cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Slight impairment of Na+,K+-ATPase synergistically aggravates ceramide- and β-amyloid-induced apoptosis in cortical neurons

Abstract Dysfunction of the Na+,K+-ATPase (Na+,K+-pump), due to reduced energy supply or increased endogenous ouabain-like inhibitors, likely occurs under pathological conditions in the central nervous system. In cultured mouse cortical neurons, we examined the hypothesis that a mild non-toxic inhibition of the Na+,K+-ATPase could synergistically sensitize the vulnerability of neurons to normally non-lethal apoptotic signals. Ouabain at a low concentration of 0.1 μM slightly lessened the Na+,K+-pump activity measured as an ouabain-sensitive current, yet did not affect K+ homeostasis and viability of cortical neurons. Co-exposure to 0.1 μM ouabain plus non-lethal C2-ceramide (5 μM) or β-amyloid 1–42 (5 μM), however, induced marked intracellular K+ loss, caspase-3 cleavage, DNA laddering, and synergistically triggered neuronal death. The caspase inhibitor Z-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethyl ketone (Z-VAD-FMK) predominantly blocked the caspase activation and neuronal death. These results suggest that slight impairment of Na+,K+-pump activity may amplify the disruption of K+ homeostasis in the presence of a non-lethal apoptotic insult, leading to activation of apoptotic cascade and substantial neuronal injury.
Solid phase synthesis of quinazolinones

Abstract Substituted 4(3H)-quinazolinones were synthesized under acidic conditions from polymer supported anthranilamide precursors and aldehyde inputs. Dehydrogenation using potassium permanganate followed by trifluoroacetic acid cleavage afforded the desired compounds in acceptable yields and purities. Additional diversity at the 3 position was realized by employing amino acid derivatized polymer support.
Reactivity of modified ribose moieties of guanosine: new cleavage reactions mediated by the IVS of Tetrahymena precursor rRNA.

Abstract An RNA molecule consisting of the 5' exon and intervening sequence (IVS) of Tetrahymena precursor rRNA was oxidized with sodium periodate to convert the ribose moiety of the 3' terminal guanosine into a dialdehyde form. The modified RNA undergoes a specific cleavage reaction at the 5' splice site, but has no apparent cyclization activity. This novel reaction mediated by the IVS RNA is pH dependent over the range 6.5-8.5 and leaves a 5' phosphate and a 3'-OH at the newly created termini. The dialdehyde form of monomer guanosine is also capable of causing a specific cleavage reaction at the 5' splice site although the nucleotide is not covalently attached to the IVS RNA in the final product. These and other findings described in this report suggest that the cis diol of the intact ribose moiety of guanosine is not an absolute requirement for the IVS-mediated reactions.
772: Maternal death in the maternal-fetal medicine unit cesarean registry

772 Maternal death in the maternal-fetal medicine unit cesarean registry Lea Porche, Ibrahim Hammad, Malgorzata Mlynarczyk, James Hill, Bonnie Dattel, Suneet Chauhan Eastern Virginia Medical School, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Norfolk, VA OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose was to describe maternal death (MD) in the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) Network Cesarean Registry; secondary purposes compared MD between African American (AA) vs. Caucasian (C); and MD vs. 24 hours after delivery. STUDY DESIGN: This is a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data for MFMU. Medical problems included asthma, cardiac, renal or connective tissue disease, chronic hypertension (HTN), or pregestational diabetes. Obstetric complications included abruption, gestational HTN, preeclampsia, eclampsia, HELLP, chorioamnionitis, or placenta accreta. Fisher exact test with approximation of Woolf or odd ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used. RESULTS: Of 73,257 births, there were 37 MD (50/100,000 births). All were singletons, 8% were 20 years old, 38% were nulliparous, and 41% were obese (body mass index 30 kg/m). Modes of delivery were: 57% primary cesarean, 35% repeat, and 8% trial of labor after cesarean. While 68% had no prior medical problems, 46% had no obstetric complications. The 3 leading initiating events for MM were hypertensive disease (32%), infection (16%) and cesarean delivery (16%); the 3 leading causes of death were cardiopulmonary arrest (43%), amniotic fluid embolism (13%) and intracranial hemorrhage (11%). The perinatal mortality was 81/1000 births. Maternal mortality rate among AA (79) was higher than C (44) but similar (OR 0.55; 95%CI 0.25, 1.20). Other factors did not differ significantly. Almost half of maternal deaths (49%) were 24 hours of delivery. Comparison of those who died vs. 24 hours of birth differed significantly for ethnicity (p 0.009) and ICU admission (28% vs. 63%, respectively; OR 0.16; 95% CI 0.04, 0.69). Other factors were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Despite the small sample size, this prospectively collected database provides reliable data on the rate as well as causes of maternal death related to cesarean delivery in the US. Futures studies that include data from non-tertiary centers are needed.
Laying Patterns of Geese in the Mid West

In the nine years from 1966 through 1974 two large flocks of geese, one Emden and the other Toulouse, averaging respectively 1959 and 734 females began laying between January 9 and February 28 with the Toulouse lagging an average of 16 days. It took a mean of 17 days to advance from the 5% to the 33-1/3% level of laying. An average rate of 29.5% was thereafter maintained for 80 days, after which it dropped to 16% in ten more days.
Mycorrhizal mediation of plant response to atmospheric change: Air quality concepts and research considerations.

Abstract The term ‘global climate change’ encompasses many physical and chemical changes in the atmosphere that have been induced by anthropogenic pollutants. Increases in concentrations of CO2 and CH4 enhance the ‘greenhouse effect’ of the atmosphere and may contribute to changes in temperature and precipitation patterns at the earth's surface. Nitrogen oxides and SO2 are phytotoxic and also react with other pollutants to produce other phytotoxins in the troposphere such as O3 and acidic substances. However, release of chlorofluorocarbons into the atmosphere may cause depletion of stratospheric O3, increasing the transmittance of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation to the earth's surface. Increased intensities of UV-B could affect plants and enhance photochemical reactions that generate some phytotoxic pollutants. The role of mycorrhizae in plant responses to such stresses has received little attention. Although plans for several research programs have acknowledged the importance of drought tolerance and soil fertility in plant responses to atmospheric stresses, mycorrhizae are rarely targeted to receive specific investigation. Most vascular land plants form mycorrhizae, so the role of mycorrhizae in mediating plant responses to atmospheric change may be an important consideration in predicting effects of atmospheric changes on plants in managed and natural ecosystems.
Effects of Morphologic Left Ventricular Pressure on Right Ventricular Geometry and Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation in Patients With Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries

Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA) is associated with tricuspid regurgitation (TR), which has been postulated to arise from the effect of ventricular septal position on the attachments of the tricuspid valve. This study was performed to determine the effect of left ventricular (LV) pressure on right ventricular (RV) and LV geometry and the degree of TR. Serial echocardiograms were reviewed from, 30 patients with CCTGA who underwent pulmonary artery banding to train the morphologic left ventricle (n = 14) or left ventricle–to–pulmonary artery conduit placement and ventricular septal defect closure in conjunction with physiologic repair (n = 16). The degree of TR, the LV/RV pressure ratio, RV and LV sphericity indexes, and tricuspid valve tethering distance and coaptation length were analyzed. After pulmonary artery banding, an increase in LV systolic pressure to ≥2/3 systemic resulted in a decrease in TR from severe to moderate (p = 0.02). The percentage of patients with severe TR decreased from 64% to 18% (p = 0.06). The RV sphericity index decreased (p = 0.05), and the LV sphericity index increased (p = 0.02). After left ventricle–to–pulmonary artery conduit placement, a decrease in LV pressure to ≤1/2 systemic resulted in an increase in TR from none to mild (p = 0.003). In conclusion, these data indicate that LV pressure in patients with CCTGA affects the degree of TR and that septal shift caused by changes in LV and RV pressure is an important mechanism.
SU-FF-I-165: Ultrasound Transducer Performance Evaluation Summary for a Large Multi-Specialty Clinic

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate and identify the type of element failures found in ultrasound transducers used in our clinical practice. Method and Materials: Assessing transducer functional performance was accomplished using the Sonora FirstCall Test System, Sonora Medical Systems Inc. (Longmont, CO, USA). This system is an ultrasound transducer tester, which can test all essential transducer parameters according to FDA regulation 21CFR 820. The system was used to evaluate 199 transducers at 7 clinical sites from September 2007 to December 2008. All transducers were of the same manufacturer and may have been tested up to three times. The test system is connected to the transducer but not the ultrasoundscanner. Each transducer element is tested and evaluated. The test is performed in water, where the elements are activated one by one using a metal target plate to reflect the ultrasound pulse emitted by each activated element. The returning pulse is analyzed by means of the peak‐to‐peak amplitude, center frequency, pulse width, bandwidth, and the pulse waveform. Additionally, the accumulated capacitance of every element is evaluated and element electrical integrity is tested identifying electrical failures. Results: This investigation found that 35 transducers (17.6%) failed our acceptance criteria. The 199 transducers evaluated during this study consisted of 5,168 total elements. An evaluation of the 35 transducers that failed our acceptance criteria resulted in a total of 291 elements that had one of the following defects: dead elements, lens delamination, wire cuts, capacitance short. Conclusion:UltrasoundQuality Assurance measurements using a commercial phantom are subjective and can require a considerable investment. Our survey indicates an urgent need for increased quantitative testing of the transducers in clinical departments, such testing should augment the current QA program to insure the highest quality performance of clinical ultrasound systems.
Nuclear double-fluorescent reporter for in vivo and ex vivo analyses of biological transitions in mouse nuclei

Cre-responsive dual-fluorescent alleles allow in situ marking of cell lineages or genetically modified cells. Here we report a dual-fluorescent allele, ROSA nT-nG, which directs nuclear accumulation of tdTomato in Cre-naive lineages. Cre converts the allele to ROSA nG , which drives nuclear EGFP accumulation. Conditions were established for analyzing marked nuclei by flow cytometry on the basis of red–green fluorescence and ploidy, with a particular focus on liver nuclei. Hydrodynamic delivery of a Cre-expression plasmid was used to time-stamp arbitrary hepatocytes for lineage tracing. The distinct green fluorescence of nuclei from Cre-exposed lineages facilitated analyses of ploidy transitions within clones. To assess developmental transitions in liver nuclei, ROSA nT-nG was combined with the hepatocyte-specific AlbCre transgene, facilitating discrimination between hepatocyte and nonhepatocyte nuclei. Nuclei extracted from postnatal day 2 (P2) livers were 41 % green and 59 % red and reached a stable level of 84 % green by P22. Until P20, green nuclei were >98 % diploid (2N); at P40 they were ~56 % 2N, 43 % 4N, and <1 % 8N; and by P70 they reached a stable distribution of ~46 % 2N, 45 % 4N, and 9 % 8N. In conclusion, ROSA nT-nG will facilitate in vivo and ex vivo studies on liver and will likely be valuable for studies on tissues like muscle, kidney, or brain in which cells are refractory to whole-cell flow cytometry, or like trophectoderm derivatives or cancers in which cells undergo ploidy transitions.
Medicare part D data: major changes on the horizon.

Background: The 3 primary administrative data sets developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS) to support the Medicare Part D program implementation represent a valuable source of data for health services researchers. This paper describes the structure of the Medicare Part D program and the related databases, and discusses their utilization for research purposes. Results: The Medicare Part D administrative data include information on plan benefits (integrated into the Health Plan Management System), beneficiary enrollment files, and prescription drug event (PDE) claims-type data. The enrollment data may be of use in investigating the benefits and plan types that appeal to beneficiaries, but their application is limited by the fact that, although individual beneficiaries' enrollment choices are recorded, only summary enrollment data are currently publicly available. PDE data are likely to be of most interest to researchers as they are detailed (including beneficiary identifiers, contract identifiers pharmacy provider information on drugs provided, drug cost, and insurance status), beneficiary-specific (allowing them to be linked to beneficiary characteristics), and an unusual output for a program reimbursed under a capitation-based system. Because PDE data are highly sensitive, only summary data on the number of Part D prescriptions filled are publicly available. Conclusions: Although the data collected in relation to the Medicare Part D program could be applied to many questions of interest to health services researchers, their utility is limited by the sensitive natures of many of these data, making it difficult currently to obtain access for research purposes.
Mechanical response of thickness-shear mode quartz-crystal resonators to linear viscoelastic fluids

Abstract A mechanically based description of the response of thickness-shear mode quartz-crystal resonators to contact with linear viscoelastic fluids is presented. The calculation describes the effect of viscoelasticity in terms of a dimensionless correction to the Newtonian result, χ which is primarily dependent on the product of the dominant relaxation time of the overlying medium and the oscillation frequency of the resonator. The results show that the effect of a finite relaxation time is a lower frequency shift compared to a viscous reservoir with identical density and a viscosity matching the low-frequency limit of the viscoelastic reservoir. This is due to reduced viscous dissipation in the boundary layer adjacent to the crystal surface and an effectively smaller inertial load on the resonator. The model is shown to reduce appropriately to previously published results in the low- and high-frequency limits, in addition to predicting correctly experimental results for polymeric fluids assuming Rouse-like behaviour.
Probabilistic analysis of an enhanced partitioning algorithm for the steiner tree problem in Rd

The Geometric Steiner Minimum Tree problem (GSMT) is to connect at minimum cost n given points (called terminals) in d-dimensional Euclidean space. We generalize a GSMT approximation partitioning algorithm by Komlos and Shing (KS) and analyze its performance under more relaxed conditions. These generalizations have practical applications for multilayer VLSI routing. Whereas KS assumed d = 2, our algorithm works for any dimension d ⩾ 2. Moreover, whereas their analysis assumed the rectilinear norm and a uniform distribution of input points, our analysis holds for any norm on Rd and whenever the terminals are any independent identically distributed random variables taking on values in any bounded subset of Rd. Both algorithms depend on a parameter t through which the user can trade off time for solution quality. We evaluate our algorithm in terms of its performance ratio–the ratio of the cost of the Steiner tree computed by the algorithm divided by the cost of a Steiner minimum tree. Applying a probability theorem on subadditive Euclidean functionals by Steele, we prove the following: Under the aforementioned distribution of inputs, the limit as n ∞ of the supremum of the performance ratio of our algorithm is 1 + Ot−1/d(d-1), almost surely. This result generalizes the corresponding 1 + O(t−1/2) bound proven by KS. Along the way, we prove a useful combinatorial lemma about d-dimensional rectangle slicings. We prove that the worst-case time and space complexity of our algorithm is θ(n lg (n/t) + TMST(v, v) + nTSMT(t)/t) and θ(SMST(v, v) + SSMT(t)), respectively, where v ⩽ n + 2d+1 (n/t) σ(t) is the number of vertices in the resulting Steiner tree. Here, TSMT(t) and SSMT(t) are the time and space required to solve exactly any GSMT problem of size less than t; TMST(n, m) and SMST(n, m) are the time and space required to find a minimum spanning tree of a graph with n nodes and m edges; and σ(t) is the maximum number of Steiner points for any Steiner minimum tree with t terminals. For example, for R2 and the rectilinear norm, the time is O(n lg(n/t) + n lg*n + nTSMT(t)/t) and the space is O(n lg *n + SSMT(t)). © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Halo Gas Velocities of NGC 4244 and NGC 891 Using Multi-long-slit Spectroscopy

Extra-planar gas in spiral galaxies can originate from disk-halo cycling driven by star formation in the disk or from infalling gas clouds. Studying the kinematics of halo gas can provide evidence for which scenario is more plausible. Edge-on galaxies provide a direct view of the extra-planar gas. We measure gas velocities from Hα emission as a function of height above the galactic disk for NGC 4244, which has a low star formation rate, and NGC 891, which has a high star formation rate. Using a multi-slit setup on the ARC 3.5 m telescope, we are able to measure velocities along 16 slits simultaneously. We compare our preliminary results to studies of HI velocities in these galaxies.
Fractional Coverage Model for the Adsorption and Removal of Gas Species and Application to Superlow Friction Diamond-like Carbon*

The frictional behavior of diamond-like carbon (DLC) films varies with environmental condition. One theory asserts that the cause of variations in the frictional performance is environmental contaminants adsorbing onto the DLC film surface. Testing of the frictional performance of DLC films in a pin-on-disk contact has mapped the transient behavior of the friction coefficient. A model for fractional coverage, based on the adsorption of environmental contaminants and their removal through the pin contact, is developed. The rate of adsorption is taken from Langmuir's model [17], which is combined with the removal ratio from Blanchet and Sawyer [18]. The coefficient of friction is based on the average fractional coverage under the pin contact. The model also gives a closed-form expression for the steady-state fractional coverage. Model calculations compared favorably to the time progression of the friction coefficient for a series of earlier experiments on a superlow friction DLC coating [7], when the fractional removal term was allowed to increase with increasing sliding speed.
Effects of induced muscle tension upon the visual evoked potential and motor potential

Averaged evoked cortical potentials were recorded from over the visual and motor areas of four Ss in several experimental sessions which took place over a 4-week period. The visual evoked potential (VEP) and motor potential (MP) were recorded under each of four conditions: (1) light flash alone, (2) squeezing dynamometer alone, (3) light plus squeezing, and (4) resting. The major findings were that: (1) VEP is of greater magnitude with muscle tension than with light alone and (2) the MP was of greater magnitude under the squeezing plus light condition compared with squeezing alone. The enhancement effect in both types of potentials was attributed to the arousing influence of increased reticular activity.
Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains a curable lymphoma, with improved outcome resulting in large part from the incorporation of rituximab in standard regimens. The disease is heterogeneous clinically, morphologically, and molecularly. Recent insights into the molecular heterogeneity of DLBCL are beginning to yield novel therapeutics with significant promise for key subsets of patients. Although cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone chemotherapy with rituximab remains a standard therapeutic approach for most patients who have DLBCL, it is anticipated that novel agents will be included in treatment regimens for many patients in the near future.
Encapsulation of a parasitoid egg within its habitual host: An ultrastructural investigation☆

Abstract Eggs of the ichneumonid parasitoid Campoletis sonorensis oviposited within its natural host Heliothis virescens are rarely encapsulated. The chorion of eggs deposited within the natural host were ultrastructurally similar to eggs within the lateral oviduct. Less than 5% of eggs incubated in invertase or saline and injected into the host evoked a hemocytic response within 24 hr; however, all the eggs incubated in either protease or lipase prior to injection evoked a hemocytic reaction in the host within 24 hr. It would appear that encapsulation of eggs incubated in either lipase or protase resulted from modification of the chorion surface. Eggs incubated in invertase or saline were encapsulated within 72 to 96 hr while eggs incubated in the fluid from the female parasitoid oviduct were not. The ultrastructural development of the hemocytic capsule is presented and the possible role of cell contacts in capsule regulation is discussed.
The effect of halothane on mitochondrial permeability to NADH.

Abstract The effect of halothane on oxidation of exogenous NADH was evaluated in intact and disrupted rat liver mitochondria. A change in oxygen uptake was observed which represented an interplay between inhibition of NADH dehydrogenase (tending to decrease respiratory rate) and loss of impermeability to NADH (tending to increase respiratory rate).
Study of the individual contributions of ice formation and freeze-concentration on isothermal stability of lactate dehydrogenase during freezing

The objective of this study was to determine the individual contributions of ice formation, solute concentration, temperature, and time, to irreversible protein denaturation during freezing. A temperature-step approach was used to study isothermal degradation of frozen lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The freeze-concentrate composition was determined using differential scanning calorimetry to enable preparation of solutions, without ice, of the same concentration as the freeze-concentrate, and thereby determine the role of the freeze-concentrate composition on LDH degradation. Both stabilizers employed in the study, hydroxyethyl starch and sucrose, conferred cryoprotection on LDH. While LDH stability was lower at 1.50–3.25% w/v sucrose than in the absence of sucrose, cryoprotection was restored at higher sucrose concentrations. pH shift during freezing, degree of supercooling, and excipient impurities were ruled out as causes for unusual LDH stability behavior at lower sucrose concentrations. Specific surface area measurements of the freeze-dried cakes showed that the ice surface area increased with an increase in sucrose concentration. No LDH degradation occurred in concentrated solutions, without ice, at the same composition as the freeze-concentrate in frozen systems where massive degradation was documented. Thus, ice formation is the critical destabilizing factor during freezing of LDH in sucrose:citrate buffer systems. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 97:798–814, 2008
Expression of the catalytic domain of cyclic GMP‐dependent protein kinase in a baculovirus system

The Type I cGMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic domain (residues 336-671 from the Iα isofonn) has been expressed as a cGMP independent kinase in a baculovirus system. Using peptide substrates, the protein retains similar substrate specificity as the native holoenzyme. The recombinant catalytic domain catalyzes the phosphorylation of histone, but does not display the inhibition using non-substrate histones which has been described for the holoenzyme. The catalytic domain is an active kinase in mammalian cells also since vascular smooth muscle cells transfected with the cDNA encoding the catalytic domain display altered morphology. The catalytic domain of G-kinase may be a useful tool for delineating the role of cGMP-mediated protein phosphorylation in cell systems.
Effects of magnesium on calcium and phosphate metabolism in parathyroidectomized rats.

Raising dietary magnesium from low to high level increased calcium absorption and urinary calcium in parathyroidectomized rats. The net result was increased calcium balance and serum calcium levels in parathyroidectomized rats to approximately normal levels. Supplemental magnesium decreased urinary phosphate in parathyroidectomized rats and phosphate balance and serum phosphate levels were restored to almost control values. Lowering dietary magnesium had the opposite effect on calcium and phosphate absorption and excretion. Although magnesium ions have been reported to have effects on parathyroid function, the results observed in these studies indicate that magnesium ions have a singular effect on calcium and phosphate metabolism irrespective of the presence or absence of the parathyroid gland. Parathyroidectomy had no significant effect on net magnesium absorption. (Endocrinology 85: 1103, 1969)
Ethanol Inhibition ofN-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptors Is Reduced by Site-directed Mutagenesis of a Transmembrane Domain Phenylalanine Residue

Abstract N-Methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NRs) are ionotropic receptors activated by glutamate and the co-agonist glycine. Ethanol inhibits NMDA receptor function, although its site of action is undefined. We hypothesized that ethanol acts at specific amino acids contained within the transmembrane (TM) domains of the receptor. In this study, NR1 and NR2A subunits were altered by mutagenesis and tested for sensitivity to ethanol. Three NR1 mutants (W636A, F817A, and L819A) and one NR2A mutant (F637A) failed to generate functional receptors. Pre-TM1 (I546A, L551A, F554A, and F558A), TM1 (W563A), and TM2 (W611A) NR1 mutations did not affect ethanol sensitivity of heteromeric receptors. In contrast, altering a TM3 phenylalanine to alanine (F639A) reduced the ethanol inhibition of NMDA receptors expressed in oocytes and human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Mutation of the nearby methionine (M641) to alanine did not affect ethanol sensitivity, whereas changing Phe639 to tryptophan slightly enhanced ethanol inhibition. NR1(F639A) did not alter the agonist potency of glutamate but did produce a leftward shift in the glycine concentration response for receptors containing NR2A and NR2B subunits. NR1(F639A) also reduced the potency of the competitive glycine antagonist 5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid and increased the efficacy of the glycine partial agonist 3-amino-1-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinone ((+)-HA-966). These results suggest that ethanol may interact with amino acids contained in the TM3 domain of NMDA subunits that are involved in transducing agonist binding to channel opening.
On diagonal products of doubly stochastic matrices

Abstract The following result is proved: If A and B are distinct n × n doubly stochastic matrices, then there exists a permutation σ of {1, 2,…, n } such that ∏ i a i σ ( i ) > ∏ i b i σ ( i ).
Differencing of random walks and near random walks

Abstract The traditional rationale for differencing time series data is to attain stationarity. For a nearly non-stationary first-order autoregressive process—AR (1) with positive slope parameter near unity—we were led to a complementary rationale. If one suspects near non-stationarity of the AR (1) process, if the sample size is ‘small’ or ‘moderate’, and if good one-step-ahead prediction performance is the goal, then it is wise to difference the data and treat the differences as observations on a stationary AR (1) process. Estimation by Ordinary Least Squares then appears to be at least as satisfactory as nonlinear least squares. Use of differencing for an already stationary process can be motivated by Bayesian concepts: differencing can be viewed as an easy way to incorporate non-diffuse prior judgement—that the process is nearly non-stationary—into one's analysis. Random walks and near random walks are often encountered in economics. Unless one's sample size is large, the same statistical analyses apply to either.
Operational capabilities of AXAF for surveys

The Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) will offer us all great opportunities for surveys. The exceptional resolution of the AXAF mirrors, will yield unsurpassed deep surveys, and the energy resolution of the ACIS will allow unique contributions to the AXAF version of previous “medium sensitivity” and “slew” surveys. At this workshop we presented some preliminary results of the calibration of the AXAF flight mirrors. Off-axis imaging, chromatic effects of vignetting, and the asymmetry of the off-axis response will be important for planning and analyzing surveys.
Fluoxymesterone Therapy in Anemia of Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis: Comparison Between Patients with Kidneys and Anephric Patients

Nineteen patients with their kidneys and 11 anephric patients who were stable on maintenance hemodialysis received 20 mg a day of Fluoxymesterone. At the end of four months, there was a significant increase (p < 0.005) in the mean hematocrit with a parallel increase in the hemoglobin level in both groups of patients. Concomitantly, we observed an increment of the red cell mass that was significant at the level of p < 0.05. Blood transfusion requirements decreased significantly (p < 0.1), independent of the presence or absence of kidneys. No changes in body weight, serum albumin, and serum cholesterol levels were observed. Secondary effects were hirsutism and hoarsening of the voice.
Recursive Bayesian Method for Magnetic Dipole Tracking With a Tensor Gradiometer

Previous magnetic dipole localization algorithms using gradient data attempt to find the position of the magnetic source at the measurement time only. Based on the direct inversion of the magnetic gradient tensor, these methods provide results that can be highly sensitive to temporal noise in data. To avoid a temporally scattered solution, a recursive approach is proposed that is promising for estimating the trajectory and the magnetic moment components of a target modeled as a magnetic dipole source using data collected with a gradiometer. In this study, the determination of target position, magnetic moment, and velocity is formulated as a Bayesian estimation problem for dynamic systems, which could be solved using a sequential Monte Carlo based approach known as the “particle filter.” This filter represents the posterior distribution of the state variables by a system of particles which evolve and adapt recursively as new information becomes available. In addition to the conventional particle filter, the proposed tracking and classification algorithm uses the unscented Kalman filter (UKF) to generate the prior distribution of the unknown parameters. The proposed method is then demonstrated by applying it to real data collected when an automobile was passing by a gradiometer either on a straight or a curved track. The results indicate that the recursive method is less sensitive to noise than the direct inversion solution, even if not all the components of the gradient tensor were used.
Artificial Neural Network-Based Estimation for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Experiments

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PE), a ubiquitous bacterium, has an overwhelming presence among hospitals and nursing homes. Common infections and inflammation caused by PE are acute pneumonia and infection related pulmonary complications in cystic fibrosis patients. We used cultures of human lung fibroblasts to investigate the mechanism of PE-induced inflammatory response. In our controlled experiments, we sought to confirm the hypothesis that PE induces interleuking 8 (IL-8) gene expressions and protein synthesis by interacting with epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) and activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB). The results from the experimental data are used in training and developing an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) which can estimate different sets of data quickly and efficiently for different PE experiments. This paper presents our experiences with the development and use of the ANN that can potentially boost PE research by saving several hours of lab work and reducing costs.
Moisture, Oil and Energy Transport During Deep-Fat Frying of Food Materials

A multiphase porous media model has been developed to predict the moisture migration, oil uptake and energy transport in a food material such as a semi-dry potato during deep-fat frying. The model predictions are validated using experimental data from the literature. Spatial moisture profiles show two distinctive regions (dry or crust region near the surface and wet region in most of the core) with a sharp interface which can be referred to as the evaporation front. Spatial temperature profiles show two distinctive regions—higher but constant temperature gradient region near the surface, and lower temperature gradient region in the core. In the crust region, vapour diffusional flux is comparable with vapour convective flux. In the more moist core region, capillary flux of liquid water is comparable to the convective flux of liquid water. Therefore, all three modes of transport—diffusional, capillarity, and pressure driven (Darcy) flow are found to be important. Sensitivity of the final product moisture and temperature to changes in oil temperature, initial moisture content of the sample, thickness of the sample, and the surface heat and mass transfer coefficients are discussed.
Role of pO2 in microstructural development and properties of YBa2Cu3Ox superconductors

An evaluation of the effects of oxygen partial pressure (pO2) on sintering behavior and the resulting microstructure of YBa2Cu3Ox (YBCO) indicates that sintering kinetics are enhanced at reduced pO2. The density of specimens sintered at 910 °C increased from 79 to 94% theoretical when pO2 was decreased from 0.1 to 0.0001 MPa. It is believed that increase in density with decrease in pO2 is the result of enhanced sintering kinetics, due probably to increased defect concentration, decreased activation energy of the rate-controlling species, and possibly the presence of a small amount of liquid phase. Sintering at 910 °C resulted in a fine-grain microstructure, with an average grain size of ≍4 μm. Such a microstructure results in reduced microcracking. Consequently, strength as high as 191 MPa is achieved. Reduced microcracking may have important implications for developing microstructures with improved critical current density.
Stigma experiences in youth with facial differences: a multi-site study of adolescents and their mothers*

Structured Abstract Authors – Strauss RP, Ramsey BL, Edwards TC, Topolski TD, Kapp-Simon KA, Thomas CR, Fenson C, Patrick DL Objectives – To describe stigma experiences of adolescents with congenital and acquired facial differences. Design – Used baseline cross-sectional stigma-related responses from a four site (Seattle WA, Galveston TX, Chicago IL and Chapel Hill NC) US study enrolling 185 English speaking, US participants ages 11–18 years old with facial differences (60% male; 80% congenital conditions). Closed-ended, self-administered questions drawn from the Youth Quality of Life Instrument – Facial Differences Module (YQOL-FD) determined perceptions of stigmatization. Mothers (n = 153) were independently asked seven matching questions. Results – Frequencies report combined responses of ‘sometimes,’‘fairly often,’ and ‘very often.’ Mother's responses are in parentheses. • 35% (47%) noticed people staring at their face in the past week. • 28% (43%) talked with others about how their face looks in the past month. • 29% (31%) heard others say something about their face in the past month. • 32% (32%) told peers about their facial difference in the past month. • 12% (12%) felt left out of doing things with peers because of how their face looks in the past month. • 11% (8%) got into a fight because of how their face looks in the past month. • 20% (18%) were teased about how their face looks in the past month. Conclusions – Stigma experiences were frequently reported by youth with facial differences and were correlated with independent parental report. This level of stigma suggests that media and public health interventions may be warranted to reduce discrimination, prejudice and negative adolescent social experiences related to facial difference.
Fast and Scalable Parallel Algorithms for Matrix Chain Product and Matrix Powers on Reconfigurable Pipelined Optical Buses

Given N matrices A1, A2, ..., AN of size N × N, the matrix chain product problem is to compute A1 × A2 × ...× AN. Given an N × N matrix A, the matrix powers problem is to calculate the first N powers of A, i.e., A, A, A, ..., A. Both problems are important in conducting many matrix manipulations such as computing the characteristic polynomial, determinant, rank, and inverse of a matrix, and in general scientific computations. Both problems can be solved by using a matrix multiplication algorithm as a subroutine. Assume that the fastest sequential matrix multiplication algorithm has time complexity O(N), where the current best value of α is less than 2.3755 [3]. Then, sequentially, both the matrix chain product and the matrix powers problems can be solved in O(N) time. It is clear that for parallel computation of these two problems, a fast and scalable parallel matrix multiplication algorithm is required. Recently, we developed a paral-
Generalized point based value iteration for interactive POMDPs

We develop a point based method for solving finitely nested interactive POMDPs approximately. Analogously to point based value iteration (PBVI) in POMDPs, we maintain a set of belief points and form value functions composed of those value vectors that are optimal at these points. However, as we focus on muItiagent settings, the beliefs are nested and computation of the value vectors relies on predicted actions of others. Consequently, we develop a novel interactive gen eralization of PBVI applicable to muItiagent settings.
A comparison of HIV stigma and disclosure patterns between older and younger adults living with HIV/AIDS.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between age, HIV-related stigma, and patterns of disclosure. Previous literature has suggested that older age is associated with increased HIV stigma and less disclosure of HIV status. Eighty-eight individuals, 44 between the ages of 20–39 and 44 aged 50 and over were recruited for the study through an AIDS service organization in the Pacific Northwest. Subjects in each group were matched as closely as possible by gender, ethnicity, HIV exposure and diagnosis. In a comparison of sociodemographic characteristics, older adults (50+) were significantly more likely to live alone, and to be retired. Younger adults were significantly more likely to be never married/ partnered, unemployed and be recipients of Medicaid. Bivariate analysis revealed no significant differences in overall stigma scores between groups; however, younger adults were more likely to fear losing their job because of HIV. Older adults were less likely to disclose HIV to relatives, p...
The Competency Pivot Introducing a Revised Approach to the Business Communication Curriculum

In this article, we outline a competency-based approach to teaching business communication. At the heart of this approach, classroom instruction, assignments, and evaluation center on a goals-orien...
Measuring quality of life in chronic pelvic pain syndrome

The evaluation of health-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome is a challenging problem owing to the complexity of the underlying diagnoses and the multitude of instruments available. QoL may seem an obvious concept overall, generally encompassing physical functioning, social interactions and psychological wellbeing, but providing quantitative measures can be challenging and involves assurance of both face validity and psychometric statistical robustness. In addition to generic QoL measures, chronic pelvic pain-related disease-specific measures for endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome and vulvodynia can assist in identification of multiple concurrent diagnoses. This article reviews recent advances in QoL evaluation of chronic pelvic pain, and describes the features of both the generic and disease-specific instruments available to assist clinicians and researchers in evaluating patients and optimizing outcomes.
A Cystophorous Cercaria, C. projecta n.sp., from the Snail, Helisoma antrosa, North America

A new species of larval trematode, C. projecta , infects Helisoma antrosa . The very small distome cercaria is ontogenetically young, showing no traces of reproductive anlagen even after excystment. It belongs to the cystophorous cercariae, and has a vesicular tail into which the body of the cercaria withdraws when mature. In this encysted state the cercaria is expelled from the snail and awaits ingestion by the next host. The redia is a large, elongate sac, without “feet,” possessing a small pharynx, short intestine and an excretory system consisting of a longitudinal channel and at least sixty flame cells on each side of the body. Excystment is caused by mechanical pressure which releases a force within the cyst, which projects the cercaria very rapidly through a long cuticular tube, the excretory projection, to a considerable distance away from the cyst. Various complex appendages of the tail vesicle along with parts of the excretory system play a large part in this process of excystment. As postulated, the purpose of this type of excystment is to throw the larva away from its cyst, to prevent it from being regurgitated from the body with the empty cyst.
Replacing a transistor with a compound transistor

As a result of their better overall performance in certain transistor circuits, Darlington pairs and compound transistors are often used to replace a single transistor. The authors consider the consequences of such a replacement on the circuit's DC behavior with respect to the number of operating points. They prove that if a circuit due to its topology alone possessed a unique operating point, then replacing any number of single transistors with Darlington transistor pairs (or with compound transistors, under specified conditions) produces a new circuit which also has a unique operating point. >
Frequency Domain Equivalence Between Potentials and Currents Using Loreta

Analyzing the preferences of brain regions to oscillate at specific frequencies gives important functional information. Application of discrete inverse solutions for the EEG/ MEG inverse problem in the frequency domain usually involves the use of many current sources (sometimes 104 or more) restricted to gray matter points, as the solution space for the possible generators. This number can progressively increase with the level of detail of the MRI when it is used in co-registration with EEG/MEG. However, the computation of the Fourier transform to all these sources is computationally intensive. We illustrate with a simple example how this procedure can be simplified by applying the Fourier transform to the signals in the sensors using a popular inverse method (LORETA). We also suggest how the search space of current sources at specific frequencies of oscillation can be limited to some regions constrained by other technologies such as fMRI, PET and SPECT.
Development and validation of a parent survey for reporting child injuries

Background Medical record abstraction is considered the ‘gold standard’ method of ascertaining injury information, but can be time-consuming and costly. Aims/Objectives/Purpose To assess the ability of parents to identify (1) moderate and greater severity injuries and (2) serious injuries, overall and by body region, by comparing survey responses to hospital medical records. Methods Children ≤17 years treated for injuries at three emergency departments between 08/10 and 07/11 and their parents were eligible. Parents were randomised to either a telephone interview or self-administered survey at 2 weeks post-visit and asked to report child injuries to seven body regions. The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score was used to assign each child a body-region injury severity level of minor, moderate, or serious, generally corresponding to AIS scores of 1, 2 and >3. Results/Outcomes Of 798 parents enrolled in the study, 494 (61.9%) completed the survey. The overall sensitivity, reflecting the ability of parents to identify a documented moderate or serious injury, was 0.94 (95% CI 0.93 to 0.97). Sensitivities were >0.90 for the face and upper and lower extremity regions, 0.80–0.90 for head, abdomen, neck/back/spine regions, and 3) was 0.71 (0.60, 0.80). Significance/Contribution to the Field This survey enables parents to identify and characterise the body region and severity of their child9s injuries and to differentiate between minor and more significant injuries. This survey may be particularly valuable in population-based studies of paediatric injuries.
Semantic ambiguity and syntactic bootstrapping: The case of conjoined-subject intransitive sentences.

ABSTRACTWhen learning verb meanings, learners capitalize on universal linguistic correspondences between syntactic and semantic structure. For instance, upon hearing the transitive sentence “the boy is glorping the girl,” 2-year-olds prefer a two-participant event (e.g., a boy making a girl spin) over two simultaneous one-participant events (a boy and a girl separately spinning). However, 2- and 3-year-olds do not consistently show the opposite preference when hearing conjoined-subject intransitive sentences (“the boy and the girl are glorping”). We hypothesized that such difficulties arise in part from the indeterminacy of the mapping between intransitive syntax and events in the world: a conjoined-subject intransitive sentence can be matched by the one-participant event (if “glorp” means “spin”), both events (“play”), or even the two-participant event (“fight”). A preferential looking study provided evidence for this hypothesis: sentences that plausibly block most non-target interpretations for novel ve...