n =100), and an online course ( n =97)] participated in this research. The results showed that there was strong support from the students and faculty for using multimedia exams as a primary assessment form. They embraced the interactive technology, and felt the incorporation of rich media in assessment could provide additional support for their learning and teaching. While students from both the regular and online courses found it acceptable to be evaluated using the multimedia format, multimedia testing was accepted more when it was a closer reflection of the instruction. The findings showed that students with more computer experience had lower anxiety and better attitudes toward using the multimedia format. Students entering colleges in recent years were more technologically literate. No significant differences in overall attitude and anxiety scores were found between male and female students, or between liberal arts and natural sciences majors.
Definition by specific antisense oligonucleotides of a role for protein kinase Cα in expression of differentiation markers in normal and neoplastic mouse epidermal keratinocytes

Epidermal keratinocyte differentiation is a tightly regulated, stepwise process that requires protein kinase C (PKC) activation. Studies using cultured mouse keratinocytes induced to differentiate with Ca2+ have indirectly implicated the alpha isoform of PKC in upregulation of "late" (granular cell) epidermal differentiation markers. Activation of this isoform is also implicated in the suppression of "early" differentiation markers keratin (K) 1 and 10 that characterizes the neoplastic phenotype produced by the v-Ha-ras oncogene. We used antisense oligonucleotides (AS) to directly address the role of PKC alpha in regulating expression of these markers in normal and v-Ha-ras-transduced primary keratinocytes and a keratinocyte cell line (SP-1) containing an activating mutation of the c-Ha-ras gene. Transfection of PKC alpha AS reduced the PKC alpha protein level in a dose-dependent manner, with a maximum effect at doses of 100 nM or higher. Immunoblot analysis with antibodies against PKC alpha, PKC delta, PKC epsilon, and PKC eta confirmed that PKC alpha AS selectively reduced the level of PKC alpha but not the other isoforms. In vitro kinase assays also revealed suppression of Ca(2+)-dependent PKC activity, which is the PKC alpha activity in this cell type, after transfection of PKC alpha AS. When PKC alpha AS-treated normal keratinocytes were stimulated to terminally differentiate with Ca2+, induction of the late differentiation markers loricrin, filaggrin, and SPR-1, as well as transglutaminase K mRNA, was suppressed when compared with their induction in scrambled AS-treated controls. In neoplastic v-Ha-ras-transduced keratinocytes and SP-1 cells, transfection of PKC alpha AS, but not the scrambled AS control, selectively downregulated PKC alpha and restored differentiation-specific expression of K1. These findings directly confirm that PKC alpha is an important component of the signaling pathway regulating terminal differentiation of normal keratinocytes and that activation of PKC alpha contributes to the altered differentiation program of neoplastic murine keratinocytes.
Meta-mathematical rhetoric: Hero and Ptolemy against the philosophers

Abstract Bringing the meta-mathematics of Hero of Alexandria and Claudius Ptolemy into conversation for the first time, I argue that they employ identical rhetorical strategies in the introductions to Hero's Belopoeica , Pneumatica , Metrica and Ptolemy's Almagest . They each adopt a paradigmatic argument, in which they criticize the discourses of philosophers and declare epistemological supremacy for mathematics by asserting that geometrical demonstration is indisputable. The rarity of this claim—in conjunction with the paradigmatic argument—indicates that Hero and Ptolemy participated in a single meta-mathematical tradition, which made available to them rhetoric designed to introduce, justify, and bolster the value of mathematics.
Abnormalities of chromosome 22 in pediatric meningiomas.

Cytogenetic studies of eight meningiomas in young children or adolescents were performed. Two tumors exhibited normal karyotypes. Two tumors from patients with bilateral acoustic neurofibromatosis demonstrated monosomy 22 as the only abnormality. Four patients had more complicated karyotypes in which one or both of the chromosomes 22 were missing or structurally altered. The most common secondary changes in these four tumors involved monosomy or structural abnormalities of Chromosome 6. These findings confirm that the primary cytogenetic changes in meningioma are similar in children and adults. Molecular analyses of pediatric meningiomas with deletions or translocations of chromosome 22 will be useful for identifying the role of chromosome 22 tumor suppressor genes in this disease. Genes Chrorn Cancer 9:81-87 (1994). © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Adaptation of roll-to-roll imprint lithography: from flexible electronics to structural templates

HP has previously demonstrated the roll-to-roll (R2R) fabrication of active-matrix display backplanes using the Self-Aligned Imprint Lithography (SAIL) process. This approach permits a single imprint step to create a multi level mask comprising all patterns required for subsequent etching steps, obviating the need for multiple alignment steps. In this paper the imprint lithography technique and aspects of SAIL are reviewed. New work using imprint processing to generate structural templates, with aspect ratios approaching 6:1, for fluid containment will be presented. Arrays of transparent well structures, formed on a flexible transparent substrate provide the basis for a color display filter matrix that is filled by inkjet deposition of pigmented resins. A primary benefit of this approach is precise color pattern definition. A separation between primary color fields of 4 microns is realized without risk of color mixing or overlap. Components patterned with high absolute precision by imprint lithography were readily integrated with parts from other sources to yield flexible color reflective display demonstrator panels. This work highlights the flexibility of imprint processing and its suitability for use with a wide variety of materials and in differing applications.
Heterogeneously integrated 2.0 μm CW hybrid silicon lasers at room temperature.

Here we experimentally demonstrate room temperature, continuous-wave (CW), 2.0 μm wavelength lasers heterogeneously integrated on silicon. Molecular wafer bonding of InP to Si is employed. These hybrid silicon lasers operate CW up to 35°C and emit up to 4.2 mW of single-facet CW power at room temperature. III–V tapers transfer light from a hybrid III–V/silicon optical mode into a Si waveguide mode. These lasers enable the realization of a number of sensing and detection applications in compact silicon photonic systems.
Crystal size distribution (CSD) of batch salting-out crystallization process for sodium sulfate

Abstract The crystal size distribution (CSD) of sodium sulfate from the batch crystallization of sodium sulfate from concentrated sulfuric acid (spent acid) by salting-out with methanol was analyzed. The effects of amount of methanol added, the agitation rate, temperature and residence time (sampling time) on CSD were investigated. The mean crystal size and the coefficient of variation (c.v.) were the criteria used and the Rosin–Rammler distribution model was assumed. The mean crystal size varied from 0.03 to 0.07 mm while the range of c.v. was 5–45%, though most of the runs gave a c.v. of 20% or less, thus a size independent growth rate could be assumed. Larger mean crystal sizes were obtained for the following conditions: small amount of added methanol (low level of supersaturation), low temperature, low agitation rates and longer residence time. Reduction in coefficient of variation was enhanced by the same factors. A 2 4 factorial design analysis confirmed these findings.
Hippocampal vulnerability to stress and aging: possible role of neurotrophic factors

Chronic stress can accelerate age-related damage to the hippocampus. Adrenal glucocorticoids are thought to be responsible for this damage because of their ability to compromise energy metabolism and make neurons more vulnerable to glutamate excitotoxicity. Additional mechanisms by which stress or glucocorticoids could damage the hippocampus are considered in the context of recent evidence that stress regulates neurotrophic factor expression in the brain. Stress has been found to decrease brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA in the hippocampus, and this may contribute to stress-induced damage in this and other brain areas. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) are increased by stress and glucocorticoids perhaps as a compensatory response to stress-induced damage. Because neurotrophic factors can protect the brain from a variety of traumatic insults, it is likely that they might also be effective in preventing or reversing glucocorticoid-induced damage to the hippocampus.
The parallel complexity of finite-state automata problems

The goal of this paper is to study the exact complexity of several important problems concerning finite-state automata and to classify the degrees of ambiguity of nondeterministic finite-state automata. Our results are as follows: (1) Minimization of deterministic finite automata is NC^1-complete for NL. (2) Testing whether the degree of ambiguity of a nondeterministic finite automaton is exponential, or polynomial, or bounded is NC^1-complete for NL. (3) Checking whether a given nondeterministic finite automaton is unambiguous or k-ambiguous is NC^1-complete for NL, where k is some fixed constant. (4) The bounded nonuniversality problem for nondeterministic finite automata (which is the problem of deciding whether L(M) @? @S^@?^n @S^@?^n for a given nondeterministic finite automaton M and a unary integer n) is log-space complete for NP. (5) The bounded nonuniversality problem for unambiguous finite automata is in DET (the class of problems NC^1-reducible to computing the determinants of integer matrices), and for deterministic finite automata, it is NC^1-complete for NL. (6) The inequivalence problems for unambiguous and k-ambiguous finite automata are both in DET, where k is some fixed constant.
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases in Drosophila Development

Tyrosine phosphorylation plays a significant role in a wide range of cellular processes. The Drosophila genome encodes more than 20 receptor tyrosine kinases and extensive studies in the past 20 years have illustrated their diverse roles and complex signaling mechanisms. Although some receptor tyrosine kinases have highly specific functions, others strikingly are used in rather ubiquitous manners. Receptor tyrosine kinases regulate a broad expanse of processes, ranging from cell survival and proliferation to differentiation and patterning. Remarkably, different receptor tyrosine kinases share many of the same effectors and their hierarchical organization is retained in disparate biological contexts. In this comprehensive review, we summarize what is known regarding each receptor tyrosine kinase during Drosophila development. Astonishingly, very little is known for approximately half of all Drosophila receptor tyrosine kinases.
Automated name authority control

This paper describes a system for the automated assignment of authoriz ed names. A collaboration between a computer scientist and a librarian, the system provides for enhanced end-user searching of digital libraries without increasing drastically the cost and effort of creating a digital library. It is a part of the workflow management system of the Levy Sheet Music Project.
Propagation of chaos for a system of annihilating Brownian spheres

On etudie un systeme de N boules euclidiennes de rayon S N /2 dans R d , dont les centres evoluent selon des mouvements browniens independants X i •, 1≤C≤N, initialement distribues comme u 0 (dx)=v(x)dx (V borne), qui disparaissent aussitot une collision avec d'autres boules. On montre que ce systeme de particules presente une propagation de la propriete de chaos
In situ characterization of the growth of CNx carbon nano-structures as oxygen reduction reaction catalysts

Abstract The growth process of nitrogen-doped carbon nano-structures (CN x ) was characterized using in situ (XANES, EXAFS, XRD) and ex situ (XPS, TEM) techniques. CN x nano-structures were grown on two different Co-doped substrates: Vulcan carbon and MgO. CN x formation was achieved by pyrolyzing a C- and N-containing compound, CH 3 CN, at high temperatures. The Co phase was seen to go through different transformations during the pyrolysis process, depending on the growth substrate used. The Co species, which started in an acetate matrix prior to pyrolysis, became partially reduced with heating and with CH 3 CN treatment. CN x fibers that formed were washed with acid. XRD, XAFS, and XPS analyses showed the Co phase left behind to be primarily metallic, regardless of the growth substrate used. TEM imaging showed CN x to be in the form of stacked-cup nano-structures, with metallic cobalt particles visibly encased in carbon. The structure of CN x obtained as well as the nitrogen content was significantly different on the two substrates, which led to activity differences as shown by RRDE.
Sleep fragmentation and deprivation in critically ill patients – Is noise a factor?

Introduction High noise levels disrupt quality and reduce quantity of sleep. Excessive noise may thereby increase the risk of delirium, resulting in increased Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) length of stay and possibly increased mortality. Materials and methods The study was conducted in a 24 bed tertiary care academic MICU where Physicians, Nurses, and other allied health care providers were involved. A pre-post intervention design methodology was used for this study. MICU staff responded to an online survey assessing baseline perceptions about patients’ sleep quality and quantity. Data was also gathered on providers’ perception of noise levels in the MICU and factors contributing to high noise levels. In addition, baseline measurements of noise levels (in decibels (dBA) were obtained using a dosimeter. Decibel levels for different noise sources such as ventilator alarms, infusion pumps, telephones, pagers and staff conversations were measured. Multi-pronged interventions involving environmental changes (reducing alarm sound levels, reducing telephone ringer levels etc.), provider education and patient level interventions (use of sleep enhancement order sets, closing room doors at night time to reduce noise exposure) were implemented. A repeat survey was performed post-intervention to re-assess provider perceptions regarding patients’ sleep and noise levels in the MICU. Also, noise levels were re-measured with the dosimeter. Results Baseline survey data revealed that 88% of the MICU staff agreed that patients slept poorly in the MICU, 69% felt that on an average our patients slept for less than 4 h per day, and more than half (52%) of the interruptions to sleep were secondary to high noise levels. Noise level measurements revealed that alarms (64 dBA), pagers (64 dBA) and staff conversations (60 dBA) were the most significant contributors to noise. Post-intervention, we noted an increase in the proportion of respondents (26% vs 35% p = 0.07) who felt that our patients slept more than 5 h per day. Also, post- intervention, staff continued to perceive that greater than 50% of the interruptions to sleep were secondary to noise. Although mean noise levels were not significantly different pre and post intervention (54.2 dBA vs 53.8 dBA), there was a significant reduction in the number of episodes of peak noise level elevations above 60 dBA (1735 vs 1289, p = Conclusion High noise level in the MICU is a contributing factor to patient’s sleep fragmentation and deprivation in the ICU. Reducing mean and peak noise levels in an ICU proved difficult, and gains may be difficult to sustain over time. In addition to noise reduction, efforts to modify the patient experience of noise, such as provision of hearing protection or white noise, may be more fruitful in reducing influence on sleep. Acknowledgements Medical Intensive Care Unit staff at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
CERRO PORTEZUELO: STATES AND HINTERLANDS IN THE PRE-HISPANIC BASIN OF MEXICO

George Brainerd directed excavations at Cerro Portezuelo in the mid-1950s to understand the Classic to Postclassic transition and the questions he asked are still salient. We have undertaken a reanalysis of the artifacts, survey, and excavation data from Brainerd's project to better understand the nature of relations between the Early Classic period city of Teotihuacan, its immediate hinterlands, and the change from the Teotihuacan state system to Postclassic period city-state organization. Because of Cerro Portezuelo's long occupation that began in the Late/Terminal Formative period and continued beyond the Spanish Conquest, it is a strategic site to investigate the dynamics of state formation and episodes of centralization and fragmentation over this long span. Here we review the history of research concerning Cerro Portezuelo, discuss the current research project reported in the articles that comprise this Special Section, and highlight some of the major findings.
A New Twist on the Waltman Loop for Uterine Artery Embolization for Fibroids

The usual ipsilateral approach for uterine artery embolization is to form a Waltman loop. Newer nonbraided 4-F catheters can be problematic because of their tendency to kink or unfold while the loop is being formed. Herein, a modification of the Cope suture technique is described by which a Waltman loop is formed with use of a 4–0 Tevdek suture that allows the catheter to be folded back on itself, drawing it into the ipsilateral iliac artery. If necessary, the catheter can be prevented from unlooping by twisting the catheter on itself to lock it in position. The technique allows for efficient catheterization of the ipsilateral uterine artery.
Role of sexual and natural selection in evolution of body size and shape: a phylogenetic study of morphological radiation in grouse.

We use standardized independent contrasts (SICs) to elucidate the effect of ecology and mating systems on morphological radiation in grouse. The analysis of SICs for 38 skeletal measurements from 20 taxa, showed that changes in mating system had a significant effect on body size of both sexes. Sexual size dimorphism in grouse is consistent with Rensch’s rule; the slope of the regression of male vs. female size SICs was 1.4, significantly >1. Changes in habitat were associated with accelerated rates of evolution of body proportions. SICs for male and female scores of size independent factors were directly proportional to each other (slope ¼ 1), indicating extreme similarities between male and female ecology. Females, however, were better adapted to longer, more energy efficient flight than males. Size independent morphological differences among grouse are adaptive and are related to the differences in habitat and foraging behaviour among the species.
Factors affecting the geographic distribution of pseudorabies (Aujeszky's disease) virus infection among swine herds in Illinois

Abstract Data on the geographic distribution of swine herds tested for pseudorabies virus (PRV) in the state of Illinois (USA) were analyzed to determine whether the prevalence of PRV-infected herds was clustered geographically at the county level. Second-order analysis of spatial dependence indicated there was a spatial clustering of counties of high PRV prevalence rates and that this clustering was greater than the observed clustering of counties with a large number of swine herds. The clustering of county PRV prevalence rates was most apparent within a radius of 120 km (on the average, approximately two couties away). The association of county PRV prevalence rates with average herd size, geographic density of swine herds in the country and regional (within 120 km) density of PRV-infected herds was analyzed using multiple linear regression. The primary factor affecting county PRV prevalence rates was the regional PRV density, which interacted with the other model variables. For counties with a low regional density of PRV infection, county PRV prevalence rates charged little with a change in county herd density or average herd size. In contrast, for counties with a high regional density of PRV infection, PRV prevalence within a county increased with increasing average herd size and increasing geographic density of swine herds in the county. The results of the current and previous studies implicate an important role for the geographic proximity of infected herds in the spread of PRV among swine herds.
Classical relativistic theory of the longitudinal ghost fields of electromagnetism

The classical relativistic theory is developed of electric and magnetic fields in terms of boost and rotation generators, respectively, of the Lorentz group of space-time. This development shows that Minkowski geometry requires that there be threestates of polarization of radiation in free space. The magnetic components in a circular basis are right and left circular and longitudinal. The longitudinal component is real and physical, and proportional to one of the three, nonzero, rotation generators of the Lorentz group. The longitudinal electric component is pure imaginary, and proportional to one of the three boost generators. These theoretical arguments conform with experimental data from the Planck radiation law and from magnetic effects of light such as the inverse Faraday effect.
Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier, and Happier – By Edward Glaeser

Geographers are, by and large, a gloomy lot. They never seem to be more at home than when they are wading about in horrors like injustice, poverty, inequality, sexism, oppression, and imperialism. ...
The current state of medical education in Japan : a system under reform

CONTEXT Not since just after World War II has there been as dramatic a change in the system of medical education in Japan as in the last several years. Medical school curricula are including more education that mimics clinical practice through problem-based learning, organ-based curricula and implementation of the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). In response to criticism and concerns, the Japanese government has also implemented 2 major changes in the system of postgraduate medical education. First, a 2-year structured internship has been required of all medical school graduates; the first cohort to undertake this completed it in April 2006. Second, an internship matching system was adopted and first implemented in 2003. DISCUSSION These reforms are leading to significant shifts in clinical education in Japan. Increasing numbers of medical graduates are entering residency programmes outside specialised university hospitals and core rotations place an increased emphasis on primary care. CONCLUSIONS These changes in the training of young doctors suggest that the general clinical competency of doctors in Japan will improve in the coming years.
Early inflammatory arthritis versus rheumatoid arthritis

Purpose of review Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has started to be perceived as a potentially curable condition with early, aggressive use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. We review the pathophysiological concepts of RA development, the technological advances used to estimate the individual risk of progression to RA, and the impact of antirheumatic therapy for patients presenting with early inflammatory arthritis. Recent findings The finding of a strong gene-environment interaction has modified our concepts of RA pathogenesis and opened new opportunities for disease prevention and therapeutic interventions. Anticyclic citrullinated antibodies and prediction rules have improved our ability to estimate the risk of progression to RA in individual patients presenting with early inflammatory arthritis. In patients at high risk of developing RA, results from trials suggest that treating these patients with potent antirheumatic therapies may slow the progression from early inflammatory arthritis to definite RA and inhibit the progression of joint damage. Summary Early inflammatory arthritis is a critical period of the disease, during which therapy may have a durable effect and change the natural course of the condition. Physicians need to assess the individual risk of progression to RA in patients presenting with early inflammatory arthritis and consider initiating early disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy in patients at high risk of developing RA.
Data Mining Meets the Needs of Disaster Information Management

Techniques to efficiently discover, collect, organize, search, and disseminate real-time disaster information have become national priorities for efficient crisis management and disaster recovery tasks. We have developed techniques to facilitate information sharing and collaboration between both private and public sector participants for major disaster recovery planning and management. We have designed and implemented two parallel systems: a web-based prototype of a Business Continuity Information Network system and an All-Hazard Disaster Situation Browser system that run on mobile devices. Data mining and information retrieval techniques help impacted communities better understand the current disaster situation and how the community is recovering. Specifically, information extraction integrates the input data from different sources; report summarization techniques generate brief reviews from a large collection of reports at different granularities; probabilistic models support dynamically generating query forms and information dashboard based on user feedback; and community generation and user recommendation techniques are adapted to help users identify potential contacts for report sharing and community organization. User studies with more than 200 participants from EOC personnel and companies demonstrate that our systems are very useful to gain insights about the disaster situation and for making decisions.
Achieving Full Secrecy Rate with Low Packet Delays: An Optimal Control Approach

We consider a single-user, single-hop wireless communication system, in which data packets arrive at a data queue to be transmitted to a receiver over a block fading channel, privately from an eavesdropper. We assume that the eavesdropper listens to the transmitter over another independently fading channel and that the transmitter only has knowledge of the distribution of the eavesdropper's channel. We propose a joint secrecy rate, transmission, and admission controller based on a simple index policy that only relies on the distribution of the eavesdropper's channel rate. Given any arrival sample path, we show that our controller achieves the maximum possible data admission rate, while keeping the data queue stable as well as meeting an upper bound on the rate of secrecy outage, i.e., the fraction of data packets that are in part or fully decodable by the eavesdropper. While the solution is not unique, i.e., there are other schemes that can achieve the aforementioned performance, we show that our scheme also achieves a low queuing delay for the data packets enqueued at the data queue by striking the correct balance between direct secrecy encoding for data bits and secret key generation and utilization. To obtain this result, our transmission controller makes use of the secret key queue to smooth out the variations in the achievable secrecy rate of the associated fading wiretap channel.
Characteristics and Predictors

Volatile inhalant use has previously been shoum to be associated with psychiatric illness and use of other substances. The authors examined the association of history of inhalant use with other drug use, psychiatric disorders, and sociodemographic characteristics in a diverse sample of illicit substance abusers. They found a strong association of inhalant use with antisocial personality disorder, social phobia, alcohol dependence, tobacco dependence, injection drug use, and use of amphetamines, sedatives, opiates, phencyclidine, and hallucinogens. Inhalant use was more common among white than black subjects but not more common among men than women. The implications for prevention and treatment are discussed.
Progress and prospects: gene transfer into embryonic stem cells

With the isolation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in 1998 came the realization of a long-sought aspiration for an unlimited source of human tissue. The difficulty of differentiating ESCs to pure, clinically exploitable cell populations to treat genetic and degenerative diseases is being solved in part with the help of genetically modified cell lines. With progress in genome editing and somatic cell nuclear transfer, it is theoretically possible to obtain genetically repaired isogenic cells. Moreover, the prospect of being able to select, isolate and expand a single cell to a vast population of cells could achieve a unique level of quality control, until now unattainable in the field of gene therapy. Most of the tools necessary to develop these strategies already exist in the mouse ESC system. We review here the advances accomplished in those fields and present some possible applications to hESC research.
Patterns of behavior in free cationic copolymerization

The free cationic copolymerization behavior of styrene derivatives in methylene dichloride solution was examined. The copolymerization behavior of all monomer pairs was found to be strongly ideal. The relationships between reactivity ratios of the monomer pairs can be accurately correlated by a number of simple models. Hammett plots give very similar values for reaction constants for the different cations, and the copolymerization behavior can also be correlated by a generalized Hammett relation using an overall reaction constant. This suggests that under the particular reaction conditions of this work, the cations do not differ greatly in their absolute reactivity. This idea is briefly discussed in light of other work that has been done concerning the nature of the propagating cations in the polymerization of styrene derivatives.
Extending lifetime of plasmonic silver structures designed for high-resolution chemical imaging or chemical and biological sensing

High resolution chemical imaging of surfaces can be achieved using Tip Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy(TERS), an emerging technique that combines scanning probe microscopy with optical spectroscopy and takes advantage of apertureless near-field optics to obtain lateral resolution dramatically better than that provided by conventional optics. So far a 20 nm lateral resolution in chemical imaging of a surface has been achieved. The plasmonic structures on the tip used for imaging could also be used for novel, high sensitivity, local chemical and biological sensing. However, the silver plasmonic structures suffer from limited lifetimes due to morphological changes resulting from heating, wear during imaging, and tarnishing. The lifetimes of silver plasmonic structures on flat surfaces (as model systems) and on silicon nitride TERS tips have been extended by depositing over the silver an ultrathin (3nm) silicon oxide (SiO x ) coating. With this thickness protective coating, the contrast factor for the tip, which is the key parameter controlling one's ability to image with the tip, is decreased slightly (~10%) initially, but the rate at which the signal enhancement degrades is sharply reduced. The silver layer on an unprotected tip was mechanically damaged after only three images of a polymer surface, while a silver layer protected by SiO x remained intact after scanning three images.
Improving diabetes care via telemedicine: lessons from the Addressing Diabetes in Tennessee (ADT) project.

The prevalence of diabetes continues to escalate around the world, with an estimated 24 million people affected in the U.S. (1). Its prevalence has more than doubled in Tennessee the last decade from 5.0% in 1997 to 11.0% in 2007 (2), with estimated diabetes related mortality of 31 per 100,000 population (2). Rising prevalence and shortage of physicians, especially in rural areas, contribute to poor outcome in diabetic patients (3). Telemedicine, the transfer of electronic medical data to a remote location utilizing telecommunications technology, may be beneficial in improving access, care, and outcome in diabetic patients. Therefore, we investigated the impact of telemedicine on the quality of care in diabetic patients in five health professional shortage areas with diabetes related mortality rates of 41.5–84.7 per …
Preparation and Characterization of Self-Assembled Double-Stranded DNA (dsDNA) Microarrays for Protein:dsDNA Screening Using Atomic Force Microscopy

We report details on the development of a self-assembled, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) microarray fabrication strategy suitable for protein:dsDNA screening using the atomic force microscope (AFM). Using disulfide-modified dsDNA (26-mer) synthesized to contain the recognition sequence for ECoR1, we have created micron-sized mixed monolayer surfaces where both the spatial orientation and packing density of the immobilized oligonucleotides, two critical parameters for screening protein:dsDNA interactions, are controlled. Before exposure to ECoR1, the topography of microarrays that were composed of 26-mers containing the recognition sequence for EcoR1 was 8.8 nm ± 1.5 nm (n = 5), a value consistent with that predicted by X-ray diffraction studies. After enzyme digestion, the topography of the microarray decreased to 4.3 nm ± 0.8 nm (n = 14), a value consistent with predictions based on the position of the recognition sequence within the oligonucleotides. In contrast, the topography of microarrays that were com...
Dreams of perfect programs: Managing the acquisition of electronic resources

For more than a decade, academic libraries have been wrestling with the thorny issue of managing the acquisition of electronic resources. Where are we in the continuum from paper lists to vendor-designed management systems? This paper takes a look at several in-house initiatives around the country, commenting on the successes and failures of the homegrown programs built to track, update and manage the acquisition and behind-the-scenes maintenance of electronic resources. Realizing that libraries are now well equipped to identify what dream programs should entail, this paper also comments on how we can prepare for the future of electronic resource management.
Time dependence of current injection phenomenon in nickel-doped MgO crystals at high temperatures

The electrical conduction mechanisms in MgO:Ni with Pt electrodes at 1473 K are studied over electric field ranges up to approx. 10 kV/cm. The current transients induced by pulsed changes of the applied voltage as well as transient short-circuit currents have been measured and analyzed to yield two electron hole recombination lifetimes of 10 and 250 s. The main features of the results are consistent with the double-injection model of the electrical breakdown of MgO at high temperatures. 10 references, 5 figures.
A Computational Study of Replicated Clustering with an Application to Market Segmentation

In most commercial applications of k-means clustering, researchers choose one set of kseed points to start the partitioning process; often, the initial set of seeds is chosen randomly. Using Monte Carlo simulation, we show that significant benefits are associated with replicated starting configurations that incorporate seed selection procedures based on a hierarchical clustering of sample points drawn from the original data matrix. A real-world application of the approach is then presented.
Bias of Coefficient afor Fixed Congeneric Measures with Correlated Errors

The population discrepancy of coefficient a from the composite reliability coefficient for fixed congeneric measures with correlated errors is studied and expressed in terms of parameters of the measures. Use of structural equation modeling methodology is recommended for identifying cases in which this discrepancy can be large. The findings are demonstrated across several empirical conditions in a scale construction context.
The primary vascular system of Callixylon

Beck, C.B., 1979. The primary vascular system of Callixylon. Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol., 28: 103--115. The primary vascular system of Callixylon (main stem axes of Archaeopteris) is composed of a discontinuous cylinder of longitudinal bundles from some of which traces diverge radially in a regular, helical pattern. Tangential divisions and fusions of primary xylem strands occur in approximately equal frequency and, thus, the number of bundles in the system remains constant in the specimen studied. Following divergence, traces increase in size and become ribbed distally. The available evidence suggests that all of the traces observed in this study are branch traces. Branch bases, embedded in secondary xylem, have the anatomical characteristics of penultimate axes of lateral branch systems of Archaeopteris. It is suggested that some regions of main axes of Archaeopteris might have borne lateral branch systems only, lacking entirely simple leaves. Lateral branch systems, therefore, might have been more similar to compound leaves than previously supposed.
Is it possible to compare PSA recurrence-free survival after surgery and radiotherapy using revised ASTRO criterion--"nadir + 2"?

OBJECTIVES The new American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group consensus definition of biochemical failure after radiotherapy for prostate cancer is defined as a prostate-specific antigen level at or greater than the absolute nadir PSA level plus 2 ng/mL. Because this definition inevitably will be used to compare cancer control rates after radiotherapy to those after surgery, this study examined the effect of this comparison. METHODS We reviewed the data from 2570 men who had undergone radical prostatectomy from 1985 to 2004. Biochemical failure was defined as any measurable PSA level of 0.2 ng/mL or greater. We evaluated how the nadir+2 definition affected the failure rate when applied to this series. RESULTS The actuarial 5, 10, and 15-year biochemical recurrence-free survival probability with failure defined as a PSA level of 0.2 ng/mL or more and a PSA level of 2 ng/mL or more was 88.6%, 81.2%, and 78.1% and 94.6%, 89.4%, and 84.3%, respectively (P <0.0001). The median time to biochemical progression was 2.8 years for the greater than 0.2 ng/mL definition and 7.9 years for the 2 ng/mL or more definition. The nadir+2 definition systematically overestimated the biochemical recurrence-free survival, even after stratifying patients into standard prognostic risk groups, especially in men who developed local recurrence. CONCLUSIONS When applied to a mature series of surgically treated patients with localized prostate cancer, the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology "nadir+2" definition resulted in a systematic delay in the determination of biochemical failure. Because patients in this series who experienced a detectable PSA level took more than 5 years to progress to a PSA level of 2 ng/mL or greater, the 5-year biochemical control rates with the definition of 0.2 ng/mL or more should be compared with the 10-year biochemical control rates using the nadir+2 definition.
Effects of Gypsum on Zoospores and Sporangia of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Field Soil

Sporangial production of Phytophthora cinnamomi buried in gypsum-amended avocado soil for 2 days was reduced by as much as 74% in greenhouse trials. P. cinnamomi sporangial volume was reduced an average of 64% in gypsum-amended soil. Soil extracts from gypsum-amended soil reduced in vitro sporangial production and volume. Irrigation with gypsum solutions of buried mycelium in unamended soil also reduced sporangial production and volume. Zoospore production and colony-forming units of P. cinnamomi were reduced in soil amended with calcium sulfate, calcium nitrate, or calcium carbonate. Zoospore encystment or passive movement through soil was not significantly affected by gypsum soil amendments.
Metal recognition by in-vitro selection

We propose an in vitro selection strategy to identify bacteriophage variants that recognize metal ions in solution. In 6 M urea, phage T7 loses 99.9% of its activity in less than 5 min. Inactivation is accelerated by gold, but slowed by zinc and magnesium. Selection of phage over five generations in the presence of gold, zinc, and magnesium increases phage half-lives 4-, 10-, and 70-fold, respectively. As selections are repeated, phage become increasingly dependent on the specific metal employed in the selection, indicating the suitability of the strategy for optimization of metal-ion recognition. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.