cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A framework for the evaluation of "value" and cost-effectiveness in the management of critical limb ischemia

a u r The problem of critical limb ischemia Peripheral arterial disease refers to the problem of impaired arterial circulation to the lower extremities (specifically, an ankle-brachial index of 0.90), most often due to atheroclerosis. Less severe peripheral arterial disease may initially e asymptomatic (classified as Rutherford category 0 peipheral arterial disease) or may be manifest as mild, modrate, or severe claudication (Rutherford categories 1 to 3, espectively). As the degree of tissue perfusion becomes ore impaired, peripheral arterial disease may lead to ischmic rest pain (Rutherford category 4); tissue loss in the etting of a salvageable foot, manifesting as ischemic foot lcers, toe gangrene, or nonhealing wounds (Rutherford ategory 5); or severe foot necrosis extensive enough to reclude foot salvage and instead requiring major amputaion (Rutherford category 6). The term critical limb ischmia (CLI) refers to the presence of either rest pain or tissue oss (Rutherford categories 4 to 6) for more than 2 weeks, ith arterial insufficiency corroborated by objective testing specifically, ankle pressure 5 0 mmHg and/or toe presure 30 mmHg). Patients with intact sensation often resent with claudication; patients with impaired foot senation and/or proprioception (commonly diabetic patients ith peripheral neuropathy) often do not notice symptoms f claudication or rest pain. Instead, the first manifestation f peripheral arterial disease in these patients is typically issue loss in the form of a nonhealing ulcer. Without revascularization to improve the arterial circuation and increase tissue perfusion, patients with Rutherord category 5 CLI are at high risk of limb loss. Efforts o avoid limb loss are typically quite challenging for physiians because intervention is laborious (often requiring omplex surgical revascularizations followed by repeated oft tissue debridements, minor amputations, and/or skin
Organization and structure of the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase gene family from Petunia hybrida.

In this paper we present the structural analysis of the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) oxidase gene family from Petunia hybrida. Southern blot analysis and restriction endonuclease mapping showed that two cloned regions of the petunia genome contained sequences highly homologous to a previously isolated ACC oxidase cDNA clone. Nucleotide sequencing of these two regions of the genome showed that each contained two tandemly arranged genes designated ACO1, ACO2, ACO3 and ACO4. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the cloned genomic regions with the cDNA clone pPHEFE indicated that ACO1 encoded the transcript in 4 exons interrupted by 3 introns. The other three members of the petunia ACC oxidase gene family shared identical intron numbers and positions with ACO1 and their exons were greater than 80% homologous. Nucleotide substitutions and deletions in the ACO2 gene indicate that it likely represents a pseudogene. Overall homology between ACO1 and ACO2 indicates that this gene cluster arose by a more recent duplication event than the gene duplication giving rise to the ACO3 and ACO4 cluster. The 5-flanking sequences share little overall homology between members of this gene family. However, sequences which likely make up the core promoter of these genes including the TATA box are highly homologous. RNA-based PCR amplification of ACC oxidase cDNAs from ethylene-treated corollas and wounded leaves revealed transcripts for ACO1, ACO3 and ACO4 indicating that at least three of these genes are transcriptionally active. The proteins encoded by ACO1, ACO3 and ACO4 share more than 90% identity with one another and more than 70% identity with ACC oxidases from other species. The ACC oxidase proteins share significant sequence homology with other enzymes that require Fe(II) and ascorbate for catalytic activity.
Smokers' expectancies for smoking versus nicotine.

This study compared smokers expectancies for the full act of smoking with those for nicotine per se bymeans of a word association task. Smokers ( N 201) were randomized to receive instructions tocomplete either Smoking makes one _____. or Nicotine makes one _____. with as many words aspossible within 30 s. Results indicated that smokers held similar expectancies for smoking and nicotine;however, negative consequences (e.g., health risks) were more associated with smoking than withnicotine, and addiction expectancies were more associated with nicotine than with smoking. Thesefindings suggest that smokers have a more realistic conceptualization of nicotines role in smoking thanhad been indicated from earlier surveys. These findings have important implications for both nicotine-based and behavioral interventions, as well as for experimental designs that rely upon the perceivedmanipulation of nicotine content.Keywords: tobacco, smoking, nicotine, expectancies, implicit cognition
Voluntary Control of Systolic Blood Pressure During Postural Change

The effects of biofeedback and voluntary control procedures on systolic blood pressure and heart rate during postural change were investigated in 30 normotensive men. Systolic pressure was measured with a continuous blood pressure tracking cuff, and blood pressure feedback was provided on a beat-to-beat basis. Postural changes in pressure, and corresponding heart rate changes, were examined in three experimental groups (N = 10 each). In two groups, subjects were given feedback training to increase or to decrease systolic blood pressure. In the third group, subjects were simply asked to increase their pressure but were not given feedback about their performance. Voluntary control of systolic pressure was attempted while subjects were seated and during postural change—sitting to standing. Subjects were also instructed to maintain voluntary blood pressure control in subsequent no-feedback test trials. During postural change, voluntary control procedures caused significant alterations in tonic levels of systolic pressure, but phasic blood pressure reactivity was unaffected. With respect to postural changes in heart rate, both tonic and phasic treatment effects were observed. Implications of the findings for basic and clinical research are discussed.
Histologic comparison of healing following tooth extraction with ridge preservation using two different xenograft protocols.

Background: The objectives of this study are to compare differences in histologic and clinical healing following tooth extraction and ridge preservation using two different xenograft treatment protocols.Methods: Forty-four patients with a non-molar tooth that required extraction and planned implant placement were randomly allocated into two ridge preservation protocol groups. Protocol 1 used a xenograft material consisting of 90% anorganic bovine bone in combination with 10% porcine collagen fibers combined with a resorbable bilayer membrane composed of non-cross-linked porcine types I and III collagen. Protocol 2 used a xenograft sponge composed of 70% cross-linked type I bovine collagen coated with a layer of non-sintered hydroxyapatite mineral on its surface combined with a resorbable membrane composed of type I porcine collagen cross-linked by natural ribose glycation. Following 21 weeks of healing, clinical measurements were repeated, and a core biopsy was obtained and prepared for histologic evaluat...
Towards traceability of model-based testing artifacts

Practitioners regard software testing as the central means for ensuring that a system behaves as expected. Due to the recent widespread adoption of model-driven development (MDD), code is no longer the single source for selecting test cases. Testing against original expectations can be done with model-based testing that adopts high-level models as the basis for test generation. In addition to test generation, challenges to model-based testing include creation and maintenance of traceability information among test-related artifacts. Traceability is required to support activities such as result evaluation, regression testing and coverage analysis. MDD and model transformation solutions address the traceability problem by creating relationships among transformed artifacts throughout the transformation process. This paper proposes an approach that leverages model transformation traceability techniques to create fine-grained relationships among model-based testing artifacts. Relationships are created during the test generation process. Their fine granularity enables the support for result evaluation, coverage analysis and regression testing.
Cents and sensibility: A case study of corrections reform in Kansas and Michigan

Abstract The analytical framework developed by the “new penology” describes the content of corrections reform as relatively homogenous, largely driven by forces internal to corrections departments. This article examines the ongoing process of penal reform in the correctional systems of Kansas and Michigan over the last decade and argues that the new penology's analytical framework has the potential to obscure the relationship between penal practices and their immediate institutional environment. Using case studies of corrections reform in Kansas and Michigan, this article shows that the nature and scope of reforms in both states were determined not just by internal considerations and adaptations, but by a number of forces operating outside the penal bureaucracy including the interests of external actors, economic crises, and high profile events. These external forces both constrained and encouraged correctional reforms and led to evolving reform rationales that often conflicted with the practices of the new penology.
Is There an Emerging Age Gap in US Politics

There is evidence of a realignment among voters entering the electorate in recent years, with younger voters deviating from older voters in their ideological and partisan preferences. Younger voters today tend to be more liberal and more supportive of Democratic candidates than other age groups. Younger Americans are generally favor a more activist government, as demonstrated by their views on equality, the role of government, health care, and spending for public schools and child care. The leftward movement of younger Americans ideologically is also the result of the increasing political emphasis on cultural issues. Younger Americans as a group are less religious and less conservative on social issues than other age cohorts. They put less emphasis on traditional values and are more tolerant than other age groups on social issues such as gay rights. Older voters, on the other hand, tend to be more conservative on policy issues and less supportive of Democrats than they used to be. At the state level, the partisan polarization in the United States is even greater among younger Americans than it is for the nation as a whole. This suggests that if younger Americans follow other generations in keeping the same partisan voting patterns throughout their life, the blue states will become bluer and the red states redder.
Expressive and perceptual asymmetries of the resting face.

Abstract Lateral facial composites reveal the asymmetry of the resting face. In the current research, we created lateral composites of 30 resting faces, then had subjects compare the two composites of a face with a depiction of the whole face in either normal-or mirror-image. Results indicate that the side of the face in a subject's left visual hemi-space dominates facial recognition. The magnitude of this bias can be altered by priming tasks. It is a bias in facial perception, not memory.
Bacterial Pathogens Activate a Common Inflammatory Pathway through IFNλ Regulation of PDCD4

The type III interferon (IFNλ) receptor IL-28R is abundantly expressed in the respiratory tract and has been shown essential for host defense against some viral pathogens, however no data are available concerning its role in the innate immune response to bacterial pathogens. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa induced significant production of IFNλ in the lung, and clearance of these bacteria from the lung was significantly increased in IL-28R null mice compared to controls. Improved bacterial clearance correlated with reduced lung pathology and a reduced ratio of pro- vs anti-inflammatory cytokines in the airway. In human epithelial cells IFNλ inhibited miR-21 via STAT3 resulting in upregulation of PDCD4, a protein known to promote inflammatory signaling. In vivo 18 hours following infection with either pathogen, miR-21 was significantly reduced and PDCD4 increased in the lungs of wild type compared to IL-28R null mice. Infection of PDCD4 null mice with USA300 resulted in improved clearance, reduced pathology, and reduced inflammatory cytokine production. These data suggest that during bacterial pneumonia IFNλ promotes inflammation by inhibiting miR-21 regulation of PDCD4.
The Taylor rule and the appointment cycle of the chairperson of the Federal Reserve

Abstract We estimate a forward-looking Taylor rule on a meeting-by-meeting basis using real-time forecasts for the Volcker and Greenspan chairmanships. We find that under Volcker the Fed responded countercyclically to inflation but had no significant response to the output gap. Under Greenspan, the Fed responded countercyclically to both inflation and the output gap. We then test the hypothesis that monetary policy varies systematically with the appointment cycle of the chairperson of the Fed. During both the Volcker and Greenspan chairmanships, we find that in the five-meeting periods prior to renomination, the Fed becomes significantly less responsive to the macroeconomy. Further, under both Volcker and Greenspan, we find evidence that the Fed raises its inflation target in the periods prior to renomination.
Shedding of heterodimeric leukocyte integrin

Comment on Evans et al, page [3593][1] Selective cleavage of the αLβ2 integrin from neutrophils and monocytes during an in vivo human inflammatory response points to a novel mechanism for regulating leukocyte detachment. Within the past 5 years, since the elucidation of the first integrin
Characterization of aromatic heptaene macrolide antibiotics by high performance liquid chromatography.

High performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedures were utilized for the rapid and efficient separation and characterization of the aromatic heptaene macrolide group of antifungal antibiotics. The instrument utilized a 350nm phosphor converted ultraviolet detector and a μ Bondapak C18 column packing. Optimum resolution of eleven commercial aromatic heptaene macrolide preparations was obtained with solvent systems consisting of mixtures of acetonitrile and 0.05 M aqueous sodium citrate buffer, pH 5.3. The presence of two distinct types of aromatic heptaene macrolides with numerous well-defined individual components has been established.
Heterogeneous Bandwidth Provisioning for Virtual Machine Migration over SDN-Enabled Optical Networks

Virtual machine migration in cloud-computing environments is an important operational technique, and requires significant network bandwidth. We demonstrate that heterogeneous bandwidth (vs. homogeneous bandwidth) for migration reduces significant resource consumption in SDN-enabled optical networks.
Another form of the hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (the Atlanta type)

The propositus in a Black family has elevated Hb-F and approximately equal amounts of Hb-A and Hb-S. Hematological and chemical studies of the propositus and his family show elevated Hb-F in the father and a sibling and sickle cell trait in the mother and another sibling. This family is believed to have a form of the hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin in which β chains are produced in cis to the determinant.
Tests of Hypotheses about Certainty Equivalents and Joint Receipt of Gambles

Abstract The present experiment was designed to test whether choice-induced certainty equivalents (CEs) and joint receipt (JR) of gambles exhibit certain properties such as the equality of JR and convolution, monotonicity of convolution, monotonicity of JR over gambles, additivity of JR over gambles and money, segregation of a common consequence, additive segregation when JR is replaced by +, and several other derivative properties. Subjects were partitioned into "gamblers" and "nongamblers" by their performance on screening gambles. Assuming that CE is order preserving, monotonicity of JR and additivity of JR over gambles were both rejected whereas additivity of JR over money, segregation, and additive segregation were all sustained for gamblers and nongamblers. For gamblers, convolution is not monotonic but is equivalent to JR and segregation and additive segregation are not equivalent. For nongamblers, convolution is monotonic but is not equivalent to JR and segregation and additive segregation are probably equivalent.
Modeling thermal dynamics in miniature PEM fuel cells under dry conditions

Water and thermal management have been identified as technical hurdles to the successful implementation of fuel cell power systems. In low power applications, miniature PEM fuel cells show significant promise as a competitor to lithium-ion batteries. Significant design work is underway to improve the specific power density of fuel cells. However, little attention has been given to characterizing transient response in these miniature applications to enable gains in system design, optimization and control. This work develops, calibrates and experimentally validates a dynamic control-oriented thermal model of a miniature fuel cell. Of critical importance, this model targets operation on dry conditions with no reactant pre-treatment. The dynamic response under changes in load and fuel stoichiometry are well captured over a range of operating conditions.
Combined Application of XAFS Spectroscopy and Sequential Leaching for Determination of Arsenic Speciation in Coal

Both XAFS spectroscopy and sequential leaching have been used in previous studies to determine the modes of occurrence of arsenic and other elements in coal. However, a direct comparison of the two methods, carried out on identical fractions, has never been made. In this study, residues of coal extracted after each stage of the U. S. Geological Survey's leaching protocol (sequential extraction by solutions of ammonium acetate, HCl, HF, and HNO3) are examined by arsenic XAFS spectra. This procedure enables a rigorous evaluation to be made of the arsenic species leached at each stage of the sequential leaching method. We observed an approximate linear correlation (r2 > 0.98 for an Ohio bituminous coal, r2 > 0.90 for a North Dakota lignite) between the height of the edge step in the XAFS analysis and the concentration of arsenic in the leached residues measured by INAA. Data from the leaching protocol indicate that two major arsenic forms occur in both coals; one is removed by leaching with HCl and the other...
CORRELATION OF THE BOVINE CERVICAL MUCUS PENETRATION TEST WITH HUMAN SPERM CHARACTERISTICS IN 1406 EJACULATES

The bovine cervical mucus penetration test (BCMPT) was performed to determine its usefulness in screening the ability of sperm to successfully penetrate mucus in vitro. Ejaculates were obtained by masturbation from patients attending an infertility clinic. Routine semen analysis was performed using a microcomputerized multiple-exposure photography system. The BCMPT was performed. Overall, the average penetration of the mucus was 38 +/- 0.46 mm. Of the 1,406 ejaculates analyzed, 244 (17%) displayed a negative result (0-20 mm), 291 (21%) a questionable result (21-30 mm), and 871 (62%) a positive result (>30 mm). A highly significant (p 30 mm). Sperm MD showed the strongest positive predictive value (98%), while morphology showed the greatest negative predictive value (50%). Of the 1,406 samples, 25 +/- 2% of the samples with normal semen parameters displayed a negative BCMPT. Conversely, 6 +/- 2% of samples with abnormal parameters showed a positive BCMPT. The BCMPT successfully identifies a significant subpopulation of patients as having an inadequate penetration of mucus with otherwise normal semen characteristics.
Designing decision support systems for value-based management: A survey and an architecture

Value-based Management (VBM) concepts are prevalent in theory and practice since shareholder value creation is commonly considered the paramount business goal. However, VBM mainly applies data-driven concepts to support decision-making, disregarding model-driven approaches. This paper develops a comprehensive approach to designing model-driven DSS for VBM. First, we derive a conceptual architecture for Integrated Business Planning (IBP) as the foundation for a model-driven approach to VBM. Second, we present a unified modeling approach for value-based performance and risk optimization that implements Value Added (xVA) performance metrics and applies robust optimization methods to mitigate risk impact.
Kostenoptimierung bei der Planung von Chemieanlagen

Chemieanlagen konnen hinsichtlich der Investitions- und Betriebskosten optimiert werden. Die Optimierung zerfallt in zwei Aufgaben: (1.) optimale Einzelteil-Dimensionierung und (2.) Verfahrensoptimierung. Streng genommen mus vor der zweiten Aufgabe immer die erste durchgefuhrt sein, da sonst ungleiche Verfahrensschritte miteinander verglichen werden. Fur die zweite Aufgabe genugt die Angabe der erforderlichen Rendite (bzw. pay out time) fur das zusatzlich investierte Kapital. Bei der ersten Aufgabe hat der gleiche Zahlenwert die Bedeutung der Grenzrendite fur die jeweils letzte investierte Mark. Ein expliziter Zusammenhang zwischen der Gesamtrendite und dieser Grenzrendite last sich nur uber Aufstellung der Investitionskosten als Funktion der Betriebskosten fur den konkreten Fall gewinnen.
Controversies in the diagnosis and management of diverticulitis coli.

Abstract Background: Diverticulitis is a common disease, especially in the developed world. The treatment has evolved substantially as our understanding of the pathophysiologic process has improved, and the tools available for diagnosis and treatment have advanced. Methods: Review and synthesis of the pertinent international literature. Results: A number of controversies exist with regard to therapy for diverticulitis. Recent evidence has highlighted the indications for elective surgical intervention, and stressed that the major indication is relief of symptoms, not reduction in morbidity. Laparoscopic surgery, in trained hands, is as effective and safe as open surgery. For surgical therapy of Hinchey Grade III and IV diverticulitis, primary resection and anastomosis may be safer for most patient populations, with lower morbidity, than resection with end-sigmoid colostomy and a Hartmann pouch. Laparoscopic lavage may be useful for temporizing selected patients; however, more work is needed to define more ...
Prudence and the desire theory of reasons

Persons at least sometimes act in a manner which does not promote their own immediate interests but rather their own future interests. Correspondingly, it is at least sometimes true that they have reasons to act in this manner. Thus, any theory of practical reasons which is to be at all convincing must be able to supply some plausible explication of what it is to have a prudential reason. In recent years, theories of practical reasons which are grounded upon persons' present desires have come under fresh attack just because of a purported inability to provide such an explication. Hence, it has been claimed that a theory of practical reasons which seeks to understand what it is for a person to have a reason to do something in terms of the present desires of that person cannot be an adequate theory of practical reasons. Against such claims, I will argue that the problems which are sometimes thought to prevent the desire theory of practical reasons from generating an adequate account of prudential reasons can be overcome and that, thus, criticism of the desire theory on these grounds is unconvincing.
The Krox-20 null mutation differentially affects the development of masticatory muscles.

The Krox-20 null mutation results in a loss of rhombomeres 3 and 5, which give rise to neurons that are essential to oral motor behaviors. Thus, the Krox-20 null mutant is an excellent model to investigate the development of oral motor circuitry. Our morphological examination of embryonic and neonatal Krox-20 null mutants revealed that a significant reduction of anterior digastric and mylohyoid muscles, the primary jaw openers, occurs between embryonic days 15 and 19. There are no gross morphological alterations in other masticatory muscles. These findings demonstrate that Krox-20 expression is critical for the normal development of the primary jaw opener musculature and they help explain previous studies documenting a reduction in jaw opening in Krox-20 null mutants. Since jaw opening is the power stroke of suckling behavior, our data help explain the reduction of colostrum/milk ingestion in Krox-20 null mutant neonates.
Enhancing stock returns using hedged dividend capture

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the potential use of a dividend capture strategy by individual investors. This strategy arises from the 2003 tax law changes which lowered tax rates on dividends received, while leaving the short‐term tax rates on capital losses unchanged. In addition, leverage can be used in combination with an aggressive call‐writing strategy to receive a multiple of the tax‐advantaged dividend yield without a corresponding increase in risk.Design/methodology/approach – In addition to illustrating how the dividend capture strategy works, a new method of comparing returns between strategies is developed. This method does not rely on a particular risk‐return model, such as is used by the Sharpe ratio or Jensen's alpha methodologies. Finally, a formula is derived which computes the borrowing (margin loan) rate that makes the aggressive call‐writing strategy profitable.Findings – The 2003 changes in US tax laws provide individuals with an opportunity to apply dividend capture techniques ...
Stage of Life Course and Social Support as a Mediator of Mood State among Persons with Disability

Objective:This research seeks to determine which aspects of social support are most effective in mediating mood state amongworking-age and elderly adults with disability (N= 442). Methods:Participants were identified through random-digit dialing of telephone exchanges and administration of a disability screen. Multiple regression was used to model multiple aspects of social support while holding sociodemographic and disability indicators constant. Results:Analyses revealed that network size and confidence in the reliability of helping networks are significantly and negatively related to depressed mood. Confidant supportwas related to lower levels of depressed mood for younger respondents only. Neither marital status, advisor support, nor social integration were related to mood. Discussion:Both instrumental and emotional support are key in mediating depressed mood among this population. We conclude that all types of social support are not equally effective in mediating mood among people with disability.
An experimental determination of some iso-chromaticity lines in color-deficient vision.

From an assortment of red and red-purple Munsell papers, 47 color-deficient and 13 color-normal subjects selected matches for eight standard blue-green and neutral papers. The color-deficient subjects were classified into the following groups: 7 protans with severe defects, 9 protans with mild defects, 10 deutans with severe defects, and 21 deutans with mild defects. For every subject the three colors (one at each of three chroma levels) chosen as matches for each standard were plotted on the CIE diagram, and a straight line, originating at the locus of the standard color, was fitted through the points. The slopes of these lines are significantly different for protans and deutans. Color-deficient subjects with mild defects tend to select the same matches as do those with severe defects, but the former show more variability. In addition, matches made by subjects with severe defects are more often rated “good” or “excellent,” and are more likely to fall along a straight line than are those made by subjects with mild defects. Matches made by the color-normal subjects are most variable and never rated good. Data on the constants of the iso-chromaticity lines, the Munsell notations of the matches, and the lightness relationships are given. For all matches by deutans and for matches against neutral standards by protanopes, the agreement of the empirical lines with those predicted from spectral data by Judd is good. However, protan matches against blue-green standards diverge markedly from predictions; protans actually select colors which are yellower than those predicted from spectral data. When the data for all value levels are pooled, it appears that the iso-color lines for some subjects may be curved rather than straight.
Electronic structure of Mn overlayers on the Ru(001) surface

Abstract The first three monolayers of Mn grow pseudomorphically on Ru(001) at room temperature. For coverages up to 8 ML a ( 3 × 3 R 30° LEED pattern is observed which upon annealing transforms to a (1×1) pseudomorphical one. A similar transformation is observed for thicker disordered Mn films. Corresponding UPS spectra are sensitive to the above surface structural changes. XPS and AES data suggest that island formation occurs after annealing
Little relationship of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) with complications of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: Pittsburgh epidemiology of diabetes complications study

Summary Objective: To examine the potential determinants of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), the main regulatory component of the fibrinolytic process, and the relationship of PAI-1 with complications of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Diabetes research center. Subjects: Individuals in this study were participants of the Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications study, a 10-year prospective study examining the prevalence, incidence, and interrelationships of the various complications of IDDM. Main Outcome Measures: Major complications of diabetes were assessed by standardized procedures (i.e. retinopathy [fundus photography], neuropathy [based on Diabetes Control and Complications Trial protocol], nephropathy [elevated albumin excretion rate (>200 μg/min)], coronary artery disease [myocardial infarction/angina], lower extremity arterial disease [ankle brachial index of Results: PAI-1 levels were not found to be significantly increased with any specific IDDM complication. Modelling potential correlates in linear regression analyses where PAI-1 was the dependent variable revealed independent associates with body mass index and triglycerides for males and age, fibrinogen, smoking history, and oral contraceptive use for females. Conclusions: The association of PAI-1 and other risk factors is complex with these data indicating an interdependent rather than an independent role for PAI-1 in IDDM complication development.
On association in a copula with time transformations

We consider estimation of the cross ratio in Clayton's (1978) copula in which covariates are incorporated into the marginal distributions via semiparametric accelerated life regression models. Generalisations of Oakes' (1982, 1986) concordance estimating equations yield a closed form for the association parameter under right censoring. Joint inferences about covariate effects in the marginal models and the cross ratio are obtained with U-statistics, martingales and a resampling technique for nonsmooth estimating equations. Simulating under an exponential model, we find that our procedure may provide a more precise estimate of association than other methods for proportional hazards models. A goodness-of-fit test for the assumed copula is presented and used in an analysis of a diabetic retinopathy dataset.
Tetrodotoxin Blockage of Sodium Conductance Increase in Lobster Giant Axons

Previous studies suggested that tetrodotoxin, a poison from the puffer fish, blocks conduction of nerve and muscle through its rather selective inhibition of the sodium-carrying mechanism. In order to verify this hypothesis, observations have been made of sodium and potassium currents in the lobster giant axons treated with tetrodotoxin by means of the sucrose-gap voltage-clamp technique. Tetrodotoxin at concentrations of 1 x 10-7 to 5 x 10-9 gm/ml blocked the action potential but had no effect on the resting potential. Partial or complete recovery might have occurred on washing with normal medium. The increase in sodium conductance normally occurring upon depolarization was very effectively suppressed when the action potential was blocked after tetrodotoxin, while the delayed increase in potassium conductance underwent no change. It is concluded that tetrodotoxin, at very low concentrations, blocks the action potential production through its selective inhibition of the sodium-carrying mechanism while keeping the potassium-carrying mechanism intact.
Tissue anchors for transmural gut-wall apposition

Background With the development of NOTES (natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery) and efforts to advance gastric reduction surgery, alternatives for robust tissue apposition apart from suturing and current mucosal clipping devices may be valuable. Objectives We attempted to identify functional tissue anchors that could be deployed endoscopically, with the potential to provide transmural tissue apposition. Design Short-term animal-survival study. Patients Domestic pigs, under general anesthesia, underwent open laparotomy, gastrotomy, and manual placement of prototype tissue anchors. Interventions Four tissue-anchor designs were evaluated (T bar, T bar with mesh bolster, star, basket). Full-thickness gastric plications were manually created in the body and the antrum via laparotomy and were secured with sets of paired anchors, also placed manually via a gastrotomy. In 1 test animal, a pilot gastric reduction was created by forming 2 rows of 4 anchor sets on the anterior and posterior walls to create a tubelike gastric lumen. Main Outcome Measurements Follow-up endoscopy was performed at 2, 4, and 9 weeks to visually assess the intraluminal appearance of the plications, followed by necropsy and histologic study. Results There was an overall attrition of the number of anchor sets. At 2 weeks, the T-bar anchors were first to disappear, and the mesh and the star designs began to pull through the gastric folds. At 4 weeks, there was flattening of the plications that involved 6 pairs of mesh anchors. By 9 weeks, 3 pairs of mesh anchors were lost and 3 pairs were associated with flattened folds. At the time of euthanasia, at 4 or 9 weeks, the number of retained anchors associated with intact plications for each group were as follows: T bar, 6 of 9 pairs (67%); mesh, 12 of 18 pairs (67%); basket, 14 of 18 pairs (78%); and star, 2 of 9 pairs (22%). There were no gastric adhesions and no evidence for any inflammatory changes surrounding the stomachs. The tallest plications involved the basket anchors. The basket-anchored plications contained apposed muscularis propria, with serosal fusion evident. The folds from the other anchor types were formed of mucosa and submucosa with or without superficial muscularis propria. Conclusions The results of this experience are encouraging. The basket tissue anchors appear most promising. These findings suggest that further development of tissue anchors deployed via flexible catheter-based devices may have clinical value for transmural tissue apposition.
Caesar and the Pirates; or How to Make (and Break) an Ancient Life

It is hard for biographers, ancient and modern alike, to resist the story of the young Julius Caesar's kidnapping by a band of pirates. Suetonius and Plutarch both include full versions of the tale, with specific details (Suet. Iul. 4; Plut. Vit. Caes. 1.4–2). Suetonius, for instance, writes that the kidnapping took place near the island of Pharmacusa (just off the coast of Asia Minor), while Plutarch, noting that too, also specifies that the ransom that freed Caesar came from the (nearby) city of Miletus. And while Suetonius writes that Caesar, after his release, launched a fleet, pursued the pirates, and punished them, Plutarch includes another phase in the story: having taken command of a fleet and set sail (again, from Miletus), Plutarch's Caesar captured nearly all the pirates but, instead of killing them right away, ‘he himself went to Iuncus, the governor of Asia, on the grounds that it belonged to him, as governor of the province, to punish the captives’. When Iuncus postponed a decision on the matter (evidently hoping to make a profit out of the situation), Caesar returned to Pergamum, took the robbers out of prison, and only then crucified them himself.
Theory of nucleation with cluster loss and injection : Application to plastic deformation and irradiation

Conventional nucleation theory considers the growth and decay of clusters only by thermally activated single atom addition or subtraction. Many environments of interest, including plastic deformation and energetic particle irradiation, induce numerous dynamic processes to create a host of defects which may produce a new nucleation regime. Creation and movement of dislocations and point defects and passage of thermal and stress waves could readily destroy or remove atoms from subcritical clusters, which typically contain at most only a few tens of atoms. Displacement cascades could destroy subcritical precipitates or vacancy clusters. It is also possible that clusters are injected into the system, as with vacancy-rich displacement cascades which may act as precursors for dislocation loop or void nuclei. This article modifies the nucleation equation to account for such cluster loss and injection and solves the resulting equation analytically for the steady state. The effects of cluster loss are described by several dimensionless groupings of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters. Cluster loss is found significant only if the probability of destruction is comparable to or greater than the probability of growth by single atom capture. The effects of cluster loss are predicted to be greatest for phases which form with large critical nuclei or complex unit cells. Athermal single atom loss, as by radiation resolution in ion mixing, appreciably reduces the nucleation rate only when the rate of loss approaches or exceeds the rate of solute atom capture.
Examples of non-normal observations for which a studentized sample mean has a student’s T-distribution

Statistical methodologies and their practice often rely upon tests and confidence interval procedures based on Studentized sample means of independent observations from a normal parent population and their Student’s t distributions. This is specially so when the sample size n is small. An unmistakable impression one is left with, whether implied or not, is that such exact Student’s t distributions may not be valid when the observations are dependent or non-normal. We show that one cannot discard the possibility of an exact Student’s t distribution for a Studentized sample mean, or its suitable multiple, simply because the observations may be dependent or non-normal. In arriving at this conclusion, we have uncovered a very interesting and seemingly unknown feature (Theorem 2.1) of an n-dimensional multivariate t distribution with equi-correlation p, arbitrary degree of freedom v, and arbitrary n.
Towards "WYDIWYS" for MIMI using concept analysis

This paper presents a novel software engineering approach for developing a dynamic web interface that meets the quality criterion of "WYDIWYS" - What You Do Is What You See. This approach establishes an engineering procedure for applying Formal Concept Analysis (FCA) [3] in user requirement analysis, system design and implementation. The FCA lattice diagrams facilitate the design of a role-based web interface by contributing to the analysis of relationships between roles, functionalities, and database access actions. As a result, they help identifying privileges that are needed by each role to perform required functionalities and page partials and views as web interface components. Additionally, the relabeled FCA lattices direct developers in adding privilege checks in the page partial or view components to help implement the desired access control architecture. The FCA based approach is demonstrated in the development of MIMI, a Multi-modality, Multi-resource, Information Integration environment for the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC). We present the resulting hierarchical lattice diagrams and show that the FCA-based approach benefits the life-cycle development process for MIMI's complex web interface.
Positive emotional expectations predict volunteer outcomes for new volunteers

Emotional expectations are likely to influence behavioral outcomes, even when entering novel situations. In the present study, it was proposed that positive emotional expectations would influence volunteer outcomes for new volunteers. New and experienced volunteers were recruited for a two-part longitudinal study. Study hypotheses were confirmed. The mere anticipation of positive emotions was able to predict volunteer outcomes for new volunteers. Emotional expectations (i.e., sympathy, satisfaction) were positively associated with intentions to continue volunteering, identification with the volunteer role, and predicted volunteer persistence 6 months later for new volunteers. For experienced volunteers, emotional expectations were only significantly and positively associated with volunteer role identity. Moreover, the intent to persist as a volunteer was found to have a stronger positive association with actual persistence for experienced volunteers than for new volunteers.
Go to the Hospital or Stay at Home? A Qualitative Study of Expected Hospital Decision Making Among Older African Americans With Advanced Heart Failure

To address the need for more information concerning hospital decision making, we conducted in-depth interviews among African Americans with heart failure and their family caregivers (n = 11 dyads). Using a case scenario, we asked participants about their anticipated hospitalization decisions. Most patients indicated that they would seek care to avoid further deterioration or death from their worsening condition. Many family caregivers anticipated having an active influence on hospitalization decisions. Findings suggest that social workers should encourage the development of adequate home-based services, recognize diverse communication styles, and use this information to facilitate medical decision making by these patients and their caregivers.
Oceanographic controls on benthic foraminifers from the Bellingshausen margin of the Antarctic Peninsula

Abstract Surface sediment samples collected from the Bellingshausen Sea continental margin of the Antarctic Peninsula were analyzed for benthic foraminifers. A total fauna including live and dead specimen counts was used to statistically identify discrete benthic foraminifer assemblages. Two major assemblages were defined, the Bulimina aculeata and Fursenkoina spp. Assemblages. The distribution of the Bulimina aculeata and Fursenkoina spp. Assemblages are closely associated with the distribution of the two dominant bottom water masses on the continental margin, the Circumpolar Warm Deep Water and Weddell Sea Transitional Water, respectively. Their distributions cannot be related to organic carbon content or sediment texture of the surface sediments. The faunal composition of the Bellingshausen Sea margin assemblages and their water mass associations are similar to faunal-water mass relationships observed in the Weddell Sea and South Atlantic Ocean where Bulimina aculeata is associated with Circumpolar Deep Water and Nonionella iridea, N. bradii and Trifarina earlandi are associated with Eastern Shelf and Modified Weddell Sea Water.
Lamina propria and circulating interleukin-6 in newly diagnosed pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Abstract OBJECTIVES: Understanding cytokine production patterns in early mucosal lesions of pediatric patients newly diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be critical to understanding IBD pathogenesis. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has a central role in a multitude of immune system reactions; however, inconsistent lamina propria and serum IL-6 has been reported in IBD patients. Newly diagnosed pediatric IBD patients have not previously been evaluated for lamina propria or serum IL-6. METHODS: Serum and intestinal lamina propria biopsy whole organ culture supernatants were evaluated by ELISA for IL-6 obtained from newly diagnosed IBD patients, before initiation of immunomodulatory therapies. RESULTS: Levels of lamina propria IL-6 demonstrated significant correlation with graded severity of histological inflammation ( p p R 2 = 0.6226). Assigning a demarcation level of >400 pg/ml, serum IL-6 concentrations were a superior marker for the presence of microscopic intestinal inflammation than erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), with a sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 82%. When evaluating subtypes of IBD, serum IL-6 levels were correlated more significantly with active disease in ulcerative colitis patients ( p = 0.01, R 2 = 0.74) than in Crohn’s disease patients ( p = 0.21, R 2 = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: This study outlines graded production of IL-6 in intestinal lamina propria and serum of newly diagnosed pediatric IBD patients, confirming the presence of IL-6 in early IBD patients. In addition, serum IL-6 may be a good predictor of IBD in pediatric patients with suspected or newly diagnosed IBD.
Deletion analysis of oligomycin PKS genes (olmA) in Streptomyces avermitilis

Gene deletion vector pXL05(pKC1139::ΔolmA1 +ΔolmA4) was used to disrupt oligomycin PKS encoding genes(olmA) inStreptomyces avermitilis CZ8-73, the producer of anthelmintic avermectins B and the cell growth inhibitor oligomycin.olmA gene cluster in the chromosome was displaced by deletion allele on the plasmid via double crossover. Four of disruptants were confirmed by Southern blotting. Shaking flask experiments and HPLC analyses showed that the four mutants no longer produced the toxic oligomycin, but only made four components of avermectins B, which were avermectin B1a, B1b, B2a, B2b. The yields of avermectins B in these mutants were separately equal to those in CZ8-73. This revealed thatolmA genes deletion did not affect the biosynthesis of avermectins. The deletion mutants were proved to be genetically stable, and thus might be promising strains in industrial production of avermectins B.
Interaction of click polarity, stimulus level, and repetition rate on the auditory brainstem response.

The present study investigated the interaction of click polarity (compression, rarefaction, alternating), repetition rate (2.3 and 9.2 clicks per second), and stimulus level (60, 75, and 90 dB nHL) on auditory brainstem responses. Two tracings (trials) were obtained for each condition using 45 normally hearing subjects. Although no systematic Wave I, III, or V latency or amplitude differences were observed among polarities or repetition rates at the three intensities, statistically significant differences were observed for the following conditions: (1) Wave III latency at 90 dB nHL was longer for the 9.2 repetition rate than for the 2.3 rate, and latencies for compression clicks were shorter than rarefaction clicks; (2) Wave V latencies at 75 dB nHL were longer with compression clicks than with rarefaction clicks; (3) mean Wave V latencies at 60 and 75 dB nHL were slightly longer for the 2.3 click rate than for the 9.2 rate; and (4) Wave V amplitudes at 90 dB nHL were larger for rarefaction clicks than fo...