cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hemodynamics Associated With Intracerebral Arteriovenous Malformations: The Effects of Treatment Modalities

The understanding of the physiology of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) continues to expand. Knowledge of the hemodynamics of blood flow associated with AVMs is also progressing as imaging and treatment modalities advance. The authors present a comprehensive literature review that reveals the physical hemodynamics of AVMs, and the effect that various treatment modalities have on AVM hemodynamics and the surrounding cortex and vasculature. The authors discuss feeding arteries, flow through the nidus, venous outflow, and the relative effects of radiosurgical monotherapy, endovascular embolization alone, and combined microsurgical treatments. The hemodynamics associated with intracranial AVMs is complex and likely changes over time with changes in the physical morphology and angioarchitecture of the lesions. Hemodynamic change may be even more of a factor as it pertains to the vast array of single and multimodal treatment options available. An understanding of AVM hemodynamics associated with differing treatment modalities can affect treatment strategies and should be considered for optimal clinical outcomes.
Designing CS Courses using Universal Design Concepts: (Abstract Only)

Increasingly we teach a diverse population of students, many with learning differences such as ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. An educational framework called universal design for learning guides the development of flexible learning environments that can accommodate individual learning differences. This BOF will look at employing universal design to CS courses in order to accommodate the diverse learning styles of today's students.
Divide and Conquer: High-Throughput Screening of Chlamydomonas Cell Cycle Mutants.

Cell division is essential for growth and reproduction. The cell cycle machinery is well conserved between yeast and animals, but whether this conservation extends to the plant lineage is not clear, having diverged over two billion years ago: ample time and opportunity for divergence in sequence and
System Level Simulation Guided Approach for Clock-Gating

Clock-gating is a well known technique to reduce dynamic power consumption of a hardware design. In any clock-gating based power reduction flow, automatic selection of appropriate registers and/or register banks is extremely time-consuming because power analysis is performed at the RTL or lower level. In a high-level synthesis (HLS) based design flow, to achieve faster design closure, one must be able to decide the appropriate set of registers to clock gate even before generating RTL. System-level simulations are known to provide faster simulation, yet there is no solution, which utilizes system-level simulation to provide guidance to HLS to create clock-gated RTL. Since predicting power reduction at higher levels of abstraction is difficult due to the dependence of power on physical details, an accurate and efficient relative power reduction model is required. In this chapter, we propose a novel system-level design methodology, which utilizes a “relative power reduction model” that can help in predicting the impact of clock-gating on each register/bank quickly and accurately, by simulating the design at a cycle accurate transaction-level. As a result, our approach can automatically find the appropriate registers to clock-gate, guided by the system-level simulation.
How technology solutions can impact nursing retention

In the high-tech industry, technology is at the forefront of almost all innovation. In health care, things move a little slower. A look at several large, as well as small, diverse organizations provides a snapshot of technology and its effect on nursing retention. Electronic medical records/computer provider order entry, communication via technology, facility design, staffing software, and a nursing innovation center are examined.
Case review: food pattern effects on milk lipid profiles

It has been shown that maternal food intake determines the levels of unsaturated fatty acids that are present in human milk. This case study compares the human milk lipid profiles the first two weeks of lactation from women consuming three food patterns: vegan, standard American diet, and Asian. Participants were matched for demographics. The milk samples were analyzed using gas chromatography to determine the lipid profile for each participant. The lipid profiles differed by food pattern (p<0.007). Linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid levels were highest for the vegan food pattern. The ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids were well above the suggested ratio considered to be optimal with the vegan pattern had the lowest omega-6 to omega-3 ratio and the highest level of docosahexaenoic acid, possibly indicating conversion of alpha-linoleic acid to docosahexaenoic acid. Further research is needed to determine the impact this may have on long-term infant health.
A Fruitful Discovery: Can Gut Bacteria Control Hyperactive Behavior?

In a recent publication in Nature, Schretter et al. (2018) demonstrated in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster how an enzyme from specific gut bacteria (Lactobacillus brevis) regulates locomotor behavior through carbohydrate metabolism.
Human Bifunctional Enzyme and Its Import into Peroxisomes

Peroxisomes are present in almost all mammalian cells other than mature erythrocytes, but their size and number vary considerably. In the nervous system they are more abundant during development, specifically in the period of active myelination, and the early postnatal period. Peroxisomes contain more than 40 enzymes and play an important role in intermediary metabolism. In addition to the production of H2O2 (by oxidase) and its degradation (by catalase), peroxisomes are involved in a large variety of catabolic (oxidation of fatty acids, ethanol, Lpipecolic acid, polyamine and purines), and anabolic reactions (biosynthesis of bile acids, cholesterol and ether-linked phospholipids, such as plasmalogens, an essential myelin constituent) (Lazarow and Moser, 1989).
Novel Single-Staged Posterior Retropleural Approach with Thoracoscopic Guidance for Resection of a Thoracic Dumbbell Schwannoma.

Dumbbell spinal cord tumors are infrequent pathologic entities. The optimal approach to safe surgical resection is ill-defined and must often be individualized. This is assisted with multiple tumor classification systems. Here, we describe a novel technique used to safely and successfully resect a large thoracic dumbbell schwannoma originating from the left T3 spinal nerve root with extension into the posterior mediastinum adjacent to the parietal pleura and thoracic aorta. A review of the literature was performed to study described surgical approaches to primary spinal dumbbell tumors. The decision-making process and preoperative imaging for operative planning are included. A detailed description of the procedure follows with intraoperative images. Gross total resection with no neurologic sequelae was achieved. Previously described operative techniques for resection of primary spinal dumbbell tumors with advantages and limitations of each are then reviewed. Gross total resection was safely achieved utilizing a single-staged posterior retropleural approach with anterior thoracoscopic guidance. The tumor was removed en bloc through a large posterior window. The prone position was utilized for the entire case with no intraoperative repositioning required. No intraoperative or immediate postoperative complications occurred. We report a novel approach to resecting a large primary spinal dumbbell tumor. A single-stage retropleural approach with anterior thoracoscopic guidance facilitated safe and successful gross total resection. Maintenance of the prone position throughout surgery allowed for reduced operative time, excellent anterior, and posterior visualization and no added patient morbidity. Repositioning to the lateral decubitus position may not be required in select cases.
SARS-CoV-2 Virus Isolated From the Mastoid and Middle Ear: Implications for COVID-19 Precautions During Ear Surgery.

This cadaver study examines the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 colonization of the middle ear and mastoid in a sample of 3 patients.
Equol, a Blood–Brain Barrier Permeable Gut Microbial Metabolite of Dietary Isoflavone Daidzein, Exhibits Neuroprotective Effects against Neurotoxins Induced Toxicity in Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells and Caenorhabditis elegans

Emerging data support that plant food based isoflavones have ameliorating effects on a variety of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Our previous investigation revealed that dietary isoflavones including genistein (GEN), daidzein (DAI), and equol (EQL; a gut microbial metabolite of DAI) showed promising blood–brain barrier permeability and anti-neuroinflammatory activity in murine microglial BV2 cells. However, the neuroprotective effects of EQL against neurotoxins induced toxicity in PD related models remains unclear. Herein, EQL, along with GEN and DAI, were evaluated for their cytoprotective effect in a non-contact co-culture model with LPS-BV2-conditioned media and human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, their neuroprotective effects against PD related neurotoxins including 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) induced cytotoxicity were evaluated in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, EQL was evaluated for its neuroprotective effects against MPP+ induced neurotoxicity using in vivo PD model including Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan assay. DAI (10 μM) and EQL (10 and 20 μM) showed cytoprotective effects by decreasing LPS-BV2-conditioned media induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells by 29.2, 32.4 and 27.2%, respectively. EQL (10 and 20 μM) also showed neuroprotective effects by decreasing 6-OHDA and MPP+ induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells by 30.6–34.5 and 17.9–18.9%, respectively. Additionally, data from the in vivo assay supported EQL’s neuroprotective effect as it increases survival of C. elegans exposed to MPP+ from 72 to 108 h. Our findings support a growing body of evidence of the neuroprotective effects of dietary isoflavones and further studies are warranted to elucidate their mechanisms of action.
Single-Session Dance/Movement Therapy for Thought and Behavioral Dysfunction Associated With Schizophrenia: A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study.

ABSTRACT This purposes of this mixed methods feasibility study were to determine whether people with schizophrenia in an inpatient psychiatric facility were able to complete the research protocol, and to obtain preliminary treatment effects of a single-session dance/movement therapy (DMT) intervention versus verbal treatment as usual (TAU). Thirty-two participants were randomized to a 45-minute DMT or verbal TAU session. Data were collected quantitatively using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and qualitatively through open-ended interviews. Results indicated that participants in the DMT group had statistically significant symptom reduction compared with those in the TAU group in overall BPRS scores (effect size [ES] = 0.67), psychological discomfort (ES = 0.64), negative symptoms (ES = 0.67), and positive symptoms (ES = 0.55). No statistical significance was shown for resistance. Qualitative findings substantiate the quantitative findings, however, show divergence regarding resistance. Participants in the DMT group expressed feeling in control, less angry, and motivated for treatment.
Phase Lags in the Optical-Infrared Light Curves of AGB Stars

To search for phase lags in the optical-infrared light curves of asymptotic giant branch stars, we have compared infrared data from the COBE DIRBE satellite with optical light curves from the AAVSO and other sources. We found 17 examples of phase lags in the time of maximum in the infrared vs. that in the optical, and 4 stars with no observed lags. There is a clear difference between the Mira variables and the semi-regulars in the sample, with the maximum in the optical preceding that in the near-infrared in the Miras, while in most of the semi-regulars no lags are observed. Comparison to published theoretical models indicates that the phase lags in the Miras are due to strong titanium oxide absorption in the visual at stellar maximum, and suggests that Miras pulsate in the fundamental mode, while at least some semi-regulars are first overtone pulsators. There is a clear optical-near-infrared phase lag in the carbon-rich Mira V CrB; this is likely due to C2 and CN absorption variations in the optical.
Geographic patterns and socioeconomic differences in the nutritional quality of household packaged food purchases in the United States

Abstract Background It is unclear whether dietary quality varies by geography in the US. Purpose Assess patterns in packaged food purchases (PFPs). Methods We characterized variation in PFP quality from 2008 to 2018 by 1) examining geographic clustering and 2) using regression analysis to control for household characteristics. Results Lower quality purchases clustered in the Southeast and Appalachia, whereas higher quality purchases clustered in the West and Northeast. Spatial patterns were similar for low socioeconomic households but not high socioeconomic households. Geographic differences in quality remained after controlling for demographic composition. Conclusion This analysis should inform research into systemic drivers of PFP quality.
Oral Delivery of Nucleic Acids with Passive and Active Targeting to the Intestinal Tissue Using Polymer-Based Nanocarriers.

Despite the apparent advantages for long-term treatment and local therapies against intestinal diseases, the oral delivery of nucleic acids has been challenging due to unfavorable physiological conditions for their stability. In this study, a novel nanodelivery system of PEG-PCL nanoparticles with encapsulated nucleic acids–mannosylated PEI (Man-PEI) complexes was developed for intestinal delivery. We complexed model nucleic acids with Man-PEI at the optimal N/P ratio of 20:1 for in vitro and in vivo analyses. Cells were transfected in vitro and analyzed for gene expression, receptor-mediated uptake, and PEG-PCL nanoparticles’ toxicity. We also evaluated the nucleic acid’s stability in the nanocarrier during formulation, and under simulated gastrointestinal environments or the presence of nucleases. Finally, we assessed the biodistribution for the PEG-PCL nanoparticles with encapsulated complexes and their ability to transfect intestinal cells in vivo. Nucleic acids complexed with Man-PEI were protected from degradation against nucleases. In comparison to the parent compound PEI, Man-PEI transfected the cells with an overall higher potency. Competition assay indicated receptor-mediated endocytosis promoted by mannose receptors. The PEG-PCL nanoparticles with Man-PEI/plasmid complexes indicated minimal cytotoxicity. The nanocarrier successfully protected the complexes in a simulated gastric fluid environment and released them in a simulated intestinal fluid environment, promoted by the presence of lipases. The oral administration of the PEG-PCL nanoparticles with encapsulated Man-PEI/plasmid complexes transfected intestinal cells with the plasmid in vivo, while presenting a time-dependent progression through the intestines. Conclusively, our carrier system can deliver genetic material to the GI tract and actively target mannose receptor overexpressing cells.
Spectral Differential Privacy: Application to Smart Meter Data

We present Spectral Differential Privacy (SpDP), a novel form of differential privacy designed to protect the frequency content of time series data that come from wide sense stationary stochastic processes. This notion is motivated by privacy needs in applications with time series data over unbounded time, such as smart meters. First, a notion of differential privacy on the space of (discretized) spectral densities is introduced. A Gaussian-like mechanism for SpDP is then presented that provides differential privacy to the spectral density. Next, a novel streaming implementation is developed to enable real-time use of the proposed mechanism. The privacy guarantee provided by SpDP is independent of the time duration over which data is collected or shared. In contrast, time-domain trajectory-level differential privacy (TrDP) will require noise with large variance to provide privacy over an extended time duration. The technique is numerically evaluated using smart meter data from a single home to compare the utility of SpDP to that of time-domain trajectory-level differential privacy. The noise added by SpDP is substantially smaller than that added by time-domain TrDP, particularly when privacy over long time horizons is sought by TrDP.
Improving Antibiotic Stewardship in Acute Appendicitis through Risk-Based Empiric Treatment Selection.

Background: Empiric antimicrobial treatment selection for management of appendicitis is based on patient risk of infection with drug-resistant pathogens. Per Surgical Infection Society (SIS) guidel...
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Older U.S. Military Veterans: Prevalence, Characteristics, and Psychiatric and Functional Burden.

ABSTRACT Objective To characterize the prevalence, characteristics, and comorbidities of subthreshold and full post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in older U.S. military veterans. Design and Setting A nationally representative web-based survey of older U.S. military veterans who participated in the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (NHRVS) between November 18, 2019 and March 8, 2020. Participants U.S. veterans aged 60 and older (n = 3,001; mean age = 73.2, SD: 7.9, range: 60–99). Measurements PTSD was assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. Self-report measures assessed sociodemographic characteristics, trauma exposures, suicidal behaviors, psychiatric and substance use disorders, as well as mental, cognitive, and physical functioning. Multivariable analyses examined correlates of subthreshold and full PTSD. Results The vast majority of the sample (n = 2,821; 92.7%) reported exposure to one or more potentially traumatic events. Of those exposed to such events, 262 (9.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.4%–10.9%) and 68 (1.9%, 95% CI: 1.3%–2.6%) screened positive for subthreshold and full PTSD, respectively. The prevalence of subthreshold and full PTSD was significantly higher in female veterans and veterans who use VA as their primary healthcare. Subthreshold and full PTSD groups endorsed more adverse childhood experiences and total traumas than the no/minimal PTSD symptom group, the most common traumatic experiences endorsed were combat exposure, physical or sexual assault, and life-threatening illness or injury. Veterans with subthreshold and full PTSD were also more likely to screen positive for depression, substance use disorders, suicide attempts, nonsuicidal self-injury, and suicidal ideation, and reported lower mental, cognitive, and physical functioning. Conclusion Subthreshold PTSD and full PTSD are prevalent and associated with substantial clinical burden in older U.S. veterans. Results underscore the importance of assessing both subthreshold and full PTSD in this population.
Networks of habenula-projecting cortical neurons regulate cocaine seeking.

How neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex broadcast stress-relevant information to subcortical brain sites to regulate cocaine relapse remains unclear. The lateral habenula (LHb) serves as a “hub...
The effect of educational service satisfaction on learning achievement in Malaysia

Background: student satisfaction is very important in the learning process to find out the emotional state of students towards the material being learned in learning. In learning services obtained by students are very influential on learning outcomes. To increase satisfaction of learning services, it is necessary to pay attention to factors that influence the teaching skills of teachers, student achievement. Based on the description above, this research is important to test the contribution of teacher skills, learning conditions and learning outcomes as a reference to increase learning service satisfaction. Objective: this study aims to determine the relationship between satisfaction of learning services with learning outcomes at primary school Serawak, with the number of respondents 40 student guardians. Method: this type of research uses data collection with a quantitative approach. Data collection techniques using a closed questionnaire because it aims to determine the relationship between learning service satisfaction with learning outcomes. The population in this study was the guardian of 6th grade students. Sampling in this study was carried out by random sampling. Respondents in this study were 40 guardians of students. Data analysis techniques used in this study are Kendal Tau Correlation or assisted with SPSS. Results: The results of the analysis in this case shows that the correlation coefficient is - .02 with a significance of 0.832, because the significance <0.832 then Ho is rejected, meaning Ha is accepted meaning that there is a significant relationship between Satisfaction with Learning Outcomes
Periodic points of the billiard ball map in a convex domain

On etudie les orbites periodiques de l'application boule de billard dans un domaine strictement convexe avec une frontiere C ∞ . On conjecture que la mesure de Lebesgue de tous les points periodiques est zero. On demontre le resultat partiel suivant: la mesure des orbites periodiques de periode 3 est zero
Distribution of Thiamine, Biotin, and Niacin in the Sea

The distribution of thiamine, biotin, and niacin was investigated in surface waters collected from 20 stations in southeast Alaska, by use of bioassay methods. A marine yeast, Cryptococcus albidus, was used for thiamine, and mutants of the marine bacterium Serratia marinorubra were used for biotin and niacin. Thiamine was found in 6 (38%) of the samples in amounts ranging to 200 ng/liter; biotin was found in 8 (38%) of the samples in amounts ranging to 3.1 ng/liter. Niacin was found to be completely absent in all of the samples assayed. The significance of the presence of thiamine and biotin in the productivity of the area is discussed.
Role of lysine in carnitine biosynthesis in Neurospora crassa.

Abstract Neurospora crassa lysine auxotroph strain 33933 was grown on a carnitine-free synthetic medium with either dl-[6-14C]lysine (Experiment 1), or dl-[1-14C]lysine (Experiment 2) together with 0.2 mm dl-lysine sufficient for ample growth. Carnitine was then purified from mycelial extracts of the mold by ion exchange chromatography and examined for radioactivity. In Experiment 1, radioactivity derived from [6-14C]lysine was incorporated into carnitine without dilution; and the radioactivity in such carnitine could not be dissociated from carnitine following thin layer chromatography. In contrast, radioactivity from dl-[1-14C]lysine, Experiment 2, was not detected in biosynthesized carnitine. These data thus provide evidence for the direct involvement of a portion of the lysine molecule in carnitine biosynthesis in N. crassa. A rationale for a lysine:carnitine-precursor:product relationship is offered in terms of recently discovered e-N-methyl lysine derivatives.
Social and physical health risk factors for first-onset major depressive disorder in a community sample

Using prospective data on 3,170 respondents aged 18 years and over who were at risk for a first-onset major depression from the New Haven site of the Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) study, these analyses assessed the effects of social status, physical health status, and social isolation on first-onset depression in a 1-year. period, controlling for demographic characteristics and baseline psychiatric factors. Among the assessed potential risk factors, poverty status [odds ratio (OR=2.034,P<0.05)] and confinement to a bed or chair (OR=4.015,P<0.05) were independently associated with an increased risk for a first-onset depressiveepisode when controlling for gender, age, past history of substance abuse, and subclinical depressive symptoms. The effects of poverly, and to a lesser degree homebound status, were substantially reduced when controlling for degree of isolation from friends and family, suggesting that social isolation mediates some of the relationships between social and physical statuses and major depression.
Component models for integrated system performance analysis

Through systemization and standardization of component object models of manufacturer products, complete system simulation models can be easily fabricated and used to assess performance of various competing vendor components without actually building the complete system. Such object models would be used to assess whether a given collection of integrated components will achieve the performance objectives of the ultimate product. To support the fabrication of complete system simulation models consisting of vendor-developed component models, a simulation shell is proposed that conforms to a specification language. >
γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase of human amniotic fluid

Abstract γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) activity in normal amniotic fluids and corresponding maternal sera obtained at various gestational periods was measured. The ontogenic pattern of enzyme activity in amniotic fluid is very similar to alpha fetoprotein (AFP). However, the levels of these two proteins behaved differently in corresponding maternal sera. Also, in amniotic fluids obtained from pregnancies with neural tube defects (NTD), only AFP concentration was abnormally high whereas GGTP activity was normal.
Vitamin B12 and the Synthesis of Thymine and Choline in the Chick

ROGENE F. HENDERSON AND T. R. HENDERSONbiochemistry Department, University of Arkansas Medical Center,Little Rock, ArkansasABSTRACT The presence of large amounts of methionine in the diet of the chickdid not dilute out the uptake of formate-14C into liver choline and it was concludedthat chicks do not transfer methyl groups from methionine to choline. The uptakeof formate-14C into thymine in the chick bursa and into choline in the chick liver wasdependent upon the presence of adequate dietary supplements of both methionine andvitamin Bi2. The data suggest that some step in de novo methyl synthesis or thetransfer of one-carbon units to choline and thymine, or both, require a cobamide fora role separate from its role in methionine synthesis.
“But are they learning anything?”: Designing an assessment of first year library instruction

Abstract The need to assess library instruction is becoming increasingly important. Librarians must know how to devise effective and methodologically sound research designs that adequately measure whether learning takes place within library classes. The authors outline an assessment program created for first-year students and suggest strategies for others who wish to create a similar assessment program in a timely, cost effective manner.
Vitamin D status and pain sensitization in knee osteoarthritis: a critical review of the literature

Diagnostic imaging of disease severity has been found thus far to be a relatively modest predictor of knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain and disability, suggesting that other factors likely contribute to clinical symptoms in this condition. Recent evidence suggests that sensitization of the peripheral and central pathways that process nociceptive information (i.e., pain sensitization) is an important contributor to knee OA clinical symptoms. Furthermore, low levels of vitamin D have been found to be associated with the presence of pain sensitization, as well as the overall experience of clinical pain severity in knee OA. African-Americans with knee OA may be at increased risk for poor clinical outcomes given evidence of lower vitamin D levels as well as greater pain sensitization compared with non-Hispanic whites. Whether vitamin D supplementation is effective for alleviating knee OA clinical symptoms is an important topic to be addressed in future research with racially diverse samples that include sufficient numbers of African-Americans.
Log-jams and avulsions in the San Antonio River Delta, Texas

The San Antonio River Delta (SARD), Texas, has experienced two major avulsions in the past 80 years, and a number of other historical and Holocene channel shifts. The causes and consequences of these avulsions – one of which is ongoing – were examined using a combination of fieldwork, geographic information system (GIS) analysis, and historical information to identify active, semi-active, and paleochannels and the sequence of shifting flow paths through the delta. The role of deposition patterns and antecedent morphology, large woody debris jams, and tectonic influences were given special attention. Sedimentation in the SARD is exacerbated by tectonic effects. Channel aggradation is ubiquitous, and superelevation of the channel bed above the level of backswamp areas on the floodplain is common. This creates ideal setup conditions for avulsions, and stable, cohesive fine-grained banks favor avulsions rather than lateral migration. Flood basins between the alluvial ridges associated with the aggraded channels exist, but avulsions occur by re-occupation of former channels found within or connected to the flood basins. Large woody debris and channel-blocking log-jams are common, and sometimes displace flow from the channel, triggering crevasses. However, a large, recurring log-jam at the site of the ongoing avulsion from the San Antonio River into Elm Bayou is not responsible for the channel shift. Rather, narrow, laterally stable channels resulting from flow splits lead to accumulation of wood. Some aspects of the SARD avulsion regime are typical of other deltas, while others are more novel. These includes avulsions involving tributaries and subchannels within the delta as well as from the dominant channel; tectonic influences on delta backstepping and on channel changes within the delta; avulsions as an indirect trigger for log-jam formation (as well as vice-versa); and maintenance of a multi-channel flow pattern distinct from classic anastamosing or distributary systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inference for Parametric Regression Models

In previous chapters, we focused on nonparametric methods for describing the survival experience of a population and regression models for survival data which do not require any specific distributional assumptions about the shape of the survival function. In this chapter, we shall discuss the use of parametric models for estimating univariate survival and for the censored-data regression problem. When these parametric models provide a good fit to data, they tend to give more precise estimates of the quantities of interest because these estimates are based on fewer parameters. Of course, if the parametric model is chosen incorrectly, it may lead to consistent estimators of the wrong quantity.
Contraceptive use among female adolescents.

Teenage pregnancy continues to be a problem in the United States despite the availability of reliable contraceptive methods. A pilot study was conducted to determine the use of reliable contracepti...
Distinct promoters in the rat insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) gene are active in CHO cells.

In mammals, IGF-I mRNAs contain one of two different leader exon sequences that encode different 5'-untranslated regions (UTRs) and signal peptides. The pattern and regulation of expression of these exon 1 and exon 2-derived mRNAs suggests that the expression of each is controlled by a distinct regulatory region. In order to assess this possibility, DNA fragments consisting of sequences flanking and including the exon 1 and exon 2 transcription initiation sites were cloned into a luciferase expression vector and plasmid DNAs were transiently transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. A fragment containing approximately 1.1 kb of sequence flanking the most upstream exon 1 transcription initiation site and 362 bp of exon 1 sequence did not stimulate luciferase activity. However, fragments containing 133 bp of 5'-flanking sequence and either 362 or 192 bp of exon 1 sequence stimulated luciferase activity significantly above that seen with a promoterless control plasmid. When the -133/+362 fragment was cloned in the opposite orientation with respect to the luciferase cDNA, the same level of promoter activity was observed. Removal of approximately 860 bp from the inactive fragment (i.e., approximately 782 bp of flanking sequence and approximately 74 bp of exon 1 sequence) resulted in promoter activity which was significantly greater than that seen with the promoterless luciferase expression vector, but which was less than that observed with fragments containing the proximal 133 bp of 5'-flanking sequence. Plasmids containing approximately 1.5 kb or 0.5 kb of flanking sequence and 44 bp of exon 2 sequence also significantly stimulated luciferase activity. These results constitute the first demonstration that both exon 1 and exon 2 transcription start sites are associated with distinct and potentially independently regulatable promoters and provide a molecular basis for the differential expression of these leader exons by developmental, tissue-specific and hormonal factors.
GABA analogues activate channels of different duration on cultured mouse spinal neurons

Voltage-clamp recordings from mouse spinal neurons grown in culture were used to study the membrane current fluctuations induced by 12 substances structurally similar to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Fluctuation analysis provided estimates of the electrical properties of the elementary events underlying these responses. Estimates of the mean conductance of channels activated by all of the substances except glycine did not differ significantly from that estimated for GABA, whereas mean durations of agonist-activated channels all differed significantly from that found for GABA. The results indicate that all of the substances tested except glycine activate channels of similar conductance but of different durations.
Infusion of β-FNA into the thalamus attenuates morphine-induced c-Fos induction in the rat caudate putamen

Abstract The medial thalamus contains μ opioid receptors and sends a glutamatergic projection to the caudate putamen (CPu) in rat. Morphine-induced c-Fos expression in the CPu has been shown to be blocked by pretreatment with antagonists to N-methyl- d -aspartate receptors, indicating the involvement of glutamate in this morphine-induced response. The importance of the glutamatergic projections from the thalamus was assessed by infusing the μ opioid receptor antagonist, β-funaltrexamine (β-FNA), prior to systemic morphine injection. Infusion of β-FNA near specific medial thalamic nuclei attenuated morphine-induced c-Fos expression in the CPu.
Simulations of the Vibrational Relaxation of I2 in Xe

The vibrational relaxation of an I2 molecule in a xenon fluid has been simulated by three methods. The conventional perturbation theory approach based on an equilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is compared with purely classical nonequilibrium MD and mixed quantum−classical surface-hopping MD simulations. Relaxation times and state-to-state vibrational transition rate constants obtained with these three approaches are compared and information that can be extracted concerning the mechanism of vibrational relaxation is examined. Both harmonic and anharmonic solutes are considered as are some common approximations invoked in obtaining vibrational relaxation times.
Beyond the Big Test: Noncognitive Assessment in Higher Education (review)

(2006). Beyond the Big Test: Noncognitive Assessment in Higher Education. The Journal of Higher Education: Vol. 77, No. 6, pp. 1104-1110.
A macroscopic condition for stability

A basic inequality which is necessary and sufficient for macroscopic stability of lumped dynamical systems is applied to obtain further insight into the construction of stability regions, development of stability and control criteria, and meaning and simplified derivation of some conventional results.
THE INFLUENCE OF OFFERING YIELD ON UNDERWRITING SPREAD

This paper presents a model that explains variation in underwriting spreads among primary issues of investment quality bonds and assesses the impact that offering yields have on underwriting spreads. The results indicate that issues having higher (lower) offering yields pay lower (higher) underwriting spreads.
The structure of cDNA clones encoding the aromatase P-450 isolated from a rat Leydig cell tumor line demonstrates differential processing of aromatase mRNA in rat ovary and a neoplastic cell line.

The conversion of androgens to estrogens is catalyzed by a complex of enzymes that includes a specific cytochrome P-450 aromatase (P-450arom). In this paper we describe the high level expression of aromatase activity in the rat Leydig cell tumor line, R2C. We also report the isolation of cDNA clones encoding the rat aromatase P-450arom from a cDNA library prepared from this cell line. Analysis of these cDNA clones predicts a protein sequence with a high degree of sequence conservation when compared to the chicken and human P-450arom enzymes. Notably, four of the cDNA clones were found to lack the last coding exon that contains the heme-binding domain, a structural feature essential for aromatase activity. These clones were found to contain instead a segment of genomic DNA derived from an unspliced intron. Northern analysis using a fragment of the coding region of the rat P-450aromcDNA as probe revealed that three species of P-450arom mRNA are expressed in rat ovary that are similar to those identified in RNA samples prepared from the rat R2C cell line. Analysis of the same samples of RNA using a probe derived from the 3' terminal intron segment of the rat aromatase cDNA clones that lack the heme-binding domain indicates that two of the species of aromatase mRNA transcripts present in both rat ovary and R2C cell lack the heme-binding domain and thus must encode a nonfunctional aromatase protein. These findings have important implications for the measurement of aromatase mRNA and appear to explain why three sizes of rat P-450arom mRNA exist on Northern analysis and why previous studies failed to demonstrate a clear relationship between aromatase mRNA, protein, and enzymatic activity in the rat ovary.
Enhancement of athletic performance with drugs. An overview.

Drug use among athletes has become a recognised problem in sports. Athletes may use drugs for therapeutic indications, for recreational or social reasons, as ergogenic aids or to mask the presence of other drugs during drug testing. Stimulants were some of the first drugs used and studied as ergogenic aids. Amphetamines may increase time to exhaustion by masking the physiological response to fatigue. Caffeine may improve utilisation of fatty acids as a fuel source thereby sparing muscle glycogen. Cocaine and other sympathomimetic drugs have little or no effect on athletic performance. Anabolic steroids appear to have the potential to increase lean muscle mass and strength under certain conditions. Human growth hormone may also be used for an anabolic effect, but data on this effect are lacking. Erythropoietin may represent a pharmacological alternative to blood doping by increasing red blood cell mass. The use of narcotic analgesics is not necessarily ergogenic but can be harmful if used to allow participation of an athlete with a severe injury. According to the American College of Sports Medicine alcohol does not possess an ergogenic effect. However, it may be used to reduce anxiety or tremor prior to competition. Marijuana does not increase strength. Tobacco products may produce psychomotor effects or control appetite which may be beneficial to some athletes. Other drugs used by athletes include β-blocking agents, diuretics, and a variety of nutritional supplements. In addition, diuretics and probenecid may be taken to mask drug contents in the urine. Whether the ergogenic effects are real or perceived, the potential for adverse effects exists for all of these drugs. Potential health complications represent a serious risk to an otherwise healthy population. Further research on the long term health risks in athletes taking ergogenic drugs is needed.
Papillomavirus infection of the cervix. III: Relationship of the presence of viral structural proteins to the expression of involucrin

Forty-two cervical biopsies with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were compared with respect to the expression of human papillomavirus (HPV) structural proteins and the expression of the cellular structural protein involucrin, a marker of suprabasal squamous differentiation. HPV structural protein and involucrin expression displayed an inverse correlation with the severity of dysplasia. Both of these proteins were detected in 11 of 28 cases (39%) of mild and moderate dysplasia, but in only two of 14 (14%) cases of severe dysplasia. This difference was statistically significant (p less than 0.001). The presence of HPV was also associated with expression of involucrin in the full thickness of the epithelium, including the basal layer, and an altered staining pattern in the more superficial cells, particularly the koilocytotic cells. These findings support the hypothesis that squamous differentiation is required for the expression of viral structural proteins and that HPV infection begins in the basal epithelium. The study also demonstrates the utility of involucrin staining in differentiating virus-induced cytologic atypia from true neoplasia.
A Social Collaborative virtual environment for software development

Software development teams often require information and expert help that are not supported by conventional development environments. This paper presents a social development environment called SCI (Social Collaborative IDE) that unifies the concepts of social network and collaborative development environment. SCI integrates presence and activity awareness information and collaborative program development tools. The activity awareness information provides inter-project and inter-session sharing and awareness of other developers' behavior. The collaboration tools provide a wide range of facilities for synchronous and asynchronous collaboration and information sharing between team members. SCI presents a framework that manages pending invitations of team members.
Limitations of “don't” instructional control*

This study examined the relative efficacy of a prohibitive (“don't”) instructional procedure compared with immediate timeout (TO) in reducing physical aggression between siblings. The “don't” instructional procedure included “don't” instructions, praise for compliance (i.e., inhibiting on-going aggression), warnings for noncompliance (i.e., continued fighting), and chair TOs for noncompliance to warnings. An alternating treatment design was employed with three oppositional, aggressive, preschool children and their mothers in the home setting. Sibling aggression data were collected by the mother. The reliability of maternal observations, however, was not independently confirmed. Results suggested that the immediate TO procedure was more effective than the “don't” instructional procedure. Sibling aggression appears to be a misbehavior that is not readily treated with an obedience-provoking routine. Theoretical reasons behind the limitations of “don't” instructional control are discussed.
Diffusion of the antimicrobial lysozyme from a whey protein coating on smoked salmon

Abstract Diffusions of lysozyme (LZ) in whey protein isolate (WPI) films and in smoked salmon coated with LZ-incorporated WPI films (LZ-WPI films) were investigated. Diffusion and partition coefficients for the diffusion for LZ at 4 °C in smoked salmon coated with a LZ-WPI film (WPI:glycerol = 1:1) were determined by fitting mathematical models to the experimental data. Diffusion coefficients for LZ in films were further determined with LZ-WPI films, prepared with different WPI–glycerol ratios (1:1, 2:1, and 3:1) and stored at 4, 10 and 22 °C. The diffusion coefficients for the LZ diffusion in the film (WPI:glycerol = 1:1) and in the salmon at 4 °C and the partition coefficient (K12) were 9.8 ± 0.8 × 10−14 m2/s, 4.8 ± 3.9 × 10−11 m2/s, and 0.4 ± 0.2, respectively. The diffusion coefficients for the LZ diffusion in the films (D1) with the different WPI–glycerol ratios and storage temperatures were in the range of 2.5 × 10−16–3.4 × 10−13 m2/s. The D1 decreased as the WPI–glycerol ratio increased or storage temperature decreased. The Ea values for diffusion in 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 WPI:glycerol films were 16.3, 27.4, and 63.9 kJ/mol, respectively.
Atomic structure and properties of polar Ge-GaAs(100) interfaces

We present self-consistent calculations of the total energy, charge density, and electronic states of "compensated" (100) interfaces of Ge and GaAs. In this paper we test the methods using the simplest compensated interfaces---an abrupt single mixed layer, either (1/2)(Ge + Ga) or (1/2)(Ge + As), using the "average atom" approximation for the interface plane. The (1/2)(Ge + As) interface is found to be the more stable (however, this may be an artifact of the averaging). We find a large variation in the interface dipole with stoichiometry. This is not observed experimentally, suggesting that the stoichiometry is, in fact, varying only slightly in experimental Ga-rich and As-rich interfaces. No interface states are found in the fundamental gap although there are localized states at $J$ and $K$ in the two-dimensional Brillouin zone. Several points are discussed improving the efficiency of the self-consistent calculations. Finally, variation of the dipole with relaxation is used to determine interface effective charges.