cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polygenic risk score is a predictor of adenomatous polyps at screening colonoscopy.

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based polygenic risk scoring is predictive of colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. However, few studies have investigated the association of genetic risk score (GRS) with detection of adenomatous polyps at screening colonoscopy. We randomly selected 1769 Caucasian subjects who underwent screening colonoscopy from the Genomic Health Initiative (GHI), a biobank of NorthShore University HealthSystem. Outcomes from initial screening colonoscopy were recorded. Twenty-two CRC risk-associated SNPs were obtained from the Affymetrix™ SNP array and used to calculate an odds ratio (OR)-weighted and population-standardized GRS. Subjects with GRS of 1.5 were categorized as low, average and elevated risk. Among 1,769 subjects, 520 (29%) had 1 or more adenomatous polyps. GRS was significantly higher in subjects with adenomatous polyps than those without; mean (95% confidence interval) was 1.02 (1.00–1.05) and 0.97 (0.95–0.99), respectively, p < 0.001. The association remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, and family history, p < 0.001. The detection rate of adenomatous polyps was 10.8%, 29.0% and 39.7% in subjects with low, average and elevated GRS, respectively, p-trend < 0.001. Higher GRS was also associated with early age diagnosis of adenomatous polyps, p < 0.001. In contrast, positive family history was not associated with risk and age of adenomatous polyps. GRS was significantly associated with adenomatous polyps in subjects undergoing screening colonoscopy. This result may help in stratifying average risk patients and facilitating personalized colonoscopy screening strategies.
Readmission After Surgical Resection and Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Liver resections and transplantations have increasingly become feasible options for potential cure. These ...
Bullying in the Workplace

This submission is a PowerPoint presentation regarding bullying in the workplace. This presentation is based on a written paper with the same name by this author.
Abstract 2490: Optimizing treatment strategy for NF1-depleted estrogen receptor positive breast cancer

Background: Germline mutations in the NF1 gene are responsible for neurofibromatosis type 1, which is the world9s most common genetic disorder. NF1 is also a key tumor suppressor gene that is frequently somatically mutated in a wide range of cancers. Approximately 80% of breast cancer is driven by the estrogen receptor α (ER), encoded by the ESR1 gene, and ER-positive (ER+) breast cancer can be treated by endocrine therapy targeting the ER transcriptional pathway. NF1 encodes neurofibromin, which is best known as a GTPase Activating Protein (GAP) for repressing Ras signaling. However, in a recent study we presented evidence supporting the model that NF1 has a GAP-independent activity by also acting as a transcriptional co-repressor for ER. NF1 loss enhanced ER transcription causing resistance to tamoxifen and aromatase inhibition. Approach and Results: In this study, we examined patient data from TCGA cohort and found that low NF1 mRNA levels associated with recurrence in luminal breast cancer, particularly in the luminal B subtype. Using purified components, we showed that full-length NF1 can directly bind ER. The ESR1-pE380Q mutation is a recurrent event in metastatic ER+ breast cancer. Our two-hybrid data showed that NF1 interacted less with the ER-E380Q than wild type ER, which agrees with structural analysis predicting co-repressors binding to be mediated by the ER-E380 residue. To assess how NF1-loss impacts ER-dependent gene expression in ER+ breast cancer cells, our ER ChIP-seq data showed that in the presence of estradiol, NF1-depletion promoted global ER recruitment to estrogen response elements (EREs) on chromatin. Expression of ERE-bound genes showed concordant expression changes by RNA-seq, confirming genome-wide transcriptional dysregulation of ER targeted genes by NF1 loss. ER+ NF1-depleted breast cancer cells responded initially to a selective ER degrader (SERD), such as fulvestrant and an oral SERD AZD9496, but acquired resistance with prolonged treatment. Resistance may be dependent on CDK4/6, a common growth pathway controlled by both Ras and ER. We showed that fulvestrant together with a CDK4/6 inhibitor Palbociclib can efficiently inhibit the growth of ER+ NF1-depleted breast cancer leading to tumor regression in a patient derived xenograft model. Conclusion: The loss of the full length NF1 can stimulate both ER and Ras signaling, and it is possible to efficiently treat ER+ NF1-depleted breast cancer by a SERD, in combination with CDK4/6 inhibitor. Citation Format: Zeyi Zheng, Jonathan T. Lei, Meenakshi Anurag, Long Feng, Purba Singh, Hilda Kennedy, Jin Cao, Xi Chen, Matthew J. Ellis, Eric C. Chang. Optimizing treatment strategy for NF1-depleted estrogen receptor positive breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 2490.
Behavioral impairments and serotonin reductions in rats after chronic L-dopa.

L-dopa, the main therapeutic for Parkinson’s disease (PD), has been shown to increase brain dopamine concentrations that are necessary for proper motor control; however, PD patients experience non-motor symptoms that are not improved or could be exacerbated by L-dopa. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of L-dopa treatment on cognitive and affective behavioral responses of rats, as well as their corresponding monoamine brain concentrations. Rats were treated with L-dopa (6 mg/kg; twice daily) for 10 consecutive days. Sodium ascorbate (400 mg/kg) was co-administered with L-dopa to investigate the effects of antioxidant co-treatment on behavior and monoamine concentrations. Rats underwent cognitive and affective behavioral testing. Monoamine concentrations of several brain regions were analyzed. L-dopa treatment resulted in significant impairment in the performance in the Barnes maze and improvement in conditioned fear stress paradigms. Specifically, L-dopa caused an increase in latency to find the goal box during Barnes maze testing and increased freezing behavior in context-induced conditioned fear testing. Furthermore, the rats in the conditioned fear stress experiments showed corresponding depletions in serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite, 5-HIAA, in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and the mPFC. The behavioral impairments as well as monoamine depletions were blocked by ascorbate co-treatment. Chronic L-dopa may contribute to non-motor symptoms related to spatial memory and fear. These effects may be attributable to a dysregulation of brain 5-HT caused by L-dopa treatment. The results presented here provide further rationale for investigating adjunctive therapeutics to L-dopa for PD, such as antioxidants.
19th Annual Lecture of the Geneva Association Insurance and Catastrophes

If the insured can tilt losses towards catastrophes, or if his efforts will do the most to reduce catastrophes, either by reducing probabilities or reducing magnitudes, then traditional lessons about the form of optimal insurance are likely to be wrong.35 Even if the insurance company is risk neutral and has infinite resources, it should keep the insured at some risk when losses are high. And the insured, who in our formulation reaps any savings in the form of reduced premiums from stronger incentives for care, has the same interest as the insurer in finding the optimal form of policy.
Raised lateral patch clamp array

A novel lateral patch-clamp array with cell trapping locations raised above the substrate was fabricated by integration of macro-machining and soft lithography technology. The device is made of PDMS (Poly-Di-Methyl-Siloxane) and is composed of four compartments: multiple lateral patch openings "raised" above the bottom of the glass slide at a pre-determined distance, an open chamber machined by a hole-puncher for fluidic access, multiple microfluidic channels to introduce cells and reagents to the patch openings, and several microfluidic channels as electrical ground for patch clamp recording. Size of the patch openings were 2/spl mu/m/spl times/2/spl mu/m. Seal resistances over 350MO were measured consistently. The device is capable of conducting whole-cell patch-clamp experiments at lower cost and higher throughput.
Group Actions on Non-Archimedean Trees

Let Λ be a (totally) ordered abelian group. Let X be a Λ-tree, as defined in [MS1] (see also [AB] for various equivalent definitions). Let Γ be a group acting (without inversion) on X.
A Close Look at the Cognitive Play of Preschoolers with Visual Impairments in the Home

The cognitive play of 13 children with visual impairments approximately 40 months of age was observed while playing alone in their homes. Three play categories adapted from Belsky and Most's (1981) hypothesized sequence of development of exploration and play for typical children and nonplay were coded for frequency and duration. The findings revealed that children with visual impairments showed significant differences in play compared to the earlier documented play schemes for sighted children in the Belsky and Most's study (1981). Over half of the play behaviors were in the category of exploration and sensorimotor play, and symbolic play accounted for less than 4% of play. These findings are discussed in terms of interventions at home and in school.
Cohort, age, and period effects in the analysis of U.S. suicide patterns: 1933-1978.

This study employed multiple classification analysis to examine the impact of age, period, and cohort effects on U.S. white male suicide rates between 1933 and 1978. Previous studies of cohort effects with regard to suicide behavior have been descriptive in nature, and have failed to consider the interaction of the three effects. Drawing on a study of pulmonary tuberculosis mortality by W.M. Mason and Smith (1985), the work specified seven models. The Shazam ordinary-least-squares computer package was employed to estimate the logit coefficients for the seven models. Period effects were found to be weaker than age and cohort effects for explaining shifts in white male suicide patterns. In this study all of the three effects were measured indirectly, and this fact limits the validity of the findings. Causal analysis, which directly measures at least one of the effects, would have improved the robustness of the findings.
Blue cones and cone bipolar cells share transcriptional specificity as determined by expression of human blue visual pigment-derived transgenes

Sequences 5' of the human blue visual pigment gene have been assayed in transgenic mice for their ability to direct cell-type-specific expression of linked beta-galactosidase (lacZ) and placental alkaline phosphatase (P ALP1) reporters. Constructs containing either 5.4 kilobases (kb) or 0.47 kb of 5' flanking DNA direct expression exclusively to the retina. Within the retina, transgene expression is confined to blue cones and cone bipolar cells, as determined, respectively, by double labeling with anti-cone pigment antibodies and by morphologic analyses. These results imply that blue cones and cone bipolar cells have partially overlapping transcriptional specificities.
System Architecture for Software Peripherals

Software peripherals (Lioupis et al., 2001) have been proposed as a design alternative to traditional peripherals. We propose a software architecture, design methodology and scheduling scheme for implementing software peripherals on general purpose processors, with fast context switch and high resolution timers. Our design flow automatically generates code for scheduling software peripherals. We demonstrate the feasibility of our proposed work by experimenting with a set of five software peripherals scheduled to execute on a MIPS processor. Our performance evaluations show that the performance impact of the software peripherals on user-level tasks is minimal (i.e., 10.11% on a 100 MHz processor) - strongly suggesting that with the right architecture, software peripherals can be efficiently accommodated in typical embedded applications.
Use of a novel histidyl modifier to probe for residues on Tris-treated photosystem II membrane fragments that may bind functional manganese.

In this paper, we investigate the effects of histidyl amino acid modification on high-affinity Mn binding to photosystem II (PSII) using methods similar to those used in the preceding paper [Ghirar...
Effects of Computerized Match-to-Sample Training on Emergent Fraction-Decimal Relations in Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome.

Abstract Individuals diagnosed with fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common known form of inherited intellectual disability, are reported to exhibit considerable deficits in mathematical skills that are often attributed to brain-based abnormalities associated with the syndrome. We examined whether participants with FXS would display emergent fraction–decimal relations following brief, intensive match-to-sample training on baseline relations. The performance profiles on tests of symmetry and transitivity/equivalence of 11 participants with FXS, aged 10–23 years, following baseline match-to-sample training were compared to those of 11 age- and IQ-matched controls with idiopathic developmental disability. The results showed that both groups of participants showed significant improvements in the baseline (trained) relations, as expected. However, participants with FXS failed to show significant improvements in the (untrained) symmetry and transitivity/equivalence relations compared to those in the control group. A categorical analysis of the data indicated that five participants with FXS and eight controls showed at least “intermediate” emergence of symmetry relations, whereas one individual with FXS and three controls showed at least intermediate emergence of transitivity/equivalence relations. A correlation analysis of the data indicated that improvements in the symmetry relations were significantly associated with improvements in the transitivity/equivalence relations in the control group ( r = .69, p = .018), but this was not the case in the FXS group ( r = .34, p > .05). Participant IQ was significantly associated with improvements in the symmetry relations in individuals with FXS ( r = .60, p = .049), but not in controls ( r = .21, p > .05). Taken together, these results suggest that brief, computerized match-to-sample training may produce emergent mathematical relations for a subset of children with FXS and developmental disabilities. However, the ability of individuals with FXS to form transitivity/equivalence relations may be impaired relative to those with idiopathic developmental disabilities, which may be attributed to neurodevelopmental variables associated with the syndrome.
NEURITE OUTGROWTH AND GROWTH CONE MORPHOLOGY ON MICROPATTERNED SURFACES

The quantitative effects of micropatterned laminin surfaces on neurite outgrowth and growth cone morphology were investigated. Using microlithography, 20- or 30-μm-wide laminin stripes were applied to the surface of a glass coverslip, alternating with BSA-coated glass stripes of the same dimension. Growth on these surfaces was strongly biased in the direction parallel to the stripes, but the mean length of outgrowth was reduced relative to that on uniform laminin surfaces. Growth cones were slightly more elongated on micropatterned surfaces than on controls and were aligned with the pattern. These results provide a starting point for examining the fundamental effects of micropatterned surfaces on neurite outgrowth and ways in which these may be useful in controlling and guiding neurite outgrowth for biotechnological applications.
Rules of conduct

Dynamic Structures in Biology. Edited by Brian Goodwin, Atuhiro Sibatani and Gerald Webster. Edinburgh University Press: 1989. Pp.259. £35.
Single-Mode Fiber-To-Channel Waveguide Coupling

The coupling of single-mode fibers-to-LiNb03:Ti diffused channel waveguides has been addressed. Coupling losses of less than 1 dB have been measured between ITT single-mode fiber and diffused guides at 0.83 μm wavelength. A four-section Δβ reversal switch has been permanently coupled to single-mode fiber pigtails with coupling losses approaching the measured optimum and theoretically predicted value.
Use of polyelectrolyte-surfactant complexes in colloid-enhanced ultrafiltration

Water-soluble polyelectrolyte-surfactant complexes, involving oppositely charged species, can form at quite low thermodynamic activities of the surfactant. This fact can be exploited in colloid-enhanced ultrafiltration separations, where both molecular organic pollutants and toxic ions are to be removed from contaminated aqueous streams. Investigations have been made of (a) the solubilization and ultrafiltration of solutions of organic solutes in polymer-surfactant solutions, for comparison with studies of micellar surfactant solutions in the absence of added polymers; (b) the penetration of surfactant through the membrane (leakage of monomer) in dialysis and ultrafiltration experiments; and (c) the utility of polyelectrolytes as ‘scavengers’ for surfactant species that enter the permeate or filtrate in colloid-enhanced ultrafiltration separations. Polyelectrolytes chosen for the studies are sodium poly(styrenesulfonate) and poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride); the surfactants are cetylpyridinium chloride (hexadecylpyridinium chloride) and sodium dodecylsulfate. A detailed study has been made of the solubilization and separation ofp-tert-butylphenol in aqueous mixtures of sodium poly(styrenesulfonate) and cetylpyridinium chloride, at polyelectrolyte to surfactant mole ratios of two to one.
Comparison of conventional and membrane reactor fuel processors for hydrocarbon-based PEM fuel cell systems

Abstract Several reactor types for the autothermal reforming (ATR) of hydrocarbon fuels are evaluated for the production of hydrogen in PEM fuel cell systems. Each ATR reactor is integrated into an overall process model including the fuel cell, heat integration exchangers, and water recycle. Hydrogen permselective membrane reactors (Pd-based and proton conducting oxide) are compared to the three-step reactor system consisting of an adiabatic ATR reactor, cooled water gas shift (WGS) reactor, and a preferential oxidation (PrOx) reactor. We have attempted to optimize the flowsheet and process variables in the context of an integrated equilibrium model of the fuel processor and fuel cell systems. These sensitivity analyses define ranges of the ratios of water and oxygen to the hydrocarbon feed to the ATR reactor for maximum system efficiency. The study utilizes kinetic rate expressions modified using literature data on the autothermal reforming of n-tetradecane. We show that the Pd membrane reactor eliminates the need for a separate WGS reactor, as the selective removal of hydrogen enables sufficient hydrogen production and recovery. Hydrogen recoveries of up to 97% are achieved in the membrane reactor at moderate reforming pressures by incorporating a countercurrent steam sweep on the permeate side. The overall efficiency of the Pd membrane reactor system is comparable to the conventional system; a small 1% efficiency gain is attributed to elimination of the hydrogen losses associated with the PrOx reactor. We show that the volume of the Pd membrane reactor for a 50 kW fuel cell system is less than 20% of the conventional ATR, WGS, and PrOx reactors. A drawback of the Pd-based membrane is the uncertain durability of the Pd at the high operating temperature of the C14 reforming chemistry (900°C), the cost of the requisite quantity of Pd (100 g ) , and coking brought about by hydrogen removal by the membrane. Some of these issues may be overcome with the use of the oxide-based membrane, which we show has reasonable performance in terms of productivity.
Factors Affecting Survival and Occurrence of Stroke in Patients With Transient Ischemic Attacks

Objective To assess the predictive value of a series of demographic and clinical variables for stroke and survival in a population after a first transient ischemic attack (TIA). Design Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to determine the association of various demographic and clinical factors with survival and stroke in 330 residents of Rochester, Minnesota, who had an initial TIA with first medical attention within 120 days during the period 1955 through 1979. Material and Methods We investigated several demographic, diagnostic, and treatment variables, including initial clinical manifestations (pure sensory TIA and unilateral carotid hemispheric TIA), to estimate the significant ( P ≤0.01) predictors of survival and of stroke. Follow-up was limited to 10 years. Results Relative survival for patients with a first TIA was 94% at 1 year and 87% at 5 years after first medical attention. Three interactions were significant predictors of survival: (1) age at TIA and gender (young women had the best survival and older women had the worst survival), (2) systolic blood pressure and congestive heart failure (patients with low systolic blood pressure and congestive heart failure had the worst survival), and (3) calendar year of onset and diabetes mellitus (survival was worst for patients with diabetes during the early years of the study). Only age was a significant independent predictor of stroke after TIA (hazards ratio, 1.45 per 10 years). Conclusion Estimating risks of stroke and death after TIA on the basis of demographic and clinical variables without reference to the mechanism of TIA is of limited clinical utility. Age is the most significant such predictor. Interactions that reflect comorbidity, such as diabetes, blood pressure abnormalities, or heart disease, may affect survival but not the risk for occurrence of stroke.
In vitro tumor-pulsed or in vivo Flt3 ligand-generated dendritic cells provide protection against acute myelogenous leukemia in nontransplanted or syngeneic bone marrow-transplanted mice

To determine whether immune stimulation could reduce acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) lethality, dendritic cells (DCs) were pulsed with AML antigens and used as vaccines or generated in vivo by Flt3 ligand (Flt3L), a potent stimulator of DC and natural killer (NK) cell generation. Mice were then challenged with AML cells. The total number of splenic anti-AML cytotoxic T-lymphocyte precursors (CTLPs) present at the time of challenge was increased 1.9-fold and 16.4-fold by Flt3L or DC tumor vaccines, respectively. As compared with the 0% survival of controls, 63% or more of recipients of pulsed DCs or Flt3L survived long term. Mice given AML cells prior to DC vaccines or Flt3L had only a slight survival advantage versus non-treated controls. NK cells or NK cells and T cells were found to be involved in the antitumor responses of Flt3L or DCs, respectively. DC vaccines lead to long-term memory responses but Flt3L does not. Syngeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) recipients were analyzed beginning 2 months post-BMT. In contrast to the uniform lethality in BMT controls given AML cells, recipients of either Flt3L or DC vaccines had a significant increase in survival. The total number of splenic anti-AML CTLPs at the time of AML challenge in BMT controls was 40% of concurrently analyzed non-BMT controls. Flt3L or DC vaccines increased the total anti-AML CTLPs 1.4-fold and 6.8-fold, respectively. Neither approach was successful when initiated after AML challenge. It was concluded that DC vaccines and Flt3L administration can enhance an AML response in non-transplanted or syngeneic BMT mice but only when initiated prior to AML progression.
Changes of chondrocyte expression profiles in human MSC aggregates in the presence of PEG microspheres and TGF-β3

Biomaterial microparticles are commonly utilized as growth factor delivery vehicles to induce chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs). To address whether the presence of microparticles could themselves affect differentiation of MSCs, a 3D co-aggregate system was developed containing an equal volume of human primary bone marrow-derived MSCs and non-degradable RGD-conjugated poly(ethylene glycol) microspheres (PEG-μs). Following TGF-β3 induction, differences in cell phenotype, gene expression and protein localization patterns were found when compared to MSC aggregate cultures devoid of PEG-μs. An outer fibrous layer always found in differentiated MSC aggregate cultures was not formed in the presence of PEG-μs. Type II collagen protein was synthesized by cells in both culture systems, although increased levels of the long (embryonic) procollagen isoforms were found in MSC/PEG-μs aggregates. Ubiquitous deposition of type I and type X collagen proteins was found in MSC/PEG-μs cultures while the expression patterns of these collagens was restricted to specific areas in MSC aggregates. These findings show that MSCs respond differently to TGF-β3 when in a PEG-μs environment due to effects of cell dilution, altered growth factor diffusion and/or cellular interactions with the microspheres. Although not all of the expression patterns pointed toward improved chondrogenic differentiation in the MSC/PEG-μs cultures, the surprisingly large impact of the microparticles themselves should be considered when designing drug delivery/scaffold strategies.
Separation of helium‐methane mixtures by pressure swing adsorption

The separation of mixtures of helium and methane using a single column of activated carbon in a pressure swing adsorption process was studied experimentally. Process performace was predicted with an average error of 10% or less by a local-equilibrium well-stirred cell model in which dead volumes at the feed and product ends of the column were accounted for. Systematic differences between experiment and model were ascribed to omission from the model of flow resistance and heat release.
AIDS, homosexuality, public opinion, and changing correlates over time.

Comparing data from national Los Angeles Times surveys allows for an examination of changes in attitude toward AIDS in 1985, when the crisis was first coming to public attention, and in 1987, when ...
Effects of acetylcholine on single fibers of the atrioventricular node.

The action of acetylcholine on atrioventricular nodal fibers has been studied with the aid of intracellular microelectrodes. It has been found that during total atrioventricular dissociation no block of conduction occurs at the junction between the A-V node and the bundle of His or within fibers of the atrium. Failure of impulse transmission occurs in fibers in the atrial margin of the A-V node. The application of acetylcholine produces characteristic changes in the action potentials of fibers in the atrial margin of the A-V node: depolarization becomes slow, amplitude falls and notching and slurring appear in the upstrokes. These observations support the concept that transmission of excitation through the A-V node is decremental and that the excitatory process in nodal fibers consists of more than one excitatory event.
Induction of axial eye elongation and myopic refractive shift in one-year-old chickens

Depriving the eyes of neonatal animals of form vision induces axial eye elongation and ipsilateral myopia. We studied one-year-old chickens, an age at which full body growth has been attained, to learn if form deprivation myopia can develop at a later stage. We found that ocular reactivity to visual form deprivation continues in one-year-old chickens; but both the growth stimulation and the myopic shift in refraction are attenuated compared with newly hatched birds. Neurochemical changes in visually deprived eyes of one-year-old chickens parallel those in newly hatched chicks: ipsilateral decreases in retinal dopamine and in the activity of ciliary ganglion and uveal choline acetyltransferase. These findings strengthen the relevance of the form deprivation model to more common human myopia and suggest a common eye growth control mechanism at both ages.
Hydrological impacts of mesquite encroachment in the upper San Pedro watershed

Abstract Over the past century, mesquite trees (Prosopis spp.) have exhibited substantial increase in abundance throughout areas in the American Southwest that were once dominated by desert grassland. To assess hydrological consequences of mesquite encroachment, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was applied to simulate progressive mesquite encroachments in the upper San Pedro watershed (U.S./Mexico). The simulated average annual basin evapotranspiration (ET) increases with mesquite encroachment, leading to the decrease of annual water yield and percolation by 9.8% and 9.7%, respectively. Substantial increase of ET (up to 19.19 mm) and decrease of percolation, and surface runoff (to −12.90 and −3.20 mm, respectively) were observed in the southeast, middle-west, and northern subwatersheds of the basin and the most significant decrease of surface runoff (around −35.8%) was simulated during the wet period. In addition, a non-linear hydrological response relative to mesquite encroachment was observed, i.e. hydrological processes changed markedly until a certain amount (approximately 40%) of grassland was removed, indicating that the strongest increase of ET occurred in the earliest stages of encroachment. Consequently, changes in vegetation physiognomy, such as mesquite encroachment, have broad implications for landuse management especially in regard to reliable water supplies in arid and semi-arid environments.
Sleep-disordered breathing and functional decline in older women.

Objectives: To determine the association between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and decline in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and mobility in older women. Design: Prospective cohort. Setting: Minneapolis and Pittsburgh sites of the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures, participants' homes. Participants: Women with a mean age ± standard deviation of 82.3 ± 3.2 (N = 302). Measurements: Participants completed a single night of unattended polysomnography and provided data regarding difficulty with IADLs and mobility. They repeated IADL and mobility measures 5.0 ± 0.7 years later. Results: After adjustment for age, obesity, Mini-Mental State Examination score, depressive symptoms, history of hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and number of IADL impairments at baseline, women with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 15 or greater at baseline had more than twice the odds of an increase in number of IADL difficulties (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.09–4.53) and of incident IADL difficulty (aOR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.00–5.92), of women with an AHI less than 5. There was no association between AHI and mobility difficulty. Women in the middle and highest tertiles of oxygen desaturation index had more than double the odds as those in the lowest tertile of an increase in number of IADL difficulties (middle tertile aOR = 2.64, 95% CI = 1.38–5.04, highest tertile aOR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.13–4.17) and approximately three times the odds of incident IADL difficulty (middle tertile aOR = 2.84, 95% CI = 1.27–6.36, highest tertile aOR = 3.07, 95% CI = 1.31–7.18). Neither sleep fragmentation nor sleep duration was associated with IADL outcomes. Conclusion: SDB and associated hypoxemia are risk factors for functional decline in older women. Research is needed to determine whether treatment of SDB prevents functional decline.
Characterization of two forms of glucocorticoid hormone-receptor complex separated by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography

Summary Two forms of [ 3 H]triamcinolone acetonide-receptor complex prepared from rat liver cytosol were successfully separated by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. One form (Peak I) was eluted by 0.06 M, and the other form (Peak II) by 0.24 M, potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). Exposure of extracts to 20° for up to 2 h progressively diminished the radioactivity found in Peak II while increasing that in Peak I, with conservation of total bound radioactivity. The radioactivity in Peak I could bind to either chromatin or DNA very efficiently. Little of the radioactivity in Peak II could bind to either. The properties of the glucocorticoid receptor therefore appear to differ from those described for the two forms of progesterone receptors.
Formation of Core-Shell Particles by Interfacial Radical Polymerization Initiated by a Glucose Oxidase-Mediated Redox System.

A unique design paradigm to form core–shell particles based on interfacial radical polymerization is described. The interfacial initiation system is comprised of an enzymatic reaction between glucose and glucose oxidase (GOx) to generate hydrogen peroxide, which, in the presence of iron (Fe2+), generates hydroxyl radicals that initiate polymerization. Shell formation on prefabricated polymeric cores is achieved by localizing the initiation reaction to the interface of the core and a surrounding aqueous monomer formulation into which it is immersed. The interfacially confined initiation reaction is accomplished by incorporating one or more of the initiating species in the particle core and the remainder of the complementary initiating components in the surrounding media such that interactions and the resulting initiation reaction occur at the interface. This work is focused on engineering the reaction behavior and mass transport processes to promote interfacially confined polymerization, controlling the ra...
A fissionable scintillator for neutron flux monitoring

Neutron flux from linear accelerators is conventionally monitored using ionization chambers containing one or more foils thinly coated with a fissionable or fissile material. Due to the long pulse rise times resulting from the ionization mechanism, fission chambers are prone to pulse pile-up in high-neutron-flux environments. In addition, their relatively low efficiencies result in extremely long counting times in low-flux environments. To ameliorate these effects, a novel type of neutron flux monitor, consisting of fissionable material loaded in a liquid scintillator, has been developed, characterized, and tested in the beam line at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. This is a rugged, cost-efficient detector with high efficiency, a short signal rise time, and the ability to be used in low neutron-flux environments. Compared with a conventional fission chamber, the fissionable scintillator displays a significantly higher event rate. Related research on nanocomposite scintillators for gamma-ray detection suggests the possibility of extending this approach by synthesizing fissionable material nanoparticles and loading them into an organic scintillator. We will present results of the design and characterization process and an analysis of the results of the beam line experiments.
Nanoscale Modeling and Simulation of Interfacial Bonding of Single-Walled Nanotube Reinforced Composites

Owning to the extraordinary mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs), SWNT reinforced composites can be used for various applications. In the development of SWNT reinforced composites, one of the fundamental issues that scientists and engineers are confronting is the SWNT-polymer interfacial bonding, which will determine the load transfer capability from the polymer matrix to the nanotube. In single-walled nanotube (SWNT) reinforced epoxy composites, the epoxy resin molecules and the nanotubes are at the nano scale. the interaction at the SWNT/epoxy resin interface is highly dependent on their local molecular structures and bonding. At this small length scale, the lattice structures of the nanotube and the epoxy resin cannot be considered continuous, and their interfacial properties cannot be determined through continuum mechanics. In this paper, the interfacial bonding of SWNT reinforced epoxy composites is investigated using molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations based on a cured epoxy resin model, which is constructed by incorporating three-dimensional crosslinks formed with Shell EPON 862 epoxy resin and EPI CURE W curing agent during polymerization. The interfacial bonding energy between the SWNT and the cured epoxy resin is analyzed using molecular mechanics. Furthermore, the pullout of a SWNT from the cured epoxy resin is investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. Based on the pullout simulation, the interfacial shear strength between the SWNT and the cured epoxy resin is calculated to be up to 75MPa. These analysis results indicate that there could be an effective stress transfer from the epoxy resin to the nanotube.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Modelling of low velocity particulate erosion in ductile materials by spherical particles

Abstract A simple accumulated damage model is proposed for the low velocity erosion of ductile metals by spherical particles. Particular attention is paid to normal incidence. A single normal impact is analyzed using an elastoplastic finite element code, and from this analysis the location and magnitude of the plastic strain reversals occurring under multiple impacts are inferred. These plastic strain reversals are then used in conjunction with a Coffin-Manson law to furnish a prediction of relative erosion rates for different velocities and materials. An experimental simulation of erosion under these conditions is presented with the erosion rates for copper and Cu-6wt.%Al measured in terms of mass loss for a range of low velocities. The surfaces of the eroded specimens are characterized microscopically. Confirmation of the accumulated damage model is provided by the complementary nature of the detailed stress-strain distributions determined analytically and the experimental surface characterizations and by the agreement, over a wide range, of the predicted and measured relative steady state erosion rates.
The Effects of Radial Viscous Forces on the Structure of Accretion Disk Boundary Layers

We construct steady flow models of the inner disk and boundary layer in accretion disks, including the radial viscous force. We find that the radial viscous force has little effect on the thermal boundary layer but strongly affects the size and structure of the dynamical boundary layer.
Static fatigue in glass — A reappraisal

Abstract The delayed failure of soda-lime glass was tested after different surface and heat treatments and at different humidities. It was found that the treatment history of the glass strongly influenced the characteristics times of failure and the effect of humidity on these times. However, the functional dependence of log failure time on relative stress was similar for most treatments. Analysis of the distributions of failure times at particular stresses showed that the log failure time was not linear with applied stress, as often assumed. The experimental data fit better inverse proportionality between log time and relative stress. Analysis of previous data on crack propagation (‘K - ν curves’) in glass also showed this proportionality. Some theoretical reasons for these results are examined.
Profiling Cyber-Slackers in the Workplace: Demographic, Cultural, and Workplace Factors

ABSTRACT Internet abuse in the workplace (a.k.a. cyber-slacking) has become a pervasive problem for employers. When employees abuse the Internet through activities like online gaming, online shopping, personal investment managing, personal emailing, chatting, media watching and viewing pornography, they waste work time and reduce available bandwidth. Existing research has failed to build consensus about who is most likely to cyber-slack. This study examines individuals from the United States, Asia, and India and develops clusters of typical patterns of cyber-slacking and examines the impact of demographic and work related factors on predicting individual cluster membership. The results reveal that young executives are the most likely to cyber-slack and a further qualitative analysis reveals that the pressure of their jobs are compelling them to look for stress relievers and the Internet is an easy resource. In addition, young executive's high degree of autonomy also appears to perpetuate their propensity ...
Relationship between membrane function and permeability. II. The interrelationship of copper attachment, glycerol transport and thromboplastin availability in the intact human erythrocyte.

Glycerol in trace amounts appears to enhance exponentially the attachment of trace amounts of copper to human erythrocytes, while its own penetration of the erythrocytes is unaffected. At higher concentrations of glycerol its effect in enhancing copper attachment is abolished. At higher concentrations of copper, glycerol transport is delayed as shown by the PF-3 availability test in which glycerol is used as the probing agent and the erythrocytes as the source of PF-3 activity. The copper effect on the glycerol-induced PF-3 availability may be surmounted by a surfeit of glycerol. Using these findings, along with some assumptions based upon other data in the literature, a new theory interrelating glycerol and copper transport and thromboplastin availability in the intact erythrocyte has been presented.
Increased renal and vascular cytosolic phospholipase A2 activity in rats with cirrhosis and ascites

Indirect evidence suggests that the renal and vascular production of prostaglandins is increased in cirrhosis with ascites. However, the activity of the enzymes regulating the prostaglandin pathway has not been investigated in cirrhosis. The aim of the current study was to determine the activity of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), the key enzyme in the regulation of prostaglandin synthesis, in kidney and vascular tissue obtained from rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis and ascites (n = 9) and control rats (n = 6). PLA2 activity was assayed in vitro using [14C]arachidonyl-phosphatidylcholine (PC) and [14C]arachidonyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) as substrates in the presence of Ca2+. Kidneys from cirrhotic rats had significantly higher PLA2 activity compared with control rats, with both PC and PE (35 +/- 5 and 40 +/- 6 vs. 21 +/- 2 and 26 +/- 3 pmol/mg/min, respectively; P < .05 for both). PLA2 activity was increased in the renal cortex as well as in the renal medulla. Fractionation of the kidney extracts by Mono-Q anion-exchange chromatography showed that the elution position of PLA2 activity corresponded to the cytosolic PLA2 isoform (cPLA2). Increased amounts of cPLA2 protein were found in kidney extracts immunoblotted with an anti-cPLA2 antibody However, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis did not detect any difference in cPLA2 mRNA. PLA2 activity was also higher in aortic tissue from cirrhotic rats than in controls (PC 38 +/- 5 vs. 26 +/- 1 and PE 66 +/- 8 vs. 41 +/- 3 pmol/mg/min; P < .05 for both). Incubation of renal and aortic extracts from cirrhotic rats with anti-cPLA2 antibody reduced PLA2 activity by 64% and 88%, respectively. In conclusion, PLA2 activity is increased in kidneys and vascular tissue from cirrhotic rats with ascites. This can be accounted for by an induction of cPLA2, which would mediate, at least in part, the increased renal and vascular production of prostaglandins in cirrhosis.
Assessing technician effects when extracting quantities from microscope images

Consider an experiment where the response is based on an image; e.g., an image captured to a computer file by a digital camera mounted on a microscope. Suppose relevant quantitative measures are extracted from the images so that results can be analyzed by conventional statistical methods. The steps involved in extracting the measures may require that the technicians, who are processing the images, perform some subjective manipulations. In this case, it is important to determine the bias and variability, if any, attributable to the technicians' decisions. This paper describes the experimental design and statistical analyses that are useful for those determinations. The design and analysis are illustrated by application to two biofilm research projects that involved quantitative image analysis. In one investigation, the technician was required to choose a threshold level, then the image analysis program automatically extracted relevant measures from the resulting black and white image. In the other investigation, the technician was required to choose fiducial points in each of two images collected on different microscopes; then the image analysis program registered the images by stretching, rotating, and overlaying them, so that their quantitative features could be correlated. These investigations elucidated the effects of the technicians' decisions, thereby helping us to assess properly the statistical uncertainties in the conclusions for the primary experiments.
Structural plasticity of the nuclear pore complex

Abstract The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is strategically located at continuous junctions of the inner and outer nuclear membranes to catalyze macromolecular transport, without impending the diffusion of small molecules. In this paper, the structural plasticity of 4412 NPCs in isolated nuclear envelopes has been evaluated, utilizing correspondence analysis, classification and difference mapping. The data are grouped into seven clusters comprising two major groups, based on the degree of radial compaction within spokes and the symmetry of the inner spoke ring. The results have been correlated with differences in spoke domain packing observed in two published three-dimensional maps suggesting that symmetrical detergent-extracted NPCs are similar, but not identical to the most probable in vivo structure. A model is proposed in which spoke architecture is responsive to changes in the turgor pressure of the nuclear envelope. For example, detergent extraction may allow the outward facing domains of each spoke to adopt a radially-extended configuration while osmotic swelling may induce an inwards displacement, resulting in a radially compact spoke. Difference maps between ∼822 symmetric projections of NPCs in membranes and after detergent-extraction have localized the nuclear envelope border. The data place limits on the radial and circumferential dimensions of diffusion channels (∼0 to 20 A × 190 A), proposed to reside at the pore periphery. The results confirm the observation that each spoke penetrates the nuclear envelope, linking up with the radial arms to form a “lumenal ring”. Finally, putative closed, open and in-transit forms of the transporter are found with the same relative frequency in membrane-associated NPCs with radially compact or extended spokes; hence spoke deformations in isolated envelopes may be induced by experimental factors. However, concerted movements of the spoke domains (if reversible) may be utilized in the biological function of the NPC and some examples are given.
Utility concepts in performance measurement

Abstract For several decades, personnel psychologists have struggled to apply utility concepts to personnel decision strategies. One of the obstacles to greater acceptance of the utility concept has been the difficulty in translating performance variance into a dollar metric. Recently, it has been demonstrated how that might be done without the use of expensive and questionable cost-accounting procedures. The extension of the utility logic to cover other areas of personnel including the performance measurement and feedback paradigm is proposed and a demonstration of such an application is provided. Programmatic research concerned with fundamental and applied issues in this area is proposed.