cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association Between Intensification of Metformin Treatment With Insulin vs Sulfonylureas and Cardiovascular Events and All-Cause Mortality Among Patients With Diabetes

similar, 41 vs 229 events (10.2 and 11.9 events per 1000 person-years; aHR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.59-1.30; P = .52), whereas all-cause death rates were 137 vs 444 events, respectively (33.7 and 22.7 events per 1000 person-years; aHR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.15-1.79; P = .001). There were 54 vs 258 secondary outcomes: AMI, stroke hospitalizations, or cardiovascular deaths (22.8 vs 22.5 events per 1000 person-years; aHR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.71-1.34; P = .87). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among patients with diabetes who were receiving metformin, the addition of insulin vs a sulfonylurea was associated with an increased risk of a composite of nonfatal cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality. These findings require further investigation to understand risks associated with insulin use in these patients.
Measuring Public Access to the Shoreline: The Boat-Based Offset Survey Method

As cities redevelop underutilized waterfronts, opportunities exist to promote public access to the shoreline. However, planning for access is hampered by a lack of reliable data on how people utilize a specific shoreline. The boat-based offset transect survey (B-BOTS) method allows researchers to accurately record, map, and analyze shoreline access. This article discusses the use of B-BOTS along the northern part Narragansett Bay, RI. Using B-BOTS, on 52 randomly selected days over a two-season period, researchers developed a geodatabase that included the position of all shoreline users and the activity in which they were engaging. Using this geodatabase, the article demonstrates that the amount and type of shoreline use varied dramatically throughout the study area and varied in ways that would not have been predictable using conventional sources of data. The article also demonstrates that the availability of parking not only influenced the amount of shoreline use, but also the manner in which different ...
Live issues: the classification of North American mammals

The Mammals of North America, 2nd Edn. By E. Raymond Hall. Two volumes, pp.1,181. ISBN Vol. 1 0-471-05443-7; ISBN Vol. 20-471-05444-5. (Wiley: 1981.) $59.85, £33.25 per volume; two-volume set $106.40, £59.15.
The Impact of Assimilating Satellite-Derived Precipitation Rates on Numerical Simulations of the ERICA IOP 4 Cyclone

Abstract The present study uses a regional-scale numerical model to test the impact of dynamically assimilating, satellite-derived precipitation rates on the numerical simulations of one of the deepest extratropical cyclones to develop south of 40°N in this century. This cyclone event occurred during the Experiment on Rapidly Intensifying Cyclones over the Atlantic (ERICA) intensive observing period 4 and has been selected because of the strength of the cyclone and the availability of the special ERICA data in addition to the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) infrared (IR) satellite data. The unique methodology developed herein to synthesize the SSM/I and GOES IR satellite data produces precipitation estimates that have realistic spatial and temporal structure. The assimilation of satellite-derived precipitation is accomplished by scaling the internally generated model profiles of total latent heating. At points where the model is not prod...
In vitro/in vivo effects of ethane dimethanesulfonate on Leydig cells of adult rats.

Although ethane dimethanesulfonate (EDS) is well recognized as a Leydig cell toxicant, the dose responsiveness of Leydig cells to EDS, both in vitro and in vivo, is not well established. In addition, the cellular site of action of EDS during Leydig cell toxicity and the status of Leydig cell viability during the affected period remain controversial. We determined the in vitro EC50 (370 μm) and in vivo ED50 (60 mg/kg) for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-stimulated testosterone (T) production using both highly purified (98%) and interstitial (14%) Leydig cell preparations, respectively. Leydig cells were recovered in approximately equal numbers following all in vivo and in vitro EDS exposures. The Leydig cells in these preparations were viable and steroidogenically active (3β-HSD positive) subsequent to all exposures, both before and after incubations to stimulate T biosynthesis. When hCG-stimulated T production was decreased 50% following in vivo or in vitro exposures, the morphological integrity of the Leydig cells appeared normal, with no discernible lesion at either the light or the electron microscope level. We used stimulants of various reactions in the pathway of T biosynthesis (20α-hydroxycholesterol and prenenolone) to determine the site of action impaired when T biosynthesis was decreased. Our results indicate that when Leydig cells are exposed to EDS either in vitro or in vivo, the biosynthesis of T is compromised between the cyclic adenosine monophosphate activation of protein kinase and the cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme.
Using fictional stories to facilitate training and development

This account focuses on reporting the use of a fictional story to engage participants in a workshop on improving employee performance. Examples of fictional accounts appropriate for training and development (T&D) uses and the advantages of using workplace-related fictional stories for T&D purposes are discussed. Improving efficiency, providing a safe learning environment, avoiding groupthink, removing negative attitudes towards stories and increasing access to varied stories are the advantages of using fiction as a story source for T&D purposes. This account has practical implications for Human Resource and T&D professionals.
Strong Coupling of the Multi-Partial-Wave Meson Isotriplet

The algebraic formulation of strong coupling is applied to the strong coupling of the ${\mathrm{SU}}_{2}$-symmetric model in which all the partial waves of the $\ensuremath{\pi}$ mesons are included. The strong-coupling group is a semidirect product of the ${\mathrm{SU}}_{2}\ensuremath{\bigotimes}{\mathrm{SU}}_{2}$ internal symmetry group and an Abelian group which is generated by an infinite number of commuting generators corresponding to the vertices of the $\ensuremath{\pi}$ mesons in different orbital angular momentum states. A physically interesting irreducible representation of the group is obtained which consists of a series of irreducible representations of the $P$-wave strong-coupling group. The Regge recurrences of isobars appear in this series. Each degenerate multiplet of isobars is specified by three quantum numbers---spin $s$, isospin $i$, and an additional quantum number $v$---which satisfy the angular momentum triangular relation. The following form of mass formula is obtained: $M(s,i,v)={M}_{0}+{m}_{0}[x(x\ensuremath{-}1)s(s+1)+(1\ensuremath{-}x)i(i+1)+xv(v+1)]$.
Stability of systems with time-periodic delay: application to variable speed boring process

The stability of systems with fluctuating delay is studied. The aim is to demonstrate that, greater depths of cut may be achieved in a boring process, when the speed of the spindle is modulated sinusoidally instead of being kept constant. Since the variation of spindle speed is small and independent of the tool motion, by expanding the delay terms about a finite mean delay and augmenting the system, the time-dependent delay system can be written as a system of non-linear delay equations with fixed delay. The augmented system of equations is autonomous and has two pairs of pure imaginary eigenvalues without resonance. The centre-manifold and normal form methods are then used to obtain an approximate and simpler four-dimensional system. Analysis of this simpler system shows that periodic variations in the delay lead to larger stability boundaries.
Massive spin-2 bosonic string states in an electromagnetic background

Abstract We derive the field equations and the lagrangian for the spin-2 massive bosonic string states in an abelian electromagnetic background. This construction provides a consistent generalization of the free Fierz-Pauli lagrangian.
Radiation of an elementary cylinder antenna through a slotted enclosure

The shrouding of an elementary cylinder antenna by a concentric perfectly conducting axially slotted shell is considered. The problem is reduced to a Fredholm integral equation of the first kind, which is solved for the case of a narrow shell slot. The solution indicates that the slotted shell inhibits the antenna radiation only for certain parameter combinations; for most others, the radiation remains the same, and for some it is enhanced.
Peak and trough distributions of nonlinear waves

Abstract The exact and approximate probability density functions of wave peaks and troughs are derived for nonlinear, narrow-band waves. A comparison of these quantities with those of linear waves is given. It is shown that nonlinearity has significant effect on these quantities.
Coroutines in FORTRAN

A method is described for using coroutines within the strict confines of ANSI FORTRAN. A FORTRAN preprocessor that has been implemented to transform FORTRAN programs, written as if coroutines were allowed, to standard ANSI FORTRAN programs is also described.
Topography of vestibulocochlear nerve fibers in the posterior cranial fossa

In the posterior cranial fossa, the separation of the vestibular and cochlear subdivisions of the eighth nerve is clear in about 75% of cases. Although in the remaining cases the vestibulocochlear cleavage plane is not visible macroscopically, the large-fibered vestibular subdivision and the small-fibered cochlear subdivision are well recognized in histological sections. Within the cochlear subdivision, some fibers of large caliber are mixed with fibers of small caliber in a region we named the "overlapping zone." We studied, histologically, cross sections of the intracranial portion of six eighth nerves at about 5 mm proximal to the porus acusticus. A computerized video system was used to measure the diameters of the fibers of the vestibular and cochlear subdivisions localized at different distances from the vestibulocochlear cleavage plane. The overlapping zone is located within the cochlear subdivision adjacent to the vestibulocochlear cleavage plane. It has a pear-like shape, with the larger part occupying the anterosuperior part of the cochlear subdivision. The mean cross-sectional area of this zone in our six samples is about 0.4 mm2, which is approximately 23% of the area of the cochlear subdivision. The thickness of the zone in the superior-inferior direction ranges from 0.23 mm to 0.55 mm. The parameters of the described overlapping zone should be taken into consideration in vestibular neurectomy, in which complete sectioning of the vestibular fibers is important.
Nutrition and Weight Gain Before the Diagnosis of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Preterm infants are at high risk for the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Little evidence exists related to nutritional intake and growth before the diagnosis of BPD. The purpose of this study was to compare nutritional intake and weight gain of preterm infants with BPD with recommendations for nutrition and growth during the first 28 days of life. The sample included 30 preterm infants with BPD. The infants received significantly less energy and protein than what is recommended. By 28 days of life, the infants were receiving 98.63 kcal kg−1 d−1. The infants had accumulated a significant energy and protein deficit by 28 days of life. The rate of weight gain was 11.55 g kg−1 d−1. Preterm infants with BPD are undernourished during the first 28 days of life and, thus, gain weight at a slower rate. Undernutrition might be contributing to the development of BPD by altering growth of the immature lungs.
A Proximity-Aware Interest-Clustered P2P File Sharing System

Efficient file query is important to the overall performance of peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing systems. Clustering peers by their common interests can significantly enhance the efficiency of file query. Clustering peers by their physical proximity can also improve file query performance. However, few current works are able to cluster peers based on both peer interest and physical proximity. Although structured P2Ps provide higher file query efficiency than unstructured P2Ps, it is difficult to realize it due to their strictly defined topologies. In this work, we introduce a Proximity-Aware and Interest-clustered P2P file sharing System (PAIS) based on a structured P2P, which forms physically-close nodes into a cluster and further groups physically-close and common-interest nodes into a sub-cluster based on a hierarchical topology. PAIS uses an intelligent file replication algorithm to further enhance file query efficiency. It creates replicas of files that are frequently requested by a group of physically close nodes in their location. Moreover, PAIS enhances the intra-sub-cluster file searching through several approaches. First, it further classifies the interest of a sub-cluster to a number of sub-interests, and clusters common-sub-interest nodes into a group for file sharing. Second, PAIS builds an overlay for each group that connects lower capacity nodes to higher capacity nodes for distributed file querying while avoiding node overload. Third, to reduce file searching delay, PAIS uses proactive file information collection so that a file requester can know if its requested file is in its nearby nodes. Fourth, to reduce the overhead of the file information collection, PAIS uses bloom filter based file information collection and corresponding distributed file searching. Fifth, to improve the file sharing efficiency, PAIS ranks the bloom filter results in order. Sixth, considering that a recently visited file tends to be visited again, the bloom filter based approach is enhanced by only checking the newly added bloom filter information to reduce file searching delay. Trace-driven experimental results from the real-world PlanetLab testbed demonstrate that PAIS dramatically reduces overhead and enhances the efficiency of file sharing with and without churn. Further, the experimental results show the high effectiveness of the intra-sub-cluster file searching approaches in improving file searching efficiency.
Synthesis of gold hexagonal bipyramids directed by planar-twinned silver triangular nanoprisms.

The direct growth of planar-twinned Au nanoparticles (NPs) in high yield remains a challenge in shape-controlled NP synthesis largely because suitable planar-twinned seeds for Au NP growth have not been identified to date. Herein we describe the use of planar-twinned Ag triangular nanoprisms as a means to dictate Au NP twin structure. In a one-pot process, the Ag triangular nanoprisms first undergo oxidative Au replacement, forming Ag–Au alloy nanoframes and concomitantly releasing Ag+ into solution, which then directs subsequent Au NP growth through an underpotential deposition process. The planar-twinned structure of the initial Ag nanoprism is maintained throughout particle growth. Using this method, we have successfully synthesized Au hexagonal bipyramids in high yield for the first time.
Cluster formation due to collisions in granular material

The role of inelastic collisions in granular hydrodynamics is studied experimentally in a two dimensional system of spherical particles rolling on a smooth surface and driven by a moving wall. Clusters form at high particle densities; the velocity distribution is narrowed, and the collision rate is enhanced within the clusters. The clusters migrate downward in the presence of a very slight tilt, but are not dispersed. A one dimensional model captures the effect of gravitation on the observed statistical distributions.
Vertical root distribution in relation to soil properties in New Jersey Pinelands forests

Vertical distribution of root density (length per unit soil volume) and abundance (length per unit ground surface area) to a depth of 1.5 m or to the depth of the water table and their relationships with soil properties and tree basal area were examined in 36 soil profiles of pine-oak and oak-pine forests of the New Jersey Pinelands. Soil morphology were almost uniform within the forest type and characterized by the presence of high coarse fragment contents in the C horizon in oak-pine uplands; by the spodic B horizon and water table in the C horizon in pine-oak lowlands; by the sandy soil throughout the profile in pine-oak uplands; and by the firm argillic B horizon in pine-oak plains. Root density decreased from ranges of 44423–133369 m m-3 in the 0–5 cm depth in all the forest types to 1900–5593 m m-3 in the 100–150 cm depth in all the forest types except in pine-oak lowlands. Total profile root density and abundance was in the order: oak-pine uplands>pine-oak lowlands>pine-oak uplands>pine-oak plains. Root density correlated positively with organic C, total N, water soluble P, exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, Al, Fe, and cation exchange capacity, and negatively with bulk density, coarse fraction content, and pH, whereas root abundance correlated positively with organic C, total N, water soluble P, exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Fe, and negatively with bulk density. No correlation existed between root density and abundance with tree basal area. Higher root density in the E horizon of oak-pine uplands as compared to the other forest types was associated with high nutrient content; higher root density in the C horizon of pine-oak lowlands was associated with a shallow water table beneath the horizon; and lower root densities in the B and C horizons of pine-oak plains were associated with the presence of a firm clay layer in the B horizon.
Mechanisms of oxidative damage by myeloperoxidase in atherosclerosis and other inflammatory disorders.

cells may represent an important pathway for tissue damage in disorders ranging from arthritis to ischemia reperfusion injury to cancer. Until recently, however, little was known about the mechanisms by which phagocytes can damage host tissues. The oxidant-producing pathway of phagocytes begins with the generation of superoxide by a membrane-associated reduced nicotinamide dinucleotide phosphate oxidase.1,2 The superoxide then spontaneously or enzymatically undergoes dismutation to form hydrogen peroxide, a relatively unreactive oxidant. However, phagocytes also secrete a heme protein called myeloperoxidase, which amplifies the oxidative potential of hydrogen peroxide1,2 by generating highly reactive species such as hypochlorous acid and tyrosyl radical. When these products covalently modify cellular targets, they identify themselves by leaving stable end products.3 Using highly sensitive and specific mass spectrometric assays, we have detected these markers in arterial lesions, implicating myeloperoxidase as an atherogenic agent. Cholesterol-laden macrophages called foam cells are the cellular hallmark of the early atherosclerotic lesion.4 Moreover, a high level of LDL, the major carrier of cholesterol, is one important risk factor for atherosclerosis. It therefore is paradoxical that native LDL fails to convert macrophages into foam cells in vitro. These observations led to the suggestion that modified LDL rather than native LDL promotes the unregulated accumulation of cholesterol by macrophages.4 Several lines of evidence implicate oxidatively damaged LDL as an atherogenic agent in vivo (reviewed in references 5 and 6). First, oxidized LDL but not native LDL exerts a multitude of potentially atherogenic effects in vitro. Second, oxidized LDL has been isolated from atherosclerotic lesions. Third, chemical and immunohistochemical studies have detected oxidized lipids in human and animal atherosclerotic lesions. Fourth, a number of structurally unrelated antioxidants retard lesion formation in hypercholesterolemic animals and nonhuman primates. Finally, therapy with vitamin E, a lipid-soluble antioxidant, dramatically reduces the risk for infarction in patients with established coronary artery disease.7 Collectively, these observations suggest that vascular oxidative stress may be REVIEW ARTICLES
Bioavailability of Mercury in Contaminated Oak Ridge Watershed and Potential Remediation of River/Runoff/Storm Water by an Aquatic Plant

Historically as part of its national security mission, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Y-12 National Security Facility in Oak Ridge, TN, USA acquired a significant fraction of the world’s supply of elemental mercury. During the 1950’s and 1960’s, a large amount of elemental mercury escaped confinement and is still present in the buildings and grounds of the Y-12 Facility and in the Y-12 Watershed. Because of the adverse effects of elemental mercury and mercury compounds upon human health, the Oak Ridge Site is engaged in an ongoing effort to monitor and remediate the area. The main thrust of the Oak Ridge mercury remediation effort is currently scheduled for implementation in FY09. In order to more cost effectively implement those extensive remediation efforts, it is necessary now to obtain an improved understanding of the role that mercury and mercury compounds play in the Oak Ridge ecosystem. Most recently, concentrations of both total mercury and methylmercury in fish and water of lower East Fork Poplar Creek (LEFPC) of Oak Ridge increased although the majority of mercury in the site is mercury sulfide. This drives the US DOE and the Oak Ridge Site to study the long-term bioavailability of mercury and speciation at the site. The stability and bioavailability of mercury sulfide as affected by various biogeochemical conditions –presence of iron oxides have been studied. We examined the kinetic rate of dissolution of cinnabar from Oak Ridge soils and possible mechanisms and pathways in triggering the most recent increase of mercury solubility, bioavailability and mobility in Oak Ridge site. The effects of pH and chlorine on oxidative dissolution of cinnabar from cinnabar-contaminated Oak Ridge soils is discussed. On the other hand, aquatic plants might be good candidate for phytoremediate contaminated waste water and phytofiltration of collective storm water and surface runoff and river. Our greenhouse studies on uptake of Hg by water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) show that water lettuce is effectively removing Hg from water solution and Hg was mostly stored in roots. One day of growing could remove 93–98% of Hg from water solutions. However, Hg shows acute toxicity to water lettuce as indicated by decreases in fresh biomass and moisture contents.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Combining estimates from two surveys: An example from monitoring 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic vaccination

During the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, there was an ongoing need to monitor 2009 H1N1 vaccination coverage at the national and state level to evaluate the vaccination campaign; thus, precise vaccination coverage estimates were needed in a timely fashion. The current objective is to describe and evaluate the methodology used to combine 2009 H1N1 vaccination coverage estimates from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the National 2009 H1N1 Flu Survey (NHFS). H1N1 state level vaccination coverage estimates were combined by taking weighted averages of the BRFSS and NHFS estimates, with more weight given to the estimate with the larger effective sample size (sample size/design effect). The impact of the choice of weights was evaluated by comparing estimates when the design effect was removed from the weights. Combined vaccination coverage estimates for children generally fell midway between NHFS and BRFSS estimates because of larger NHFS sample sizes but smaller BRFSS design effects. Adult estimates were more closely weighted to BRFSS estimates because of larger BRFSS sample sizes. Combined standard errors were smaller than the survey-specific standard errors. When removing the design effect from the weights, the child combined estimates were more closely weighted to those from NHFS, resulting in larger standard errors. Adult combined estimates were similar regardless of choice of weight because of similar design effects across the two surveys. Combining estimates by weighting by the effective sample size allowed timely release of more precise estimates in all states during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.
Power: A Conceptual Framework*

Symbolic interactionism lacks a coherent conception of power. This paper defines power in a manner consistent with the interactionist perspective. Power is conceptualized as a collective transaction characterized by a division of labor, movement toward a common end, and flexible coordination between opponents. Power is distinguished from other types of collective transactions by asymmetrical interaction, a conflict of interests between opponents, and the intentional production of compliance. Some implications of considering power as a collective transaction are then examined.
Waveform design for detection of weapons based on signature exploitation

We present waveform design based on signature exploitation techniques for improved detection of weapons in urban sensing applications. A single-antenna monostatic radar system is considered. Under the assumption of exact knowledge of the target orientation and, hence, known impulse response, matched illumination approach is used for optimal target detection. For the case of unknown target orientation, we analyze the target signatures as random processes and perform signal-to-noise-ratio based waveform optimization. Numerical electromagnetic modeling is used to provide the impulse responses of an AK-47 assault rifle for various target aspect angles relative to the radar. Simulation results depict an improvement in the signal-to-noise-ratio at the output of the matched filter receiver for both matched illumination and stochastic waveforms as compared to a chirp waveform of the same duration and energy.
Capturing Human Body Dynamics Using RNN Based on Persistent Excitation Data Generator

Human body walking movement involves both single and double support phases and is considered difficult to model. The aim of this study was to develop a method to capture human body dynamics during walking using Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN). In addition, a novel method using persistent excitation data generator is proposed to generate kinematic data to train the RNN in the absence of laboratory measurements. Kinematic data were applied to human body mathematical model to obtain required joint torques during bipedal walking. The RNN was used to approximate human body kinematics resulting from the joints torques for the walking movement. In order to test validity of the RNN model, model output was compared with human walking data captured in the laboratory. Simulation results show the model was able to approximate the joint angles during human walk with a low (10-4 m) mean squared error for one stride.
Developmental isolation and subsequent adult behavior of Drosophila paulistorum. V. Survey of six sibling species.

In an investigation into the effects of developmental isolation from all conspecifics, the Drosophila willistoni group of six sibling species responded to differing degrees: all six are reproductively isolated from D. paulistorum, the tester species. Drosophila pavlovskiana, a narrow endemic, proved the most vulnerable, responding by reducing its adult sexual isolation, if eggs, any instar, and sometimes even pupae were socially isolated. To lesser degrees, D. tropicalis and D. willistoni both produced similar results only when their eggs were isolated, i.e., when from the moment of egg deposition on, there was absolutely no contact with other flies until testing for mating behavior. The remaining siblings, D. equinoxialis and D. insularis, were immovable.
Discrimination of insulin-produced hypoglycemia in rats

Hypoglycemia is an abnormal state that can be induced by administering insulin to a fasting animal. Rats were trained to discriminate the normal state of euglycemia from the hypoglycemia produced by injection of 6 units/kg insulin. A drug discrimination procedure was used with a two-lever operant response. Insulin or water injected 25 min prior to the operant sessions determined whether left or right lever presses were reinforced. During 40 training sessions, reliable discrimination of the insulin-produced cue developed. After insulin injection, mean blood glucose levels dropped to about 75% of preinjection values. At 12 min postinsulin injection, prior to the development of hypoglycemia, noninsulin responses were made. Noninsulin responses were also made after injection with 800 mg/kg ethanol, indicating that a novel interoceptive state did not substitute for the insulin-produced cue. Insulin injections produced less severe hypoglycemia in less food-deprived rats, which again gave noninsulin responses. Animals can be trained to recognize the insulin-produced state, which presumably involves hypoglycemia, and/or counterregulatory process evoked in response to the drop in blood glucose.
Mechanistic phenotypes: an aggregative phenotyping strategy to identify disease mechanisms using GWAS data.

A single mutation can alter cellular and global homeostatic mechanisms and give rise to multiple clinical diseases. We hypothesized that these disease mechanisms could be identified using low minor allele frequency (MAF<0.1) non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) associated with “mechanistic phenotypes”, comprised of collections of related diagnoses. We studied two mechanistic phenotypes: (1) thrombosis, evaluated in a population of 1,655 African Americans; and (2) four groupings of cancer diagnoses, evaluated in 3,009 white European Americans. We tested associations between nsSNPs represented on GWAS platforms and mechanistic phenotypes ascertained from electronic medical records (EMRs), and sought enrichment in functional ontologies across the top-ranked associations. We used a two-step analytic approach whereby nsSNPs were first sorted by the strength of their association with a phenotype. We tested associations using two reverse genetic models and standard additive and recessive models. In the second step, we employed a hypothesis-free ontological enrichment analysis using the sorted nsSNPs to identify functional mechanisms underlying the diagnoses comprising the mechanistic phenotypes. The thrombosis phenotype was solely associated with ontologies related to blood coagulation (Fisher's p = 0.0001, FDR p = 0.03), driven by the F5, P2RY12 and F2RL2 genes. For the cancer phenotypes, the reverse genetics models were enriched in DNA repair functions (p = 2×10−5, FDR p = 0.03) (POLG/FANCI, SLX4/FANCP, XRCC1, BRCA1, FANCA, CHD1L) while the additive model showed enrichment related to chromatid segregation (p = 4×10−6, FDR p = 0.005) (KIF25, PINX1). We were able to replicate nsSNP associations for POLG/FANCI, BRCA1, FANCA and CHD1L in independent data sets. Mechanism-oriented phenotyping using collections of EMR-derived diagnoses can elucidate fundamental disease mechanisms.
Unveiling the Right Side: Handcrafted Presentation Boxes Made of Exotic Woods

Dr. Lawrence Killingsworth is already well known to laboratorians and for his service to AACC, but a lesser-known facet of his resume is his interest in woodworking. When he’s not in the laboratory, he can often be found at his custom furniture shop, Shoshone Woodcraft, where …
A METHOD FOR SECURING THE SNAIL, LYMNAEA STAGNALIS JUGULARIS (SAY), FREE FROM BACTERIA.

Abstract Individual eggs obtained from isolated egg masses of the snail Lymnaea stagnalis jugularis (Say) were surface sterilized with the aid of a dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite. After subsequent washing in a favorable salt solution (designated SX), 90% of such treated eggs would hatch. The yield of living specimens that were obtained bacteria-free ranged up to 100%.
Mechanism of combustion dynamics in a backward-facing step stabilized premixed flame

Abstract Combustion dynamics leading to thermoacoustic instability in a rearward-facing step stabilized premixed flame is experimentally examined with the objective of investigating the fluid dynamic mechanism that drives heat release rate fluctuations, and how it couples with the acoustic field. The field is probed visually, using linear photodiode arrays that capture the spatiotemporal distribution of CH* and OH*; an equivalence ratio monitor; and a number of pressure sensors. Results show resonance between the acoustic quarter wave mode of the combustion tunnel and a fluid dynamic mode of the wake. Under unstable conditions, the flame is convoluted around a large vortex that extends several step heights downstream. During a typical cycle, while the velocity is decreasing, the vortex grows, and the flame extends downstream around its outer edge. As the velocity reaches its minimum, becoming mostly negative, the vortex reaches its maximum size, and the flame collides with the upper wall; its leading edge folds, trapping reactants pockets, and its trailing edge propagates far upstream of the step. In the next phase, while the velocity is increasing, the heat release grows rapidly as trapped reactant’ pockets are consumed by flames converging towards their centers, and the upstream flame is dislodged back downstream. The heat release rate reaches its maximum halfway into the velocity rise period, leading the maximum velocity by about 90°. In this quarter-wave mode, the pressure leads the velocity by 90° as well, that is, it is in phase with the heat release rate. Numerical modeling results support this mechanism. Equivalence ratio contribution to the instability mechanism is shown to be minor, i.e., heat release dynamics are governed by the cyclical formation of the wake vortex and its interaction with the flame.
Intensity distribution, modulation transfer function, and the effective dimension of a line-focus x-ray focal spot

The radiant intensity along the anode-cathode dimension of a line-focus x-ray focal spot tends to peak at the center and decrease gradually to zero at the edges. In recognition of this varying intensity, the ICRU has recommended that the anode-cathode dimension of the focal spot be reported as 0.7 times the dimension measured with a pinhole camera. In this paper more objective correction factors are developed. These correction factors are based upon comparison of calculated MTFs of focal spots with Gaussian and cosine intensity distributions with the MTF for focal spots with a uniform intensity distribution.
In Vitro Release of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor From Gadolinium-Doped Biodegradable Microspheres

A drug delivery vehicle was constructed that could be visualized noninvasively with MRI. The biodegradable polymer poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) was used to fabricate microspheres containing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the MRI contrast agent gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA). The microspheres were characterized in terms of size, drug and contrast agent encapsulation, and degradation rate. The PLGA microspheres had a mean diameter of 48 ± 18 μm. The gadolinium loading was 17 ± 3 μg/mg polymer and the VEGF loading was 163 ± 22 ng/mg polymer. Electron microscopy revealed that the Gd was dispersed throughout the microspheres and it was confirmed that the Gd loading was sufficient to visualize the microspheres under MRI. VEGF and Gd-DTPA were released from the microspheres in vitro over a period of ∼6 weeks in three phases: a burst, followed by a slow steady-state, then a rapid steady-state. Biodegradable Gd-doped microspheres can be effectively used to deliver drugs in a sustained manner, while being monitored noninvasively with MRI.
Chemoselective 15N tag for sensitive and high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance profiling of the carboxyl-containing metabolome.

Metabolic profiling has received increasing recognition as an indispensable complement to genomics and proteomics for probing biological systems and for clinical applications. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is widely used in the field but is challenged by spectral complexity and overlap. Improved and simple methods that quantitatively profile a large number of metabolites are sought to make further progress. Here, we demonstrate a simple isotope tagging strategy, in which metabolites with carboxyl groups are chemically tagged with 15N-ethanolamine and detected using a 2D heteronuclear correlation NMR experiment. This method is capable of detecting over 100 metabolites at concentrations as low as a few micromolar in biological samples, both quantitatively and reproducibly. Carboxyl-containing compounds are found in almost all metabolic pathways, and thus this new approach should find a variety of applications.
The American Problem

While the world enjoys a post-WWII Pax Americana, American foreign policy faces a curious dilemma: how to adjust to its own success in the ever-changing political climate. According to Calleo, the United States “has been driven to manipulate its finances in a fashion that increasingly harms the American economy and threatens the liberal world economy.” Placing little confidence in the endurance of NATO in the post-cold-war era, the author urges the United States to “become the ally of its allies rather than their managing protector,” as it has been historically, leaving Europe to take responsibility for its own security. Calleo argues that American and European interests can only grow more divergent with time; hence “the best antidote to European free-riding is American devolution.”
Pharmacotherapy for obesity: a quantitative analysis of four decades of published randomized clinical trials.

AIM: This article provides the first comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials of medications for obesity. METHOD: Based on stringent inclusionary criteria, a total of 108 studies were included in the final database. Outcomes are presented for comparisons of single and combination drugs to placebo and for comparisons of medications to one another. RESULT: Overall, the medications studied produced medium effect sizes. Four drugs produced large effect sizes (ie d>0.80; amphetamine, benzphetamine, fenfluramine and sibutramine). The placebo-subtracted weight losses for single drugs vs placebo included in the meta-analysis never exceeded 4.0 kg. No drug, or class of drugs, demonstrated clear superiority as an obesity medication. Effects of methodological factors are also presented along with suggestions for future research.
Bag model for a link in a closed gluonic chain

The large ${N}_{c}$ limit of Yang-Mills gauge theory is the dynamics of a closed gluonic chain, but this fact does not obviate the inherently strong coupling nature of the dynamical problem. However, we suggest that a single link in such a chain might be reasonably described in the quasi-perturbative language of gluons and their interactions. To implement this idea, we use the MIT bag to model the physics of a nearest neighbor bond.
Risk Perceptions of Occupational Hazards Among Black Farmers in the Southeastern United States

: Farming is one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States, and it is no less dangerous for black farmers than it is for farmers of other ethnic backgrounds. Yet very little research has addressed the epidemiology of occupational risks for black farmers, nor has research investigated the risk perceptions of black farmers. Occupational risk perception data are needed if culturally appropriate interventions are to be implemented. This article presents the results of a study designed as a first step in the process of designing an intervention program for black farmers. This study used data collected through in-depth interviews and focus group interviews to analyze the occupational risk perceptions of black farmers in four southeastern states: Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee. These farmers are realistic about the hazardous nature of farming. They perceive carelessness rather than fate to be an important cause of farm injury. They realize that changing technology has brought new risks as well as benefits. Like those from other ethnic backgrounds, these farmers grouped most of their occupational risks around the major production activities of using machinery, using chemicals, and working with livestock.
An approximate solution for the dynamic response of wall transfer probes

Abstract An approximate solution for the transient Leveque problem has been developed based on the approximate integral method and the method of weighted residuals. This solution can be used to explore the dynamic response of thermal or mass boundary layers in large amplitude, but non-reversing, unsteady flows. The accuracy of this approximate solution has been proven over a wide range of dimensionless frequencies ( ω = Ω(L 2 /S 2 0 D) 1,3 ) . The approximate solution forms the basis of a simple method for calculating the instantaneous shear rate from the measurement of instantaneous heat or mass flux at the surface of a wall transfer probe when the quasi-steady state assumption is not valid.
Aluminum, gallium and indium chelates of salicylidene-o-aminophenol

Abstract Conditions necessary to determine spectrophotometrically the composition of the chelates of aluminum, gillium, and indium with salicylidene-o-aminophenol have been determined. Under these conditions, in each case a chelate containing a 2 : 1 ratio of salicylidene-o-aminophenol to metal is formed.
Late Pleistocene Stratigraphy and Paleoecology of the Lower Hudson River Estuary

The ecologic and stratigraphic development of the lower Hudson River estuary during late Pleistocene time was reconstructed from foraminifers and pollen in cores taken from Peekskill, New York, to The Narrows of New York Bay. Sediments deposited in freshwater, brackish water, and marine environments were penetrated by the cores, which ranged from 32.0 to 72.7 m. The foraminifers identified in the cores are divided into four assemblages, each characteristic of a local stratigraphic zone and biotope. Three of the assemblages currently thrive in the estuary; the fourth, composed primarily of benthonic foraminifers, is now found on the nearshore continental shelf from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and in easternmost Long Island Sound. Spruce-fir, pine, and oak pollen assemblages occur in the cores and are zoned using the standard pollen zones established for the northeastern United States. The pollen zones are used for chrono-stratigraphic purposes. Following the dissipation of glacial Lake Hudson, tidal conditions were established in the estuary well before 12,000 yr ago. Estuarine conditions with salinities high enough to support foraminifers became established by ∼11,500 yr ago. About 10,000 yr B.P., salinity decreased slightly but was re-established by 9,000 yr ago. The maximum transgression of mesohaline brackish water into the estuary occurred about 6,500 yr B.P., as shown by the first appearance of foraminifers in the northern part of the area. This event correlates with the general flooding of the northeastern United States by the Atlantic Ocean. The areal distribution of foraminiferal biofacies in the estuary 6,500 yr ago indicates the maximum limit of mesohaline water in the Hudson River Valley during postglacial time. Foraminiferal evidence indicates that the salinity of the estuary has decreased during the past 1,500 to 3,000 yr. This is the result of sediment being deposited faster than sea level rises or the crust subsides, so that the salt-water wedge within the estuary is regressing oceanward.
Salvage ventricular assistance for patients undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation: Long term results

Background: It is possible to transfer patients undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with closed chest compressions or open massage to the operating room (OR), place them emergently on cardiopulmonary bypass and continue with ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplant or recovery. We retrospectively reviewed short and long term results of these salvage procedures. Methods: Between March 2000 and July 2004 eighty eight patients underwent left, right, or biventricular assist device implantation in our institute. Thirteen of those patients (14.8%) had CPR at the time of the implantation. In five patients the CPR was started during the transfer to or while entering the OR, while in the other eight patients the CPR was initiated on the floor or in the ICU. Results: Mean time of CPR was 61 31 (range: 15–120) minutes. Twelve of the 13 patients (92%) survived the operation and nine (69%) were neurologically intact. Five patients were transplanted (38%), seven patients (54%) were discharged from the ICU and four (31%) were discharged home. However, only three (23%) survived past 6 months. The common causes of death included: GI complications (31%), smoldering sepsis (31%), and coagulopathy with bleeding (15%). Conclusions: A significant number of patients undergoing salvage ventricular assist device implantation survive the operation without neurological compromise. However, long term survival was low due systemic complications, related to the GI tract and persistent sepsis. Better strategies are required to protect other organs during the CPR and the assist device implantation.
A secondary promoter for elongation factor Tu synthesis in the str ribosomal protein operon of Escherichia coli.

The str operon of Escherichia coli contains genes for ribosomal proteins S12 and S7 and for elongation factors EF-G and EF-Tu (Jaskunas et al. 1975). We have subcloned various segments of DNA from this operon onto multicopy plasmids. We found that cells carrying a recombinant plasmid which lacks the major promoter for the str operon but contains the 5′ portion of the EF-Tu gene synthesize a novel protein which we have identified as a truncated EF-Tu molecule. Moreover, cells carrying plasmids with an intact EF-Tu gene synthesize the elongation factor at a 3-to 5-fold higher rate than haploid cells. Thus the EF-Tu gene can be expressed in the absence of the major promoter for the str operon. This expression is not due to read-through from plasmid promoters, but it is dependent on the presence of the distal portion of the EF-G gene on the plasmids. These results indicate that there is a secondary promoter for EF-Tu expression, apparently located within the structural gene for elongation factor EF-G.
Proton–nucleus scattering approximations and implications for LHC crystal collimation

In particle accelerators, scattered protons with energies close to the incident particles may travel considerable distances with the beam before impacting on accelerator components downstream. To analyze such problems, angular deflection and energy loss of scattered particles are the main quantities to be simulated, since these lead to changes in the beam phase space distribution and particle loss. Simple approximations for nuclear scattering processes causing limited energy loss to high-energy protons traversing matter are developed, which are suitable for rapid estimates and reduced-description Monte Carlo simulations. The implications for proton loss in the CERN Large Hadron Collider, due to nuclear scattering on collimation crystals are discussed.
Charged Push−Pull Polyenes in Solution: Anomalous Solvatochromism and Nonlinear Optical Properties

The linear and nonlinear optical properties of charged push−pull polyenes (CPPP) are, respectively, of interest in connection with unusual linear spectroscopic solvatochromic behavior in solution a...