cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Teacher Qualifications and Productivity in Secondary Schools.

This study examined the relationship between observable teacher characteristics and productivity as measured by an increase in student achievement on a standardized test using a value-added approach. This analysis focused on teachers of algebra, geometry, and 11th grade English Language Arts in Arkansas. The authors generated a value-added score at the school-course level and attributed that score to each teacher of that course in the school. The authors then regressed observable teacher characteristics on the value-added measure. The authors found no evidence that teacher certification route affects student tests scores, but found that higher ability math teachers do lead to higher scores.
Epistatic genetic effects among Alzheimer's candidate genes.

Background: Novel risk variants for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have been identified and replicated in genome-wide association studies. Recent work has begun to address the relationship between these risk variants and biomarkers of AD, though results have been mixed. The aim of the current study was to characterize single marker and epistatic genetic effects between the top candidate Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in relation to amyloid deposition. Methods: We used a combined dataset across ADNI-1 and ADNI-2, and looked within each dataset separately to validate identified genetic effects. Amyloid was quantified using data acquired by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with 18 F-AV-45. Results: Two SNP-SNP interactions reached significance when correcting for multiple comparisons, BIN1 (rs7561528, rs744373) x PICALM (rs7851179). Carrying the minor allele in BIN1 was related to higher levels of amyloid deposition, however only in non-carriers of the protective PICALM minor allele. Conclusions: Our results support previous research suggesting these candidate SNPs do not show single marker associations with amyloid pathology. However, we provide evidence for a novel interaction between PICALM and BIN1 in relation to amyloid deposition. Risk related to the BIN1 minor allele appears to be mitigated in the presence of the PICALM protective variant. In that way, variance in amyloid plaque burden can be better classified within the context of a complex genetic background. Efforts to model cumulative risk for AD should explicitly account for this epistatic effect, and future studies should explicitly test for such effects whenever statistically feasible.
Information theoretic clustering

Clustering is an important topic in pattern recognition. Since only the structure of the data dictates the grouping (unsupervised learning), information theory is an obvious criteria to establish the clustering rule. The paper describes a novel valley seeking clustering algorithm using an information theoretic measure to estimate the cost of partitioning the data set. The information theoretic criteria developed here evolved from a Renyi entropy estimator (A. Renyi, 1960) that was proposed recently and has been successfully applied to other machine learning applications (J.C. Principe et al., 2000). An improved version of the k-change algorithm is used in optimization because of the stepwise nature of the cost function and existence of local minima. Even when applied to nonlinearly separable data, the new algorithm performs well, and was able to find nonlinear boundaries between clusters. The algorithm is also applied to the segmentation of magnetic resonance imaging data (MRI) with very promising results.
Haplotype sharing correlation of alcohol dependence on chromosomes 1-6 in 93 nuclear families.

Haplotype data contain signatures of ancestral alleles and increased information for mapping genes associated with complex traits. The motivation of this paper is to test the feasibility of a recently developed haplotype reconstruction algorithm and to perform haplotype-sharing correlation (HSC) analysis in nuclear families using data provided by the Genetic Analysis Workshop 14 and the Collaborative Study of the Genetics of Alcoholism. As an exemplary analysis, haplotype data on chromosomes 1–6 were reconstructed from genotype data in 93 nuclear families by minimizing both the recombinants in within-family haplotypes and the tree distance in between-family haplotypes. HSC analysis was performed using the best set of reconstructed haplotypes, and chromosome-wide significance was evaluated using a permutation procedure. Three markers were found to have significant haplotype associations with DSM-IV alcohol dependence that exceeded the 0.05 level of chromosome-wide significance: marker rs895941 at 36.7 cM on chromosome 3 (p = 0.03), marker rs1631833 at 109.1 cM on chromosome 4 (p = 0.008), and marker rs953887 at 74.2 cM on chromosome 6 (p = 0.02). These results indicated the usefulness of HSC analysis and provided further evidence on chromosome regions associated with alcohol dependence.
Experimental evaluation of adaptive three-tank level control

Liquid level control through regulation of mass flow rates is an important application in various areas of the power industry. Very often a PID controller is used for these applications. This paper compares a nonconventional PID controller and three different types of adaptive controller, a direct model reference adaptive controller (MRAC), an indirect MRAC with Lyapunov estimation, and an indirect MRAC with recursive least-squares (RLS) updating estimation, for liquid level control. By implementing all four controllers on a three-tank system, the performances of each are compared. All controllers track a sinusoidal input very well and overall exhibit somewhat varying performance. The direct MRAC and the indirect MRAC with RLS estimation give the best performance. With Lyapunov estimation and RLS estimation, all the system parameter estimates converge to the reference model values. However, RLS estimation has a much faster convergence. It is concluded that adaptive liquid level control is an improvement over traditional liquid level control when precise level control in three coupled tanks is desired.
Enocin: An Antibiotic Produced by Streptococcus salivarius That May Contribute to Protection Against Infections Due to Group A Streptococci

Clinical studies have indicated that certain constituents of the normal throat flora may play a role in resistance to group A streptococcal infections. Strains of Streptococcus salivarius were among the most active components of this protective flora. The present studies were designed to determine the mechanism responsible for the antagonism of group A streptococci by S. salivarius. Cell-free filtrates made at the end of the logarithmic growth phase of S. salivarius inhibited the growth of group A streptococci. The only other organisms susceptible to inhibition by these filtrates were those that require exogenous pantothenate, as group A streptococci do. The activity of filtrates was primarily bacteriostatic and could be specifically reversed by pantothenate. Activity was not due to a simple depletion of the vitamin but rather to the presence of a substance that interfered with the utilization of pantothenate. This substance, given the name enocin, was heat labile but was unaffected by proteolytic enzymes. Thus, strains of S. salivarius that appear to enhance the resistance of certain individuals to streptococcal infection may exert their protective effect through in situ production of the antibiotic enocin.
The relationship of patient-administered outcome assessments to quality of life and physician ratings: Validity of the BASIS-32

The reliability and validity of a patient-administered version of the Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale (BASIS-32) was compared to the original interviewer-administered version. The construct validity of BASIS-32 subscales was assessed by examining their relationship with functional and satisfaction quality of life and physician ratings of functional and clinical status. A total of 361 acute psychiatric inpatients were given a self-administered BASIS-32, nurse-administered Lehman's Quality of Life Interview (QOLI), and Psychiatrist Assessment Form at admission and discharge. The original factor structure, internal consistency reliability, discriminant validity, and sensitivity to change were replicated. The patient-administered BASIS-32 is equally as reliable and valid as the interview. Construct validity analyses revealed that functional and satisfaction QOLI indices were moderately related to the BASIS-32 in the hypothesized directions. All satisfaction scales were associated with significantly less severity. Physician ratings were only mildly related to the subscales. The BASIS-32 used in outcome assessments with inpatients provides important and unique perspectives on functional and clinical status that are not tapped by clinician-rated assessments.
Parametric Statistical Modeling by Minimum Integrated Square Error

The likelihood function plays a central role in parametric and Bayesian estimation, as well as in nonparametric function estimation via local polynomial modeling. However, integrated square error has enjoyed a long tradition as the goodness-of-fit criterion of choice in nonparametric density estimation. In this article, I investigate the use of integrated square error, or L2 distance, as a theoretical and practical estimation tool for a variety of parametric statistical models. I show that the asymptotic inefficiency of the parameters estimated by minimizing the integrated square error or L2estimation (L2E) criterion versus the maximum likelihood estimator is roughly that of the median versus the mean. I demonstrate by example the well-known result that minimum distance estimators, including L2E, are inherently robust; however, L2E does not require specification of any tuning factors found in robust likelihood algorithms. L2E is particularly appropriate for analyzing massive datasets in which data cleanin...
New hindered isomers of 3-dehydroretinal (vitamin A2)

Abstract The preparation of six new isomers (7-cis, 7,9-dicis, 7,11-dicis, 7,13-dicis, 7,9,11-tricis and 7,9,13-tricis) of 3-dehydroretinal ( 1 , vitamin A 2 ), and their spectroscopic properties are reported. Because of the unexpected 1,7-H migration in photo-sensitized isomerization of the smaller building blocks in the dehydro-series, the introduction of the 7-cis geometry in the synthesis of new hindered isomers of 3-dehydroretinal required construction of this cis-double bond prior to that of the 3,4-double bond.
A precedence-constrained asymmetric traveling salesman model for disassembly optimization

In this paper, we address a product-disassembly optimization problem, which aims at minimizing the costs associated with the disassembly process (namely, the cost of breaking the joints and the sequence-dependent set-up cost associated with the disassembly operations), while maximizing the benefits resulting from the recovery of components and subassemblies that constitute the product. A method able to capture the mating relationships among the parts and joints of the product through a network representation scheme is developed. The disassembly optimization problem is formulated as a precedence-constrained asymmetric traveling salesman problem. A three-stage iterative procedure is designed to obtain optimal or near-optimal solutions to the problem. The results demonstrate that our procedure generates solutions that are within 2% of optimality for all test cases, while only requiring a reasonable computational effort.
Heat transport measurements in turbulent rotating Rayleigh-Bénard convection.

We present experimental heat transport measurements of turbulent Rayleigh-B\'enard convection with rotation about a vertical axis. The fluid, water with a Prandtl number $(\ensuremath{\sigma})$ of about 6, was confined in a cell with a square cross section of $7.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}7.3\text{ }{\text{cm}}^{2}$ and a height of 9.4 cm. Heat transport was measured for Rayleigh numbers $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{5}l\text{Ra}l5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{8}$ and Taylor numbers $0l\text{Ta}l5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{9}$. We show the variation in normalized heat transport, the Nusselt number, at fixed dimensional rotation rate ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{D}$, at fixed Ra varying Ta, at fixed Ta varying Ra, and at fixed Rossby number Ro. The scaling of heat transport in the range of ${10}^{7}$ to about ${10}^{9}$ is roughly 0.29 with a Ro-dependent coefficient or equivalently is also well fit by a combination of power laws of the form $a\text{ }{\text{Ra}}^{1/5}+b\text{ }{\text{Ra}}^{1/3}$. The range of Ra is not sufficient to differentiate single power law or combined power-law scaling. The data are roughly consistent with an assumption that the enhancement of heat transport owing to rotation is proportional to the number of vortical structures penetrating the boundary layer. We also compare indirect measures of thermal and Ekman boundary layer thicknesses to assess their potential role in controlling heat transport in different regimes of Ra and Ta.
Amoral rescuers: The ambiguities of altruism

Abstract: The courageous actions of individuals who helped Jews evade the Nazi genocide campaign are typically attributed to their strong moral values. Described here are two cases in which apparently amoral individuals acted to save thousands from death. The behaviors of Oskar Schindler and Siegfried Jagendorf challenge the prevailing moralistic interpretation of altruism and suggest an alternative interpretation based on narcissism.
Some perspectives on time-limited group psychotherapy.

Abstract Despite a continuing core of opposition to psychotherapy groups, 18 group therapy has gained general acceptance among professionals at all levels. Though not all therapists utilize the group format themselves, it is an accepted tool in the professional's armamentarium. A recent development in the evolution of new procedures to deal with the increasing demand for psychiatric/psychological services has been the emergence of short-term, time-limited therapeutic interventions. In the past several years there has been a burgeoning literature concerning such approaches to the therapeutic situation. 16,3 This paper represents an effort to review the literature on short-term, time-limited group psychotherapy. An attempt will be made to integrate several suggestions and guidelines for conducting such groups.
Nutritional Problems of Using Maximum Forage or Maximum Concentrates in Dairy Rations

Abstract Due to a great variety of different economic conditions at varying locations and times, and to our inability to accurately predict these many years in advance, it is important to consider the nutritional problems of feeding maximum forage or maximum concentrates. With certain individual forages, various toxicities or deficiencies are quite important and must be considered; however, generally with high-producing cows, the key problem with maximum forage feeding is in obtaining sufficient net energy. Most of the research on this aspect has concerned ways of breeding, selecting, growing, managing, and utilizing forages, to improve digestibility and voluntary intake. Usually, the forages have been supplemented to meet all known nonenergy requirements, with concentrates fed to supplement energy for what is hopefully the point of maximum net profit. When high levels of concentrates are fed, various metabolic and health problems may be exhibited. These include off-feed, acidosis, or founder, tissue damage, decreased performance and, in some instances, death. Some of the metabolic changes affect milk composition and efficiency of utilization of energy. Very high grain feeding increases the tendency for body fat deposition as opposed to conversion of feed to milk energy. For this and other reasons, high-concentrate feeding has been of much greater interest in cattle-fattening operations than on dairy farms. Several factors have an important influence on the presence or degree of problems with high-concentrate feedings. Types of concentrate and of forage, when some is fed, have very large effects. Flaking, cooking, heating, and pelleting increase the metabolic changes with high-concentrate feeding. It is important that cattle be adapted to high concentrates slowly. More frequent feeding decreases the problems. Physical processing of forage can greatly change the metabolism of animals fed predominantly forage diets. For example, fine grinding and pelleting of all the forage results in some of the metabolic changes observed with high-concentrate feeding. Also, pelleting appreciably increases the voluntary intake of certain types of forages. While proven methods do not now appear to be in existence, information currently available strongly suggests that it would be possible to develop practical methods of processing forage to increase digestibility and level of voluntary intake so that high-producing cows could obtain most of their energy requirement from poor-quality forages. With sufficient information, also, it is probably possible to develop methods which permit dependency on essentially all concentrates. Thus, practical dairy-cow feeding in the future is dependent on much more basic research on their nutritional biochemistry and metabolism.
Nilmanifolds with Anosov Automorphism

In his survey article [14] S Smalc raised the problem of classifying all Anosov automorphisms of compact manifolds. His conjecture, which is now supported by results of J- Franks [5J and A, Manning [91, is that any Anosov automorphism of a compact manifold is topologically conjugate to a hyperbolic infra-nilmanifold automorphism. This highlights another problem, that of classifying all nilmanifolds which admit Anosov automorphisms The question was first raised in a somewhat weaker form by Anosov, in the Moscow congress. In (14J Smale described an example, due to Borel, of a non-toral nilmanifold admitting Anosov automorphisms. Sub-sequently L. Auslander and J. Scheuneman [1] introduced another class of nilmani-folds admitting Anosov automorphisms. On the other hand it is easy to construct examples of nilmanifolds which do not admit Anosov automorphisms. In this note, using some results about algebraic groups and arithmetic sub-groups, we propose a general construction of nilmanifolds with Anosov automorphisms. Apart from providing a more general perspective (cf. Corollary 2.3 and the introduction to 3) we are also able to construct some new examples (cf. Corollary 3.2). It is conceivable that the method may lead to a complete classification of nilmanifolds with Anosov automorphisms and the author hopes to return to the subject.
The Case for Embedded Hospital Librarianship

This article advocates for hospital librarians to reposition themselves by becoming embedded into clinical care, research, and education departments to become integral team players within their institutions.
An integrated analog correlator using charge-coupled devices

A 20-stage analog CCD correlator has been constructed on a 42 × 74 mil2IC. Four quadrant analog multipliers have been used to combine the voltages from CCD taps to produce a correlation output. Multipliers achieve 1% linearity.
Suspended glass nanochannels coupled with microstructures for single molecule detection

We present a nonlithographic approach for forming free standing nanochannels, made of a variety of materials, that can be easily integrated with microfabricated structures. The approach uses a deposited polymeric fiber as a sacrificial template around which a deposited coating forms a tube. We formed suspended nanochannels of silica glass spanning a trench on a silicon wafer and used these structures for detection of single fluorescently labeled proteins. This geometry provides excellent isolation of the molecules of interest and also separates them from surrounding material that could create unwanted background fluorescence. The same geometry provides a platform for observing motion and mechanical response of the suspended nanochannel, and we measured the mechanical resonance of a glass channel of the type used for the fluorescent detection. This type of structure provides a general approach for integrating fluid carrying nanochannels with microstructures.
Effects of prolonged quiescence on neuclei and chromatin of WI-38 fibroblasts

DNA synthesis and cell division are markedly reduced in confluent mono-layers of WI-38 diploid fibroblasts, but resume again if the depleted medium is replaced by fresh medium containing 10% fetal calf serum. If the cells are kept quiescent for prolonged periods of time after confluence (1 or 2 weeks), the fraction of cells that can be stimulated to proliferate by fresh serum decreases and the length of the prereplicative phase increases. The template activity of isolated nuclei decreases with increasing time of quiescence, and parallel changes occur in chromatin as evidenced by circular dichroism spectra and capacity to bind the intercalating dye, ethidium bromide. When WI-38 cells are stimulated to proliferate after prolonged quiescence, the increase in template activity of nuclei is delayed by several hours in comparison to cells stimulated after short periods of quiescence. Two distinct steps, both requiring serum, can be identified in the prereplicative phase of cells stimulated to proliferate after prolonged quiescence. We interpret the results as indicating that, during prolonged quiescence, WI-38 fibroblasts go into a deeper G0 state from which they can be rescued only after prolonged stimulation. In this respect, prolonged quiescence may bear some resemblance to the process of aging.
The Coulomb branch of Yang-Mills theory from the Schrödinger representation

Abstract The Coulomb branch of the potential between two static colored sources is calculated for the Yang-Mills theory using the electric Schrodinger representation.
Optimal control of connected vehicle systems

In this paper, linear quadratic tracking (LQT) is used to optimize the control gains for connected cruise control (CCC). We consider a vehicle string where the CCC vehicle at the tail receives position and velocity signals through wireless vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication from other vehicles ahead (that are not equipped with CCC). An optimal feedback law is obtained by minimizing a cost function defined by headway and velocity errors and the acceleration of the CCC vehicle on an infinite horizon. We show that the feedback gains can be obtained recursively as signals from vehicles farther ahead become available, and that the gains decay exponentially with the number of cars between the source of the signal and the CCC vehicle. The effects of the cost function on the head-to-tail string stability are investigated and the robustness against variations in human parameters is tested. The analytical results are verified by numerical simulations.
S4andS4Extensions of Q Ramified at Only One Prime

Abstract For each primepin a certain family of odd primes, we construct anS4extension of Q unramified outsidep. We show that for allp≡3 (mod 8) in our family, thisS4extension embeds in anS4extension, which is also unramified outsidep. Invoking Serre's conjecture (in a proven case) allows us to relate the splitting of primes in these extensions to certain modular forms of level 1.
Diagnostic accuracy of exfoliative pulmonary cytology.

he increased incidence of bronchogenic carcinoma has brought with it diagnostic problems, especially in the evaluation of abT normal chest roentgenograms. In primary carcinoma of the lung, bronchial biopsy will reveal the diagnosis in about one-third of cases. Biopsy of scalene lymph nodes in the absence of palpable nodes will demonstrate the presence of metastatic carcinoma in about 10 to 20% of cases. An outcome of the development of exfoliative cytology during the last two decades has been the growing dependence of thoracic surgeons on cytological examination of respiratory secretions to diagnose lung cancer. It is not generally realized, however, that not only can cytological examination of sputum or bronchial aspirate be used to diagnose the presence of bronchogenic carcinoma; it also can be applied to the histological typing of the neoplasms. In our medical center the presence of malignant cells in sputum or bronchial aspirate is regarded as reliable evidence that a malignant neoplasm exists in the respiratory tract. A question has been raised, however, concerning the reliability of cytological examination in the typing of bronchogenic carcinomas. T o answer this question, we have reviewed our experience with 104 cases of bronchogenic carcinoma. In these cases a definite statement as to the type of carcinoma was arrived at by cytological examination, and there was histopathological material to confirm or refute the cytological typing.
Radioisotopic assay for rat liver sulfotransferase activity

Abstract A hepatic sulfotransferase enzyme catalyzing the transfer of sulfate-( 35 S) from 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate-( 35 S) to p -nitrophenol was partially purified by differential centrifugation and (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 fractionation. Employing this enzyme, a radioisotopic procedure for assaying rat liver sulfotransferase activity is described. The enzyme activity was linear for the first 10 min of incubation and with a protein concentration up to 0·2 mg/ml of incubation mixture. Enzyme activity was present within a pH range of 5·4 to 8·4; however, maximum sulfate transfer activity occured around pH 6·4. Seventy-one per cent of the initial enzyme activity was present after almost 2 months of storage at −75°, while the activity of enzyme stored at 4 and −20° had decreased to 32 and 30 per cent of the original activity respectively. In addition, the Michaelis constant ( K m ) and maximal velocity were determined for p -nitrophenol, salicylamide and dehydroepiandrosterone.
Basic Biological Sciences Demonstration of Fibronectin as a Major Extracellular Protein of Human Gingival Fibroblasts

A major extracellular protein of cultured adult human gingival fibroblasts was shown to be fibronectin by indirect immunofluorescence, lactoperoxidase catalyzed iodination and metabolic radiolabeling. Fibronectin preparations from these cells possessed the biological properties of agglutination of sheep red blood cells and promotion of cell adhesion to a collagen substrate.
New States and Charmonium Spectroscopy at BABAR

Abstract Several charmonium-like states above D D ¯ threshold have been discovered at the Belle and BaBar B -factories. Some are produced via Initial State Radiation (e.g. Y ( 4260 ) and Y ( 4350 ) ), and some are observed in B meson decays (e.g. X ( 3872 ) , Y ( 3940 ) , and Z ( 4430 ) − ). The Z ( 4430 ) − state has generated a great deal of interest, having minimum quark content ( c c ¯ d u ¯ ) and, thus, representing the unequivocal manifestation of a four-quark meson state. Here we summarize recent BaBar results on the Y ( 4260 ) , X ( 3872 ) , Y ( 3940 ) , and on a search for the Z ( 4430 ) − .
Repellents vs. toxicants as clothing treatments for protection from mosquitoes and other biting flies.

Two repellents, deet and M-1960 (military clothing mixture), and a toxicant, resmethrin, were compared on military fatigue clothing in laboratory and field studies with mosquitoes and other biting flies to determine their effectiveness in protecting the exposed, untreated hands and faces of test subjects. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that resmethrin-treated clothing gave significantly greater protection from bites on exposed skin than repellent-treated clothing. When the repellents were worn in combination with clothing treated with permethrin, protection time was significantly longer than protection time obtained when untreated uniforms or uniforms treated with M-1960 were worn.
Warm water pathways, transports, and transformations in the northwestern North Atlantic and their modification by cold air outbreaks

[1] This paper presents a numerical study of the warm water pathways, transports, and water mass transformation in the Newfoundland Basin region and an investigation of the rectification effects of a series of cold air outbreaks (CAOs) on the above processes. An initial “mean state” simulation was compared with observations and showed good agreement. Then, repeated CAO events were explicitly included in the surface fluxes and illustrated the following rectification effects. The thermal regime of the entire baroclinic layer was impacted, as the thermocline deepened and the temperature anomaly was noticeable down to ∼500 m. Different mechanisms were responsible for the propagation of the temperature anomaly at different stages. During the onset of the CAO, vertical diffusion propagated the temperature anomaly downward near the surface, then vertical advection further propagated the anomaly downward between CAO events to about 500 m depth. With CAOs, the North Atlantic Current carried more warm water, and its pathway in the Northwest Corner shifted towards the southeast. The volume-averaged mean and eddy kinetic energy increased by 30% and 20%, respectively, and the water mass transformation rate in the Newfoundland basin was doubled. The Gulf Stream carried more heat, but heat transport to the eastern basin decreased owing to the increase in heat release to the atmosphere.
The response of the North Pacific Ocean to decadal variability in atmospheric forcing: Wind versus buoyancy forcing

Abstract Both wind and buoyancy forcing result in variability in the North Pacific Ocean thermocline. A vertical modal analysis of the density deviations in a 30-yr run of an ocean general circulation model of the North Pacific forced by atmospheric variability is used to identify the spatial and temporal patterns of the different baroclinic modes. The different dynamic vertical modes show distinct propagation characteristics, with the first baroclinic mode exhibiting consistent westward propagation at all latitudes. The higher baroclinic modes show westward phase propagation at low latitudes but propagate eastward at higher latitudes. The propagation characteristics of each mode can be understood by the inclusion of the zonal mean flow in the vertical structure equation. Evaluation of the Ekman pumping and diapycnal fluxes in the quasigeostrophic potential vorticity equation for each dynamic vertical mode distinguishes their effects on the thermocline variability. Wind variability dominantly forces the f...
Growth Response to GH Therapy According to Peak GH 404

Studies of GH-treated patients have suggested that the degree of GH deficiency may not predict the magnitude of growth response to therapy. These data are primarily from large registries and may have obscured the presence of other diagnoses that can influence growth velocity (GV). We hypothesized that, in accurately diagnosed GH-deficient patients, annual GV would correlate negatively with peak stimulated GH.
Photon energy distribution of some typical diagnostic x‐ray beams

A high-purity germanium spectrometer system was used to determine primary x-ray spectra over the 45--90-kVp region. Methods were devised for producing and examining spectra stimulating diagnostic conditions without operating the x-ray generator at high current levels. The techniques used to correct the experimental data and produce a photon fluence spectrum are discussed. The results, presented graphically and in tables, have been normalized to yield the relative number of photons per 2-keV interval. Methods for converting a normalized spectrum into a photon fluence spectrum that will produce an exposure of 1 R are presented. The analytical model and procedures used to calculate the K-escape fraction are discussed.
Does Rituximab Have a Place in Treating Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma

Monoclonal antibodies targeting surface proteins on the malignant Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells are currently under intensive investigation with promising early results. Of particular interest is the CD20 antigen, because it is expressed not only on a small fraction of HRS cells but also on the benign reactive B cells in the microenvironment. The rationale of using rituximab in classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) comprises several points: 1) HRS cells infrequently express CD20; 2) elimination of CD20-positive reactive B cells supporting HRS cells would deprive the malignant cells of survival signals; 3) elimination of reactive B cells may also potentially increase host immune response against HRS cells; 4) HRS stem cells express CD20. Although this rationale has not generally been confirmed in patients, promising results in managing cHL have occurred in early-phase clinical trials of rituximab, including trials of rituximab as a single agent in refractory or recurrent cHL, rituximab plus gemcitabine in refractory or recurrent cHL, and rituximab plus ABVD in newly diagnosed cHL. Based on the results of these trials, several prospective clinical trials using rituximab in the management of advanced-stage cHL and early-stage cHL are ongoing. These trials further clarify the role of rituximab in cHL. Enrollment of patients with this “classic” disease in clinical trials is encouraged.
The endovascular training model for continuing medical education courses

Today's CME programs are mainly in lecture format and lack the hands-on learning experience that is so important in acquiring the skills connected with current technologic innovations. To fill this void, we have developed the life-size Endovascular Training Model, which can be used to practice various endovascular procedures. The model has been used in two CME courses with positive results. We present this model as a useful educational tool in vascular surgery CME courses.
Role of B:T cell ratio in suppression of clinical signs: A model for silent MS

B10.S mice have been considered resistant to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of multiple sclerosis. However, sensitization with a myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) peptide, MOG92–106, induced clinical signs in 30% of mice and central nervous system (CNS) pathology in 93% of mice. Symptomatic mice had more demyelination, inflammation, perivascular cuffing and axonal damage in the CNS compared to asymptomatic mice, but no strong correlations between CNS pathology and clinical score were found. Interestingly, the ratio of B cells to T cells in cellular infiltrates correlated with clinical score. This suggests that the balance between B and T cells contributes to expression of clinical signs.
A MYLK variant regulates asthmatic inflammation via alterations in mRNA secondary structure

A MYLK variant regulates asthmatic inflammation via alterations in mRNA secondary structure
Descriptive Operative Reports: Teaching, Learning, and Milestones to Safe Surgery

Objective Few tasks are more ingrained within the minds of practicing surgeons than the dictation of the narrative report of an operation. However, the construct of these reports varies widely among surgeons and is rarely formally taught and not tested formally during surgical training or board certification. Design A cohort of patients undergoing incisional hernia repair (IHR) over a 5-year period from 16 academically affiliated Veterans' Administration (VA) hospitals was identified. Technical details of the operative approach were obtained only from operative notes. Frequency of missing elements was analyzed by postgraduate year of the resident. Results Overall, 1367 IHR operative reports were analyzed, comprising 456 (33%) suture repairs, 802 (59%) open mesh repairs, 97 (7%) laparoscopic repairs, and 12 (1%) where repair type could not be determined. Hernia size in any dimension was absent in 63.5% of dictations and was similar regardless of PGY, (54%, 56%, 71%, 67%, and 66% for PGY 1-5, respectively). Among the 906 mesh repairs, 65% failed to mention the mesh size. This absence was similar across PGY (64%, 69%, 65%, 66%, and 68% for PGY 1-5, respectively), and attending reports were only marginally better, with mesh size absent in 57% of reports. In the 456 cases repaired by suture alone, 76% did not record the type of suture used with significant variation by PGY (78%, 59%, 87%, 89%, and 69% for PGY 1-5, attending - 86%). Conclusions Resident dictation of the operative report represents an opportunity to understand current cognitive deficits regarding the procedure and to allow for intervention. Future studies to validate that internalization of the cognitive aspects of operations can be measured by audit of operative notes are needed. These endeavors will ensure that not only the technical but also the mental guides to safe surgery are acquired.
Transform coding of monochrome and color images using trellis coded quantization

The application of transform coding using trellis coded quantization (TCQ) to encode monochrome and color images is investigated. Specifically, TCQ is used to encode transform coefficients resulting from applying a 16 * 16 discrete cosine transform (DCT) to 8-b gray level and 24-b color images. For the color images, the red, green, and blue (RGB) planes are transformed into the NTSC transmission primaries (Y,I,and Q) before the DCT is applied. Rate allocation schemes for encoding the transform coefficients and side information are presented and discussed. The generalized Lloyd algorithm and the entropy-constrained vector quantizer design algorithm are used to design fixed-rate and entropy-constrained codebooks. The entropy-constrained designs result in a low-complexity system with objective performance rivaling that of many coding schemes from the literature. >
Explosive emission and gap closure from a relativistic electron beam diode

Explosive emission cathode studies are currently being conducted on a high power relativistic electron beam diode. A black velvet cathode is driven with a 75 Ohm graded transmission line, which provides a 3.8 MV, 80 ns (FWHM) pulse across a fixed A-K gap of 17.8 cm. Cathode sizes range from 1.9-7 cm with space-charge limited currents of 0.26-3 kA. The principal objective of these experiments is to quantify the current emission limits and the dynamics of the gap closure process. A qualitative comparison of experimental and calculated results are presented, which included the I-V relationship, impedance and perveance curves, plasma expansion velocity, and the time-resolved light emission on the surface of the cathode.
Audio coding and image denoising based on the nonuniform modulated complex lapped transform

Xiong and Malvar recently introduced a nonuniform modulated complex lapped transform (NMCLT) with good time-localization and controllable frequency resolution by using an oversampled nonuniform filter bank to generate its real and the imaginary components. In this paper, we first show that oversampling in the NMCLT is not necessary in theory but a by-product of fast implementation in practice. We also point out that the amount of oversampling, which can be flexibly controlled, depends on the application. We then describe in detail the implementation of the inverse transform, which was not addressed clearly by Xiong and Malvar. We present the first applications of the NMCLT to audio coding and image denoising. A scalable audio coder has been implemented by controlling the amount of oversampling and exploiting redundancy among the NMCLT coefficients via predictive coding. Experimental results show that the audio coder reduces pre-echoes and improves the sound quality of audio clips with transient sounds. A simple denoising algorithm based on the NMCLT has also been devised to provide images with better visual quality than those obtained with wavelet-based soft thresholding.
Classification of microarrays to nearest centroids

Motivation: Classification of biological samples by microarrays is a topic of much interest. A number of methods have been proposed and successfully applied to this problem. It has recently been shown that classification by nearest centroids provides an accurate predictor that may outperform much more complicated methods. The 'Prediction Analysis of Microarrays' (PAM) approach is one such example, which the authors strongly motivate by its simplicity and interpretability. In this spirit, I seek to assess the performance of classifiers simpler than even PAM. Results: I surprisingly show that the modified t-statistics and shrunken centroids employed by PAM tend to increase misclassification error when compared with their simpler counterparts. Based on these observations, I propose a classification method called 'Classification to Nearest Centroids' (ClaNC). ClaNC ranks genes by standard t-statistics, does not shrink centroids and uses a class-specific gene-selection procedure. Because of these modifications, ClaNC is arguably simpler and easier to interpret than PAM, and it can be viewed as a traditional nearest centroid classifier that uses specially selected genes. I demonstrate that ClaNC error rates tend to be significantly less than those for PAM, for a given number of active genes. Availability: Point-and-click software is freely available at http://students.washington.edu/adabney/clanc Contact: adabney@u.washington.edu Supplementary Information: http://students.washington.edu/adabney/clanc/supplement.pdf
Mass Spectrometry for Species or Strain Identification after Culture or without Culture: Past, Present, and Future

This minireview discusses the use of mass spectrometry in biomarker discovery, the current utility of these markers for bacterial identification after culture, and the potential for non-culture-based diagnosis of infectious diseases. The bases of these thoughts are the independent revolutions that
Transformational Leadership Required to Design and Sustain Evidence-Based Practice: A System Exemplar

In a pay-for-performance environment, implementing and sustaining evidence-based practice (EBP) is no longer a luxury but a necessity. A critical driving force for EBP is that our communities—the people we serve—expect to receive care based on the best available evidence. Transformational nursing leadership is required to create an infrastructure that influences organizational factors, processes and expectations, thus enabling the sustainability of EBP. The American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Organization of Nurse Executives provide a framework for nursing leaders to consider when designing EBP implementation structures. This exemplar illustrates nursing leadership competencies with regard to implementation and sustainability of EBP within a multihospital system.
Alterations in CD4 dependence accompany T cell development and differentiation

Several studies have indicated that the necessity for co-receptor engagement during T cell activation depends on the avidity of the TCR-MHC interaction under investigation. Using thymocytes, naive T cells and a long-term T cell line isolated from 2B4 TCR transgenic mice, we have examined the role of the CD4 co-receptor on cells expressing the identical TCR at multiple stages of T cell maturation. When anti-CD4 Fab fragments were used to block CD4-MHC class II interactions, we found decreasing CD4 dependence as T cells matured. As a second approach to examining the role of the CD4 co-receptor, we generated I-Ek mutants defective in CD4 interactions. In the course of this study, we identified a new potential site for CD4 interaction in the beta1 domain of I-Ek. The new beta1 mutation and a mutation in the previously described CD4 binding site in the beta2 domain both interfere with stimulation of 2B4 thymocytes, but not mature T cells. Together these data demonstrate that the role of the CD4 co-receptor depends on the state of maturation of the T cell.
A prototype system for static and dynamic program understanding

A tool called PUNDIT (Program Understanding Investigation Tool) is described. It is a prototype intended to serve as a vehicle for exploring and testing ideas in the area of program understanding; it combines static analysis information with information collected at runtime. The architecture of PUNDIT is described, together with its two main components (the C source analyzer and a graphical user interface). Several of the views provided by the tool are explained, including a high-level structure chart, a dynamic call graph, a control flow graph animated during program execution, a type definition window, and others. By integrating static and dynamic information, the tool provides a more comprehensive understanding of a program as the first step to reengineering or maintaining the application that can be obtained by static analysis alone. >
Ontogenesis of electroencephalographic seizure patterns in developing chick embryos during recovery from hypothermic hypoxia.

Chick embryos between the 15th and 20th day of incubation were subjected to hypothermia of 20°C followed by nitrogenous hypoxia until the cerebral EEG showed no fluctuations of potential. The embryos were exposed to air 15 or 30 min later. Body temperature was raised to 30°C and maintained there for 1 hr before being raised to 36°C, during which time 2 types of seizure episodes of rhythmic waves appeared. Type I was characterized by an ontogenetically later appearance (after the 15th day), larger amplitude, spike and slow wave patterns, a frequency of .3-3.5 Hz with the slowest in the younger embryos, and a duration of 1 to several minutes. Type II was characterized by an earlier ontogenetic appearance, small amplitude, a frequency of 1-30 Hz, and a duration of a few seconds to several minutes. None of these seizure episodes was observed after body temperature had reached 36°C. About the 17th day of incubation, the physiological components responsible for producing EEG patterns during episodes seem to undergo an abrupt maturational change indicated by the increase in percentage of embryos undergoing Type I episodes, and by changes in frequency of waves and duration of episodes.
The Invasive Phenotype in HMT-3522 Cells Requires Increased EGF Receptor Signaling Through Both PI 3-Kinase and ERK 1,2 Pathways

We studied the invasion of HMT-3522 breast epithelial cells in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF), and the associated signaling pathways. HMT-3522 T4-2 cells were shown to invade Matrigel-coated Transwell membranes in response to EGF while HMT-3522 S-1 cells failed to invade when treated with EGF. Studies utilizing specific molecular inhibitors showed the importance of &#103 1 integrin, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI 3-kinase), p38, extracellular regulated kinase 1, 2 (Erk 1,2) MAP kinases, and metalloproteinases in invasion and motility. T4-2 cell invasion was shown to be time-dependent and also gene transcription-dependent as shown by inhibition with Actinomycin D. T4-2 cells exhibited an increased activation of MAP kinases Erk 1,2 (2-fold), EGF receptor (3-fold), and PI 3-kinase (3- to 4-fold) when compared to the S-1 cells. In response to EGF, T4-2 cells showed a 5-fold greater secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as compared to S-1 cells, and this increase was largely dependent o...